Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-15
THE CALL TO MIR. GUTHRIE.
Circumstances Under which He
Came to Locate in Richmond.


For more than year. as one who is In
position to know informs the Dispatch,
DIR. Hoge has been looking for some
young man of talents, learning. and con-
secrated life who might assist him In.
the ever-accumulating work which he
has been doing in his own church and in
the general outside work which has de-
volved upon him.
About four months ago Mr.. Donald
Guthrie came to Richmond. bringing
letter OF introduction from his uncle,
Principal McVicar. Of Montreal College.
10 DR.. Hoge, stating that his nephew,
Mr.. Guthrie. had been advised by physi-
clans that 1t would be necessary for him
70 leave Canada, on account Of the health
Of his wife, and for her benefit find
home in a milder climate. DR.. Hoge sug-
gested to him that 1t might be well for
him to stop week or two in Richmond
before going further South, and see what
advantages he might gain by exchanging
the climate of Virginia for that OF Cana
da. Mr.. Guthrie was pleased with the
suggestion, and after q fortnights resi-
dence in Richmond was satisfied that
so far as health was concerned he need
not go south of this city. During that
brief sojourn in Richmond. he preached
several times to tho great satisfaction
Of the people Of the Second Presbyterian
church and its pastor. who then engaged
Mr.. Guthrie to assist him in his Church
work for three months. He did this so
acceptably that a general desire was
awakened that more permanent rela-
ton should be established. This led TO
q meeting Of the members Of the Second
Presbyterian church on Sunday, the 9Th
instant, to present call to Mr.. Guthrie
as co-pastor with DR.. Hoge.
At that meeting, at which DR.. Hoge
presided, Mr.. Guthrie was nominated by
Judge George l.. Christian, In a happy
address, which briefly recounted all that
pertained to the occasion, full of appre-
citation for Mr.. Guthrie as a minister and
as a man, of the fine impression he had
made both in the pulpit and in his as
ISOLATION with the people. and OF his evil
dent fitness in every way for the position
TO which 1t was proposed to call him.
Judge Christian paid a loving tribute
to the pastor, who had served the church
for more than fifty years, and empha-
sized the fact that the suggestion to have
a co-pastor did not originate with the
church, but came from DR.. Hoge himself,
whose ministrations grew more and more
acceptable with advancing years, and
who needed assistance only because OF
MS eVer-dcCuInuldllnS OutSiuo anu Beh-
eral work in so many departments OF
labor and Christian enterprise.
This nomination was seconded in n few
brief, appropriate words by Hon. w. w.
Henry, and the result was unanimous
vote OF the congregation to give Mr..
Guthrie the proposed call.
At meeting of East Hanover Presby-
terry, held in this city last week, DR..
Hoge informed the presbytery that Mr..
Guthrie had accepted the invitation, and
that regular call, in accordance with
the requirements of the Book OF Church
Order, had been made out. and the pres
bytery gave permission to the Second
Presbyterian church to place the call In
the hands OF Mr.. Guthrie. In due time
arrangements will be made for his install
lation and induction into the important
position he is to occupy.
Great satisfaction has been expressed
at this happy consummation of the hopes
and wishes of the pastor and people of
the church.
Mr.. Guthrie will preach in the Second
church this afternoon at o'clock.