Dr. Kirk

Most men of God regard a call to a cosmopolitan, particularly a Manhattan, congregation as a clear summons from on high commanding them to go forth to larger things. Sometimes they see in such a call an honest opportunity for doing good on a greater scale; sometimes they go because they regard New York City as a sink of iniquity in whose cleansing their conscience impels them to assist. But recently, when Dr. Harris Elliott Kirk of Baltimore was asked to take charge of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, he refused. Such a rejection was obviously "news"; pressmen hurried to interview Dr. Kirk. In reply to their inquiries, he stated calmly that there were sown fields in Baltimore which he had "worked over and prayed over" whose harvests were "as yet unreaped." He had discovered after the call came that he wielded a greater influence over his flock than he had supposed; he could not sever his intimate ties without a loss, whereas he did not doubt that a pastorate of such importance as that of Fifth Ave. would surely obtain somewhere the minister it needed. Forthwith, the press both of Manhattan and of Baltimore published editorials lauding his decision.

The New York Sun said: "New York can regret the decision of the Rev. Dr. Harris Elliott Kirk to decline the pastorate of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in this city and at the same time honor him for the motives which impelled him to remain in Baltimore."

The New York World: "So one may be pardoned, when Dr. Harris

Elliott Kirk declines the call to the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, for receiving his decision with a certain degree of amazement. Amazing as it is, however, and regrettable from New York's point of view, it must be regarded with deference. . . . Far from regarding the ministry as a career, with such canons of success, as obtain in other careers, he seems to regard it as a service, to be detached from his personal acclaim and to be followed where duty lies."

The Baltimore Sun: "In the name of the community we thank Dr. Kirk for basing his decision on grounds so high, so altruistic."