Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-04
wonderful growth in membership and its
.,,;r;,ral condition has greatly improved.
pr. p,,rrows.s Letter Read.

poni;st church and sent to Rev. DR.. j. L..
Burrows. who was pastor there for some
tventv wears. embracing the four years
of the war. inviting him TO come to Rich
mond and be their guest at the Retreat
for the Sick for the remainder OF his
life This action on the part OF the
church was inspired 10y the most tender
Affection for their former pastor, who Is
in very poor health and has been granted
a three months leave OF absence by the
Eraamoaon- Street church OF Norfolk, OF
which be has been pastor for several
wears. This time be IS spending with
his son Row. DR.. J. Lansing Burrows,
IN Atlanta. Gs. Or. Burrows's reply was
received by an officer OF the First church
several DAYS ago, as reported in the DIS
natcL NJ the time. but it was not deemed
proper to allow its publication until read
to the church.
TIE REPLY.
This was done by DIR. Cooper Sunday
morning. lust before the beginning OF
his sermon. and here is the letter
AUGUSTA, Ga, October "a, 1890.
To the First Baptist Church, Rich-
nlOnd, Va:
Dear Brethren, No words can express
the profound surprise and gratitude |
feel upon reading your communication,
received A few DAYS since. ! have always
been assured Of your kindly regard, and
number the members OF the FIRST
cburcl, OF Richmond among the truest
friends have ever had but that after
seventeen years OF separation from the
church. such manifestations OF generous
confidence and affection should he re-
vealed TO me was not within the compass
of nv thought or imagination. With q
full heart / thank you, my beloved
brethren.
The twenty years service ! gave to
Won was doubtless often imperfect, not
always what it might have been, but IT
was always lovingly and jealousy rem,
dered, and it is my Joy to-day that God
blessed ii for good and that you, after SO
many years, approve and are satisfied
with it.
After ifty.four years of active service
in the ministry Of the Gospel, and after
having passed the seventy-sixth year oil
nv life it is certain that my remaining
wears will be few. l am cheerful and
happy in this assurance, not because OF
duties faithfully performed, not because
at all satisfied with myself, not because
of any worth or merit in my life or Ia
Dor. but solely because of the lnscruti-
bic and uniathomable grace and love Of
my Redeemer to me and OF HIS promise
TO q" Keep what is committed to Him
against that day"
Whether [ shall be able to resume pas
toral work, or whether It shall become
possible for me TO accept your generous
offer of a home among you, or whether
nv home shall be with my son and hi.
dear family, are questions to be decided
bv Gods providence and guidance.
Again thanking you for your thought
fitness and affection, [ am atfectlonately
yours, r
It is understood that DR.. Burrows
son is trying to get his father to remain
with him.
General Religious Notes.
The series of revival services a
Trinity church under the conduct o
Rev. J. 7. Whitley, pastor, closed OF
Sunday night. During the two weeks
of special meetings the church enIoyec
Il gracious season Of spiritual grace. The
pastor preached both morning and nigh
to large CONGREGATIONS sermons OF clio
auence and power. The communion
wa solemnized at the morning hour
and nine persons were received into
church membership.
At Howard s-Grove Methodist churct
Sunday afternoon an address was deliy,
cred by Nh. Lewis Il. Smith entitled
Voices from the Ancient Babylon, IL
which many interesting and instructive
facts we're told concerning that wonder
ful kingdom. The address was inter
spersed with a fine recitation by Mr.,
Smith of Byron's "Vision OF Bel
sbazzar and the Gospel hymn, "Th'
Hebrew Captives ; or, Are Your Windows
Open Toward Jerusalem ?" was sung IL
excellent style by Miss Virgie Waiter
from the Broad-Street Methodist school
assisted by the choir OF the Howard 3
Grove school.