The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-05-31

pointed TO fully consider and report at the
next meeting of this body on the educational
policy Of the Bapsists Of Virginia; what
chartered institutions have existed and now
exist, with the plans and prospects Of each ];
what new institutions, If any, are needed:
and what should be done to make our edu-
cational policy, for beth males and females,
more efficient. The sub ject was laid on the
table because the hour fixed for the intTe-
ductory sermon had arrived.
INTRODUCTORY SERMON.
The Introductory sermon was preached by |
the Rev. William q. Hatcher, of Petersburg.
Text: "Christ also loved the Church, and |
gave himself for it. t."--Ephesians, v; 25. He |
began by remarking that the word Church |
in the text was used, not TO represent q
local association of Christian believers, but
embraced the entire body of Gods chosen
people. Text introduces the Son of God in
| His Christly character, and states His rela-
| tionship to the Church. 1t certifies TO His
affection for the Church and His activity in
its redemption.
His theme was 'e 'eChrisfs toUe and labor
for the Church." It opens two departments
of thought: l. The Divine affection for the
Church, "Christ loved" &c. This is given
as fact in the history of God. /. When
How old is Christ's love for the Church
First loved and then gave himself. The
| gift ante-dates the Church, and His love
prompted the gift. How long.s From
all eternity. ,. What did He love? His
love ante-dated the Church; that is, He
loved the Church when as n fact it did not
exist except as an ideal and purpose in His
mind. The thought of redeemed Church
has been with Him forever, and gave Him
delight. He loved it as q conception. 3.
Why did lie love the Church? Perhaps in
the very magnitude and difficulty of redemp-
ton there was attraction for God. The
| Church is Heavens solution of the problem
whether or not mercy is one Of the possibiIi-
ties of the Divine nature. 1t stands also as
Il monument of Gods moral power over sin.
BY its redemption God has produced novel
and imperishable form of spiritual life. The
supreme characteristic Of the Saints Is eter-
nal life. They cannot die. Their union
with Christ is organic. And final reason
suggested was the prospective gloriication
of God. Christ saw that the Church would
Weld q rich revenue Of honor and glory to
the Father.
III. The divine labor for the Church. We
have seen Christ's love for the Church. We
saw also that it was o divine enthusiasm over
a conception. 1t remains to notice Gods
plan for actlnizing and throwing into form
what before existed rs a secret in his own
mind. "He gave HIMSELF" sc. What does
this mean? 1. These words turn our
thoughts to the cross. We remember the
freedom and cilmness with which Christ
bowed to death. lie gave his body to the
mob; his face to the sinter; his head to the
thorns his hands to the nails, and his soul
to death. All for the Church. 2. Not only
this. His life, from Bethlehem to Calvary,
! was devoted to the Church. All he did and
said was for the Church. 8. Not only this.
r From Eden to Bethlehem he was Arranging
f for establishing the Church. BY providence
f and prophecy he was preparing the world to
d receive him. All that while he was devoting
S himself to the Church. 4. Yet more. The
y plan revealed at Eden for saving the Church
e was but the expression of a divine purpose
p previously existing, given us in Christ Jesus
lie before the world began. He was the Lamb
a. slain from the foundation of the world. g.
g He still devotes himself to the Church. AT
lc ter his resurrection he continued to work
to until he assembled to Heaven. Now He is in
"a. tercedng before the Father-preparins
a. homes for his people, and at work on eartf
ri. gathering precious stones to build his TEN
ed pie. Nor will he cease till he is able to pre-
e. sent before the Father ga glorious Church
rs without spot or wrinkle" &c 6. Wha
We then? His Identification with the Churc
ir. shall continue forever. His people shall b
m with him to behold his glory. He shall fee
n and lead them. We close with these thoughts
g. 1. The greatness of Christianity. 2. The 81
nc curit1 of the Church. 3. The glory and di
nc nifty of the Christian life.
ty At the conclusion of the sermon the co
gregation rose and sung All Hail the Pow
of Jesus Name"
'r Afternoon Session.
s. Opened with prayer by Rev. j. L. Caro-
J. B. Watkins, Esq, corresponding sec
It's tary, read the report of the F
IN suNDAY-scHooL AND BIBLE BOARD.
ed The Board had employed Rev. c. 3. Dick
ed son Us general Sunday-school missionary, a
of had five colporteurs in the field. DR.. Dick
s, son had assisted in organizing forty-eig
n, new Sunday schools; had travelled ma
De miles in the discharge Of his duties; mad,
~ large number of sermons and addresse
to been instrumental in the conversion of
We least seyenty-fve persons, and done much
lie promote the general Sunday-scIlooI work
'r the State.
10 Rev. T. W. Sydnor was employed as
Sunday-school missionary among the CT
'd ored people of the State. He had organize
H. twenty colored Sunday schools, and reportt
OF $50 in the State, with 5000 officers, teacher
OF and scholars. Mr.. Sydnor reports an il
m creased kindly feeling between the whit
ut and blacks, and appeals for increased il
10 terest in this work.
" The Board reports as existing in Virgin
r 400 white Baptist Sunday schools with 4,6:
III officers and teachers and 1881 scholars
there have been l 800 conversions in come
r, ton with these schools during the past yea
}. The report earnestly appeals for an increase
IL interest in this Board, and for contribute
es of at least 5000 during this next year.