New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-20
Mr.. CONNELL THE CHOICE.
TO BE CALLED TO SUCCEED THE LATE
REV. DR.. JOHN HALL.
COMMITTEE OF THE FIFTH AVENUE PRES.
BYTERTAN CHURCH DECIDES ON THE
LONDON CLERGYMAN. AS THE
TRIBUNE SAID TT WOULD.

TRIBUNE SAID 1T WOULD.
The Committee Of the Whole Of the Fifth Ave
nue. Presbyterian Church, the body that was ap-
pointed by the congregation and trustees to
select successor to the late DR.. John Hall. de-
cided at n meeting held in the church yesterday
morning unanimously to recommend that the
Rev. Alexander Conne be called to fill the
vacant pulpit That Mr.. Conne would be the
choice Of the committee was exclusively an
nounced In The Tribune as long ago Septem-
ber %. Since then many reports have been pub
lshed in other papers, naming various ministers
as being favored by the committee. but The
Tribune has just as frequently reiterated that
Mr.. Connell would be called TO be the next pas
tor OF the church on September last The
Tribune. referring to the fact that the Rev Or.
George T. Purves who had been approached by
the congregation. unwilling to relnqush
his work at Princeton University. said
with the certainty before them Of Or Purves de-
clining every nducement to leave Princeton. 1t pc
came necessary for the members TO consider olhess
candidates and II can be stated that. result OF
Informal meetings held during the last few days by
some Of the leading members Of the church mere
Is every likelihood that the Rev. Alexander omen,
Of London, England. who preached In the churcn
week ago last Sunday. will be asked 20 become me
membered that Dr Han in one OF the last letters
terms to Mr. Connel., and commended him 10 me tns
committee appointed 10 supply the pu,iPr POn WIN
wben M GonnaT bcacbed M G fb church last sun
day he deeply impressed himself on the favor or
Alexander John j. McCook John p. Duncan. Il.
Edwards Rowland and several others VINO VINO
s5 s5a the the mSat are desroas
OF selecting Mr.. Connell At least on one meet WT
Alexan1er's home. al seabright. when the question
Of the choice OF pastor for the Fitth Avenue
was the guest Of Mr. Alexander ar Seabright at the
time the consultation took place and the prep 0,r
",t''T os,i s,rTS S oF the foremost people i'm
Wr ConneIrs candidattire The Alexander McCool1
i,ndonbtedlv their Indorsement which it may AL
most positively he said has been decided upon.
of Mr. COnnell would mean that he will receive the
cali Matters have 40 FAR advanced indeed that
church ne will be willing 70 relinqush his mission
way to these countries; where he was Proceedns
Missions 70 inspect missionary stations.
Mt Connell however left New-York in Octo-
ber to carry out his mission In the East, but
before he sailed from Vancouver he was asked
by telegraph by some of the trustees to delay
his departure for few days, until the con-
gregatlon could he called together and received
what was tantamount TO call. Mr. Connep.
however considered that he was under moral
obligation TO carry out his mission. and re-
fused to defer his Journey.
Then the committee to all practical intents,
decided to await Mr.. Connelrs return before
taking definite action Since then the commit
toe has met regularly and considered the names
OF many minister's. II is known that section
Of the congregation favored the calling Of
pastor OF American birth and training but.
while there were movements started from time
to time In favor Of the Rev. Drs. T. c. Hall,
Donald Sage Mackay Maltbie d. Babcock, Of
baltimore: DR.. McGlbbn Of Cincinnati, and
others. the representatives on the committee
Of the most influential and most numerous body
Of the congregation advised that the return OF
Mr. Conncu should he awaited Mr.. Connel IS
expected back in the early part of next month.
Yesterday morning the committee met In the
minister's room Of the church and unanimously
resolved 10 recommend to the congregation the
call Of Mr. Connell All the members OF the
committee were present excepting Robert Bon
ner who has been confined to his house for two
or three weeks with severe attack or rheuma-
tlsm Several members Of the committee were
seen last night but they refused to talk OF their
action on the ground that before making their
recommendation public II was incumbent upon
them to report TO the congregation.
Announcement will be made from the pulpit
next Sunday Of A meeting OF the congregation
10 receive the committees report. 1t VIII be
necessary according 10 the law OF the Church
10 repeat the announcement the following
Sunday Consequently the congregational meet
ing cannot be held for at least two weeks.
Mr. Conneu Is the pastor Of a large church In
London and occupies high place In English
Presbyteransm. He is eloquent preacher.
He is thirty-One years Old