The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-11
TO UNITE THE CHURCHES.
MINISTER'S 0FALL DEN0MINA TIONs
HOLD A LARGE MEETING
To District the City and Establish House
to House visi'ation-ro Assist the Poor
In Temporal and spiritual Matters

denominations IN an cndeavoT % bring
the people of this city in closer touch
with the Church. A committee was APP
pointed 10 confer with similar commit
tees of other denominations. and after
great deal Of preliminary work a union
meeting Of all the ministers OF this city
ana Manchester was called for yesterday
morning at 1880 O'Clock IN the parlOrs OF
the Young Mems Christian Association.
The meeting was very largely attended
more than fifty ministers OF the differ
ent churches OF Richmond and Manchos-
ter being present: but strange TO say,
the Episcopal ministers, who had taken
the initiatory steps in the matter, had
the smallest representation. For nearly
TWO hours the subject was thoroughly
discussed. and n plan OF operation was
nnaliy agreed upon which met with gem
eral satisfaction. Steps were also taken
TO secure similar union meetings Of the
various denominations once week dur
ing the next year. when matters Of gen
eral interest to all denominations are 10
be discussed.
The ministers Of Manchester who were
present at yesterdays meeting proved to
be in full accord with their brethren I'm
this city. and II was understood from the
beginning that they would heartily CO.
operate in any movement that might be
started In this city.
The OBJECT or TIRE NETTING
Rev. J. J. Gravatt. rector Of Holy Trim
ity church. briefly stated the object Of
the meeting, and explained that in his
estimation, the churches Of Richmond
and Manchester could do nothing better
during the coming winter than TO put
themselves In touch with the large body
Of people who are not In the habit of
attending church services. If this plan
was carried out. Il would have a three
folu result. II would bring about helpful
ness 10 the people In the Church; IL
would DE the means Of great deal of
good 10 the people so helped. and IT would
be instrumental in the promotion of
Christian unity and fraternity in this
community.
At the suggestion Of Rev. Mr., Gravatt.
the Rev. James y Fair. pastor Of the
Grace-Street Presbyterian church, was
elected chairman of the meeting. and
Rev. J. r. Whitley. pastor Of Broad
Street Methodist church, was elected sec
rotary.
Rev. +. A. Goodwin. rector Of St
sohn's Episcopal church, pointed out the
necessity for the church 10 make it's in
fuence felt in this community, and The
poor OF this city should be given 10 un-
derstand that the Church was interested
in them.
The following letter from Rev. Robert
church. was then read:
5l4 West Grace street.
Richmond Va, Dec. 10, 1894.
To the Chairman OF the meeting of the
Ministers Of Richmond:
Dear Brethren.-I regret exceedingly
that 1t les impossible for me 10 be present
with YOU to-day, for | am deeply inter
ested in the success of the work In which
YOU are engaged. ] write 10 suggest that
II 1t shall be decided to prosecute the
undertaking through the Evangelical Al
lance. which | think would be the most
plausible plan. that your chairman use
this letter as a call for a meeting OF that
body on the spot this morning. and that
your meeting resolve itself into meeting
OF the Alliance and proceed at once to
business.
Ny term of Office as president OF the
Alliance terminates this autumn. or
rather has already terminated, and
cannot on any account consent to re-
election. ! say this, fearing that your
Kindness might suggest such a thing.
In regular turn. 1t is the time now for
an EpiscOpalian 10 be president, and !
hope some minister of that Church will
be appointed 10 the office. With fraternal
regard. I am
Yours faithfully.
ROBERT =. KERR
ON motion of Rev. G. n. Van Houten,
OF Manchester, the letter was laid on the
table Tor the time bclnB.
pR. HATcHEBs W..
Rev William l.. Hatcher. pastor Of
Grace-Strect Baptist church, was next
asked TO give his views on the matter be-
fore the meeting He stated that he had
come in all sincerity TO find out what was
10 be done and TO assist in doing il. He
was informed by Mr.. Gravatt. upon his
query. that 1t would be suggested to di-
vide the city into districts and 10 have
the various families visited by lay mem
beers Of the different churches, in order 10
create an interest in them 10 attend
church services.
Dr. Hatcher declared that the PROPOSE
ton made 10y his Episcopal brethren met
with his hearty approval. and ne thought
il was well justified. because with the
network Of Christian labOrS stretched
over this city by the different churches
there were still many thousands OF pco-
pie who did not come in contact with
the Church. How that class of people
could best be reached, ne did not know,
but he thought the proposition made
should receive the deepest respect and
hearty cooperation of all the minister's
and he. for his part. was willing 10 take
hold Of any work 10 the glory Of God.
Or. ". W. Parker, the only layman
present, was next recognized 10y the chair.
He stated that he had contemplated TO
call lust such Il meeting 70 come TO the
CITY He thought the churches should
unite in order TO secure fuel for the
moor. and with their cooperation a yard
might be established where coal and
wood might be issued during the winter
10 the needy at cost. In order to do this
effeCtually IL was necessary in the first
rlace for each church TO ascertain how
many poor people each congregation con-
tanned. To secure effective cooperation
n might then be advisable TO appoint q
committee consisting of one member
froun each church. lie related some in
stances Of great need which he had re-
Gently found in this city and told OF
his experience some years ago when he
sold fuel 70 the poor Of the city AT cost
Tic expressed the fear that the want OF
fuel would be greater this winter than
ever before. on account of the great mum
her OF people who were out oil employ
ment.
After some further discussion II was de
cided on motion Of Rev. G. y. Van
Hniiten. that committee OF thee be APP
T,ointed with Rev. Gravatt as chairman,
40 prepare at once a plan OF operation
and submit the same 10 the meeting.
The chair appointed Revs. }. j. GTa-
watt. william r. Hatcher ana W. D.
Young members Of that committee, and on
motion of the last named gentleman. hev'
Tnnez Han was added to the committee.