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

Amid proceedings which were rife
to the verge of disruption, and after
refusing to hear him In his own de-
tense. the congregation of Third
christian Church yesterday morning
declared Its action of September Z, in
voting membership to Rev David r.
francis, former pastor of the church,
as Irregular. and rejected his applica-
tion for membership by vote OF 10
TO FL A rising vote of the congrega-
tion was taken by Elder james N
Baldwin. who presided at the meeting
and 1T seemed that nearly every one
In the building voted one way or the
other. During most of the debate
which was both lively and acrimonious
and filled with charges that the church
had been packed by DR.. Franciss ene-
mics. the former pastor. pale and calm,
sat In a pew OH the left and nearato
the rear. There was but one other
person in that pew.
Refused to Let Him Speak
The former pastor listened dispas-
sionately to the wordy battle which
wased around him. and maintained a
ieVei gaze on those who favored him
with their arguments and on those
who assailed him with invectives He
sprang to his feet. however when
Elder o. b. Slaughter stated that he
could not understand why the minister
should have prayed for forgiveness for
the kiss which led to his trouble if
that kiss had been given only in sym
pathy with womnn's sorrow.
Shall 1 speak to you?" he demand
ed. stretching himself to his full height
as he strobe into the aisle. Shall I
speak to you?" There was a lull in
the many sided argument Some one
urged him to so on.
If You are fair minded" he eXclaim-
ed. you viii hear me. II you are not
fair-minded. you won't hear me-"
"a ltS 6Ao F,ax l.;
one cried: It's only fair TO him. Let
him speak"
Il will put it to a vote" said Elder
Baldwin. He put the question to a
viva voce vote, and declared the noes
had 1t. y member called for division,
and rising vote was taken. 1t stood
IS to 43 against the privilege.
Asked If Church Was Packed.
Then withdraw" the preacher
shouted. But he still stood in the
aisle. watching the tide OF battle as
the argument was taken up in every
corner of the church. with women fol-
lowing the mon, and here and there
strong voiced champion defending
him In his desire to enter the church
again. Under the shadow OF the altar
Elder Baldwin stood. trying to turn
order out of what threatened to end
In chaos humping the table with his
knuckles to induce order and calm
But the high pitch OF feminine voices.
less trained to the rostrum than those.
of tho men, mingled. with the deep bass
OF their leaders, added to the confll-
sion.
Suddenly C. II. Eldridge. who had
championed DIR. Francis from the be-
ginning and still believes him out
ragged, jumped to his feet again.
rs 1t possible" he demanded. that
this church has been packed with Dr.
Franclss enemies?'
Yes. yes" came n dozen voices
There are members In this congre-
CATION" interrupted a. j. Wallace, an
other champion Of tho deposed pastor.
''as deep in the mud as DR.. Francis
is in the mlre." There were shouts
of assent In reply.
"a Lie as Deep ns He'll"
DR.. Francis, who had resumed his
seat. listened in silence The moment
was tense with dramatic possibility.
Suddenly the former pastor arose and
leapcd into the middle OF the aisle.
Raising his right hand above him. he
exclaimed:
IL swear to you before high heaven
that If any woman says that ! ever
made an improper proposal to her. she
tells n lie rs deep AZ hell"
Then he flung himself out OF the
aisle and strode from the church. He
said afterwards. when seen at his
home. that he would never darken It's
doors again.
@AaAi oii iioui thtCi WstiNS' Wuci up-
bate had apparently become exhaust
ed, the vote denying him membership
I'm tho church which he had once served
MS pastor was taken, and he was vir-
tually thrown out by those he had
SO lately led. When the question was
put to him, Elder Baldwin said that
tho action did not mean that member
ship in the church would be forever
denied to DIR. Francis. but that the
action had to do with the present only
He could not foretell what the futuro
might bring forth.
stated that they were not resolutions
upon which the vote was taken de-
nying entrance into the congregations
to DR.. Francis are based on the state-
mert that no proof was or ever has
been offered that the said David r.
T. n n hnr a ar arlt.c ri -.e.