New-York tribune., 1911-03-06
DR.. AKED ISSUES
HIS U[T|MATUM
SAYS Church Must Give Reasons
Why He Should Not Go to
San Francisco. !,
MAY NOT TRY TO STOP HIM
Deacon Intimates Trustees Wont
Ask Pastor to Reconsider, and
Requests That He BE
Treated Kindly.

nounced 70 the congregation OF the
Fifth Avenue Baptist Church. in a long
statement read at the morning service
yesterday that he had received a cali
to the First Congrega tionaI Church or
San Francisco, and that he could see no
reason why he should not accept the
"call." He said he would allow the mem
bers OF the church two weeks TO think II
over. and If they could present any rea-
sons TO him in that time to induce him
TO remain in this city he would take
them under consideration.
Il don't think we will build Fifth
avenue church." said one OF the trus-
tees after the service ut would cost
about S2O00OO1. and we have lot OF
hardheaded citizens on our board or
trustees 1t would surprise you to know
what competent business men compose
our board; and we don't think Dr. Aked
is worth the risk.
"He has been sick three times in the
four years that he has been over here.
First, there was the fear that he was
consumptive and he had TO go TO the
Swiss mountains. The first year that
he was here he had gall stones. and last
year he had typhoid Two million dol
lars IS a large sum to Invest in man.
when you don't know how long he Is
going to stay with you. II we built the
church we don't know that he would be
satisfied. A situation just like THIS
! might come I'D at any time
"Dr. Jowett. who is coming to the
Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, had
luncheon with the King last week-and
our church is on a side street. was the
comment of another trustee.
Trustees May Not Meet.
The first intimation that DR.. Aked had
received cali 10 the San Francisco
church was published in dispatches from
the Pacific Coast 4 day or two later
DR.. Aked telegra phed to the trustees OF
his church that he had received the
call" and yesterday he made the an
nouncement to the congregation without
consultation with the trustees after his
return 10 this city. 1t is as yet unde-
cided whether a meeting OF the trustees
will be called to consider the statement.
There ls no use in trying to hold
man who is dissatisfied and does not
want TO stay" said John p. Elder one
OF the deacons. yesterday. HE couid
not give us his best work
When Mr.. Elder was asked II Dr. Ahed
had given the trustees any notice that
he might 60 10 San Francisco church
before he started on his trip TO the
Coast he said
NO: he said nothing To us about II.
but we were not surprised. II looks as
though he went out there to look over
the ground ana see what he thought OF
the opportunity"
rs It question OK more salary Mr.
Elder was asked.
Nothing has been said TO us about
higher pay" he replied. when it was
decided last fall TO defer the building Of
a new church Dr. Aked's pay was raised
from $4,000 a year To $4,000. ] under
stand that he is TO get $4,000 in San
| Francisco. though they may decide 10
give him more in order TO get him They
NAV have offered him more TO get him.
You know. there is no honor among
churches or among thieves When they
want thing they 50 out and get IT,"
Then the proposition SINNERS down 20
4 question Of a Fifth avenue church,"
was asked
Called an Orator Pastor.
DR.. Aked considers himself an ora
tor" Mr. Elder said. He is not con-
tent to go into the homes Of the mem
bers of his church and talk 10 two Or
three persons in the old-fashoned way.
He does not think he can do his best
work in that way. lie is not content to
talk TO 700 or 500 people in our presen;
church. He wants TO talk To 1000. any
way. and ne would rather have 1000"
What was the trouble with the pro-
posal TO build a new church on the old
site?" was asked.
Well Mr.. Elder replied, "Dr. Aked
said it wasn't large enough. When YOU
have to take out room for elevators 10
reach the upper floors, room for ight
wells and everything else that IS needed
YOU haven't the space left on a plot lN
feet square 10 build a huge auditorium.
We could only build an auditorium TO
accommodate 800 persons. and that
wasn't big enough to suit DIR. Aked. He
wanted 1900. anyway 1t cost us $26,-
oOO to find that out"
Were YOU unable to ind another site
for chuich?"
I'VE looked at great many" Mr..
Elder said but we could not ind one
that was satisfactory. We could get
site on the East Side or the West Side
for s35O.OOO or SI0OOO0. We could sell
our present ground for 100000. and We
had $4,000 subscribed for new church.
That /neant that We would have plenty
OF money TO buy new site and put up
a new building.
IF We built on Fifth avenue. however.
II would cost us at least S2O000OO DIR.
AkAd wanted a corner plot. He was un-
willing 10 go above 59th street. and he
did not want an East Side or West
side church. our board Of trustees could
,,ot see the wisdom of raising another
million dollars. 1t was TOO uncertain.
"Besides. many of our members are
attached 10 the old church and do not
like TO sivc IL up. They think new
buiIding on the old site, If We must have
,omething new, would give plenty of op-
rortunity. We are not sure that We
want huge auditorium, filled with
T ...t,to.- reIipious rubbernccks and