The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-07
DR.. WITHERSPOON CALLED.
The Crace.Sirsst Presbyterian Church
Unanimous for Him.
VERY PROBABLE THAT He WILL ACCEPT
A Brief 81 stch of II % rseful Career-Wens
10 Baltimore From Nashville-He Is
Very Highly Endorsed.
The Call.

At meeting Of the congregation Of the
Gracc-stroet Presbyterian church last
night. called 10 choose a pastor, to sue
coed the Rev. James Y. Fair, who has
gone 10 Savannah. the choice fell upon
the Rev. Jere Wtherspoon, Of Baltimore
The vote, nearly unanimous. was made
unanimous. and the meeting was clearly
glad after the balloting was over, that
this selection. foretold in The Times some
weeks ago. was made.
A SUCCESSFUL CAREER.
Or. Jere WithcrspOOn succeeded the late
Rev DR.. James +. Leftwich. as pastor
of the First church. Baltimore who re-
tired on account Of ill health. Before go
Ing 10 Baltimore DR. Witherspo0n was the
pastor Of First Presbyterian church IN
Nashville During a pastorate Of ten
years IN that city he became very popu-
lar, and has many strong friends there.
He was born near Aberdeen. Monroe
county Miss. After receiving theological
training at the Presbyterian Seminary OF
Columbia s c.. he was ordained AZ OkO-
Iona, Miss, i'm 1S75.. and was married the
same year 20 Miss Murdoch, OF that place.
Two years later he took charge OF
church at Maysville. Ky. IN 1850 he re-
moved to Jackson. Tenn, and after sew
Sral years service there went 20 Nash
vile. Or. WithcrspOOn was one Of the
orators Of the centennial celebration on
Presbytorianism in Philadelphia in ISIS.
and preached at the reinterment or the
bodies OF President and Mrs. Polk.
Having spent all his time outside Of his
pastOrate I'm Baltimore in the South, ne
has by training and experience won "a
high place i'm the esteem of the Southern
Assembly Of the Presbyterian Church.
Dr. WitherspOOn has wife and
grown son. who IS now in school
THE PROCEEDINGS
The Rev. j. &. Van Houten. of Man
chester
cises with which the meeting began at $
o'clock. and after that called the busi-
ness meeting TO order as its moderator.
He said, IN doing so. that the calling OK
a pastor was o most important undertake
ing, and should be conducted with great
care and caution. with wisdom, and chief
ly i'm the fear Of God.
The session Of the church had directed
this meeting. he went on. to decide as 10
calling a pastor. who ls necessary 10 Keep
the people together.
Mr.. B. G .Wherry. the secretary OF the
session. was requested 10 act as secre-
tary Of this meeting and proceeded 10
do so.
Mr. Hugh Blair moved that tellors as
certain the number OF church members
present, but the moderator. finding over
one hundred IN the lecture-rO0m. in which
the meeting was held. stated that more
than One-fOurth Of the congregation was
there, and that the question was. Are
you ready 10 proceed 10 the electiOnY
Mr.. Blair did not want 10 go on with
only One-fOurth Of the congregation pres
ent. and was not. like others. he said.
fully informed as TO the candidates.
SUFFERING FOR THE NEED or ONE.
Mr.. X. B. SOmerville urged the selection
OF a pastor and declared that the church
was suffering for need Of one lie thought
one-half Of the church people were pres
ent and why not proceed?
He believed they could select n man to-
night whom all could stand by.
Mr.. Edwari Gray SIiu there was plen-
~ Of members present and If no one was
chosen then there might be "a delay of
six months lOrger.
Mr.. w. A. Price said the session had
called the meeting because OF the need
OF action and We should look to the elders
as leaders. and so ahead with the work
before them.
The meeting decided 10 go into the So
lection of a pastor. and the question Of
balloting by nominations. or without them
came up and IL was decided 90 have NOM
nations made.
Mr.. Blair made the point that tw0-thirds
Of the congregation were required 90 make
the choice but the moderator decided that
only "a majority Of the voters present WIS
necessary, these voters being actual COM