Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-28
xEs.sGIOUs seTEs.
Services In the nsshsafus ssa Bsptiss
Cnuych0s-

Sermons appropriate to the Christmas
season were preached at most of the metho-
dist churches OF This city and Manchester.
Eyervreens and other attendants of Christ
mas services were conspicuousiy absent.
The congregations hardly reached the aver
age attendance.
At the Laurel. Street Methodist church
the time Of the morning services was given
TO interesting exercises IN connection VIII
the SunGay school. The services opened
with a Christmas song. The story oi the
birth Of the Messiah Matthew H. was
read responsively, and the school interro-
gated Nv the superintendent a. to the
leading facts OF the advent OF the Christ.
There was an instructive and appropriate
address by J. ". Anderson, Esq, 10 three
small girls. 10 whom he presented three
beautiful gold medals, the prizes given by
the school for bringing In new scholars.
Thirteen scholars received the reward Oh
feied for punciual attendance M O'Clock
every Sunday oi the past year.
These prizes, a. well as several Others
given hy the school, were presented by the
superintendcnt. Mr.. II. G. OsterbiDd.
whose remarks were very appropriate and
feheitious. MIR. Osierbind very justly
claims TO be the head OF n school second 10
none IN this city in enterprise and
prosperity. and he evidently appreciate,
a. he should the honor OF his position.
The pastor IN brief address excused the
substitution Of the regular morning ser
vices with the exercises of the school. and
claimed that the supreme law of love could
find no filter or brighter exemplifcaliOu
than such A. was there occurring beiOrr
the audience.
The school was then called by classes.
and each officer, teacher. ard scholar wa,
presented with sOuUeHirS OF the dav IN thc
iorm II nIcoly-bOund volume and boz
Of fine confectionery.
The exercises were inicrspersed with hnt
singing, end closed with The DoXolocy and
berediction.
The Preacher Meeting on Mondav morn
ing was more than usually interesting.
After the transaction Of routine busne--
the meeting gave about on hour 10 the dl--
cu-slOu of pastoral visiting.
The opinion wa, general that pastOra
visitation occupies prominent place amou-
the agencies Of the Church: thai II canno'
hc neglected iihouj lOs- and harm 10 thc
congregation. The meeting wa- qutc g-
unanmoUs IN the opinion that the demand
Tor regular visits from the pastor 10 meme
hers whoarc IA health and comfort exceed
alI rea-ou. aud has grown 70 be- heavy
exact ou upon the time OF the preachcr,
vhI, b ou-hi % bee given 10 study OF work
81 mercy.
Wuch-Nicbt services vii be held III
l.aurcl Street church on Friday night from
$3.50 O'Clock TO past midnight. Rev. Georc.
y. Nruy viii preach. Other ministers are
,Xpccte0 10 take part IN the services.
IArTIST NOTES.
~ iht Fifth Baptist church 'colored
SUNDAY afternoon Two persons were r.
ccf}ed by letter.
Al the Clay street Baptist church sun
day morning one received th' hand of ic'-
IoW-hu. and at night there wa, ono lu-
puiror.
Al the Blmbri1gc. street Hapu,, church
Manchester SUNDAY morning TWO person
WrIc received for baptism.
AZ ihe First Baptist church sunday nigh.
oro Wa, baptized and ther, wa ont 3D.
pUiIcr.
Rev. hcT 4 Iuprer. pastor %. -h' Fl-t
Nauii.t church at Grand Rapids. Mich
was present at the Baptist minister c'r
ieIonc, ycStcrda1 morning. Ht ls iu iDV .
spending lhc holidays.
Hey +. l.. ~culiv. 81 Br9ddocA. Pa. v9-
M he Baptist ministers conference ycStcr-
dry morning.
Ai Grace street church sunday morning
communion va. administered and tnc hand
u. fellowship given io TWO.