New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-29
DIR. JOHN HALLS SUCCESSOR.
STRONG SENTIMENT IN FAVOR OF DR.
ALEXANDER CONNELL OF LONDON

THE REV. DR. puRvrs UNWILLING TO LEAVE
PRINCETON PREPARATIONS FOR THE Tu-
NERAL-PAIL-BEARERs TO INCLUDE
FOUR COLLEGE PRESIDENTS p
More than week ago The Tribune exclusively
announced that there was a strongly defined
movement among the members OF the Fifth
Avenue Presbyterian Caurch to invite the Rev.
Dr. George T. Purves, II Princeton University,
to become the successor OF the late Rev. Dr..
John Hail. At the same time, The Tribune
also intimated that there was considerable
doubt as to whether DR.. Purves would accept
the call IL 1t were extended to him. 1t was
pointed out that he had resigned an important
pastorate in Pittsburg to become professor at
Princeton with considerably decreased emou.
ments, and that his personal preferences in.
cined toward the continuation Of his studies
and teachings at Princeton rather than to the
acceptance OF the charge Of even so influential
congregation that OF the Fifth Avenue
Presbyterian Church. The doubt thus ex.
pressed in The Tribune that he would consent
to follow Dr. Hall has been corroborated by
Dr. Purves himself. On Monday last to a cor.
respondent Of this paper he explained that he
was perfectly satisfied with his work and as.
soclations at Princeton and that he did not
know of n position which could tempt him from
the university. This determination on the part
OF Dr. Purves was brought TO the knowledge In
the latter part Of last week OF the members Of
the church who quietly though vigor-
ousy urging the candldature of DIR. Purves
| The desire was openly expressed by many Of
the congregation that a Princeton man should
| become the pastor Of the church, and as Dr.
Purves was regarded peculiarly fitted both
by reason Of his personal merits and his doc
trlnal teachings 10 I'll the vacant pulpit the
| knowledge Of his non-availabty caused con.
siderable disappointment to the greater mum.
| her Of the church members.
| FAVORABLY IMPRESSED BY DR.. CONNELL
With the certainty before them Of DR.. Purves
declining every inducement to leave Princeton,
| IL became necessary for the members to consider
other candidates. and it can be stated that. asa
| result Of informal meetings held during the last
few days by some Of the leading members OF the
| church. there Is every likelihood that the Rev.
| DR.. Alexander Connell. OF London. England who
| preached In the church a week ago last Sunday
will be asked to become the permanent occu-
| pant Of the pulpit II may be remembered that
| DR. Hall In one Of the last letters he wrote to
| this country referred In the highest terms TO DR..
connei and commended him TO the committee
|
during DR.. Halls absence. Moreover. when DR..
| Cornell preached In the church last Sunday he
deeply impressed himself on the favor Of his
hearers II has been learned that Henry NJ.
| Alexander John j. McCook. John r. Dun
can H. Edwards Rowland and several 9TH
ers. who among the most prominent
and influential Of the congregation, are de-
sirous of selecting Or. Cornell. Al least
~
held at Mr.. Alexander's home at seabright.
when the question Of the choice Of a pastor for
the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church was dis
cussed. Dr. Connell was the guest of Mr.. Alex
ander at Seabright at the time the consultation
took place. and the probability that decision
was reached to urge DR.. Connells selection may
be gagged from the fact that yesterday several
Of the foremost people in the congregation were
| asked by those who attended the Seabrght con-
ference II they would support DR.. Connelrs can
didature The Alexander McCook element. as It
IL sometimes called comprises the larger portion
| ~ the churchs membership. and undoubtedly
| their Endorsement which II may almost posi-.
! ,,veIv he said has been decided upon or Dr.
| Connell would undoubtedly mean that he VIII
| rsceive the call Matters have so far progressed.
indeed that DR. Connen has intimated that il he
| ,s called 10 the church he will be willing to re-
| linouish his mission TO China and India He
| came to this city on his way 10 these countries.
| where he was proceeding on behalf OF the fres.
| byterian Board or Foreign MISSIONS ~ "''pe@|
| missionary stations.
PRACTICALLY NO OPPOSITION TO HIM
II Or Connelrs name is presented 10 the CON-
gregation the only opposition TO his appoint
r,ent will come from few ~ the members VINO
are anxious that the next pastor Of the church
hac kaa e1u
trained in this country However. no dennite
action Of any kind will be taken from cohsiuel-
atoms Of respect. until after the fnnerdl ol ~,
Hall. The task of recomms ndihg ha anien 90
names OF candidates to the congregation peiohss
to the Session. but no date for the meeting oi
that body for this purpose has yet been hxed'
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUNERAL.
II Is evident from the applications for seats
that many organizations will be represented ~
the funera! Of DR. Hall which is to he helo on
October 4 The New-York Preshytery WHICH
meets In this city october 3. and comprises
1876 members. has already announced ITS in'e"-
ton OF attending in body Other orsah'1a"o"'
which have applied for seats ar" the pap',''
Minister'S Conference Of Greater New-forK' INC
University Place Church the six facui'ies u
WORK University and the Phii-Aircan INV
orators League. President MacCrackeh VI Wv
York University has suggested also tha'' mas
much as DR.. Hall was once chancellor ol o,e
University n holiday be given To the diiie'sn'
schools of the institution on the day 81 tne iu u,
neral as a mark Of respect. The COMMITTEE ~. u..
Seating at the funeral will hold mee''ns 'u ia
evening" at which final arrangements WI" W
made. Loa ~
| Although all OF those who have been asNeu :, :,
| act as pallbearers at DR.. Halls funerai nave ~
| yet been heard from. 1t has been learned ma
| four OF them Will be President Dwgh' OF 80
University. President Patton Of princeton IN, on.
versity President Schurman OF Cornem ,n Xe.r
sitv and President MacCracken or New % I'm