Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-14
PASTORS AND PEOPLE
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF REV. MR..
sTURGiS or TRINITY CHURCH.
n. Hatcher ia Wsshington--Gifts TO Re-
iigioos Enterprises--Rcvivsi
at Fine-strcct, sc.

n consequence Of rumors Of improprictv
on The part of Rev. j. II. Sturgis. pastor OF
Trinity Methodist church. the presiding
e,l.r OF this district. DR.. J. Powell Gar.
land. has been compelled to suspend him
,aar prcliminary Investigation pending a
further examination by tho Virginia Annual
Conference. of which AIR. Sturgis is men,
bcr.
M SturGis, as soon as the rumors were
D., aaoat. demanded the investigation aud
mot tho committee openly, and without
c.pccqlmcnt explained tho circumstance
la- 90. which the trouble hae grown. Feel
f,rhis entire innocence of any wrong he
,anrt. the most rigid and complete in
oufy.
THE INvFTrIoArTox.
Tho preliminary investigation required
ietho law 81 the Church was conducted
comm. ttee Of ministers consisting of
Fey w. Judkins, Rev. W. II. Atwill,
ami Rev. james G. Martin, of this city.
The committee was charged simply TO in
nure Il there was probable cause for in
v.aficaton, and # so to send the case on
fa- exanination by the Annual Conference.
The committee. after looking into the mat
frr. finally decided that il was Of sufficient
importance 10 be brought 70 the notice Of
the Conference.
TIE hILFGTD oFTYSCE.
The offence is said to be tho writing OF a
r.,eto lady OF his congregation in whose
spiritual welfare he was specially inter
e-fol. aud which Mr.. Sturgis claims was
understood by all parties.
ILe law of the Church guards so
,ri'ously the character of Der ministers that
if Was indispensably necessary TO have an
irycstie alton. AS well for the character OF
f,o accused as for the vindication OF the
Church
Nrw KvIDTNCg.
Dr. Garland wss served with notice yes
'orGhv uf ncwly-disCovercd evidence,
which will materially affect the case and
e.. confidently believed viii result in Mr..
S'ugs IS cxoneration. The Presiding Elder
immediately toleRraped TO the Bishop to
come to Richmond that the case may be re-
nn.rsd aud the new evidence heard.
Bishop Wilson replied that he will reach
this city on the early tram to-day.
PASTOR BELOVED.
olr. Strrgis has been in the ministry for
twelve wears, and has filed many impor-
tart pos. tons. Ho Las always proven him.
eelf capable and faithful IN the discharge
of The duties Of his position. lie was ap-
pointed 20 Trinity church IN November.
lse7 and Is now IN the third year or MS
ra-.orate. He hns served Trinity charge
vcry accepfably. and made hundreds Of
warm friends, indeed he ENJOYS the entire
love and confidence Of the church, as wei
ls that Of tho community st large. and It.
IS confidently believed that he can and Will
clear himself Of any moral wrong.
rEARs Is MANY EYEs.
The Presiding Elder on sabbath day
supplied the pulpit with Rev. >. : Lam
beth in the morning and Rev II: H. Ben
nett at night, and viii continue to supply
the pulpit as long rs necessary.
The exercises both morning and night
we're Of n very solemn character. Many OF
the conQregntion shed tears freely. and on
all sides there was heard the most cnpha-
tic assertions OF sympathy and confidence
iu Their pastor
ACTION OF T~v sTEWAnDS.
Tho Board of st, .,ards of the church
met on Saturday night last, and after con-
sidcring tho situation agreed among them
selves 10 stand by their pastor spiritually
and financially
Nr. Sturris has been utterly prostrated
hy tins sad affair. and, IN view OF his deli-
cato physical condition, 1t J. feared .that
the mental and nervous straiu may result
di,astrou.iy. For over two years ne mas
hardly been able physically to perform the
operOus duties of so large charge as
Trinity. Especiallv since n severe and
fewer about year ago ho has not been the
same man physically or mentally that he
was before being OF an extremely sensitive
and oycr-stiung nervous temperament.
d. HATCHER IN WASHINGTON.
The First Baptist church of Washington,
j.. e.. erected at cost of over SlO0OU0.
was dedicated on Sunday. Rev: Dr. q. G..
Iorimer. Of Chicago. preached the dedica-
tory sermon III the morning. In the after
noon there was mass-mecung IN the new
hiding and ministers Oi all donOmlna-
tons expressed their good wishes. At
night Or. Hatcher. of Richmond, preach
Ell. The Washington Post says:
rnkiug as his text Judges Wi. Z. DIR,
Hatcher preached one of the most interest
ing sermons Of the day. AT the conclusion
IF il he drew from it moral that every
one present should contribute Literally to
aid III paying of the debt on the church.
Iis appeal for monetary assistance was
one II the most eloquent and effective
ever heard in Washington, and was wlthal
OF such an attractive style that not sin
rlr person left the church while the collec-
ton was being taken up.
ANEw CHURCH OUT or DrBT.
Bey. DR.. Dickinson returned from Neck
lruhprg county last evening, where he
Dedicated the Liberty Baptist church on
SuulHv. Dispatch reporter got from hlm
tht following facts; The new church cost
$1,000. hut the last dollar of the debt was
raised and more. Among the contributions
la- were sent MP was 800 from Charles l..
Btvn. Esq. of this citv. aud another gen
.I.c. contribution from Senator Loven-
Stein, off richmond.
A. r.eht Or. Dickinson preached at
Hoyifou aud raised a handsome purse for
ministerial student at Richmond College,
nrnr J. &. HOughton. of the Atlantic and
Daulne railroad heading the list with S25.
ruL MEETINGS AT PINE-sTREET BAPTIST.
Ery. J. f. Hutson. the evangelist.
brother Of the pastor of this church and
himself "A member " 1t, began on the 5th
instant series of meetings, which have
been very largely attended from the first.
Ou SUNDAY night the crowd was SO large
that the basement Of the church had 20 he
thrown open TO accommodate the people.
Rev. Nh. Haves. a student at Richmond
College ofiiciated IN the basement. Eleven
persons connected themselves with the
church on Sunday. There have been about
TWENTY-FIVE professions so far, and the
meetings continue this week. This is the
thrd wear TINS evangelist has held meet
mos for this church. and his power with
Che pconlc seems to be increasing. lie Is u
pl.in. but forcible speaker.
The meetings viii continue every night
this week, services beginning at 7:jO
O'Clock.
REv. PRANK sTRINGFKLLow.
The series of sesyices now being held at
Chrisi Episcopal church hy the Rev. Frank
Strncfellow have been of great interest.
SUNDAY morning he preached to Chris
tians on the text - BE ye doers of the Word
and not hearers only
Al night he preached TO those not Chris
fiens on the text Prepare 20 meet thy
God"
Sunday morning and night the congre--
cations were very large. and a number OF
benches had TO he brought from the lee
ture-room TO provide additional seats.
he also preached last night.
The sermons were of great power ana
force. ,n
llese services will be continued all the