The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-01-10
THIRTY YEARS IN ONE Church
REV. JOHN HALL OF THE PRES
BYTERIAN FAITH.
Yesterday He Resigned the Pastor
ate of the Fifth Avenue Church,
New York-Great and Good Man.

New York, Jan. 10.-RObert Bonner,
one of the officers of the Fifth Avenue
church, discussing the resignation of
Rev. DR.. John Hall of his pastorate,
said: I presume DR.. Han viii con-
tinue to preach until a successor is ap-
pointed, and l think there are very
many in the church who feel that it
will be most difficult to find anyone who
will fill his place. His decision to re-
tire is no haSty thing. l may say that
in January or February last he said
to me and to Mr. John Sloane that ne
would resign after his thirtieth year
with our church was completed, which,
was in November last. After SO long a
term l believe he felt that it was for
the best interests of the church for him
to retire. He is surely entitled TO a rest
now"
In reply to a question as to whether
DR.. Halls advocacy of the cause of
Herman Warszawiak, who was dis
missed from the church, had influenced
DR.. Hall in retiring, Mr.. Bonner said:
No; L think it is clear that he was
not influenced by that, for, as l have
said, DR.. Hall announced his intention
to retire year ago, before that case
, became an issue, and, anyway, he
ceased to interest himself in that case
after the presbytery took definite ac-
ton, preferring to abide by its de-
cision.
1T might be that the members of the
church have felt that DR.. Hall had adj
vocated the converts cause somewhat
longer than was necessary Mr.. Bon
ner added. but Dr.. Hall resigned at a
time directly foreshadOwed by him d
year ago"
Mr.. Bonner spoke of the great love
felt by the congregation generally for
DR.. Hall, and SAID: He has been
famous for one thirg-preaching the
plain gospel; never touching upon the
topics of the day, or verging upon the
sensational, or, as one might say,
playing to the gallery He is univer-
sally beloved by his people"
Other trustees declined to discuss the
matter, saying DR.. Hall had requested
that as little as possible be said in ad-
vance of the action by the presbytery
1t will be remembered that few years
ago, feeling that the work was too
great for any man of advanced age. the
congregation suggested that an assist
ant pastor be called, but DR.. Hall de-
clined 10 have any help, and has con-
tinued to do an immense amount of
work in spite of several recent be-
reavements and the eVer-increasins.
sphere of his activities. He has been
i'll several times in recent years. but
his friends say he is now in good health
evidence of it in his appearance and
sermons. Although a prominent figure
in the work of the presbytery, Dr. Hall
has stood for peace in that body of so
many dlsSensiOns. He was an opponent
of DR.. Briggs. He has written much,
some of his books being Family Pray
ers for Four Weeks, Papers for Home
Reading" Familiar Talk to Boys"
Gods Word Through Preaching"
Foundation Stones for Young Bui,d-
ers,' and "A Christian Home and How
to Maintain It."
He became chancellor of the univer-
sity of the City of New York in 1882.
and held the position for ten years. He
has been a trustee of Princeton TheO-
logical Seminary and of Wellesley col
lege and chairman OF the Presbyterian
board of home missions.
John G Roth, who was insane, fired
three shots at DR.. Hail on Nov. 20,
1891, without effect. Roth was sent TO
an asylum. Warzakwiak was a MEM
Der of this church and a missionary to
the Jews, and was dismissed by the
church and the decision was sustained
by the presbytery-
New York. Jan. 9-Rev Dr. John Hall
today announced TO his congregation his
resignation as pastor of the Fifth Avenue
Presbyterian church. Many OF his old
Pensioners heard it with deep emotion.
he has held the place for 30 years