The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-09-18
SOUTHS|DE MINISTER
RESIGNS HIS CHARGE.
Rev. F. Wayne Long Leaves Cowar-
din-Ayenue Christian TO Accept
Clifton Forge Call.
MEETS WITH MUCH SUCCESS
Under Mr.. Long South Richmond
Church Shows Steady Growth and
He Leaves 1t in Flourishing Con-
dition.

uttIOn
Rev. F. Wayne Long. one of the
most popular young ministers of
Richmond. who for almost seven
years has been filing the pastorate
at Cowardin- Avenue c h r sti a
Church, Southside, yesterday rendered
his resignation to the congregation at
the regular morning services 1t is
to become effective on the first Sun
day in December.
Mr. Long has received a call to the
Clifton Forge Christian Church, Gift
Ton Forge. Va. and he made known
the fact yesterday afternoon that he
will accept the new charge. The con-
gregation of that church will be off,
cially notified of his acceptance either
today or tomorrow and he will as
sumo his new pastorate on the second
Sunday in December.
Although the official board of Co.
wardin-Avenue Christian Church was
notified three or four days ago by
Mr.. Long that he had received the
call and that he was contemplating
accepting 1t. members of the congre-
CATION were taken completely by sur
prise yesterday morning when Mr.
Long announced his resignation from
the pulpit. 1t was with reluctance
that the church members received
this news. and every effort Is being
exerted to have him reconsider his
action. However, Mr.. Long says that
1t Is final and that he will take his
departure after the first Sunday in
December.
Graduate OF Bethany.
Mr.. Long is graduate of Bethany
College, of Bethany, West Virginia,
having completed his theological
studies in that institution in 1908.
A few days after his graduation he
was married and came to Richmond
to spend his honeymoon. He re-
manned here for three months and
during that time supplied the South
Richmond pulpit. In the fall of 1908
he accepted position as teacher in
"A school at Hazel Green. Ky, and
remained there for one year. The
following fall he went to LIVINGSTON,
Tenn, and helped organize a new
school in that place. The school
started of In most suspicious man.
ner, having an enrolment of 500 stu;
dents. Mr.. Long was made assistant
principal and remained there for one
session. after which he returned to
Richmond to supply the pulpit at CO.
wardin-Avenue Christian Church.
While he was preaching in the church
ton and accepted, starting upon his
duties in the South Richmond house
of worship in May. 1910. He sue
ceeded Rev. II. O. Lane.
Mr.. Long has been in charge of
the South Richmond Church for al
most seven years and during this pc
Rod he has met with marked success.
Despite the fact that it was the first
pastora,e he had ever filled. he be-
90 Gvs tvA
the start and he had been here only
few weeks before he had made
scores of friends on both sides of the
river.
When he assumed the pastoral reins
in the church IL had a membership
of only 1876. while 1t was by no means
in a fiourishing condition. Mr.. Long
put his shoulder to the wheel imme-
diately, and with the hearty coop
Grafton of the members. it began
rapid growth. Each year there has
been an increase in the church en-
rollment and at the present time the
membership of the congregation
reaches the 435 mark. This total was
reached yesterday morning, when Mr..
Long received three additional mem
bers into the church.
Succeeds Rev. j. II. Stevens.
Mr. Long goes to Clifton Forge to
succeed the kew. j. II. stevens, VINO
has accepted call to Texas. The
church now has a membership of APP
proximately 400. while the outlook
is very encouraging. This is the only
church of this denomination in Cliff
ton Forge and it has shown rapid
growth in the past few years. The
church not only has large member
ship. but ii is well equipped. while
the prospects for an increased en-
rolIment are very bright.
Mr.. Long stated yesterday after
noon that it will be with regret that
he will take his departure from South
Richmond. During his stay here he
has baptized more than 200, married
several hundred and buried number
of people. He has host Of friends
rot only in Richmond, but through
out Virginia, and he Is universally
liked by those with whom he has
come in contact during his seven
years in Virginia The steady growth
of Cowardin- Avenue Christian Church
can be attributed to his efforts. He
has worked hard and his accomplish
ments have been many 1t will be
with regret that, not only his men,
bers. but the entire Southside will
see him leave the South Richmond
church. He endeared himself to his
many acQuaintances from the start
and it Is known fact that every eff
fort will be made to get him to re-
consider his action.