New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-25
DIR. CONNELL DECLINES.
CALL OF THE FIFTH AVENUE PRESBY'
TERRAIN CHURCH NOT ACCEPTED.

Members Of the Board of Trustees OF the Fifth
Avenue Presbyterian Church and those Of the con-
gregation who heard the unwecome news were
grieved yesterday to learn that the Rev. Dr. Alex
ander Connell, of the Regent Square Presbyterian
Church. London, had declined the call extended to
him by the former church to fill the pulpit made
vacant by the death of the Rev. Dr. John Hall.
H. Edwards Rowland, chairman of the Board Of
Trustees of the Fifth Avenue Church, received
short cable dispatch at II o'clock yesterday morn
ing from John Patton. announcing that Mr.. Connel
had declined the CALL and that formal decllna-
ton would be sent later Mr.. Patton formed with
William Brookfeld. who sailed for England a short
time ago, the committee whose function 1t was TO
extend the call to Mr.. Connell
The news of Mr. Connes declination came as a
great surprise to the members Of the Fifth Avenue
PRESBYTERIAN Church. as 1t had been fully expected
that he would accept.
Mr.. Rowland Immediately conveyed the news 10
the other members Of the Board of Trustees, but
there was nothing to fall back on by way OF con-
ISOLATION. The disappointment is felt the more
keenly because Of the great pains taken by the
trustees in their selection OF new pastor. Dozens
Of names passed upon and rejected. and the
choice Of Mr. Connell was the result OF careful de-
liberation and reflection.
AS was several times indicated in The Tribune.
however the English pastor had been favorabiy
thought Of from the first. both by the trustees and
the congregation. and when II was exclusively an
nounced IN Inc IriDune Indt tne Cali "oo'u "o S~-
tended there were widespread satisfaction and
approval expressed.
When the congregation was called upon to ratfy
the choice It did so unhestatingy. and practically
unanimously This is why the news of Mr.. Con-
nells declination comes heavy blow to their
hopes and desires.
Although II is still too early to form plans for the
future 1t is known that the trustees will not take
this declknation as final They intend to redouble
their efforts to induce Mr. Connel to come to New
York, and will try hard to persuade him to recon-
slider his decision Mr.. Rowland intends to travel
in Europe with his wife this summer and 1t Is
more than probable that he will make personal
endeavor to induce Mr. Connell to change his mind.
John st. Clair who is a member Of the church
and is accustomed to make AN annual visit TO Scot
land in the summer, will go on his trip this year
as usual, and IL is likely that he will aid In the
persuasion of Mr. Connell also. No move will be
made toward the selection of any else until it
is certain that Mr.. Connell will not accept
There are some persons, however, who say that
Mr.. Connell could not in justice to his present
congregation accept the call. They point TO the
fact that he had received years leave Of absence
with salary, in which 10 travel in China, and then
argue that in fairness to the congregation which
did this for him he could not sever his connection
with them the end Of this leave of absence.
They think that he. If the pulpit Of the Fifth Ave
nue. Presbyterian Church is still open at some time
in the future, may in time accept a call by that
church but that he could not consider such step
at present. 1t Is said that the congregation OF the
London church made great efforts to keep him
when they heard that he might come TO New-York
Mr. Connells present salary is 5000 The Fifth
Avenue Church has offered him salary Of $1,000
with a parsonage