The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-03-24
DIR. LAyDRUM WILL STAY.
He GaYe tho Reasons for His designation and
R.consideration.


Reconsideration.
Tho lecture-room of the Second Baptist
church was crowded last evening with people
who were anxious to hear for themselves Rev.
DR.. W. W. Landrum declare that be had re-
considered his decision 10 leave the church.
After the singing of several hymns Dr. Lam
drum announced that some OF the aeacons
would address the congregation with refer
ence 10 his action on last sunday. and that be
then would himself have something 70 say ~ re-
gard - the struggle through when he had
20 pass.
Deacon J. b. Wood made q detailed state
ment AS TO the situation and informed his
hearers officially OF what they had already
learned from the newspapers to have been the
outcome of the meeting OF the officers OF the
church with their pastor.
Dr.. Landrum then followed with very
touching address 20 his congregation. speak
ing substantially ~ follows: II 10 my life,
while pastor Of this church. have ever with
held anything from you. am not aware OF
il. Believing that you are all anxious 10 learn
how this matter has been brought on, ! VIII
endeavor 20 explain II IN an informal manner
There have been very few great spiritual
struggles in my life; one was when
/ felt called by God to preach the gospel.
This was in December. 1879. and the follow
ing February ! went back 10 college 10 pre-
pare myself for the preaching OF the gospel,
and now would not change places with the
President OF the United States nor with the
archangel around the throne Of God. for | can
do what is impossible ioT him. lift up the
fallen ones.
Since | have been in the ministery l had
two or three hard struggles. but none so Sc
rious as that during the past few days, have
had several calls from other cities while nave
been pastor IF this church, but J did not
deem it important enough to inform you OF 1t
each time Since last fall / have had calls
from Texas. Tennessee and three from Sayan-
nah. where | was raised and these calls might
have started me IN the new line OF thinking.
Finally the invitation came 10 me from LOUIS
Vile. 1t was extended 10 me IN olf-
ferent manner from that which brought
me 70 your church. when commit
tee of sixteen, representing al classes,
of members. informed me that L Woulu
be called if / declared my Willingness
to accept. Last Sunday morning week ago
the members OF the Broadway BAPTIST church
In Louisville unanimously rendered me can
and they We're aided in II By the Semlnarywhlcl
was also unanimous. ! did not know a single
member OF that church: ] had never been
IN that city and had never been IN entire &C
cord with the Baptists IN that city and IN that
State. When. after going over the whole isl
Of Baptist ministers IN the south, they
promptly decided that / was TO be the only
man who could be called. it seemed ONE that
il was the voice of God. When they sent
the letter they enclosed a copy OF a
Louisville paper containing "a column on the
subject ] telephOned 10 THE TlnLs and
Dispatch Offices and asked ti.ese papers &c
keep the matter out OF public PRINT, whlcl
they very kindly agreed 10 do. did not con
fer with any OF you. because | WAS afraid e
do So for had no desire TO leave. The only
question was with me. was ! strong enough II
nv religion TO 90 there. was | willing TO give
up tie church that / loved more than any
other on earth because tie demands OF the
denomination seemed 10 require tnat ] rhouI'
90 whether / was willing TO do the most pain
full thing in my lite. and 10 DO Wnat incl
considered 10 be my duty.
ON Sunday morning last ! did not nave
the heart TO attend the sunday school J. Wen
10 nv study and sent Tor Mr.. W hltehurst
whom requested to read the letter OF resig
nation IS soon rs ! saw 1t III his hands
walked out of church and went home dOWI
Sixth street and up Cary TO my house.
reached there completely broken doWn ah'
went to bed. had not slept for week an'
had eaten but very little. When the Dretnrel
came to my house in the afternoon they fOun'
ma in bed. and then the struggle was re
newed. / can say one thing for myself
| / have never had any lack OF anecuon To-
YOU, If had been as faithful to you AS you
| have been TO me. or if you and had been a
faithful to our Saviour as you have been 10 rue
this church would be to-day great power 10
/ Christ
II finally left the whole matter to the com
mittee. consisting OF Messrs. WOOD anu Ely
son. and they wrote to Louisville after ha'
approved of the letter. ! know 1t Is goo
! for me to be with YOU. This is not an ordl
nary pastorate. and not only this church
peculiarly dear 10 me. but the whole com
munity, for have lived here longer than u u
any other city. and ] am not only IN the iull
est harmony with all the Baptists OF klch
mond but also with all her ministers; tn
Jewish rabbi included. and it has always bee
my earnest desire to be yours and your
| alone"
Mayor Ellyson made one Of his character
istic and neat speeches. wherein he clear
stated his feelings in the matter. lie was to
lowed by Deacon Joseph b. Montgomery an'
one or two others, and while the c9ngresa
ton was singing the long,metre HoXoloa
the members came forward to shake hand
with DR.. Landrum and to express their graf
fcation over the fact that lie had decided
remain with his congregation