The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-04-12
NO FESTIVA AL
THIS YEAR
Ministerial Union by Unani'1'ootulss
Vote Decided Against Ser
vice Coming May.
UNIQUE CONFERENCE
One Of the Finest Of It's Kind
in the South to be Held at
tic Seminary.

Without dissenting voice the Minis
tcrInl Union OF Richmond yesterday de-
cidcd not to hold thls year the May
FESTIVAL for Christian Unity that for
some time past has been q sort Of annual
demonstration OF the corporations OF the
denominations.
This step, 1t Is declared, does not indl-
cato any lack Of harmony among Nthlfo Z,
ministers or the churches. It was simply
deemed unnecessary 10 continue tho fes-y
tlvnl as an annual institution. The ser-
vice will not be entirely abandoned but
will probably BIO held once every three
years, or perhaps five. This. It is said
will afford sufiihent opportunity for
manifestation OF the goodwill and unity
OF the Richmord churches. a too fire.
qucnt recurrence Of meetings on The
one single subject breeds monotony and
lack OF Interest, as is abundantly shown
by the services IT. question themselves.
The idea for great annual festival
in May for Christian unity was first pro-
posed by the Rev. Or. Robert T.. Kerr
OF Baltimore, formerly pastor OF the First
Presbyterian Church OF this city. The
proposition met with instant favor. and
\ tho first festival was Il distinct success.
This was five years ago, or whereabouts.
Since that time, ir. the Academy OF
Music each May, a similar meeting would
be held. Ministers OF each denomination
would then gather and discuss tho diff
ferent phases OF the unity OF Christians
Tho interest originally manifested was
not sustained, and the last two meetings
were rather poorly attended by church
people and ministers alike, The step now
taken by tho union seems to follow as q
matter OF course. The actor, st is Under
Stood WAS unanimous. 5q
GREAT CONFERENCE.
Invitations were extended to tho min.
listers b. DR.. A. l.. Phillips to attend the
conference on tho Bible and Christian
work to be held May 18th. 18th and 18th
ut Urion Theological Seminary. The first
definite announcements OF this meeting,
which will be o. notable one, were also
made. The conference will be the first
OF It's kind ever held In the Southern Pres
bytcrlaE Church. 1t Is under the au-
spices OF Tho faculty OF Union Theologi-E
cal Seminary. The seminary session
will close at II O'Clock on "Wednesday.
May 18th. The first session OF the con-
ference will held at the Seminary that
day2at s. r. NJ, All sessions OF the COR
ference. except the first, will be held In
ono OF the Presbyterian churches In the
city.
Tho speakers at the conference Will
be tic ReYs. y. William Chapman, y. D.,
OF New York lcity;,v. w. Moore. D. D..
OF this city; G. B. Stricken, D. D., j. f.
Is Cannon. D. D.. of st. Louis. Mo-; 4. w.
Smith. D. d., of Greensboro. n. c.; 7. IL
Rice, D. D., of Atlanta, Ga, and Mr.. G.
II. VIckrey. Of New York city. The
music will be led by the Rev. Arthur
Rowbotham, OF Roanoke. The subjects
for discussion Will BIO as follows The
Bible a Message from Cod The Atone
,nent Satisfies Gods Law and the HUI
man Conscience: The Land and the Book;
Isaiah: His Times and Message: The
Evargellstic Pastor; The Elder; The
Deacon; The Bible and the Home; The
Bible and the People; The Value Of
Special Evangelistic Effort; Individual
Work in Evargelism; Bible tudy and the
Young Peoples Society; Mission study
and the Young Peoples Society; Spc-
cial emphasis will be given to prayer.
Tho urion. with regret, accepted the
resignation OF Its secretary and treas
urer. the Rev James e. Cook, who
leaves Richmond shortly for Clifton
Forge. Mr.. Cook has filled this position
most faithfully and most acceptnbly for.
a number OF years and his departure
causes general regret. The Rev G, P.
Stealey, pastor OF the Broadus Memorial
Baptist Church, was elected secretary
ana treasurer in his place.
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