Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-11
New York City, January 6. 1898.
WORDS OF SYMPATHY.
The resolutions of the session follow


Whereas. our pastor. the Rev. John
Han. ID. D., Ii. D.. after thirty years OF
arduous labors amongst us, feels con-
strained TO seek relief from the burdens
and responsibilities Of the pastorate. and
mas advised us of his intention TO apply
10 the presbytery to dissolve the pastoral
relations existing between him and this
church; therefore
Resolved. That this session desires TO
place on record its very deep sense OF Dr.
Halls untiring and unselfsh labors, and
the great blessings which have attended
his ministry. Coming TO this country and
becoming our pastor in 1861. he has gone
in and out amongst US for thirty years,
preaching the Word, visiting our sick.
burying our dead. and bringing comfort
and help to souls cast down and SORROW
ful. The prosperity and usefulness of our
church for so many years bear witness
10 the blessings which have attended his
labCrs. Nor have these labOrS been con-
fined 10 this church alone-church extern
sion i'm this city. home and foreign mis-
sions. ministerial education. support ana
relief-all church work has been benefited
by his services Indeed. no form Of re-
ligious or philanthropical labors can be
said TO be alien 10 him. His influence for
good has been felt and recognized
throughout the whole Christian world.
not merely in his own. but in every other
evangelical denomination.
Resolved, That a meeting of the church
and congregation be called 10 take acton
on the pastors resignation on Wednesday
evening. January 18th. at o'clock in the
lecture-room. and that due notice Of the
same be given from the pulpit at the
morning service on the two preceding
Sabbaths, as required by the law Of this
State.
Resolved. That we will recommend the
church and congregation at the meeting
so TO be called. that they accede TO the
pastors request. and for that purpose
that they appoint commissioners to the
Presbytery to unite with him in seeking
a dissolution Of the pastoral relations.
And, further, That We Will recommend
them TO appoint DR.. Hall pastor emeri-
tus.' ind vote him an appropriate re-
firing allowance
And that we will also recommend that
they appoint a committee TO cooperate
with similar committee 10 be appointed
by the session. to take steps looking 10
the choosing Of a suitable successor TO the
pastorate.
"Resolved. That we unite with our pas
tor IN requesting the Rev. DR. Howard
Dufield. of the Presbytery Of New York
to act as moderator at the said meeting
of the church and congregation"
DIR. HALLS LIFE.
DR.. John Hall was born in County Ar
magh, Ireland In 1879. Twenty years after
he was licensed to preach. and became a
missionary in the west OF Ireland. In 1888
he accepted a pastorate in Dublin. In 1861
Old School Presbyterian Assembly He
was an earnest advocate Of Church unity,
and was invited 10 speak i'm the Fifth
Avenue Presbyterian church. then I'm
Nineteenth street. In July Of that year
he accepted a call 10 the church. Soon
after the congregation moved up town.
and the present edifice and parsonage.
costing more than 100000, were built.
Besides this. there were various missions
projected. His principal assistants were
the Rev. John p. Dawson. the Rev Isaac
II. Polhemus, and William Campbell SUI
perintendent of Chinese missions.
In all Presbytery discussions Dr. Hall
has been for peace and unity. He has
been a prolific writer. and has received
the highest offices I'm the gift OF the
Church. When he first went 10 Flfth-Ave-
nue. church his salary was 5000 a year in
gold. Ii was increased until for years he
has received $4,000 annually. From we'd
ding fees. gifts. and like sources he him
self says his income has averaged $4,000