Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-29
MR.. SPENCER'S ADIEU
FAREWELL SERMON SUNDAY NIGHT
2 At CoWARpIN-AvENUE CHURCH.
Resolutions Adopted by tho Congregation.
Portrait Of Mr.. A. A. Alisn-0ther
News Items from Manchester.

Perhaps the largest congregation that
has ever assembled in the Cowardin-Ave-
nue. Christian church since the day of its
dedication was present Sunday night TO
hear the farewell sermon Of Rev. l. j..
Spencer. who has accepted call to Win
chester. KY.
Mr.. Spencer took his text from the third
chapter OF John: Verify. verify ! say
unto thee except O man be born again he
cannot see the kingdom Of Godp and de-
Iivered powerful sermon. basing his ar
gument upon Nicodemus. to whom these
words were spoken by our Saviour. Inc
discourse was earnest and persuasive. One
person professed faith.
When he had finished his sermon the
Pastor introduced Mr.. Logan Porter. who.
with q short address. read the following
resolutions prepared by some of the mem-
bers of the church:
Whereas, Brother l. j. Spencer has
severed his connection with this church as
pastor TO labor in another field. and
whereas the church desires to express its
appreciation therefore.
Reso,ped. That we deeply regret his de-
parture. which deprives US OF bis services; ;
that we hold him in the highest esteem
and love as o true Christian gentleman
and as an able and earnest preacher and
pastor that we particularly watch with
loving interest the work in his new field" +"
The resolutions were unanimously
adopted by rising vote.
MR. sPExcER's RESPONSE.
Mr.. Porter asked that the congregation
sing the hymn" God be with you till we
meet again. after which Mr.. Spencer re-
sponded TO the action of the congregation
as follows:
my Brethren and Friends OF Manches-
ter,-One thing that delighted me with my
work here was that not only few who are
members Of this little flock but others who
have attended our services have entered
into tho work with heart and soul. While
ii Is against my wish and will to go to an
other field and leave you, and although |
waited long and tried hard to see If could
avoid 1t, the circumstances over which
Lad no control forced me do so. But let
me say, dear friends, that while go away
from you in bodily presence am not away
from you in my spirit, my care, my prayers.
and continual Godspeed. When l
90 TO my new place you shall hear
from me through letters. and / trust
shall hear from you, my beloved bre-
thren, and that you shall continue h,e
encouraged. had hoped to live in Vir,
ginia all my life. love the old State. and
particularly this part. l hope that in
very short time you may have worthy
man here to follow in my footsteps; per-
haps he may do more good for you.
thank you for the kindnesses which you
have bestowed upon me, and for the reso-
lutions which have been adopted"
HIS YEARS WORK.
Rev. Mr.. Spencer has been pastor Of this
church only one year, and during that time
has accomplished great work In the com.
munlty. When he accepted the pastorate OF
this church there were only thirty mem
bers. Now there is O membership OF 100.
Mr.. Spencer is On excellent preacher, and
has greatly endeared himself to the people
of Manchester, He will leave for Balti-
more the last of the week, and will proba-
bly conduct the services at the Cowardln-
Avenue church Wednesday night. lie will
begin a series of meetings in Harlem-Ave-
nue. church, Baltimore, Sunday, which VIII
continue during the month OF January.
Upon his return he will go at once 20 WIN
chester ky., where he will enter upon his
new charge.
Mr.. Spencer preached his farewell ser
mon at Gethsemane church, in Henrico,
Rev. A. n. Moore. of the Missionary
WeeI.iy, will conduct the services at the
Cowardin-Avenue church next Sunday.
OTHER CHURCH NOTES.
DR.. Paul Whitehead, the presiding elder.
preached at West-End church Sunday
morning at II O'clock, and at night the
pulpit was occupied by Rev. Mcdaniel
Rucker, of Charles City.
Rev. W. G. Vaden. preached at the Cen
tral church both morning and night. At
the morning service he preached a very
interesting sermon appropriate to Christ
mas
Rev. J. j. Clopton preached at the
Meade Memorial church Sunday, and Mr..
Petticolas, of Richmond. presided at the
organ. The services in the other. churc hes
were conducted by their respective pas
tors.
ALIFE-LIKE A PORTRAIT.
Mr.. William T. Trahern, of " Hopedale,"
near Richmond, has just completed. Tor
Manchester Lodge, No. IA, A., +. and A.
of that lodge 1t it has been pronounced
by all who have seen it an excellent work
and fine likeness.
The picture, after being exhibited at
some promlnent point in the city, will be
hung on the walls of the lodge, of which
the deceased was for SO many years an
honored member.
MIR. Trahern some years ago executed Tor
the same lodge handsome portrait OF the
late beloved Past-Master william II. well
siger, M. ID.
The continued case of Charles Swan, who
was arrested last week for unlawfully raj
fling chickens, rabbits, etc., by throwing
dice at his place of business, in this city,
came ND before the Mayors Court yester-
day morning. After careful examination
of the testimony his Honor Mayor Attkis-
son decided to send the case on to the
grand jury.
PERSONALS AND BRIEFS.
Mr.. b. Anderson, who has been quite
sick with la grippe. was able to be out yes
Judge B. A. Hancock will go to Peters
burg to-day to hold the Circuit Court OF
that city.
Mr.. Macon Clarke. of Patterson, n. j..
who spent Christmas with relatives here,
has returned home.
Mr.. James II. Cox, Jr., who came to
spend Christmas with his parents In TINS
CITY, left Yesterday morning for Pulaski.
Master John B. Lipscomb, who came
home to spend Christmas. will return
Wednesday to Randolph-Macon Academy,
in Bedford City.
An entertainment was given at the Pres
byterian church last night under the
auspices of the Sunday school. There was
a Christmas-tree and Jacobs ladder for
the children, and Mr.. Haddon s. Watkins
sang several solos. The whole affair. was
most agreeable and entertaining. and es-
pecially enjoyable to the little folks.
Mr.. F. @. ID. Farmer. who had very
painful operation performed upon him
Sunday afternoon. is improving rapidly.
Master Linwood Moody gave reception
TO number OF his friends last evening at
his fathers residence on Porter street.
The Meade-Memorial church Is being
decorated aud arrangements. being made
for the Christmas-tree which will take
place at the church tonight.
A number of the citizens OF Manchester
have been greatly annoyed of late by boys
pulling palings from their fences. The
officers caught a number OF them yester-
day, and they will have hearing before
the Mayors Court this morning.
A number of young ladies and gentle:
men gave sociable at the residence of
Mr.. and Mrs. James A. Lipscomb last eve
Mr. Fl. L. Jones, of this city, left yester:
day for surry county, where he will spend
several days.
Miss Leila Mayo, who came down to
spend Christmas with her mother. Mrs. +.
E. Mayo. on Decatur street, will return to
the Farmville Institute to-day.
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