New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-10
A CALL TO DIR. PURVES.
FIFTH AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN PASTOR
ATE OFFERED TO HIM.


NOUS CALL FOR MR. MORGAN LEADS
TO THE CHOICE OF THE PRINCE
TON THEOLOGICAL PROFESSOR.
Princeton, n. j.. Dec 0 (specaD.-A committee
| of eight men from the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian
Church, New-York, to-day called upon DR.. George
T. Purves, pastor Of the First Presbyterian
Church of this place and professor Of New Tesla
ment exegesis in the Theological Seminary, and,
It is said. consulted with him regarding a call
that has been extended to DR.. Purves TO become
pastor of the Fifth Avenue Church. AS soon as
| the seminary authorities learned the situation
they held a meeting and appointed a committee
to wait upon DR.. Purves and urge him to re-
main in Princeton, arguing that his field OF labor
here was OF too great Importance to leave It,
A mass meeting Of the seminary students was
also held this afternoon, and resolutions were
drawn up expressing to Dr. Purves their per-
sonal esteem and respect for him and apprecia-
tion of his services both a professor and as a
pastor, and asking him to remain with them.
These resolutions were presented to DR.. Pur-
yes tonight by committee of twelve students
He was considerably moved by them. AS yet
he has made no decision in the matter Both
the theological seminary and the university VIII
endeavor to keep him in Princeton.
DIR. Purves was graduated from the University
Of Pennsylvania and from Princeton Theo-
logical Seminary. Before coming to princeton
to his professorship he was pastor OF church In
Pttsburg. He Is a popular preacher among the
students.
Fl. Edwards Rowland chairman Of the Pulpit
| Committee of the Session, was at home last
night when a Tribune reporter called at his
house to see II the foregoing dispatch was cor
rect, but he refused to see the reporter. ser
want took the dispatch to Mr.. Rowland, who
read IL over and cent the following message:
ut is not true that a committee of eight called
on DIR. Purves and to the mass meeting or
students I have knowledge whatever" Mr..
Rowland was careful to say that there was no
committee of eight"
That was all the information obtainable at Mr..
Rowands home.
When Robert E. Bonner prominent member
of the church, was seen and read the dispatch
he said:
"I am delighted at this announcement. /
was not on the committee and do not know
when It went out TO Princeton, but I was in
formed few days ago that DR.. Purves was be-
ing considered in connection with our vacant
pulpit AS a matter Of fact. the Pulpit Com
mittee became aware soon after IT took favor
able action on the name Of the Rev. G. Camp
bell Morgan that there was an absolute mpos
gan. The committee knew that as soon as a
congregational meeting was called this opposi-
ton would make itself manifest 1t is also
fact that Mr. Morgan would not have come at
all II the call had not been unanimous Had
the call been unanimous ne would undoubtedly
have come TO us TO large element In the
church Mr. Morgan represented the Moody
school of church methods and 1t was felt that
this influence should be checked to some extent
in the Fifth Avenue Church.
Or Purves was the first man considered Tor
the vacancy last spring. The only thing that
made the church hesitate then was the fact that
DIR. Purves physically is not the strongest type
of preacher. He resigned pastorate with a
salary of So 900 a year in Pittsburg 10 go 10
Princeton in order that his work might DE
lighter That several years ago. ana since
then he has steadily gained In strength uhIiI
now / understand he is feellng rrst rate Iic
will receive q unanimous call, am sure, IL IL
is settled beyond doubt that he Is Wiling u
come. 800.
ter that can safely be left to DIR. Puryes hlm-
self He is conscientious man, ana II ne ue-
cides that he is strong enough TO assume ti,e
duties Of a large parish like the flftn Avenue
PRESBYTERIAN Church, he VIII, no DOUBT, carry
out his plans. He is greatly beloved at fIlhce
ton Mrs. McCosh told me when saw her
short time ago in Princeton that we must not
take DR. Puryes away from them out there De-
cause they thought so much or him. kho" VI
several wealthy families which Will return 10
the Fifth Avenue Church just as soon as IL IS
known definitely that DR.. Purves Is to be caiIsu.
'The society needs some such man as he Inc
Warszawiak matter unfortunate. ana tne
society is not in the iourshing condition that
OF was once. II will require hard work TOT d
number II years to come to get the church III
the shape that It ought to be In, but Know
of no one better qualified than DR.. Purves 10
unite people" ...
DOCS this remove Mr. Morgan from further
consideration" Mr. Bonner was asked
IT should Judge so. AS l said before, unan-
imous call for Mr.. Morgan was Impossible Inc
committee sounded the congregation ana con-
WINGED itself of this fact.
The subcommittee Of the Pulpit Committee
last week expected TO make some sort or an
nouncement at the service in the Fifth Avenue
Church this morning. Mr.. Rowland, when seen
on Friday declined TO say what the announce
ment would be. other members or the com
mittee intimated that the statement would be
an important one, and it is likely that II mas
reference to the dropping Of the name or the
Rev Mr. Morgan In view Of there being DOUBT
about a call to him being unanimous.
In view Of the fact that the Pulpit Committee
has been moving with great deliberaton OF late,
II is likely that DR.. Puryes Will accept call TO
the church II the call is unanimous.