The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-03

2sd last. the following paper was adopted
as the statement OF the church IN refer
once 10 the removal OF Rev. Or. W. G.
Starr from that church 20 Broad-srect
church. Richmond.
OF an the aftermath OF the recent ses-
sion OF the Virginia Conference nothing
probably has caused moro surprise or
been more criticised, pro and con, than
the protest OF the hitherto loyal congre-
cation Of Washing, on-suect church, IN
Petersburg. against the removal OF Or.
Starr The protest was made with a fun
knowledge of its import, ana WITH me
specific design to bring lofclniy 10 tic az
tenuou of tine Bishop and oi the chHrch
~ large tho injustice a0nc the church, 10y
which ,t feels itself greatly aeerieFed ana
injured. The Trims was not done 800
corner. and the un purpose of tho ace
ton OF the church vii not Dee accom-
plished rurl The questions of the true
policy OF the Methodist iuuerancy. ON
which the whole contention turns. are
submitted for the thoughtful considera-
tion Of the church al large. Hence il Is
deemed proper t0 publish I'd statement OF
the facts of the case that in the opinion
Of the church here. justified ITS action.
Protest is no new thing lu MetloNlsm
Our church was born 100 opposition ana is
itself q standing protest against all that
IS wrong in principle or peiulcious in
practice. 10 accOrds 90 the individual
church the largest freedom consistent
with The general good. and proposes 10
attain that general good by The open
canvass of the needs ana wishes of each
church. and ilo intelligent distribution Of
the work upon "a iui knowledge OF all
the facts
Whatever dcpIitcs "a particular church
Of It's right 90 make known los wants, or
that smacks in tho least of O. "stdr cham
ber' proceedings. U.s. contrary 60 the spirit
and genius oi Mc,hodism. and tends TO
its destruction
We Go not here question tho motives
Of any one with reference to the removal
but in yindicauou col thc action of the
church We vOuch the facts as they are
represented 90 us. together with our un-
derstanlins of vine rule OF the church
governing the case.
DIR EDWARDS NOT OBJECTED TO
10 is proper. however TO state dis
tincty in the outset that The action of
the church was not suggested nor in tine
least degree Occas.0ncd by any opposi-
ton 90 Dr Edwards personally nor by
any opposition to h.s appointment 10 the
pastorate OIL che church. On tine contrary.
Dr Edwards was justly held In the high
est esteem by the whole congregation.
and there is no one that they would
have preferred as successor 10 Dr. Starr
Indeed. had they been permitted 10 name
such successor they would in an proha-
bihty have selected DR. Edwards They
complained because they knew that in
the circumstances then existing. great
injury would inevitably result from any
change. and they protested against the
action OF Tie Bishop iu compelling the
change. because They believed that they
had. under the rule of the church. the
right 20 retain the services OF Dr. Starr
for the ordinary term. and ought not 10
have been deprived of DIS services at that
time without bcins allowed 10 state tho
peculiar circumstances in which they
were placed.
They did not question The power OF
the Bishop under tle written law OF the
Church 20 make the order removing
Dr. Starr hut they did claim that acc
cordins to the recognized custom and
usage OF the Church. which from l0ns
observance haI gained the force of COM
mon lass they had The right 90 retain
his services Tor tho ull period o. four
years. and they challenge both the wis.
dom and tle justice OF the removal
uncer the circumstances then existing.
No one ever questioned thc power Of
the officer who ordered the ul-fatod
charge of tine Light Brigade bat no one
has ever attempted 90 yindlcatc either
tho wisdom or the Justice of the order
ARBITRARY POWER
Under The written law of the Church
the Bishop BIAS The power TO appoint a.
he pleasCs. simply because there Is no
possible appeal 90 amy other tribunal
of the Church 90 oyerruie his decision.
This power is oy The letter of the law.
arbitrary ami unlimited but ly the
spirit OF the law the power il vested a.
him in trust 10 Dee administered Tor the
good of tine whole Church. and any eX-
ercise OF thc power that is not for the
good of the Church violates the spirit
and purpose OF the law, whether SO In
tended o. not But there is also am un-
written rule of the Church. a. well un-
derstood and generally recognized as The
written law under which 90 church is all
lowed 20 retain SIS pastor for the ordinary
term OF four years if Doe desires 90 Tee
turn ard che church desires 10 retain
him. and any injury resulting from the
disregard of this unwritten rule SIS as
much 90 Doe complained OF as an in-
jury resulting from thc arbitrary o. un-
reasonable exercise of the power given
by the written law.
The good 90 Doe attained from the APP
pointment OF one man rather than an
other 10 "a particular charge Is. at best,
predetermined. and dependent upon a
VARIETY of circumstances which human
wisdom cannot fully anticipate nor hui
man foresight adequately provide against.
But the injury 90 particular charge
from the unexpected removal of its pas
tor in the midst of successful work
against his own wishes, and in spite
Of the protest of the congregation, is
certain and obvious. ard where the cues
ton IS presented Of attempting anch pro
blematical God 90 The general Work or
10 a particular charge hy the inillcuon
OF certain injury 20 another charge,
would seem that the law Of the Church
ought 60 f0fl.d the infection Of the In
Jury.
DID NOT ACT WISELY.
Certainly. where 30 Us brought 90 the
attention Of the bishop that the un-
expected rem oval of q pastor is likely 10
produce great and unexpected injury 90
the congregation. As was the case here
he can hardly bc slid 10 have wisely and
fairly exercised the power 81 appoint
ment in fcmovlug thc pastor. uuief7 he
had first examined fully into ihe facts
OF ,he case. and given 90 thc church
affected thc opportunity of being heard
IN So own behalf
This. and more. is what did happen I'm
the removal Of Dr. starr and induced
The action of the church that has been
criticised
DIR. STAIRS GREAT WORK.
Or. Starr had been ga charge Of the