The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-27
DIR. J.A DUNCAN
THE MAN CHOSEN
He Will Succeed the Late Rev
DR.. W. E. Edwards at
RdndOlph-MdCOn.

At meeting Of the Executive Commit
tee OF Randolph Macon College, held in
this city on Wednesday, tho Rev. James
A. Duncan, D. D.. now connected withtthe
Equitable Life Insurance Company In
Rtchmo nd, was chosen to fill the chair Of
moral philosophy and Biblical literature
at the college Until the close of the pres
eIlt session, when the trustees will make
q permanent election OF a SUCCESSOR to
the late Rev. w. T.. Edwards. d. D.
Efforts made to get at Dr.. Duncan yes
terday were without effect. II 9 is in and
out OF his Office all during the day. and
in the evening he went to Ashland, where
he resides. 1t cannot, therefre.g be stated
positively that he will accept the posi-
stion, though 1t Is generally understood
that such will be the case. Whether or
not he purposes permanently to leave the
Insurance business and enter the Virginia
Conference. enga ging In ministerial work,
cannot be said either. "a,
II DR.. Duncan is one of the a blest ministers
in the State and one OF the best known.
as was his father before him. He Is a
nephew OF Bishop Duncan, who presided
at the recent conference held here and
who Is himself so popular In the State.
About n year or more ago he surprised
his friends BY retiring from the ministry
and connecting himself with the insurance
w
Since that time he has baen at work hero,
At Randolph-Macon Dr.. Duncan will
take the place OF the late lnmented VIII
liam Emory Edwards, p. D., professor OF
moral philosophy and Biblical literature.
The appointment Is only until the close
Z OF the present session, up to which time
the classes OF DR.. Edwards will be con-
Quoted by DR.. Duncan. The committee
had no authority to make a permanent
/ election. The Board Of. Trustees will
have to do this at their annual meeting.
1t seems likely that IL DR.. Duncan will
&C cept the work he will be chosen per-
manently to succeed Dr., Edwards,
Besides the election OF DR.. Duncan the
only business transacted by the committee
was of routine character. So far as
can be ascertained there was no develop
ment in connection with the Branch offer.
&l This matter Is one which Is now at
tracing considerable attention. both here
and throughout the State Some time ago
Mr.. John P. Branch, Of this city. offered
to give one dollar for every two rnlsed
by the college until hethad given as much
as 500. 600 The time limit was set at
April 1st or thereabouts. 4
Coming at time when there had al
ready been q drain on the church for the
stwGntleth century fund and other objects,
the offer could not be met at once, and
now, at fthe expiration OF the time, very
Enttle mas Deen zone, Inc question now u
whether or not Mr.. Branch will hold the
college to the time limit =,
a prominent member Of the committee
was asked yesterday what he thought
about the matter. He3replied that he was
quite sure the money could not be raised
in time. In answer to question II Mr.,
Branch hnd indicated -nat he would ex-
tend the time or would make an outright
gift to the college, he said that the Rich
mond banker had in no way committed
himself. Mr., Branch himself declines to
discuss the matter.