Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-09-18
noxE rEez a FexEIes SHORE
4 Warm Welcome Give. Rev. Mr.
Herr Last Might.

q WARM welcome Give. Rev. Mr.
Ksrr last NtEhs.
The First Presbyterian church OF
Richmond has for more than Q wear
past been deprived of the services of
their beloved and honored pastor, Rev
Z. P. Kerr, pho has spent this time in
Europe, seeking restored health and
strength. Es visited the North of Ire
land, England, Scotland, and the Con-
tinent, but found the greatest beneftin
the brscins air Of the Highlands of
Scotland. SIR. and Mrs. Kerr made
hosts of warm friends, among the large
hearted people of the q other side, !"
who were lsth to give them up, even
10 return 10 heir own home.
Mr.. Kerr = charming letters to the
Central frssbyseriGn have been greatly
enjoyed by host of readers for his
VIVID and liie-like pictures OF men and
things. On Thursday ne reached Rich
mond, looking strong again, and pre-
pared, rs be says, "to do full work"
and last night the First church pre-
sented q brilliant and joyous scene.
The ladies' parlors, the lecture
room, and the main audience
room Of the church were thronged
with delighted people, not only Of his
own church, but from nearly all the
churches and denominations Of the city,
each one eager 20 extend hearty and
loving welcome, with eye, heart, hand,
ard voice, to the restored pastor.
The. parlors were beautifully deco
rated with flowers snd plants, while
the willing hands Of the ladies fur
nifhed the gathered guests with lighs
bat delicious refreshments.
The church proper was brilliantly
illuminated, and choice music was rem
dered upon the organ by Mr.. Kirk
Matthews, interspersed with delightful
solos by Captain Frank Cunningham,
sung only as he can sing them.
The exercises in the church were
opened with an appropriate prayer OF
thanksgiving by Rev. c. Il. Read, d.
D., followed by " Home AgaiR," sung
by Miss Bracewell and Captain Gun
ninghsm. Miss Bracewell was former
" the soprano in the church served by
Mr. Kerr in Savannah, and with this
and other songs added much TO the
pleasure OF the occasion.
During the evening brief address Of
welcome was made by Judge (. Il.
Fiizhugh, representing the church and
congregation, expressing most happily
the JOY and gratitude Of all at this re-
union.
Colonel William P. Munford fol-
lowed in like strain, simply intensi-
fying and emphasizing the Judges re-
marks, and including the whole peo-
pie in the extended welcome.
Mr.. j. d. &. Sleight, BY special re
quest, rendered the gratulations and
welcome of the Sundsy-school teachers
and scholars. whose devoted love this
pastor had 50 fully won. and who had
waited, watched, and prayed for his
coming, and low their JOY gas CON-
plete--their cup OF thanksgiving was
full.
Mr. Kerr in reply made stirring
and tender address, touching respon-
sive cord in every heart. lie dwell
upon his long absence, Gods wondrou
care Of him and his dear church, an
said that he had been upon Cation Hill,
in Florence, in Rome, IN Venice, and
the other noted cities Of the Old J
World. but the dearest spot Of al
was sweet old Richmond on the
James. lie paid q beautiful tribute
10 the faithful brethren of the ministry |
who had so kindly filed his pulpit, to
the officers OF the church, and to al |
its membership. In closing he men |
toned the strange coincidence that this |
was the anniversary Of ms marriage. |
and he felt that tonight be was being |
welded anew to.this dear people. As |
be ceased the organ pealed forth the |
cheering notes Of the Wedding |
March"
This whole occasion was full Of the
deepest interest 10 al present, and the
wish that this valued pastor may long
be spared to minister to his people in
spiritual things was echoed and re-
echoed from every heart.
Among the ministers present were
Rev. Drs. Read and Richardson, Revg.
Holderby. Fowison, and S. I. Martin,
Of the Presbyterian Church Revs. j.
William Jones, 5. c. Clopton, and Dr..
Cooper, Of the Baptist Church.
MIR. Kerr resumes his pulpit duties
tomorrow, preaching at II A. N.
only.