The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-01-18
Rev. H. T. Sell Resigns as
Pastor of First COngre-
gatiOnal Church.
FOR LITERARY WORK
Accepts Appointment as Pas
tor at Large in New
York City.

Clearing the way to go to New York
as pastor at-large for Congrega-
tional churches where he would be able
to devote more time to church literary
work, in which line he is, now nation
ally known, the Reverend Dr. Henry
| T. Sell, for five years past pastor Of
the First Congregational church Of
Kenosha, on Sunday presented his
resignation to his congregation. He
asked that it be effective on Sunday.
March the 4th, which Sunday viii
round out five years of service for
the church.
! The resignation came as a complete
/ surprise to the members of the parish
/ and a source of real regret to the con-
gregation. In keeping with the tradi-
tions of the church, it will be present
ed at called meeting of the congrega-
ton to be held in the near future.
For Another Field.
In presenting his resignation DR..
| Sell explained that he presented it
with regret but that he asked for a
release in order that he might carry
out plans which he had cherished
| for some time
Nothing has occurred to disturb the
harmony and good will and friendly
relations that have existed between US
as people and PASTOR" declared Rev
erend Dr. Sell. "All departments of
| the church are in most excellent con-
dition and many new members have
| been enrolled. The finances are in
good shape. Personally I desire to
turn my attention to certain things
that 1 have had in mind for many
| years which step l have hesitated to
take on account of my love for you
people whom l have delighted to
serve"
Back to Old Home.
Privately DIR. Sell also stated that
his return to New York was also "beat-
ing it back to his early home"
In New York he was born and edu-
Gated; his father was a merchant Of
prominence there and his uncle was
at one time sheriff in New York. Now
the publishers of his books are also
located in New York City and the new
appointment will enable him to be in
closer touch with them. This will al
so give him an opportunity to be
nearer to his son, Henry B. Sell, editor
of "Harper's Bazaar"
"NO other call would take me from
Kenosha and the First Congregational
church here" declared DR.. Sell. "f
intended any other regular church
pastorate work, l know of no church
in the country that would rather serve
than this one. / am now preparing
new books and l desire opportunity
to complete them and feel that I
should seek release for this reason"
Met With Great Success.
DR.. Sell came to Kenosha five years
ago from Evanston just after he had
because of the health of his wife re-
signed the pastorate of the First Con-
gregational church at Jacksonville,
Florida, where he directed the build
ing of a $4,000 church structure. In
Kenosha he has been most successful.
Under his pastorate over one humid
red and fifty new members have been
received into the church; the Sun
day school has more than doubled in
enrolment; the Congregational Mems
club has increased from thirty to one
hundred fifty members; house and lot
have been purchased west of the
church, the same to be the location
for the parish house in the future;
also the church interior has all been
re-decorated and in spite of all these
improvements the church finances are
in excellent condition. In presenting
his resignation DR.. Sell thanked all
departments of the church for their
splendid cooperation and for the spirit
of harmony which exists in the parish.
DR.. Sell has also given much to Ke-
nosha and has been a power for good
and progress in every great movement
here in the past five years. All Keno
sha will regret his leaving.
Mrs. Sell has been a leader in the
activities of the church during the pas
torate here and her loss will also be a
severe one to the congregation. The
four womens societies of the church
have met frequently at the manse
under her invitation She has been a
great help to the pastor in his work
here.
Successful Author.
The literary work which DR.. Sell will
continue is the writing of church stu
dies similar to the ones which he has
prepared in the past. He is the author
Of series of Bible studies courses,
which have now past the quarter mil
lion mark. Recently he has sent to
the publishers Five Minute Sermons
in Stories."a Two hundred and fifty
copies of his books are now being sold
each week and he feels that he should
devote more time to this great field
The resignation came so suddenly
the church has as yet made no
plans regarding action on it or the
selection of a successor. When such
action is taken DR. and Mrs. Sell ex-
pect to move to New York where he
can continue his literary work and at
the same time preach on Sundays with
out the care of a parish.