The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-19
RESICNATIO
Is ACCEPTED
Affecting Scene at the First
Church on Sunday.
REV. DIR. KERR'S LETTER
Resolutions Adopted by the Church
Committee to Get New Pastor
Appointed-The PresbYtery to
Meet on Monday.

At a business session OF the consresa-
tlon of the First Presbyterian Ch u"I
held Sunday after the morning service
the formal resignation OF the fcV. III.
II. p. Kerr was received and accepted.
As a result of these developments East
Hanover Prcsbytery Will meet on MonuaS
morning next at the Second Tres pglctlhh
Church. in this city, In special called ses-
sim "a take tho final step in connection
with the matter. The pastoral relations
between church and pastor VIII DC ols,
solved and Dr. Kerr's ministry here VIII
come to a close. Before many days nave
elapsed he will go TO Baltimore where ne
will enter upon ms Work TX a a;1Gu Slie 10.
The meeting Of the congregation was
Mt times a most affecting one. The mem
hers OF the church realized that the time
had como when they must part with thelr
beloved pastor and the thought. caused
many to openly shed tears. One or two
Of the most prominent members or me
congregation spoke in beautiful and low
ing terms Of the work of DR.. Kerr and
wished him we'll In his new work. One
Of these gentlemen broke down complete
is before he could get through.
DIR. KERR'S LETTER.
DR.. James p. Smith. Of the Central
Presbyterian, presided over the meeting
r '
who was not present. The letter was as
follows:
FB"ro the officers and members of the
First Presbyterian Church, Richmond.
Va:
dearly beloved and longed for, my
joy and my crown, so stand tast IN tne
Lord my dearly beloved.
After weeks of agonizing prayer 10
God for guidance, ] have become con.
WINGED that 1t is His will that should
sunder the official relations that have
SO long subsistcd between u.s. and &c
away to work In another field. The ten
der, personal relations which have been
so precious to me for many years shall
never be sundered
For nearly twenty years have gone
IN and out among you, always welcome
3i in YOUR homes; always sure Of your con.
fidence and affection, and sustained by
your unvnryng support. | have been
proud to be the pastor of the First Pres
byterlan Church of Richmond Va. and
shall always look back upon my tenure
of office in this pulpit and congrcsation
as an honor and privilege, than winch
no greater one could have been laid upon
me or any man. No pastor over had
more devoted flock, and no flock ever had
Z. pastor who loved them more
s ct Is with unspeakable sorrow that
hcreby beg YOU to unite with me In q re-
quest TO the lresbytery of East Hanover
/at a meeting to be, held Monday. May the
o5th, for dissolution of the pastoral re-
latlons between us; hoping THAT you VIII
throw no obstacle In the way, OF what
l believe to be an imperative call from
the great Head Of the church.
'.Let me thank you for ten thousand
4 kindresses, for your great consideration
shown 10 me and mine, and beg That
may still have an Interest in your
prayers, as shall continue to remember
YOU at the throne of heavenly grace. !
beseech OF YOU beloved. for my sake. for
your sake, and above all for Chrlsts
sake. every one of you, to stand by the
old church I have not preached to You
myself, hut Christ, from the beginning
y of my passionate, and loyalty to Christ and
his church and to this church have been
the Keynote Of my ministry.
MAY God soon send you another pas.
Tor, q man, after his own heart. who
shall rightly divide to You the word Of
ruth. and point you all to Heaven. and
j Will also lead the way,
Therefore. be We steadfast unmovable
always Astounding in the work of the
Lord. for AS much as we know that your
labor is not. In vain in the Lord.
Finally brethren. farewell. The peace
OF God thtat passeth all understanding
keep your hearts and minds In the know
ledge and love OF God. and OF His Son
Jesus Christ our Lord, The blessings OF
God Almighty. the Father. the Son. and
the Holy Ghost, rest upon you and re.
main with You always. Amen!
Yours faithfully and forever in Christ
Jesus our Lord.
(Signcd) 'R, P. KERR"
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
Action by the church followed after the
or three addresses referred to. Judge
!! r Wexford drew and offered tho fol-
loving resolutions, which were unani-
mously adopted the congregation stand
ing:
Resolved That we accept tho resignn-
lion OF the Rev, Dir. r r Kerr and
ncquiesce IN his request that VIC concur
r his application TO East Hanover Pres
hytery for the dissolution Of the pastoral
tie which has existed between him aud
this First Presbyterian Church for these
past nineteen years
"In adopting this resolution we can,
not forbcar to accompany this business
message 10 he Presbytery with some
faint expression 10 that venerable court
Of the personal wishes and feelings OF all
the people of his charge Me may not
hope. however to find any words which
may be satisfactory to ourselves, or at
all adequate to the occasion.
III the warm affections OF all tho on