New-York tribune., 1919-08-04
DR.. David James B,,rrell
Still Popular After 28
Years as Pastor of the
Marble Collegiate Church
Once Called 'Cyclonic''
Even To-day Sometimes Lets
Himself Co and Reaches
Great Heights of Oratory

Hailed as a "pulpit cyclone" when
Collegiate Church, the Rev. DR.. David
James Burrell, after twenty-eight
years, is still one of the citys most
popular preachers.
There is nothing of, the cyclone
about him now. He is seventy-iive
years old. On tho other hand, there
is nothing about him in the pupit
that suggests those pathetic figures of
the ministry who strain the sym
pathies-and sometimes the patience
of their congregations when they in
sist upon preaching long after their
usefulness has ceased. Instead there
is certain repression. 1t comes from
a careful harboring of strength, but
it suggests background of half
century of preaching experience. 1t
stamps the speaker as one who
speaks with authority.
DR.. Burrell occasionally, even at
this late day in his ministry, lety
himself go" as he used to do in his
cyclonic days. He reaches great
heights of eloquence
His church. at Twenty-ninth street
and Fifth avenue, is often spoken Of
as the oldest church on the CONT
nent. But perhaps it is nearer the
truth to call it the oldest church on
Manhattan Island. 1t was founded in
1923 and was known as "The Church
of the old Collegiate Foundation,
which ranks as the second wealthiest
church institution in America, Trim
ity being first. DR.. Burrell is
now senior pastor of the Collegiate
group of churches.
Had Been Many Candidates
When he came to New York the
people of Marble Church had heard
many preachers. They had conducted
just as extended search as did the
people of the Fifth Avenue Presby-
terian Church recently. DR.. Burrell at
first did not want to accept the call.
He had been pastor of the Westmin-
ster Presbyterian Church at Mime
apolis for only four years. His work
there was growing. He had become
the urgings of the New York congrega-
tion were so insistent that DR.. Burrell
made special trip to this city to
look over the ground. Dwight l..
Moody was holding meetings in the
Marble Church at the time, and DR..
Burrell rode uptown with the evangel
ist after one of these gatherings.
"See all the people!" said Mr..
Moody, marvelling at the crowds.
DR.. Burrell was silent.
Then Mr.. Moody looked at his COM
souls marching on to judgment. You
must stay here and guide them"
Still Mr.. Burrell did not reply. His
thoughts had turned to Minneapolis
and TO the work that was growing
under his hand.
"You must not depend too much on
YOURSELF You must lean upon God"
were the next words of the evangelist.
DR.. Burrell thought it all out. He
had disliked the suggestion of a call
to New York, because he was in the
midst of work that he knew he could
do He had felt that the success of
the work was its own justifcation Mr..
Moodys words came like challenge.
Dr.. Burrell went back to Minneapolis
and wrote his resignation.
Not Far Enough Uptown
Soon after he came to this city it
was said by many who were actively
interested in the work Of the church
that it was not far enough uptown.
Yet when the building at Twenty ninth
Street had been erected there was a
feeling that il was too far removed
| from the downtown district to succeed.
1 Dr. Burrell insisted that the work
could be made to succeed. He de-
veloped the influence of the church to
such an extent that, ror more than a
quarter of a century, it has been one
of the best attended houses of worship
in the city. It's evening congregations
have been the despair of many less
successful preachers.
In announcing his programme for de-
veloping the work of the Marble
Church DR.. Burrell said This church
in the past has suffered, like many
others, from the uptown drift. But the
church thinks a remedy has been found
in it's new plan of campaign. The
| pastor and his co-laborers are working
along strictly spiritual lines. They are
depending upon no novel methods OF
church attractions, but believe that the
/ Masters benediction will rest upon
piety, push, brains and money conse-
Grated to His use. While other churches
may feel compelled to move uptown
this church intends remaining on this
corner to do its work in this region Of
the city for many years to come
A Rare Combination
And the church has not entertained
thought of removal to an uptown sec
tion since the issuance of that state
ment-but, 1t is only lar TO adu, not
every church has 'piety, push, brains
and money" to consecrate TO the Lords
purpose. 1t is rare combination.
Almost from the first year OF his pas
torate Dr. Burrell took leading part
in the work of the Protestant clergy in
New York. He was much sought by
Young men. Finally Princeton Univer-
sity, despite the fact that he was a
graduate of Yale, called Dr.. Burrell to
be acting professor of homiletics In the
Theological Seminary. His courses
were we'll attended, and many of the
&, students joined in a petition at one
time to have him give up all his pas
toral work so that he might devote his
entire time to training them for the
pulpit Still later the seminary called
DR.. Burrell to it's presidency. He was
much tempted because of the rare OPP
portunity it would have afforded him
to develop the potential preachers But
his congregation insisted that he re-
main in New York.
For many years DR.. Burrell was sum-
mer pastor of the Memorial Church at
IL IL -