The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-05-14

DEDlCATI0N OF THE GRACE-STREET PRES
BfTERIAN CHURCH.-On last Sunday morning
divine service was held for the first time in
the main audience-room of the elegant new
fresbyterlan church OH the corner of Fourth
and Grace streets. The OCCASION was one of
su1nclent interest to attract very large con-
Sregation, filling all of the pews, and num-
Der OF extra seats placed in the aisies and
'esubule. just in front of the pulpit were
pews. in which were seated several of the
Oldest members Of the congregation. in
Guiding four ladies, Mrs. Sheppard Mrs.
| Anderson, Mrs. Young. and Mrs. Cook, all
OF whom are over fourscore wears of apc.
| the Youngest being in her eighty-third year.
Inc dedlcatory ceremonies differed little
| from the ordinary form Of public worship
| ior sunday morning, reference being made
IN the sermon and prayers only to the fact
thae tne congregation were worshpping in q
| new church ediiice. The sermon of the Rev.
Dr. Read, the pastor, was. an eloquent and
| practical exposition Of the Tth-13th verses
OF the 22d chapter of st. Luke. 1t will be
remembered that these verses describe the
circumstances attending the preraration ol
the Passover by the apostles Peter and John
Referring to their meeting the man carving
pitcher OF water, as foretold by the Saviour
| the preacher alluded to pleasing event q
the previous day. Approaching the church
in the evening he had met soif1e children
carrying silver pitcher and goblets-tbeil
| present-which they were about to place n,
the pulrit-stand. He also made some hann,
comments suggested by the similarity of cir
cunstances upon the words land he shoI
show YOU large upper room, furnished
| there make ready" In conclusion. TN,
church WAS solemnly dedicated and set apar
to ,he serv,.., @ Of Almighty God.
The rilliFci, tirus r~~ted will, whel
finished: be one. 0f the finest In the uaitet
States; aud will. be really an orrdihGtit to tht
city. The plan his before been given Il
detail in these columns. We can now
speak only of the interior. We 40 not
hesitate to say that the main audience
room is the most tasteful and attrac
tive that could, be devised: The goof
taste of the projectors and the absence O
necessary furiii.i.te is. hi the ornaments
broad, the ventilation is excellent, aid the
room is i,sl, Hshted; The pulpit is a gen
in its way. The ria.form is only little
higher than the floor, and the Stand Is moi
high enough to hide the preacher. Just il
rear IF ths pulpit, and, in fact, forming {
part of the wall; Is the organ. 1t is a splen
did instrument, of rIlre poWet ana sweetnes:
of tone, and is finished in a style OF eicsahct
and novelty. The organ-player sits on {;
level with and only 4 step or two from the
preacher, there being only small movable
curtain between him and the people. There
is no selected choir. congregational singing
being speciality i'll this church.
1t is subject Of qualification to all public
spirited citizens that this eiegGrt etiitice i,
now so near completion. The congregation
lost their old building by the great fire OF
April 1855, and they have been untiring in
their efforts 10 i'tf'htee it by one OF elegance
and durability. Every ln5'rhsr seems to
have done something towards the atmiiiment
of this object, and they have been assisted
literally by other citizens of Richmond and
sympathiZing friends all over the country.
The pastor correctly said in his sermon last
Sunday tlmt if the contributors to the enter
prise were gathered together they would fill
the church in all parts to overlooking, and
vet there would be some without. But to
DR.. Read himself are the congregation ir-
debtcd more than to any one else for the sue
cess of the enterprise. His zeal has never
wavered, and his labors have been untiring.
His eminent ability will adorn the pulpit
which he has helped to rear, and his people
arc happy in having such u faithful and de-
voted pastor.