Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-21
OUR CHURCHES SUNDAY.
sUNDAESeHooL EXERCISES.

Grace and Msdison-
II was pretty day, and the inter-
esting nature Of the occasion caused
great crowd to attend, all the available
space in the building being occupied.
The new church is mainly repro
duction Of the former one, with some
added improvements and sdornments,
and 80 homelike did it seem that Dr.
Preston, in his sermon, said that when
the front doors were opened be ex-
pec,ed, as OF old. to gaze upon the beau
ties Of the Capitol Square"
The beloved pastor, Rev. r. p. Kerr,
was prevented by continued indisposi-
ton from participating in the delightful
services Of the day, though it had been
expected when the time was set that be
could be present, and his absence was
the only thing lacking to complete
the full JOY of this people in again re-
occupying their own church home.
Rev. Thomas l.. Preston, ID. d., q
former pastor, preached at ii A. NJ. a
sermon Of marked power and ability
from Acts H.. 90" For the promise is
to you and your children, and to all
that are sfar of, even as many as the
Lord our God shall CALI" and with
simple and heartfelt words he dedicated
and set apart the new church TO the
service and worship Of the living God.
DR.. Preston occupied the pulpit
again at night, and the audience filed
the church as completely as in the
morning. His sermon was based upon
I'd Timothy, iy., 6: "For | am now
ready 10 be offered, and the time Of my
departure is at hand -; and for full
hour be held the unwavering attention
of the gathered multitude. The music,
both morning and night, was Of un-
usual sweetness and excellence, Pro-
fessor n. b. Clspp presiding at the
organ, and the choir Of the church rem
dering some choice yoluntaries and
The new Methodist church on Denny
street Rocketts), Rev. T. +. Wise,
pastor, was opened last Sunday with
appropriate ceremonies. The building
is neat. substantial structure ofbricks,
covered with slate. The seating capacity
is about 400. The total cost twhen
complete and furnished) will be about
$4,000.
At the hour Of $3.50 p. NJ. when the
service began, almost every foot Of
space inside the building was occupied.
The singing by the choir was very fine.
Rev. Joseph Lear. former pastor of
the congregation, read the hymn DR..
BledsOe. of Broad-Street church. made
the opening prayer. The sermon was
by Rev. DIR. Laferty, Of the AdrOeaie.
Taking his text from Malachi iii: g
" Will a man rob God? he delivered
an original and inimitable discourse
full of pith and point.
The audience listened without weari-
ness, and at many points could not re-
press the evidence Of their appreciation
Of the words Of the speaker. At the
close Of the sermon a collection was
quietly taken.
The benediction was given by Rev.
Mr.. Belts, Of the Baptist Church.
OLD-HARKET HALL.
We have never had services or audi
ences in Richmond so unique As those
in Old-Market Hall. DR.. Hoge's plain
and familiar style of presenting truth,
and his frequent illustrations drawn
from everyday life, keep the close at
tention Of all classes composing these
from the beginning to the
end Of the sermon.
The manner in which the people
crowd around him after the services are
over to give him their greetings, and TO
tell him something which seems to in
terest them about themselves or their
families, show how cordially he is vel
coined and how entirely he has gained
the good will Of the residents in that
part of the city.
In so miscellaneous an audience ROW
and then a little disturbance takes
place, but the Doctor is never put out
by it. and usually turns it TO some
good account. As general thing.
however. the good order and the quiet
is quite equal to that which is found in
the old, established churches. and at
the same time there is a sort Of freedom
and raciness in all Of the services which
lifts them out Of the beaten track and
makes them fresh, and so keeps up the
A few weeks ago our reporter sug-
gested that it would be well 10 supply
the hall with more comfortable seats
and with a larger number Of them.
Last Sunday night DR.. Hoge remarked
before taking his text that some public
spirited gentlemen had taken the matter
in hand and had informed him that they
would see the hall amply provided
with just such accommodations as were
necessary.
METHODIST sUNDAY-SCHooL
SOCIETY.
The regular monthly meeting Of the
Methodist Sunday-School Society OF
Richmond and Manchester was held at
[ Union-Station Methodist church Sunday
afternoon at $3.50 o'clock-A. L. West,
president; Charles p. Rady. secretary.
The meeting was opened with prayer
by Rev. James c. Reed, Of Trinity
church, and singing by the school.
Mr.. John Parr, assistant superintend-
ent Of Union-Station school, made
verbal report Of the condition Of the
school. which indicated increased inter-
est in the work among the officers,
and scholars Of the school. Ii
is hoped that the adult members Of the
church viii take deeper interest in the
school and aid in the good work.
The president introduced Rev. J. L.
NJ. Curry, who addressed the meet
ing in an earnest and powerful appeal
for better teaching in the Sunday school.
His address was directed TO Sunday
school teachers chiefly, and urged the
importance of thorough preparation for