New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-09
THINK DR.. MACKAY THE MAN.
NEWARK PASTOR POPULAR AMONG
FIFTH AVENUE CHURCH MEMBERS
STRONG FEELING IN FAVOR OF CALLING HIN TO
DIR. HALLS PULPIT-DR CoNNELL ALSO
ACTIVELY SUPPORTED


STRONG FEELING IN FAVOR OF CALLING HIM TO
DIR. HALLS PuLPIr-DR. coNNELL ALSO
ACTIVELY SUPPORTED
II was intlmated in The Tribune some DAYS
ago that there was well-defined probability
that the Rev. DR.. Alexander Connell. OF London.
England. would receive the call 10 Ill the va
cant pulpit OF the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian
Church. The information upon which The Trib-
une based this statement was that Henry NJ.
Alexander and Colonel John J. McCook, who are
tho admitted leaders Of the wealthiest and pos
sibly the most influential element In the cor
gresation. DESTROYS that DIR. Connel should
be the next pastor Of the chur,h. So far, IN
deed, did this determination TO secure DR.. Con-
nell go that Mr. Alexander. believing that the
English minister would be acceptable To the
majority OF the members. was inclined to tender
what was tantamount to n conditional call IN
Dr. Council 1t was Mr. Aexander's wish. so
1t is stated to put the pertinent inquiry to Dr.
Conne as to whether he would Except call
IL II was made Upon the advice of his friends
Mr. Alexander II is understood. refrained from
asking this question directly. but that DR. Con-
nell was aware Of the movement that had Deen
started favoring his candidacy could not be
doubted In the face of n statement made by one
Of those who attended the conferences at Mr.
Alexandcr's house at Seabright. n. j.. where the
subject of extending the call TO Dr. Cornell was
discussed. The statement IN question was that
DR.. Cornell had made it known that he was
willing to forcgo his mission tn China and india
II the congregation OF the church. as pre-
lminary TO calling him. expressed that wish.
DR.. Connell had planned 10 sail from one Of the
Pacific ports tomorrow. but 1t could not be as
certained Yesterday whether he had actually left
a1,n i'm n N
that day But even If Dr. Connell has departed
to curry out his purpose of inspecting. on be
half Of the Board Of Foreign Missions. the mis-
sionary stations in China and India. there seems
every likelihood that the Alexander McCook
faction. as It is called. will still urge his selcc-
ton and may endeavor to persuade the con-
gregation to await Or. Connell's return before
finally deciding upon new pastor.
Some doubt however. exists as to whether the
members of the church. as body would DE
willing 10 remain without permanent pastor
for an indefinite period. Moreover when the
time comes to appoint minister the Indications
are that there will he some conflict OF opinion
among the congregation. and that certainly
more than one candidate will he brought for-
ward. II wns learned yesterday that there Is
movement which is being fcstered by large
body Of the church members to have the pas
,orste bestowed UNION the Rev. DR.. Donald Sage
Mackay. OF Newark. y. ]. AS has been more
than once related in The Tribune strong fcei-
ing exists among many OF the congregation
against foreigner taking charge Of the church'
The members in favor of having the pulpit hiied
by n minister Of American education ana tram
ing or at least of tried American sympathles'
ron,nriso large proportion OF the congregation.
They arc distinctly ayerse to the introduction
OF European pastor. when as they splIituali|
contend, there are so many ministers ~ 'nIs
country whose qualifications would nj them 10
become successful followers of Dr. Hall HAD
1t been possible to persuade the Rev Dr. Pur-
YES to leave his congenial work at Princeton
University. it is probable that all factions IN
the church would have united In his support
But since DR. Purves is not 70 be wooed from
his studies. that element which Is not OF the
Alexa nder- McCook's. has. az rssut OF INFORMAL
discussions during the last week, resolved to
give their influence 10 the choice Of DR.. Mackay.
Further those who favor DR.. Mackay are con
fdent that he will be a candidate moro In Keep
ing with the incinations OF the majority Of the
members. who, manifested when DR.
HILL WAS induced to withdraw, his resignation.
are opposed to any undue domination on the
part of the wealthier body Of the church.
Whether Dr. Mackay would accept n call or not
H. uncertain. but undoubtedly there will be
strong effort on the part Of many Of the mem
bers 10 have him invited. DR.. Mackay Is COM
a:ively young man. and. although of Scotch
birth. has been in this country several years
ard Is pronounced upholder Of American in
situations. AS preacher he Is particularly elo-
quent. and is a witty and attractive after dinner
speaker. he is we'll known in this city, and has
frequently preached here. Many attempts have
been made by churches in various parts Of the
country to win aim away from his Newark
charge He has received calls from influential
churches in Philadelphia and Boston, and more
recently from one Of the leading churches OF
Chicago. but he has always declined to leave
his Gocl; in Newark. The late DR.. Hall was
aGmirer Of DR.. Mackay. whom he on sew
eral occasions invited to preach in the Fifth
4 Prnc lnvt Church