The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-31
REV. DIR. FAIR ACCEPTS.
He Regrets To Leave His Present Churc"'
but Must Go where He Can TIE Moro
Useful - His Receptions

The Rev Or. J. Y. Fair. pastor OF Grace
Street Presbyterian church. VIII accept
the call to Savannah.
II will be remembered that Dr. Far
has lately received an urgent and pressing
call 10 take charge OF the independent
PRESBYTERIAN church OF Savannah, Ca,
and that he went TO that city last week
and preached for that congregation on
Sunday. ..-.,
Dr. fair returned home yesterday morn
;ng and was seen by a Times rep' 80 20
tive regarding the Likelihood OF ms az
cepting the CAL to this. one OF the oluSS''
and most historic churches IN the Soutn.
The reverend gentleman said thdt MS
late trip TO and from savanna, an" 10 ' 10
stay there. were very enjoyable. LOT ne
was received with the utmost coIuld"'y
and hospitality. 80.
lie speaks i'm terms OF praise OF the
beautiful city Of Savannah. ana the Duss, ,
thriving condition she is in. hatur1hy, as
the seaboard outlet for the great anu
prosperous State Of Georgia.
PROSPEROUS CONGREGATION.
pr. Fair says the congregation OF the
Indepcndcnt PRESBYTERIAN church or Sa-
vannah is a large and prosperous one
and the church was first organized there
in 1855. this congregation being the direct
successor OF IL.
The rresfn. church building was COM
plcicd In 1891. ana IS built OF gray granite
being copy OF famous ola chuIch III
London. called St. Martin s-in-the-t leIus'
and designed by the eminent architect,
Sir Christopher Wren. who also designed
ST. Pauls cathedral
The Sunday School building and par
sonage adjoin the church. and are hand
some and complete in every appointment
for comfort.
Or Fair grew enthusiastic as he spoke
Of tho great field and future there was
for any one in this church, and city, ami
the opportunities for doing great good
for the cause Of religion there.
REGRETS TO LEAVE.
Replying to a question whether he would
accept the call or not. DR.. Fair said that
IL was with regret he had 10 answer II
was most probable he would do so.
He spoke with deep regret AZ leaving
Richmond, where he had so very many
close ties Of friendship. and where every
one has always been so kind and cOnsid-
crate to him, but be believed 1T was his
duty 10 20 where he could be most use
fu and WELD wider and larger iniiu-
ence.
Another point OF interest as TO the Sa-
vSnnah church VAS here recalled by Dr.
Fair. for he said that Lowell Mason.
the well-knOWn composer Of sacred mu-
sic. was once organist Of this church,
and the familiar old air. generally sung 10
the words Of the hymn. From Green
lands Icy Mountains was sung for the
first time there.
WILL NOTIFY HIS PEOPLE LATER.
Or. Fair remarked that he would not
notify his congregation as 10 his decision
i'm the matter. at this time for next sun
day was the regular communion Sun
day. and he would wait until after that
day.
Besides. the East Hanover Presbytery
will not meet till April 26th. and that
body alone. under the rules and forms of
the Presbyterian church, mas power to
form and dissolve pastoral relations, and.
while the pastor notifies his congrega-
ton. he must tender his resignation 10
the PrcSlVtCrV