Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-05

~ W.
minion, having lived on the sacred soil
some twelve years, while pastor OF the
First Baptist church at Lynchburg- lie
came to Lynchburg Immediately on MS
graduation from the Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary. His pastoral ca
reer in tina city was as full of genuine
success as it was of mutual delight be-
tween pastor and people. The costnest
and handsomest Baptist house of worship
in the State was built under his leader
ship. But strong and handsome as thls
temple Of worship Is, it was not more
strong or more beautiful tina the spirit
nal Church that was built up under MS
wise and gracious administration ana
pastoral care. He left on the field where
BAPTIST forces had hitherto been scat
tered, unemployed, and u~norganized a
thoroughly united, homogeneous, and ag-
g~ressive people.
TO NASHVILLE AND ST. LOUIS.
From this field he went eight years ago
to the First Baptist church of Nashville
Tenn. Here he remained two years, doing
a work thoroughly creditable to himself
and helpful to the church. But a press
ing call from the Third Baptist church or
ST. Louis, made vacant by the reslgna-
ton of DR.. ]. p. Greene, to accept the
presidency of the William Jewel College,
compelled him to relinquish this work
and he went to take charge Of a church
recognized as one of the great spiritual
forces of the Baptist denomination IN
the West. DR.. Smith remained with this
church five years, and Is ~rrende 10
Virginia Baptists with universal ana I'M
feigned regret and sorrow. His work IN
St. Louis was uninterruptedly successful
and he leaves behind him there an hon
--~l1. and a most fragrant
memory. ,
DIR. Smith has a dignifed, gracious. and
genial bearing. He has q handsome ana
taking physical makeup. He is frank.
sweet-spirited and sympathetic; easy OF
approach. and always perfectly accessible
TO all who seek his help or his
He loves the brethren, and few men are
more esteemed and beloved by his lei
| low-ministers. He has a broad culture,
| is widely read, and is thoroughly posted
| on all religious and UNCONVENTIONAL mat
| ters. His preaching is simple, ~thoughtful
| and Scriptural. His ermo are the pro-
duct of a patient and Industrious study
| and are thoroughly saturated Will The
sweetnesg as well as the strength OF the
Gospel.
WILL BECOME A LEADER.
II is believed that he will easily anc
ouIckly fall into the place of denominr
tional leadership in the State. This seems
IN no all the more sure because he him
self has no ambition for personal prefer
ment amongst his brethren. He Is widely
known in the State. is perfectly fainiIia
with all the agencies and methods o
d-enominational State work, and Is II
thorough sympathy with all Baptist ira
1 ditions and institutions. These qualhlca
tions. coupled with those OF a persona
20 hfvN a L. TUa MAI
~ usefulness in the Baptist affairs OF tn
state and the South.
DIR. Smith will preach his first sermon
10 his new charge this morning.
THE RECOGNITION SERVICE.
In the afternoon at 3 o'clock a publ
service of welcome will he held, and 81
interesting programme OF exercises WI
no carried out. Rev. J.. 3. Hutson, d.. d.
MI, nreslde and after an orchestral pro
cessional and the singing Of the Doxology
pew T, r.. Thornhill. d. D., will offer IN
invocation. The hymn, 'Cop1e. Tho
Almighty King" will be announced d
Rev. ]. ID. Dill, d. D.. and rung by IN
congregation, after which prayer Will D
offered by Rev. i. NJ. Mercer, D.. ID. Key
DIR. Moses D.. Hoge will extend the greet
jngs OF Christians of all denomination
10 the new pastor, and" Rev. Dr. X. +
pitt will deliver an address OF weicom
on behalf OF the Baptists OF virginia.
THE welcome on behalf Of the Minister
Conference of Richmond will be delivere
by Rev. DIR. Hatcher. and will be foiloWe
with. an anthem by the choir. Kew. ~
WilIingham will speak words OF weicom
on behalf Of the Second church. anq the
DIR. Smith will respond. The hyml
.sWhen I Survey the Wondroua Cross
will be sung when DIR. Smith conclude
and the exercises will be brought 10
close with the bendiction. pronounced
Rev. j. X. Harrison.
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
The Second Baptist church. TO who's
pastorate DIR. Smith comes, Is one OF u
strongest and most aggressive In II
whole South. 1t has recently, and
great cost, adorned and refurnished !
house Of worship. making It n OF II
! handsomest and more commodious bull
ines I'm the entire city. 1t has had in !
pastorate some Of the strongest preache
in the Baptist denomination. includir
! such men as James d. Taylor. ST., ID. /
\ E. L. Masoon. d. d.. r. =. G.. Howe
I ID. D., ]. A. Chambliss. ID. d.. C. c. III
ting. d. d, Henry Mcdonald, ID. d.. al
w. w. Landrum. d. D. II Is notable tn