Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-07-24
OLD AND YOUNG.
BAPTIsTs AND DISCIPLES AFTER
FIFTY.F0UR YEARS.
Greeting to a Venerable Disciples Minis
ter-A Great-Granddaughter OF
Alexander Campbell.

At the ons.hundrcd. and. third annual
session of the Dover Association, which
was closed last night at West Point.
Rev. A. Z. Dickinson, d. d., editor OF
the Religious Herald, presented to the
body the Rev. Robert Y. Henley, a
venerable and distinguished minister OF
the Disciples Church, aud in doing so
spoke about as follows:
"Mr. Moderator,-The presence OF
this brother recalls the scenes Of one
Of the most famous meetings of this
body--the enc held at Four-Mile
Creek church, in Henrico county, in
1882. Action was then taken
which introduced a new era IN
the history of denominations in
this State. In that meeting, ffty-two
years ago, were John Kerr, j. B.
Jeter, Andrew Broaddus, James Is.
Taylor, and Alexander Campbell, the
father-in-law of the venerable man
whom / am now about to present to
you. The action taken then and there
sometimes called the "Dover De.
crees has gone into history and
been the subject of much discussion. ]
see here To-Day one brother, and only
one, who was present at FOur-Mile
Creek on that occasion, and that IS
Deacon A. b. Clarke, Of Richmond.
The rest have all gone to give their
account to God. and we who hold
the places they filled will soon
follow them. Let US thank God that
passing years have taken away much OF
the bitterness Of the controversy which
for a time ragged so fercely between
the Baptists and Disciples. May we
not hope that the good work Of concili-
alton will 90 on, and that We shall yet
see eye to eye9 AS We view the
mighty hosts which stand in solid pha-
lanx against US let US labor and pray
for the coming Of the day when oil bap-
tized believers shall be fully united in
maintaining and propagating the great
doctrine Of believers baptism. | am
happy to present to you my friend and
bfother, Robert Y. Henley"
Mr.. Henley, after being welcomed by
William EilysoD, Esq, moderator of
the body, said: 81 am re1ching the
period OF life at which | may at any
moment expect to be called to give my
account to the great Judge Of the quick
and dead. The friends Of my youth
have nearly oil passed over, and |, too,
am waiting for the call which will soon
bring me to them. In 1891 attended the
meeting of this Dover Association.
Robert b. Semple then sat where you
do to-day, Mr.. President, aud a noble,
princely man he was. The conflict be-
tween your people and mine was then
opening, but thank God it left no Bit
terness in my bosom. The Baptists /
have always loved, and rejoice in the
great work you are doing. / rejoice,
too. at every indication Of good feeling
between us. Let us look more to the
points on which we agree and study the
things that make for peace, and let us
remember that the nearer we get to the
bleeding heart that was pierced for us
on Calvary's cross the nearer We will
get together in head and heart. The
nearer get to the end of life's journey
the more | desire to be like Christ.
love you, my brethren, and every day
] pray for union and fellow
ship. Oh, that mighty wave
Of Divine love might sweep over us,
making us one in heart and one in doc
trine / think the differences between
us are greatly exaggerated, and un-
necessary irritation and bitterness have
been INDUCED III. Let us look more to
Christ. As an old man. trembling on
the verge of the grave, with the shad-
ows gathering around him, tell you
that Christ is my only hope; and as
lie is the hope, and the only hope, for
the sinner, 30 lie is the only hope for
our lost world and for healing the dis
sepsions which now divide His dear
people. | thank you, brethren, for this
greeting you have given me, and | in
woke upon you the blessing of God"
With the venerable preacher was his
granddaughter, Lizzie Thomas Henley,
a little girl Of thirteen years; and she
is the great-grsnddaughter OF the cell
ebiated Alexander Campbell. 1t was
pleasant to see how lovingly the Bap-
lists came forward to grasp the hand Of
Mr.. henley, and to take the hand, too,
of this beautiful little girl, the grand
daughter Of the eminent man who drew
of from the Bsptists at the meeting Of
tire Dover Association in 1882 at Four
Mile Creek.