The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-04-08
FIRST BAPTIST
ACCEPTS GIFT
FROM W.S.FORbES
Committee is Appointed
to Arrange All the De-
tails. of Transfer of
Property at an Early
Date.

The congregation Of First
church last night practically
voted unanimously to accept the .
offer of w. S. Forbes to provide
the church with a site for new
building and sum sufficient to
erect a handsome edifice, in the
block bounded by Monument,
and Park avenues. the Boulevard
and Mulberry street. The meet
ing was held in the basement of
the church, with fully 500 mem
bers OF the congregation present.
A number of short talks were made
by leading members, in advocacy of
the acceptance of the offer including
remarks by the following deacons and
Iaymen: Daniel S. Mccarthy, Rus
sell C. Williams. Robert L. Powers,
Howard Walthall, Basil NJ. Gwathmey,
E. l. Taylor and Arthur b. Clark.
When the vote was taken there were
a few dissenters, all of whom how
ever, explained that their reasons for
remaining in the old place were SEN
timental.
While Rev. DIR. Mcdaniel had re-
manned neutral in the matter Of Sc
curing a new site, and had hesitated
in expressing himself, he stated in
that he bowed to the Judgment of
the board of deacons. who had studied
the situation from every angle.
The action OF the church last night
Is the elimination of serious discus
sion on consideration which HAD been
going on for some time. A commit
tee had been appointed early in
March in pursuance TO a resolution
directing 1t to procure a location in
the West End. and that it is at
present inexpedient 10 spend a large
sum for improvements on the pres
ent location"
This was before Mr.. Forbes offend
to supply the site and a large part
of the money for the erection of the
building. At the meeting last night
the members received report of the
deacons, embodying the former reso-
luton referring to the removal up
town, and the letter OF MFR. FORBES.
Following the reading of the report,
and after the action at the members.
n comss.tttes or three, with samuel
r. Waddell, chairman. was named to
attend TO al the details in connection
with the transfer of the property
Mr.. Forbes letter reads:
To the Deacons Of the First Baptist
Church. Richmond, Va:
For six years, since the departure
of my beloved wife, IL has been in my
heart to do something on large scale
as a tribute of love TO my Savior and
also as memorial TO my sainted
mother and wife. 1 have a conviction
that this tribute and memorial shou ID
be In the form of a new church build
ing. although several of my dearest
friends have tried to persuade me to
make it in the form of a hospital. To
my mind, the Church of Christ is the
most blessed of all institutions. It
accomplishes more good than any
other organization of my knowledge.
therefore. the best should be given to
the church.
The First Baptist church is vary
dear to me. I was led there thrcfg h
the influence of my mother, and II was
also very dear to my mother and wife.
who served and died in its member
ship. Our church has long and hon
orable history, of which every mem
Der may Justly be proud. Its position
recognized by all Southern Baptists.
For more than a century ii has been
bearing its witness to the ends of the
earth. Its present facilities are made
quate, and ii has been evident to my
mind for sometime that il our church
is to grow. 1t must have better and
larger equipment.
voted that it is inexpedient to spend
any large amount of money on the
present site, and that it is expedi ent
to secure lot in the West End as a
site for a future church building. 1t
is an expression for which l have been
waiting for some time, I also learn
that the Baptist council has expressed
its opinion that there should be 4
Baptist church on Monument avenue
Though / was in no sense instrument
tai in the action taken by the deacons
and council, and did not know they
were considering the question my
judgment most heartily endorses and
| approves their action. X seems to me
significant and providential that the
deacons of the First Baptist church
and the Baptist council and my own
mind should he found at this juncture
In full concurrence on this matter
feel directed of the Lord to propose
fCnnt}pned ar, Eaca TS1roN