The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-04-24
REv.HAY WATSON sMIrH,sLErTER
Read Before Congregation of First
Presbyterian Church Thursday
Night-Reasons for His Retire ment
from Southern Presbyterian Min
istry and DecIinatIon OF Call.

The congregation OF the First Pres
byterian church were deeply grieved
on last Thursday night TO have read
TO them a letter from Rev. Hay Wat
son Smith in which he announced his
determination to withdraw from the
ministry of the Southern Presbyterian
church and the necessity, on this ac-
count, for his d~eclination of the cali to
the pastorate of the First church in
this city. The letter is dated at Little
Rock, Arkansas, April Ion, and is as
follows, to-wit:
ITO the Session, Prosecuting Commit
tee. and Congregation of the First
Presbyterian Church, Wilmington,
n. G.
My Dear Friends:-On last Tuesday
/ informed the session Of the Second
Presbyterian church, Of Little Rock,
tina / felt it 10 be my duty, and tina ii
was therefore my purpose. TO withdraw
from the ministry of the Southern
Presbyterian church. 1 stated briefly
my reason for this determination on my
part, and after hearing them they ask
ed me to have a conference with two
of the ministers of Arkansas Presby-
terry, in the hope that some wa might
be found by which 1 could consistent
ly apply for and receive ordination. 1
very gladly complied with their re-
quest, but with no other result han l
had ~expected-to confirm the wisdom,
perhaps / may say the necessity, of
my decision.
In view, therefore, of the severance
of my connection with the ministry of
the Southern Presbyterian church, it
becomes my duty to decline the call
that you extended me in February. In
doing so, / wish again to assure you
how gratifying to me has been the evil
dence of our confidence in me. 1t
came at a time when 1 needed il more
than you knew, and the memory n
inspiration Of your trust will abide with
me as long as 1 live. 1 would lot eX-
change your confidence for the undivid-
ed suffrage of any ecclesiastical as
sembly that ever met.
1 trust that the privilege of serving
you as pastor, the sweetest privilege
my heart can frame, may fall to the
lot of n whose head has rested on
the Masters breast, and who will bring
to you the light n the love that are
there. Very cordially you friend,
HAY WATSON SMITH"
AS Rev. Mr.. Smiths reason for with
drawing from the Southern Presbytery
is a protest against the Westminster
confession of faith, it will be of interest
to note that the New York papers, es-
pecially the World and Journal, Thurs
Ody COlldlIlSu lOlS dTllCleS TeSdIullIS
a movement in the Northern Presby-
terrain church circles for the revision Of
the confession. The caption of the
Worlds article was, Confession Of
Faith Seems to Be Doomed"
The statement was made that Pres
byterians generally demand that it be
replaced or modified and that the gen.
eral assembly will be asked to consider
the matter at it's meeting e month.
The New York Journal claims to have
polled the leading clergy of the North
ern Presbyterian church and the sen
timent is very largely in favor of a
revision Of the confession. In this o
nection the following special telegram
from Atlanta to the New York World
will be of interest, to-wit:
THE Rev. DR.. N. D. Hills, in his lee
ture here tonight before 1000 people, al
luded by indirection to his recent al
legged change in Presbyterian doctrine.
Picturing a newborn babe he asked
is there any one who would consign
this helpless mite of precious humanity
to the fearful vengeance of a vindictive
God?' The audience, after a moment
of uncomprehending silence applauded
the sentiment implied. Several Pres
byterian members of the Lyceum were
conspicuously absent"