The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-05

4
the lines upon which they have gone.
Yes, We should enter our sanctusr'
with Thanksgiving and our courts will
praise to-day sor the new interest In ou
church and its work. II Is not from an.
feeling Of pride or complicency 10 tn
appearance we present, for after all WI
have but modest, unpretending churcl
edifice, comely, inviting in its in,erns
arrangements. but with nothing TO b.
proud, nothing 20 be talked Of as 10 III
splsndOr. have looked at a single win
dow in a European Cathedral which cos
enough TO build four churches like this
There is a church in Europe with th'
same name as Ours-St. Marks Sin which
there is one chancel ornament which cos
enough 10 buy out all the three hundred
Episcopal churches in the diocese Of Vir
ginia and have 81 1000, 600 eft toward buy
ing some other diocese. Our 81. Marks
is not up to that standard.
But it IL the church for which from its
beginning some of US have worked and
prayed It is the church TO which We
are bound by loving ties, associated with
sweet memories OF services and commun-
ions. Where some Of those who will
kneel around the chanCel to-day were in
infancy dedicated to Christ in Baptism,
where Others have plighied the VOWS OF
their married life, where we call TO mind
the memories OF many pure. good and
true who having gone In and out with
US for years, have gone before Us TO re-
ceiye the crown of righteousness which
Christ hath laid up In store for them that
wait for Him
II was said Of Daniel Webster that he
was deyotedly attached to an older
brother, whom he deeply reyerenced as
well as dearly loved After the great
statesman's grandest triumph as de-
bator, when the press of the country was
full Of his praise, when the most disiin-
guished men and women were heaping
their plaudlts upon him, this was the
thought uppermost In his mind "Oh,
that my brother were alive TO know all
this" / confess that some such feeling
has been mine recently, and on other oc-
casions when | missed from our gather
ings the faces OF those whom kne " 10 be
devoted friends Of our work, who were
zealously affected for the good OF this
church. When knew how glad they
would have been 10 see any signs OF pro-
gress and improvement, il is impossible
10 realize more painfully the fact that
they are not with US to-day. God knows
| would not wish to recall any glorifed
Christian TO the realities Of this poor
world, but we, as survivors, may and be
more vividly conscious by our services
to-day of our sad bereavement in missing
the sympathy, the cordial agreement
with us in the JOY which we feel.
Twelve weeks ago TO day / was thou
sands Of miles away from home and
church. There came to me tidings tina;
one OF those dear communicates bad
passed 10 her rest Mrs Emily Shield
II was in a quiet city upon the Rhine, =
tranquil Sunday morning like this The
privilege was offered me Of joining with
brethren Of our church in the most beau
tiful town in Germany, few miles away.
could find heart for no service except
in my room, there TO think Of and pray
for al of you here, and especially Tor
those with whom feel that | was q fel-
low sufferer in their bereavement. There
are few in congregation that can tell
how such loss is felt, with what force
il comes upon the spirit of minister
There are InOse in ali congregations who
engage in active work; they are an ines-
timable help. There are those who help
him regularly, continually, by meeting
him at his services in the sanctuary, by
unobtrusiyely moving around with the
sick, lifting off very quietly much of his
burden by gentle, noiseless engagement
in duty. Such life in a church, who
can estimate its comfort and its power
There was nothing or an occasional,
fitful glare about this dear sisters career.
but in he: patience under the wear and
tear of all lifes experiences, In her
steady, unobtrusive piety and consistency
rs child Of God there was the clear,
sereLe radiance that is reflected from
the sun of righteousness. do not kucw
that can better declare true estimate
Of her than recorded in my diary when !
first heard that she was taken from as |
Hers was "the ornament of meek and |
luiet spirit, which 10 the sight Of God is |
Of great price" Then, if there was any |
one 10 whom any sign Of oar prosperity !
was an occasion OF JOY il was that almost
peerless woman whom We followed a few /
laws since from this church 10 her grave. /
ears ago Miss Rebecca Allegro began
he somewhat accidental services that
eliminated in our building on Leigh /
itree'. On day of thanksgiving or
'ome such public gathering met her in
he little chapel temporarily loaned TO
Is. 1t led 10 our acquaintance and to
Ter manifestation of interest in the plans
which was formed by few Of us soon
.fterward for the Inauguration OF a reg
lar week. Some Of you here remember
till with what pleasure-with what
hrilling eagerness we looked forward TO
he day when the little chsncel would be
pened. | started early on that sunday
norning when our first session was to be
eld so as to be ready TO meet all who
night come 10 the Sunday school. | en-
cred the room expecting TO take sole
ossession, but she was there in advance
4 me and from that time was the unvary-
ng ,un wearying co-opera,or in all our en-
eayors. She was one OF those who
trough sheer force of character,
Iot from any effort, but either with or
gainst must be in the front in whstever
! ssociation she might be found. Though
L., % t.Ga tho laUa.f plaea-