The Detroit times., 1910-08-19

Leading Congl Body Wants Rev. J..
Psrcival Hugst Of Galesburg, ILL.,.
To Succeed DR.. Atkins.

az epcSAoi meeting OF the Fist
Congregational church and society
wednesday evening a unanimous call
was extended to the Rev. ]. Percival
Huget. Of Central church, Galesburg,
Ill. to become the pastor OF the
church. In conformity with the recon.
mendation OF the COMMITTEES of II
chosen nearly year ago to select Q
successor to Rev. Gaius Glenn At
kins, who went to Central church OF
Providence. r. l.. Jan. /. 1910.
In calling the Rev. J. Percival
Huget pronounced Hu-gay) to q
church that has rejoiced In such
notable succession OF pastors
as Eddy, Davis, Boynton and At
kins, the First Congregationalists
have followed their custom of choos-
ing with elaboration a man who has
proven that he measures up to the
requirements Of metropolitan pas
torate by splendid and sustained
efficiency In the field from which 'he
Is called.
The Central Congregational church,
OF Galesburg, >seat Of Knox College.
has q membership OF 1888, q Sunday
school enrolment OF 1924 and
young peoples society of 220. This
places II at the forefront Of Congre-
gationalism In the United States, Its
loyalty and devotion to its pastor are
such that the separation viii be pain
full indeed, although the Galesburg
evitable that their gifted leader would
sooner or later be called to larger
work and q wider leadership.
Mr.. Huget's name went before the
committee In its first meeting, along
with several others. and was constant
ly recurring with commendatory ex-
pressions and reports while various
men were being investigated. Twice
the gentleman declined to consider
change, feeling that his work In Gales
burg was not completed. but was final
ly over-borne after an interval Of sew
eral months following his first dec
lipation. by the urgency Of the De-
troit situation and the outlook for
larger usefulness In q city Of a half
million people.
The new pastor Is q product OF the
middle west and this fact Is reflected
in the directness and frankness OF his
bearing and speech. He gives the i'm
preston OF singleness Of purpose, OF
being tremendously In earnest, but
doesn't herald the fact with Obtru-
eiveness, affectation or frills. He Is
fluent, effective speaker, inspirationai
rather than scholastic, with readi-
ness Of illustration and familiarity
with good literature that give to his
message a homely quality and grip
ping interest. He believes In organ.
ization, hard work, the long look
ahead and in the value Of close per-
sonal relation with his people In
quickening the spiritual life Of the
church. Not long ago In sermon
to his people he gave the four-fold OBJ
jective Of the church as Christian
nurture. evangelism, social service
and missions, and likened the four
detectives to individual motors ener-
gized by one central power plant The
dynamic power energizing the machin-
cry Of the church he described az
faith working through love.
The new pastor, who reports for
duty on Oct. /, preaching his first
sermon here on Sunday, Oct. 2, was
born Dec. 80, 1873, on a farm near
Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was educated
In the public schools. graduating from
the Fort Dodge high school In 1880
and from the Iowa State Teachers
college In 1892. He was for eleven
years In educational work In public
school, college and university teach
irg. at the same time carrying for
ward special lines of study. He re-
ceived a degree from the State Uni
versity OF Iowa In 1903 and the degree
OF master OF arts from Coo college
In 1905 He established the depart
ment OF education In Coe college, and.
later, accepted position as university
examiner and Instructor In education
at the State University OF Iowa.
While at Coe college Mr.. Huget was
often called upon to preach, lecture.
address conventions, etc. This public
work increased 80 that In 1903 call
to leave the university work and &C
cept the pastorate of the First Con-
gregational church of Cedar Rapids
was accepted He was ordained July
2, 1908. and remained four years at
Cedar Rapids In 1907 he was called
to the Central Congregational church
Of Galesburg, Illinois, the largest Con-
gregational church in the middle
west.
He is largely interested In state and
national work, chairman Of the II
linois committee on benevolences, Sec
rotary Of the board of trustees OF the
Illinois state conference; also cor
porate member OF the American Board
OF Commissioners for Foreign Mis-
sIons. and will deliver one OF the ad-
dresses at the meeting Of the National
Council in Boston in October.
Mr.. Huget was married In 1895 TO
Miss Annie Lees, q woman of charm.
ing personality and gifts Of mind and
heart which have contributed largely
to the success OF the past years.
There are three children, ranging In
age from three to thirteen. The fam
lily are spending the month Of August
with the Sequanota club. at Charlie
voix, Mich. Mr.. Huget speaks at
Frankfort on the 21st and returns to
Galeeburg on the 22d to put In the