The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-19
REV. RUSSELL CECIL. D. D., IS ONE
OF THE CHURCH LEADERS.
The Selma Alabama, Minister Who Has Been
Called TO the Passionate Of the Second Pres
bytarian Church, One Of the Abest Men
in His Denomination.
in His Denomination.

year seeing the bonds OF love and affection
being wound closer and closer around those
with whom he came in contact and to
whom he ministered until the very thought
OF having to receive his resignation brings
poignant grief and the fact tina. he is even
considering the call that has been made
to him causes many expressions os the
hope that he will not accept
= PROFOUND SCHOLAR
DR.. Cecil is a profound scholar and a
wei. rounded man. HIS sermons are models
In diction and full OF force H!a Is the
sort OF ministry that constantly improves
ard his congregation gets the herca, ss hsy,
daily research. One carries home with
him from the church where DR. Cecil has
preached something to remember and to
treasure up in the storehouse OF KNOW
edge.
He is a true-born Southerner. At Prince
ton. where the temptation Is ever mes
ent to young preachers with ambition. to
cas-. their lot with the Northern Presby-
taran church he would listen TO nothing
that sought to lure him away from ths
Southern Presbytery and dedicated him.
self early in life to that purpose. He has
reused rrore than one AsrJesinG rar
since he has been in Selma to churches
affiIatins with the Northern branch OF
the church. ard has also refused equally as
fIattering calls from Southern churches
prefecring TO remain in SsiJua. N0ta1y
among this number was a call to Louis
Vile. Ky. but a few years Stree.
The degree of Doctor OF Divinity was
conferred upon him both by Kentucky
college and by Princeton, he being among
thu few Southern men ever having receiv-
ed this distinction from Princeton UDiyer-
SHY.
ONE OF THE LEADERS.
At the present time. in the prime OF h's
manhood. he is looked upon as one Of the
leaders in the Southern Presbytery and
his influence throughout this section 10
widespread. He IS q member OF ths
Board OF Trustees OF The Aguess Scott
Institute of Decatur, Ga He is chair
man OF the Board OF thu Columbia SEM
mary of Columbia s c., and is a prori-
uent member of the Foreign Mission Board
OF the Southern General Assembly WIN
headquarters at Nashville At tho recent
assembly held in Richmond he was ch2T-
man of the Committee on Forelsu MS
SONS. DR.. Cecil WAS sent as delegate
10 the recent Ecunenlcai Conference held
in the city of New York and no posi-
ton in the work of the church IS loo
onerous or difficult to be- filed by him
During his pastorate in Selma his church
has steadily grown until il IS e,=ily III" ftrst
church in the State. y new church build
ing was built by the congregation IN 1885,
ma wear of tho financial panic, and evry
aoIar OF the SS5.Ooo required 10 build II
was paid Before the dedication services oc-
CURED.
HIS worth. his ability. his influence for
good. his scholarly attainments. his IOWA
bleDess has constantly kept his people IA
fear that such q. light could not be n1u
11nder a hushel" and that sooner or a
Ter a call would come that would taka
him away and they are now anxtousiy
awaiting for his decision