The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-26
REV. DIR. HATCHER
GIVES Up CHURCH.
Veteran Pastor Resigns 10 Take Up
Educational Work
RAISE MONEY FOR THE COLLEGE
VIII Labor to Build Up the Endowment OF
That Institution = Two Ministers
Accept Richmond pastorates.
Church Notes.
RAISE MONEY FOR THE. COLLEGE

lis tWenty-SlHln year.
The resignation Of DR.. Hatcher ten
dered at the close of the service Sun
day morning, to take effect the last OF
May, was great surprise to the Grace
Street congregation. as it was to the
community al large.
DR.. Hatcher gives up the pastorate to
devote his energy and talents to the
cause of Christian education. He Will
work primarily for Richmond College IN
the special line of increasing its endoW-
ment and incidentally in the interest OF
the Baptist colleges and academies OF
the State. His first undertaking Will be
to raise the $4,000 necessary to secure
the s25, 900 offered by Mr.. Rockefeller
toward the endowment of the college.
Upon the condition that the. institution
should raise three times as much
CAME AS A SURPRISE.
Although DR.. Hatcher had had this
matter under consideration for . long
time, he did not decide to matte the
change until Saturday night. He then
advised his family. but nobody else OF
the great congregation that heard his
sermon Sunday morning. but few. II
any, had any idea of what was to follow.
After receiving several new members
and when ready to close the service,
DIR. Hatcher asked the congregation
to remain seated to hear a communica-
ton which he had placed in the hands Of
Mr. Geo r. Pace. and then, passing
through his study. he went to his home.
DIR. Hatcher said in his letter
that after long and agonizing
consideration, he had decided to
resign his charge to engage in another
work. He spoke of the great affection
he cherished for the people, and said
that the most perfect sympathy existed
between them and him. He asked that
the resignation take effect on the fourth
Sunday of May, this being his twenty
sixth anniversary pastor Of the
church.
The letter was q shock to the congre-
CATION. For a moment there was silence
Then the leaders in the church recovered
and begun to think what should be done.
II was decided to refer the letter TO the
deacons and eleven other members of the
church to be selected by them, to recon-
mend what course TO follow.
Great pressure will be brought to bear
on DR.. Hatcher TO induce him to recon-
slider but it is understood that the resis-
nation is final. DR.. Hatcher will engage at
once in his new work, but vii! preach al
the Grace-Street Church on Sundays I'M
i'll the time set by him expires. DR. Hatch-
er will not leave Richmond His home
and that OF his family Will be here, and he
via have his Office at Richmond College.
As president of the Board OF Trustees OF
the college he Will travel over the state
in the interests of the work of that lnstl-
tution. soliciting funds and otherwise adj
vancing its interests At the same time
he will, in a measure, lead the educational
work of the Baptists in Virginia, devotlnS
his whole energies to the advancement
of the cause.
HIS FIRST WORK.
Dr. Hatcher has had the matter OF en-
cacinc in work for the college under con-
sidera ton for some months At the semi
annual meeting OF the trustees III 1dhu-
arv he was urged to accept the position,
but declined, and since then ne mas peeli
frequently asked to reconsider his deter
,nination, He has finally consented to 90
so If he insists upon leaving his church
there will be very general regret. but
;he college could not have better MAN
in the field.
Two Pastors Accept.
Rav. David A. Solly, of Roanoke LAS
accented the p4storaJe OF lmn2ahuei ''p 1
.ist Church to which he was receIl'S 81
ed and will enter upon his oEte9 nv
MAY 1st His letter of acceptance was let'.'
10 the church on Sunday ana was ieo0t> 90
with evidences Of rejoicing.
r.
dav morning and Rev. Mr.. Durham OIL
Pichnoud College, at night. Both ser
mons we're excellent and were heaIu ny
large congregations There We're three
ADDITIONS to the church in the morning
letter was read Sunday to the CON
cregation of the Third Christian CAofc;i
from the Rev. P. a. Cave or HaSets
town, Nd in which he focn12liS accepts
The call recently extended to him. RE
To IN his work ktcntllOIlU
about June LIST.
Brief Notes From Churches.
The Rev. j. S. Crowley, of the Presby-
terrain Mission in the Congo free o'a'e,
will he in Richmond next Sunday ana
will hold several meetings here. He viii
sneak in the morning at the First Church,
in the afternoon at the Second Church
and at night at Grace-Street. he VIII
probably visit Union Theological Semi
nary on Monday night. .,s.,
The Richmond GraSs, ABOUT l1itS
strong. accompanied by a large ifu1i4oet
of the Veteran Association, attended ser
vice at Union Station Church Sunday
morning. Dr. Harmon preached ser
mon to the boys, taking for his tex
General Order No L. The sermon was
greatly enjoyed by all present
The Presbyterian General Assembly
will meet May 18th at Little Rock, ARK
Delegates from the State VIII ne uollIi-
mated at the meetings of the various
preshvteries which will be held the lat
ter part of April and early in May. The
East Hanover Presbytery will meet on
April 9th at O'Clock in the evening. 1t
Bon-Air.
Rev. s. II. Hadley spoke Sunday at
ternuon to a great meeting of men in the
Biiou Theatre. His subject was Rescue
Work Among the Criminal and Drunken
Glasses in New York His address proved
of great interest and was followed ;ttten-
lively by the large audience present.
special musical programme WAS rendered.
The great revival that has been in prog
ress ut the Fulton Baptist Church for the
last three weeks, conducted by the pas
tor Rev. ". S Leake, closed Sunday
night.
Bishop R. a. Gibson confirmed a class
of thirty-two at Christ Episcopal Church
Sunday morning. The church was com
pieteIy filed, even the aisles and restry-
room being crowded.
a gospel temperance meeting was held
last night at the Soldiers Home Chapel
by ..Wha tsover' Y. An address was
made by DR.. John Harmon, pastor of
Union-Station Methodist Church.
The united service Of Intercession for
Missions of the Richmond branches of
the Woman's Auxiliary was held yester-