The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-23
HAS CALLED
EV.DR.KERR
Formal Action Taken Last
Night by Baltimore Church.
WILL PROBABLY ACCEPT
7 his is the View Taken by Many--First
Church VIII Probably Make Strong
Effort TO Keep Him
Him.
WILL PROBABLY ACCEPT

As anticipated yesterday, the Rev.
Robert P. Kerr, .. D., the distinguished
pastor OF this city. has been e1tended
call to the Boundary Avenue Presoyte-
rlan church, OF Baltimore. ono OF the
largest and most desirable fields in the
Monumental City.
Action by the Baltimore church was
taken last night upon the report OF
special committee appointed to choose
successor 70 the Rev. Frank 2. Williams.
late pastor OF the congregation. ms
committee recommended the name OF DR..
Karr. Tho decision OF the cuhrch In the
matter is conveyed in the following spe-
cial received last night from Baltinore:
.The congregation OF Boundary Ave-
nue. Presbyterian Church tonight decided
70 extend call to Rev. DR.. r F. Kerr.
pastor OF the First Presbyterian Church.
Richmond. Va. The salary was hxed at
81 900 a year, manse and eight weeks
vacation each year."
BELIEVED THAT HE WILL ACCEPT.
While It is impossible. OF course TO
there has sprung up in many quarters
belief that Dr.. Kerr will probably ao-
cept the call. In former instance. when
a prominent church Of the North desired
hi. services, he took steps. 1t Is under
stood. to check q CALL Upon this occa-
sion he has let It come. and this 70
taken by many to indicate that he VIII
give the present invitation his favoraple
consideration. The belief that the call
will be accepted seems to pc Wloeiy cur cur
rent In Baltimore.
M i Kerr. 5. when seen yesterday, had.
not received the call. and. Of course, ne
had nothing to cay. In any event. ne
would hardly make public statement
~ his Intentions. lie will receive inc
cali and consider It. If he declines IT
thn Baltimore church Will be the first
"a hear: II he accepts. the Sichnlond
coineregati ton will. first be notified OF MS
Intention to leave. ~,
And this Richmond coHgre gat1on WIZ
probably take no undecided stand IN a ING
premises. The great popularity OF Dr.
Kerr makes It eu,inently likely that the
people OF the First Church will rise up
In arms at the prospect OF his leaving
and will fight inch by inch any move
ment to take him away from Richmond.
It is safe to say that the community at
large will unite with the congregatl tlon
In a strong effort to get DR.. err to stay.
He holds a warm place in the hearts OF
administers and laymen alike
HIS WORK. HERE.
Dr.. Kerr Is ono OF the best known and
most distinguished ministers In the entire
denomination with which he is connected.
Ee Is now about f1fty-two years of age,
in the prime OF his life. with many years
of valuable work before him. He holds
many important posts in the gift OF the
church one OF the chief being the presi-
dency OF the Pan-Presbyterian Commits
sion. In various capacities In the SER
nence His literary abilities are well
known. He has written a number OF
books among them "The Peoples His
tory OF Presbyterianism." '4The Land OF
Holy Light" and new book now In the
hands OF the Publication Committee.
tTh pastoral work OF DR.. Kerr has been
strikingly, happy and successful. For the
past nineteen years or more he has been
with the First Church, one of the largest
and most influential congregations IN the
city, and great love has sprung up be-
tween pastor and people. The church has
prospered we'll under his administration.
The church to which DR.. Kerr is now
called Is likewise prominent and inf1u-
entIal one. It's position. SO far as its
material prosperity s concerned is indi.
Gated In the Inducements 1t holds out. It
Is situated on the corner OF North Avenue
and st. Paul Street. It's recent pastor was
the Rev. Francis r. Williams. who re.
signed last November on account OF III
health.