Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-31
REV. 9. q. JEFFERsoN.

Rev. Prof. John W. Churchill OF An
dover, who occupied the pulpit, at the
close of The sermon, was as follows:
Messrs. Hutchins, Dyer, Woodward,
Marble, Lincoln, Ware, Chaplin, Orr,
Gould and Potter, committee of Pied
mont Church and Society-Dear Breth>
rem: It is with deep regret that I am
obliged to decline your call to become
your pastor and teacher. When first
the matter was brought to my attention
| saw no obstacles in the way which
would prevent my coming to Worcester
From the beginning my heart prompted
me to listen favorably to your words
The more learned of your church and
the more intimate my acquaintance
with your people has become, the more
strongly have been drawn toward you,
and the more certain have I felt that
your church offers opportunities for hap
Ply and successful work, which 1t Is diff
ficult to match. Your future is great
From my first meeting with Piedmont
! people to now, have been increasingly
! impressed and delighted by the enthusi-
asm, unanimity and earnestness Of your
| church, and l have been anticipating the
pleasure of working with you in the
great work which the Lord has given
you to do. But within the last ten
days indications have been multiplied
in the most curious and unexpected way
that my anticipatiOns are 1oI to be re-
allied. Circumstances have arisen alto
gether unforeseen, which lead me to feel
| that my work must just now be else
where. Nothing but the strongest sense
of duty would induce me to turn my
back on "the great door and effectuai'
which you have opened unto me. and
to forego the pleasure of working with
men and women whom in these few re-
cent weeks have learned to honor and
n Iowa SippeYalv xyoyIra
Charles E. Jefferson,
n Bellingham street, Chelsea, Mass.
Jan. 20, 1898.
The reading of the letter was followed
by the reading of the following state
ment by the committee:
''The subcommittee appointed to
communicate with Mr.. Jefferson, desire
to say that in their Judgment he has
acted in good faith in delaying the final
answer. They are also satisfied that he
was FROM the first sincere in giving en-
enlargement to our lookout committee.
A tremendous effort has recently been
made to secure Mr.. Jefferson for very
much larger field of labor, and within
a few days further explanation of his
letter will be made public"
The gossip among the congregation
after the church service was to the eff
feet that Rev. Mr.. Jefferson had deci0-
ed to accept a $4,000 call to a wealthy
church in New York city. This is the
second clergyman, Of whom the com
mittee thought favorably. who has ac-
cepted call elsewhere after coming
to Worcester. The third attempt to Sc
cure a pastor ought to be successful.
HE WILL GO TO NEW YORK.
New York, Jan. S0.-The Tribune to-
morrow will publish the following:
''The committee which was appointed
by the members of the Broadway Tab
ernacle to select pastor, has unai-
mouSly decided in favor Of recommend
ing the call of the Rev. Charles E. JET
ferson Of the First congregational
Church OF Chelsea, Mass A meeting OF
the church and society will be held
Wednesday evening at the Tabernacle
to receive the report of this committees
and to take definite action upon It
There Is little doubt that the church will
ratify the action Of its committee. DR..
Jefferson is 80 years of age. He was
born in Ohio and was graduated from
an Ohio College. He has been for some
years pastor of the First Congregational
Church at Chelsea, where his sermons
have attracted much attention from the
general public"
WHAT HE TELLS HIS PEOPLE.
Boston. Jan. 3O.-Rev. c. E. jefferson
~ etAS NStASA al OWLS OnUrCn,
Chelsea, is very much in demand lust
at present. He has for the past week
been considering a call to become past
or of Piedmont Congregational Church
of Worcester. Meanwhile, it is uRder-
stood he has been informed that the
Broadway Tabernacle Of New York
city wishes him to become its pastor
1t is also said that Rev Mr.. Jefferson
has within a few days received a call
from Chicago After his sermon this
Mr.. Jefferson said: 81 am I'M
able to tell you this morning whether or
not shall continue to be pastor. I can
only say that / have declined the call
to the Piedmont Church of Worcester
Many of Mr.. Jefferson's friends feel
that New York city offers the best
field for man of his abilities and aspl.
rations, and that he may go there if
called, Rev. Mr.. Jefferson visited New
York last week, and three men from the
Broadwya Tabernacle were in his con.
gregation at Chelsea this morning. The
Broadway Tabernacle is situated az
Broadway and saith street and is one
Of the great churches of the metropolis.
1t has a fund of about 1000, 900, which
1t is proposed to use soon in the erection
of a new church edifice further Hp town.
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