The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-07
A REVEREND SCANDAL.
Colored Clerical Gentleman in Unhappy Cir
cumstances- Romantic Marriage Ending in
Rapid Consequential Bridegroom in
November Last and Papa Now-The
Little Wait Practically Disowned.

PETERSBURG, Va, Feb. 4, 1879.
Since the cessation OF the thunders Of artillery
and the v0lleys OF musketry which aw0ke the
echoes around this dull town IN the latter years OF
the civil war but few sensations have occurred to
stir the still waters of its quiet, stagnant surface
Bent on retrieving the heavy losses incurred by
them as part of the heritage Of the war and the
penalty paid for their struggle for independence,
the Petersburg people have for seven years past
been devoted to the av0cations OF trade
and manufacture, and have, to use q CON-
mon phrase, let the world wag as it would
long as their ships came in and their rents
settled. Even the dullest depths are sometimes
agtated, however, and Petersburg at last boasts
scandal and sensation, the parties to which are
colored divine, his wife and her child. 1t Is WELL
as rule to begin at the beginning aud will date
my initial chapter as near the period OF the COM
mencement Of the facts as 1t Is possible to do with
out reference to the records 1t appears that dur
ing the month OF November last col0red minister
visiting in this city, was invited to preach Que Sun
day night, in the First Baptist colored church, ON
Harrison street, Of which the Rev. T. p. Smith is
pastor. Now the
REV. 7. p. SMITH
is a bright sinewy, vigorous and healthy young
mulatto, Of medium size, rather handsome in APP
pearance, with most pleasing and insinuating
towards the white people, though he is reputed to
have ruled his own congregation with q ''rod OF
ir0n." Not more than twenty six years OF age, the
Key smith Just released o r%m h snee
terial duties OF church whose member
ship numbered over nineteen hundred, and
whose appointments and accommodations were
spacious, handsome and sacredly luxurious.
Nothing daunted by this great responsibility, so
the heaviest dogas OF doctrine and religious discl
pline into these hundreds oil African ears, and 10
the female portion Of his congregation touching
whom he was severe in denuncation. He recently
charged them with CARRYING satan about with them
those who did not like his preaching to leave the
When in November the visiting co!ored clergy
man was invited to feed Smiths fock large num-
Der Of Smiths sheep were gotten together, and
Smith himself, sleek and beaming, was to be seen
In the pulpit alone. Several vOluntaries were rem
dered ny the
making the rafters ring and echo Then the
pastor arose and remarked that as the strange
preacher seemed behind the schedule time, he
would go out and look nim up, and bring him in:
Smith retired down the aisle OF the church, and
disappeared from the sacred ediice but soon after
returned with the other parsen, and lol-between
flowing over the divine image In ebony and orange
blossoms luxuriantly shining In the midst OF the
turned upon the trio as they proceeded to the
altar, and death-like stiffness prevailed until they
reached that that point when, to the unspeakab!e
the damsel after due process Of question and
answer. prayer and proclamation, became the
REV. MRS. SMITH.
That was in November last, and the nine days.
wonder didn't precede all OF a nine months delay,
for, behold In the month Of January, 1873, the
Smith family already numbered three, and the
question which has arisen for consideration is,
"Wha t. shall he Smith DO with It the new ar.
rival ?" 1t is sta ted that among the members Of
the church upon whom this
FLOWER OF THE GOSPEL
was wont to be 80 rigorous that he does not receive
much sympathy or pity. He has published card
in the newspapers here which has served rather to
aggravate than to appease the wrath Of the con-
gregatOn. In which he states that whoever may
have committed wrong in the matter, he at
least Is exempted from the charge of sin or
blame. But the charitable Of his own kind
this self-asserted evidence Of defence; and those
who cOncede that 1t may be true condemn him for
making this public announcement OF his wife's
shame, even for the purpose OF his own vindica-
ton. At any rate there is embarrassment in the
parsonage, the inmates, naturally, being variousy
exercised in mind The lady's version OF the
strange affair has not yet been given to the curious
world; and, as court Jenkinses would say "the little
waits condolences on the subject OF It's strange and
sudden entrance into this vale OF tears have not
yet been reported" SO the matter now stands;
CATION will probably he had before some official
body of the Church, and the responsibility Of the
REV. SMITHS REPUTED OFFSPRING
viii be traced If possible, to the proper rarity.
Meanwhile the whole community OF darkydOm Ia
violently agitated with a mighty sensation, and
eyes are bigger and mouths arc wider open, which,
in the nature OF things, were big and wide open
enough before came Smith, Jr., to set the tongues
OF the gossips waggng. 1t is pleasant, however.
to be assured that there Is no great likelihood OF
matters being any more complicated by the intro
Smiths wounded honor. AS soon as Mrs. Smiths
condition Will admit Of 1t she will give her state
ment OF this AFFAIR, which has caused so much ex-
element in colored aristocratic circles here.