Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-10-08
ORTHODOX FRIENDS.
PROCEEDINGS or THEIR HALF-YEAR-
~ MEETING IN THIS CITY.
pccuIiaritics Of Their Service silent Wor-
shippers Remarks from Rev. DIR.
4. y. Dickinson.

~ r. AFif~itTfh-
The Friends have q very comfortable
house of worship on Clay street near First
Here for eeycral days they have been
holding their nsif yearly meeting.
Their proceedings have been marked by
the absence Of ostcntation, for which
these pcacc-loying people arc dishn-
cuishod.
Their gatherings are not very large, but
the members make M in devotion and
pIotv what they lack m numbers
Their mode of worship IS very simple
vet has quaiutuoSs and dignity about 1t
ttal rs impressive and soul-reachpl.
THEIR SERVICES.
Asfhcro arc many who are uuacquantcd
with the manner 81 worship OF this de-
nomination. below is given 81 short account
Of the services az the morning meeting ON
Sunday. which illustrates not only how
their worship is conducted, but gives an
account of the meeting itself
A silence more OF less protractcd always
follows the assembling Of wOrshippcrs.
Sometimes. but not very often. no word
l. uttered during the hour in which they
are together.
AZ tho meeting on Sunday morning there
vn- a profound silence for ten or fifteen
minutes. WI"n ~ WAS Ulfhtu NN "a lfihN'l
frDm Mrs. Abby Ness. a lady who sat on
trc upper tier OF benches facing the con-
prsraton.
j. vas an earnest supplication for divine
presence and guidan-
BmLE rTAD'sG.
After PRAYER there was another short pc
Rod 0i auiet. whom Mr. Bowling n VIM
eton. q member II the society, residing IN
Amherst county. rose from the. conerega-
{ on. and opening his Bible read from the
Psalms and portion ~ the Lords inter
ce-qorv PRAYER from Johns Gospel, con
Guiding with q short extract from the
Euhcsians. all showing the unity of Christ
and his people. which was his theme IN the
few remarks which he made as be read
lie spoke very earnestly alluding Ia feel
iuc terms to the absence Of one Mr. John
b. Crcnshawl whose seat had boon made
vacant hy death since the last hali-yoar's
meeting.
THE GRACE or COD.
Tho silence which followed when he
took his seat was more prOtracted than had
previously prevailed.
II Was al last broken by Mr. John 9.
Tbomns. a minister from Baltimore who
rose from his seat with the words on ms
lips. " For the grace Of God that brngeih
salvation hath appeared % al men teach
ing them" &c, 60. He said that the grace
Of God meant favor 10 the unworthy 10
meant the mercy of God. that mercy
which sent the only bcgOttcn Son OF God
from Heaven 10 save guilty world. Ono
might makea sacrifice for his friend, but
here We have one who offered His life sac
rfice for His enemies for sinners. lac
grace which the apostle wrote was that
which bringeth salvation.
Mr Thomas spoke very earnestly using
familiar illustrations 10 enforce his argu-
mcnts and appeals He thanked God that
this grace was not intended Tor only a few,
but was for all men.
sAvTD BY FAITH.
There followed short silence. which
was again broken 10y Mrs. Abby Ness, who
smoke of salvation saved by faith
She then illustrated life of faith IN
God bv drawing from the acts of faith IN
our feiow-men required in every day llte
She earnestly urged the Importance 0i at
once accepting the offered terms of saliva
tiOn.
pE. DICKINSON.
After few moments of silence Rev. A. |
7. Dickinson, ID. D., who was present, rose
and stated that az the congregation had
mot under the guidance Of the spirit ne
desired 20 SAY "a few words Ito was not !
present through curiosity, but from de |
pire % receive good, and he tcit that u was |
we'll for him % be there The Baptist5 and |
Friends had mary memories IN common. !
lUfN were SlNt bA Nlit' III til' gu HE~iN i'A /
religious liberty, which resulted IN giving |
every man the right To- worship God after |
tho dictates of his own heart Together |
they worked and prayed TO accomplish |
this end and together they were sent 10 !
prison We live. said he, IN q day When |
everything is tending TO the pQpuiaTl- |
zatiou of religion and men are looking |
away from God. We have TO look TO !
Christ fur aid to resist TINS current. The !
very humblest amongst us can look up TO |
Heaven and bring the Almighty down 10 /
aid us. He again thanked God that lie |
had led his steps to tins meeting.
BInIE PROMISES.
Mr.. John Pretlow. of southampton couu- |
~. who was sitting AT the head OF the |
meeting, said that all the promises OF the |
Bible were for all people. Nhosoeycr |
bclicveth" become thereby sons OF God
children of love
After a few minutes of silence Mr.. j. D.
pretlow. of the same county, arose and
sand. God had said let there be light, ana
there wa. light We now live III the light
of his Son, "the light of the world We
had the promise that the Lord would wipe
aU tears of every face. and the promise
was for rs If We accept the offered terms of
salvation. We shall stand before the
" great white throne and receive the
plnudit Of well DONE In the deluge of
water which once swept over the world we
have a type of TINT dcluge which VIII sweep
SINNERS from of the face of the earth.
Men will then cry out 10 rocks and noun
tnins e. fan ON them, but there Will be no
tavatiOn out of Christ. We are not here
20 mourn. but TO rejoice that Saviour is
amongst us here to-day.
The meeting closed after a very earnest
PRAYER by Dr. j. j. Hawkes. OF Henrlco
county, a member Of this meeting.
NIGHT NETTING.
In the meeting az night a number of per-
Sons took part. and the exercises seemed
10 be- greatly enloNed by all.
II !. Is peculiaritv of .he society that
there are no hymns gwen ont To- 0e sung.
hut if any one present feels called upon 10
sing no one objects. Occasionally others
jon iu and help On with n. On TINS oc"a-
slou two HYMNS were sung solo.
"Ihe Prodigals Return was sung IN
fine voice 10y Mr. Janney Peasants.
BUSINESS MEETING.
The business part Of the meeting took
place Yesterday morning, after an hour
spent iu devotional exercises, and the re-
suits were very satisfactory
The answers % the queries sent up from
the monthly meetings belonging 10 tins
organization showed the society 10 be III q
condition.
The meeting closed yesterday afternoon
and many Of the visiting members lett ior
their homes we'll satisfied with the results.
Others Will leave this morning.
HUSTlNGS COURT.