The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-03-05

resignation as pastor of the First Bap-
fist Church OF Roanoke. This uneX-
pected action has excited a deal OF
speculation as to it's cause A reporter
OF The TINES saw DR.. Hippo last
evening, and requested him to mako
statement respecting his resignation
and the cause or causes leading thereto.
The doctor was cheerful and obligipg,
and said he was glad to mako state
ment to The INES, so that he could be
correctly reported, for one of the even
ing papers had done him great injustice
in saying that he had received Halter
ing calls to larger fields of usefulness
with increased salary.
He could not have treated his church
thus, the doctor stated-leave Them
without momont's notice for tho sake
OF more lucrative pastorate. lie does
not know who the prominent member
OF the First Baptist Church was that
gave the infor nation to the evening
paper about "tlattering calls to Ralti.
more and other fields" There is no
truth in the statement. Dr. Hippo, some
weeks ago, was importuned to preach
for vacant pulpit, but emphatically
and repeatedly declined. He is opposed
w liC WIS auUreSSOU with
letter respecting posi- ton in connec-
tion with very large denominational
publishing house, as missionary evangel-
list, but no definite decision was arrived
at because the work would, in largo
measure, take the doctor out Of the
pastorate.
lie says he was addressing him self to
MS work here with his uniform energy
ana had no thought OF resigning without
giving his church timely notice until
thursday morning, when note from
one OF the staunchest friends Of the
church and pastor appraised him that he
tine frlend) had been invited by vii.
liam L. Evans to be present that after
noon at meeting of some of the inn
portant members of the church to con.
slider whether or OF it would be better
Tor the church to have change of pas
tors This gentleman said to DR..
tllppo 81 do not expect to be present,
nut ielt that no such meeting ought
to be called without notifying DR..
tllppo.' The doctor said: Certainly
the time has come for change of pas
tor, and no self-respecting man would
submit to anything of the kind"
Subsequently DR.. Flippo learned that
VIM. &. Evans and Geo. A. Turner
invited the chosen few. He learned
that John ii. Wright permitted the
meeting to BIO held in his office. When
the hour arrived there were present
John II. Wright, w. G. Evans, X. S.
Williams, lobe Boone, j. A Jamison,
L. O. Bickers, Bushrod Rust, r.. II.
Brugh, g. A. Turner and perhaps
others. These gentlemen were espe-
claily Kind in their reference to their
pastor. They said he had done noble
work, was fine English scholar, used
splendid rhetoric knew how to put
Things, etc. They said he was the best
pastor they ever had. but they liked to
hear some other preachers in the pulpit
better than DR.. Hippo. Some wanted
higher standard OF reaching, ana some
thought the congregation didn't require
such extra preaching.
The presence OF Jos. Little, Mr..
Jamison and c. S. Churchill was rather
unexpected, for the Two latter had not
been informed when the meeting was to
be held. They were personally satisfied
with the pastor in every respect. Mr..
Little, the collector and financial Sec
rotary Of the church, was questioned 10
know what evidences of dissatisfaction
he had found in his rounds among the
membership. He said none. He had
heard the most gratifying expressions
oil devotion to the pastor: that now and
then he had heard some one say that
they had rather hear some other
preacher than DR.. Flippo, but he didn't
regard that as disaffection. Tastes diff
fer. All styles are not alike.
What about their objection to your
notes in the pulpit?" asked the reporter
81 don't know and don't care. COM
menced preaching without notes when
first entered the ministry. | preached
in Qphnnl in
the State Of Maryland for months and
months without notes. found out that
| couldn't stand it. got in debt preach
ing without notes. So | stipulated for
few bank notes as a salary, and have
been using notes in the pulpit ever
since, and expect 10 use notes as long
as 1--we and can see to use them. Some
OF the most successful pastors in the
land use notes. ! do no. read nv ser
mons. but use notes, and am goin, to
continue To use notes. and | have never
known what il was to lack for a congre.
CATION. admit that my preaching is
mgb ty poor sometime. but somehow
the people will come 20 hear it, and
there are many that haven't got tired
of the old shepherds voice. Please say
that"
II heard it stated that the First Rap.
fist Church was disintegrating. How
about that"
THAT is strange statement
Church extension may be considered by
some disintegration. We sent out a
colony of splendid members TO form the
Calvary Baptist Church. We sent out
some excellent members to form the
Vinton church, and we have Just dis.
missed more than fifty prompt and
| regular members to organize the East
| Roanoke Baptist Church, and yet with
| these diminutions and with by far the