The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-04
LOCAL MATTERS.

HE DAYS OF hlCHMONO--A f + CT n
SCENE-RESOLUTIoNS OF THE CHURCHES
RESULT OF HIS LABoRs.-Eyery seat and
every available spot of standing-room in
the First Baptist church was occupied on
Tuesday night with vast multitude Of peo.
pie drawn thither to hear Rev. Mr.. Earle's
farewell sermon. He spoke from the words
of the Psalmist cxlv., IL: "They shall
speak of the glory of Thy KINGDOM" and
held his hearers spell-bound to the close Of
his discourse.
After the sermon Mr.. Earle made briei
parting address, in the course of which be
referred to his reception by the people Of
Richmond and his Impressions of the city
and its citizens. He came here total
stranger, did not know single person-not
even the pastors who had invited him in
behalf of their churches-and within on
hour after getting out of the cars he felt at
home and all the time since, he had re-
ceived nothing but the warmest expressions
Of friendship and love from everybody,
Among other kind allusions to our city and
its people, he stated that the Sabbath was
more universally honored and observed in
Richmond than in any city of the United
States which he had visited and he had
been in oil the chief cities Of the Atlantic
Pacific, and western States. He also stated
that during his stay here of twenty-five
days he had not met drunken man on the
streets of Richmond. How different is the
testimony of this pious Massachusetts di.
vine from the vile ISLANDERS Of the infamous
Underwood?
The closing remarks of Mr.. Earle to the
h11n Of fO bo
church members, and, inally, his parting
address to the pastors who sat on the pulpit
with him, made lifelong impression
upon his hearers, and affected every one te
tears. For some moments the emotions OF
the audience we're 80 deeply moved that
throughout the building they gave express
sion to their feelings in audible sobs.
Brief responsive addresses were then
delivered by the pastors-Rev. Messrs
Burrows, Jeter, Dickinson, and Cham
bliss-all testifying to the humble piety
and 10 the affectionate and faithful labors
Of MIR. Earle, and all expressing their
grateful thanks to God for sending his SER
want amongst them.
Mr.. Earle then announced that he would
close the services with brief prayer, and
| requested all in the house who were not
Christians as well as those who were, who
would promise, "by the help of God, te
meet him in Heaven to rise to their feet
With scarcely single exception every
person in that vast crowd stood up-among
them some that newspaper reporters have
regarded as the wickedest men in Rich
mond. The audience fingered for nearly
an hour after these prolonged exercises
taking leave Of Mr.. Earle.
At 9 o'clock yesterday morning large
crowd again filed the Second Baptist
church-this time not 80 much for special
religious services as to take formal leave Of
Mr.. Earle. Rev. j. A. Chambliss was
called to the chair and Rev. A. E. Dickin'
son appointed secretary of the meeting
Rev. DR.. Jeter offered the following resolu'
tions; which were unanimously adopted
by rising vote
Brother A. B. Earle having labored more
than three weeks in a union meeting of The
Baptist churches of the city of Richmond
we, the pastors and mem bers of the churches
and others, who have been profted by his
ministry, deem it fitting, as it is in harmony
with our feelings, when he is on the point Of
leaving us, to adopt the following resolutions
81. That we record our thanks to Brother
Earle for his affectionate, faithful, and indie
fatigable labors among us; and we bear cheer.
full testimony to his soundness in the faith, the
kindness Of his spirit, the discretion OF his
| conduct, the fervency of his zeal, the ardor oI
| his piety, the simplicity OF his aim, and the
| power of his ministry.
''2 That we are grateful to God for the sue
| cess which has attended the labors OF Brother
Earle among US, in the edifcation and refresh
ment of the churches and in the conversion o.
sinners.
"3 That should God, in his providence
open the way for it, we are Of opinion tha'
Brother Earle would accomplish great good "
holding series of meetings, dnrtng the next
autumn and winter, with he churches n IN
principal southern cities"
Mr., Earle preached si1ty-three the.
while In Richmond, including three ser
mons IN the African churches and one 10th:
convicts in the penitentiary, and it !:
estimated that at least TWO hundred
and fifty persons profssssd ccn-ersio-
during his stay. The religious awakening
continues with unabated interest in all the
Baptist churches. Services will be held
every night in the First, Second, Grace
street, and Leigh-street churches. Rev
Mr.. Dickinson, Of the Leigh-street church
will be assisted by Rev. J. B. Taylor, Jr.
of Culpeper; Rev. Mr.. Chambliss, of the
Second church, will be aided by DE-. Curry
and the other pastors will make arrange
ments for ministerial aid.
i