Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-02
REV. w. II. wHiTsETT.
EFFORTS TO INDUCE HIM TO
COME TO VIRGINIA.

COME TO VIRGINIA.
Yesterdays Richmond Times says:
ut leaked out last night at late
hour that Rev. DR.. William II. Whit
slit. who was for many years president
OF the Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary at Louisville. KY, will be Of
fered an important and responsible po-
sition by the Baptists Of the State of
Virginia
While 1t could not be definitely learn
ed last night what his position is. there
were good grounds for believing that it
IS the head of the Baptist Orphan2ge at
salem, Va. One of the leading Baptists
Oh Richmond was asked about the mat
ter. and declined to say whether or not
THIS was true. He stated that the DO
sition to be offered DR.. Whitsitt was a
very important one. and that when 1t
was announced publicly through the
papers there would be much interest
felt In the appointment. He also stated
That several Baptist ministers who &C.
cupy nigh positions among the Baptists
OF Virginia, had been asked to use their
influence with DR.. Whitsitt to urge
him to accept the position which would
be offered him, and while 1t could not
be predicted now whether or not Dr.
W AA'NSseN NOdl0 uCCeDC, every effort
would be made to get him to come to
Virginia and take up the work.
me baptist Orphanage of Virginia is
under the guidance and support of the
Baptist General Association of virginia
and is large and useful institution
which Is doing great deal of good. 1t
WAS started In small way, ami was
gradually built up, as its usefulness
was realized by those who had its in
n ~
buildings we'll equipped, and there are
plans on foot to greatly enlarge the in
sutution and get for 1t q good deal
larger financial aid. Rev. DR.. William
e. Hatcher pastor of Grace Baptist
Church. in this city, is president of the
Baptist Orphanase and has been an
active spirit in building it up to its
present high standard and great use
fulness.
Rev. DR.. Taylor. formerly OF will
mington. N. c., was the financial agent
of the institution for several months.
but resigned to accept the position of
the head Of the Baptist Orphanage of
Georgia.
Since that time the Virginia Or
phanage has had no active head who
| could devote his time to raising moneys
for Its extension and support, DR..
Hatcher having little time from his
many other duties to devote to this
part OF the work, and it was deem d
wise and necessary to have some one
who knew the Importance of the work
and who understood how to raise the
money for the institution to take charge
OF these duties and devote his time to
them.
REV. DR.. Hatcher is known to be n
warm personal friend of DR.. Whit tits.
as well as great admirer of the lat-
tcr's ability and power in and out of
the pulpit. 1t is believed that DR..
Hatcher has for some time been watch
Ing the movements OF DR. Whitsitt.
and hoping that some opportunity
might arise by which Dr. Whitsitt
could be induced to come to virginia.
For some time DR.. Whitsitt has
been In Europe, where he went last
summer to collect information from the
| great libraries in that country to be
used in the prenaration of a book. He
preached in Richmond LIST August at
the First Baptist Church during DR..
| Cooper's vacation. and many of his
| friends here give him hearty welcom
10 Richmond
DR.. Whitsitt. rs will be remember
ed by readers of the Times, rcsqnrd
the presidency of the Southern BAPTIST
| Theological Seminary some time ago as
a result of strong fight made against
him by Baptists Of Ken lucky. Tennes-
! see. Arkansas. Texas and other SOUTH
| western States and led by Rev DIR. II,
T. Eaton. pastor of Walnut Stree Pap
tist Church Louisvills. and editor {
the Western Recorder the leading Bap-
| fist paper OF Kentuc V. The fight was
made on account OF certain y blica-
ticns made by DIR. Whitsitt of some OF
his historical researches, the often We
statement in partie ular being that the
Baptists up to n few hundred years
| ago did not practice immers ion"