The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-10


whereas for three successive years
the Methodists OF Virginia, through
their representatives in district ana
annual conferences assembled, have
hv overwhelming majorities called
upon the trustees OF Randolph Ma
con College. as the Representatives OF
said Msthodists. on the said board, 10
3cin with the conferences In reauest
Ia the proper civil authorities to Sc
cure such amendments 10 the Ran
dofph- Macon charter as win give 10
the creator and the real owner Of the
institutions q voice in the selection OF
the trustees who are to represent the
owner I'm the Randolph Macon board:
and
Whereas the General Conference OF
the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South. composed OF representative
ministers and laymen from ali over
the church, In view of the new and
critical conditions that confront us In
the educational field has clearly de-
fined the conditions which should be
complied with In the selection OF the
trustees of the schools and colleges or
our church. aud has strongly advised
that our district and annual confer
ences shall request boards Of trust to
with the action OF the General Con-
ference: and.
Whereas the majority OF the trus-
tees of the Randolph Macon board
have refused to comply with the re-
peatsd requests OF the district and
annual conferences, ant nave also ais
regarded the recent action of the Gen
eral Conference: and.
Whereas the declaration OF inde-
pendence OF denominations control
on the part OF the board. first an
nounced in order to secure the car
nsgie dement's, the apparent denial OF
the representative capacity Of the
board and the refusal OF the board TO
Aocede to the wishes Of district. an
nual and general conferences are re-
Ksrded by many OF our people az
violation OF a great moral obligation
to Virginia Methodism, as distinct
lowering OF the moral ideals OF sin
certify and fair dealing. which should
be set before the young people in the
Randolph Macon institutions, and as
hurtful and continued disioyaity to
the church. which created the said
board: and.
Whereas this course has greatly i'm
paired the confidence OF many of our
people In the management Of the
board, and has weakened the hold OF
the Randolph Macon institutions upon
their interest and affection. and,
Whereas, IL In OF vital Importance
to the welfare OF our beloved Metho-
disn that the interest OF our people
In our educational Institutions shalt not
only be maintained, but shall also be
strengthened, and to that end ii is alb
soluteiy necessary that their rights in
the government and control of said
{x,uk kuli ha "a a.
guarded, and that their gifts OF labor
and money shall not be diverted from
the intention of the givers, therefore,
be it
Resolved, First. That for the good OF
the church in all it's department OF
work, there should be speedy and
Anal settlement CT what. 10 known as
"the Randolph Macon question" and
we hereby petition the annual confer
ence to adopt such plans at its COM
ing session as will accomplish this
result.
Resolved II. That we believe a con-
ference between the board of trus-
tees of Randolph Macon college and
the Virginia Annual Conference at the
session in November would be of great
value In the accomplishment OF this
end: and to secure this result, we
hereby request the various members of
the Randolph Macon board to unite
in singing a call for such special
I final discussion at that time OF the
| tissues involved between the confer
| ence and the board.
Resolved III. That as loyal Metho-
dists, we believe that the action tax
en- with practical unanimity by the
General Conference, the great impair
tial law making body of our church,
should be accepted by all parties az
the .oniy possible basis for final set
tiefnent.
Resolved Nv. That during the past
three years. believing as we do that
the Randolph Macon Institutions are
the property of the church, we have
voted for increases in the assessment
| for the benefit OF Randolph Macon
College, and have collected and paid
! the same as usual. But In the event
+, there should not be a final settlement,
of the issues involved at the coming
| conference. we request the annual
conference, in laying the assessment
| for Randolph Macon College, to make
| the payment Of, the same to the col.
iege treasurer conditional upon the
loyal acceptance by the said trustees
OF the action taken by the Genera
Conference, as we are unwilling tc
give any further support to work un.
| der the direction Of q body Of truseeei
who will disregard the action of ths
General Conference, and will persist.
entity refuse to accede to the requests
of the Virginia Methodists, which they
! were selected to represent.
Resolved v. That we believe tina,
any member Of. the Randolph Macor
board who IL unwilling to accept the
action of the General Conference a,
final and is unwilling to aecede to the
request OF the Annual Conference
which he was elected to represent
should immediately resign his place or
the board OF trustees and allow some
one to be elected who will act as tint
representative OF the conference, and
in the event there shall be any mem
Der Of the said board who 10 unwifl.
Ing to be bound by the action Of the
General Conference, and to accede L
the request Of the Annual Conference
We hereby request the Annual Confer
snce TO call for tho resignation Of such
member or members in order that ths
views OF the General and Annual Con
fsrences may be properly presented
on the Randolph Macon board.
Resolved vi, That this district con
ference stands firmly by its oft-re
peated declaration. that Il In the dut,
OF the church to own and to contro
his own institution Of learning, il
which her children can receive thor
ough instruction under positivel,
| Christian influences 1T the lowest pos
eiole cost. We rejoice In the fact tina
| the child Of this district. the Black,