The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-22
NEWS GATHERED
ROM SOUTHs|DE
Division Of Cloptonstreet Bap-
list Church Now Seems
Assured.
SITUATION AT THIS TIME.
Expected That DR.. Pitt Will
Make Report in Few Days.
Other Matters.
SITUATION AT THIS TIME
Manchester Bureau, s-Dispatch,
No lln2 Hull street

No 1l02 Hull Street
The division OF the Clopton Street
Baptist Church is now practically assured.
Rev. DIR. 4. II. Pitt, who acted as special
commissioner of the Chesterfield Court
has not as yet made his report TO the
court, but 1t is understood that he VIII
do so in few days
There has been a division of sentiment
in this church for some time as TO the
advisability of removing it TO another
Point in the city OF Manchester. con-
siderable number OF members favored
selling the present house of worship and
b,,ying a lot In some more advantageous
and central location, while many OF the
older members opposed leaving the
church where their attachments and SEN
timents had clustered for a generation.
Situation Acute.
The situation became acute carly in
the winter when the younger or removal
element. with whom a considerable num-
Der OF the officers OF the church sided.
took steps with regard to purchasing a
lot in the upper part of the city. with
n view of disposinS of the present prop
erty. The old party who opposed re-
moval, and the sale of their church
building, We're finally induced to take
legal steps in the matter. and the case
was brought before Judge Walter A.
Watson in the Chesterfield Circuit Court
at the January term.
Judge Watson entered on January 4th
an order appointing the Rev. Robert II.
Pitt, D. D., of Richmond, as special
commissioner to hold congregational
meeting of the church and ascertain BY
n recorded vote the real wishes of the
majority as To the disposition to be made
of the property,
The whole matter ,.ias stirred up con-
siderable ftSliirs in Baptist circles in
Manchester, and there has been much
political wirepulling to get votes for
either side both of which have retained
lesal advice and are disposed to tlgh,
the matter to a finish,
Recent Proceedings.
The youngsters" or removal party
as they are being called. retained Mr.
wyndham r. Meredith, and the conse.v.
alive party secured the services OF Mr.
John Garland Pollard In the proceed
lngs before Judge Watson, Mr.. Pollard
raised the point that the vote or thu
congregation should be recorded and tina
only adults he allowed to vote. This posi-
ton was opposed by the removal party
who stated that. according to the usag
of the Baptist Church. all baptized mem
bers could vote at church meetings. Mr.
Pollard maintained his position, on tn
ground that minors We're not allowed an,
voice In the handling of their persona
property, under the laws OF Virginia. an,
therefore should have no influence Il
arhurch organizations in relation to mat
iters OF property. Judge Watson took thi
point under advisement. saying that h
was not familiar with the usages of tn
Baptist Church. The court therefore di
islrected the commissioner DR.. Pitt to TAX
Two recorded votes. one with those unde
5F}twenty-one, and one without
I The meeting OF the congregation wa
Il held Sunday morning at the church build
ming, due notice having been given by tn
II commissioner Dr.. Pitt, for ten days pre-
Aifpious. Tho vote resulted in l2l in favo
4Rof retaining their present location, to 10
4lEln favor Of removal
Counting ont the ''youngstcrs" undo
twenty-one, the vote resulted in ninety
l eight in favor OF the present location t
isf seventy-seven for removal. The conservn
i tive party therefore won out on bot
counts without entering into the lega
points raised by Mr. Pollard
rendered Resignation.
At the close of the service the paste,
Rev, James B. Cook. presented his resig
nation which was accepted, II is under
stood that Mr.. Cook will cast his lot wit