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

| CLOCKS Like Rough House.,
! Mr.. Waller asked how n man could
como into the church if he could not
como In by statement and confession
| OF his sin. There was no direct an
swor. DIR. Francis did make a state
nent.' he said. Did he lie when no
made it, There was u hubbub, and
| &. L. Eldridge Jumped up and said:
! 1T looks as If were going to have n
rough house of It," Several others
started talking, and MIR. Baldwin
raped vainly several minutes for or
| der.
Then Arthur James read Dr. Fran
cis's statement as made previously to
the congregation. in which the minister
said he was repentant. and the spea ker
quoted the Bible In his plea for res
toration. without which forgiveness
could not be complete. 1T is not for
| giVeness If we do not restore him to
mis- position among us!' he exclaimed.
III ne mad spark OF Christianity in
his SOUL woman's shrll treble
shouted, he would not remain TO cause
us all this trouble. If he had a spark
mere TO listen to all this talk against
him. Ho ought 10 he put OUT I'm.
incdiateiy there We're cries for order,
ana the situation became moro tense
Zig Mistake in Charity.
FROM the front of the church sound
cd the voice OF Elder John W. Blake.
1t was i big mistake in charity"
ne said. TO elect this man to member
ship. In the namo OF God and for the
n hl oh
1t will disrupt the church. The peace
OF ihe church is threatened. 1t is the
case of question between n.an ana
the church. and l am for the church."
Elder y. a Slaughter Joined in. "Dr.
r'rancis's relig!o It's not affected by our
vote" no said IF he's a Christian,
he's Christian whether he sees this
congregation against him or not But
II he Is stumbling block to me, then
he is a sinner
"Fhe aston OF tho congregation last
sunday" said Elder Baldwin, was not
the general drift of the church."
Are You crawtishing?" asked MIR.
Waller
Mr.. Eldridge, just In front of Mr.
waller took UP another end OF the
much tangled argument.
DR.. Francis came here on three
months trial. he said, before ever
any charges We're brought against him.
And when charges were brought
against him the elders did not lnvcs-
tiGaie them, hut kept them secret, ana
then thrust Or. Francis on Che con.
Ercgation. Is this church going to re-
fuse the man who properly applies for
admission? That is the question. The
whole responsibility rests on the board
OF governors"
1--WE have made a mistake" an
swcred Mr.. Slaughter. land there is
no use In Keeping up tho mistake"
Committed No Sin.
Another broke in to say that DR.
Francis had told him no had com
United no sin In the sight of God Then
another Interrupted to say that Dr.
Francis had told him that he got down
on his knees and prayed for forgive
ness after the troublous kiss. and the
speaker couldn't see why the former
pastor prayed forgiveness If the kiss
had boon given only In sympathy
shall l speak to YOU roalcd
Francis str!dmg into the aisle. "Shali
! speak TO YOU? II YOU are fair-lnin0-
cd YOU will hear me Ir YOU arc no,
fair-minded You won't hear me"
Lets hear him. Lot him speak.
It's only fair" came dozen cries
Eldcr Baldwin put IL to the vote by
acciGrlalion. lie declared the noes had
it. and thcr some one called for Il al
vision The result was IS to 81 against
Or iNrancis
Il was Mt this point that DR.. Francis
uttered his dramatic denial.
j swear TO you before high heaven
/ mat II any woman says that | ever
mage an 'nproper proposal 10 her sho
telis n lie AZ deep as he'll" Then he
/ lett tho church
Miss Minnie Gathright atto,nptcd 10
/ pour oil on the troubled waters. "Wo-
/ men morally good can resist tcmpta-
/ ton II II comes TO them" she SAID i'm
/ u quiet hushed voice. but I'm sure that
I temptation won't come to them She
/ argued Cor tho reinstatement OF the de-
/ posed pastor.
Several more tried TO talk at once.
but quiet was finally restored. and. on
/ The question, tho motion for adoption
OF REFUSAL OF the paper. was put,
iiS'ng vote was 70 for and O. against
/ tlecting i)r francis a member. II was
after o'clock when the CONGREGATION
! lett the church
Ohio Charges False.
nave proved the letters from Ohio
Conveying charges agains, me to be
iles' sald Dr Francis at his home
ana ] htiN challenge any ono To pro
duco evidence against me that / hsve
ever made an Indecent proposal to any
woman. have no doubt that TN.
.nulch was packed with my enemies
Elder John " Blake has not been in
49,, y VIZ ~ 'Hlb t'lNc IOE tHTcc months.
inc ohclal board refused me a hearing
hen cd for 1t. ana now the church
has refused me. don't think 1t fair.
and II disgusts me.
- T. Crow. senior elder, ravo me
the right hand Of fellowship after the
vote % last sunday. when I WAS ad
mitted 70 membership. and That made
me member Az TO the statement
that said l prayed for forgiveness
iVr my act. ] went home and said TO
my VIE. lie, us pray and when she
asked me what was my hurry. | told
rtf ieit as If l had committed an in
discretion"
Mr. CROW was one OF those who cham
caughtcr Mrs Arthur James. who osIs :.
ca me congregation IL they did not
t"ihN her father knew what he was
ooihB when he extended the hand OF
fellowship to DR.. Francis