The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-02-09
MINISTER'S: I
IN DEBATE.
Long and Brilliant Discussion
in the Ministerial Il
t Union. III
VERY LIVELY BUT PLEASANT
The Subject Will Probably Nov
be Dropped for Awhile.
For Open Sessions: II
VERY LIVELY BUT ri EAsANT

A long anu brilliant discussions, utterly
devoid OF any acrimonious or sensational
fcaturcs, distinguished the session OF the
ministerial Union OF Richmond yesterday
morning. ,H sg
Tho subject was tho much debated prop
ostion to use the Bible in the public
schools Of the city. Tho speakers were
several OF the strongest ministers IN the
local pulpit. The Bnptists lined up on
ono side, and the reminder Of the union
OH the other. The discussion was long
and brilliant and breezy. but always
pleasant and good-natured. Tho attcnd-
ance was, perhaps, the largest the body
has ever enjoyed. I5s
& Tho union went Into executive session
for tho first time. The debate was opened
by the Rev. Dr.. j. B. Hawthorne, pastor
gof the Grove Avenue Baptist Church,
and was followed up by others. Among
those who spoke against the proposition
were DR.. Hawthorne, Dr. G. s. Gardner,
pastor OF Grace Street; DR.. r. II. PITT,
editor OF the Religious Herald, and the
Rev. NJ. Ashby Jones, pastor OF Leigh
Street. Tho ministers who spoke on the
other side were DR.. Paul Mcneil, OF st,
j ohn's German Lutheran Church; Or.
Robert Strange, rector Of st. Paul's; DR..
John Moncure, Episcopal city missionary:
the Rev. Robert AZ. Goodwin, rector Of
! ST. Johns, and the Rev. wa. Cooper
pastor Of ST. James Methodist Church.
Tho discussion. Of course resulted In no
action. The ministers merely expressed
their Views upon tho vexed question. Each
side claims victory. we showed EN-
day. II don't think you will hear any
thing moro OF this subject. The other
side protested that 1t didn't feel very
much under the snow, and declared itself
! to be very we'll satisfied with the showing
1t made.
Or. Hawthornes opening speech was
OF fifteen minutes In length II was @
vigorous protest against tho use OF the
Bibleein the schools.
& '"To commit the religious educarion OF
our children in any degree to civil gov
eminent" he said, "betrays lack Q.
iyconfidence in Christ's plan OF advancing
his Kingdom. II It discounts the 5divinely-
appointed means and instrurncntalities
: for the evangelical ton of the world. II
/ IL ss$as3 c0nfcssio OF weakness In Christi-
Ernity itsex, and In the ability OF It's
friends TO upheld and perpetuate It by
such means as were contemplated by
its great Founder. iii ,sG e .
lS"rhe doct rincs set forth IN Madison.s
Immortal remonstrance wero corporated
in the first Constitution Of Virginia, ana
they have been Hre-enacted BY every con
stitutional convention since then. Before
Dr. semmess proposition can become
law we must repeal Jefferson's statute
for the establishment OF rel gious free
dom. eliminate from our State Constitu-
ton everything relating to the subject
and reverse all the decisions Of our 81.
preme SQUIRT. which has steadily upheld
Mr.. Nladson's view Of the relation OF the
state to religion. When we d. this let
US remove the, statue of liberty from our
National Capitol. let us take out OF the