Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-04-24
M'DAN|EL MAKES SHARP
CRITICISM OF HIS FLOCK
Says Congregation Is cat Ease in
Zion" and Not Disposed to
Cooperate.
HOLDS TO HIS RESIGNATION
HAS Failed, Ho Says, to Attract
innuentlal Members to Sunday
School and Evangelical Work.
Congregation Still Hopes.

cation to wait upon him, Rev. George
W. Mcdaniel. ID. D.. pastor of the First
Baptist Church, yesterday morning re-
iterated his determination to resign.
saying that his life was too short to
spend 1t where he could secure no
better cooperation
Or. Mcdaniel spoke directly and
plainly. detailing the reasons which
impclled him last Sunday morning TO
announce his Intention to withdraw
definitely from the passionate.
Looking at this church." he said.
the prospect for enlarged and per
manent usefulness is not bright The
arguments that 1 remain us pastor con-
firm my views that the church ia
contentcd." He said that his efforts to
instili sincerer enthusiasm in Sunday
school work and prayer meetings had
been In vain. and that the church is
doing but small part of it's personal
and financial duty. Goodness and
formalism." he said, chill my heart"
LARGE CONGREGATIoN
HEARS PASTORS WORDS
Or. Mcdaniel had been approached
during tho week by the committee and
urged to reconsider his resignation
he adhered TO his original purpose
and, after the announcement yesterday
morning, second congregational
meeting was held. and the commit eo
enlarged. The committee reported thar
~ mad been unable to prevail against
the pastors decision. DR.. T. b. Ray
presided over the congregation. which,
in the expectancy that definite news
would be received from DR.. Mcdaniel,
was unusually large. DIR. Ray stated
to the assembly that the committee
had seen DR.. Mcdaniel, and that 1t had
been unable to gain from him assur-
ances that he would change his mind
in regard to the resignation. There
was Immediate protest. and men in all
parts of the church arose to ask that
further effort he made to have DIR.
Mcdaniel reconsider. The appeal was
to the valuable work DR.. Mcdaniel had
performed during his services in Rich
mond and all adding that 1t was tho
sincere desire or the congregation that
he remain.
COMMITTEE
TO CONSULT PASTOR
The original committee appointed to
walt on DR.. Mcdaniel included Profess
sor Charles II. Winston, chairman; d.
S. Mccarthy. T. a. Miller. w. S. Forbes.
y. w. Patterson, Rev. c. j. Arendall
and Basil NJ. Gwathmey. 1t was en-
larEed to include q. II. Ellington. Ash
ton Starkc. T. c. Williams. Jr.. l.. II.
Jenkins. DR.. H. T. Hunter. IT. Il. JEFF
fries. julien Gum. Robert Lee Powers.
Rev. J. y. Watts. DR.. T. B. Ray and h.
G. Curran. The committee will en-
deavor to hold further consultation
with DR.. Mcdaniel some time this
week.
The congregation adopted unani-
mously a resolution urging DR.. NC
- - a 4. t., -k,r,, Inv
and the paper will be presented TO him
in the further appeal.
1t was suggested that a leave of alb
scnce he given TO DR.. Mcdaniel in tho
hope that from new surroundings anu
with refreshed mind he might re-
turn with u purpose altered TO suit
the wishes OF his congregation. 1t is
probable that the committee Will ask
DIR. Mcdaniel to take this course.
Among those who voiced tho desire
OF the congregation were a. w. Fat
terson, A. Il. Clarke. i. NJ Gwathney
and 5. II. Woodfin.
SAYS HE Is STILL UNABLE
TO CHANGE HIS MIND
II hoped" said DR.. Mcdaniel in re-
iterating his determination TO resign.
that my resignation, rendered last
would be accepted as final.
Courtesy demanded that careful con-
be given to the wishes OF
the church, and that has been done.
After conference with the committee
am still unable to change my mind.
Brethren have suggested that il is due
the church that / tell them more fully
why / am leaving. The resignation
stated the reason generally. and
doubt the wisdom OF going into par
ticulars. However. I have no objec-
ton TO the congregation knowing what
was said to the committee.
"A good part Of my life has been
devoted to this pastorate. i should
like to spend the next decade in one
place, rs the past one has been spent
here. Looking at this church, the pros
pect for enlarged and permanent use
fitness Is not bright. The arguments
that I remain as pastor confirm my
views that the church is contented. is
'at ease in Zion You are satisfied
but ann not. Goodness and Journalism
chill my heart. The Sunday school is
the most important department of the
church. but ] have been unable to
enlist many of our most prominent
members in this phase Of the work
MEMBERS ATTEND CHURCH
ONLY ON SUNDAY MORNINGS
"rhe prayer meeting is the spiritual
Thermometers of church life. and have
tried in vain to secure the attendance
of many OF you. Our great cvanEelistic
opportunity is the evening service, but
many men and women whose presence
would be mn inspiration 10 the pastor
and n powerful example to the un-
saved. never attend this service. In
short, these, my good friends. simply
attend church Sunday mornings. That
Is only making religion respectable.
My life is too short to spend 1t where
can secure no better cooperation.
This ] say frankly. but in love. for
I do love every one Of you.
During the early years of this pas
torate some were enthusiastic who are
now Indifferent. Another pastor may
awaken them. At first. when you did
not know me, I advanced cautiously.
but now you ought to believe hl me
enough to follow my leadership UNI
hesitatingly. On the contrary, some
of you have been willing for me 10
spend and be spent while you looked
on, or touched the work lightly. Re-
ligion. with me, is serious. and service
IS a sublime obligation. I, cannot wait