New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-16
DIR. JOHN HALL.
vxRsONAI, CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
NOTED PRESBYTERIAN CLERGYMAN.

MARVELLOUS CAPACITY FOR HARD WORK
AND HIS METHODS OF ACCOM-
PILsH!NG IT.
One characteristic Of the Rev. Or. John Hall
which is probably of greater interest than even
bis fame as a clergyman Of the Presbyterian
Church is the marvellous capacity for work
which he has always displayed. Few people
outside Of his own family and most intimate cir
Gle Of friends have any idea Of the amount OF
labor which he has performed in the last thirty
years. entirely in addition to the regular duties
OF his parish. An ordinary day has never been
long enough for DR.. Halls purposes, and 10 In
crease his working hours he has successfully
maintained A practice Of which most men make
A failure that Of burning the candle at both
ends
1t has always been his custom TO breakfast
At 100. and then to receive callers from that
time until about 1890 one OF his peculiarities
has been never 10 keep visitor waiting for
moment even If he is obliged to interrupt his
meals to carry this out In fact 1t has been a
common occurrence for him to rise from the
table, leaving his breakfast or luncheon almost
untastod. spend an hour or two in the parior
and return to finish his meal only after every
thing had grown cold and tasteless. In vain
have the members OF his family demonstrated
with him for this neglect OF himself. and. thanks
TO his remarkable constitution ard sound d.
gestiye powers it does not appear to have in
jured him He has always had an appetite con-
siderably larger than that Of the average man.
and has never experienced the slightest incon-
venience from his exceedingly irregular meth
DDS OF eating.
DEVOTED TO PHYSICAL EXERCIsE
In the matter Of exercise DR.. Hall has been
al that the most earnest advocate of physical
training could wish. Probably his excellent
health is due in large measure to this He has
always made his parish visits on foot walking
many miles a day in his travels among the
houses Of his congregation. HE never has
known how TO rest" said one who has been in
tmatey associated with him. HE cannot pos
sibly SIT still for five minutes and loaf. like an
ordinary person. II he has not book in his
hands lie must begin at once the discussion OF
some serious subject. usually one related to the
Church or religious work Even that, however.
does not satisfy him long. lie will get up after
little while. unable 10 remain in what he re-
CARDS as comparative idleness. and direct bis
efforts f.om talking to actual working.
Until the last year or two. when Mrs Halls
health became so delicate that the habit worried
her it was his custom to work nightly until l or
rising never gave him much sleep as most
people require. and 1t is a marvel to his friends
that he has been able TO stand it,
Dr. Hall does not smoke. although he has
been advised to do so in the hope that If he
acquired the habit It would force him TO rest
more than he does.
Dr Hairs attitude toward religion Is We'll
known. lie has always been the very type OF
Calynist q the old school. strongly opposed to
the modern tendencies to question the infalli-
billy Of The Bible upon any point. He does not
merely accept but thoroughly believes with all
his heart and mind the orthodox doctrines Of the
Presbyterian Church in every detail In this he
has stood out with especial prominence among
TIE evangelical ministers Of the city, and every
one who knew Of him knew also Of this fact
from the time. thirty years ago. when he became
pastor e the Fifth Avenue Church. While it is
probably true that the majority Of his parishion-
ers have been unable to agree with the doctor in
ell the points Of his faith, he has been respected
and loved TO a remarkable degree by them. His
evident sincerity in what he has taught has at
tac,el people. and the personal interest which
he takes in every one he meets is quality
which has appealed directly to their liking
His memory Is 50 good that it has been no
eHor, for him to remember each individual In
his large congregation. He has become accus-
toned to notice instantly the absence Of a regu-
lar attendant at The church services. and to
start out the next morning TO look up such
person. lie has made an especial point Of keep
Ing in touch with the family affairs Of his people
and Of being ready to help them in any way he
could when trouble came into the household
METHODS OF SERMON WRITING.