The G. Campbell Morgan Archive

Dr. Morgan's Acceptance to Westminster Chapel
e have already announced the acceptance by the Rev. Dr G. Campbell Morgan of the call to a pastorate in London, but the following from the Examiner, of London, will no doubt be read with interest:
“I have this morning intimated to the deacons my acceptance of the call.” When Dr. Campbell Morgan made this announcement at Westminster Chapel on Sunday morning the hearty response, “Praise God,” accompanied by the clapping of hands, came from all parts of the building, and the large congregation rose spontaneously and sang the doxology."
he congregation was larger than on the previous Sunday, the body of the large church, as well as the first gallery, being well filled, and even a few seats in the second gallery were occupied.
r. Morgan said the recent weeks had been very trying to him. He had passed through a time of strain which he, prayed God, he might never have to pass through again, but under the stress and strain and a tremendous sense of opportunity and responsibility he had decided to accept the invitation.
hen the congregation was again seated after singing the doxology, Dr. Morgan continued: “Perhaps you will now permit me to say that I rejoice in that your welcome has merged into a song of praise. May God grant that whatever the unknown tomorrow may have in store for us, at least his presence may be with us and his blessing upon our work.
“I am not going to detain you this morning with a single word about the future, save one that does seem to me to be necessary.”
“I have no program to submit to the deacons or church or people. We shall go one step at a time under the guidance of God's Holy Spirit.”
“With regard to the position of this church I think it is right that this congregation should know that there is no endowment here. Had there been, I should not have touched it, for endowments are utterly pernicious. There is no appeal made by this church to any outside organization to aid in the matter of the support of their pastor. I have accepted this invitation, being perfectly content with the suggestion made to me by the deacons concerning finance. I come with no settled stipend, but believe that the church under the love of God and the guidance of his Spirit, will be quite equal to the financial responsibility so far as I personally am concerned.”
“Don’t do that too soon,” continued Dr. Morgan, referring to the applause which followed the last sentence. “There must necessarily be a great aggressive movement from this center. There will be very many things to be done which will need money, and in addition to the ordinary finances of the church we shall at once open an auxiliary fund to enable us to go on with that work.
“I shall have nothing to do with this fund so far as drawing from it for myself.” Already we have had promises amounting to about 200 pounds per year, but we want at least 1,000 pounds per year for that work. If anyone cares to make me an offer after the service I shall be very glad to receive it. (Laughter) I do not mean that lightly. I am quite sure that many of you mean to do a great more than applaud. You mean sacrificial help, and we appeal to you for it.
“May I also say, though it is well in advance of anything absolutely definite, I very much hope that from the beginning I may be able to have associated with me here my very dear friend, the Rev. Albert Swift. This is not absolutely settled, but I think it is near so. I say that in order that you may see how strongly we feel how much work there is to be done, and we fling ourselves upon the hand of God and upon your love and sympathy.”
“I hope to commence my own personal ministry here on the last Sunday in October. Dr Pierson preaches here next Sunday. If I can persuade him- I have some influence with him, for we love each other dearly- I shall ask him to stay and preach in this place until it is possible for me to commence my regular work here.”
“Now, with thankfulness and with fear we commit ourselves to God and to the work to which we believe he has sent us.”