Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-28
SUNDAY CHURCH NOTES.
LarEe Congregations ou,-Rev. Mr.. Kerr In
HIS PuIpit Again.

The First Presbyterian church well
coined back its pastor, Rev. r. p. Kerr,
on Sunday morning, after an absence of
some months through long continual
Illness. Apparently in the full vigor
OF restored health, he preached with all
his wonted fervor and power to a very
large audience, basing his sermon upon
John iy.. SO: "0ther men labored,
and ye are entered into their labors."
lie dwelt with tender feeling upon the
abounding labors Of his five predeces-
sor as pastors of this church-yiz.,
Drs. Rice, Armstrong, Plumer, Moore.
and Preston--for "their works do fol-
low them" The present generation
must labor not for themselves alone,
but for generations yet to follow, aud
strive to build wisely and well. After
the benedIctlon meeting of the con-
gregation was called to listen TO the
final report of the building committee,
which report was accepted with hearty
thanks to the members of that commit
tee for their faithfulness and diligence.
The committee also stated that a debt
OF some $3.50 had been incurred for
several necessary improvements and
changes, and asked that the money be
raised at once. The request met with
ready response, and in few mo-
ments the amount required to relieve
the church of all Indebtedness was
raised. And so the old First enters
upon a new era, with new and COM
modious building, without debt, and in
possession Of their restored pastor, to-
ward whom the love Of his people grows
warmer and deeper every day.
AtSP. Vi. another large congregation
gathered and listened to an impressive
and practical sermon by Rev. W. s. p.
Bryan IA grandson of the late DR..
Plumer) from Matthew viii, %: "For
He taught them as one having authority.
and not as the Scribes." His style of
preaching is earnest and attractive. and
his laborS in his own field in West Vir-
ginia have been greatly blessed.
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN.
The pulpit at the Second Presby-
terian church was occupied in the morn
ing by the Rev. Mr.. Bryan, and in the
afternoon Dr. iIoge preached from the
text "The righteous shall be held in
everlasting remembrance. Before DR..
Hoge's sermon Rev. Mr.. Kerr. of the
First Presbyterian church, who was also
in the pulpit. arose and said that
he had requested permission from
DR.. HOge to make a statement. lie
then in feeling and eloquent terms
thanked DR.. llOge and the members of
the Second church for their kindness to
himself and to his congregation. dwell
ing particularly upon the fact that, al
though there must among such large
number of people be some sensitive ma
lures, there had not, while the two con-
gregations had been worshipping to-
gether, been single unpleasant incl
dent.
GRACE-STREET PREsBYTERTAN.
Sunday morning Rev. DR.. Read, the
pastor, offered most eloquent and fer
vent prayer, thanking God for His mer-
cies, especially for enabling the church
TO pay off its entire debt, that hence
forth they could worship beneath roof
not "thatched with obligations"
Rev. DR.. Drew, the associate pastor,
preached forcib!y from the text The
Lord is my rock" Psalms xviii, ..
A large increase in the congregations
Of this church is noticeable, and now
that their church debt is entirely paid,
all their efforts can be devoted to Chris
tian and benevolent enterprises.
SERMON TO oDD-FEILows.
The siIty-sixth anniversary Of Odd
Fellowship in America was celebrated
Sunday under the auspices Of Aurora
Lodge and by services at Centenary
church. The attendance of the bro
therhood was large, and the sermon de-
livered by Rev. A. c. BledSoe, from
the Sth verse of the Sd Epistle Of John.
was an eloquent and vigorous presenta-
ton of religious truth and statement of
the objects of the order. The singing,
including solos by Mr.. Morton and
Captain Frank Cunningham, was excel
lent. Mr.. Ramos presided at the organ.
The church was crowded and the in
terest great throughout.
MARKETABLE MEETINGS.
The interest in the Sunday night
meetings at the 0ld-Market Hall has
increased steadily since their inaugu-
ration, and Sunday night the attend
ance was larger than on any previous
occasion. DR.. Hoge and the gentlemen
who have taken charge Of the work
desire to thank our liberal-minded
citizens who have, by their sub
scriptions, enabled the committee
to purchase about one hundred benches
and two hundred chairs, which
gives the hall seating capacity of from
nine hundred to one thousand, and they
hope and believe that good results will
follow their efforts in this locality.
There is still need for eighty to one
hundred dollars to supply more seats
and pay the current expenses of the
meeting, and it is hoped there are others
of our citizens who will aid in this good
work. Those desiring to do so may
hand their subscription to Mr.. A. y.
Stokes, at the Office of Potts, Stokes 4
Co., who will see that all funds are eX-
pended to the best advantage.
The Drowned BOY.