The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-03
DIR. HALLS FINAL VICTORY.
HIS CONGREGATION RfTTFY THEIR
DESIRE 10 HAZE HIM STAT.

AFTER she hepoFt or the Committee Appeinted
60 Request Min to withdraw His Rc.isna-
ton 1sss neen Adopted Uunniuousty. ne
Gets an Ovation rren the ConEreEatios.
The Rev. DR.. John Hall will continue to DO
tho pastor OF the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian
Church. This fact was unoficially announced
several days ago. It was officially and formally
announced at q meeting Of tho congregation
held In tho main auditorium OF the church last
night.
The meeting Of last evening was a sequel Of
ono held on Jan. 10. At that meeting resolu.
tions were offered on tho part Of the session of
tho church recommending that the church
should unite with DR.. Hall in his application to
the Presbytery to have his pastoral relations
dissolved. The resolutions were not seconded.
Then Howard Payson Wilds offered a set Of
resolutions voicinR the declination Of the con-
Gregation to approve OF the recommendations
Of the session. and providing for tho appoint
ment OF q committee to request DR.. Hall TO with
draw his resignation. Mr.. Wilds's resolutions
were carried unanimously amid the greatest
enthusiasm. The committee appointed to wait
upon DR.. Hall and convoy to him the request Of
the resolutions was made up as follows: Robert
Bonner. Chairman; Samuel B. schieffclin. VIII.
liam Brookneld. J. Henry Work, and Mrs. Gath
arino b. Weston.
The object of last nights meeting was to hear
tho report OF that committee. In the absence of
the Rev. DIR. Howard Dufield. the Rev. DR..
Duncan Mcmillan. Secretary Of tho Board of
Homo Missions of the Presbyterian Church,
presided. DR.. Mcmillan called tho meeting to
order ut just 8 o'clock. After a prayer Silas
Brownol. stated clerk of the session. read the
minutes of tho meeting of Jan. 10. They did
not say that the adoption Of the Wilds resolu-
tions was unanimous. Mr.. wilds. who sat with
four of DR.. Halls supporters in q front pew,
jumped to his feet as soon as the clerk had fin.
ishod the reading Of the minutes and said:
"Mr. Moderator: I move that the minutes be
corrected by the insertion OF the word 'unani-
mously' between the words were and
adopted"
Tho correction was ordered to be made and
the Moderator then asked IL the committee APP
pointed to request DIR. Hall to withdraw his
resignation was ready to report. Mr.. Bonner. the
Chairman Of tho committee, who also occupied
a front pow, arose and said that the committee
was ready to report. Then he read the following:
Tho committee appointed by resolution
the Fifth Avenue Pressbyterian Church on the
10th day OF january, 1898, beg leave to report:
ton urn unaidpr uT s + e the sHe w tsrm sp Ss int L'i thSy
waited upon the pastor, the Rev. Dr.. John Hall,
Dr.. Hall was doubtless already informally I'D
cd to DR.. Hall a certified copy Of the resolution
adopted by the congregation, and also tho orig
forming part Of such resolution. accompanying
such presentation with a few words expressing.
Being nsH the e sas Of such q eommu nIsIaeS' and
their hope, and confidence that DR.. Hall would
%xfter So: some @li Informal i diseassison Of the sub
iect DIR. Hall informed your committee that he
t ns@ taken iiSSnf BY the he eongreestioni to '1 %ithdraW his SH,
resignation. and that. with the purpose of put
1 paSlio an als sna Hs s npen the as su BBSssts af his fo re she
lions to the church. he would announce his de-
termination to The congregation at the morning
as suggested; in strict accordance with the law
SO far as It's legal disposition is concerned the
ma aYou y eommittee have. however, to make this
formal report. and in so doing desire to state
that in their communications with tho pastor
have uniformly expressed. on behalf Of the con.
gregati0n. the earnest desire for harmonious
the church, and your committee have the honor
and pleasure to submit herewith the following
the announcement which he has already made
to you:
ITO the committee appointed BY rhe congregation to
report to the pastor.
any DEAR FRIENDS: In presenting my resignation
of the pastoratc Of the congregation at . meeting Of
session I offered to give up work ut once, or to go on
until q successor should be found. One of o series of
very kind resolutions Of the session was that q meet
ing OF the church and congregation should be held on
Jan. 10 to take action on the resignation. according
TO our forms of church government.
.'on receiving from your committee their report of
the unanimous action taken ut that meeting. with q
copy OF the resolution adopted by the congregation
and certified by the clerk OF the session. who was the
Secretary OF the meeting, and believing that this
| meeting represented the feeling OF the congregation,
and having had many most tender appeals from
members. and there having been no other course sug-
AnNn h- AQAnRa - NkA hNRa 4 ~ztnA 4~N-n
the pulpit on the following Lords Day my willing.
meas to continue In service so long as strength was
given from above. This was done to quiet anxiety
on the subject and to continue the happy G hristian
unity of the congregation. The technicalities of the
law were not thought of. but in DR.. Hodges book on
Presbyterian Law I md the following statement
regarding such matters,
dhe PASTOR ought not to leave them that they shall
FsfGss to ss unite ,s. T pna,a him ma IN s s.' u sPPnSssi9 Pa s s9 Pr si.
desire against this opposition. In these cases no fur
has determined to accede to their desire and remain
as their pastor (p. 375).
"Let me then say to you. dear friends. rs repre-.
senting the congregation. that / mean to carry out
the wish of its MEMBERS. but only while the services
are for their spiritual good. feeling that I am respon.
sibls to the Head of the Church for the best interests
Of the people; and. God helping me. I shall do the
best I can. in cooperation with the Officers OF the
church, until strength for service is no longer en-.
Joyed. I am. dear brethren. In the good hope
through grace sincerely yours. JonS HALL.
al of which is respectfully submitted. New
| York, Feb. 2. 1893. Robert Bonner. Samuel b.
Schieffelin, William Brookfeld, James Henry
Work, Catherine B. Weston"
Tho reading of the report was several times
interrupted by loud applause, and when Mr..
Bonner sat down the applause broke out afresh.
| Many OF the women. who were In the majority
at the meeting, were so overcome that they just
sat back in their seats and had u good cry. AS
soon as the demonstration following the reading
of the report had subsidized, Dr. joseph Moore
head moved that the report be adopted and
the meeting adjourn. Tho motion was carried
| then announced that he thought 1t would be
appropriate to appoint a committee to notify DR..
Hall OF the action or ne meeting and to nsk him
| appointed as such committee. He repaired to
the parsonage. and in a few moments returned.
church. As the doctor came down the aisle he
was greeted with long-continued applause. He
tried in vain, by lifting his hands. to still the