New-York tribune., 1910-12-19
DR.. VAN DYKE DECLINES
Forces Brick Church Trustees to
Look for Permanent Pastor.
READS LETTER TO FLOCK
Gives '"Year of Veteran Volun.
teer Service as a Little
Christmas Gift.

Dr. Henry van Dyke took into his hanos
sesterday the affairs Of the Brtck Preepy-
seri.n Church and forced the trustees ana
elders of the body to face a position theF
have been consistently avoiding for the last
year He informed the congregation IN
letter read from the pulpit that on Christ-
mas be would preach his last sermon from
TIE Brick Presbyterian pulpit
The letter was a great surprise TO most
~ the members Of the congregation, as
,rarv Of them had assumed that Dr. van
7xte had resigned from the chair of Eng
Tsh IN Princeton University TO resume his
former nastorate in this city Even the
q .rr,s-ees snd elders did not know that the
rosjtjve announcement was coming, though
.r,ev we're better informed on the situation
Than the conxresation IN general
When Dr. van Dyke first returned to the
Rrick Church on the death Of DR. Richards,
q wear ago, he began TO ask the trustees
end elders TO seek a permanent pastor
He had not been q week in the pulpit be-
fore he began 20 urge the necessity of ind
ins new pastor. But the elders wanted
pr van Dyke, and they put of the search
we are satisfied with you" they said.
And that was all he could get from them
IS lately as q week ago he urged on
thenl again the need of really trying to get
rome one for the pulpit.
Or. van Dykes Letter.
The response was the same, ana yester-
ray DR.. van Dyke read the following letter
t. the congregation:
DR.. Richards. the beloved and honored
pastor Of this church was suddenly taken
from you by death. The loss was very
most OF an a great metropolitan church,
bereft OF its captain, is distressing. The
minor difficulties and embarrassing stten-
lions which beset Il are too well known
But the eraTer danger is that the forces
rsf the church NAV he divided and weak
ened. and its work for Christ and humanity
in the crowded city may be halted or HIN
dered- In your hour Of distress you turned
!'ou for eighteen years Of his life, and who
had come hack 70 you for an extra year
in 1901, when Or. Babcock died efter his
beautiful ministry OF eighteen months.
You asked me TO take the helm for the
third time. On the SUNDAY following DIR.
Richards's death came TO you gladly;
be without money and without price just
for love, with one purpose, 10 keep YOU
flon the above mentioned erllharraSsmentS
and perils while helped you 10 find your
new captain.
The year has almost passed. BY the
kindness OF Providence il has been one of
the best years IL the history OF the church
There has been no communion al which
there have 10, heen 5cceSs;ons 10 the MEM
IF faith. Your pen-s and sittinEs are all
filed The stranger mas not forsaken your
Tsi.s m''ltITudes OF EourE men and women
]"olIinc 10 Christ for light in the confusion
md strain Of city life
Your revenues have been large as
ever. Your benevolent and missionary
York has kept Up without faltering- The
Church OF The Covenant and Christ Church.
7our right and left hands, have had an
excellent year. and your regular annual
Offering IaT the affiliated churches was one
of the largest On record. S25.e4S
Most Of these good results are due 10 the
1eTGted "a bors of the faithful among your
OWN number and TO the ministers of your
eHll1ated churches. and 10 the assistant
ministers of this church. of whom the Rev.
Robert James NJ Farr has accepted a call
70 Nilkes-Barre, the Rev. Robert VI. Davis
Norman NJ Thomas will place his letter in
the hands of the session this week L hope
that you can keep him with you. at least
1or ? time. In any event, you VIII CRATE
fully remember these men. who have rem
dered you loysl and efficient service.
the officers Of this church except myself, /
vas unanimously invited TO continue as
minister in charge for another year from
December l. with such salary and other
adequate provision as may be mutually
satisfactory.
The Invitation Declined.
This invitation, offered without my pre-
rious knowledge, I declined. 1t would not
be good for me. nor for you. My judg-
clear on this point. 1t is also clear on an
n her point in no way connected with my
health, which is good / am not willing to
consider call 10 the permanent pastorate
Of this church. L want you 10 have bet
Ter man.
Ally year Of veteran volunteer service will
end. With your kind permission, on Christ |
mas Day Grateful 10 God. who has sus-
aimed my health and strength under
double burden. | beg the Brick Church TO
accept this year of work as little Christ
mas gift. For my old friends and new
friends and stranger friends in this con- !
gregaJion / wish that the old year may !
close with peace and the new year begin |
with Joy
Il was announced AT the same time that |
he Rev. Norman Thomas. assistant pastor |
Of the church, would offer his resigna- .
ton this week il was explained after |
ward that Mr. Thomas was still a student /
a. the Union Theological Seminary, hav- !
ing a year 20 complete his course. and that 1.