Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-12-03

N'N ~ ~ III 500
epolis. So much had been said and written
recently of the eloquent young preacher
that many were curious TO see him. and
hear him speak. SO that when DIR. Hughes.
slender. beGrdless and boyish-looking, faced
his audience he had the closest attention.
There was no embarrassment in his man.
ner. He began speaking in a scarcely audi
BILE tone of voice. which. after the first SEN
tencc or two. rang out clear and distinct
and was wonderfully modulated. He made
no gestures.
Is Cordially Welcomed.
. When the congregation had assembled
Judge L. c. Slavens, a member of the
official board of the church. opened the
programme with an address of welcome.
Mabel Nowlln, a little girl I years old.
welcomed the new pastor on behalf of the
Sunday school and presented him with a
bouquet OF Marechal Mel roses.
+, DR.. j. w. Hancher. pastor of the Grand
Avenue Methodist church. welcomed DR..
Hughes to Kansas City on behalf of the
Afethodists of the city.
First Baptist church, welcomed DIR.
Hughes in the name of the sister churches
of the city. He admorished DR.. Hughes
that he had a hard man 70 follow. For
The next six MONTHS he said. you. will
not nave chicken for dinner and supper.
but Quayle. Everywhere you go you will
near nothing but Quayle, Quayle. Quayle."
DIR. Hughes Reply.
When DIR. Hughes arose TO respond to
the welcome he said:
THE sensation of such an hour as this
can only be appreciated by some one who
has stood in my place. / am looking out
into the faces of those who, for the most
part. are strangers and yet into the faces
of those among whom | expect to live for
at least one year of coming time. And l
think | know how you feel. You are look
ing forward with a great deal of curiosity
10 the work of the man who is TO take the
place of your beloved pastor. DR.. Quayle.
AND ] confess that. as | stand here. | do
feel somewhat OF an intruder. But ] am
not in this place of my own motion. j am
here at your bidding and at your request.
Do you know it's a great deal easier to
take a church that's down and knows it's
down? 1 am reminded of the preacher who
looking up Noticing the look of incred-
Utility on the faces about him he explained
that it couldn't look any other way be-
cause II was fiat on it's back. say It is
easier TO take a church of that kind than
one that has wax fat and may he ready
TO kick.
Hughes. referring again TO DR.. ouayle.
with a big brain and q warm heart. shot
through with genius, you've got a mar,
had. And ! want to say that I will not
grow tired of Quayle. ! would feel q great
deal easier standing here n%y; in fact, If
Quayle. I'm Hughes. I'm not at all Xix.
him. am so dramatically opposite to
MIN IN every way. IN TACT. tnat YOU can
hardly make any comparison between US.
Yet ] am not afraid of my congregation
owing the old pastor too much. | lcok
forward TO the time when you will look
upon me with something of the same feel
Ing. | did not come here to take DR..
Quayle's place. As | have explained. that
sisters, | want a place of my own.
II am going TO like Kansas City all right.
But you mustn't hurry me to make up my
like best. That reminds one of the woman
who was asked how a dose of medicine she
had Just taken tasted. and answered: Wait
ill ! get the medicine down.'"
There was a laugh and DIR. Hughes said
he had no intention Of comparing Kansas
City TO medicine. Then he continued:
There's one thing ] like about Kansas
City. You're most awfully alive down
here. Then you have a good opinion of
yourselves. One of the things that attract
I'd me TO this place was the enormous nerve
.ou had"
Or. Hughes explained this statement.
which also brought a laugh. by saving that
the church's committee would not accept
his refusal Of its offer TO succeed DR..
Quayle. but wrote back declaring that the
Independence Avenue church wanted him
and ii usually got what IL went out after.
After speaking of what he expected his
work in Kansas City To be. DIR. Hughes
closed his remarks by thanking the con-
Gregation. on behalf of himself and his
wife. for the reception that had been given
them. Music followed and then an in
formal reception. in which the members
% the congregation were introduced to d..