New-York tribune., 1900-01-01
DR.. PURVES'S ACCEPTANCE.
he WILL BECOME PASTOR OF THE FIFTH
AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

HIS LETTER READ AT YESTERDAY MORN
ING's sERvIcE-wILL NOT BE ABLE
TO PREACH REGULARLY THERE
UNTIL April.
The congregation of the Fifth Avenue Pres
eoyterian Church was yesterday Informed that
the Rev. DR.. George T. Purves had accented the
call which was recently extended to him to suc-
ceed the late DR.. John Hall. DR. Puryes's fa-
Noraoie decision was generally expected but
the FORMAL announcement made from the pulpit
OF the church yesterday disposed of what little
uncertainty may have been felt
DR.. Purves's letter of acceptance was received
by the authorities of the church on Saturday
out 1t was not made public until yesterday In
that letter he states that he will not be able to
begin preaching regularly in the Fifth Avenue
church until April, on account of existing en-
sagements. DR.. Purvess letter was read to the
congregation in the morning by the Rev. Dr.
John Dixon, assistant secretary of the Home
Missions Of the Presbyterian Church, who con-
Quoted the service. After the usual announce
ments had been read DR.. Dixon said that he
mao a most important communication to submit
10 the church, and he expressed him self as most
happy that it had fallen to him under the provi-
oence of God, TO be the one first to give utter
ance there to the matter in question
THE LETTER.
He then read the statement prepared by the
commissioners who extended the call be-
half of the congregation and the letter from
br Purves in reply. The statement and letter
NE as follows:
Inc majority Of the commissioners elected at
me CO greg ational meeting on Wednesday even
: ing, December 20 TO prosecute the unanimous
can S TO me pastorate of this church before the
rev George L. Purves, d. D., LII. D.. and also
the Presbyteries, proceeded to Princeton ON
tne afternoon or December 2S, and formally
paced the call in his hands. expressing the
nope that he would give it favorable considera-
ton They have received his formal reply
which reads as follows:
"Prdnceton. N J.. December % 1890
To the Commissioners of the Fifth Avenue
Presbyterian Church, New-York
Dear Brethren: This is to formally notify
you that L accept the call of the Fifth Avenue
Presbyterian Church, subject to the approval of
my Presbytfry: In taking this action I
heVe that His blessing will be given, as the seal
OF His favor. both to the church and to its
future pastor
IT is not easy to surrender the work in
which. for the last seven years 1 have been
happily engaged, but L have been led to the
conviction that it is Gods will that 1 accept
the pastorate to which your congregation has
with so much cordiality invited me- / shall not
be able, however to begin preaching for YOU
regularly until April, on account of my present
engagements.
Praying that grace. mercy and peace NAV
he upon us all, am, sincerely yours,
GEORGE T. PURvES."
DR.. Purves has promised to preach in the
church on January IA and again in February
Immediately after reading this statement DR.
Dixon offered prayer. invoking the divine bless
ing on the congregation in seeking the services
of one who, they believed. had been chosen by
God to be the pastor of that flock
No further reference to the call to Dr. Purves
was made in the service. Dr. Dixon preached
from these two texts: Luke xii, 19-"Soul thou
hast much goods laid up for many years; take
thine ease, eat, drink. and be merry" and
Philippians :. 21-"Fors to me to live is Christ"