The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-20
Worcester Ministers
In Big Demand.
ANOTHER CALLED
Rev. S. B. Meeser Receives
and Refuses Good Offers.

Another Worcester Clergyman is
much sought after by the outside world,
and again 1t is demonstrated that the
pulpits Of this city are filed with men OF
such strong character and power and
such marked personality, that they are
ever in demand by the larger parishes
of the leading cities of the country.
Rev. Spencer B. Meeser, the able and
scholarly pastor Of the First Baptist
Church. who has won great popularity
during his passionate in this city and
who has upbuilt large and influential
congregation has recently received a
communication from one IF the largest
and most prosperous Baptist churches
in one of the largest cities of the COM
monNrsalth. hut has also received a
communication from a leading church
in Connecticut with reference to his
pastorate.
When seen by a Spy man, Rev. Mr..
MeeSer admitted that he had received
two communications from churches in
this state and in Connecticut, but de-
clined to discuss the matter. From one
of the intimate friends of Rev. Mr..
Meeser, 1t is learned that when the last
ScAtAAAAAIAttA~lC4 W S I5CGlNSQ III WAS
given 6ue consideration by Rev, Mr.,
Meeser, and that his reply was such as
to practically close the incident which
VIII be read by the members Of his con-
gregahon in The Spy with great rejoie-
ing.
Both the parishes which communal
Gated with Rev. Mr.. Meeser are larger
than the First Baptist Church here,
and the salExies which they have paid
their pastors in the past ara AattArina,
and larger than that enjoyed by Rev.
Mr.. Meeser here. The only words that
Mr.. Meeser would say in regard to the
situation were that he was devoting
his energies to his work in Worcester.
A prominent member of the First
baptist Church said to The Spy man
that these were not the first large offers
extended TO his pastor Some time ago
Rev. Mr.. Meeser received an out-and
out cali from the leading Baptist
church Of Philadelphia. which afforded
wide field for pulpit expression and
commanded a large salary but Mr.
Meeser did not care to consider it, and
preferred 20 remain with his work in
this city.
Rev. Mr. Meeser has been in Wor-
cester three years, and during that
time he has won adn1ira ton from peo-
pie Of all faiths for his breadth of schol-
arship, his eloquence and noble Chris
tian character. His parish, under his
administration. has become one of the
largest churches in the city, and is do
Ing great work. Since he took charge
OF affairs, the church has Increased in
mem bership by 176 souls, so that the
parish now numbers $50 people When
Rev Mr.. Meeser began his pastorate
here. the church had not maintained its
high prestige, but since he came, his
untiring energy and answering devo-
ton TO the welfare of the church, has
raised it even above its former high
standard. The financial capacity of
the church has wonderfully developed
and today the church is raising S1O.-
800 annually so that at the present
time 1t is one of the most prosperous
and healthy parishes in the city OF
Worcester.
The congregation and pastor are
closely welded, and when the first in
tlmatlon was received that churches
were in communication with Rev. Mr..
Meeser, the members of his congrega-
ton called upon him and urged him to
remain here with his people who are
devoted to him.
1t transpired that during the past
week, delegation from the last church
IN question attended the Sunday SER
vices to hear Mr. Meeser unbeknown to
him, and their impression was so favor
able that a communication followed.
The members of this delegation had
visited many of the leading Baptist
pulpits in New England, and Rev. Mr.,
Meeser was the first to impress them,
SO that the first approach was made to
MIN. They talked with some of the
members OF the congregation, and in
TINS way II leaked out that he had been
approached.
Rev. Mr.. Meeser is we'll known among
the Baptist ministry. Since his residence
in this city he has been elected to the
board of trustees of the Polytechnic In
stltute, Where he has done effective
work, and he is one of the staff of the
Waterman, one of the most influential
Tslisfous Journals in the Anunt1-x.