Evening journal., 1904-12-12
REV. KEIGWIN'S s
NEW PAST0RATE
New York Congregation
Quickly Gave Its Approval
by Raising Over S., 900
son OF FORMER MINISTER HERE

advantage OF the cheers and applause
that greeted the announcement Of the
acceptance Of the pastorate by the Rev.
A. Edwin Keigwin, the Rev. DR.. Henry
Stebbins yesterday morning persuaded
the congregation of the West End
Presbyterian Church 10 pay on a $4,000
church mortgage and raise several
thousand dollars for tine church's needs
besides. All the money was raised in
about ten minutes. The Rev. Mr.. Keig-
win, who is now the minister at the
Fourth Presbyterian Church in Newark,
y. j., is the son of the Rev. DR. A. N.
Keigwln, who recently retired as pastor
Of the West Presbyterian Church in
Wilmington, Del DR.. and Mrs. Keig-
win are now making their home with
their son.
Since the resignation of the Rev. Dr.
Shaw, several years ago, DR.. Stebbins
has been acting as pastor Of the church
on condition that his successor be ap-
pointed as soon as possible AS the
congregation is large and has many
members Of wealth of the upper west
side, It was slow in making its choice.
and Or. Stebblns continued to of1ciate.
Rev. Mr.. keigwin Accepts.
Recently some members Of the church
went TO Newark and heard at the
Fourth Presbyterian Church Mr. Keig-
win. Mr.. Keigwin Is very well known
as a pulpit orator as well as a leader in
other lines of church work, and the
pastorate Of churches in larger cities
has often been offered to him. but he
4
bers reported to the congregation a
month ago that Mr.. Keigwin was the
man for them. and two Sundays ago
sermon preached by the minister in the
West End Church found great favor
with the entire congregation. A unan-
imous call was extended to him. but
again he showed disinclnation TO leave
Newark. but at last took the matter
under advisement, saying that he would
answer in a letter to the congregation
TO be read at the service yesterday
morning. -...
Immediately before the sermon yes
terday DR.. Stebbins took from his
pocket a sealed letter, and then. while
the congregation waited almost breath.
lessly. opened It and read. A moment
, later there was not only applause with
hands, but ordinations of joy. the
pounding Of canes and umbrellas on the
floor and excitement that arose TO
cheers. Mr.. Keigwin had written that
he would come.
Applause in the Church.
For more than five minutes the ap-
plause continued. DR.. Stebbins stand
ing motionless meanwhile. Then in a
lull Of a moment he stepped forward
and said how pleased he was to see the
general manifestation Of joy at the ac-
ceptance. There was more applause at
this, but the minister checked it.
Now 1 want you to utilize this emo
ton IN another way" he said. u want
you to utilize it in a three-fold way by
your offering today-hrst, as a test OF
your devotion to the church; second as
s test Of your thanks for the Christ
mas that is upon us. and, third, by
paying off this church's mortgage of
$1,000, which will leave us clear. viii
you prove your thanksgiving?
officials of the church at once start
ed going from member to member, and
for the next ten minutes there was
nothing heard but the rustic OF green
, and yellow bills or the scratching OF
pen and pencil on checks and orders
All was taken forward and counted
while the congregation sang the Doxol-
ogy over and over again. While still
much remained uncounted, DR.. Steb-
bins stepped forward.
This pays the mortgagel" he ex-
, claimed. and there was more applause
and again "Old Hundred" was sung.
There was at least $4,000 in cash re-
ceived and substantial subscriptions in
addition.
Mr.. Keigwin viii begin the active dut-
. les Of his new pastorate in February.