New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-30
Calling of the Rev. Dr. A. I
Dixon from Chicago to
London May Show Turn
in Ministerial Tide.

J1r REV. DIR. 4. c. DIXON, Of Chi
caro- believes the dissdent churches
Of N, United Kingdom Of Great Brit
gin and Ireland are about 10 reverse the
order of history and seek their own re1u-
ycnation through the introduction or
American blood into ancient houses or
worship.
DR. Dixon himself who preached eight
wears IN Baltimore. ton In the Hanson
Place Baptist Church. Of Brooklyn, and SIX
~ Tho Ruggles street Church. or Boston,
before becoming pastor Of the church in
Chicago where Dwight l.. Moody once
svayed the hearts Of multitudes. recently
received call 10 the pastorate Of the
Metropolitan Tabernacle Of London. which
ran for thirty-eight years with the elo-
oucncc Of Sturgeon. While signifying
tat probably hc would accept IL the
church foundcd In $50. would abolish the
century old custom Of collecting pow rent
and would maxi all seats free TO tho pub
lie he hesltatcI about giving a definite
answcr and took the call under advise
ment Pending decision he gave earnest
study 20 tho conditions surrounding m.
interchange Of preachers between m.
Tho retrospect did not appear 20 the ad-
vantage Or credit OF the United states.
On the contrary. IL had become mad
ness ~ fashion for American churches.
particularly those able 10 paw large sal.
aries. 10 import pastors from England.
hut the British congregations seldom de-
rosuded ono from this side Of the Atlantic
Therefore. il behooved an American. al
naclo % popularity and success. to weigh
well the reasons for this disparity befor.
crossing tho sea TO enter u new field Of
CANCELLATION
Dr. Dixon was pondering over his d.
1omms when he welcomed a correspondent
Tor The Tribune 10 y comfortable Colonial
rocker in his parlor. AZ No. Chalmers
Place. Chicago, right under the walls OF
the Mccormick Theological Seminary.
The atmosphere Roundabout might have
been laden with dognas and homiletics
and higher criticism. but not even the pas
tors keyhole admitted breath OF II. In
the house there was only the SUNSHINE OF
the Bible'-eyery word OF The Scriptures.
including Jonal-and Southern hospitality.
Although il was an April day rather than
Nuletide the fireplace was hung with
wreaths OF holly.
IF your hair were white instead OF iron
gray said the visitor. as the tall. spare
native OF North Carolina took another
chair, you would appear a living Mark
Twain. Are you humorist as well as
minister"
DR. Dixon raised his right arm and long
ircex finger TO an angle OF 60 degrees as IL
about 10 touch "fourthly." and smiled.
Then came forth a recollection of the
Carolina mountains
My father. YOU know (wherein he was
mistaken. was a preacher FOR sixty-nine
Nears-iifty nine in one church." he began.
lie used 10 hold meetings at several places
each sunday. once when I was seventeen
De found that ho could not keep an ap-
pOintrnent and sent me 10 tell the people
20 When ! arrived an old farmer tapped
he on ,ho shoulder and said: My boy.
you Read service for US IL had always
been my ambition 20 be a lawyer and my
education bad been along that line. but /
took wy father's place that day. We had
very pleasent meeting I forgot tho laN
brsLcs entirely then and there. and have
btlu nothing except preacher ever since.
81 have always aaid that if was .
farmers iin.eI that made me = clergy
mum.