The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-30
EvANGELIsTIC WORK.

BLEREADISGs AT ST. PAUL's CHURCH
THE SERVICES YESTERDAY. MoRNIN
AND LAST NIGHT-LARGEA ATTENDANCE.
DEEP INTEREST, 6c.,&c.
The services OF st. Paups church are in
creasing in interest from day to day. Mr
Rainsford Is true evangelist. and th
gospel he breaches electrifes the who'll
population. The church is crowded NOR
and more every time it is opened, and th'
time or hour Of the day makes no differ
ence. Since Sunday night it seemed i'm
possible to crowd more people into th'
church, large. as it is; but every morning
and every e7ening shows that not only
southern houses, but southern churches, are
made of India-rubber, and accommo date
people Gd ii5ituTa.
Mondays services were noticed in this
paper.
Yesterday the interest was increased, and
the point in the Bible-readings at /:
O'Clock" Belief in Christ"-was taken in
by what we suppose was the largest congre.
CATION ever assembled at any midday SER
vice in Richmond. The two truths-Christ
covering our past Of sin and guilt; Christ
securing our future life of love and obe:
dience-Were brought ont by the gifted
preacher both by the most earnest assertions
and By the most graphic illustrations.
The lesson of yesterday was taken from
John ix., 80, and was based on the in
quiry, 'tDost thou believe in the Son OF
God 20 In chaste and beautiful yet plain
and simple language the reverend gentle
man explained what Jesus had done, what
claims He had on the world, what He is,
His suffering, &c.
The subject carried him On, and prevent
ed the reading Of as many passages as on
Monday. The main point tintended to be inn
pressed upon his hearers was beautifully
and most aptly illustrated-i. e., the neces-
sity as we'll as the hounden duty OF all to
believe in the Son OF God.
The deepest interest and attention per-
vaded the vast assemblage.
A still larger congregation gathered at
night-an eventful Slight, as the interesting
and patriotic meeting took place at Mozart
Hall to listen to the voice Of one who is q
power before the public, and on the question
which now engages all minds-the question
OF honesty and the untarnished honor OF
Virginia. The church was filed. New
arrangements OF the benches put in afforded
larger accommodations, yet numbers had to
stand up during the whole time, especially
in the galleries. The interest and solemnlty
OF the services and address were marked by
the sssilence that could be felt"
The services opened promptly at O'Clock
with prayer by Rev. DR.. Minnigerode and
singing by the congregation the hymns
commencing,
"With one consent let all the earth
TO God their cheerful voices raise"
"There is 4 fountain filed with blood,
Drawn from Emmanueis VEINS"
Rev. Mr.. Rainsford read the first chapter
Of Hebrews, and after a short and feeling
prayer addressed his hearers, basing his re-
marks on the first and second verses Of the
chapter read:
"God, who at sundry times and in divers
manners, spake in time past unto the faith
ers by the prophets,
"Hath in these last days spoken unto us
by His son, whom He hath appointed he'll
of all things, by whom also he made the
worlds"
Mr.. Rainsford said he desired to speak to
those present of old truths in the way they
had been brought home to his own soul
to nut the blessed gospel before them as il
had come to him. -"
This subject had been handled in tender
manner and with gloves. What we want ]:
simple, practical teaching. He desired to
explain the meaning Of the passage:
God did speak to US. God hath spoken
and the echoes Of that sweet voice have moi
yet died out.
What is the message? 1t is message
about what God thinks about man generally
He did not want them to learn simply thu
story OF Christ's life. He wanted them tt
study that life in all of its details; for ther
MANY things that seem difficult will bt
made plain; for in Gods word can al
knowledge be found.
After having spoken through the pro
phets, God in these last days had spoken
throug Oh His Son, offering salvation to al
who truly repented Of their sinS-wht
walked in godliness OF life and kept Hi
commandments.
Mr.. Rainsford seems to glow more ant
more as he goes on. The points he mad
showed how, after all possible ways 0
appealine to mans moral nature, the las
and fullest was the roice of man-th
Goldman; and drew picture OF tn
great transaction OF the worlds salvation
in Him; how the word spoken by Coz
through His Son was q acortd loSt-a acort
saved; and from it wrought out in ire
sistible eloquence-all the more so becaus
simple and unadorned-the great centre o
revelation, 'sI came to seek and save then
that are lost"
The words are but faint and imperlec
outline OF q sermon delivered in the mos
impressive manner and in language that th
simplest child could not fail to comprehend
The beauty Of Mr.. Rainsford's style Q
speaking is that there is but little attemr
at oratorical effort. He is brief. and to tn
| point. Few speakers can say so much Il
so short space Of time, and what is said
to the purpose.
The passage OF Scripture which was th
foundation OF the nights discourse was e2
| planned to the satisfaction OF all present
and the remarks were received with tn
most rapt attention.
The invitation for the attendance OF a
persons regardless OF denomination VIZ
earnestly repeated last night, as well as th
invitation for all interested to attend in th
lecture-room Of the church before and afte
each service.
One OF the most pleasing features OF tn
services OF last evening was the singing
which was Joined in by the entire congr'
CATION, and the inspiring effect OF whic
can better be imagined than described.
Mr.. Rainsford must be heard to know h
power. He has everything to commend
ordinary orator. But he has more: he b;
the love of Christ-the power Of God
spirit-and, in his wonderful power, is "l
respecter OF persons" but can reach, an
does reach, all-the highest as well as tt
lowest.
Reading again to-day at IL O'Clock III. II
eastern gallery Will be reserved until H.
A. Nj. for the accommodation OF bushes
men and others whose callings compel the
j 70 ho lntn in attandannP