New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-20
DIR. R. S. STORRS RESIGNS.
CHURCH OF THE PILGRIMS SURPRISED
BY HIS ACTION.
HAS NOT BEEN IN GOOD HEALTH RE
CENTLY-HE MAY BECOME PAS
TOR EMERITUS.
TOR EMERITUS.

TOR EMERITUS.
Great surprise was caused at the morning
service OF the Church OF the Pilgrims. Remsen
and Henry SITS. Brooklyn, yesterday by the an
nouncement that the Rev. Or. Richard $. Storrs,
the venerable pastor of the church, would re-
sign. DR.. Storrs has been in poor health this
fall and has been unable to attend to the du-
ties of the church for some weeks. His place In
the pulpit has been occupied by visiting clergy
men. and yesterday morning it devoved on DR..
Edward b. Coe. Of Manhattan, the son-in-law OF
DR. Storrs. to read formal letter OF resignation
from the pastor.
This letter was read after the sermon. and
with no preliminary intimation that anything
out OF the ordinary TO follow. The fact
that DR.. Storrs had been in such poor health,
however had rather prepared his congregation
for some such announcement. In spite OF this.
the letter came as a shock. There were many
expressions of regret from members of the con-
gregation that their pastor was about to lay
down the work of lifetime AS indicated in
his letter Of resignation DR.. Storrs has been the
sole pastor OF the Church of the Pilgrims since
its incorporation fifty-three years ago. In sh
that time he has carried on the work OF the
church unassisted by any associate, and until
a few years ago has enjoyed the best OF health
Since the death Of his Wife over two years ago.
DR.. Storrs has never been the same man Al
that time 1t was his desire TO send in his resig-
nation. but feeling that there still need
for him influenced his decision TO remain
As to the future relations of DR.. Storrs TO tho
Church OF the Pilgrims nothing definite can
now be stated A meeting OF the church has
been called for the evening Of Monday. No
vember % at which action will be taken IL IL
probable that the congregation will ask Dr.
Storrs to continue his connection with the
church as its pastor emeritus. This step would
coincide with the wishes OF Or. Storrs, while at
the same time it would relieve him OF the re-
sponsibilities Of the pastorate.
DIR sTORRs's LETTER
The letter copies of which were distributed
among the members OF the congregation after
the service is as follows:
To the officers and Members Of the Church and
CONGREGATION Of the Church Of the Pllgrilns'
NV Dearly Loved Friends You Will FUZZY UNDER
stand. | know, the keen regret with Wnicn tcr
| the first time in many years find myself bii-
! able to conduct our common joyful worsmp on
! this dav specially endeared 10 us as recalling
the beginning Of our long union as pastor ana
| people Shadows Of the past beset me tnlchly
| as write but thank God! they are not shadows
sombre and saddening but illl or beauty anu
| prophecy under the light shining from above.
| II u.s. as you know, more than fffy-four years
| since I entered on the public ministry or the
Gospel i'm October 1S45 For 1i'y-thvee OF
these years since November 10. 1916. 1t has been
| my singular ha appiness to be the sole pastor OF
| this distinguished church, without associate or
| assistant except as honored brothers IN the
| ministry have successively SUPERVISED our fruit-
| full mission work in the chapel, ahd nave otner-
wise rendered occasional hnportaht seiyice' vice
| Continuing health on my part. Wltn your con-
| tinuing kindness and with the constant iaVcr OF
| God toward u.s. has made this long active pas
| torate possible. .
| sorrow of which you know. 3rok" suiderIy
| into my life-I have been not lnfrequen'ly aware
that the self renewing force, mental ara pnysl-
| cal. in which [ had before rejotcef' rad oeeh
! seriously diminished. so that duties az hple
! and abroad, always till then delightful were
becoming laborious, while esq 'claliy me ma "a
| tive and stimulating Impulse IF the rastor IN
| church activities. constituting perhaps ms most
| important function, was plairly beginning 10
surpass my strength. recent ,en uHenfet,u st',
| lanse of nervous force and physical Vlgor, SMUT
| ring me In my room at the outset or season
| to which | had joyfully looked forward, ana
| for which | had made ample summer rrepars-
| lion has shown me vet more distinctly than
| before how closely had been treadln5 IN pre-
| vous months on the limits OF my cdpocitS I"r
service. . . ,uo ,,raor
| these admonitions that. on this anniversary, be.
fore any further warning OF weakness oughs
| to resign into your hands tne pastoral oll,o@ nn
which your fathers and grandfathers SO ions
| ago committed to me. and in the fulniment OF
whose duties has been hitherto the gladness oi
| my life ] do. therefore, hereby so reslsH ".
the resignation and TO unite with me IN what,
ever measures may be needed TO ratfy ana
complete II.
WOULD BECOME PASTOR EMERITUS
| Revond this release from duties which are
| evidently ere long to be impossible Tor me, 4
| desire my dear friends to leave everything con-
| cerning our future relations entirely IN your
| hands If IL should be your united desire that
| | remain connected with the church as its
| pastor emeritus-ready to perform any neslreo
| occasional services, while wholly freeo from
| general responsibility-I shall cordially accept
| that arrangement If. on the other hana, II
| shall seem to you wiser, as easily IL may, tnat
| my relation to the church be hencstorth onty
! that Of a private member. leaving to him VINO
| shall come after me position Whohy unsin-
barrassed by any remaining official character IN
| myself | shall fully accept your tnousht CON
| cerning II and sympathetically approve your ac-
| ton NV only desire is that the Masters woIx
| shall continue to be done here as we tose'he'
| have striven to do it amid the changing en
| vironments Of the past; that under Ieauei - %
| earnest faith and unworn yigor. In whoh youI
| hearts shall safely trust, ana on W,oin La.a
| blessing shall abide. the churcn whlcn W. a,v
| ,gother Ioved and served may face with new
conservation the many duties, ana froht VIZ "Isno o.
fear the many problems 70 pe enso innaar 30 lead
| ,,aars 90 came IL is not for me longer 10 To-
| - dc collective movement, 10 put Heeuso
| energy into it's ever charging sron VOTE, ~ "a
| n through or over the swels Oh htnh are IN
| yerse or helpful 10 the Gospei, MhSn % -
! ,,rround Il or to try TO make IL an ever IIe'it
| no,rer for beauty and welfare IN uls Sns. ..
have had my long ana nappy yatefmI tei II is for
ana a loi - nou "a take up the work which 1
ediy the youise, though sadly. must lay down But
minor offices will still. hope remain possible nT
for me; and whatsoever ! can 90. IN private ,S y.
uhiic for your Christian welfare, Tor the
furtherance Of the truth here or elsewhere: OF
FOR the honor OF our King VIII be gladly sra'e-
fully spontaneously done r.. .....
They are beautiful years-in not rev ways
,bav have been. trust. years fruitful Of good
~ Which from this present anniversary VIC to-
gether look back A harmony more c%om %
go ,ban ours from the outset on, can hardly
anywhere have been known: opportunities ,or
good work have opened literally around Us. ana
a spirit to match them has In Rooh nisasuts
said am sure that the influence OF the chOrcn
has widely surpassed it's local limits. IL cIouas
and darkness have al any time oeeh 'ouhu soou'
,t the divine lustre has always aIterWaru aP'
~ - -. IL clear shining after rain. IL re-