The Richmond palladium., 1869-01-05
REPORT of the Building Committee, Of
the First Baptist Church of Richmond.

In opening to you the doors of por
tion of this church edifce. your Com
,nittee wish to acknowledge the hand
the good hand Of our God that has so
/ faithfully led and kindly helped us, in
this, to us, great enterprise. Foreibly
are we reminded to-day of the deep
feelings awakened, when on the 22d day
of December, 1867, it was voted
Trusting in God, we will now attempt
TO build a house OF worship" We have
also revived sense of THE emotions exs
periepced when as Building Committee
you entrusted this work TO us, and OF
the trembling with which we approached
and finally ventured, June 20th 1868 to
lake the first steps towards this under
taking. Though we should have been
m ore deeply affected and less inclined
TO enter upon the task, had we fully
realized its greatness, and known GER
tainly how stringent money matters
were to be the past few months. yet we
can say to day, from full hearts, we are
glad in the Providen ce of God, that we
have been brought where we now are
and were induced to undertake what
has been so far accomplished. 1t seems
more like dream than reality, even
now, when we are beginning to enjoy it,
because, so far above the highest hopes
we dared indulge at first, and Of the
difficulty Of seeing how so much has
been accomplished under the circum
stances. We can only say, God has
been with US; and it is according to His
marvellous way, and we will trust Him.
We would her ementon to His praise.
the entire unity and perfect harmony
| which have characterized all the councils
| and acts of your committee; in fact, there
has been but one mind, though neither
member has controlled or sought to rule
the others; but such confidence has been
enjoyed, one in the other. and readiness
to do each his part as is seldom found
in such work. This unity has been
our strength, and has given us our sue
cess. No greater or more essential
blessing could have been besto wed by
4. our Heavenly Father.
We would name also to the honor Of
the Ruler of all men and disposer of all
events, the uniform kindness and cheer
fulness with which the workmen have
done each his part and the satisfactory
! manner which it has been performed; as
also the faithful and liberal manner in
I
nearly always below the regular price !;
and often free, or under first cost -
Though there have some times been de
/ lays that were annoying and retarded
progress, there have been comp!aints
against whist was required, or refusais
| to do what was demandea Nor las
any accident occurred to seriously harln
single workman, or injure any part 8.
the building Thus the only "Wise
Master Builder has presided l.veF the
whole. This has been great iavl !
and calls for much gratitude.
I We would further, to the glory of
Him who hol the hearts of all m \
| in his hands thankful? allude to the
| liberal and free contributions with which
so many friends have avored- his u y.
dertaking. There have been times, MT
! few, when pressing neces sites have
/ existed, and few instances in which,
| up to the last m ON mt, it was impo sible
to see how a turn could be made or de-
! mands met. But thus far some way has
always been provided, and in some
/ cases, very marked Providence We
/ come in wien othing else could have
furnished relief. Though sources con
fidently relied upon,h have sometimes fail
ed, others from which little or nothing
was expected have supplied, or more
than made up for the disappointment
I Ad while some fer persons NAV have
felt grieved because they thought them
]. selves unreasonably and unduly urget
to aid this enterprise, this g Sab atl
Home," which we this day enter and
hope to enjoy hereafter is free viii
offering, provided by cheerful heart:
! and ready hands. This then calls fo
devout thankfulness to Him who givetl
literally all things; the exact measure
Lf which could not be realized withou
q full knowledge Of what it has required
to gain the end here attained.
We wish moreover to make SOM
statements concerning the progress, cos
and further wants of this enterprise
+ that our friends may know just how til
!. case stands. For re think cry ont
must be entirely satisfied with the u.s.
of the means that have been furni he(
and that there is much ground to b.
encouraged for the future 1t was no
intended from the first to do more a
present than enclose the whole buildin;