The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-02-25
CHURCH NOTES.

4 49,
BISHOP wHITTLE,s1 LETTER CONCERNING
| ALTAR-cL oTHs AMI, CHURGH-DEcOgA
TToNs-sERyIoEs ON, SUNDAY m THT
SEVERAL cHURcrIEs-ADDrTIoNs RAP
T1sMs. &c. st..T
,;S5g8f III 4 1--.s----. = =. .-1i!Is II sU;t
We have, already published tha- rnair
| points Of BishofIs Whitlle''s circular letter
| to the clergy and vesiries of the seyera
churches n,the diocese, but having been re.
quested to do 50, print the letter in full - +.
ID RICHMOND, VA, 18th February, 1870. I,
Dear; Brethren, ,--Cireumssan .thave
forced me to the convictions, that duty re
quires me respectfully to declare. to every
minister, and yestry of the diocese my
meut ~ in regard to certain matters, ,ns fol
lows: fl ,st;,-.. sir s.c
The services Of the Church should bf
conducted rs prescribed by the rnbries In
the Book OF Common Prayer. without add
ing thereto or snbtracting therefrom. -
The decoration OF tho church buildings al
Christmas, being q custom as old az the
Church itself in Virginia, may lawfully and
properly be continued. u sess.; : ]
| The introduction into the church OF ever.
greens or flowers at Easter, or OF flowers
fruits, or vegetables on Thanksgiving.day
| Or on any other occasion, is a novelty and
an innovation in Virginia. and ought not to
be done or allowed, The decoration oi
" the Lords Table," pulpit, and desks with
cloths OF one color for some occasions and
Of another color for other occasions-the
different colored cloths being changed &C.
cording to times and seasons-is new and
strange thing In the Church in Virginia,
and ought not to be done or allowed. -
| These views OF the duties OF our minis.
tiers and vestries were, as I understand, en-.
dorsed and approved by resolution OF the
Council Of the diocese at its session in 1877,
as may be seen on pages DO and IS OF Its
| journal. l"S :. 80 r. - !" :" Z.
The .sLambeth Conference - Of 1878, con!
whom were OF our own communion, unani-
mously adopted the following report
Considering unhappy disputes on ques-
tions Of ritual whereby divers congfega-
tlons in the Church OF England and else
where have been seriously disquieted, your
committee desire to affirm the principle
that no alteration from long-accustomed
ritual should be made contrary to the ad-
monition Of the Bishop OF the diocese"
Faithfully and affectionately yours, -
.n.:} . FRANCIS NJ. WHIT1LE,
Bishop Of the Protestant Episcopal Church
in Virginia. .tG1 RI. -:
At the; First Baptist church there have
been held during the past week very in
terestng and profitable meeting. Two per-
sons were baptized on Sunday; nine others
have been received for baptism; others
have professed conversion, and still! others
are inquiring the way of life. The meet
ings 60 on every evening this week at
O'Clock, with the promise of general re.
viyal. :; b.. is ~. 80.
At Pine Street Baptist church,, at night.
Rev. II. P. Crawford, Of China, preached
to crowded congregation very nccepta-
BILE sermon. a.5
At Grace-Street Baptist church the pastor,
DR.. Hatcher, filed his pulpit morning and
night. He received two persons for bap-
tism in the morning, and baptized one at
night. There is a good deal of interest in
this congregation, ard they are contem'
plating a series of nightly meetings, Begin
ming on Wednesday night.
At Clay-Street Baptist church the pastor
(Rev. S. c. CIopton). baptized five persons
Sunday morning (making twenty.one in all
during his n1eetings), and received one per-
son by letter. A number OF others have
professed conversion, there are number OF
new inquirers, and the meetings 60 on at
7:3O every evening, with bright prospects OF
deepening interest.
At Venable-Street Baptist church the pas
tor (Rev. George F. Williams) filled The pull
pit morning and night. In the morning
two persons rose for prayer. At night two
others rose for prayer, and two were re.
ceived for baptism. There is good deal OF
interest in this congregation.
fba. Canoph RanfiSt ph1Irch the nastOT
Or. McDouad) filed the pulpit. At the
communion ten persons were received into
full fellowship. At nighS three persons
were baptized, making thirteen in all du'
RUG the meetings. Two others were re.
ceiYed for baptism, others have professed
conversion, there are number OF other
inquirers, and the meetings go on at s
O'Clock z. NJ. this week with most hopetul
| signs Of a general revival.
AT the First African church in the morn
| ing Rev. DR.. a. E. Dickinson preached to
a large and deeply interested congregation
sermon in which be discussed certain
phases of fhe Catholic question. At night
| Rev. DR.. Armstrong, OF the Monumental
church, lectured to q crowded house, and
| discussed the same question. 80. ay.
| Rev. Walter 81. Brookes, pastor Of the
Second icolored) Baptist church, followed,
and said that Dr.. Amstrong's lecture was
! an able, earnest, aud solemn protest from
an Episcopal standpoint, though be thought
Il could. e made still stronger from Bap-
tist standpoint. ~. ,,-,, ). - -, - !
! AT the Second (colored) Baptist church in
the afternoon Rev. DR.. Jeter preached 10 9
large crowd from the text, .e WHO can for
give sins but God alone?" The sermon
was clear, able, and very forcible presenta-
Itfoni Of Divine sovereignty in the forgiying
of SIM, and conclusive refutation OF, the
claim that priest or church has the power to
grant absolution from sin. r., $50, :; ! :
Rev. DR.. H. Med onald followed in an able
and eloquent enforcement OF these views. !
The service seemed to make profound
impression on the vast congregation. ];
At the Seventh-Street Christian church
the pastor (Rev. Joseph 2. Tyler preached
in the morning and at night to good congre:
cations. The sermon at night, from the
text ). viii a man rob God?" was iustruc.
tive and impressive. Seven persons, SIN OF
whom were recently baptized, were ad-
mitted into Christian fellowship with the
church. At night one person was baptized.
At the Monumental church on Sunday
morning the pastor preached. In the after-
noon Right Rev. Bishop PinkneY preached
to a very large congregation. Bishop Pink
ney preached at st. PauPS church both OIL
Sunday morning and Sunday night.
Rev. G. Schaeffer ofticiated in the service
held in the Sailors Ward in the Retreat Tor
the Sick. This service is beld every sun.
day at p. N: alternately by ministers OF
each OF the different denominations. ~