The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-09-25

CONTINUED from First PaEe)
Following this action a congregational
meeting was held. and a committee
comprising A. J. Watkins, c. l. Pal
NOR. A. J. Britt, J. y. Binford and
Walter Kelly was appointed TO walt
on the pastor and request that he
reconsider the action.
Members OF this committee waited
upon Mr.. Parsons at his home on
Twenty-third Street yesterday after
noon and held a conference with him.
but Just what the outcome of 1t was
will not be given out until next Sun
day morning. when they will report
hack to the church. All through
yesterday afternoon members OF the
church called upon their pastor and
requested that he reconsider his ac-
ton and remain in his present charge.
Mr. Parsons came to Paramount
Avenue Baptist Church May /. 1913,
succeeding the Rev. William r, Bur-
rel;. who is now pastor OF a church
In North Carolina. He came to the
East End church from Brooklyn. N.
Y. where he had served several
churches. among them being BEDFORD
Avenue and Strong Place. He has
also held severa, pastorates in the
South, among them being the First
Baptist Church at Jacksonville. Fla.
and First Baptist at st. Augustine,
Fla. the oldest city in the United
States. Mr. Parsons has also done
considerable literary work and for
several years .ras associated with the
Baptist Young Peoples Magazine
~and wrote the Sunday School lessons
for the Baptist churches throughout
tho country. This was done in addi-
tion to HIS regular pastoral work.
Many improvements Made.
The Paramount Church has made
4 rapid and progressive strides since
Mr. Parsons has been grasping the
pastoral re8nse Many improvements
have been made on the church, the
congregation has been enlarged, while
the church ia enjoying general pros
perity at the present time. All this
can be attributed largely to the eff.
forts of Mr.. Parsons. He has worked
hard for his flock and credit galore
IN due him. The church was recently
succeed and painted and otherwise
improved The house OF worship
which is located at the corner o
Paramount Avenue and Twenty-frs
Street. presents a very neat appear
ance and IL Is considered one Of tn,
best equipped churches in the city.
During Mr. Parsons administration
the congregation has been enlarged
considerably. and proba bly, more thar
$50 persons have been baptized with
- this period Missionary interas
has been stimulated to large ex
tent. additional interest has been man
Tested in church and Sunday schoo
III work. while every department ha
shown progressiveness.
Mr. Parsons declared last nigh
that his success as a pastor Is du
in q large measure to the co-opera
ton of Mrs Parsons who has Away
been considered one OF the most &C
tive workers in every church of which
he has been pastor. Mrs. Parsons ha
a very pleasing personality and 1
generally liked, not only by the mem
beers OF the Paramount Baptist con
greKation. but by the community n
whole As president OF the Women
Missionary Society. teacher in tn
Sunday School and a member Of tn
Ladies' Aid Society she has been
very efficient worker
When Mr. Parsons left the Brook
1yn church. OF which he was paste
for some years. he was presented witt
a handsome silver loving cup as
token Of the members appreciation
OF hts efforts while serving tn
church. He has also received nu
merous other tokens from congrega
B tions he has served, In addition T.
serving churches as pastor, Mr. Par
a
lie reader, entertaining audiences II
E both the North and South. He Is
graduate of the King School OF Ora
tory.
Mr.. Parsons Resignation.
copy of the resignation read yes
terday morning by Mr. Parsons fol
lows:
To the Fairmount-Avenue Baptist
Church:
Dear Brethren,-We have lahore
together as pastor and people 70
three and d half years, during whic
time the work of the Lord has de
veloped and grown in many wayi
One hundred and fifteen new mem
beers have been added many Of WHOM
have become earnest workers in tn
various departments OF church ser
vice. The church building has bee
d improved and heautified 80 that il
ss. now among the best equipped an
most attractive church properties Il
the city. Missionary interest has bee
stimulated in the church and Sunda
School and our gifts to the denomina
tionai interests have increased w
k have shared our common FELLOWSHIP
and rejoiced IN each others prosper
ity and suffered together when sor
rows or trouble have come. The pas
tor has entered into the happiness o
your homes and wept with you whe
NJ Bereavement has come upon you, an
HI he can never forget your kindness an
& love ~ exhibited on the occasion O
# the death Of his beloved daughter
whose body lies At rest in Oakwoo
CemeAery.
Bat now we have come to the par,
M Ing Of the ways and IL has becom
nAceasAry that our present relation
- pastor and people should ceas.
1houghtfully and prayerfully tn
no1toe has been carefully considsre