Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-20

hymns for the service itself were dis-
tributed throughout the hall, and in the
singing Of these the audience heartily
united with the choir. :,
At 1880 DR.. Hoge mounted the rude
| table which did service for pulpit,
and said when came down here
in the rain last Thursday this was no
thing but bare room, cold and cheer
less. with no arrangements for lighting
nm. and no seats. But when let II be
known what was wanted, those who
had seats lent them, those who had
wagons brought them down, and the
pas-fitters kindly made all necessary
arrangements for light, and, in fact,
everybody seemed to want TO do some
thing to help along. And now we
find tonight room well lighted, COM
fortably heated. and better than that.
seats full of yeople. The only regret
| have is that there is no room for those
people outside who want to come IN.
A great many people won't come into
our churches with their cushioned
pews, thinking they are not welcome
though they are but all kr'og they are
welcome in public hall like this; that
they have as much right here as any
body else. and that it belongs to them
as much as the Capitol Square does"
He then took for his subject the para
bic of the Prodigal Son, graphically
portraying the various scenes through
which the misguided boy, who, tired OF
home. wanted to see life" passed,
coming to grief at last, and in his hour
| of dcsolation turning his heart once
more to the happy home he had SO fool
ishly deserted. And as the old father
met his erring but penitent boy with
open arms, so there is joy among the
angels in Heaven when one sinner re-
penteth. The angels do not care for
| the important events of earth, the great
questions which agitate the world, or
the triumphs Of nations, but when one
poor wayward sinner comes back to his
Heavenly Father, all Heaven rings with
the music Of the angels.
The sermon, which was delivered in
plain and simple language suited to
the comprehension of the humblest
hearer, seemed to come from the speak
er's heart rather than from his lips, and
was full of tender pathos which moved
hardened men and women to tears.
Some Of his illustrations were especially
melting, as when he related incidents
of SHINING sons and daughters who had
brought disgrace and misery upon their
parents by life Of infamy and shame,
but had been eagerly forgiven at the
first sign of penitence. Our Heavenly
Father was al,cdys ready to welcome
His wandering children if they would
only come back. He read in the para
BILE that the father had met his return
inc boy and forgiven him. Before we
were willing to come back He had sent
our Elder Brother to seek us out and
assure us that a welcome was waiting
for us.
The close and undivided attention
which all present gave to the words OF
the speaker was noticeable. Mixed as
the assembly was-merchants, profess
sional men, mechanics, railroad en-
ployes, saloon-keepers, men and women
of every class-with whatever motive
they came, the same look of intent in
tercst was on all faces until the end OF
the discourse.
At the close of the service DR..
Hoge stated that if any persons living IN
the neighborhood were willing to as
sist in any way in the work just under
taken he would be glad if they would
give him theirnames on passing out that
his people were perfectly willing to do
everything necessary, but he would pre-
fer to get such assistance as he might
need from among those for whose
special benefit these meetings were held.
Many of those appealed to came for
ward and expressed hearty desire to
be used in any way.
This initial service proved to be de-
cided success. The outpouring of the
people, the large number Of singers
who had come with their help, the gene
raj interest manifested on every side,
surpassed everybody's expectations, and
favorably inaugurated what is hoped
will be a glorious work among a people
many of whom are destitute of all rell-
gious privileges and influences.
Union Revival Meeting I'm Manchester.
A union revival meeting was begun
at the Bainbridge Baptist church last
night. 1t was held in the lecture-room,
which was filed to overhowing. Rev.
Messrs. Thornhill, Christian, Williams,
Campbell, and Epps were present. AT
ter singing by the congregation, and
prayer by Rev. Mr.. Campbell, most
impressive sermon was preached by
Rev. Mr.. Williams, of the West End
Methodist church.
He took as his text, Romans v,
Therefore, being justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ He spoke of the
faith and works necessary for a man to
be justified and receive pardon, and
urged all to trust the Lord and pray
earnestly, and closed by making pow
erful appeal to sinners to turn from the
error of their way and seek the par
don - of the Lord Jesus Christ.
When the invitation was given a num-
Der stood for prayer and several pro-
fessed conversion, and religious feel
ing seemed to pervade the entire con
gregation.
The lecturc-room having been so full
last night. the meeting will be held IL
the main audience-room tonight.
The CoiOred Catholic Church.
In relation to the proposed church t
| no built for colored Catholics in thi