Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1922-09-02
VIRGINIA, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1922
THE REV. L.. Il. SMITH LEAVES
NEWPORT NEWS.

Anyone attending Trinity Baptist
Church last Sunday and a number did
attend despite the Indictment weather
could not fail to have been sensible
of the atmosphere Of depression ami
sorrow that settled over the church.
1t was the last Sunday that the Rev.
T.. f.. Smith would preach as pasto,,
he having accepted Il call to the Set
ond Baptist Church Of South Rich
mond. Many Of his schdol-nates an"
one Of the his classmates, MIR. Man
nings was present, Rev. Smith had
been pastor Of this progressive church
for seven years, and had ondearcu
himself to its entire membership ana
the friends who visited, there anti
there was real sorrow that he was g..
ing to preach his farewell sermon.
without making reference 10 the
fact OF his going, the young Divine
took MS a subject 1.-The Voyage Of Life
and for twenty-five minutes he enter.
tanned his hearers with an eloquent
discourse, replcte with spiritual force
which held his audience enihralled
1t was masterpiece of eloquence and
left everyone who heard it visibly
touched.
At the request Of Deacon Virgins,
Lawyer J. Thomas Newsome made 4
few remarks on behalf Of the church.
In q voice saddened and trembling
with emotion the Lawyer pointed
out some Of tire things that had been
accomplished under the leadership of
Rev. Smith. He said that under his
administration, 'he church debt :,
which was over three thousand dol.
lars had been paid; that he had benn
such a constructive leader that the
adult members Of the church donate,
more money per capita than. any
church he knew Of in the State; that
he said, by his quiet life and genial
disposition, created n better neighbour
hood feeling than had ever existed III
the East End, and that although rs
came to the church single man, haV.
ing married three or four years after
no wns elected pastor, that his III.
had been transparent and pure and
his influence for the highest mora.
ity had given a certain tone to the
church which would DO with it for
years and years to como; that he M,
been strong advocate for higher edu
cation, his advice resulting IN a nun,
bcr Of the young men and women ma
circulating in some Of our very best
schools and colleges, and that nj
though he was a man Of education he
ing an Honor graduate from both me
college and theological departments
Of Union University, yet, he had al
ways maintained an attitude Of SIM
plicity, his sermons being easily un-
derstood by the most unlettered com
municant that worshipped in the
church. At tho conclusion of lawyer
Newsome's remarks splendid collec-
zion was lifted and Deacon Wiggins
appointed n committee to draft resolu
tions to be read at the evening sery-
ices.
Quito a crowd greeted Rev. Smith
when he assembled the rostrum for
this service when he really preacne..
his farewell sermon. taking as his sub
ject: "Growing in Grace" He preach
ed 10 the audience very much ns
father would to his children from
whom he expected to be separated 70.
some time
1t is impossible to use words to con
vey any idea OF the effect tho sermon
had upon his hearers. At it's concluS.
ion touching remarks were made by
Deacons Virgins, w. II. Schofield
and John II. Jordan after which the
following resolutions were read and
adopted:
Whereas, after seven years of high
ly satisfactory service as pastor Of
Of
Smith has rendered voluntarily his
resignation; and,
Whereas, the church has accepted
with unfeigned sorrow the resignn-
t6on SO rendered and desires TO go OF.
record as testifying TO the high char
acter, eminent fitness, and mselfish
labors eXemplified by Rev. Smith da.
ing his stay in our city and church,
now, therefore,
Be it resolved that, while we reiuc.
antly rellnguiSh our claim upon htIa
as pastor, We nevertheless cheerfully
commend him to the members of his
new field OF endcavor as a man OF
high ideals, unblemished, Christian
character, a bold preacher Of the Cos
pei and fearless. uncompromisine
advocate Of righteous living as taught.
in the words and acts Of Jesus Christ;
Resolved second, That he shall not
only carry with him the high esteem
and sincere good wishes Of the entire
church, but that we shall invoke for
him from the Giver Of good and per-
feet gifts a full life OF serYie in the
front ranks Of the Soldiers of tn.
cross.
Done by order of Trinity Baptist
Church. Sunday August 81, 1922.
COMMITTED:
W. o. GREENE.
AARON BOONE.