Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-02

extended by any church. Hon. j. Taylor
Elyson was directed to communicate the
action of the church TO the ST. Louis
minister and request reply at as early
a date as possible.
There is practically no doubt about DR..
Smiths coming to Richmond. When the
church thought of calling him year ago
he did not feel that he could leave his
work in st. Louis, but he and his WIFE
are both inclined now to return TO Viz
ginia. He is expected to enter upon his
pastorate here January LIST, If not sooner.
HIS NAME PRESENTED.
The congregational meeting at which
the call was extended was a very large
one. 1t was known that the Nominating
Committee would report. and its recon-
mendation was awaited with interest
Chairman j. Taylor Ellyson, on behalf
of the committee, nominated DR.. Smith,
of whom he spoke in the highest terms.
He reviewed the minister's work, and
said as one who knew him well he could
recommend him TO the church with his
whole heart.
The nomination was seconded by Mr..
w. b. Freeman, who was for a period
of twelve years a member of a congre-
cation over which DR.. Smith presided.
entire endorsement to everything that
Mr.. Ellyson had said of the st. Louis
PASTOR told the meeting much that was
highly interesting concerning the capa-
bilities Of DR.. Smith. He detailed his
own personal experience with the chosen
preacher, and paid glowing tribute to
him.
The church extended the call by a
unanimous rising vote.
TURNED TO DIR. SMITH.
1t is an open secret that when the
popular and beloved Dr. Landrim had
made his irrevocable decision to go to
Atlanta, the hearts of the Second church
people turned first and almost instinc-
lively TO DR.. Smith. and Informal com
munication was had with the st. Louis
divine touching this subject, but the
situation was not then promising. and
the matter was dropped. The reason
for the preference for DR. ''mith which
was then manifested Is 10 be FOUND in
the fact that in temperament and dis
position the incoming pastor strikingly
resembles the outgoing. DR.. Smith is one
of the most genial and companionable
of men. cheerful and affectionate, both
in disposition and manner He Is man
of striking presence. with good voice
simple and graceful pulpit manners, and
is a pleasing and ready platform speaker.
He is regarded by those Who know him
as one OF the ablest and most entertain
ing expounders of the Scripture among
the southern Baptist ministry. In
Lynchburg his popularity extended far
beyond the limits OF his own religious
connection. His warm heart, his culti-
waited mind, his fraternal manner made
for him friends of the entire community.
DIR. Smith has been married twice. His
f,rst wife was a daughter If Professor
Charles L. Cooke, president of Hollins
Institute. She died during bis pastorate
In Lynchburg. His second wife was a
Miss Bowman. daughter OF Mr.. N. r.
Bowman, Of Lynchburg. who, with his
four children, will come TO Richmond
with him.
Not many years ago, while DR.. Smith
was located In Lynchburg, he conducted
a mcmorably fine series OF meetings with
Rev. Or. w. L. Hatcher at the Grace
street Baptist church, and yesterday, at
the meeting of the Baptist Ministers
Conference, DIR. Hatcher was requested
to write TO DR.. Smith. sending him the
most cordial greetings Of the conference.
and expressing their earnest wish ana
hope that he may see his way to the
acceptance OF this call.
A NATIVE OF GEORGIA.
Rev. w. r. L. Smith. ID. d.. was born
In Gordon county. Ca, July rs. 1916. He
made profession OF faith and united
with the church In the same county in
1857. He graduated from Cumberland
University. Lebanon, Tenn. in sune. ISL.
and after teaching one year at Mount
Vernon, Franklin county, Tex, lie was
exclaimed 20 the ministry In December