New-York tribune., 1911-09-25
BREAKS DOWN IN PULPIT.
Hearers Weep with Dr.. MacAr-
thur at Farewell Sermon.
SUCCESSOR NOT YET CHOSEN
Retiring Pastor Denies That DR..
Broughton, of Atlanta, Is to
Take Calvary Pulpit.

Closing a pastorate of forty-one years
and four months, DR.. Robert Stuart Mac
Arthur preached his farewell sermon at
Calvary Baptist Church, 9th street, be-
tween Sixth and Seventh avenues. yester-
day.
Twice, when DR.. Macarthur referred to
his long connection with the church' MS
voice broke and his congregation wept with
him. At one time he was unable TO com
plete the reading OF the Scriptures, and
retired from the pulpit. while the Rev.
Donald MacIntyre said a prayer, in Whlch
he asked that strength be given the retir-
ing pastor to proceed. When Or. MacAr-
thur rose again he asked the church mem
bers not TO leave the pastorate open for
any length OF time, and then preached a
sermon on the attributes of a church, tax
ing as his text Paul's prayer for the Church
Of Phillip.
The retiring pastor was barely able to
struggle through the reading OF the SCRIPT
ure lesson, which was the first active part
he took in the services. His hands trem-
hled. too weak 10 hold the Bible, and as
his voice choked and broke, answering sobs
came from every part Of the church.
Indignation seemed to have given strength
to Or. Macarthur when he began his an
nouncements. and he took occasion 10 deny
the rumor that the Rev. Dr. Len c. Brough-
ton. Of Atlanta, would he his successor.
Or Broughton will preach here next sun
day." he said. II was with him last sun
day. on the occasion Of the dedication OF
his tabernacle I'm Atlanta. the largest re
ligious edince I'm the United States. we
made arrangements some time ago TO eK-
change pulpts next Sunday, but when he
heard the story that he was to be my sue
cessor here It so disturbed him that he
wrote and declined 10 come to this pulpit
next Sunday. I went to him, and when
left him on Tuesday afternoon he consented
to carry out the original arrangements.
"As far as l can learn, this story did
not originate with any one in the church.
The only place that such an announcement
as that Dr. Broughton would be my sue
cessor hero could originate would be in the
ina gination.
Speaking on this same line, I want to
ask this congregation not to remain with
out a pastor long. and not to inaugurate
preaching from this pulpit by candidates
It is humilating to the preacher, and II
IS not a satisfactory way 10 find good
man. Such a system changes this pulpit
into a bargain counter, and makes the can
didate similar TO a sample of drygoods. The
pulpit committee should select a man Of
long experience and with prolonged list
OF achievements. II should go and hear
such a man I'm his own pulpit Two weeks
should be long enough for this task, and
I hope to see my successor appointed with
in this time"
In closing, he said:
II intend never to be far away from
this church. TO which / have given the best
years Of my life. During this service |
have baptized hundreds, aye. thousands, OF
children and men and women who entered
into the service Of God in this church.
helped 10 design this church. This pulpit
from which | preach l gave as a personal
gift, at a cost of many thousands of dol
lars. I sent TO Paris for these medallions;
sketched with my own hand these cary
ings. Never Will I forget that sweet chi,-
drens day whom l baptized my youngest
daughter, who has since been called home
to God.
Il do not intend to interfere with my
successor. 1 intend to assist him when /
can, but never will l entirely separate my
self from this church. which holds so many
fond memories for me-"