New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-06
THE CALL UNANIMOUS.
THE REV. ALEXANDER CONNELL ASKED
TO SUCCEED DIR. HALL.
CONGREGATION OF THE FIFTH AVENUE PREsBY-
TERRAIN CHURCH INDoRsEs THE COM
MrTTEE's REPORT WITHOUT
DISSENTING VOTE


MrTTEE's REPORT WITHOUT \
DISSENTING VOTE.
The congregation of the Fifth Avenue presby-
teriar Church resolved unanimously last night 20
call the Rev. Alexander Connell pastor ~ the
Regent Square church. London 10 succeed 70
the pulpit left vacant by the death of the Rev.
DIR. John Hall. More than three hundred rcn-
hers of the church attended the meeting every
one OF whom Joined IN the rising vote on the mo-
tion, made by Robert Bonner. that Mr. Conncll
should be called to the sastorate Prior 10 rhs
vote being taken the meeting listened 10 the re-
port Of the Joint committee representing the Ses-
sion and the congregation. which. rs The Trib-
une exclusively announced on March % recon-
mended the selection Of Mr. Connen
That Mr. Conne would be the choice of the
church was. IN fact. foretold in these columns
50 long ago September . last when I'm point
ing out that Mr.. Connell before derarting for
China had received an lntimatlon that was
tantamount TO a call. The Tribune stated that
the congregation would await his return be-
fore taking further action and that It would
call tine young English minister the COM
pletion Of his mission in the East.
Last nights meeting was marked Ivy dig
nifty that impressive. and the congratua-
tOnS extended To the committee AT the Gloss
left no doubt that the congregation is pleased
with the choice made by that body That the
committee gave the utmost consideration before
reaching decision is made clear In the fact
that It has given attention 10 the qualifications
Of more than sixty ministers whose names were
presented.
TO GO TO LONDON AT ONCE e.
Mr. Connel is expected to arrive in England
call han
been indorsed by the Presbytery next Monday
William Brookfeld and John Sinclair will pro-
ceed TO London to acqualnt the minister with
the action taken by the church. Although Mr..
Ccnnell is desrous of remaining in his present
charge it Is generally thought that he viii be
prevailed on TO accept the invitation OF the
Fifth Avenue Church. It is proposed TO pay 10
him $4,000 year, together with the free USE
of the parsonage adjoining the church.
The Rev DR. Robert Russell Booth was Mod
orator last night. and Joel W. Thorne was SEQ,
retary Before :he committees report was pre-
serted Robert Bonner asked permission 70 read
a letter which he had received In August last
from the late Or. Hall, who was then IN Lon
don which states. the foregoing letter Will
explain the movements Of the Rev. Mr. Connell.
He would be a gooi occupant Of me pulpit, ana
YOU can let the elders or the committee IN
charge Of the supply know Of his standing and
tone.
The repor, of the Committee Of the Whole,
which was signed by the chairman, Z. EDWARDS
Rowland. was read ny William Brockheld. and
states at the outset:
We have met every Sabbath after morning ser,
yS Tst o sSokns ans nave hsS yen earefu
t,on 81 fhe more than sixty names that have been
resented Every name handed in by perseas 'en- ,
ppaced with this church has received attention. 80
one who has given the committee 9or.,es maplss ~
! All have undoubtedly had only the Interests sS saS
welfare Of the church At near, wa wa t@om the
names before from the Nortn snG -" f,o,, e
south from the East and from me Nest, oH iioH'
New South Wales England. scotland ana lrettno ,,,ea
6neb 6mebf fSts rs select MT A. Mr.. B. or NJ no o.
have there been any other meeunsS ~ ,in e man or
,hst man that We know Of The committee nsss
been Left Perfeesy yunanmoas laG decson in regard 70
whom It will recommend ano ms ms ~ ~ 4, unani-
or thmu ureScnommends that YOU extend call 10 the
Rev Alexander Connel, Of LONDON 10 th' P'S''
ate Of this churcn
Tho committee at some length then proceed 20
Give their reasons for their choice ana quo1'
1umerous letters from prominent Englsh fles-
bvterians and from the members OF MI III. III
nelrs church. These letters or one accoru sPsaS
| Of the zealousness ard ability or the pastor y,
S,s in,eIlectuaI attanments and high personal
qualities
PLEASED WITH HIM AT FIRST
The renort states also that the committee told
Mr.. Connell when he was here how much tneS
we're pleased with him. and asked nm II NJ
"could not preach for us two or three Sundays
so that more Of the people could hear him ana
| becone better Acquainted with him. as we might
want him TO remain permanently with us
Mr. Connell however. compelled to pro-
ceed on his Journey. but In reply TO letter
/ from the committee asking him to return from
China by way of NeW-York Mr. Connell wrote.
| can see prospect Of my being IN posiuon
N give an Invitation a favorable considera-
ton four months hence than DO now As
Thai I am becoming more thoroughly bound in all
honor 10 serve the Church and Union whose WORK
have undertaken In less complex citcuLns' @ q.
my decision might have been oinerent, put as I,
is my duty seems clear 10 my own cnutcn ana
that IL the governing consideration IN my oe,
cislon Minor aspects Of the matter nave OF
course affected me also and encouraged me 70
believe had done right. do not know now Iar
stray paragraphs from New-York papers. which l
baVe seen are 10 be trusted but gather that In
any case there would be consderabie opposluon
we're my name proposed or course, shouid never
/ dream even were my way otherwise clear. OF
deserving a congregation where we have perfect
harmony. only to find, ana perhaps 10 MAKE Us
Content I should think II the very SraNest mat
tor 10 accept call that was not unanimous
Tho renort closed with the formal recommend
alton that Mr. Connell be called that ne should
receive $4,000 annually. 10 have the use OF ms
parsonage and to have his expenses 10 New
York paid The committee further recominehn
ed that Elders Rowland. Talcott. Sinclair ana
Irwin and William Brookneld, ne appointed
commissioners to present the call.
Robert Bonner moved and William Irwin SEQ
onded a resolution for the adoption Of the COM
mittees report and calling Mr.. Connell 10 tho
paetorate By rising vote the congregation
unanimously adopted the resolution.
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