Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-17
PROTEST OF LADIES.
THEY crescent THE INJUSTICE. OF
ACTION OF MALE MEMBERS.
THEIR RESOLUTIONS ARE FILED.
But Little Discussion and No Pros
pect of the Subject OF Accepting DIR.
ed-Churcb officers Elected.

The vigorous protest adopted by the
female members OF Grove-Avenue Bap-
list church against the action Of the male
members in accepting the resignation OF
Rev DR.. j. c. Hidden as pastor without
having given two weeks notice of the
meeting and afforded all an opportunity
to vote was submitted at the special
Understanding Of the church held last
night for the election Of officers.
The paper is not long, but 1t IS TO the
point, and shows that the feelings OF the
ladies' are wounded, or. to put it as they
do, that they are "disheartened and dis.
cOuraged" and resent the injustice Of
this wanton and uncaled-for violation"
Of the rule that usually obtains in such
matters.
The ladies' do not ask that the church
rescind its action in accepting DR.. Hlden's
resignation, but simply give expression
TO their wounded feelings declare their
rights and express their high regard for
Or. Hiden and their appreciation Of his
services.
PROTEST FROM THE LADIES.
Dr. Hiden presided over the church
meeting and there was a good attendance
While much business was transacted the
reading Of the resolutions adopted by the
lady members was the most interesting
feature or the evening. The paper was,
after very brief discussion, ordered TO be
filed. It bears the signatures of ninety
eight members, and runs thus:
Whereas, It has pleased the male mem
Ders Of Grove-Avenue church, In regular
business meeting, on Monday. the 18th OF
December, 10 discuss and act upon the
pastors resignation thereby resembling
the regulation Of the church requiring pub
LEGATION from the pulpit at least two sun
DAY mornings and a notice by postal
card 10 each member Of the church." IL
now becomes us-the women OF the
church-to resent the injustice Of this
wanton and uncalled-for violation Of said
regulation: therefore be 1t
l. Resolved That We protest against the
movement as being contrary To Baptist
doctrine and usage.
2 That this action has disheartened and
discouraged US, making ms feel that our
labors I'm the church are useless as well az
unappreciated.
3. We claim our right, as active mem
bers I'm good standing, 10 be accorded the
privilege heretofore ours and always eN-
tended to members of Baptist churches.
That I'm doing 80 We express our app
probation OF Or. Hiden's untiring zeal i'm
CuilSildu NtudEt Oh our CulIIItU, ONI
friends, our brothers, and sisters. wherein
his labors have been crowned with sue
cess, In testimony Of which the church
record bears abundant evidence.
OFFICERS ARE ELECTED
The meeting last night was held pur
posely 10 elect officers and committe,
chairmen. Mr.. J. II. Dickerson, Jr, wa.
reelected clerk, with Mr.. John +. Bell
Jr., as assistant. Mr.. w. b. West was
Montague w. T.. Green was chosen audi
tor; Charles A. Spence. missionary trea-
surer; II. NJ. Jones, chairman OF the poor
fund, and X. l.. Peters. chairman OF the
Finance Committee. Mr.. Peters succeeds
Mr.. r. NJ. Jones. Charles w. Dickerson
was made church statistician. and all
OF the minor positions were filed, with
very few changes
DR.. Hiden still declines 10 discuss the
reasons that led him 10 tender his resig-
nation, though Il Is generally understood
that this step was caused by the lack Of
harmony in the church. That Or. Hiden
has not formed his plans for the future
Is shown by the following extract from
a letter he addressed 10 one OF the city
papers yesterday:
I'm response 10 your kindly expressed
desire for me to remain In Richmond
allow me 10 say that, as a place Of resi-
dence, | prefer this city TO any on the
Continent and that, II / can secure here
employment which will yield a modest
living for a small family. | have no in
tentiOn OF changing my residence