The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-16
SAVANNAH WANTS DR.. FAIR.
Called 10 the PastOrats Of the lndeptn-
dent Presbyterian Church.
4 VERY FLA7TERIKG COMPLIMENT.
One Of the Most Historic and Influential
Churches In the South-Dr. Fair viii
Cons der the Call Carefully
Before Deciding.

There is probability that Rev. DR..
James y. Fair. pastor Of the Grace
Street Prcsbytcrian church. may leave
Richmond TO accept another charge.
Ms yet Or. Fair has not had time to
come to any decision in the matter. and
1t will be at least week. 81 no longe'.
before he decides whcghcr or not 10
will leave Richmond.
Dr. Fair yesterday morning received a
telegram stating that he had been unan-
smously called TO the passionate OF the IN
dependent Presbyterian church. Of savan-
nah. Ca. The call came somewhat as
a surprise to the popular Richmond Ill
vine. some time ago a committee came
TO Richmond from the church in SdNah-
nah and had "a talk with Dr. Falr' ana
requested that ne would come 10 Savan-
nan ana preach for them for one or two
Sundays. Up 10 that time he did not
know any member OF the church, ana
had never preached there.
4 HIGH COMPLIMENT
Or. Fair knew that the church was
without "A pastor and declined TO 90 TO
Savannah TO i'm the pulpit for a Sunday
or two as requested. The committee
went back to Savannah without hearing
the Richmond pastor preach. They tod
him an about the church and its his
tory and condition. Tho next thing ne
heard from them was the telegram no.
tlfying him Of mis- unanimous call DR..
Fair could not help Telling complimcntei
under these circumstances.
lie has decided 90 weigh the question
thoroughly before deciding il. When
was AT ms residence. 40 2l5 south
Third street last night. he said. II
was surprised TO receive the call. and ]
feel very grateful for the confidence
shown by the congregation in asking me
To become their pastor without ever
having heard me preach. am very
fond Of Richmond and ! am deeply at
tached 10 my church and congregation.
Ny residence here has been exceedingly
pleasant ana ! would always have
warm place I'm my heart FOR Richmond
even n 7 should decide 10 leave mere.
shall probably 90 10 Savannah She lat
ter part OF this week 20 preach there
Sunday. If / cannot go this week | shall
do so as soon ms practicable and look over
the field When ! return | shall weigh
the matter carefully and confer with my
people here before taking any definite
steps either way
AN HISTORIC CHURCH.
one Of the oldest and most historic
churches IN the South 1t takes its
name from the fact that IL 1ourishod so
well for many years that IL did not con-
meet itself with the Synod and IS not
Iow q member Of that organization.
though approving Of IT'S plans and schemes
and its pastor usually attends the Synod
while the church itself gives literally 20
the work Of that body.
The house of worship was erected Ori-
rinally on ground donated by King
George H.. of England II was some
time since destroyed by fire and was
rebuilt I'm the same form. II is one of
the handsomest structures I'm the South.
and occupies with the mansc. an entire
square in one of the most desirable por-
tions Of the city. IL has had a large
number Of distinguished and brilliant
pastors. The congregation is large
and wealthy one. The composer. Mason
who wrote the melody 10 From Green
lands ley Mountains" was once organ
ist Of this church.
DIR. FAIRS WORK.
Rev. James Y. Fair u. D.. was born
in Abbeyine. S. c.. and graduated from
the Columbia Theological Seminary. lie
was licensed by the Prosbytery of South
Carolina. and took afterwards n post
graduate course NJ the Union TheClogi-
cal Seminary in New York city. Hts
first charge was in Laurens. s. C.. where
he remained for seven years lie then ac-
,ontcd "a caU 20 fhc Second Presbyterian
church at Charlotte. y. C., whore he re-
manned for two years end half. In
May. 1850. he accepted a call and became
the pastor Of the Grace-Street Preshy-
terrain church. in this city, where he has
remained ever since Dir. Fair IS enc Of
tho most gifted and most eloquent min
listers I'm this city. and IS greatly believed
not only by his congregation. but by all
who come IN contact with him. General
regret would he felt should he decide TO
leave Richmond.