Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-09-16
The Baptist Church.


RE-oPENING-THE SERVICES LAST sABBATH
MORNIN(3 AND CONGRATULATIONS OF DIR.
NELSON THE NEW PASTcR-FUNDs hAisED 10
COMPLETE IMPROVEMENT, "c'
The services at the Baptist Church last Sab
bath morning and night were Of highly inter-
esting character. During the interval between
the call of DR.. Nelson to the Passionate ana the
time when he could complete his removal 10
the city the congregation effected some I'M
provements in the edifice, and last Sabbath 1t
was occupied for worship and for the formai
introduction of the new pastor to the charge OF
the church.
DR.. Hatcher, of Grace Street Church, Rich
mond and DIR. Thomas. Professor at Richmond
College, were present and participated In the
services, which were opened in the morning
with prayer by DR.. Thomas. and sermon by
Dr. Hatcher. who read from the Bird chapter OF
Revelation and selected the Goth verse as his
text: "Behold stand at the door and knock;
If any man hear my voice and open the door,
1 will come into him, and will sup with him
and he with him."
The reflections suggested by the text direct
ed the mind to the circumstances under which
church in the olden time existed during a
part of its history. The church of Laodicea had
turned Jesus out at the door. 1t was neither
hot nor cold and in its luke-warm state desti-
tute of unity and prosperity. The illustrations
of the speaker and their application, as he. In
almost every sentence of his discourse, sketch
ed the Saviour knocking at the doors Of church.
es from which his presence had departed by
their action, and the hearts of christians who
had strayed from his fold, were impressive to a
degree which cannot be described. The youth
of tender age who had embraced christianity
and In his endeavors to worship at the affairs of
his church. but had awakened to the 1act that
the spirit of the Saviour was absent from its
courts, was sketch which melted the audi
ence to tears. The scene which he described
from actual observation of an oldtime coun-
try church once prosperous and bright with
christian example. but from many causes had
fallen into decay and its doors closed-shut
against Jesus,-but to its portals the aged
widow of good old Deacon wendell her way
and alone. in solitude, she offered up her sup
plication for the Saviour to return and knock
for admission, added deeper impressiveness to
the occasion. The prayer was answered, the
knock was heard, the doors thrown open. and
the unity of the church and Its prosperity we're
greater than ever before
This brief reference to this discourse is not
intended even as a meagre report. At its close,
the speaker requested the choir to sing in soft
and tender notes the SD of the Gospel Hymns,
commencing
II hear Thy welcome voice
THAT calls me, Lord, to Thee,
"For cleansing in Thy precious blood
'That flowed on Calvary
and continuing, the congregation to unite only
In the Chorus as follows:
"4am coming, Lord!
Coming now to Thee!
"Wash me, cleanse me in the blood
'That flowed on Calvary"
At night the new Pastor, Rev. DR.. Nelson.
was installed, Professor Kable appearing for
the congregation and directing the services
which were opened with singing and prayer
by Revs. W. Y. Abraham and Geo. B. Taylor,
Jr. Mr.. Kable made an address of welcome to
the Pastor who responded to the same. DIR
Thomas delivered the charge to the people. and
DIR. Hatcher to the pastor.
At the morning. and, also, at the night hour,
collections were taken up SUFFICIENT to meet the
arrearages due on the repairs to the church.
Just before the benediction and whilst the
congregation, standing, were singing the Hymn
commencing,
"All hail the power of Jesus Nance
the members filed forward and gave their
new Pastor the right-hand of love and fellow
ship which continued some minutes after the
benediction had been pronounced.
Enoch Arden and his sweetheart, Ann Lee,
at Opera House tonight.