The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-05-19

Observance OF Ascens,on.Day

Templar Observance OF bay
Yesterday was Ascension-Day-a Church
festival with which the Christian world IL
so familiar that any lengthy history thereof
would be q work OF supererogation. In
the Catholic churches Of the city the regu-
lar services and solemnities Of this denomi-
nation were duly observed.
Richmond Commandery, No. 9. Knights
Templar. also celebrated the day by pub
lie parade and appropriate devotional exer-
crses at Broad-Street Methodist Episcopal
church.
About $3.50 o'clock the Commandery
formed at st. Albans Hall, and, headed by
band OF music, took up the following
line Of march, Up Third to Franklin, up
Franklin to Belvidere, up Belyidere TO
Grace, down Grace 10 Fifth, up Fifth TO
Broad, down Broad TO the church.
Arrived at the church the beautiful aud
impressive Ascension services OF the order
were held, iconducted by Rev. Sir knight
c. c. Biting, Of Baltimore, formerly Pre-
late of the Commandery. The ST. PauPs
choir, with Mr.. Bennett Dashiell presiding
at the organ, rendered the following choice
programme OF music "Gloria in Excel
Sis" "Gloria Patri," "Te Deum Lauda-
mus" "Jubilate Deo," "Ascension
Hymn"
The Templar exercises concluded, Rev.
Sir Knight W. G.. Starr, pastor OF the
church, delivered au eloquent and able dis
course appropriate TO the occasion.
The address was based upon the 31th
and 3Sth verses OF the 18th chapter OF st.
Johns Gospel: Lord, why cannot follow
Thee now? will lay down my life for
Thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou
Law down thy life for my sake ?"
The speaker did not discuss the subject
after the usual homiletic style. After alliI-
ding to the circumstances which acc0mpa-
MED the utterance OF the text, he directed
the attention OF the audience to the injustice
done by the unguarded words Of many
good people, who think they are doing
God service when they underrate the pres
ent and overrate the past. He then empha-
sized the fact that the divine measure Of
devotion to our Lord is self-sacriiice. which
is as possible now and as willingly endured
as at any former period in the history Of
the world.
The annals OF every historic era contain
many bright examples Of self-immolation
in the service Of God, but the friends OF
Jesus are more hume rous to-day than ever
before, and there are millions OF believers
who are now ready to lay down their lives
in defence Of the truth. This willingness
to surrender life may be accounted for by
the fact that association brings assimilation.
This is the solution OF the problem. To
know Christ personally eighteen centuries
ago was enough to imbue the soul with an
inspired purpose to consecrate everything
upon the altar OF great cause. Bat the
disciples Of the uncrowned Judean King
were not the only ones among his countless
followers who could say, 81 will lay down
my life for Thee" Were there not rs
many conspicuous instances OF heroic devo-
ton TO our Lord after his resurrection IL
before? And did not his Ascension,
uniting as a keystone the two columns OF 4
doubling faith and dwaricd apprehension
OF the Redeemer, settle forever the ques-
ton OF our duty 90 live and our right to
die in the service Of such Saviour.
Tonight, said the speaker, see con-
stellation OF bright names upon roll OF
honor. We feel that we are unworthy to
upiin the record on 10 repeat the flower
crowned names OF the honOred dead. But
they commemorate, in all the homes OF this
continent, the daring deeds of apostles aud
reformers and missionaries and leaders OF
thought and pioneers of new ideas and re-
deemers OF society and incorporating
defenders OF truth and liberty and home.
Ii is unnecessary TO recount their achieve
ments, for they are household memories
and the staple OF many conversation
around millions of firesideS.
A brief history Of the Knights Templar
was given in condensed form, and de-
served tribute paid 10 the men who laid
down their lives at the gates and
under the walls OF Jerusalem in vim
dicaton OF what they believed TO be
the cause OF God, thousands OF whom will
be counted in the last day among the num-
Der who constitute the "noble army Of
martyrs" With a herolsm rarely equalled,
and never surpassed, they achieved pre-
eminent distinction in the memorable cru
sades OF the Christians OF Europe for the
recovery OF the tomb OF the Saviour from
the possession Of the infidcl hordes OF Mos
lem chiefs.
At the end OF the last crusade the con-
viction became universal that the Holy
Land could moi be won by force OF arms.
That was the resul, OK lesson OF eNpe-
lience. How many OF Or own impressions
OF duty are received in the same wayI Let
It's not censure those whose conduct might
have been our own had we lived in their
day. Their tragic history, framed by the
historian and hung up in the gallery OF
time, will never cease to illustrate the Will
ingness OF brave men 10 sacrifice hfe and
fortune and home in the defence OF God
and the right.
Many other points were presented and
developed. and number Of appropriate
illustrations were used in The discussion OF
the subject, but it is impossible for us nj
this late hour to do more than close this
brief sketch with the beautiful fragment OF
poem which concluded the address:
alt Is but little any man can do
So brief l. life 50 triiiing human power;
But. n on earthly pilgrimage We go,
There are occasions every DAY ana llour
Wherein His hand Is secn-aud be our care
TO act as Jesus would were Jesus theTe.
The remarks of DR.. Starr were listened
TO with marked attention by the largs con-
gregation present.
After the last hymn had been sung
the exercises were closedwith the benedlc-
ton, and the Sir Knights returned to the
hall, where Il handsome collation. was
served.
CONDENSATION OF THE BRITISH CONSUL
AT PHLADELPHA.-The State officers OF
the Ancient Order o! Hibernians met in
this city yesterday and passed resolutions
condemning the recent ass2sslnations as
also condemning the English consul at
Philadelphia for his private opinion, pub
iicy expressed, attributing the vile deed to
members OF the order. The Ancient
n.lo. - rT;I,nrn;ops IL ruraly "A hpnpVo-