Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-27
DIR. FAIR WILL LEAVE
cpAcE-sTREEr CONCENTRATION
WITHDRAW THEIR OPPOSITION.
4 MOST AFFECTING MEETING.
The Beloved Pastor states Frankly
Tint Tie Thinks II Ia Rest for All
Concerned That He should Go, and
His People Acquiescc.

AT tho earnest request Of Rev. Dr.
James Y. Fair the congregation OF Grace
Street Presbyterian church has decided
not TO oppose the petition of the pastor
for the dissolution Of pastoral relations
in order that he may accept the charge
of the independent Presbyterian church
IN savannah. Ga The question OF dis
solving these relations will be brought
before the Hanover Presbytery, now In
session at the First church. and IL not
opposed by DIR. Fairs flock. there is lit
tie doubt but that the request viii be
granted.
1t was generally known that the ses-
sion Of the church had, at Or. Fairs re-
quest, ordsred congregational meeting
10 take Place after the morning service
on Sunday. Cor TIC purpose of reconsider
ing their priest against the departure
Of the pastor for the new field OF labor
10 which he h al been called.
The church was crowded in every part
and there was evidence Of the deepest
emotion, so firr Ly has DR.. Fair won the
affections Of mis- people
An oppressive Stiffness brooded over the
scene. and even Me voice OF the beloved
pastor seemed softer and sweeter as u
forced its way through the choking emo
tions Overlooking his heart. and as he
,mfoided with his usual eloqGence the
psalmist's words. Look up" the CON
gregation seemed much comforted as
their pastor led them from plane TO
plane OF truth as viewed from this text
WIN. tender pathCs did he apply, inferen-
TALLY. the teachiI SIS OF these words TO
the condition Of the people at TINS time
when The way Sc emcd dark ana the
shadows deepening around them, then
said he. "look up and with the eye OF
faith fixed upon Jesus the path Will
grow brighter and brighter. until lost in
the effugent glory OF the throne of God"
Seeing the fearful eyes all through the
aggregation seemed 10 suggest 10 Dr.
Fair Tie beautiful hymn,
80. eyes that are weary, and hearts
hat are sore.
Look or unto jesus and sorrow no
more"
which he repeated with much feeling.
ASKED THEM TO CONCUR.
just before the benediction was pro-
nounced, N Fair Informed the people
OF the congregational meeting to be held
Immediately after service. and urged all
OF the members TO remain. After sing
Ing Inc NsiHn l<Olui DiSHilSS Us w I'm
Thy Blessing" ana the benediCtion, Dr.
Fair stated 10 the congregation. that
after a prayerful consideration and view
ing the situation from every standpoint
he had been led 10 the conclusion that
ii was best for the Church and best for
himself. lai he should leave He felt
ana believed that the spirit Of the Lord
had called him 10 90 10 the Independent
church. OF Savannah. and though painful
D.. 81 he.
ton to revoke the resolution adopted at
their recent meeting. entering their pro-
lest 10 his leaving them. and appoint
ing two commissioners 10 present the
same TO East Hanover Presbytery. He
urged the people 10 grant him this re-
quest. as he was acting under the most
imperative sense of duty. The Doctor
then said that he would call the oldest
member of the session, Mr.. Someryile
to preside over the meeting. When Mr.
Somervile took the chair Dr. Fair re-
tired
Mr. Somervillc stated that after what
they had Just heard, though il rent his
heart TO say it. there was nothing 10 do
but TO accede to the beloved pastors re-
quest, and he felt that the congregation
would do their duty in this matter. A.
this juncture a series of resolutions were
submitted. setting forth the PROFOUND
sorrow and regret the people felt at
having TO give up their pastor, and ex-
pressing the deep and tender affection
they still cherished for him. and pray
ing Gods" richest benediction on him
and his family in the changes that were
before them. The resolutions also eX-
tend fraternal greetings and congratula-
tons TO the Independent Church. of Sa-
vannah. that the lot OF DR.. Fair would
In the Providence of God be cast among
them. The resolutions instructed the
delegate 10 presbytery TO unite with DR..
Fair in behalf of this congregation. in
his request for a dissolution Of the pas
toral relations.
After the reading Of the resolutions,
and they being duly seconded, the
moderator requested all in favor OF their
adoption to signify it by holding up the
right hand, and there being none held up
in opposition to H. he declared them
unanimously adopted.
A BEREAVEMENT TO ALL.
Thus closed an event that. with few
exceptions, wrung the hearts of every
member of the congregation with the
most poignant sorrow, and as they greet
ed each other on leaving the church,
Il was with low and trembling voices.
and the general feeling was that each
had sustained a personal bereavement in
the departure of DIR. Fair and they felt
as though they had bcen TO funeral and
were returning home with sore and desc
late hearts.
The bonds of affection between DR.. Fair
and his congregation were very strong
and IL was apparent that the meeting of
Sunday looking 10 their separation was
painful TO both. The retiring pastors
speech was tender, and he evinced
deep feeling during its delivery. Many
in the congregation were moved TO
tears The children from the Male Or
phan Asylum attended the morning ser
vice at Grace-Street church, and DR..
Fair addressed part of his discourse
especially TO them. At night he preached
as his last sermon here the same
one that he delivered In entering upon
the pastorate eight years ago next Sum
day. DR.. Fairs pastorate in Savannah
begins May 1st. but he VIII probably not
preach there until next Sunday week.
He has been invited by DR.. Ptzer. OF
Washington, to supply his pulpit next
Sunday.