Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-22
HE WILL NOT LEAVE.
Or. LANDRUM RESIGNS, BUT CON.
seNTS TO RECONSIDER.
Tie Had Determined to Go to Louisville,
but the Second Church People Per-
suaded Him to Remain.


bers OF congregation received sudden
and sad surprise it was on Sunday morn
ing when Rev. DIR. w. w. Landrum, at the
conclusion Of an unusually interesting
sermon, announced his intention to sever
his pastoral relations with the Second
Baptist church.
After delivering an eloquent discourse
from the text. 1T is more blessed to give
than 10 receive" and receiving two can
| didates into the membership OF the
church. DR.. Landrum said that there was
| matter OF business TO be brought TO the
attention of the congregation. he re-
quested the senior deacon, DIR. jackson Is.
Wood. to take the chair, and then in let
ter read by Mr.. W. j. Whitehurst. the
clerk. rendered his resignation as pastor.
This unlooked-for intelligence created the
most profound sorrow and surprise, ana
so great was the shock to the congrega-
tion that it was some time before any one
recovered sufficiently to suggest any
| course of action.
ASKED TO WITHDRAW IT.
Mr.. William Ellyson, the superintendent
OF the Sunday school, arose and IN feel
| ing and earnest speech referred TO the ten
| der relations which had always existed be-
| tween the church and the pastor. He set
| forth the services rendered by DIR. Lam
drum to his denomination and the manv
| reasons why the church should defer
action on the letter until a conference
could be had with him. He then moved
| that the communication be laid on the
| table, and that q committee, consisting Of
| the deacons and other officers, be appointed
| TO wait upon DIR. Landrum and request his
withdrawal of the letter.
Mr.. ]. TAYLOR Ellyson seconded the sug-
gestion, and said that he could fully ap
preciate the force of the pressure which
had been brought to bear upon DIR. Ian
drum from so many distinguished Baptists
of Louisville TO accept the call to the
Broadway church. He added that he knew
| this church was not only one OF the most
important and influential in Kentucky,
but that DR.. Landrum as its pastor would
have an opportunity to make his impress
upon four or five hundred students who
were gathered there in the Southern
Baptist Theological Seminary. Still. he
was satisfied that If Dr. Landrum would
give them an opportunity to present the
claims of Richmond and of Virginia upon
his further services he would reconsider his
determination and remain with the church.
Alr. Ellyson, continuing, said that DIR:
Iandrum had the affection and love OF
| every man, woman, and child IN his own
church, while his friends among people OF
all classes and denominations could be
numbered by the thousands. Moreover,
DIR. Iandrum had reached that point IN
his ministerial career when he was begin
ming TO WELD a wide influence among the
Baptlsts of the Commonwealth. and 1t
would be misfortune to the State for him
to leave Virginia.
LEFT TO THE CHURCH.
The announcement of DR.. Landrum's
resignation brought tears 10 the eyes OF almost
osla IN 10 audience.
tion by q rising and unanimous vote expressed
their approval OF the proposed action. IL was
arranged that a committee should meet the
pastor at O'Clock in the afternoon at his resi-
dence No. OIL Park avenue. Promptly at the
appointed hour the committee assembled, and
the meeting between the pastor ana the o1lcers
was most affecting; The interview lasted more
esteem and tho reasons for his staying we're so
strongly presented that before the little company
dispersed Dr. Landrum gave assurances that ne
would place the correspondence in the hands OF
his brethren to make such reply TO the church at
Louisville as they might deem prOmotiVe OF the
glory OF God. -
Taylor Ellyson, we're designated as committee
| 10 nreDare this communication, which duty they
reformed on yesterday, and the letter Was
mailed 10 the chairman Of the committee In
Louisville informing that church OF what had
occurred on Sunday and Of the determination OF
DR.. Iandrum to remain with the people OF the
Second church. n
IL should be stated IN tnis connection that ".
Landrum did not in ally way signify TO the
church in Kentucky that he had any intention OF
resigning his pastorate hero. IhlS relieved me
situafion Of any complication and made II easy
| to reach the result attained.
| foy in so large a measure the esteem and conil-
| dence of their fellow-citizens as does kev. Dr'
| Lan1rum. His proposed resignation was me aD-
snrbiuR tonic Of conversation on the streets yes
| terday, and EXPRESSIONS could be heard from
| neople In every condition OF society regrettlng
| the probability OF his leaving the city.
THE CHILDREN WANT HIN TO STAY.
Among the many formal expressions Of regret
received by DE-. Landrum concerning MS reslgha-
| tion. none were more appreciated than the very
| touchlpR resolutions from the Boys Missionary
| SOCIETY of the Second caurch, IN which II was
| stated that every member Of the organization
| had been converted under his ministry. similar
| resolutions were adopted by the Ivy society,
| comuosed OF the young girls OF the churcn. both
| OF these societies held their meetings Sunday
| afternoon and forwarded their resolutions TO
| his residence while the committee were hOidlhg
| their conference with the pastor.
! AT the baptist ministers conference yesterday
| morning profound Joy was manifested AT the
| prospect Of Dr. Landrums remaining here. he
| solutions expressing the hope OF the ministers
| that ne would nnd il 70 be his duty 10 stay IN
| Richmond we're unanimously adopted, ana heV.
Drs Nelson and Pitt and Rev. :. I. ClOpton were
| APPOINTED a committee TO present them TO Dr.
| Landrnm. They performed this duty at 4oclock
| yesterday afternoon.
| The report of the committee appointed on
| Sunday will be submitted 10 the church at iis
| meeting on Wednesday night, when there will
| be n large gathering of all the members to ex-
| press their pleasure that their pastor has con-
| sented 70 continue those relations which Tor
| more than nine years have been maintained
| without one single note OF discord.
| The influence which led Rev. Dr. Landrum 70
| resign had no reference whatever 10 any lack OF
| harmony between him and his people, Tor no
| pastOr here has ever enjoyed more pleasant re-
| iations than those which existed between him
1 90. hfa cregafiOu.