The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-19
PASTOR ASKED TO RESIGN.
DR.. 4. E. Owen, Of Portsmouth, Re-
Gives a Letter from bis DeaCOnS.
CONGREGATION MUCH WROUGHT UP.
Many Members Assure Him OF Their sup
port--The Deacons Allcge That His In
huence and Power Are In the Past.
Church May Act.

NORFOLK, VA, Oct. B-speclal-
The biggest sensation ever known in
church circles in this section has been
caused by letter sent to the Rev. DR..
A. Z. owen, pastor Of the court-street
Baptist church, Portsmouth, asking him
to resign.
DR.. owen Is one Of the most prominent
ministers in Virginia. and has had charge
OF the church in Portsmouth for twenty
five years
Tho letter has created a profound sem
sation and is the talk of several commun-
tiles. Dr. owen when seen tonight did
not desire to talk for publication.
LIKE A THUNDERBOLT
Immediately after a sermon by Dir.
owen yesterday. he read a letter from the
deacons asking for his resignation. The
| announcement came like a thunderbOlt.
Had bomb exploded I'm the church the
congregation could not have been more
profoundly surprised and startled.
Dr. owen had preached a sermon OF
more than usual merit after which he re-
, ouested his congregation 10 be seated. as
ne had an important matter 10 communi-
cate. Up to that moment, the closest OBJ
server could have detected nothing un-
usual in his manner, which fact made the
sensation produced by the letter all the
more keen
In their letter the deacons called atten-
tion TO the condition of the church. stat
ing in effect that many Of the members
had lost interest and that as his power
and influence were i'm the past. "there was
n growing sentiment that he should re-
sign"
J.ne doacons assured Mr. owen that
they had addressed him I'm the kndliest
spirit. and that he had not an enemy I'm
tho church.
The signatures to the letter were those
Of James r. Borum. +. G. Brooks. r. II.
Barrett. John D. New David A. Williams
Charles r. Robertson and r.. a. Hutch
ins. composing the fun board Of deacons,
and who are all prominent citizens.
The letter was received by Dr. Owen
through the mail ON Friday morning
While reading 1t TO his congregation
sunday he became visibly affected. "A
nan would have 10 be made Of iron not
10 lie staggered by % thing like this" he
raid. Then he said from the pulpit;
no CONSULTATIONS.
'.Nono of these gentlemen has ever come
TO consult with me about the matter and
| the first intimatiOn ! received was
through the mail. When a reduction Of
nv salary was under discussion some
time ago. [ attended a meeting OF the
Finance Committee, composed or the
Board Of Deacons and four other gentle
men. and at that interview asked If they
thought there was any reason why ]
should resign. stating that ] had received
/ TWO anonymous letters asking me TO do
| so. Not one of the committee said that
| I ought to resign. but all concurred in de-
nouncing the anonymous letters as un-
worthy of notice
| Dr. owen said that his reputation and
! future usefulness were imperilied and that
he would submit the letter from the dea-
| cons to a mass-meeting OF the chufcn'
probably next Sunday, and that il the
| church endorsed It his resignation would
be forthcoming.
As Dr.. owen concluded, the congresa-
ton moved en- masse toward the pupil
and there were tears in the eyes or the
pastor as well as the people, as they shook
! his hand amid many expressions o. es-
! teen and friendship.
WITH THE PASTOR.
The action Of the deacons seemed TO
produce unfavorable and angry criticism
among the members OF the congregation.
! At the church the matter was discussed
outside among groups Of men who were
whiting for the services to begin. while
inside the church the ladies held an ami
mated conference I'm which almost the en-
| tire sentiment was with the pastor
At the conclusion Of the services the
| congregation surrounded DIR. owen and as
sured him in the most affectionate terms
Of their support.
Dr. owen said this morning that pre-
z,ious TO Sunday morning he convers-
ed WITH but three Of his friends in regard
to the letter and that they had tried to In
huenoe the dcacons to withdraw It, but
| they were obdurate.
Had the letter been withdrawn, said DIT.
owen. it would never have come TO the
| attention Of the congregation and he