Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-07
PASTOR AND PEOPLE.
PUBLIC RECEPTION TENDERED REV.
Mr.. FAIR LAST MIGHT.
Cordial Addresses by Drs. Hoge, Kerr, and
othsrs-English Baptists Wei
coined Hsrs.

upon every face in the crowd that thronged
the Grace-S,reet Presbyterian church last
night to greet the advent Of the new pastor,
Rev. James Y. Fair.
The musical and literary entertainment on
| the programme wss well arranged and most
| faithfully and happily carried out. The
! opening organ overture by w. kirk MAT
thews, Esq, was finely rendered, followed by
a most enjoyable sextette rendered by Mrs.
| Blair, Mrs. Knowles, Mrs. Gordon, Mrs.
| Moore, and Messrs. Cunningham aod Blair.
After an appropriate prayer offered by
! Rev. ". 4. Richardson, ID. d., Mr.. Charles
n. Read. Jr., sang most effectively solo en-
| titled " Sometime"
WELCOMED BY DR. HoGE.
The address OF welcome by Rev. NJ. ID.
Hoge, d. d., which followed was warm and
hearty. glowing with bright and happy
| thought dwelling first upon the auspici0us
beauty OF these glad spring days, then upon
the glories aud growth OF Richmond, with
it's hopeful future. Next he noted the friend
illness OF the people OF Richmond, and espe-
cIally the harmony that existed between the
various denominations OF the city. Going
back to the early days OF Richmond he
touchingly alluded to the warm love that exc
istsd in the "long agov between the 1.-Two
! Parsons "--Blalr OF the Presbyterian and
Buchanan OF The Episcopal Church-and
| whose influence is felt to this dey. Again,
! few communities are blessed with such
noble aud devoted host OF zodly women as
Is Richmond. "These and the Christian
young men OF our city will bo your helpers,
my brother" said the speaker, ain every
good word and WORK. We have but few
dudes in Richmend, though there il a
small minority who fit from church to
church and crowd about the doorways when
services close, but we hope this class will
soon pass away. Welcome tc Richmond.
my brother. and may God richly bless your
work in our midst"
FOR THE CHURCH.
Mr.. Hugh Blair. reprcsenting the session
and congregation, next offered an address OF
welcome; a large welcome 10 the hearts and
homes Of this people, who bad without
| dissenting voice called this pastor TO be their
| spiritual leader. 5lr. Blair recalled The
early history OF the Scotch-Irisb. IN their
trying struggles for religious liberty. This
| liberty we are now enjoying, and Mr.. Far, as
a worthy descendant Of this noble race, has
been invited 10 our pulpit. and IN bis charge
we place il now--snd, ss Peter said TO Cor
nelius. "Tbou art well done that thou hast
| come"
A letter from Rev. Or. Cooper, pastor OF
|
ting that other engagements prevented his
attendance.
! RICHMOND GREETs CHARLOTTE.
Rev. DR.. Kerr, IN opeLiug bis address,
said Richmond gree's Charlotte the
| Old Dominion greets North Carolns, and
| these two sisters who have stood shoulder
to shoulder IN peace and 10 war clasp
hands tonight. The people OF Richmond
greet YOU. Pastors, officers, and members OF
all the Christian denominations are here
tonight, and we all extend our loving vel
come. You areto be citizen OF no mean
citv,0 nv brOthor-this peerless city OF Rich
mond. a long line Of noble men have stood
in this pulpit, and one OF them-a Veners-
bic and beloved servant OF Gou-slts
at nv side tonight aud bids you welcome.
A little vehicle has come to us lately that
does nothing unless it keeps moving. so
must it be with our church work. Your
work, my brother. must 90 forward IN this
church and community. We know your
record, though many OF us have never
looked upon your face before. and we have
been PRAYING for you-praying that you
might come-and YOU are mere. May God
| bless you richly. We extend our hands ana
welcome you TO the field OF battle to take
part in this warfare with us sgalDst the
/ powers OF sin and Satan.
Before closing Or. Kerr paid fervent
| tribute to the efficiency and zeal OF the
| brethren IN the Baptist, Methodist, Episco-
! pal. Christian. and Lutheran Churches.
Captain Frank Cunningham here sang
with great rathos and feeling, only Child,
Come Home"
Mr.. FAIRS RESPONSE.
The pastOr-elect, Rev. j. Y. Fair, In re-
sponse 10 the words OF welcome 10 which he
had listened, said that lie felt unequal TO the
duty now dovolying upon him, for his heart
had been so deeply touched that he felt over
powered By the spirit so lovingly manifested
here tonight. Such an ovation as he had
received this night bad unsealed the very
fountains Of his SOUL lie expect
ed TO be kindly welcomed, but such
scene 80 the one presented was
far beyond bis brightest anticipation.
! Richmond's history In the past, IN her I'M
wavering kindness to the brave and noble
soldiers that gathered here during the war,
gives a full assurance OF the treatment she
will always confer upon the soldier OF the
Cross. "The great impulse OF tbis meeting
! tonight" said he, "is not, am sure, 10
| honor NE, but Him whom | serye-your Sa-
viour and mne. Thanks. brethren and
friends, for this hearty and loving reception,
and may the future only serve 10 bind our
besrts closer together as felow-workers Ia
Christ's kingdom"
The address OF Mr.. Fair made s deep i'm
| preston upon the vast audience and won
the hearts and sympathy of all his hearers.
o, GIVE THANKS,
go, Give Thanks Unto the Lord" was
sung superbly by a quartette consisting OF
Mrs. Knowles, Mrs. Blair, with Messrs. Gun
nngham and Blair.
Rev. Dr. Read then called upon the wholel
congregation 10 rise and unite in singing
Gail Hsil the Power OF Jesus Name" and
the benedictiou was pronounced by Rev. {.
| II. Read, ID. ID.
After the closing ceremonies general In
PRODUCTION and handshsking ensued and the
people dispersed with happy hearts.
Reception or the English Bnptisfs.
The reception rendered TO the deputation
| OF English BGptsts st Grace-Street Baptist
church on Sunday night was an exceedingly
graceful and impressive affair. In addition
to the congregations OF the second, Clay
street, and Grace-Street churches there were
many representatives from other churches,
and it was indeed q packed crowd which
! flied the house. and many late-comers were
compelled to turn away because OF being
unable even to find standng-room.
The pulpit was filed with ministers, IN
| Guiding Drs. II. A. Tupper, j. l.. N.
/ Curry, W. ID. Thomas, in addition TO those
who bore q part in the services. Indeed,
many ministers unable to secure seals on the
platform bad 10 take their chances in the
| audience. Mr.. l.. II. Jenkins presided at
| the organ, aud the singing by the great con-
gregation, and especially by Messrs. Wat
| kins and LeitWich, was inspiring aud de-
ligbtiul. The openIsg exercises were con-
Quoted by Drs. Theodore Whitfield, Charles
ii. Corey, and Rev. 5. G. Clopton.
OPENING REMARKS.
DIR. W. f. Hatcher, who presided over
the meeting, besides interspersing the exer-
cises with apt and timely remarks, performed
the pleasant task OF introducing the visitors
| 10 the assembly. lie gave an account OF his
experiences with the English BaptIsts while
in Great Britain, and spoke gratefully
Of the cordial aud fralernal welcome
! which he received at the hands OF
the strict BAptists OF England. He
closed by remArking that the English
brethren now upon the platform were pres
-, Mt ,,nnn hfs official huf his nersOUal in