New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-10

have been privileged TO minister to the people
Of this church have labored. not for the sake
of popularity, but for the salvation or those WIN
believe N the Word OF God. have lapored' ho'
for exhibitions OF scholarship or rhetoric pu'
for the welfare Of believers In Christ Anu
now. that speak here for the last time LEI ME
beg and entreat that when you no longer near
nv voice you will carry out the exhortation con-
tanned in these verses Of Scripture. peseeC"
Won 10 hold fast to the truth and you VIII DC
sanctifed by the truth through the Holy spirit
WHAT TRUSTEES SAY.
Several OF the trustees wore seen yesterday
but for the most part they declined 10 DISCUSS
DR.. Halls resignation further than 10 say 'na'
the sole reasons for the severance OF MS rei'
tIons with the church were contained Ill MS
letter. It was pointed out tfat the pastor hau
worked for nearly fifty years In furthera'ce Vi
the PRESBYTERIAN faith. and that ne desreu ~
ra,,re A,usion was also made to the domestic
sorrows. In the death of his son and grandson
last wear. by which their pastor had been ar
A,cted. as tending 10 bring about his determina-
,,on N retire into a comparatively secluded lire.
nv all the trustees who we're seen II was denleu
that any suggestions looking 10 DR.. Hairs resig-
nation had first emarated from any or the con-
rregation and as a RECITATION of the statement
that the warszawak controversy mad some
bearing upon the matter. the fact was Po'i''eu
TO that more than year ago the pastor h"'
,nt,mated his wish 10 be released from fur'her
service.
Suas r Rrowncll the Clerk Of the Sessions
refused to comment upon the resignation pe
yond SAYING that the pastor and congregation
r.,s IN entire harmony, and that DR.. Hall, be-
fore publicly making known his Intention co"-
ferred with representatives. Of the church
Robert Bonner said that when DR.. Hall hrst
suggested he should retire every one 10 "ho''
he told his purpose demonstrated VIII" n''''
"H,t" said Mr. Bonner. "Dr. Hall appeared TO
think that his long service OF thirty years co.
him the right to retire. During his ministry
he was practically at the head or the freSo!
,a-,ar Church in America. and was constantly
Travelling 10 widely diverse points upon ofiiclal
missions IN addition TO doing his pastoral WORK
He needs rest and has earned 1t thoroughly.
Dr Hall himself, when seen after yesterday
a,,arnoon's service declined 10 talk with news
nansr representatives. He explained that all ne
u,ehed 70 saw was contained in his letter 20 the
session.
Refore any question relating TO DIT. Hairs sue
>As.or can be considered his resignation VIII
have 10 go to the Presbytery for action Inc
nower OF dssolving the relations between ue
pastor and the church lies with the fresoEler!,
and a meeting Of the congregation VIII De he'u
ON January 10. for the purpose of uniting with
the pastor in the request TO the h'shor Oou' ~
declare the pulpit vacant.
Although the selection Of successor 10 Ut
Hall has not been much discussed as ve' " !.
sa,d that an effort Is to be made by some OF
,,. trustees 10 have a call extended TO the KEY
Mr. Black. OF Edinburgh. Scotland VINO Is sa'a
~ he an eloquent and brilliant young Prespy-
terrain minister. DR.. Halls salary Is $i''ooo
year. , ~
John Hall was born in Armagh, lreiano' Oh
1,,,v 81 1890 He was educated at Belfast COZ
,sea which he entered when he was thirteen
wears old He was licensed to preach IN lo7'.
and began work as missionary IN the "es So %
Ireland Remaining there Until January lo'-'
he vas called TO the First Presbyterian Church
~ Armagh In 1853 he accepted call 70 the
collegiate Church OF ST. Mary's Abbey. Dublin
In 1867 he became pastor OF the fl1'h Avenue
PRESBYTERIAN Church and has since PRESIDED
over probably the most influential Presbyterian
congregation in America.