The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-05-18
Ordination OF Rev. sa.nuer G,

interest excited In the ordination OF a we'll
known and highly-esteemed young man,
who was raised in Richmond and in this
congregation.
Mr.. Clopton is the son of the devoted
missionary to China, Rev. Samuel G.. Clop-
ton, whose death at the post Of duty was SO
widely lamented, and was himself born in
China. Reared In the favorable atmosphere.
OF the Leigh-Street church, educated at
Richmond College and at the Southern Bap-
tist Theological Seminary, Of good natural
talents, pleasing address, and devoted piety,
Mr.. Clopton has already given evidence Of
high qualifications for his chosen work.
1t seemed very appropriate TINT the Pres
bytery who were to ordain him should con-
sist Of Rev. DIR. Garlick, the pastor Of the
church; Rev. ]. B. Turpin, the relative and
companion of the candidate; Rev. DR..
Curry, one of the Faculty OF Richmond
College; Rev. DR.. Curry, OF the Southern
Baptist Theological Seminary; Rev. DR..
Tupper, corresponding secretary Of the
Foreign Mission Board, in whose service
the father OF the candidate lost his life; and
Rev. John O.. Turpin, an uncle Of the can,
didate.
There were also present Rev. A. Jaeger,
an assistant teacher in the Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary; Rev. A. B. Wood
! fin, Of Columbia, S. c., a former member OF
this church; several Of the ministerial stu
dents of Richmond College, and others
who bore some intimate relations to the
young minister.
The services were opened with singing,
admirably led by the choir, reading the
Scriptures by Rev. j. B. Turpip, and prayer
by Rev. j. William Jones.
The sermon upon the occasion was
preached by Rev. DR.. Curry. He an
nounced as his text the third and fourth
verses of the second chapter Of Second Tim
othy =" Endure hardness as good soldier
of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth en-
tangleth himself with the affairs OF this life,
that he may please him who hath chosen
him to be a soldier"
BY way of introduction he yividlY brought
outa the circumstances of the text, alluded
to the various military figures which Paul
applies to the work OF the ministry, and
then enforced earnestly the duty OF the
preacher to endure hardness as good SOL
d;er.
He spoke Of the high dignity and import
ance OF the Office Of the Christian ministry,
and eloquently insisted that it is the noblest
and most important OF all avocations. He
brought out and earnestly enforced the idea
|
saving the world, that preachers are Gods
appointed messengers Of salvation, and that
as heralds OF the Great King they must
simply, earnestly, faithfully proclaim the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth, as it is contained in Gods Word.
He next spoke of the glorious rewards
which the faithful preacher will receive, and
beautifully illustrated by the life OF Paul.
He contrasted the honors Of earth with the
glittering crown which the faithful Chris
tian and the devoted preacher shall wear,
and showed that they were utterly insignif-
can't compared with that diadem.
He concluded with an earnest appeal to
his Young friend and brother to preach the
simple gospel.
An appropriate ordination prayer was
then made by Rev. J. o. Turpin.
The Moderator Dr. Garlick) then stated
that.yhile they claimed no power to impart
any Spiritual gift, they would now, by the
LAYING on Of the hands of the Presbytery,"
formally set apart this dear young brother
to the full work Of the ministry. The Pres
bytery then laid their hands on the candi-
date Rev. DR.. Tupper then delivered a
most appropriate charge, in which he urged
that he should 60 from his closet to his pull
Dit as remembering that all help must come
! from above, that he should make most tho
rough preparation for the pulpit, and that
| he should ever conduct himself in such
manner as to be an example and guide to
the Church and to the world.
He closed with the expression Of an earn
est hope that, as young Timothy followed
in the footsteps OF pious ancestors, this
young preacher might follow his noble
| father and his illustrious grandfather TAB
ner w. Clopton) as they followed Christ.
Rev. Dr.. Toy then presented the Bible,
which he commended to the candidate to
take as his guide as Christian, and above
all as his te1t-booE as a preacher. He eX-
horted him to preach nothing that this book
does not teach-to study the Scriptures in
the original-to read widely other books
which may throw light upon the sacred
page-to read often and become thoroughly
| familiar with the te1t of the Scriptures-to
love it as Gods Word, and to ask for and
look for the Holy Spirit to ilumlne his
mind.
Rev. DR.. Garlick spoke CT the great Joy
with which, as pastor OF the church, he
welcomed into the iull work the son OF bis
old collegemate and intimate friend. He
then gave him the right-hand OF fellowship.
The Presbytery then gave him their hand,
the congregation sang the lOng-metrc doX-
ology, and Mr.. Clopton pronounced the
benediction.
1t is understood that the young minister
will labor in the Valley Of Virginia during
the summer, and return to the Seminary in
September.