CARR'S LANE, BIRMINGHAM.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1198, 5 August 1911, Page 9

CARR'S LANE, BIRMINGHAM.

THE REV. G! M'LUCKIE DECLINES TIIE PASTOHATE. The Kev. George M'Luckie, 8.A., of Yarmouth, has declined the invitation In succeed Dr. J. 11. Joweti", as pastor of Oarr's 'Lane, Church, Birmingham. Tlio following letter from JJ.r. M'Luckio was read by Jlr. E. .A. Page, I'm; church secretary, ,at the service 011 Juus 18:— "I have siven my earnest and prayerful consideration to the invitation you have addrcs ; ed lo inc to become your minister, and whilst I am deeply sensible of the honour you would fain confer upon nu> and greatly appreciate your confidence' in me, I feel bound lo fay'*Xo"to your rcriuo-i. I can only hope, and I do earnestly pray, that yon-may soon be led to one who will sustain in worthier fashion than I ever could the high traditions of your historic pulpit." . There avas much deep regret in the silence that followed the readi 115: of llio ■loiter. To some present the communication brought 110 surprise. r J'hero" had been fears that tlie claims of Yarmouth would prevail. At King Si reel: Congregational Cluirch. Yarmouth, Sunday morning,. .Tyue IS, every seat was occupied in order'to hear the ' decision at which the Kev'. 1.1. Ji'Luckie had 'arrived in regard lo the Parr's Lane invitation. Mr. Jl'Luckie had kepi hi« own counsel, and had not even revealed his purpose lo the deacons, j The sermon was one of a series Jlr. M'Luekie had been preaching, from the ' first epistle of St. John, aud it ivas not

until (lie close of his discourse Hint Mr. M'Luckie came to the one matter uppermost in ;ill minds.

"There is just one tiling I want to say," ho remarked, "before we. sing our closing hymn. 1 said last Sunday morning that I would intimate 10-day my de-ei-iou with regard la that invitation which was addressed to me by the church at Carr's Lane. Birmingham. I h.iro declined the invitation, and I have decided to remain in Yarmouth. I may say, friends, T have very honestly sought, the guidance of God's spirit in 'what, I have fell to be a great crisis in my life, and I believe very confidently that it is by His leading I have come to this decision!" hen Mr. M'Luckie had finished his statement all present rose and sang tlio Doxology. This took Mr. M'Lucßre hy surprise, and ho was evidently deeply touched by the spontaneous outburst.