Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-10-12
GOING TO DETROIT
Rev. g. g. Atkins to Leave Bur.
Nngton May /.
Pastor Of the First Church Has Ac.
Ccptcd n Call to the First Con.
gregntiOnNl Church In the
Michigan City

Tho Rev. G. Glenn Atkins, d. D., pas
tor OF the First Church, has received a
call to the passionate of the First Con-
Gregational Church of Detroit, Mich,
and has practically accepted the call. his
pastofate with the church In Detroit to
commence next May. This action on the
part of DR.. Atkins. Is the outcome of me-
sOtiations which have been quietly under
way since the first of last May.
The notification of the extension of the
call came to Or. Atkins Tuesday in a
telcgraphic despatch as follows:
Detroit, Mich. Oct. Q, 1905.
Rev. G. G. Atkins. Burlington. VT:
'Church and society unanimous and
Sang Coronation most heartily-large at
tendance-vote enthusiastically regret
May l so far away.
'CHARLES w. HITCHCOCK
The formal call has not yet been re-
ceivcd by DR.. Atkins but it will prOba-
bly, be received in n few days. The call p
EXTENDED with he understanding thai DIR.
Atkins will not take up the work until
the first of May. DR.. Atkins had re-
Huosted to be advised early Of the decision
OF the Detroit church so that he could
give the First Church here ample time
in which to secure his successor. The
action OF the Detroit church, is consent
ing to accept the call. subject to DIR. At
kins's acceptance at n period seven
months away. is certainly fattering and
speaks eloQucntly of the church's appre-
citation of the man whom they seek.
The First Congregational Church OF Dee
troit is one OF the two or three largest
ConSrc gational churches west Of the
Hudson river and offers an attractive
Held OF service. The membership is
something over a thousand. The Rev.
Nehemiah Boynton, for nine years it's
pastor. assumed the pastorate of tho
Clinton Avenue Church in Brooklyn last
February. The Detroit church will thus
have been without a head for a year and
u quarter when DR.. Atkins assumes the
pastorate next May. He has never
preached in the church.
Speaking OF the change to n Free Press
man Tuesday night. Dr. .Atkins said: Il
contemplate the possible termination with
very sincere regret and nave been led to
take the step by u mixed group of mo-
tives. Some of them We're connected with
professional advancement and some with
the very large opportunities which the
church offers for service; a desire to be-
near my own people in the West and the
feeling hat the Middle Vests very large
ly the strategic center of American life
at present"
MY formal resignation will not be
made at present. said DR.. Atkins. con-
%tinuing. and l have AIKEN this into con-
sideration in planning the work of the
winter. The plan will not be altered and
nothing will be disturbed at present"
| The prunOSp6 chnnpe of Or Atkipa uil1
be received with widespread regret. both
by the people of his own parish and by
the citizens of the community generally.
DR.. Atkins's vigor of intellect. rare ac-
emulation of knowledge, commanding
personality and great powers of oratOry
have given him an exceptional equip
ment for the ministerial calling and he
has been a leader and a light in the life
Of the city-truly a master in Israel. He
came to the First Church in May, 1900. 80
will have rounded out six years service
when he relinquishes the work next May.
DIR. Atkins is now in his 3Sth year. He
was born in Indiana, but received his
early education and academic training in
Ohio. He graduated from the Ohio State
University at Columbus in 1883 and from
the Cincinnati Law school in 1891. Finding
the law not to his taste, nc entered Yale
Divinity school. where he completed
his course the following year. He
subsequently taught for three years
in Mount Hermon, (Mass.) school
for boys and in 1895 ssuined his
rirst pastorate, that of the Second Con-
eregational Church in Greenfield, Mass.
Here he remained for five years, or until
he took up his work in burlington in
May. 1900. He is married and has four
children.
At once Upon taking up his work az
the First Church, DIR. Atkins' force and
influence were felt. The church member
ship was then 526; it is now about eco,
The Young Peoples alliance was form
ed in October. 1900, and it is now a -four
ishing society, enlisting the loyalty of
about 80 of the Young people of the
church. The wonion's work of tn"
church has been ~re-orGanized and placed
upon Il new basis. The Men Fellowship
club has been formed and has been in
strumental in bringing to the community
some distinguished speaker ia deliver the
address at its annual banquet.
Or. ATKINS has also delivered o~rations
before the Phi Beta Kappa society of the
University of Vermont and before learned
and distinguished bodies elsewhere, both
within and without the state: has been
prominent in Congregational councils
throughout the state and a frequently
sought preacher at most of the New Eng
land institutions of learning. At the
centennial commencement Of the Univer-
sity Of Vermont n year aSo last Iuly'
nc was horored by the decorate divinity.
conferred ty President Buckham in these
terms: 'Golden-mouthcd preacher, liter
p pvitic anl a,pr1piNfOrH earnest anu