Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-21
DIR. WILKINSON LEAVES
METHODIST C0MMUN!QN
Petersburg Pastor Makes Formal
Announcement Of Withdrawal
to His Congregation.
SILENT AS TO FUTURE PLANS
Convinced That Settled Passionate
and Fewer Changes Are Necessary
to His Best Work-Thinks Man
Must Have His Own Convictions
Especial to The Times pispa,chl

Especial to The Times Dispatch
PETERSBURG, VA. February co
Following this mornings service at
Washington Street Methodist E.pisco-
pal Church. the pastor. Rev. Richard
Wilkinson. announced his withdrawal
from the Methodist communion aud
his retirement as rastor - become cf-
fcctive March ; He did not say whcr"
he would go OF into what communion
he would go. but he viii give that IN
formation on March ). Both Or. VII
iliuson and the large CONGREGATION
present we're deeply affected
DIR. Wilkinson said in part.
IL am very sure that YOU appreciate
the Significance Of this hour to which
my family and have come. Some o:
you are surprised. and vcrS rightly so.
especially because il seemed TO have
all ,ranspircd so quietly, AND Vet when
YOU reflect for i:7oment or TWO. YOU
VIII readily see that II could not have
been otherwise. Judgments OF that
character have To be wrought out 80
tn. quiet. Sometimes ihor. ar" ar
EUmcnts that have TO be weighed uu-
der Ia" eye Of nouc other than IN"
Scsrchcr Of all heaven ana put through
the Cruciblc. I trust that no one pres
ent will have to have the battle tina,
has been In my own heart. not since
this conference, nor last conference.
nor the conference before that. but it
has been there. nevertheless. with a
growing conviction. But all Of this.
as it eliminates to-day. has arisen
since conference. and il had TO he at
tended to accordingly. And. as il has
all been done In the quiet. it j. not
necessary for me TO make any .X-
tended statement now.
II urn not here TO criticize the COM
munion that we are leaving, but I am
here today, convinced that a settled
pastorate and fewer changes are no
ccssary 10 my best work. | am here.
however. convinced that a longer term
is absolutely Indispensable in tho
workings OF city church ANA in all
religious city work Fewer changes,
If YOU please, IN the city. And am
going TO say also 10 my congregation.
while am giving this word. that I
am convinced that /; is mans right
TO have something 10 say in regard
to when his term shall cease and
; where his work shall next BEGIN
believe that the time has come when.
! I'm the life Of all city churches the
church itself ouuh: TO have something
70 say also: but that aside, for am
giving you now simply my own state
ment. Remember that preacher is
4 man, and he must have his convic-
tons as man ana act accordingly.
I cannot have anything to say about
I my place OF service, The when and
Where and he loyal to Mcthodisu.
And hear me when | say have been
loyal :" this good moment.
'Now, expect YOU ihinl, Il is easy
for a man 70 near tho call Of a great
church and :, large salar- and 10
move 10 u large City and all the res.
of IL; bu. have not heard the call OF
Il great church and a larger SALARY
have heard the call % q smaller
I church and far smaller salary And
all because Of my convictions. and, in
justice 20 myself thinl; YOU ought
20 know that that is 81 fact.
II do not wish 10 say ANYTHING fur
ther ut this tim" as TO where I am
going OF into what communion ann
going. On my last sunday night,
which * the first sunday in March
1t is nay purpose TO give YOU that
word"
P"tcrsburchcr Promoted.