The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-15

Francis could not 90 taken In as r
new member and as free contcssor
OF ain. was either evaded--as Mr.. Wal.
lor claimed afterwards--or tho answer
was lnst in tho vocal confusion which
followed.
Calls Action Out of Order.
Another of tho points stated that
the connection OF DR.. Francis with the
church. or his presence therein, would
serve only TO create discord. It was
also stated that Section OF the code
of tho church renders him unworthy
OF membership in tho church
At the congregational meeting on
tho Sunday previous. when DIR. Fran
els was again admitted into tho church.
the vote in his favor was 80 to S.
That action, 1t was stated several
times during the course OF the debate
yesterday. was out OF crdor. and. 1t
was added, several elders voted for
tho reinstatement under a msappre-
hcnsion. The church, it is said, has q
membership OF about 500 people When
tho vote was taken on sunday, Sep
tomber :. said 3. +. Waller and A. J.
Wallace. notice that such an action
would be taken was not given out,
either to the friends or tho enemies
pf Dr.. Francis. The total vote that
day was 30
Why Vote Was Heavy.
They claimed that yesterday. how
ever, the church was packed with enc
mics of Dr. Francis. which accounted
for the heavy majority against him.
The total vote yesterday was 100.
Dr. Francis said afterwards that
T.l,, Nm
who signed the paper against him. had
not attended the church for three
months. a. ]. Wallace and Il. r. wal
Ter said that this was true. and that
they knew Of some others who, before
this sunday, had not attended services
for months, some having been absent
even for II year.
After the services, Elder Baldwin
announced that there was n business
matter To come up before the ccnErc-
CATION. and. as ii was purely q family
matter. he said. no asked that all those
church. Several let ut his request
but few fingered to watch the pro-
ccedings and further request was
made.
Church Adopts Paper.
After being read twice. the paper
was called to question. and was put.
Il follows:
The following points relating to the
status OF David Francis had been sub
mitted to us, as elders, for nn opinion:
First That number of the mem
bers present at the meeting of Sep
tember Z. 1913. voted for the reception
OF the said David Francis as n member
OF this church under Il misapprehen-
sion
Second. That no proof was or ever
has been offered that the said David
Francis is now n regular member OF
any church in our brotherhood.
Third. The connection OF the said
David Francis with our church in any
way or his presence therein. can only
serve to create dscord. discomfort and
disunion.
The evidence submitted in support
of said points. warrants us in saying
they arc true. and we, therefore. de-
clare the proceedings OF Sunday, Sep
tcmber I, 1913, TO bc out OF order. irreg-
ular and subversive Of the best interest
OF our church.
I'VE further find that the statement
contained in section renders him un-
worthy of membership in our church.
and. therefore, We, as elders decline
to grant him fellowship in this CON
gregation.
I'VE further request that our atti-
tude in this matter be put 10 tho
vote OF this meeting, In the confidence
that we will be sustained in our action.
tSigned)
JAMES N BALDWIN.
JOHN w. BLAKE.
20. Il. SLAUGHTER,