The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-04

terIal Union Of Richmond Is cipher
and an imperceptible factot. Unless
som ching Is done 1t will die OF It's own
stupidity. There arc many who will
doubtless quietly withdraw from the
body IL a change Is not made.
Such is In effect the opinion expressed
yesterday by ono Of the most prominent
clergyrnen In the city. when he was
asked for statement OF his views IN
reference to the recent ruling OF the
union. by which matters not wholly and
entirely religious and devotional are ek-
Guided from the sessions OF the body.
OPINION IS POPULAR.
The opinion OF the minister is concurred
in by many others, who feel that unless
the union reconsider and rescind the ac-
ton it has taken the results will be dis
astrous to the existence OF tho organi-
cation. What these members think will
be freely stated on Monday morning
next. when the February meeting Of the
union will be held and when the whole
question will come UP. AS stated In
this paper about week ago, mo-
ton will be made to reconsider the reso-
luton Of DR.. Kerr, and that will be SUI
ficient to precipitate big debate. This
motion, 1t was at first thought, would
come formally from the Methodist Con-
ference acting as body. But such,
1t develops, will not be the case. The
Methodists discussed the matter q week
ago, and laid 1t over one week-until
Monday. But when Monday came notn-
Ing further was done except to try to
ind out VINO made public the first dis
custom. Hence II the movement comes
from the Methodist ranks 1t Will be in
the shape Of motion from an indiytd-
ual member.
Whether or not the 11ethodists mi
tiate the movement however. 1t will GER
tainly be made. Others are much in
terested in the matter, and one or two
Baptist ministers are preparing to go in
for 1t.
HOT DEBATE.
The debate over the question Will prob
ably DO very animated ono. And which,
ever way the decision goes 1t will prob
ably cut In both directions. AS ex-
pressed by a Presbyterian minister yes
terday morning. reconsideration Of the
resolution will result in tho withdrawal
of some Of the members from the union.
On the other hand. II the action is al
lowed to stand certain other members
are almost certain to drop out So it
will amount to pretty much the same
thing whatever Is done
The element in the Union represented
by the advocates OF the resolution are
strong. and Will carry considerable
weight AS a general thing the Pres
byterian minister's particularly, will back
up DIR. Kerr. although there are one or
two exceptions. It is held by these min
listers that the Union has DIVORCED, from
the path it set out to pursue; that It has
gradually subordlnated the devotional
features and magnihed the secular fea-
ture which was never Intended to be In
cluded in 1t at ALL As result Of inter-
meddling in local affairs, the Union was
gradually going to pieces. The Kerr
resolution was designed to bring the Body
back to the right track.
THE OTHER SIDE.
Opposed to this view of the situation Is
the other element among whom 1t is be.
lieyed that the resolution, more than
anything else. will kill the Union, BY
these 1t Is held to be the function OF the
body to express itself on great moral
Issues involved in current and local hap
penings. Many Methodists, a number Of
Baptists, and at least one Presbyterian.
look at the matter In this light. Speaking
OF the coming meeting, one OF these min
listers said yesterday:
las at present constituted, the Ministe-
rial Union Of Richmond Is cipher and
an inperceptible factor. Unless some
thing Is done 1t will die of Its own stu
pidity. There are many who will doubt
less quietly Withdraw from tho body IL a
change Is not made.
My idea OF the union is that It Is
designed TO furnish an opportunity for
the ministers of different denominations
to work in the direction OF those great
truths to which all of them Irrespective
of creed, adhere. They can unite here
on this foundation and together can
exert more weight and influence than
II they acted separately. But this is the
very thing we can't do now. There isn't
another Ministerial Union on the Amer
lean continent which does not discuss
great moyal principles involved In the
conduct Of local affairs. Why, II we had q
race riot here tomorrow or If a political
convention would meet here and emhody
In its platform a plank UNFOLDING gam
bling and crime we couldn't say word
1 H. r. i . - Z n