Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-16
REV. w. l.. WRIGHT. d. d.

REV. w. i. WRIGHT, ID. ID.
been for several years. but that l Will
run great risk In preaching In TINS
climate during this winter and that
residence further south will be of untold
benefit to me. At some time before
leave / wish to express my gratitude 10
the church and the community Tor many
kindnesses shown me during my stay IN
Richmond. This step seems to be against
my interest in every way except IN the
matter Of health But / accept II without
murmur and with confidence and trust
believing that God "doeth all things
we'll" / ask your prayers to the end
that If 1t is Gods will l may get well
and preach the Gospel somewhere many
years to come.
with sincere prayer for your growth
and your prosperity, 1 am, yours af1ec-
tionately. w. l.. WRIGHT.
SURPRISE AND SORROW.
A few moments before DR.. Wright en-
tered the pulpit he called the deacons 10
his study and told them of his purpose
but nothing of this intention was known
to the remaining membership and con-
gregation. DR.. Wright continued to "ead
the manly and dignihed letter TO the
church for some moments before the con-
gregation caught the import OF what ne
- "
that his voice was sounding the death
knell of those tender and affectonate re-
lations sealed and unbroken during six
happy years, tears came into many eyes.
A silence like unto death reigned, ana
the eyes Of all in the great congregation
turned full upon the tall form of the be-
loved pastor were moistened and softened
with thoughts of bygone days
AS DR.. Wright says distinctly in MS
II Ia 10
reason for the step he has not taken
with haste. DR.. Wright is devotedly
loved by his people and admired as q
| fearless, eloquent, and able preacher by
| all who know him. All during his minis
| try congregations that taxed the fullest
seating capacity of Leigh-Street church
! have attended every service he conducted.
! Never during this time, even in severest
weather of winter, did he preach 10
| empty benches. His record made in Rich
mond is thatNof a scholarly, cody man,
magnetic preacher, and undisputed leaoer'
| For some months past he has suffered
much with his voice, and on this account
was given a vacation by his church. His
was a great work at Leigh-Street, too,
and his general health was weakened
! also During his stay at his old child
| hood home in North Carolina, his voice
! improved much, and he recovered fully
| his former great energy. He came back
to the pastoral work the 1st of September,
and while now his health is good his
voice has again become affected, so much
/ so that his physicians, believing that this
climate is too severe for him. have ad-
vised that he go further South.
DIR. WRIGHTs BUSY LIFE.
DR.. Wrights has been a busy, fruitful
life. While still a student al Wake
| Forest College, he became pastor OF New
Hope church. in North Carolina. remain
ing in the ministry until he graduated
from Wake Forest in June, 1879 two and
one half years later. In May, 1880, he
graduated in four schools from the South
ern Baptist Theological Seminary, and
the same month became pastor or Hills
boro' church. During the five and hall
years In the pastorate Of this church he
built a parsonage and two mission
churches. His next pastorate was al
! ReIdsville where he remained also five
| and a half years. Here he built a
parsonage and large handsome church.
/ From Reidsvile he came on october 1
1891 TO Leigh-Street, to succeed Rev. DR.
j NJ. Frost. now Of Nashville. During
the six years and two months of DR.
Wright's ministry at Leigh-Street The
church has received by baptism 200 mem
hers besides much more than half tha
number by letter and restoration. A
ono time Leigh-Street received 100 mem
hers and in a few weeks gave that mum
| her generously TO constitute the nov
aourisbing church-Broaddus Memorial
THE entire collections for all causes II
these wears have amounted 10 $4,000. L
4, ,nnossible TO measure the good DR.
| Nyright has done i'm all Christian worl
70 Pichmond. He has given the Chris
Han cause the earnest labors Of an able
godlv man for six years. and the results
are incalculable. -
Tbouoh his voice is husky and the diff
acnItv he experiences in speaking ha
,eacted ON his health somewhat, he ma
not lost his old energy and his parting
words ~ a pleasant conversation yester
dav were: II expect TO get well In yea
or two and give many years yet TO IN
Cosnel OF Christ" AS he said thes
words he made a GESTURE he could no
control Indicative of the energy OF
strong man with purpose.
A meeting OF the church Will be nell
after the Wednesday evening service TO
morrow. when the resignation VIII D.
considered and action on II be taken.
From Richmond Dr. Wright will go U
Troy. n. c., where he owns pleasan
nome and other real estate. His famii'
are now in North Carolina, and whel
he leaves Richmond Mrs. Wright AM
their children will join him at their WI
lage home. Here he will be quiet. an
he hopes his health win be benefited o.
rest
Rev. Mr.. sweeny at Seventh stree'
c,ndav mornine the two weeks reyiva