New-York tribune., 1899-01-17
THE REV. DR.. HILLS CALLED.
PLYMOUTH CHURcH's VOTE PRACTICAL
IY UNANIMOUS.

II NAV he stated with some degree OF GER
tainty that the Rev. DIR. Newell Dwight Hiiiis,
pastor of the Central Church in Chicago, VIII
become pastor Of Plymouth Church. as the sue
cessor TO the Rev Dr. Lyman Abbott on the
first Sunday In March. II was voted last night
at a meeting of the church to call Or. HILLS
256 votes being cast 6 Of which were IN the
negative and 4 blank. After the meeting the
Rev Mr. Porter, the assistant pastor. said
that In his opinion Or. Hills would accept IN
spite OF the fact that six people showed ina.
he was not their choice s. V. White SAID tha'
should DR.. Hills come he had said that nc
would be ready to take up his work on the hfs'
Sunday in March. and other members OF the
Advisory Committee who were seem aithoush
they did not care TO be quoted. intnated that
the assurances which they had received from
DR.. Hills we're strong enough to lead them 10
believe that he would accept call IL II were
unanimous.
According to the advice of DR.. Abbott. three
Of the men who voted mo" have expressed their
intention Of writing at once to DR.. Hills ana
saving that although their judgment at the
time led them to vote NO he would hnd none
more ready to support him. If he should come
1t is believed that the other three will write
similar letters and that, under the circum-
stances, Dr. Hills will feel justified IN accept
ing the call as practically unanimous one
Throughout the proceedings there seemed TO
be the greatest harmony. and IT was only hilei
the election that a stormcloud suddenly arose
which seemed to be bringing trouble; but In
moment DR.. Abbott had arisen for the only
time in the evening and had poured oil on the
waters so that the cloud passed over with seem-
ingly no effect. 1t all came about through an
impulsve speech by Thomas G. Shearman, VINO
has for years been one OF the leading workers
in the church and had been an enthusiast in
securing q unanimous call for Dr. Hills. he
sad In substance
There are six brethren who by voting NO
seem not to want any pastor at all. I am con-
strained to believe that they have done this be-
cause Mr. White and have been doing all the
work in this matter. l am disappointed to nave
Dr. Hills receive six negative votes. Tor thlS
reason and will say that IL any Of those six
who cast the votes are willing TO come up ana
do some of the work for one would gladly let
them do it,
William E. Davenport then got up and said:
"I wish to take exception to what Mr. Shear
man has said l voted NO because l felt my
responsibility in this matter and after having
given the matter as much study as possible
BENJAMIN f. Blair then said
II also feel that / want to protest against the
suggestion that anybody voted NO because
OF any personal feeling in regard to Mr. Shear
DR.. Abbott then said that he believed the men
| who had voted mo" would be willing 10 write
| 10 Dr. Hills and say that he would find no
warmer supporters In the church. =
The meeting OF the church was called at :
| o'clock Henry L Pratt was moderator and
| Frederick C. Marvel clerk. The first business
| was the acceptance OF the resignation OF Or.
| Abbott to take effect at such date as he may
| fix The resolution wound up with personal
| tribute as follows
| Resolved That this church Is deeply grate-
| full for the great blessing which 1t has enjoyed
| in the ministrations Of its present beloved pas
| tor for period OF nearly twelve years, during
which Il has felt increasing satisfaction ana re-
| ceived increasing Profit from those ministra-
| tions and that il be referred to the ADVISORY
| Committee to prepare and submit TO this church
| az the close OF Dr. Abbott's pastoral service a
| suitable record Of the gratitude. affection and
| appreciation of the church.
closed ballot was then taken for the cholce
| of a new pastor at four booths presided over by
| eight tellers. B. F. Blair then announced tna'
256 votes had been cast, 246 for DR.. Hills
! that upon six mo" had been written and that
4 were blank.
| The church society, at a meeting held just al
| fer the adjournment of the church meeting. con
| Cured in the action Of the church. Both bodies
| adjourned TO meet on Friday evening after the
| praver-meeting A committee, with Thomas
| Shearman as chairman, consisting OF four mem
| bers from each body chosen TO arrange
for sending a formal call to DR.. Hills
! James p Hall offered resolution thanking
| the Advisory Committee for the zeal Whlch II
! had dlsplayed in endeavoring TO influence DR.
| Abbott 10 remain. and afterward In securing
! candidate for a successor who was so entre4y
satisfactory.