The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-11
CORDIALLY RECEIVED.
Reception to Rev. vi. 2. Hammer
at Greene Memorial Church..

NV w. L. HuHHer, INC new pastor
of Greene Memorial Church, arrived in
the city carly yesterday morning. lie
was met at the depot by Mr. 7. L.
Fishburne and driven to tho parsonage.
MIR. Hammer was accompanied by his
wife and four boys.
They wcrc met at the parsonage by a
large number of the members and given
q cordial reception. Everything had
been put in order and the lantry was
well supplied. AS previously an
nounced, the new pastor was given
formal reception at Greene Memorial
Church on his arrival, and fair con-
grpgation assembled in the lee ture room
last night
Among those present were Rev. j. w.
Duffy, Rev. L. NJ Jones, r. T. Fish.
burne, Thomas Englcby, j. T. Engleby,
j. .. Hobbs, Col Penn, j. b. Fishburne
and many other prominent members of
the church.
Mr Fishburnc announced the hymn,
Joy TO the World, the Lord Has Cone"
which being sung by the congregation,
Rev. j. w. Duffy, pastor Of Trinity, led
in prayer.
Miss Emma Englcby rendered a beau
tifu solo. Tho Het:er Land" which
was listened TO with profound interest.
On behalf of the congregation. Colonel
Penn welcomed the new pastor in 4 few
well chosen remarks. Colonel Penn
said;
1--WE give our now pastor most COR
dial welcome. lie comes to us as a
stranger, but Methodism is tho same
tho world over, and we feel that wo
shall be acquainted with him at once,
and that really he is no stranger. We
want him to feel like n friend toward
US"
Col. Penn then spoke of Ne thodism in
Roanoke, and of the first pastors of
Greene Memorial. Rev. Mr.. Greene
was the first regular pastor. lie died
here in the service of the church, and
to his memory had been erected this
splendid house of worship. After Mr.
Greene, camc Mr.. Boyd, man strong
i'll every sense of the word He hal
been emincntly successful. Following
him was Rev. Mr.. Jones and Mr.. Den
ny. MIR. Denny had been called to
another field of labor and Mr.. Jones had
another charge in the city. with all
these said Col. Penn, land the charac-
ter OF those preceding you, we welcome
you TO our fold, and may you not be left
behind in the work of Methodism which
has but just begun. We want you to
stay with us the allotted four years"
MIR. Hammer replied in terso and
mcaty speech. lie did not come to
give them talk, but to get acq uained
The kind words and actions on tho
part of tho members had made him
moro than thankful. He was glad
be with the members of his new charge,
and assured them that nothing persona
was the cause of these feelings. lie
did not seek the charge, nor did the
Charge seek him. God forbid that ever
the church should seek the pastor or
the pastor the church | do not come
to you with any tale OF WOO of the
friends have left behind Born and
reared iii Tennessee there arc still
strong ties for me in my native State,
but now | am a citizen Of Virginia and
my lot is cast with Virginia Mcthodism.
nope to get acquainted with you all. 1
want to meet you face to face, wo shall
then know and understand each other
and be prepared to battle with tho
world and sin.
Rev. MIR. Duffy made few appropri-
ate remarks regarding Methodism in
Roanokc, and gave the now pastor a
cordial welcome. The numbers there
pressed around, and were severally
introduced by Mr.. Fishburnc.
Mr.. Hammer is q forciblo talker. and
lmpresses his hearers very much. lie is
not more than thirty.five years of age.
OF slight build, with dark hair and eyes
ana has an excellent delivery. He
comes highly recommended and will no
doubt attract large congregations to
Greene Memorial