Evening star., 1932-11-25
PASTOR RESTORED
AS HE APOLOGIES
Minister Who Assailed Bish.
ops for Fight on Al Smith
Is Forgiven.
Rx the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ATLANTA, November 25-Rev. Rem
bert G. Smith, suspended year ago
on charges of gross imprudence and
high unministerial conduct" was re-
instated by the North Georgia Confer
ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church
South, here today, after he had made
an apology.
Smith had frequently criticized
bishops and other leaders of his church
for what he called their political ac-
tivities, but Bishop John M. Moore. in
presenting the Smith case to the con-
ference, said that Smiths statements
about politics and his criticism of
bishops had nothing to do with his
suspension.
Tried Year Ago.
What he said about politics and
the bishops had no more to do with
his trial last year than what he might
have said about Mussolini," Bishop
Moore said THE church has no right
to try a man for his political views.
At the North Georgia Conference last
year Smith was tried before a COM
mittee in executive session, and the
only announcement made at that time
as to the reason for his suspension
was that he was suspended on charges
Of gross imprudence and high unminis-
terial conduct"
Smiths criticism of four bishops was
based on what he termed their political
activities against Gov. Alfred E. Smith
of New York in the presidential race
James Cannon, jr.; E. D. Mouzon. H
M Dubose and John M Moore. Bishop
Moore is the presiding officer of the
North Georgia Conference.
viii Go to Oklahoma.
Rev. Mr. Smith will be transferred
to the Oklahoma Conference and as
signed to a pastorate at Heavener In
that State, according to DR.. r. L. Rus
sell, presiding elder of the Atlanta dis
trict.
Bishop Moore brought the case of DR..
Smith before the Conference soon after
the opening this morning.
He said the former Sparta pastor had
q SIdJCLlClIJ W 1Cdu ll1l1 u
the platform.
DR.. Smith walked down the aisle,
mounted the steps slowly and read de-
liberately as follows:
Bishop Moore, Fathers. Sisters and
Brethren:
while I have felt that I have been
misunderstood and have been made to
suffer keenly, nevertheless humbly
accept the Judgment of my brethren
who consider my conduct contumacious
during the term of my suspension.
would have refrained from these acts
had realized they would have been
so regarded.
VIII Drop Lawsuits.
'I will not bring suit against minis
ters or members of my church and
shall dismiss suits now pending against
them. I have hurt some by my words
and acts. ask their pardon and
forgive those by whom I feel I have
been injured. voluntarily say that
now realize that the presiding elders
of the North Georgia Conference, in
their letters to me November l. were
seeking to do what they considered to
be their duty In my case and that they
were seeking to serve my interest as
well as the interest Of the church.
81 sincerely desire both q place in
your affections and share In the activ-
tiles Of the church. Fraternally yours,
"REMBERT q. SMITH"
The moment Mr.. Smith finished read
ing, DR.. Russell made a motion that he
be reinstated. There was q chorus OF
seconds and shout of ayes as Bishop
Moore put the motion before the con-
ference Then the delegates broke into
the hymn. Blessed Be the Ties That
Bind"