The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1901-06-14
REV. F. B. WEBB'S
RESIGNATION.
Question Brought Before a COngrega-
tiOnaI Meeting Yesterday.
He Presents a Request, Which Is
Discussed and Voted Upon by
the Members.

of the communicates of the Fist Pres
byterian Church was called by the |
church session and held Sunday
morning, for the purpose OF considering
a request from DR.. Webb in regard to
the pastoral relations. Rev. Mr.. Har
din of Spring Hill, was elected mod
orator of the meeting, and W. S. Fem
ing, Esq, clerk.
The pastor was not in attendance, but
a communication from him was read by
Col. A. M Looney. The reading of the
paper was listened to with intense in
terest by the large number present, as
there had beer much speculation as to
what the pastor would do, good many
being of the opinion that he would ten
der his resis nation.
Ia his communication DIR. Webb
stated that about year ago be had
been notified by the officers of the
church that there was some dissatisfac
ton among the membership as to his
continuing as their pastor, and in view
of this, he had then decided to tender
his resignation, but had been prevented
from so doing by prolonged spell of
| illness. The request he wished to
make to his congregation was, that they
express themselves as to whether or not
they desired him to continue as their
pastor after the next meeting of the
Presbytery, in September, at which
time, in conformity with the rules of the
church. he would present his resigna
tion to that body.
Mr.. Webb, in his communication, also
referred to his relations with the church
during his twelve years. pastorate, stat
ing that he had labored among his flock
with an Eye single to the glory of God,
striving at all times to raise them up to
higher plane of christian living He
had officiated at their marriages, had
buried thei; dead, and baptized their
children. When he began his pastorate
here he found only 178 members, but
since that time there had been more
than three hundred additions. What
ever of success or failure he had made
during his labors here would be revealed
before God at the final day.
The voice of the venerable Col. Looney
was not quite strong enough for the
large auditorium, and was inaudibe to
those in the rear of the house, and, in
order that everyone might catch the
contents of the paper, it was read over
again.
There was some confusion as to the eX-
act purport or meaning of the clause
relative to DIR. Webb's request, as 1T
seemed rather Indefinite and in conse-
quence good deal of discussion on this
point followed. Mr.. P. Street, at
first, was of the opinion that DR.. Webb
merely sought to present to the congre
CATION the question of his resignation,
and accordingly he moved that it be ac-
cepted, which motion was promptly sec
onded This motion, however, was not
put to the congregation.
By request, the clause was re read by
the moderator. Mr., w. s. Fleming said
that from the reading of the paper it
could only be concluded that DR.. Webb
intended to resign at the next meeting
of the Presbytery, and that he wanted
this question put to the congregation:
"Do you desire your pastor to continue
as pastor after the next meeting OF
the Presbytery?" Accordingly, Mr.
Fleming moved that this question be
asked the congregation, and that each
member answer by ballot, writing there
on yes or mo" His motion was
seconded.
Col. A. M. Looney, at this point. made
very feeling talk in behalf of his pas
tor. He said that he had been mem
Der of this church for three quarters OF
a century, and spoke of the deep love
and respect he held for it. During al
this time, he said, he had never known
a more faithful pastor or better preacher
than Dr. Webb; but he knew from the
. talks he had had with him that hC
had fully determined to resign at the
I next meeting of the Presbytery
Mr.. II. o. Fulton was the mex
speaker. He prefaced his remarks by
saying that he considered it his duty as
deacon, on account of the course mat
: ters had taken to fully enlighten the con
c gregation in regard to the relations of the
c pastor with the officials of the church
4 He " as far from doing the pastor any
intentional injustice, and was not moveC
by any animosity or grudge against him
c whatever, but by love and loyalty fOl
I his church Mr.. Fulton stated that il
was true, as the pastor had said in hi:
communication, that he had been notified
a year ago that there was some dissatis
tion among the membership The mat
ter came uD. he said, at regular meet
] ing of the board of deacous, held Junl
9, 1900. At this meeting it was founC
g that the finances Of the church were IL
A a very unsatisfactory condition. Their,
a were present at the meeting two visiting
: elders, who upon learning of this condi
-, tion of affairs, inquired into the cause o
il, and, upon questioning the deacons
il developed that the falling off in th'
' collections was due, in their opinion, 4
: the dissatisfaction among some OF tn,
q members with the pastor. After talk
{ ing over the matter IN strictly conf
1 dental and official way it also develOpeS
!. that there was dissatisfaction among tn
!. members Of the board, aud il was foun'
: to be the concensus Of opinion that
change in the pastorate was necessar,
) 10 the welfare Of the church.
Accordingly the elders were notifies
7 Of the result Of the meeting and az
Joint meeting Of the two boards hel
afterwards il vas decided that Ia