Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-10-04

part Of the wall is covered with bunting.
The gallery is dccked with the shields Of
the different States, the American eagle,
old flags, drapery. representations OF ami
mails, &c, NC. The hall and galleries
were well filled, but not at all crowded.
DIP. HOGE PRAYs.
Precisely at 1895 Mr.. Starke advanced
to the front Of the stage, and when the
applause had subsidized So that his voice
could be heard he said I've will now
be led in prayer by Rev. DIR. Moses d.
Hoge." This venerable servant of God
stepped forward, and in clear, audible
tones offered the following invocation:
Let the people praise Thee, . God,
let all the people praise Thee. We
thank Thee for this auspicious day,
and as we breathe its reviying air and
are made glad by its upclouded light
aud beauty, most of all do we rejoice
that it is the privilege OF this great mul-
titude, as with one heart, TO invoke Thy
presence and blessing in these opening
exercises Of our Exposition and IN JOYFUL
celebration Of the completion OF the
work which marks a new era in the his
tory of our city and Commonwealth, to
render to Thee, as is most due, our
grateful alteration.
While we give honor to those who
have planned aud executed It. We magni-
fy Thy great goodness, . Lord, who
hast crowned their arduous labors with
success and we pray that Thy bene-
diction may so rest on the work Of their
hands that it may give development to
the rich resources with which Thou mast
filed the hills and valleys cf our land,
and that it may give birth to new indus
tries, to new prosperity, to Lew hopes,
to new happiness, and above all TO new
gratitude to tho Giyer OF all Good.
We bless Thee that the earth which
Thou hast given as heritage to Thy
children, though once smitten with the
curse Of sterllty for the sins Of men, has
been cultivated and adorned and made
productive by mans industry and skill.
We thank Thee for the variety and abun-
dance Of its fruits, and for all those bo-
nefcent processes of nature through
which Thou dost give seed 10 the sowef
and bread 10 the eater, tilllnQ mems
hearts with food and gladness. We thank
Thee for civil government, for social and
domestic order, and for all the wonderful
discoveries and inventions by which the
labors OF the toiling multitude are hight
ened, and for all the fine and useful arts
which embelhsh life and minister to its
comfort aud convenience.
And now we bcsoech Thee, Almighty
God. let Thy blessing rest on our be
loved Commonwealth; upon its Go
vernon, its legislators, and magistrates
upon its schools, colleges, and universl-
ties upon It's clergy, churches, and be-
nevolent institutions upon the Mayor
and Council Of this city upon its officers
and ORGANIZATIONS, municipal and mill
tary; upon It's societies and associations
representing tho business pursuits, the
mechanical and manufacturing enter
prises upon which our prosperity SC
much depends.
Let Thy favor rest upon the President
OF these United States. Lend him Thy
powerful aid, that with continued healtl
and strength and an eyergrowing sense
Of responsibility he may 50 discharge th'
duties Of hls high Office as to advance
the true and permanent interests OF the
whole country.
Bind together, we beseech Thee, II
one fraternal union all the States OF tina
great republic, and may all the inhabi
tants Of this vast land be brought more anC
more 10 ocherish the relations which unit
them as children OF a Common Father
/ and as citizens Of q common country
MAY it mercifully please Thee 10 draw
/ al the families OF mankind nearer 4
/ Thee and TO each other in the bonds o
sympathy and love, and let religion
pure and undedled, prevail until Tn.
way shall be known on the earth ans
I Thy saving health among all nations
and 10 God, Most High, Father, Son
and Holy Ghost viii We ascribe all glor,
forever. Amen.
President starke's Welcome.
When DR.. Hoge coafluded his praye
the band played short piece. and Presi
dent Ashton Starke then came forwar
10 welcome the vast audience before hir
assembled. Cheer after cheer arcs
from every quarter, and Ar. Stark
must have felt proud OF the enthusiast
manifested at his appearance. He said
( Ladies' and Gentlemen
On behalf OF the Virginia State Agr
cultaral and Mechanical Society exten
to you q most hearty welcome to TIM
Vnginin's Exposition.
The hospitality Of this old mothsr Sta,