The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-23
PASTOR ASKED TO RESIGN
REV. l.. A. CUTLER. OF THE CHRIS
TiAN CHURCH.
The Request Came from Two MEMBER
The Congregations Action When the
Matter WAS Brought to Its Attention
Religious Items OF Interest.


Tho Congregations Action when the
Matter WAS Brought to Its Attention
Religious Items OF Interest
Rev. l.. A. Cutler, pastor OF the Marshall
street Christian church, rendered his re-
signation Sunday morning. He has been
pastor there for seven years, and has proven
an earnest and devoted worker,
During the past five years an under
standing has been existing between the
pastor and people that whenever tie latter
deemed IL "bcst for the prosperity Of the
church and the cause OF Christ" that
the pastor should resign.
MINORITY OPINION.
For a year, IL is said. an opinion among
a minority Of tie church has been quietly
growing to the effect that another pastor
would more rapidly advance the good inter
est of the church. This eliminated last
week. chen private letter was received
by Rev. Dir. Cutler, signed by two of the
most influential members Of the church,
suggesting resignation upon the grounds
of the mutual agreement existing between
them. The pastor thought the request for
resignation should come from the who
church officially, and the letter, which was
intended only for the eyes Of the pastor,
contained no specified reasons why he
should resign, but was based upon the
agreement
The pastor was ggaatly aggrioved upon
thus being notified Of his compulsory re-
tirement from the old church TO which he
had become endeared by so many ties OF
religious labor and worship, and determined
at once 10 read the letter 10 his church and
tender his resignation.
AFTKR SERVICE.
sunday morning MIR. Cutler preached as
usual, aud Just before he closed the services
he requested all Of the church-members to
remain after Ito benedictiOn was pro-
nounced. Before this gathering Mr.. Cutler
read the letter, after which he rendered his
resignation.
When Mr.. Cutler had finished speaking,
one Of the members arose and moved that
the resignation be not accepted, which was
carried, a large minority, however, voting
in the negative.
Mr.. Cutler did not press his resignation
ut the meeting Sunday, saying that he
would hold the matter under Amusement for
several days, after which he would give a
final decision as 10 his course.
PASTOR VISITED.
A reporter for The TINES called at Mr..
Cutters residence yesterday 70 ascertain his
decision, but found him absent, having left
the city yesterday morning for Bowling
Green, Caroline county, where he Is con-
Quoting revival. His wife stated that
her husbands resignation would take e.
feet in the near future. She also said that
he had under Amusement call in evangel-
ical work in Southwest Virginia.
THE OTHER SIDE.
one Of the members who had voted in
favor of accepting Mr.. Cutters resignation,
was seen later, and when asked the reason
for the step, said; "This was not intended
by any means to create discOrd or disatlec-
ton in our church. We simply act
cd upon the understanding we had
with our pastor, which we DC
not think requires an official ac.
ton of the church. so far as i know we
have not arrived at any conclusion as Il
calling another pastor. We SIMPLY sug.
gested the resignation for the good of the
church and do not require il. II the paste;
does not resign, why we will stand by him
and do our part towards his support as
usual. hope no strife in the church will
occur"
One of the majority members did not know
what prompted his brethren 10 take the
step, as he was utterly ignorant the move
lie hoped Mr.. Cutler would not press his
resignation, and did not think he would
He was of the opinion that the request
should come officially from the church.
The church has taken no steps toward.
calling another pastor.