New-York tribune., 1910-06-27
IRVINE SAYS FAREWELL
breaches Final Sermon IN
Church of the Ascension.
SAYS MaMMON is TO BLAME
The Rev. Mr.. Grant, However,
Says It Was His Failure to
Get Vestrymen's Consent.


A Cooper Union audience kept ths
Church OF the Ascension open last night
until" as an English attendant said, cit
was 'ard1y decent" It was after II O'Clock
when the last socialist referred to his per
sonal opinions on a great variety Of sub
jects and the lights were shut off.
Alexander Irvine preached his farewell
Sunday evening sermon. and the fact that
the vestryraen OF the Church of the Ascen-
sion had requested him TO make II his last
in that church drew a capacity audience OF
socialists from the East Side II was esti-
mated that perhaps 10 per cent Of the
audience were members of the congrega-
ton, but as time passed and the men.
women and boy speakers seemed willing to
urge their views upon all kinds OF things
the dignity Of the service 1essened con-
siderably, as we'll as the percentage After
each high pitched. quavering eulogy OF Mr..
Irvine and intensely personal recitation Of
the speakers soul story there was a
stealthy stepping to the exits by persons
said 70 be contributing members
First there was the regular service, Mr..
Irvine preaching from the text that de-
clares IL to be impossible for man TO serve
God and Mammon. He said nothing new.
but the way he said it kept the audience
in momsntary expectation that when he
reached his next period there would GER
tainly be applause.
But there was no applause. even when
at the extreme strength of his voice. his
long hair waving from the excess of his
physical activity. that just then centred in
his head, Mr.. Irvine made the pronounce
ment that Mamulon's Shiny way, having
been already traced to Washington. Al
bany and the City Hall. its last enornity
was seen to lie in its intention to clutch
at the throat of the preacher
He made an inpassioned appeal TO those
present to help make right conquer wrong
and expressed It as his personal belief that
the Rev. Percy Stickney Grant, rector Of
the Church of the Ascension. was the great
est churchann in the world, and then
thanked the organist and the choir for
all they had done for him during the last
three years.
Mr. Grant announced that collection
would be taken UP and hundreds II the
audience. understanding from former even
ings that an open discussion meeting
would follow in the Parish House. in Elev-
enth street. quickly left the main building
to stand in line at the other door, which
was closed.
Word came in fifteen minutes that Mr.
Grant would permit for the first time that
the open discussion rake place in the main
building, and there was renewed scrarn-
Bile of all nationalities for good seats.
The rector presided az the later meeting
and paid several tributes TO Mr. Irvine.
taking unto himself all blame for the situ-
alton that had arisen. no one will miss
so much as the general coura rageousness
and strength Of Mr. Irvine's personality,
he said. You may go and listen to Mr.
Irvine wherever he may continue his Work.
but I cannot 1 must stay here This stu
alton must be understood to be my failure
His series of meetings here cannot be called
anything but a success.
II have failed. however. IN that ! have
not been able to persuade certain vestry-
men 70 permit this work to continue under
Mr.. Irvine's direction" Mr.. Grant then
suggested that the speakers not indulge in
references, and the meeting
was open.
There was competitions right from the
start. Patrick L. QuinIan was first recog-
nized by Mr. Grant. and he went to the
front. where he advised all present to BE
a spoo'rt.'' It was his candid opinion after
much experience as victim himself. that
when men were vietinized and couldn't do
anything else at the moment there was
nothing equal to ''bein a sport He
drew the first applause
Frederick Harwood. the next man TO re-
eeive the chairmans 8 welcoming nod 70 the
of twenty other applicants.
was pretty deep At least he was obscure.
He said there were times when he felt ne
vas an atheist. a Catholic. a Jew, an anar-
hist No one seemed TO know what that
lad 10 do with it, but he made a good i'm
,ression when he stopped talking. and every
me appIauded.
Henry J. Jones. a young man. heaped |
,oals Of fire on the heads of each vestrymsn !
W saying, with an air: "I don't feel sorry |
about this thing at all. Comrade Irvine is |
sharpshooter and he should be out along |
he line Let him wander. then. The world /
reeds him Let him travel abroad
No. was the first woman TO speak |
Hiss Caroline Dexter. calm. correct in /
ress and diction. thanked the Church for /
rhat Mr.. Irvine had done for her As a !
ilild she had turned her back on churches /
'ecause they were cold Mr. Irvine had |
hanged her during the last eighteen |
months The Church could turn out Nr
rvine but her joy would live On
It is understood that the SUNDAY night /
meetings for open discussion vfIl be con
inued next fall. and that speakers, with |
ut regard to creed race or condition. will |
interest them