The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-07
LITTLE OPPOSITION
TO INVITING SUNDAY
UNDERSTOOD THAT METHODIST.
BAPTIST AND PRESBYTERIAN
MINISTER'S ARE UNANIMOUS.
CHRISTIANS DIVIDED

EPISCOPAL MINISTRY YET TO
vOTE-COMMTTEE OF TWEEN
TY-FTvE WILL MAKE ITS
REPORT TOMORROW.
in tho other papers of the city during
the past week have practically at
tackled the accuracy and reliability.
OF The Virginian's account last Satur-
day Of the projected action Of the
committee of twenty-five which has
under consideration the proposal to
extend An invitation to Rev. William
Sunday to hold an Evangelistic mis-
sion meeting In Richmond, repre-
sentative Of The Virginian called at
the headquarters Of the committee to
follow up the statements made in the
previous publication in this paper.
1t was stated In The Virginian
Saturday week that the committee
would recommend almost unanimously
10 the Ministerial Union that the In
vitation be extended to the evangelist
An endeavor has been made to dis
credit that statement in other papers
by creating the impression that =
very numerous opposition Is being
made. Tho questions directed by The
virginian at the headquarters of the
Dommittee OF twenty-five, and to vari-
Gus members OF the committee were,
asked with the intention Of eliciting
Information for the benefit of the pub
nc. first as the reports made to the
committee by Richmond orgauiza-
tons favoring or opposing the invita-
ton. and second as to reports received
by the committee from other crrts
where Sunday has held campaigns.
Questions.
In answer to the question Of what
report the special committee had
made to the Ministerial Union, II was
stated that this report will not DC
made until the next meeting OF the
association, which will be held tomor-
row at IL O'Clock In the Y. NJ. c. A.
building immediately following the
meeting OF the special committee at
fi:30 o'clock. In reply to the dues-
tion As to what action was taken py
the Ministerial Union at its last
meeting. 1t was stated that hnai
action was postponed. as one of the
UNCONVENTIONAL conferences consider
ing the matter will not act until to-
morrow, Just before the meeting or
the union. although the other denomi-
national conferences have acted. In
reply to the question as to what the
probable action Of the remaining
conference would he. II was stated
-
headquarters nor would any state
ment on this point be made. II was
learned on the outside. however, that
this conference. which In that of the
eiergymen OF the Episcopal denomi-
nation. will in all probability vote
Monday to extend me invitation.
In reply to the question as to what
action was taken by the Baptist con-
ference II was stated that the vote
for extending the invitation was
unanimous. The Methodist action
was taken without dissenting vote.
ana the same was true of the Preshy-
terrain body,
Christian Ministers a Tie.
From another source. not the head
quarters OF the committee, ii was
learned tsaat the Christian Ministerial
Union. as the result Of this considers
dion Of the matter. voted four ANN
four. thus making tie. 1t was also
learned, not at the committees head
quarters that Of the seven Richmond
pastors At the meeting three voted
for and two against the invitation.
II would seem, therefore. that with
very few exceptions the action al
ready taken shows a very large, al
most an overwhelming, sentiment In
favor OF the Invitation. and 1t Is
thought unquestionable that the Union
tomorrow will decide to make the at
tempt to secure MIR. Sundays services.
In view OF the fact that an after
would not accept an invitation to go
to Roanoke because one minister op-
posed his coming. the question was
asked as to what Mr.. Sundays rule Is
where there Is opposition. In reply
It was stated that his rule does not,
a. has been stated in other Richmond
papers. mean that Mr.. Sunday will
not 90 to = city, where one pastor OPP
poses his coming: in fact he has even
been known to 60 where even two OF
the smaller denominations did not
invite In the invitation.
Extent Of Investigation.
In reply to the question as to how
'extensive have been the investiga-
tons conducted in other cities, 1t was
stated that letters have been written
20 over a hundred ministers In twenty
cities where Mr.. Sunday has preached,
IN addition to letters to many laymen
and 7. NJ. c. A. secretaries. OF the
replies. fully 80 per cent were most
favorable. In the cities investigated
Mr., Sunday had preached since 1911.
Twelve pastors In one denomination
atone replied and only one Of tho
twelve was even doubtful as to the
good achieved.
In another denomination out OF
eleven letters from nine cities. nine
are strong In the commentator OF
the man and his work: while in
third denomination. one o. the largest.
out Of thirty-fve letters. thirty-one
we're extremely favorable. while three
were nc4 sure.
In reply to a question az to the per-
-