The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-09
WILL NOT GIVE UP DR.. FAIR.
INDEPENDENT CHURCH MAY SEND A
COMMITTEE TO RICHMOND.

The savannah Congregation Does
Not Believe the Virginia Presby-
terry VIII Refuse to Allow DIR. Fair
to sever His Pastoral Relations in
RIchmOnd-NO News Received by
the Church Officers From the Pas
tor-EIect as 10 His Probability of
His Not Coming.
The congregation of the Independent
Presbyterian church does not intend to
abandon its effort to secure DR.. James
Y. Fair of Richmond as its pastor.
The members are somewhat disturbed by
the dispatches that have appeared in the
Morning News from Richmond, concern
ing the probability of his being kept at
the head of his present church by the
East Hanover presbytery, bat they do not
intend to give up the fight
The moderator of the church session,
Mr. Randolph Arson. received a letter
day before yestefday from DR.. Fair, but
it contained no allusion to the possibility
of his having to withdraw his acceptance
of the call extended him. on the con-
trary, the letter seemed to convey an idea
ing charge of the pastorate, and already
he referred to the congregation as my
people"
The complications that have come
about at Richmond have not caused the
members of the Independent church
to alter their opinion, and they
are still strong in the desire for DR.. Fair
tn IN dnfn ~ VxTfII
depend upon the presbytery in which his
Richmond church is located. That body
will meet April 26 and the matter will then
be decided. The congrega ton of Grace
church will petition the presbytery to re-
fuse to allow DR.. Fair to sever his con-
nection with it. This the presbytery may
or may not do, but it is thought here that
it will put no obstacle in DR. Fairs way.
The presbytery has the right to refuse in
such cases to allow a pastor to surrender
his church for another, but it is very sell
dom that the right is exercised Usual
ly the presbytery is only called in when
the minister Is unable to decide for him
self what he should do. Then the pres
bytery comes to his aid and its decision
becomes his own. But in such cases as
that of DR.. Fair, where he desires to
change and requires neither advice nor
the deliberations of his fellow ministers to
become assured of the right, the question
of resignation Is left to the pastor him
self.
1t is not believed here that the presby-
terry would attempt to force one of its
members to retain his charge, as such an
action would not seem to Indicate the
best and most harmonious results. 1t is
possible that the officers of the Independ-
ent church may hold a meeting soon and
adopt some plan of action, but such
course is contingent upon what DR.. Fair
may do In view of his acceptance of the
pastorate, which has already been receiv-
ed, the officers consider that the initiative
in dealing with the new aspect of affairs
lies with him. When he has written them
of his decision they will meet and consider
the matter Until then, however, they
will let matters take their course
1t is possible that a committee may go
up to the meeting of the presbytery at
Richmond to present the Independent
church's side Of the case in counter action
to the petition from Grace church,
asking Dr. Fairs retention as its
pastor This, in the light of future
events may not be regarded as necessary,
but, in case it is, it will be done The ac-
ceptance of DR.. Fair is considered a strong
point in the Independent churchs side of
the case. He has sent 1t in and it has
been read to the congregation, and the
presbytery would hardly, IL is thought
place him in the embarrassing position of
being compelled to revoke his action. This
point Will have its weight and may be
that upon which Dr. Fair will be given his
release.
Clippings from the Morning News of
yesterday and the day before, bearing on
the case, have been sent DR.. Fair, and his
reply is eagerly awaited. The members of
the Independent church feel no animosi-
ty towards those of Grace church at
Richmond. They rather are pleased that
DIR. Fair Is so highly esteemed In that city.