Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-01-21
REV. GEO. E. MARTINS WORK
An Increase of 800 TO 200 In the Mem
bership of His ~. Louis Church---He
May 60 Abroad.

An Increase of 800 TO 200 in the Mem
bership of His 81. Louis Church---He
May 60 Abroad.
From the St Louis Globe Democrat or Jan. 10 /,
At the close of the services at First Pres
byterian church yesterday morning, DR.. C..
S. Sargent, pastor of Central Congrega-
tional church, who had occupied the pull
pit for the Rev. DR.. George +. Martin,
read a communication from the latter,
which was a surprise to all but tour mem
bers of the congregation. 1t was request
for a congregational meeting to appoint a
commission TO arrange with him and the
presbytery for a dissolution Of the ties
uniting the pastor and congregation, to
take effect not later than April /.
Most profound stiffness prevailed in the
congregation when the announcement was
read, ard at the close of the service whis-
perings of surprise were heard on all sides
and not a few of the lady members were
in tears.
Before the congregation dispersed some
of the officers were in consultation over
the advisability of demonstrating with Dr.
Martin, in an attempt to have him recon-
slider his action.
At least ten days notice of a congrega-
tional meeting must be given.
The cause of DR.. Martins action was
not stated. Dr. c. A. Ware, an officer Of
the church and close friend of Dr. Martin
said that the latter had as yet no field of
labor in view for the future. "He may
have some thoughts rambling through his
mind with respect to other work, but, so
far as know, they have taken no definite
shape"
B. F. Nelson, another officer of the con-
gregation, also said that DR.. Martin had
no definite plans for the future. A short
time ago call was extended to him from
the Northminster church of Philadelphia,
but he did not accept it, A. Is. Greene,
another stanch friend of the pastor, made
a similar statement.
The officers of the church speak very
highly of DR.. Martin and the services he
has rendered to the congregation. He has
been the leader of the flock for more than
- years, and during that time it has
grown from 300 to 100 members. The
church societies are now the leading Or
CARNATIONS of the presbytery. A steady
increase in the receipts of the church was
reported from the time DR.. Martin took
charge TO the beginning of the financial
stringency in 1898, which affected all
churches. The finances of First Presby-
terrain church are, nevertheless, said to be
in excellent condition, and as satisfactory
as at any time in its history.
DR.. Martin has been connected with the
synod work in Missouri as chairman of the
committee on schools and colleges. AS
chairman of the Sabbath-school committee
of the presbytery he greatly advanced the
work of Sunday-school extension.
Rev. DR., George E. Martin graduated at
Yale college in 1872, and finished the sem
mary course of that institution the same
year. He became assistant professor of
rhetoric and elocuton at the college. At
the graduation exercises in 1872 he repre-
sented the seminary, his selection for the
honor being due to his popularity in the
seminary and the rank given him by the
college faculty generally in his studies.
While in the seminary he was director of
the Lowell Mason Musical society.
His first charge on leaving Yale was
Centre Congregational church at Brattle-
boro, Vt. From there he went to Brock
ton, Mass, and in 1854 he accepted call
to First Presbyterian church of this city.
DR.. Martin is a clergyman of national
reputation, being best known, perhaps,
for his services in Sabbath-schoo extern
sion work.