Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-15
THE PULPIT OF WOOD.
OR. FAIRS SERMON BEFORE EAST
HANOVER PREsBYTERy.
This Body Holding Its Qaarteriy Session
In Manchester BIbie-society Meet
iDg-RevivaI Services.

night were forcibly struck with the great
change in the house Of worship OF this con-
| gregation.
Then the first church building bad only
recently been completed. but there was
nothing in its architectural design to call
| forth special admiration. But tho present
structure which has only been in use for q
few months is indeed "a thing OF beauty"
The Presbytery was opened by sermon
| by the moderator, Rev. j. Y. Fair, ID, ID.
There were In the pupis with DR.. Fair, Rev.
| ". A. Campbell, ID. D., the frst pastor Oh thls
church, and Rev. W. A. Dabney, who preached ca
| his hrss sermon 70 this congregation DIR. Fair
| Wood
DIR. PAIRS SERMON.
| The speaker said this Is the first mention Of n
pulpit ln all literature This was ago In which
foundations we're laid. Socrates was laying tho
foundation Of philosophy, Aristophes, Eurfpides
and others were laying the foundations OF poetry
Foundations were also being laid in oratory. art,
| medicine, politics. Never was an age stirred by
greater minds new factor takes its place
among these mighty forces. A pulpit OF wood.
\ IL was founded by the purpose OF God In the
| deep, immutabe necessity Of man.
The scope OF the pulpit is given in the eighth
verse; = They read in the book IN the law ot
God distinctly and gave the sense and caused
them 10 understand the reading
The pulpit originating Ave hundred years be-
fore Christ has lasted 70 the present time, and
there has not been day when It's voice has not
been heard. But all the institutions OF men OF
those days are gone or almost gone.
The pnlpit in its spirit has existed from the
dawn OF time. All the early teachers OF Gods
word we're preachers, though they did not occupy
| pnlpits OF wood. Tho pulpit here spoken OF was
| very simple and humble, but as Ezra stood In It
| he was grander than any crowned monarch.
Be not ashamed OF tho humbleness OF the pull
pit Consider its origin, object, history, and
those who have occupied IL. The best OF men
have stood In It. God in Christ Jesus has stood
| there.
rowgR OF TIE PULPIT.
Consider the power OF the pulpit. Kings have
tried In vain 70 pull II down. The voices OF those
who stood In IL have been silencod, but the pulpit
stands. Who can estimate its power9 Its infu-
| ence In the past, in the PRESENT. lt has turned
back great torrents Of evil, turned the crises OF
| the world. The opposing forces have crumbled
10 dust but the pulpit still stands. May it ever
stand true TO It's past, true TO It's object May it
| ever adhere 70 its high theme and never descend
| 70 the platform. May II know nothing but Jesus
| Christ. May every pulpit OF wood De made OF
the wood OF the cross, fastened together by tho
nails that pierced the Saviour's hands.
" Let mo sgnalize, In conclusion" said DR..
Fair, the joys Of the pulpit. With all OF its
| arduous tolls, discouragements, and lowly esti-
mate In the eyes OF the world, IL anords the high
| est Joys that man can know In this world. IL Is
doing work that shall last through all eternity.
IL II grander than any throne and there viii re-
main nothing out Of tho wreck Of time that Will
last save the work OF Christ In the human soul
parents ought 10 consecrate their children,to this
glorious service In the pulpit OF wood.
"No greater Joy can be conceived than that
which shall oil the heart Of the preacher as no
| falls before the throne Of God and exclaims
Here am and those whom thou hast given
me.'n
THOSE PRESENT
After the presbytery had been constituted
with prayer by the Moderator tho roll was called
and tho following members we're found to be
present:
Ministers: Rev. NJ. D. Hoge, d. D., Rev. W. A.
| Campbell, ID. D., Rev. James Little, Rev. j. W.
Rosebro, ID. d., Rev. j. Z. Cannon, Rev. Thomas
I. Jones' Rev. J. Y. Fair, d. d. Rev 8. X. Winn,
Rev. X. 4. Howison, Rev. William Chinn, Rev. j.
| Calvin Stewart, Rev. i. b. McCluer, Rev. Charles
n. Van Houten, Rev. X. A. Robinson, Rev. VIII
| liam S. Campbell, and Rev. j. X. Rennie.
Ruling Elders: T. j. Majors, Amelia; Judge
| Isaac II. Christian, Bethany; q. Wilson, Church
OF tho Covenant S. q. Howison, Fredericks-
burg: j. G. Wherry, Grace-Street; Joseph X.
| Haw, Hampton; John C. Goolsby, Manchester;
DIR. l.. b. Spencer, Nottoway; Gervas Storrr, Old
Market David Calender, Petersburg Second;
J. Spencer Smith, Powhatan o. w. Allen, Rich
mond, First Judge George l. Christian, Rich
| inond. Second; @. D. Larus, Richmond Third X.
| G. Osborne, Tabb-street; Professor 4. J. Stubbe,
Williamsburg and York-Riyer.
MODERATOR CnosKS.
Hon. George L. Christian, ruling elder from the
Second church, Richmond, was unanimously
elected moderator. This Is the hrst time ruling
elder has ever been honored with this position In
East Hanover Preseytery.
Rev. William 3. Campbell and Ruling Elder b.
c. Wherry we're elected temporary clerks.
Rev. w. A. Dabney, OF the Presbytery Of West
ern District; Rev. s. T.. Martin, OF the Presby-
tory Of Abingdon, and Rev. T. II. Harding, ID. d.,
Of the Presbytery OF West Hanover, were In
vited 20 sit IA visiting brethren and we're intro
ducod 20 tho Presbytery.
Tho body decided 20 meet daily az $50 A. M.
and continue In session until p. NJ. and meet
again at p NJ.
WORK AMONG coLoRED PEOPLE.
II was made the special order Of the day for
to-day at o'clock 20 hear Rev. A. L. Phillips,
field secretary OF the General Assembly, on the
work among the colored people, and for o'clock
70 hear the narrative OF the state OF religion In
the churches.
Rev. II. X. Howison is to preach at o'clock to-
night instead OF DIR. George ID. Armstrong, OIL
Norfolk, as at arst announced, as he is detained
at home by an attack Of 10 grippe.
Meeting of the virginis Bible Society.
The seventy-eighth annual business meeting
Of Che Virginia Bible Society was held yesterday
afternoon.
The secretary's report Of business for the year
was an encouraging exhibit. The finances are
In healthy condition, and the society mas dis
tributed some $4,000 volumes at cost OF about
eight cents a volume. This cost includes the be-
nevolence OF the society in the way OF grants and
discounts.
Tho Hon. W. W. Henry was appointed to sup
plement the Secretary's financial report at the
The anniversary will be held In the Seventh
Street Christian church Thursday night, the 7th
OF May. Bishop Randolph viii deliver the ad-
dress.
After the usual business the society went into
election OF officers for the ensuing year.
The following were elected after nomination
by O committee consisting Of Rev. Dr. Hall, Cap
tain Richard Ifby, Hon. W. W. Henry, and Mr.
John L. Williams:
Rev. I. @. Dashiell, president; Rev. NJ. ID.
Hoge, first yice-president; Rev. w. &. Judkins,
second vice-president; Rev. L. A. Cutler, third
yice-presldent; Mr.. I. r. Minor, treasurer; MI
I. l., ID. Walford, secretary.
Board Of Managers: Rev. J. B. Newton, Rev.
G. II. Reed, Rev. r. II. Kerr, Rev. D. W. Bledsoe,
Rev. p. A. Peterson, Rev. Jabez Han, hey; ". "
Tudor, Mr.. Joseph Bryan, Mr.. John L. Williams,
Mr. w. w. Henry, Mr.. A. b. Clarke, Mr.. X. y.
Brooke, Mr.. John y. Branch, hr. John b. Cary,
Mr.. William +. Fox, and Mr. james Peasants
At the First Baptist Church.
Rev. Mr.. White preached strong and effective
sermon at the First Baptist church last night
from the words, "And AS thy servant was busy
here and there, behold he was gone" FROM
them he forcibly applied tho truth that no busy
man In this worlds affairs can Justify himself In
the too common excuse that there Is no
time for religious life at the present, ana
that the great important; matter must Do
postponed till days OF leisure can DO Iounc.
These never will be found by as. up 70
the very last the hands are always fun; ana the
plans are always broader for success hss Illus
In the decision freely expressed by many 70 de-
lay no longer and choose at once "the better
part" In the after-meeting others gave free
and ready expression OF their purpose 70 begin
the better life. Mr.. White shows great skin and
wisdom in his work Of dealing with undecided
ones His sympathy Is deep and tender; ms ap-
peals are direct and forcible-
To-day two services will be held. AZ O'Clock
Bible-reading. 10 which ell are Invited and
which will continue Just one hour; az S.0ciock,
preaching by Mr.. White. The promise OF good
and profitable meeting is most encouraging
Revival Services at Trinity Msthodist
Church.
Rev. W. II. Atwiil, OF Clay-Street church
preached at Trinity church last night IN me a0-
sence OF Dr. Peterson, who was detained py
afiiictIon IN his family. The attendance was
quite large and the interest deep ana solemn.
Mr. AtWin preached q very impressive sermon
on tho "Cail Of God" There were two CONVEX
siona He viii preach again tonight ana serve
the church until the pastors return nom re
torsburg-
Coming to Richmond to Live.
The Wilmington IN. C) Morning Star
says;
Captain Jacob s. Allen, the weIlknown con-
tractor, lefs for Richmond last night, rnere ne