Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-01

the heritage Ocqueathed 10 the people ot thia
dsy; depicting IN vivid thought and glow.
ing words the wonders and glorles OF the
century closing to-day.
Deep regret WAS expressed by many that
20 shor,hsnd reporter was present 10 take
down The thrilling words OF the speaker
words upon which the vast audience hung 10
hresthless Silence. kindiing the wsrmest en-
thusiasm in the heart OF every hearcr.
The distinguished speaker seemed inspired
for the grand occasion. After closing
hymn the bcnediction was pronounced bV
Rev. J. CALVIN stewart.
Trinity Chnrch.
The Methodists held a union centennial
thanksgiving service at Trinity church at o
A.. NJ. Prayer was offered bv Rev. =. G..
Martin and suitable hymns were sung and
selections OF Scripture were read by Rev. j.
Il. SturgIss. the pastor.
Rev. DR.. Lambeth, OF Brosd-Street Metho-
dist church. delivered the address on the
occasion. The speaker took as foundation
for his remarks the declaration OF the
PsAlmist--" " lie hath not dealt 80 with any
nation"
CAUSES FOR TiIANEsoIyING.
Among the causes for national thanks
giving he mentioned:
1. our wonderful progress and material
prosperity.
,. our preservation from perils that have
overthrown other nations, and FROM dangers
peculiar TO our own people that have menaccd
us.
lie here alluded to the evils OF pauper,
criminal immigration, throwing on our
shores Anarchists, iutdels, and Others having
no sympathy with or knowledge OF our in
sjijutiOns. fle auded to the perlIs arising
from Sunday dosecraton, from free whiskey
and licensed saloons. aud from the sharp
conflict. between capital and labor.
CONTRAST DRAWN.
lie also contrastcd the United states with
South America, France, Mexico, and other
countries. lie claimed that our deliverance
from their misfortuncs aud our own
nenacing pcrils TO be due
N) To the wholesome restraint Of wise
laws, guaranteeing liberty but not license 10
our people.
(2) To the reverence that ss a people we
extend to the Gospel. our true bulwarks
have been not material aud natural adyan.
tagcs, nor general intelligence, nor wise
| siatesmanship, but our 1900 churches, a
pure Gospel. and the protection Of Almighty
| God. when the dolugo Of national
lila threatened t. oyerwhclm Us God
has raised up Noah to prepare
su ark for the ssicty Of our iiberiles,
and ii the cry oi our Sodoms has gone up %
Heaven for vCrgance. an inicrceding AOra-
ham has always been iound 10 stay the de-
scending tempest OF wrath.
OUR DARK PROBLEM.
The SPEAKER declared that in the South
there now confronted us z problem that the
nation as vet had been unable TO solve satls'
isciorily; that the safety and prosperity Of our
sunny land was more threatened by this dark
| political question than bS any other one eYil
! that menaced Our existence; but as long os Wt
| sought the solution ia God's fear, as long rs
we had a Christian IN The Chief Executive,
Heavens rainbow Of hope and besuty would
/ arch even that gloomy aud p0rientous cloud
| No nation can 20 fer astray that walks in the
| light Of the Bible.
THE FEAE OF Gop.
The speaker closed by declaring that oul
national prosperity and stability must DO
1 founded upon the fear OF God. IL the peo'
ple called by His name humble themselves
aud pray lie will hear their prayers ant
! heal their land
! There was good congregation present
| The services were about one hour ano
closed with the benedichon by Rev. }. T.
/ Woodward.
At Pnrh-PIace sietaOGist Church.
The Introductory exercises At this churcl
were conducted by Rev. j. Wiley Bledsoe
the plStor of the church. Rev. w. II. At
will offered the opening PRAYER.
The choir ssng appropriate selections
with Mr.. Herbert Reese presiding at The
organ.
The attendance was good.
Rev. ". T.. JudAins, ~ Centenary church
] IL . ftf " Will
interesting fact.. lessons. aod suggestions
| and WAS heard with profound attention.
! The speaker stated thai as nation we bad
{ reached our century miie-post. IL was meet
( aud right that we pause, review the past
/ aud realize the possibilities Of the present
CAUSE FOR GRATITUDE.
We should be thankful for our form ot
/ civil government. under the blessings o
God preserved and perpetuated. lis So
perioritv oyei an other forms OF govern
/ meui is 10 be observed first IN the freedom
and equality OF its citizens. Places OF honol
and distinction are open TO all. There are
no privileged classes.
lie mentioned also the freedom OF th'
/ press. OF religious faith and worship, th
/ distribution OF wealth, our educational IN
stituuons, the stimulus given 10 inventive
genus, our public charities, the blessings o.
family and hcme, as showing how the spin
of brotherhood has been fostered and de
veloucd under Bible teaching. We should
/ thank God that ours is q Christian nation
/ The Bible the rule and guide Of our faith anC
! practice.
AT this point In the address the speaker
/ emphasized the value and importance OF Oul
/ Christian sabbath, and offered wise sugges
/ tons relating TO it, observance.
r.F.f. l.H
/ and guard rs sancilty rs a safeguard to oul
| civil and religious prosperity.
BLESSINGS TO CONE.
We should not only thank God for bless
incs past aud present, but We should earnest
/ ly invoke His presence and guidance for th'
1 future. Dangers menace and environ Us
/ Tuey are to be seen in !hc lloodtidc OF immi
grafton importing foreign ideas, habits, an(
/ customs; IN the freedom OF the ballot. tn
rsce problem, and IN the fearful power o
corporations and trusts. The speaker cloScC
ms address eloquenuy, urging the people L
thaukfnlness and prayer, the prevalence o
/ Christian principles furnishing us our onil
safeguard.
Rev. J. Wiley Bledsoe offered the closinl
PRAYER, recognizing our Indebtedness Il
! God for our civil liberties, our social and do
nestle peace, and our religious privilege
and blessings, and invoking contlnuanc
Of His !ayors.
~. Games Church.
a large congregation assembled IN II
james Episcopal church yesterday mornin!
81 9 O'Clock. The services were conducted
by the rector. Rev. DT. Joshua PeterAin
ASS sted by Rev. l.. ". Burton, of 81
| johns church, and consisted OF reading o
the scripture. prayer, aud songs. No ad
/ dress was made. but the thanksgiving ser
vice was very appropriate to the occasion
and was largely attended.
Ola ~. Johns church.
Last night old 81. Jobu's church was hlle'
with congregation from all parts Of the city
who visited To participate 10 the centennla
services in this historic place. la the chan
eel were the Right Rev. 4. N. Randolph
Rev. Dr. Pike Powers. and Reys. a. NJ
Backus, or Mass schusettS; Hartley Car
michsel, b. NJ. Randolph. l.. w. Burton
and James B. Funsten. The preliminary
services were almost identical with thos'
used AZ washingion's inaugural one hun
dred yesrs AGO. having been prepared fo
use in st. PauPs, New York, by Bishop Pro
yoost. who was bishop al that time. Tn
several clergymen in the chancei TOOK par