New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-17
DE-. PURVES LIKELY TO CONE
LETTER RECEIVED FROM THE PRINCE
TON CLERGYMAN.
BELIEVED TO BE FAVORABLE TO HIS &C
cEPTING THE CALL FROM THE FIFTH

BELIEVED TO BE FAVORABLE TO HIS &C
CEPTING THE CALL FROM THE FIFTH
AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
II. Edward Rowland. chairman Of the Pulpit
Committee If the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian
Church, yesterday afternoon received letter
from the Rev. Dr. George T. Purves. OF Prince
ton. with reference TO Or. Purves's acceptance
OF call to the pulpit left vacant by the death
Of the Rev. DR. John Hall. 1t is reported on
good authority. but was not confirmed last
night by Mr.. Rowland. that the letter signifies
that a call 10 the Fifth-ave. church will be
accepted. 1t is expected that notice will be
read at the morning service in the Fifth-ave.
church to-day for congregational meeting.
whose business IT will he to send a formal call
to DR. Purves When Mr. Rowland was seen
last night by Tribune reporter ne said:
1T would be highly improper for me TO dis
close the nature of DR.. Purvess message in ad-
vance OF acquainting the congregation with it.
After tomorrow morning We hope to be able 10
speak freely TO the newspaper men,
Little doubt is felt now by the friends Of DR..
Purves who members Of the Fffth-ave.
church that the long hunt for pastor has been
happily ended 1t is known that after the visit
OF the committee Of the church 10 Princeton last
week DR. Purves visited by members of the
Session who probably made it clear TO him that
he need not fear an excess OF hard pastoral labor
II he came. and IL is also understood that he was
assured that If the strain became too heavy the
greatest consideration would he shown him, even
TO accepting an early resignation should that
become necessary. Dr. Purves is said to be
much stronger now than he has been before for
the last fifteen years and IL stands to reason
that the Fifth-ave. church offers a preacher
an opportunity to make his personality and
abilities felt. a dispatch was received from
Princeton last night saying that DR.. Purves was
still undecided
Inquiries among the prominent members Of
the church last night strengthened the impress
sion that the letter which Mr.. Rowland re-
ceived yesterday afternoon Is a practical ac-
ceptance of the call extended to DR.. Purves. A
trustee Of Princeton University and prominent
Presbyterian layman when seen last night said:
said
The conclusion is irresistible that II DR..
Purves wrote Mr. Rowland A letter yesterday
and an announcement in connection with the
letter Is 10 be made tomorrow morning the
letter is acceptance Of the call. Doubtless
DR.. Purves has indicated In his letter that the
call will have TO be unanimous. II that Is the
only condition imposed, IL is as good as settled
that he will come"
1t was said last night that the argument
which had most weight with DR.. PurVes was
that he would be in just as good a position 70
help Princeton as pastor or leading metro
politan Presbyterian church as he IS in pro-
fessors chair. There has always been strong
tie between the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian
Church and Princeton. and the trustees OF
Princeton when they came 10 think II over
concluded that the university and seminary
would have just potent an ally in DIT. PurVes
at the Fifth-ave. church as If he were with them
at the college
This made it easy for DR.. Purves's friends at
Princeton TO wish him godspeed. although they
don't like to see him go. Furthermore. the as
surance that his coming to New-York would do
away with the troublesome Warszawiak case
and most Of the heartburnings which Followed
in its wake had great weight with DR.. Purves.
One Of the wealthest and most prominent
members OF the society. who has not been 70
church for nearly year. will be present to-day
and resume his place a teacher in the sun
day school. to give emphasis to his pleasure
over the speedy prospect Of securing DR.. Purves
as the new pastor.