New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-31
THE TABERNACLE'S PASTOR.
THE REV DR.. CHARLES JEFFERSON TO
BE CALLED.
HE IS NOW WITH THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH OF CHELSEA MAss.-THE EFFORTS

The committee which was appointed ny tne
members of the Broadway Tabernacle to select
and recommend pastor has unanimously de-
cided in favor Of recommending the extension Of
a call 10 the Rev Dr. Charles jefferson, OF the
First Congregational Church of Chelsea, Mass.
y meeting of the church and society will be held
on Wednesday evening at the Tabernacle to re-
ceive the report OF this committee and To take
definite action upon it. The usual lecture pre-
paratory to the celebration of communion. that
to have been held on Wednesday evening.
has been postponed to Thursday evening. There
is little doubt that the church viii ratfy the ac-
tion OF it's committee at its meeting Of Wednes-
day evening.
DIR. Jefferson is thirty-eigh. years old and
is married. He was born IN Ohio apd was grad
uated from Ohio College. He has been for some
years pastor Of the First Congrega tiona Church
at Chelsea. where his sermons have attracted
much attention from the general public and
his pastoral work has been much appreciated
The Broadway Tabernacle, whose church
building stands at Broadway and Thirty-fourth-
ST.. has been without a pastor now for nearly
two years. in April. 1896 the Rev. Or. Henry
\. Siimson. who came from st. Louis To accept
the pastorate in 1898 resigned owing 20 some
differences with members Of his congregation
as 10 the policy which he had pursued in his
administration of the pastorate. There were
many members of the church who favored dis
posing of the valuable site upon which the
church building was erected and moving further
uptown. and IT was said that it was upon this
point they differed with Dr. -Stimson. although
nobody believed that this was the sole differ
ence with the pastor. Or. Stimson's position
was made especially difficult because he succeed
ed the Rev. Or. William NJ Taylor, who for
years occupied the pulpit of the Tabernacle and
whose sermons We're widely noted and whose
personality was a remarkable one in many
ways
UNABLE TO GET DR. RAYMOND.
Since DR.. Stimson's resignation the church has
been without pastor. and It's pulpit has been
occupied by large number of clergymen. The
Rev. Or Raymond president of Union College.
has frequently preached to the congregation.
and earnest attempts have frequently been
made TO induce him to accept call TO the pas
torate. but without success. II was only ten
days ago that the committee having the matter
in charge reported 10 the church society that
its Efforts to secure Dr. Raymond had been fruit
less Dr. Raymond occupied the pulpit of the
Tabernacle yesterday morning and evening.
About one year ago the Rev. Dr Frank W.
Gunsaulus. Of Chicago. frequently occupied the
pulpit OF the Tabernacle. and with such power
and coqueuce that the committee Of the church
recommended that q call he given him. DIR.
Gunsaulus however. attended the ceremonies
that accompanied the dedication Of General
Grants tomb las. spring and contracted such a
sevcre cold that serious illness followed. and
his physician forbade him TO preach for twelve
months at least so that the efforts 10 secure his
services came to end.
The committee having the matter IN charge Of
which Or William II Thomson. Of No : West
I-ifty-sixth-st. is chairman, has been indefati-
gable I'm the discharge Of IFS duties. and repre-
sentatves appointed by il have made several
trips 70 Chelsea 10 hear the sermons OF Or. JET
ferson " is understood that DR.. jefferson con
sented 10 allow the committee 20 present his
name 70 the church and society Of the Ia ber-
nacle AZ its meeting on Wednesday evening
The Broadway Tabernacle Is one of the largest
and most important Of the Congregational
churches Of the city It's members include many
prominent and wealthy men Cornelius y
Bliss Secretary % the Interior is one of the
members Of the Tabernacle. and also is
Caleb = kneyals. At the present time its mem
borslip is about seven hundred. At time
during the paStorate OF Dr. Taylor the member
ship list rose 10 about thousand, and he fall
Ing of in numbers is one Of the arguments used
bv the members ~ the church who advocate
moving further uptown This proposition has
been repeatedly made before the church
ar its meetings. and now seems 10 be gen
orally favored No active attempt has been re-
Gently made however. 70 dispose Of the valuable
site upon which the church property stands but
il is understood that the site would be sold II
a satisfactory price were offered. There have
.la hut hat
the church was Inclined TO accept
DIR RAYMOND's SERMON
The Rev Dr. Raymond preached yesterday
morning at the Tabernacle to a large and ap-
preclative congregation. He chose as his text
the sixteenth verse Of the fifth chapter of the
Epsile Of Paul 10 the Galatians: walk in the
spirit and ye shall not fulfil the lust Of the
flesh"
DR.. Raymond said in part.
Every man is TO some extent mass Of moral con
tradictions This is not always apparent. much
OF a mans lie Is hidden. especially that which i
ovil But giance at historical characters will
show the truth of this statement clearly. Noltaife.
hatred vet made his nome in Swfzcrland. an
asylum for future Pro;esiants Byron. the profigae.
could YET tune his harp 70 the loftest strains;
Bacon has been called the wsesi. brightest and
nelnest of Webster. although profoundly
religious stiil could parayze his hign powers with
drink. Al these show the moral antnfonism- o.
every mans life We all mount heavcnward in
Sabbath contemplation and crawl along tho earth
on Monday morning. How are we to account
Tor ii'
There is ono explanation often offered. and that
Is that man j. the sport OF the forces without him.
There is partial truth here. II Is partly true tntt
our characters rise or fall IKE The barometer win
the pressure OF our moral atmosphere still. IT is
only partly true. and therefore all the danger
,ll.I This doctrine denies mans responsibility u
reduces him 10 the level OF plant. Surely this l.
nor the answer by which We rrst. II - answer
mat -tiics conscience. over against II stands
Gods eternal truth Let no man say he H. the
Sicilm OF God for God cannot be tempted neither
tcmpteth tie any man. The fact OF temptation
does not answer the question. Satan can sift one
a. wheat and set leave Simon Peer pure light.
A. A man tninketh In his heart 50 is he. II Is not
Tho mower thai knocks but the power tina: opens
me door that makes him what he l..
Another theory Of lie IS one that seems 10 an
ever b. feS O. experience II gives q
sci If fudcncies that good ana another tnat are
,,'p A. is a common idea that tne earthly body T.
.orrilpt and that earthly desires ought 10 he