The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-10-12
SIDNEY BAPTIST CHURCH.
THE CoRNER-sTo sToNE OF THE. NEW CHURCH
EDIFiCE LAID Observation-Disclosures ON
THE OCCASION ny PROFESSOR HARRIS, OF
RfCHMoND COLLEGE. AZ ts'si II,


R1cHMoND COLLEGE. %
H A cornerstone was laid for Sidney Bap-
list church with Masonic ceremonies yester-
day at 81 P. NJ. The house In which this
church had been worshipping stood out In
Henrico nearly q mile beyond the city linl--
its. The, location has long been known to
be unfavorable for much growth, andso it
on corner OF Main and Beech streets, diago-
naliy opposite Morton's fiower-garden. The
.lotis 90 fleet front by 1g9 deep, and the house
now to be erected will occupy only the rear
portion, leaving the front open for larger
and more substantial building.
The cornerstone was duly laid by Amity
Lodge, No. 76, under its Worshipful Mas
ter William Ahern, Esq, with b. f. Shep-
person as Senior Warden, John T.. Rogers,
Junior Warden; Colonel B. T. johnson,
Past Master; l.. W. Philips, Architect; and
B. A. Jacob, Chief Marshal.
A most appropriate prayer was offered by
Rev. George 81. Ray, pastor OF Sidney Me-
thodist church,. The address was delivered
by Professor q. II. Harris, OF Richmond
College, as follows:
Masons are always ready, rs their name
would show, to lay the cornerstone Of any
public building. We should take pleasure
in laying onefor public hall In the west end
OF the city or for the proposed Ciay-Ward
market-house, but there is special appro-
priateness and peculiar pleasure in the occa-
sion which has brought us together this ai-
ternoon. One Of the most ancient, wide
spread, and honorable orders known among
men has convened to offer its mite OF SER
vice and Herewith its profound homage to
more ancient, more widespread, and
more honorable organization, the Church OF
the Living God. This is appropriate, be-
cause that Book which lies open upon our
altar and before which we reyerently kneel
as the Great Light in Masonry will here be
studied and eXpounded by the living voice
Of the preacher. Here will be promulgated
and enforced by even stronger motives than
we can appeal to all the most excellent
tenets of our profession and the most
enthusiastic Mason, however highly he may
esteem our method OF intoxicating the cardi-
nal virtues OF temperance, fortitude, pru-
dence, and Justice; however much he may
admire the symbolic emblems most expires.
siye selected by the fraternity to imprint on
the mind wise and serious truths; however
deeply he may be impressed by our teach.
ings on the shortnesS and uncertainty Of
life and the hope Of hereafter, must yet ad'
NIT that we have at last to look away from
natures gloom-away from the dim dawn
ings Of early revelation-and turn to the
clear Sun Of Righteousness, the Lion OF the
tribe OF Judah, who has brought life and
Immortality to light But will not enter
into any comparison or contrast between
Masonry and Christianity. Their spheres
are different. The one has gradually grown
up under the labors of many wise men tc
its present fair and beautiful proportions
the other came, all glorious and complete
directly from the All-Wise, the Supreme
Architect of the Universe.
I therefore congratulate the Lodge IL
charge Of these ceremonies that another
Christian church is to be built so near us
It's influence will be to make all our mem
bers who attend it better men, and there
fore better Masons; and I charge you never
to imagine that Masonry is q substitute fol
religion, but rather, whenever you put on
the emblem of innocence, look in faith tt
the Lamb OF God, who taketh away tht
sins Of the world. Congratulate the churct
on securing this beautiful and convenient
location in part OF the city which is I'm
proving so rapidly, and charge pastor ant
people to remember that with this increase
of opportunities comes corresponding IN
crease of responsibility. Every man IS hl:
brothers. keeper, and you will be largel!!
responsible for the religious welfare OF thIs
growing population. New duties will cal
on YOU for renewed energies and renewed
conservation to your divinely-appolntet
work. A bright future is before you. b
worthy of it.
7 congratulate the community on thi!
accession to its strength. The church tha
is to occupy here is small, but they are,
am clad to know, q compact band OF willing
workers, and I charge you. who llV'
around, whatever may be your denomlna
tional sympathies, to lend helping hant
to these good men and women, laboIIng n
they are in good cause. They will neet
the countenance and assistance or the com
munity in the accomplishment OF the worl
they have undertaken.
It remains only for me to offer to all pre-
sent an opportunity to testify in most sub
stantial shape their sympathy and an earnes
of their assistance. We well know tina
the Workmen who are to rear this edihc
must be fed, and so it is our custom, whel
the cornerstone has been laid to place upol
il for their benefit voluntary collection
That collection will now be taken.
While several bricklayers covered tn
stone and its contents Colonel johnson EN-
ployed the time in some eItempore remark
on the three supports Of civilization-th
Church, the School, and the Lodge.
The collection amounted to ten dollars
The enterprise, under its new pastor, Rev
H. Hatcher, late of Missouri, has ever:
prospect Of success, and will be great addl
| tion to that portion OF the city.
THE AMERICAN CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY SO
c1ETY.-The American Christian Missionar,,
Society, an Organization in connection WIZ
the Christian Church, will assemble in thu
city with the Seventh-Street Christian
church on Tuesday next, October l1th, a
u P. NJ, at which hour W. Il. Pendleton
President Of the Convention, will dellVe
the annual address.
Wednesday forenoon will be devoted t.
social worship, the enrolment OF delegates
short congratulatory speeches, and the read
| ing of the report Of the Board by the Gene
raj Secretary.
wednesday afternoon will be devoted t
4 4 %s,o ENr01 1Crl