The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1897-12-08
A Card From Rev. J. A Smith.

Robson Association says: ''Rev
}. J. Scott, of Alfordsville, spok,
briefly. He corrected the mat
ters of history in dispute by Mes
sers Duckett and Smith" Tn,
statement of your reporter is mis-
leading, for there was nothing 0.
Importance between Prof. Duckett
and myself for any one to settle
When Prof. Duckett read his
admirable report on foreign mis-.
sions | simply suggested change
III portion of his phraseology on
the ground that as the report read
1T would convey the idea that nc
missionary enterprise ever start
eel from Asia. | said that Asia
did send out the Gospel and the
trouble was this. The churches
of Asia lost the missionary zeal and
spirit. Neither Prof. Duckett, nor
any one else, disputed this state
ment, for every one knows that
long before Paul was beheaded at
Rome he planted the renowned
church of Ephesus, which was in
Asia. Paul lived at Ephesus, and
achieved there some of his most
brilliant missionary successes.
Here he debated all the great doc
trlnes of the faith till all Asia had
tldings of the truth as it is in Jesus.
Ephesus was also the home of
the beloved John. Here he preach
ed and here he died. In the weeds
and amid the rubbish of old Eph-
esus can be seen the marble bap-
tlstry he used for the baptism of
his candidates. It was at Ephe-
sus that Apollus was converted to
Christ and first exercised his gifts
i'll the interest of the Gospel
Here, too, the beloved Timothy
discharged the duties of the sacred
and died of mob violence
these facts support the very
brief statement I made that Asia
sent out the Gospel but the trou-
bic with the churches was this:
They did not retain the true mis-
sionary spirit.
Therefore your reporter does
both myself and Prof. Duckett an
injustice, for there was in reality
40 mistake or serious dispute on
'ur part. Mr.. Scott corrected no
natter of history between us. He
got Off on something else and took
advantage of the occasion to tell |
JIG olo scotch about Red Springs
where they came from and how
lister Efy got her name from
freece via Scotland.
These are the facts in the case
md we hope that your reporter
vii next time give the facts inst
IS they occurred.
II Prof. Duckett and myself had
or even q few minutes each mo-
lopolized the floor of the Associa-
Ion the fact would have been de-
'eloped that there was no dispute
II difference of opinion between
IS. L would have paid no atten-
Ion whatever to the report of the
association were it not for the fact
hat some people are placing the
irong construction on the article
nd seem to think that Prof
pickett and myself got into some
lunder in the matter of church
istory, which is not true.
Yours respectfully.
j. A. SMITH.
The card of Mr.. Smith was o.
1rprlse to us for we had no idea
doing him, Prof. Duckett or
ny on else an injustice, or to saw {
word that was misleading. The
port OF the Association was writ |
N by the editor, who was present. ]
I'D heard the reading of the re- t
ort and the discussions. The t
aragraph which is said to be mis- K
aiding and unjust-was short andl
reproduced here: Y
The report on foreign missions
rs also discussed Wednesday
ght. 1t was read by Prof. John
uckett, of Lumberton, and there
rs a short discussion between E
mself and Rev. J. A. Smith, of
III Bluff, as to some statements n
ade. This over, Rev. l.. john
~ of Greensboro, 'Espoke to the n
port. The address was eloouent
d at times pathetic. Rev. J.J
Oft, of Alfordsville, also spoke c:
lefiy. He corrected the matters a
history in dispute by Mcssrs. G
lckett and Smith and strongly
vocated more earnest effort in al
half of foreign 1ssionarv IL
rk:"
AS the charge of inaccuracy has q
IN brought against lis for this 70
'tement it is necessary that . If
et explanation be made as we h.
sire to TemOvn oil ,r,7 a