The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-06-10


BY some mishap the copy OF our report OF
Rev. DR.. w. ID. Thomas's address on the
deceased Patrons Of the Church." deiv-
cred Tuesday morning, was mIslaid. DR..
Thomas's address was able in its conception,
clear In It's analysis, and every way admira-
bic specimen OF biographical writing, and a
very valuable contribution TO The history OF
the Church and the denomination.
Second Day.
The exercises were opened yesterday with
music, reading the Scriptures by Rev. w.
ii. Williams, aud prayer by Rev. DR.. W. ID.
Thomas.
THE MISSIONARY WORK OF THE CHURCH
was the theme assigned TO the Rev. DIR. II.
a. Tuppcr; but he insisted that he should
not read the paper, but only give the head.
ings. which showed that the church has
been from the first missionary church, and
has taken the lead in all such enterprises.
He divided the history Of the church into
three periods of thirty-three years each. and
gave brief details OF the work Of the church
IN this direction, until its average annual
contributions to missions now reach at least
$4,000 every year.
KEY. DIX. X. k1LAND
then read his paper on "The History OF The
Organization OF the First African Church,
and the Relation Of the First Baptist Church
to the Colored People"
He said that in 1888 the church deter
mined 10 build a new house OF worship,
and that In this connection the question OF
a separate ORGANIZATION for the colored peo-
pie occurred. The church, therefore, Of
fered the colored people the old house on
the payment OF bali OF its assessed value.
The money necessary (S7,500) was raised by
the aid of citizens Of Richmond. The sep
arate church was organized by the clear
head and strong hand Of DR.. Jeter, who
wrote the constitution, aided by number
OF the most prominent members OF the
church. DR.. Ryland became pastor OF the
African church in 1S41, led to accept the
Office by stern sense OF duty. lie gave
an exceedingly interesting sketch OF the
style Of his sermons and labOrs among
them. He sought 10 be
INSTRUCTIVE RATHER THAN SENSATIONAL,
and to dissipate their dreams and wild fan
cjes. and 10 substitute for these the simple
truth or the gospel. He wrote catechsm
for them, and organized a Sunday school
for oral instruction. He was accustomed to
invite nany OF the cOlored people 10 pray,
and gave some striking illustrations OF their
style. The order was always good. The
finances of the church were well sustained,
and no case OF defalcation ever occurred.
They promptly paid the pastors salary, ana
met their other financial obligations. Tie
baptized during his pastorate 1882, ana
could easily have doubled the membership
had not the restraining rather than the per-
suasive policy been adopted. He gave the
facts connected with the organization OF
the Second Colored Baptist and the Ebe-
neZer Baptist churches.
He bore testimony TO the fact that while
there was some opposition and much indlt-
ference to his work, many OF the leading
citizens were
HIS WARN SUPPORTERS,
and the hearty apprOvers OF his work. lie
gave some deeply-interestiDg sketches OF
some OF the old men connected with thls
church, and insisted that many OF them
were as sincere, devout Christians as couid
be found in any class or race.
lie gave some striking illustrations OF the
pssspnal kindness shown him by the church,
| an41sad that when, after the war, he deeih-
| ed it best to resign his pastorate, 1t was ac-
cepted with only the kindest feelings OF mu-
tual good.
He closed with an earnest exhortation to
bis brethren to do all they could for the IN
struction and Outstanding OF the colored
people in orr midst.
The above is very imperfect sketch OF
the deeply interesting address OF this
venerable and distinguished man OF God
who amid all OF his noble labors had done
nothing grander than his work among
these humble people.
THE FIRST HYMN.BOOK EVER USED IN THE
CHURCH.
Rev. DR.. Hawthorne held up the hrsl
hymn. book ever used in this church, anc
pleasantly called attention to the TACT tha'
many of the hymns had twenty verses. tha'
they used to sing them all. cline out" the
verses, and repeat the last verse.
Next came the
FRATERNAL ADDRESSES.
Rev. DR.. B. Manly was first called out
and sfter some facetious and pleasant anu
sions he passed to speak with touching
patbos OF his pastorate here, and his con
nection with the Richmond Female lnstl'
tute. recalling many OF the names and deed'
OF those who were associated with him III
his work.
He brought out as the lesson OF the
occasion that those who are most honoret
in this centennial were the ones who baC
"served their generation" and honoreC
their God.
He closed by wishing that those who be
long TO the church now, or may hereafter
be connected with it, may always folio"
the fathers even as they have followed
Christ.
REV. DIR. Z. W. WARREN
WAS next introduced by DR.. Hawthorne a:
one as worthy TO be heard, and who would
be heard as cordially as any one who haC
ever stood in that pulpit.
DIR. Warren was most happy to be mere
and 10 mingle in the centennial OF this no
bile old church. He was glad when asked
10 come, and had found it "good to bt
herev 10 recall the past, TO greet bis breth
rem. TO thank God for the past, and TO take
courage for the future. He especially greet
cd his venerable brother, DR.. Ryland, The
first president OF Richmond College, anC
thanked God that he still suryived--ouI
q nGamaliel" (Dr. Manlyl at whose feet oul
Young Timothies are brought up-oul
{. Paul" Dr. Burrows), who Is not mac
with much learning, but whose 1aithiu
preaching makes Felix TO trembie, ahC
Agrippa TO be
| "ALM0sT PERSUADED"
TO be Cbristian-our young Apollos
Dr. Hawthorne), who is "r1igbty III tn'
| Scriptures as well as in the power OF III
oratory-thc Philips and Andrews OF ,ns
ministry, and the Dorcases, the Pfisci'ias
the Marys. and the honorable men OF ln'
private membership. IL was Joy 10 gree
these aud recall those who have crosse
4 80. tl,a ,;var Rut n was a far greater
ioy 10 recall the time when "the whole
a., ., IN - ..noitad in the brighter