It was with these five points that I confronted the members of this Society last Monday evening.  I stated them much as I have stated them this morning, and then asked not that action be taken, but that sentiment be expressed.  Since that time, I have been assiduously collecting information of what took place.  Official report of action taken, of votes passed, has been laid upon my desk.  Friends have written or spoken to me their impressions of the gathering.  I have myself canvassed the members of the Board of Trustees, and have received replies to my questions which show such high endeavor to convey accurate information and sound advice, quite apart from personal opinion on most points, as does [19] abounding honor to the persons concerned.  From what has thus come to me, I deduce three facts about this meeting.  First, that the members of this church were willing to face without revolt or rebuke, questions which more often than not in the past have been the occasion of unseemly quarrel and unholy schism.  Secondly, that the consideration of these questions was carried on for two hours without bitterness of spirit as between the members of the church, or as between these members and the absent minister.  Lastly, that there is a large working majority in this church who desire the things that I desire.  Taking these facts into my own soul, which must be the last court of decision, after all, I have become convinced that I am confronted here by a situation which I can neither ignore nor evade.  My challenge to you has been answered by a challenge to myself.  To refuse this challenge, is impossible.  To leave this fruitage of my twelve years of plowing and planting unharvested, and thus to wither and be scattered, would be a crime.  I have therefore declined the call to Chicago, and will remain here as your minister!

To this announcement of my decision in this case, may I make, in closing, some two or three supplementary remarks?

In the first place, for the benefit of such rasher or more enthusiastic spirits as may be present in this place, I would state that I have no intention of abusing the confidence thus reposed in me, or the power thus granted me, by demanding immediate and final action on all the points of my program.  We are members here not of a political caucus, but of a church; and it behooves us, therefore, to observe even the uttermost refinements of good-will and mutual consideration.  We must respect with scrupulous fidelity the rights of each, and seek nothing that falls short of the happiness of all.  Determination must now yield place to patience, and courage to sympathy.  Conversion and not conquest is our method.  I had rather wait years to gain my point with the consent of every heart, than carry off the victory [20] tomorrow with some hearts broken and thrown away.  I have a perfect faith in the power of persuasion—­an unshaken confidence in the ultimate supremacy of love; and am quite willing to leave to these mystic forces the determination of the time, the method and the ultimate form of our accomplishment.