The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-24
Grace Presbyterian Re
jects Plan to Unite
With Westminster.
UPTOWN CHURCH
VOTES FOR UNION
Westminster Adopts Amendment,
However, That DR.. Fair Be Re-
tanned as Pastor-Late De-
velopment Prompted Grace
Street Congregation
TO Oppose II.

While the congregation of west
Minister Church agreed yesterday by
a vote OF ~ 10 To unite with Grace
Street Presbyterian upon tho terms
outlined b. a joint committee. the
Grace Street congregation voted unani-
Tously to table consideration OF the
question, which means that the merger
negotiations have been abandoned,
This action WIS not unexpected. In
View OF Developments within the past
twenty-four hours, which. In the opin-
ION Of the Grace street committee.
made consolidation undesirable. The
nature Of these eleventh hour dcTe!-
opineuts was not explained.
The decision Of tho Grace street con-
crcgation was reached without oppo-
sition. while nt Westminster "A session
OF nearly two hours was held. at which
It sharp difference OF opinion arose.
The motion TO accept the report OF th-
committee was adopted. although the
action OF the other church closes II
subject which has provoked a great
lcal OF discussion H. Presbyterian
circles.
Meeting nj Westminster.
Immediately after short morning
service. the matter was taken up
simultaneously in both churches. At
Westminster. pr. g u. stephenson was
chosen moderator. and Robert w Mills
clerk. O. the meeting. John " VIII
!ians. member Of the subcommittee
v hich drafted tie report took the ros-
trun and clearly explained the sew
oral clauses in tho consolidation agree
nent.
Briefly. tho proposal o. union was
at the Joint congregation should be
.mow, as Grace Presbyterian CHURCH
,hat the rolls Of the two congregations
on the day Of union should lie the
Joint roll OF the united church; that the
..lders OF each church should together
compose the session OF the combined
church. and the present deacons of
both churches the board OF dcacons Of
the combined church. that the united
congregation elect Il pnstor as soon as
practicable after the union Is effected.
and that steps he taken for the cree
,ion OF an adequate house OF worship
between Lomhardy street and the
Boulevard. Broad Street and Grove
venue.
Urged Church To Unite.
Mr., williams urged the congregation
H. adopt the report. saying that II was
he desire OF the board OF dcacons. the
board OF elders and the committee that
consolidation he effected lie said that
tho union of the two churches would
straighten out tho lines Of Prcsby
,erianism IN this city. and would cause
II balance of energy. relieving. at the
same time. the congestion In the down
town district. lie added that the ma
iority of Presbytcrians in the city were
in favor OF the ncrEer.
Major " II. SANDS led the opposition.
claiming that tho report OF the com
mittee was unfair TO Rev. J. Y. Fair.
II. L.. pastor OF the church, in that all
other officers were retained and lie WAS
not included He was interrupted by
.ue,nbers OF the committed. who as
-cried that both parties to tho agree
ment would urge the election OF DR..
Fair. but that the selection of a pas
tor must be left TO the joint congrega
zion
AT this point messenger from the
Grace Street subcommittee brought :.
resolution 10 Mr.. Williams. calling upon
he congregation Of Westminster
church to table the report and to dis
charge It's committee from further CON
sideration Of the matter
Wants DIR. Fair Retained.
Major Sands. following motion 10
;'aopt the report. moved that 1t be
tabled. but It was dereated by n large
majority, after htated debate. The
motion to adopt tho report was then
carried In face OF the opposition OF
:. ajor Sands who wanted to offer an
amendment.
When tho vote was announced a
motion to reconsider was unanimously
passed. and Major Sands was permitted
10 offer an amendment. which was 10
the effect that DR.. Fair should be named
the first pastor OF the consolidated
lv and the amended report adopted
by the previous vote of "A to 8. The
committee which conducted the nego-
tiations for Westminster Church. was
composed of John w. Williams. William
l.. Walters. Edwin II. Lea. Robert w
Lilies. George W. Fairamb and George
= Kemp
While the refusal Of Grace Street
congregation TO consolidate puts an
md to the matter its building has been
sold and Il new site must be selected
within short time
Meeting ut Grace Presbyterian.
After he had prayed that the con-
SrcSation would approach the DELHI
Grafton In q spirit OF unity and amity.
the Rev. +. L. LinEle. ID. D., who Is sup
plying the pulpit at the Grace street
Fresbyterian Church, announced thnt
the committee on proposed amalgama-
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