The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-08-01
REV. w. r. /. SMITH
RESIGN CHARGE.
Pastor Of Second Baptist Church
Will Go to North
Carolina.
ACTION COMPLETE SURPRISE
Matter Referred to Board OF
Deacons. Which Has Not
Yet Acted.

Bringing TO close thirteen years OF
notable service as pastor OF the Second
Baptist Church. Rev. w r. l. Smith
=. D., yesterday morning announced 10
his congregation that he had decided
to resign his present charge to accent
a call to Chapel Hill. n. C. The pas
tors announcement was received with
tn greatest surprise and caused pro-
found regret. He had given no pre-
vious intimation OF his intention "a
leave Richmond. The matter was re-
ferred 10 the board OF deacons of the
church. which Will report back to ths
congregation on mex. Sunday morn
ing.
DR.. Smith came to Richmond from st.
Louis December i, 1887. He entered ac.
tiVeiy upon his new duties and was re.
Warced by having his efforts approved
py the members OF the church. He
started the movement which resulted
IN the erection OF the magnificent
church edi:ce at Franklin and Adams
streets. which was completed about
five years ago. This is one OF INA
hhest church properties in the south
ana was erected at cost of 500. 600.
every cent OF which is paid. In addi,
ton to the liberalities OF the congre.
CATION which made possible this hand.
some structure. the donations for be.
heso!eht purposes have steadily in
creased during the years that DR.. sr,i,h
has had charge OF the pastoral .,art
and largely through his individual eff
lorts the Sunday school has come 10
be regarded as n model.
Church Free From DIssensIou.
POSSIBLY no pastor ever decided ~
resign charge which offered so MANI
lhduce ments for him TO remain, In
sns years that DR.. Smith has been
pastor or the Second Baptist he has
had the utmost good will OF praeticaII,,
every member OF the couvrepa,ior t,t
administration has been altogether
Tree from dissension and strife one
VI .ne deacons OF the church said yes
'etoay that 10 his knowledge there had
never been single disagreement be-
tween the pastor and his people.
Inc congregation OF the Second Ban
,lst IS one OF Influence and wealth and
,.1ciuoes some very prominent people.
II Is also very large CONGREGATION
having more than 700 members Mnra
IMAM 500 new members have been re-
cel'ed since DR.. Smith became pastor.
IN giving his reasons for resigninr
" ofnith said yesterday that he had
arrived at the conclusion that he had
remained In Richmond long enough and
mat ne believed 1t was time he mazda
d cnanse- His relations with the peo.
PIE here had always been mos, pleas.
an, ne SAID, and 1t was with reluctance
that he had made up his mind ~ Iaa.e
them ~ Aease
VIII Preach to Students
Dr, smith will leave for Chapel Hill
ABOUT the first OF September. In ths
meanwhile he will take a vacation ana
WIN spend the month of August vfsit.
ing friends and relatives. The IJniver-
sly OF North Carolina is at Chanel
MI ana the several hundred students
" no attend that institution every year
WI compose portion of DR.. Smiths
new congregation. While the nastor.s
new field is hardly as attractive in mosr
tespects as the one here in Richmond.
ne oeIeves that the duties will be far
less eHact1ng. DIR. Smith will be az
eompanied to Chapel Hill by his wife
ana daughter. Two sons Will continue
TO make their homes here.
~ aodltion to his pastoral work DR.
omish mas figured prominently in the
a iiairs OF the Woman's College, he be-
ing member OF the board of trustees
" tnat institution. He is also men,
Der OF the boards of Richmond College
Union University and the Southern
baptlst Theological Seminary at Louis
VILE.
Lieutenant Governor j. Taylor ELY.
son. member of the board OF deacons
or the church, said yesterday that tho
resignation OF Dr. Smith had been re-
terred to that board, which would re-
port to a congregational meeting mex.
sunday Nothing has been done as yer
with regard to the selection OF sue
SCISSOR as the board of deacons has
not even decided 10 accept the restg-
nation, and there Is precedent In the
case of Dr. Landrum for its refusing
to do so.