The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-22
Police Forced to Turn
Away 500 From Doors
OF Liberty Hall.
ATTACKS LOCAL
MINISTER'S UNION
Challenges Clergymen to Point
Out Christian Spirit in His
Removal From Pulpit for
Mere I n discretion.
Tells of kissing
Episode.


ciation OF his enemies. Dr. David II.
Francis. former pastor of the Third
Christian Church. reviewed last night
the bitter story of his eventful pastor
ate In Richmond. and the inspired en-
Inity OF preacher enemy. who. he said.
was the archconspirator in the plot
which resulted In his removal from his
pulpit
In the same category with the hos
tile minister. Dr. Francis placed sew
eral bosses on tho board OF elders
OF the Third Christian Church, who,
he charged. maliciously enlarged upon
the trihins kissing incident. which was
hominally tho cause of his removal.
and later. when tho church was pre-
pared TO welcome him back into the
fold. packet the house of worship with
their instruments and denied him a
hearing.
DR.. Francis paid his respects also
TO the ministerial Union of the Chris
tian Churches Of Richmond and Vicin-
ity, which, in a resolution adopted last
week, Endorsed the action OF the Third
Christian Church in declining to rein
state him. The members of that min
isterial coterie, he said. have been his
enemies since he has been in Rich
inond and would have as willingly in
dorscd sentence committing him TO
the guillotine or the electric chair.
Police Keep Back Crowd.
OF 1000 persons. men and women.
street between Twenty-fourth and
Twenty fifth. last night. less than 500
gained admittance TO the hall. The
crowd began gathering at Z o'clock
and half an hour later every available
seat waa taken. For an hour more
new arrivals pleaded at the entrance
OF the hall for admission. but were
forcibly barred by two uniformed ofn-
cers.
AT S o'clock the overflow on the
sidewalk numbered 200. and IT required
the determined efforts OF the police
men 10 keep them from rushing up-
stairs in a body. Fire regulations linn
tied the seating TO n double row Of
cha,ss around the circumference OF the
ha!i. and an officer on the inside rig
idIy enforced tho rule. PRIVILEGED
friends OF the minister gained adniis-
sion at the last minute. and were seat
ca on the platform with the speaker.
Speaks TO Overflow.
AS the speaking hour arrived the
crowd on the outside grew demonstra-
tive. and DR.. Francis made a short talk
10 1t from one OF the front windows
lie assured the gathering that he re-
sretted his inability TO care for them
inside OF tho hall account OF the
hre regulations. and thanked them for
their interest in his case. He would
ehdeaVor. he said, TO secure for next
Sunday night a more suitable meeting
place. where he would be able to care
cheered the short speech. and departed
without n breach of order.
The minister opened the meeting at
s:l5 o'clock with regular prayer and
hymn service. and read at considerable
length from Ave different passages in
the Bible. Before submitting the texts
and closing the opening services with
prayer, he sang, as solo. the hymn
III Go Where You Want Me to Co.
and was Joined in the chorus by the
Many Women Present
The crowd of 500 or 400 that had
gained admittance contained quite a
sprinkling Of women. The member
ship of the Third Christian Church
was we'll In evidence including repre
Francis factions. In the gathering
were six or seven members of the
board of elders which had removed him
from office.
There were no demonstrations. The
minister spoke with scant respect for
the men who were instrumental in his
election. but called no one by name.
once or twice as he attacked with BIT
ter humor the Vaccinations Of his enc
mics there was subdued approval but
never applause. During the moments
or hercest denunciation there was tense
Silence Challenge after challenge to
any one In the audience to deny his
charges brought no response.
When the address was over friends
crowded around the minister, congrat-
ulating him on his strong defense.
women members of his former congre-
cation shook his hand and told him
that 1T was joy to hear his voice
again. Most of the crowd left imme-
dfately upon the conclusion of the
speech without Attempting to apnroa oh
the speaker.
Says He Acted the Fool.
am ashamed of myself for only
one thing tonight" said DR.. Francis.
In opening his address, land that lis.
that to certain degree appear here
before you in an apologetic mood No
man ever ought to make fool of
himself If he does he Will live to
regret it, And yet, cannot help re-
calling Shakespenre's own Puck. with
his What fools these mortals bet
is surely then a common falling.
II made fool of myself That is
the extent of my sin. And in admit
ting that 1 made fool of myself. /
feel that nearly every person in this
audience can come to me and say hon
estly, Me. too We all make fools OF
ourselves sometimes-I am exceptinr
from this statement, of course. the
ladies.
IN bringing to you tonight a re-
View of the incidents of my pastor
ship in Richmond, ] assure you that 7
do so without JOY. If they had been
kept within the small circle in which
the trouble received its first airing, as
had hoped they would. would have
been spared the duty of making a pub
lie explanation.
No Mention OF Names.
I Will not tonight mention names.
!. women but to protest my innocehhee M
My friends Have been so-liberai I'D Tie
press with their version of the story,
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