Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-17
Correspondence Bearing On the Duty Of
Ministers in This Respect.
DIR. CARMICnAEL'S LETTERS.
lie spcaks His Mind to Secretary Tfbbius
and Is Even More Pointed In "e-
plying 10 Mr.. Arthur.


bits and others.
II vas reported that this correspond
ence had been turned over by MT I'D
bits. one Of the persons Immediately IN
terested. 10 the directory OF the louhs
Mems Christian Association and that 'h"'
body would take official notice OF H. ~
Dispatch reporter found upon investlga-
tlon. however. that this was not the
case.
NONE WILLING TO TALK.
When Mr.. Travers. president OF the as
ISOLATION. was seen, he said that the mat
ter had not been mentioned by Mr. lid
bits TO any officer Of the association
excf.pt himself. that to him 1t had been
mentioned in an unofficial way. and that
the directory had no idea Of taking no
tice of it.
The correspondence was. however, given
to Mr.. 4. \. Arthur. one ot the active
workers in the Moody inquiry meetings
and the third person personally concerned;
hut when that gentleman was seen BY the
Dispatch representative 1t had passed. INTO
the hands of Major Robert Stiles. Both
Mr.. Arthur and Major stiles declined 10
talk upon the rather delicate subject eX-
cept to express regret that IT was the
subject Of public comment, and the latter
kindly but firmly declined to permit 'he
letters to be inspected.
DIR. CARMICHAEL TALKS.
Dr Carmichael was then called upon,
and at the request Of the Dispatch con-
sented that copy OF the ehlnt coi IT-
snondence be made for publication. lie
discussed the matter fully and without
anv manifestation OF feeling. but remarked
that he was not prepared to Tece"e from
any position he had TAKEN
Hefore reading the correspondence to the
rarorter Dr. Carmichael said that on the
Saturday afternoon preceding conhrma.loh
at St Paul's Mr.. Arthur called upon MN
at the rectory, and asked him TO 80 ana
see young man who nai SHOWN Il pre-
ference for his church. lie told linn that
no could not 20 then. because he had
an appointment with several persons that
afternoon TO talk TO. as the next ddy
was confirmation Sunday AT his chuTch'
but that II the young man was III ear
most LET him come around, and he would
be glad to talk with him. The young
man did not call, and on MONDAY nlShl
at 1880 O'Clock h received a note from
Mr.. Arthur repeating the request maze III
their interview The hour at which the
note reached him prevented his compli-
ance. and on Tuesday he received from
AIR Tibbitts. secretary Of the Young
Mems Christian Association. circular lel-
! fer enclosing an inquiry-card with the
name. address. and church preference
upon il. Of the gentleman Mr.. Ahtur had
asked him to seek out.
SECRETARY T1BBITTS'S LETTER.
The circular-letter Of Mr.. Tihbitts is
typewritten, and reads as follows:
OFFICE OF Y. NJ. c. A.,
RICHMOND. VA. March 81. 1921.
Ny Dear Sir and Brother:
Please find enclosed - inquirer !
card. which was signed at the meeting
on March Goth. Kindly have him fol-
lowed up as quickly as possible. ana II
YOU will have the results reported TO me
Gn writing If convenient. II will be eX-
ceeGingly helpful and greatly aid us 10
see that all are led to the Saviour and
placed in the fold Of the church.
II is our earnest prayer that not one
be left to drift. but each pressed 10 an
immediate decision, and shown the neces-
sity Of becoming a member of some
church.
Awaiting your early reply, / am. yours
Csgned, 6. T. TIBBITTs.
THE RECTOR'S REPLY.
70 the above Or. Carmichael sent this
ST PAUL'S RECTORY.
April ., 1884,
Sir.-Yours Of March 31st to hand. II
| Is quite outside my work to follow up as
| quickly as possible" the particulars of en-
| closed card You have undertaken q
| work, and IL is proper you should hnisl
! it. and not DO the easy part of ii anC
| then expect busy ministers who have
| their flocks to attend to, to do the lattel
for you. AS the paid servant Of IN,
| Young Mems Christian Association 1t i:
| only right that you should follow up YOU
| converts. Mr.. is not known &
me, but If he Is in earnest and wishes t
| join the church, ! am always at his ser
| vice. IF he will call and see me. The only
| proof we have of true conversion is th'
| willingness of the professor to 10 some
| thing To show he is in earnest. Professor
| ought not to be petted; they should b.
| able to act for themselves. | waited II
| all Saturday, expecting TO see Mr.
| ------. for a conversation that | h.,
with a Mr.. Arthur, one Of your workers
| but Mr.. ---- did not appear. | Woul,
| advise you if you wish the Young Men
| Christian Association to grow To- refrain
| from the tone you adopt in your bushes
circular. II soul is worth saving it i
worth a personal letter.
! Yours respectfully,
(SigneD HARTLEY CARMICHAEL.
MIR. ARTHUR on CHRISTS MISSION
Dr. Carmichaers answer to Mr. Tibbtt
is dated April 3D. and on April 80 h
received from Mr.. Arthur. the subjoine'
communication. which Is written on IN
,f i.ia oil
brotherhood of ST. Andrew of the Pro
testant Episcopal church:
RICHMOND. VA, April g. 1891.
Rev Hartley Carmichael:
Dear Sr.-Your letter of the "a instan
addressed TO the secretary OF the Youn
Mems Christian Association was hande
to me, and words cannot express IN
modification to find that ii came fror
an Episcopal clergyman. and one that
called Il minister of the Gospel of Jesu
Christ Quoting from your letter 'as IN
paid servant of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association ii is only right that yo
should follow up your own converts,
/ permit me 10 say that the Young Men
Christian Association is NOT
CHURCH, nor does it pretend to /
such, but IL does propose by the power
the Holy Ghost TO win men for the Ma.
/ T.,
to become Christians. TO recommend theI
to tho church of their choice. Feelin
| specially interested in Mr.. - calle
on you personally Saturday. and aft,
leaving you went TO the house of NJ
--, and found out from him that
could not call on you Saturday, bl
could do so Monday evening at o'clocl
| sent you note asking reply by beart
or postal, if Monday evening would
agreeable, which you did not deign
answer | quite agree with you that, I'll
only proof we have of true Onversio
is the willingness of the professor TO q
: something to show he Is in earnest. TT
blessed Master not only came To sav
but 10 seek the lost. am sure thu
, Christs ambassadors should deem II
privilege 10 seek those who desire
, become members OF His Church. l regr
that | should have troubled you, as
Is quite outside your work, and as a bus
minister you have to look after yol
! own flock. Respectfully,
,Signed) l.. AUGUSTUS ARTHUR.
: DIR. CARMICHAEL'S CAUSTIC REPL'
r MIR. Arthur is secretary and treasure
, OF the above-named council Of st. Al