The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-18
REV ]. S. sIBs0h IS
TO LEAVE PORTSMOUTH

Rev. J. G. sibson. pastor Of the new
Congregational church in Park View,
Portsmouth. has resigned his pastorate
and will probably leave early next
week for the Great Lakes to recuperat6s
his health. The departure OF Mr.. Sib-
son from Portsmouth Is accompanied
with some gossip In that city, and as q
result OF this, prominent members Of
the retiring pastors hock declare that
when the minister has sufficiently res
covered his health he may return and
require some Of those who are alleged
to have put out reports about him to-
answer for this in SANDER suit proceed
ings in the courts.
Mr.. sibson came to Portsmouth Sow
ernl months ago, soon after tho new
congregation was formed by dissatis-
fled members of tho Park View Methodist
Church, who withdrew from tho latter
congregation. following the failure OF
Bishop Wilson, OF the Methodist con-i
3 ference. to return Rev. J. ID. MCGEE to
Park View Mr.. sibson's health was not
the best when no came to Portsmouth,.
and during his stay here his condition
has grown worse. He has been subject
to sudden illnesses and on several oo.s
casions these attacks have come upon
him on the street. rendering him semi
conscious and at times amounting to g.
complete collapse.
Following these unfortunate street
attacks of Rev Mr.. Slbson. gosslpers
did not fall to strike. All this gossip,
said n leading member OF Rev. Mr.. slb-4
sons church. who was in Norfolk to-8
day, has been put out by uncharitabla
people. and this member attributed all
of the unfortunate things that have
been said relative to Mr.. Sibson's Ill
ness to an alleged il-feeling which GER
tain members OF the Park View Methodist
Church, who remained by tho old church.
are charged with bearing against the
"holters." as the dlssenters wore fanll-
iarly called when the split In ths old
church came and the new Conversational
Church was started by the latter.
This member OF Raw. Mr. sibson's
church said that the minister's illness,
which had brought on nervous proatra-
ton, had been caused entirely by over-
study and sermon preparation. The
member said that Mr.. Sibson, who ID o
full graduate Of Oxford University.
England. is N constant student Of dif-
ferent languages, which MD him IN M
Bible reading and research, ana that
frequently when his mental lapses"
came on, he can be heard in his rocn
prea aching to himself In French and
Greek.
Rev. Mr. SlbAon Is about S. years Oh
and ID said to BIO nne preacher, ~
was born In Scotland, being the ssl
OF Rev DR.. slbson. Of the Church Of EAT
land. His father died q year or moN
ago and since that Tina Mt. Sipson.e
health, 1t is said. has not been what u
was before He was only q few weeks
ago given the degree OF mastor Of
science by Oxford University.
REV. DR., e. "A, Jopes. OF PhilAdelphlAl
superintendent Of the Home Mssston
Board Of tho Congregational Church.
has arrived in Portsmouth IN connes-
ton With Mfr. sibson's illness ana d..
parturs and will remain there To-
some little time, He will preaoh tor
tho new congregation At the Holl.dAy
street Mission, In Park View. to.faos5ow.l
Dr., Jones. It was SAID to-day sn-
tirely familiar with the nature nf Raw
M. s,bson's illness and completely exs
onerates the minister from all ths To-
ports Norfolk Public LAdxss.- Jane, ssssa