New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-10
THE REV. Mr.. CONNELL NAMED
SESSION OF THE FIFTH AVENUE CHURCH
TO RECOMMEND HIM.
MEETING FOR ELECTION CALLED FOR NEXT
MONDAY NIGHr-DR. MACKAY's SUPPORT
Still.

MEETING FOR ELECTION CALLED FOR NEXT
MONDAY NIGHr-DR. MAcKAY's SUPPORT
ERs STILL CONFIDENT
The information published exclusively In The
Tribune of September 20. that a determination
had been reached by several Of the ofricial men,
oers and influential leaders Of the Fifth Avenue
Presbyterian Church to secure the Rev. Alex
ander Connell, Of London. England to succeed
the Kew Dr. Hall was confirmed yesterday at
the morning service Of the church The Rev.
DR.. John S. Mcintosh, 0. Philadelphia. who Off
ciated, announced that a meeting Of the congre
cation would he held on Monday October II m
decide upon the appointment Of a new pastor.
This formal notification to the congre CATION was
the outcome Of meeting of the Session held on
Thursday evening last. At the close of that
meeting or the members Of the Session asserted
that no definite action had been taken looking 10
the election OF a pastor, and that their attention
mad been almost wholly devoted 10 routine pa
rochial work. Yesterday morning before the SER
vice began the Session, together with the dea-
cons and a few Of the more prominent Of the
church members held a consultation and subse-
quently DR.. Mcintosh was asked to make the
announcement of the meeting to be held on
Monday next. and its purpose. Although so
much secrecy maintained regarding last
thursdays conference Of the Session. yet at
that meeting 1T was decided to recommend the
name of Mr.. COnnell TO the congregation The
action taken by the Session is shown in the foi~
lowing extract from the minutes of Thursday
proceedings:
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE SESSION
After prolonged and prayerful discussion in
which every member of the Session took part it
was:
Resolved. That meeting of the church be called
Monday, October H. 1895 at s o'clock p m, and that
Resolved. That the COMMITTEE Com on Pui1it supply
consisting Of Elders Rowland Lincoln Irwin;
Elders Campbell and Mcintyre be a committee to
present to the church meeting the name OF the
that he be the choice OF the meeting
But while these resolutions formally
adopted last Thursday. the decision of the repre-
sentatives Of what may be called the most in
fuental and the most numerous element of the
church to have the call extended to Mr.. Con-
nell was reached in the course OF various con-
ferences which were held fortnight ago at the
home Of Henry NJ. Alexander. at Seabright.
The Tribune exclusively announced the conclu-
sion arrived at in Mr.. COnnells favor as the
result Of these conferences and stated also that
Mr.. Conne had intmated that he would ac-
cept the call If it should be rendered to him.
DR.. HALL COMMENDED THE REV. MR.. CON-
NELL.
II is understood that while Henry NJ. Alex
ander Colonel John ]. McCook, John p. Dun
can H. Edwards Rowland William Irwin and
others of high standing in the church who
Instrumental in obtaining the recommendation
OF Mr. Connell animated in their choice
by the deep impression which the minister had
made upon them, and by their deep regard for
his personal attainments and qualifications,
they were stimulated also by the knowledge
that Dr. Hall himself. shortly before his death,
had commended Mr.. Conne to the congrega-
ton Of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Connells appointment would have the in
dorsement of the widow and family of DR.. Hall. !
In fact William Irwin the stepsOn OF the late !
pastor drew up the resolutions which were !
adopted by the Session. Mr. COnnell left last /
week for Vancouver on his way 70 China, where /
he intended inspecting on behalf of the Eng /
llsh Board of Foreign Missions the missionary |
stations in that and other Eastern countries. /
1t is understood, however, that Mr.. Connell has /
been apprsed by telegraph of the action taken |
by the Session. and it Is anticipated that he
will delay his departure from the country until |
he has learned the result Of next Mondays |
meeting of the congregation
CHOICE MAY NOT BE UNANIMOUS.
It is almost certain that Mr.. Connell will not !
be the unanimous choice OF the church. suppos-
terday's Tribune. a movement has been started |
and is being fostered by large body Of the |
church members to have the pastorate offered |
to the Rev Dr. Donald Sage Mackay. Of New
ark y j. Those who are behind this move
ment possess pronounced feeling against |
bringing a minister direct from England with
out knowledge or experience Of the country 10
undertake the charge of what Is regarded as
the most important Presbyterian church in the
United States. Those who favor DR.. Mackay
are confident that a majority of the members
Will prefer hin. despite the recommendation Of
the Session. Some Of them are inclined 10 look
upon the selection OF Mir. COnnell az an attempt
at undue domination by the wealthier element
OF the church member who is working on be-
half Of Dr. Mackay said yesterday TO "a Trib-
une reporter that the greater part OF the con-
sregation could be depended upon when the
necessity arose to discard recommendations
from the Session or other official bodies Of the
church. as was instanced when Or. Hall was
petitioned by an overwhelming percentage OF the
membership to withdraw his resignation despite
the recommendation of the Session that II
should be accepted. 1t was ascertaned last
night that several members Of the congregation /
intend during the coming week 10 carry on an
active parochal campaign, as IL may De caned'
in the interests OF Dr. Mackay.
In the course OF his sermon yesterday morn
ing the Rev. DR. Mcintosh. who Tor many yeaiss !
was a close friend Of DR.. Hall. made many ,
touching references 10 the life and WORK Oh tue
dead pastor. , ,,,x,hur 4, Cal
vary Rantst Church last night preached on :
the life and work OF DR. Hail. and paio III ei'-
ouent tribute to his memory.