The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-15
The Ministerial Union.
of the Times-DlSpatcn:

Editor Of the TimeS-DlSpatcn:
Sir,-Please permit mo space In your
columns for few words about the Min
isterial Union. My apology is an intense
interest In the present agitation In the
Union and an earnest desire for Its con-
tnuance and welfare. Added to this is
the conviction that the conservative side
has not been fully and satisfactorily
stated in the papers. l regret that some
one Of the members better qualified than
l am has not undertaken to do this
1t goes without saying that the men of
the Union are honest and sincere in this
contest Both sides are contending for
what appears to each to be right. No
unworthy motive has been discovered in
any Of tho debates and no man has been
suspected Of being anything else than
true to his conviction. The contest has
been especially marked by courtesy and
consideration. But 1t Is apparent that
excess OF zeal has led to mscons tructon
and misapprehension Of the purpose and
powers Of the Union.
The organization has neither constitu-
ton nor bylaws, only a few rules guide
It, But 1t has strong and definite pur-
pose in view which IL carried out will
effect greater things for Richmond than
If the Union were q society for civic re-
form. When it was formed the first
work of the Union was to district the
city Of Richmond for aggressive evan
gellstic work. to discover churchless peo-
pie, the careless, irreliEious and dis
couraged and to draw them to Christ by
any fair and gentle means. The deep
significance Of such q work is not gem
eraliy comprehended. 1t means two
things 1t means both the saving of
souls and the drawing together of Chris
tian ministers and people The Eplsco-
pal Church stands on one corner oppo-
site the Presbyterian and the Baptist
and Methodist are only a few hundred
yards away. There are enough human
souls In their district to fill all four If
they can be won for Christ. These four
churches were to forget all their differ
ences and remember all they had in com
mon, one Lord. one salvation, one family.
one eternal hope. They were to fulfil
the whole law in one word and draw
men by love. No Christian union could
have been organized for a clearer or bet
ter purpose The Ministerial Union was
to effect broader. larger methods for saw
Ing souls and draw the churches closer
together in the family Of Christ by mu-
tual devotions, mutual encoura cement.
mutual helpfulness It was an effort to
break down prejudice and rivalry be-
tween members of the same great fam
lily and to teach churches and minis
tors forbearance and. IL necessary. tc
agree to disagree. The Baptist does not
deny that there are true Christian men
and women In the Episcopal Church, nor
does the Episcopalian deny that such
are to be found In the Baptist Church.
This admission settles the question. II
proves that the differences are not es.
sential to salvation. Recognizing this
fact the next step Is to get the churches
into a closer relationship that they may
know and understand each other better
No better way to accomplish this can be
-. = 4 H.. -
churches In q band OF brothers all pray.
Ing and working for a common object A
voluntary act on their part yet com
pclled by the constructing love OF Christ
and oil rejoicing In 80 sweet q band o.
fellowship. The Ministerial Union as i
was organized can do this and has done
much already towards 1t, During the pas
year or more very few attempts have
been made to draw It into any concerted
action With regard to civil affairs ane
the meetings have been very helpful AMI
pleasant. Tho papers which have beer
read have been Of q high order and hay.
promoted the best OF feeling and mutua
esteem, To continue this Is the desire O
the conservatives and they might alst
be willing. now and then, to give an ex
preston of opinion on public matter!
when tho voice was unanimous.
But after doing this their action would
only be an expression of sentiment O.
opinion. The Union. as such, has no au
thority. II II were united It would hav.
moral weight and influence with tho com
munity but n divided vote would hay,
llttle or no helping power In any matte
OF public reform. BY working out tn
original purpose OF the Union much NOR
could be done for public morals than b.
assuming the functions Of reform 80
cicty. The right Christian spirit between
churches and pastors would gather i
moro souls and better educate publ
opinion 10 put down sin and unrlghteous
ness than any work the Union could a
as II society for promoting yaformatio
In civil affairs. il an organization o
Christian ministers has power TO promot
civic reforms then let onn BIO formed Wit.
that dlstnct object In view and lot thos
who desire to Join II do so and also re
main In tho ministerial Union. 1t 10 man
lfestly injudicious to force tho prcBen
issues rs experience has shown clearl
that tbs Union will not succeed aion
tho lines laid down hy tho majority vot
of last Monday
THoMAR sEIAiMEg.
Richmond Va. Feb ri 1yl ,s,3t5l