The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-03-07
DIR. ELIPPO'S RESIGNATION.
Further Interviews Respecting the Firs,
baptist Church Affair.

Further Interviews Respecting the First
baptist Church Affair.
The interview with DR.. o. f. Hippo
relative to his resignation which I'D.
peared in THE TIMES Sunday morning,
has provoked no little interest in church
circles. Mr.. r. S. Williams, one of the
gentlemc who attended the meeting in
Deacon John Ii. Wright's Office kindly
consented to an interview and the fol-
lowing is the result:
lou ask me to make q statement
relative to the resignation of DR.. Flppo.
This was church affair and | think
should have been settled by the church
without resort to newspaper discussion.
But as the interview published in your
Sunday morning issue does not present
the matter altogether as und ers tand it.
I will say this:
81 was at the meeting held Thursday
evening by request The appearance of
MIR. ). W. Jamison at that meeting was
in no sense surprise. My understands
ing of tho matter was that he had been
requested to confer with DIR. Flippo and
3DpriSe him of the existence Of some
dissatisfaction, and report the result of
the conference at this meeting He
WAS therefore expected to be present.
The object OF the meeting was stated TO
be for the purpose of making inquiry
into the extent Of the reported dissa It's.
faction and ii any considerable objection
existed, to suggest intelligent action IN
the premises.
Certainly church members have
right to confer touching upon matters
pertaining to their church. But before
tho hour of the meeting DIR. Hippo saw
several OF the members and stated that
he felt aggrieved, and that it was his
purpose to tender his resignation.
Without exception those present dis.
claimed any intentional discourtesy to
DR.. Flippo. For him personally the
highest regard was expressed 1t was
an informal meeting with no power to
act officially. This was On Thursday
Friday night following was our regular
monthly business meeting, and it
seemed to me that, is the pastor had
fully determined to resign, that this pre-
scented proper occasion for consider
alton OF the matter. However, the res
ignation was not rendered until Sunday
morning. The church voted Dy de.
cided majority to ask a withdrawal of
the resignation. This the pastor de.
clined to do. His resignation was then
accepted aud went into effect after tho
night service.
In order that there might be free
expression OF views on this matter. Mr.
Williams interview was in substance
quoted to DR.. Hippo, who said:
Tho views of Mr.. r. ). Williams do
not materially alter my statement that
appeared in tho Sunday morning TIMES.
would he very glad to help the honora-
BILE chairman OF that secret meeting.
held in MIR, John H. Wright's oilico last
Thursday afternoon, TO explain away
its object and avert its consequences
The facs Is there WAS no necessity for
such meeting, formal or informal, and
the only 'intellizent action in tho
premises is for tho instigators of the
meeting to come ont like men and
ask the pardon of the church
they have so deeply gricved by their
suicidal blunder. AS to the pastor, no
has forgiven each one, and his prayer is
that tho better preaching they are
SEEKING may give them Repentance and
better minds. May the Lord bles: these
brethren and teach them aioro excel
lent way to preserve the peace and har-
mony Of tho church,
MY reaaon for approaching che pub
ZIG through the medium or thu press was
to countcract the false Impression made
to the reporter OF an evening paper by
prominent membcr of the First Baptist
Church on Saturday afternoon. | could
not stand such grand send off as that
wanted tho real cause OF my resigna
ton to be known by my friends in the
city, as vol as the church. They had
right to know. Friday night was a very
Indictment night, and only males attend
the business meetings OF tho church.
wanted my true and faithful sisters to
be present when l presented my re sig
nation. Somehow ! had rather trust
the female saints than the male saints.
even though tho latter be tho official
nom bers Of the church.
81 want to add that tho name OF Mr.
j. A. Jamison in the connection in
which it appeared in my statement did
him great injustice. IIo was phoned
by Mr.. W. q. Evans to meet at a certain
time and place, and did not have the
remotest idea OF the object OF trc meet.
ing until no arrived at the place de-
gnated-John ii. Wright's Office. II
he had known the object OF the ting
he would have declined the invitation.
He desires this statement to be made.
lie was satisfied with his pastor.
Now, there is a great d. al IN IRE to