The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-03
APPROVED
COMMITTEE
Work of Publication in Excel
lent State.
DIR. A. j. M'KELWAY HERE
Makes a Thorough Investigation and
Publishes the Result In His
paper-What He Says
on the Subject.
DIR. A. j. M'KELWAY HERE,


It has Just leaked out here that, as
result of the various and sundry rumors
floating abroad In connection with the
Publication Committee OF the Southern
Presbyterian Church. which has its head
quarters In Richmond. the editor of one
OF the most prominent and influential
OF the denominational weeklles has paid
a special visit to Richmond for the sole
purpose of Investigating the matter and
making full publication Of the actual
conditions Of the work. y,
The publication has been made and the
committee stands fully approved in the
course 1t has pursued. The statement
OF the case Is, however, exceedingly In
teresting to all Presbyterians and TO
Richmonders particularly, and besides
this 1t puts into concrete form the Wills
perings which have filled the air and
makes a clear and decided reply to them.
1t indicates another thing - also i;, anu '1ae
is that the Rev. A. L. Phillips. D. D.
Of this city, who acted as temporary
secretary of the publication work and
who is now devotlng his entire time to
the duties connected with the office Of
superintendent OF Sabbath schools for
the Southern Church, feels hurt at the
implied and also the rudely expressed
lack OIL CONIluellCe III uhe s''N>~
1--WE are liable to lose him unless he can
be treasured OF the Church's confidence
again."
The rumors TO which reference Is made
follow the action of the Assembly which
met in Virginia recently. and which
turned down the recommendation OF the
committee as to the combination OF the
Office Of Superintendent OF sunday-schools
with that of secretary of publication.
The sunday-school work is under the
supervision Of the publication committee
and has been conducted since Its institu-
ton by DR.. Phillips When Dr. H1zen.
secretary Of publication. died, Or. PHI.
lips was elected by the committee to fill
the unexpirea term, and at the same
time look after his other duties. Later
on Mr.. r. z. Magill. of Nashville. bust
ness man, was associated with him, and
vas given the Office OF business super
Intendent When the Assembly met ana
there came up the question OF the eiec-
ton Of a permanent secretary OF pupil
cation. the committee recommended thai
the two Offices being then filled by DR..
phillips be combined. and that he be
made the secretary. 1T was distinctly
stated" says the editor of the paper
who visited Richmond. that ne was 10
continue the work he had been doing as
superintendent OF sunday-schools: IT
was felt that II anyone deserved tho
honor and the larger salary attached TO
this office for hard work done and for
the successful carrying out OF the plan
projected, 1t was DR.. Phillips
Strenuous opposition to the movement
developed. and the assembly refused to
adopt the suggestion of the committee,
kept the offices distinct. elected Mr. Ma
gill secretary with the secretarSs salary
and relegated DR.. Phillips to the Sunday
erf Of a ".
Rumors began to float about as to lack
of business methods on the part OF the
committee, and a general complication
and mlx-up Of the work, whiclo would
probably be- disastrous to It's best inter-
ests and SO no. Many OF these rumors
have been circulating In Richmond and
considerable dissatisfaction with the
whole business has been manifested.
Through 1t ALL however. nobody seen
seemed anxious to make public dis
cussion of the matter. and thus 1t has
| dragged on for weeks.
WHAT DR.. M'KELWAY SAYS.
1t is at this point that the Rev. DR..
A. j. McKelway. editor OF the Presbyte-
ran Standard. one Of the most influential
OF the UNCONVENTIONAL papers, came 10
Richmond to Investigate for himself. He
went over the books Of the committee, In
| vestigated every point. and has Just made
an exhaustive report through the columns
| of his paper. This report Is In every
| way favorable to the committee. 1t
| scores some OF the people, particularly an
| ex- Congressman, a member of the Assem-
| bly,, and certain others for their criticism
| Of the committee. It bestows upon DR..
Phillips the highest praise and speaks In
| glowing terms of the work he has accom-
plished. On the other hand. Is speaks in no
uncertain terms Of the special committee
appointed by the Assembly to overlook
the work of the Publication Committee,
which special committee, 1t is declared,
did not seem to want the knowledge that
it might have obtained. and listened to
| Complaints" and "rumors." and did not
ask before 1t the two men who could
have given them the fullest information.
| DR.. Phillips and Mr.. Magill. Speaking
of the work In general DR.. McKelway
says:
"Having been absent from the sessions
of the late General Assembly. hearing
| rumor that there was some dissatisfaction
in the committee with the acts of the
Assembly touching the publication and
| sabbath-school work. and having de-
sire to see and investigate matters at first
| hand, the editor Of the Standard has
come to Richmond, Fortunately or UNI
fortunately both DR.. Phillips. the pres
ent secretary Of publication, and Mr..
Magill, the newly elected secretary. are
absent from the city. But the books and
accounts have been thrown open to my
inspection. have talked with members
of the committee. and made somewhat
thorough investigation Of affairs on the
ground. The matter Is serious enough
to call for the attention of the whole
church. and we feel. with some pardon.
able pride, that the Standard has made