The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-08
MAY KILL
THE UNION.
Important Session to Be Held
Tomorrow.
NOTION 70 TO RECONSIDER
Lively Discussion VIII Be Prec'p'sated'
Decision May cutln Both Directions
and May Result In Withdrawal
of Some Of the Members.
NOTION TO RECONSIDER

The February meeting Of the Mlniste-
rial Union Of Richmond. which VIII be
held Tomorrow morning In the parsors
OF tho Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton, bids fair to develop into one Of the
most Important in the history Of the
body Whether or not the Union shall in
terest itself In affairs not wholly and
entirely religious and devotional will
have to be decided, and upon the decls-
Ion may hang the further existence OF
the organization. whichever way the
tide flows there may follow. us a re-
suit, the withdrawal OF certain prorni-
nent and Influential members.
THAT RESOLUTION.
At the last meeting Of the Union. 1t
will be recalled, there wac adopted, at
the instance OF the Rev. Dr. r, 2. Kerr,
pastor OF tho First Presbyterian Church,
a resolution providing that hereafter
unanimous, consent will have to be OBJ
tanned before there can be introduced
upon the floor OF the Union any matter
not strictly devotion In It's nature.
There was some light manifestation
against that part OF the paper requir-
ing unanimous actionwhich. in Its effect,
would practically exclude any outside
matters-but the resolution was finally
adopted without dissenting voice The
effect OF It was seen al once. One of
the ministers arose and asked that the
Union send to the Council, which met
that night, some communication with
reference to the Sunday horse-racins.
Under the Kerr resolution Just adopted
the matter could not even be admitted
to the floor.
Since this date there has been anore
or less talk among the ministers about
the stand the Union has taken. and
now at the February meeting the matter
will come up again in a more lively shape
than ever. There Is reason to believe
that the session tomorrow, shall not
have proceeded far before there will be
made motion to reconsider and rescind
the Kerr resolution. The movement may
come from the Methodist ranks. or from
the Baptists. or even some Of the others.
rne most marked d!ssatis faction under
the .new ruling seems to exist among the
Raptists and Method!sts several among
whom have been heard to express them
selves in strong disfavor Of the resolution.
It is reasonable to believe, therefore. that
The proposition for q change will come
from them.
Tie motion will probably precipitate
lively discussion. winch may shake the
Union to its foundations. Several min.
listers have indicated their intention to
be pre-ent and say few things DR.
]. B. Hawthorne and others are opposed
70 the resolution and they will all be
there
CUTS BOTH WAYS:
Those who stand by tae Kari resolu-
toin hold to the belief that the Union
was formed strictly for devotional pur-
poses and tia, It Is In hdanger OF dis
organization as a result OF intermeddling
in affairs with which 1t has nothing to
do. On the other hand. it is believed by
the many who would rescind the reso-
luton that the Union should properly
interest Itself in the moral side of cur
rent and local affairs and that it should
LOOK after the community In spiritual
way. Sabbath Observance and so on, they
declare. come within the function OF the
Christian ministry and should ensa SO the
attention Of the Union. which will die Of
apathy and stupidity II 1t never does
thing.
Now both Of these Sides are strongly
repr esented and there is danger that
whichever way the decision goes 1t will
be disastrous. If the resolution is re-
scinded some of those who advocate the
principle embodied in It may withdraw
their membership; 1t is not some 0.
those who are opposing it may do SO.
Hence the thing cuts in both directions.
There may be a conpromlse.' said
a wsll-known minister yesterday; 5'.we
could elect a strong business committee
and provide that before any matter is
admitted for discussion and action il
shah be referred to this committee In
this way the business viii be s!fted out
before ii gets to u.s. Such a ruling
should satisfy both sides This Is In
fact. already one Of the laws of the
Union. but it has been completely !g.
norsd'