Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-03-07
VIRGINIA BAPTIsTS CONGRESS.
CLOSING ESSAYS AND ADDRESSES

CLOSING ESSAYS AND ADDRESSES.
Reported for the Alexandria GAZETTE
LYNcHBURG, Va, March 7, 1SS3.-'The
Sabbath Question" came up in heafternoon
otthe third days proceedings was discussed
In an able essay prepared and read by Prof
c. 5. Cooke, of Hollins Institute. What
IS the Sabbath ?" was the opening remark.
1t is an institution made for all men-not
for Christians alone. Every government
should demand its enforcement as day of
rest. Civil governments are the creations
OF Godl Gods law should be recognized.
The Sabbath is day of rest and refresh
ment-not Of business. Corporations and
Capitalists were not spared in their plans
and purposes to desecrate the Sabbath.
! WITH their iron heels they crush religion,
the rights aud liberties of the humble and
tho hopes Independents. He said that Chris
tan Corporations are responsible for tho
misery. suffering and squalor endured by
the employer, who, to day is ten thousand
times worse off than the African slave ever
was. If We must have masters, in Hea, ems
name give us masters with souls. The ne.
gro always had his Sunday. A pure GOSPEL
faithfully preached and faithfully lived was
the remedy for Sabbath Dissertation. The
entire essay was able and logical carefully
prepared and delivered in an animated and
earnest manner.
Prof Cooke was followed by Rev. FIR.
Boston, Of Hampton. This young and tai.
ented brother discussed the 'Conserving In.
tiuences of the Christian Sabbath" showing
from many striking examples in history the
wisdom and laercy OF God in the provision
of the day ot'rest and the sin and danger, TO
body and soul, Of lis neglect.
The evening session opened with great
enthusiasm. Some time before the hour an.
pointed for the exercises 10 begin the main
audience room galleries, aisles, pulpit, plat
form and vestibule We're filled with persons
eager TO hear Rev. J. 3. Hawthorne on The
Relation OF the Pulpit to Trade and Politics"
Hawthorne seemed 10 be at his best--us
bold as Paul and with eloGuence that carries
all before it, he ventilated his subject The
sphere ofthe pulpit is All ever enlareinr
one. The work Of the Christian minister
to-day Is ofgrander prospect than ever was
known i'll the history Of the world 1t has
q rushing, sweeping. tbrobbing civilization
to deal with, never dreamed Of by our fore
fathers. Trade and politics are human in
terests, and as such come within tho scope
OF work belonging to every honest man.
Christianity is for the stock exchange as
well as for Sabbath Schools, You cannot by
putting Il dollar in the collection basket on
Sunday find an excuse for robbing the public
treasury Of q thousand dollars in money.
The tricks of trade-sharp inanciering-
were handled with gloves off, He did not
go to families bankrupt by the speculation
and fraud OF others and say to them only
who the Lord loveth he chastencth, bat
from his pulpit even, though these specula-
fNpy ,T rns,, =,
and listening to him he would lay bare the
sin, the crime, and hold them ND to the
scorn of all good men. He was equally severe
on political dishonesty. If the pulpit. he
said does not proclaim against ballot box
stuDlng and bribery, ect., who will do it ?
VIII the ward politician? the Office seeker /?
the Boss 2" Must the pulpit be silent
while such inhumanities as the operations of
Jay Gould and Wal! street make millions
mourn?
DIR. Hawthorne Was followed by Rev.
J. L. Carroll, Of Gordonsville, in an
address that WAS q grand exallatiol of the
pulpit. The essayist and his associate did
not altogether agree. The pulpit should
say with Nehemiah. II am doing a great
work and cannot come down" to trade and
politics: There are other places better
adapted to trade and politics and there are
pSltS! HllCo ipl INC NOTh IMAM Tue
Christian minister Both are right.
Friday morning Rev. ]. g. Lake, d. D.,
and Prof H II. Harris, of Richmond Col
lege, discussed the Influence of Baptist
Principles Oh Current Religious Thought"
Your reporter cannot give extracts from
these essays. He does not wish to make
any invideous comparisons, bat for depth of
thought, breadth of mind, richness of illus
tration, and thorough acquaintance with all
literature and thought that moulds into the
shape of truth, or tlwarfs or warps into error
the mind and heart of the individual, these
essays were not e1celled--canuot be sur
passed.
An immense gathering assembled at night
to attend the closing exercises.
DR.. }. l.. Burrows reviewed the progress
of the Congress, and made the closing adj
dress. His theme was, a Loving Spirit
is the Supreme Qualification of Minister
of the Gospel"
Your reporter did not hear this address.
lie was on his journey home
The Lynchburg Virginiaa kindly says:
! TO reach the masses and make the world
better was the prevailing topic of the
speakers. The meeting was pleasant and
profitable in tho extreme" F.
fhe Underwood Claim
| In the last moments of tho snrc;oo ~ III,