The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-29

This - exactly what DR.. Carmichael
Fears the Y. Nj. &. 4. IL In danger OF be-
coming. and exactly what be thinks Il
should not become. In one OF these posi-
tons. ut least most OF us agree with
him. He feels that the religious services
Of the \. NJ. {. a.. the religious sile CT
It's operation. II ! may so express II.
should be, IN larger degree than {. Is.
under the direction OF the ministry and
the Church 81 Christ. | nave heard him
say this was the constitution or the
practical Operation Of the association In
Ireland, and he believes II 10 be safer
and the soundcr way. But, % | have
before said. he believes in the y. VI. G. A.
and he loves it.
lie expressed to me the other day. IN
the most natural manner, his JOY m the
success OF the meetings to liouiiate the
debt upon the building: and. while he
did not say so directly I am satisfied
he would have sent a personal contribu-
uon III he had not thought such action
on his part just now would SAVIOR Of
sensatonalism or trucking which are
equally foreign 10 the nature OF he man.
In his letters and his unfortunate SER
mon, doubly unfortunate In being partly
cXtemporaneous. DR.. Carmichael intended
| merely 10 repudate responsibility for
| the ultimate results Of religious work
| which had begun upon lines which he
| did not approve. and did not regard as
| giving fair promise Of good and perma-
| ncnt results. He understood the CIR
cular' as assuming 10 fix such respon-
sibility upon him. and ] think he had
good reason for this construction Of IT.
| These circulars mentioned cards "signed"
| by inquirers. IL may surprise the reader,
! as much as IL did me. TO learn that no
card was really signed" but that. print
| ed blanks were "hlled IN" with names and
| residences every card sent 10 Or. Car
| michael being thus filed in in the same
handwriting. When IT is recolected that
many Of the workers at these meet
ings were young and inexperienced per-
sons, is ii altogether astonishing that a
thoughtful Christian minister should
question the wisdom, and feel cautious
and doubtful as to the results Of the
methods pursued? / do not care to make
public my own experience in following
up these cards" but / trust ! may
say, without being misunderstood and
without doing harm, that it furnishes a
most Impressive commentary upon the
very grave questions Of Christian order
and prudence involved in such "A course
of procedure.
There are other things which might
be very effectively said in vindcatlon
Of Dr. Carmichae's attitude towards the
work of these meetings as presented to
him in the circular and In the cards;
but u say these things would perhaps
wound NE feelings Of some friend or en-
barrass the genuine work of God i'm some
human soul. ] will only add in This
connection, therefore, that the cases
which lid seem to give promise OF good
results were conscientiously, and / think
wisely and tenderly. followed up by the
rector OF ST. Pauls. There is ordinarily
scant propriety and less advantage, IN
insututing such comparisons. but | ques-
ton If any Of his ministerial brethren
surpass him I'm genuine hunger for
souls" for their conversion and their
upbuilding.
Third. Or. Carmichael is criticised for
asserting that the Young Mems Christian
Association brought Mr. Moody TO Rich-
mOnd: that the original purpose which
inspired and suggested the thought OF
sending for him was 10 raise the debt
OF the association. and that the associa-
ton Is practically and properly response
bic for his work here.
The most emphatic expression Of DR..
Carmichaels views upon this point oc-
ours in a paragraph Of his letter to
Mr.. Arthur published i'm the Dispatch of
April 17th and is as follows:
''wHY Mr.. MOODY CAMP
"You say that the Young Mems Chris
tan Association had nothing TO say 10
the matter about which you write. l
know 10 the contrary. i have filed their
circular about souls. TO show any one
who doubts in the matter. 1t is signed by
the secretary. The Young Mems Chris
tan Association brought Mr. Moody
here They asked him TO come for the
purpose OF raising their debt; not very
spiritual purpose. lie refused 10 run
about raising debts. lie then came with
the understanding that, at the end Of the
meetings, ne would see what could be
done about raising the debt. He is here
purely under the auspices of the Young
Mems Christian Association. and they,
not the churches are responsible for
his work, whether il stands the fire or
not. / know what ] am talking about.
/ have the whole facts from the public
statement made at a clerical meeting by
the president and the secretary OF the
Young Mems Christian Association
The Y. NJ c. a. has all along seemed
10 consider this the most vital point of
difference between themselves and the
rector Of ST. Paul's, and very naturally;
for, while there is nothing actually rep
rehensible in the purpose imputed, still.
as DR. Carmichael says. il is mot a very
spiritual purpose" and the plane upon
which the revival movement is thus pre-
scented is lower than might be desired.
1t may not be quite fair 10 say they
replied" in the published interview Of DR..
Hatcher which appeared in the Dispatch
of April 18th. but no one who viii take
the trouble to compare the two can be in
doubt as 20 the relations of that in
terview TO the above paragraph of Or |
Carmichaels letter. | prefer not TO char
acterize this interview. My respect and |
affection for the honored Christian min |
lister who is the spokesman of il, would |
not permit me to do so harshly. but il |
is my duty to analyze it and let. the |
reader draw his own differences. lmme- |
diately beneath impressive headlines APP |
pear the TWO following paragraphs:
REV William T.. Hatcher, chairman OF |
the general committee OF arrangements |
for the Moody meeting, was seen In his |
studv at Grace-Sreet Baptist church |
after the services last night, and asked |
if ne had anything 10 say in regard 10
the matter at issue between Rev. Or. |
Carmichael. rector of st. Pauls church,
and the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton. all of the very interesting CORE
spondence i'm connection with which was
pnblished in yesterdays Dispatch.
Il could on no account" he replied,
cutter a word that would reflect on Or
Carmichael, who is the minister of one
of the most honored churches in cur city;
nor do ! feel that / am called upon to
enter the arena Of battle as champion |
of the Young Mems Christian Association.
But as YOU choose to address your in
,.,,f.,. o., mo "a : chairman of the committee |