New-York tribune., 1899-02-06

en. conaition of the Presbyterian Church in
this city II there ever had been a time when
the PRESBYTERIAN Church needed the support or
men like Or van Dyke that time was the pres
cnt MIR. Jcsup grew exceedingly emphatic tow
ard the close of his speech. ana when he had
finished the members Of the church tapped their
umbrellas on the floor in loud applause The
resolutions were unanimously adopted and Mr..
Odell at once went to inform DR.. van Dyke Of
the action Of the meeting.
TIE DECISION RECC NsIDERED.
There was a large attendance at the afternoon
service a; 1870 o'clock in anticipation that the
pastor would make known his decision This
he did by reading the following letter:
February D. 1899.
To the Session and Congregation OF the Brick
Dear Friends Your action at your meetings OF
January q and February is 50 clear IN purpose
and so kind in spirit that must thank you for l.
A man should always be grateful 70 those who help
stfi some necessary work for me 10 do for the
cause OF Christ here in New-York do not waDt
has set before the Brick Church large opportunity
in the service OF religion in this great city. To
Of the city however the tides OF fashion and popu-
lation may eDD or now 10 90 generous ana ~ many ny
sided work In Christs name for the GOOD OF me
city reaching out from the central avenue, through
our affiliated churches, from river 20 river ana
sending gifts and influence and workers az far as
We in all directions, to prove that historic
"a
channel for vital ana practical christianity 10 now
IN. make our plain. old-fashioned creed stand
foI clean hVlns ana wise slVlns 20 use "ui ~
cheerful. harmonious lie, 70 show our Loyalty 10
needs e Of he present. as living ehurch-ihls is
surely a noble future for the Brick Church; / be-
licve that under the Divine guidance u VIII be ac-
complshed. II by staying with you at this time
can do little 10 helD 10 make this future more
decided the question Of Immediate duty for me
! still believe that a man may serve God and his
s'iI wish and hope to be able to do some nones,
work in literature But The call 20 Johns Hopkins
respectfully declined To-day's duty lies here
tor. Lut II You s,i need II a, this time vii, DO
the best ! can. with tho Masters help. 20 advance
the hopes tha, we have in view for our beloved
Faithfully vours. HENRY VAN DYKE.
When DR.. van Dyke could get away from the
crowd that pressed ~ to shake hands with him
he said to a reporter that he would probably
send his declination Of the call Johns Hopkins
University in the evepinG.
DIR. VAN DYKES CAREER.
The Rev. Dr. Henry van Dyke is a graduate
of Princeton OF the class Of '73, and was last fall
elected trustee Of that institution. to III the
vacancy caused by the death Of the Rev. Dr.
John Hall He was born in Germantown, Penn.
November 10 1852. and got his early education
at the Brooklyn Polytechnic institute. He Is
graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary.
and studied al the University Of Berlin From
1879 to 1SS2 he was pastor Of the United Con
gregational Church at Newport T.. J.. and in
1850 came TO the Prick Presbyterian Church' az
the head Of which he has since remained.
Or ven Dyke is widely known as a critic or
English literature and a writer. Among ms pup-
Story of the Psalms" The National Sin o. III
erarv Pirac,- " The Poetry of Teunyson. God
and Little children" The Christ child in Art
and The Bible as 1t Is"