The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-03-22
From the Southern Collegian. !


University and cadet of the Virginia Mill
tarv Institute will read with the sincerest
regret the following letter from the Rev.
j. VIM. Jones. reIgning the pastorate of
The Baptist church in this place. Ever since
Mr.. Jones came among Us he has taken the
deepest interest in the religious condition
OF The two institutions located here, and
seems to have heartily joined his prayers to
those OF our great chietain, that &" all these
Young men might become consistent Chris
tians.' When ut home. he was il regular
attendant at the prayer meetings held at
both institutions. Every young Christian
went TO him freely for council as to an elder
Brother, and wherever he goes the earnest
prayers Of many whom he has helped. by
precrpt and example, TO find the way OF
lite, will follow him:
LEXINGTON, VA, March 4, 1871.
Lexington Baptist Ch,uch:
Ny Dear Brethren 1t becomes nv pain
tul duty to tender TO you, as hereby do,
my resignation OF the pastorate of your
next.
1t is due alike to the church and to my
self to say that am impeled to this step
neither by knowledge of any desire on
Your part that there should he Z change,
nor hy any unWillin%ncsS on my part 10
continue To serve YOU. On the contrary,
If there Is Il single member of the church
who desires a change Of pastors / am not
aware OF it; and can say, in AL sincerity,
that II 1t were question involving mere
personai feeling, l know Of 10 church
Wouh. prefer to serve, and no community
where l would prefer TO live.
came among you little over five years
ago an entire stranger. | WAS most cor
daily received, and have been treated ever
>lncc-bolh by the Church and the commit
uity-wlth Kindness that has bound me to
this neope by ties that ii will be very pain
'ul To sever. Some Of you know that more
than once / have quietly refused tempting
offers TO 20 elsewhere, and that it has long
been my cherished purpose to continue to
work on, il not "a your pastor, at least as a
member Of your Church and an evangelist
10 the destitute region around.
need not say, then, that | have been
brought to tender you my resignation only
by IA Stern sense Of duty. The health OF my
wife, always delicate, has become 30 precs-
rous that my family physician Informs me
that 1t would not be safe for her to spend
another winter in this climate, and advises
HE TO seek home in the South.
simultaneously with this medical advice
| received the offer of an appointment to
the responsible and useful position OF Cen
crul Agent for the Southern Baptist Theo-
logical seminary, located at Grecnville, s.
{. The two coming thus together have
seemed 10 me, and to brethren whom | have
consulted, Il clear Providential indication OF
The path OF duty. ... ..rs."s
have, therefore, (after full and prayer
full consideration Of the Whole question, }
determined to accept this most important
agency, which is designed TO establish on i
nrm basis our "school Of the Prophets,'
and TO enter the 1st OF July next upon the
vigorous discharge of its duties.
postpone leaving you until then, that |
may give the church ample. time to secure
another pastor, and that L may with Gods
blessing and your co0peration) get in better
condition certain important interests.
Suffer me now to make several practical
suggestions:
]. A this resignation has not been ten
dered until my mind was fully made up,
hope that II will he promptly accepted.
:. Tie church should at once take steps
towards securing another pastor, and If II
suitable one can be secured before 1st Of
July, will most cheerfully give place al
any time.
rcn be appointed who shall consider the
whole question, and report to the church
the name of some suitable man.
!. most atfectionatey eXhort the church
that earnest prayer be made both in public
aud IN private tor the guidance Of the Holy
spirit III this matter.
God grant that Eli may be overruled for
Ills glory and your good. .f
Fraternally and atfectionately,
J. WIN. JONES"