Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-23
UNITED IN THEIR EFFORTS
TO RETAIN DR.. BOWIE
AL Members OF ST. Paul's Church
Join in Petition Asking
Rector to Remain.
CALL COMES FROM NEW YORK
Men and Women of Congregation
Hold Separate Meetings and Pass
Resolutions Urging Minister to
Continue With Present Parish.

|
Strong and united efforts are being
made by the members of st. Pauls
Episcopal Church to persuade their rec
tor. w. Russell Bowie. d. D.. to de-
cline the call he recently received from
the Church Of the Incarnation, New
York City. and continue his ministry
with his present parish.
At largely attended meeting of
the women of st. Paurs. held ycster-
day morning at 10 o'clock in the parish
house. resolutions were passed by unani-
nous vote setting forth the reasons
why the appeal for him 10 stay here
is made. I'VE need him in this time
of unrest and moral strain as we have
| never needed him." state the resolu-
| lions. We trust his wise guidance,
and are prepared to answer his APP
| peals. Without him we feel that The
| usefulness of one of the biggest and
most important churches in Virginia
will be so seriously crippled that we
| doubt il il can hope to remain a. its
present standing. and we feel sure il
viii rot advance 10 the larger oppor-
tunities now opening before us"
| Earnest and hearty cooperation In
pledged anew in the resolutions which
are signed by ref -escntatives OF all the
women's organizations in the church.
SIMILAR ACTION TAKEN
BIZ MEMS ASSOCIATION
Similar action was takcn by the men
of the congregation at a meeting held
last night. Resolutions were unani.
mously adopted and signed by all those
in attendance, which are to be pre-
scented to DIR. Bowie by committee
consisting Of 3. Rand Wexford and
{. III. Weber. president % the Mems
Association. The resvlu ions, in por.,
are as follows:
we ask him to decline the insis.eat
and hattering call extended him be-
cause:
81. st. Paul's Church is a downtown
church. which, because of its historic
associations, must always remain in
us present location. 1t numbers among
lis congregation many OF the leading
financial business and professional
men or the city. Because it was tho
church Of Lee and DAVIS. I: draws to
us services more strangers than any
other church in the city Its rector
has the opportunity OF reaching pco-
PIE from all sections of me country. II
Is important that he Aiould b., n force
iul and eloquent preacher. a5la t. leave
Il lasting impression on these who hear
him.
80 The removal Of Or. Bowie from
hic 'hohd ":ul1 be loss to the Do
cese OF Virginia, which has felt the
impulse of his earnest activities and
from the incre ased contributions from
81. Faufs Church, has been largely as
sisted in meeting the assessments OF
'he diocese for missionary purposes
8. The city of Richmond, which Is
rapidly becoming n financial manufac-
turing and mercantile center would
MISS one who has always been ready
TO aid in the civic bettcrmcnt OF tho
community
The Mems Association promise the
rector OF the church, in casc ho should
remain, It's hear'y support and cooper
atton II the parish work, and will as
sist inc Vestry as far as they arc obIc
IN raising such funds az may ne needed
to carry on the work"
WILL REACH DECISION
WITHIN NENT FEW Days
pr. Bowie who has been rector or
81: Paufs for the past six years. re-
ceiVed the call to :he Church of tho
inca rnatlon in letter from Francis
LEnae Stetson. senior warden, early last
week. AL the same time he received
ietters from Bishop Greer and from
rev. Howard G. Robbins dean OF III.
cathedral of st. John the Divine ond
former rector OF Incarnation. carncstlv
"'siHE MIN TO accept the cnIl ma
"c'onE forth from their standooin, tho
"onncriil opportunity for service
which that field affords. That churn,,
mas had only i've rcctors In n. h;s
LOT" ana its last two. DR.. Grnevonor
AN" DE- Robbins. were called 70 ~
"ean OF the great Episcopal cathodr,I
On Morninsside Heights. New York Dr
no"ir probai ~ will make his dnci.
SION within the next few days