The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-06
METHODIST, PASTOR
GIVES HIS REASONS l
Rev Norman r. Smith Makes
Address Telling Why He Will
Become Baptist.
PROSPECT
SELL
o.
PEBBLES and Magic Pay $4,000 for
Property, Which WillOpcll as
First-Class Place.
Special to Tho Times Dispatch.

Especial to Tho Times-D ispatch.1
PETERSBURG, VA June 5.--Rev
Norman T.. Smith, pastor of the Yves
ley Methodist Church, WHO announced
last Sunday TO his congregation tina
le intended to Join tho Baptist Church
issued statement this afternoon, tn
subject of which was contained In
speech made by Mr. Smith to the con
gregat.on Of the First Baptist On urct
Tonight. Tho young clergyman VII
enter the Baptist ministry Ellis bap'
tism as q member Of the First Bap.
list Church did not take place at tht
services this evening but was post.
poned until a later date.
Statement In Fall.
Mr.. Smiths statement follows:
I fool that in Justice to myself
and also the public, I should state,
through the columns OF your paper
my reasons for leaving the Vir-
ginln Conference and the Methodist
Church. Several reports have been
iclrculnted over tho city, none of
which do justice to mo, and 1 take
this opportunity Of setting myself
right before the public.
a little over twelve months ago
my attention was directed to the
subject OF infant baptism, Previ-
GUS to that time l had studied the
question only from a Methodist
point OF view. I was led again to
make q thorough and careful study
Of the subject from the New Tes-
lament standpoint, and reached
the conclusion that the practice OF
infant baptism was unknown to tho
apostolic churches; that only be-
lievors were baptized by the .:N7os- +
ties and that the practice Of In
FAINT baptism grew out Of the doc
trine OF baptismal regeneration.
am, furthermore. convinced
that the New Testament mode Of
baptism was by Immersion. and
find that the prepondcrance Of
paedo-Daptist scholarship Ia in ia
vor OF this view.
Church Government.
Another thing that influenced mo
in my decision to leave the Metho-
dist Church Is tho question OF,
church government. I believe In
Independent church government.
That church. and not bishop
or presiding elder, should settle
the question OF minister's fitness
or unfitness to serve 1t as pastor,
have many warm personal
friends In the Virginia Conference,
and fully appreciate the many
courtesies and kindnesses that have
been extended me in the six years
of my stay among them
Concerning my passionate OF seven
months with the Wesley NJ. =.
Church. OF this city, wish to say
that tho work. though difficult, has
been decidedly pleasant. The
church has made marked progress
in every department OF It's work.
and have enjoyed the cordia! fell b
lowship and support OF oil Its mem
bers. I wish to record my graft
tude for the many personal kind
nesscs which have received ut
their hands, and shall over hold
thom In affcctlonate remembrance.
wish also to mention my warm
personal gratitude to DR.. 3. T.
Llpscomb, presiding elder OF the
district, for his cordlal interest with
me IN the work OF Wesley Church.
My creates pain is that my going
at this Tina puts him to lncon-&
vcnicnce In supplying with a pas
tor the place I now yacate.
should have waited TIL the ond OF
tho conference year for this CHANGE,
but could not feel that It were
honorable for mo to fill position
which could no longer hold In
good conscience. nor to draw a SAL
airy which Is intended for services
that Y can no longer rander. TRUST
Ing that my friends will receive
}. this statement In the spirit OF
Kindness IN which 1t Is written.
s I am, faithfully,
(signed) NORMAN n. SMITH.