Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-01-13
Has Accepted a Call From the
First Presbyterian Church
of Boulder, Col.
CLOSES WORK HERE FEB. X
New Passionate Came to Him as Great
Surprise, and Directly After It Call
to the First Church at Minneapolis
Boulder Charge Third Largest in Col
orsdo-considers 1t Fine Field.

Rev. Francis Wayland Russell, for six
years pastor OF the First Presbyterian
church, of this city, has decided to leave
Marshalltown. He has accepted a call
from the First church of Boulder, Col,
and has informally rendered his resig-
nation to the session here, to become
effective Feb. 15.
The news, while it will be surprise
to the majority of Rev. Russell's many
who have known for some time that
Marshalltown could not retain long the
young man whose work in the pulpit
has been watched with great interest
by churches in half dozen different
states. Just about a year ago this
time Indiana sought him and the
church at Charlottesville formally
elected him. He declined this call. and
IA dozen others since. The cal, from
Boulder, however, was so very domi-
nant that Mr. Russell could not see his
way clear to other than accept.
On Nov. 80 the Boulder church sent
Mr.. II. B. Willard, a prominent member
of the congregation, to this city to hear
Rev. Russell preach. The visit was un-
known to the pastor until several days
afterward, when letter came to him
from the church, asking him to fill it's
pulpit on the 18th and 21st of Deem
Der. This Mr.. Russell did, and the Inn
preston he created was SO very favor
able that an unanimous call was extend
ed. The conditions that led to the first
consideration OF the Marshalltown man
are unprecedented. The immediate
predecessor of Rev. Russell in his new
church. DR.. J. NJ. Wilson, recommended
him when he left Boulder because of
the high altitude. which he was unable
to stand, and went to Seattle. DR.. Low
cry, who preceded Rev. Wilson, made
the same recommendation over year
ago, when he left the Boulder church to
take the chair of Greek in the Omaha
Theological Seminary 1t can readily
be seen, therefore, how the selection of
Rev. Russell was absolutely without
suggestion on his part, and with what
surprise the call came to him.
Mr.. Russell has been considering the
call from all view points, and has de-
cided to accept. His acceptance had
barely got started on It's westward
journey when call came from the
First church of Minneapolis, the
second largest Presbyterian edi-s
nee in the great city OF
churches of the northwest. If his per-
sonal feelings We're to have been con-
suited Rev. Russell would have recalled
his answer to the Boulder people, but
ne felt that his duty was there, as his
word had been given.
Kew. Russell will have bsen in Mar
shutdown six years to Sunday on Feb.
10. having held the pastorate longer
than any one man in the history of the
church in Marshalltown. He came here
1t time when the church was bor-
1ering on disruption, when a church
scandal. centering in Marshalltown. had
'een talked Of thru the newspapers
rom one end of the country to another.
lie soon restored orGer out of chaos /
ma has realized as rhe fruits Of his /
work net gain in membership of about /
- les per cent, or 100 names.
The church of which he is now to be- 7
'ome pastor is the third largest in Colo !
ado, those of Denver and Colorado
Springs alone having a greater mem
'ership. Six hundred and fifty names i
re on the church books, and as mem
'ers of the church and congregation .
ire a large number of students of the
Colorado State University, which is To- +
ated at Boulder. The work in the min |
ne districts also appeals to him, and /
tfords him field in which he thinks /
lie can do much good. Marshalltown /
will regret his departure very much,
nd the fact that he is to leave will not /
lave a depressing effect on the church 1
lone. Mr.. Russell has many friends
outside his church, who will equally +
eel his loss. No effort has as yet been
made to secure a successor.