Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-06-14
HONOR TO A PASTOR.
DR.. COOPER GIVEN A RECEPTION AND
ABAG OF SILVER DOLLARS
Joint Anniversary of His Marriage and
Pastorate Happily Celebrnted-ser-
vices in the Churches Sunday.

Rev. DIR. George Cooper was a happy
man last night. He celebrated his silver
wedding and the seventh anniversary OF
his pastorate at the First Baptist churcn'
BY singular coincidence the date OF both
OF these events fell on Sunday. but out o'
regard for the Sabbath their celebration
was postponed until Yesterday.
About two weeks ago the congregation.
by a mere chance. learned OF the approach
ing events in their pastors life and last
uight. TO show their esteem and apprecia-
tom Of his services. they rendered him and
his wife a magnificent reception IN the
lecture-room OF the church. Inc large
hall was beautifully decorated with now,
ers and piano-lamps, ana oy
o'clock il was crowded with members
of tho congregation aud friends OF the
couple. Some OF the most prominent peo-
pie OF the city were present. Ihe follow
ing ministers were IN attendance; hev
Dr. MD. HOge. Rev. John r.. Massey,
Rev. DIR. A. T.. Dickinson. Rev. DR.. w. W.
Landrum, Rev. Dr. William 4. HatcheT'
Rev. Or. James Nelson, and Rev. Dr. H.
a. Upper.
LADIES RECEIVE ASD MEN SERVE.
4 committee Of ladies and gentlemen
from the church received the visitors, ana
made themselves useful aud agreeable IN
many WAYS. while the young men OF the
"fiTst Baptist Church Twelve acted hs
walters and served refreshments 10 the
guests.
Sir John S. Harwood called the gather
ing TO order about $3.50 o'clock, ana aitef
the singing of a HYMN Toy the choir miro
daced Professor Charles II. Winston, VINO
delivered a beautiful address IN which he
congratulated the pastor upon ms noble
work in the church and the happiness OF
his married life. He alluded in an exceed
ingly fehcitous manner to the popularity
Of the minister and his wife. ana referred
tOthe generosity Of the former III modestiy
attributng the success Oh the church 10
It's congregation.
GryfN ALAG or SILVER.
In concluding Professor Winston took
up a beautiful little silken bag which was
| lying on the table and presented II 20 III
! Cooper. stating that n contained an oher-
| inc of several hundred new silver dollars
! from his congregation. He made face
| tious allusion TO free silver and then
resumed his seat.
! Or. Cooper IN feeling language expressed
| ms gratitude at the kindly feelings SHOWN
! him by his congregation. lie cOmpilmented
| them Tor their good work ana cooperation
| iu MS labors and alluded to the happiness
OF his married life.
| Rev. Dr. Whitfield read congratula-
| tory resolution adopted by the baptist
! Ministers Conference, after which Dir.
! Harwood called upon Rev. DR.. Hoge for a
| few remarks. The distinguished divine
| responded IN beautiful speech, full OF
| Tenderness and love. lie alluded TO the
! kindly feelings which has always existed
! between the ministers OF FIRST cnurch anu
| himself, and concluded IN humorous
| strain, which evoked much laughter.
| Nr Harwood stated, >" IN order to satisfy
| the curiosity of the ladies" that the bag
| contained 400 silver dollars.
| Captain Cunningham rendered one OF
| his beautiful solos while the gathering
| partOOk Of refreshments.
BIS sEyEN-YEABs' WORK.
In his sermon Sunday morning Dr.
| Cooper presented TO his hearers a sum-
| mary Of the marked improvements that
| had been made IN his church during the
| seven years Of ms stewardship. There had.
| he said, been ~ deaths in oil during THIS
| time, and among these were many old and
prominent citizens. lie had IN this same
| period oiiciated az 2j0 funerals. married
| iO2 coupes. bad received 491 members,
| and baptized III of this number; had
never missed but 3 services from sick
| ness, and had made 1000 pastoral visits.
| The collections through the treasurer. Dr.
| Cooper asserted. had amounted TO STU
600. and from all sources 10 about Sl75.-
COO In closing Or. Cooper gracefully
acknowledged tncinyaluatle assstauoe ne
mad received from every officer and mem.
ber of the church and the Sabbath-schOOl
! choir, aud all committees.
TO ERECT A Ngw CHURCH.
The Methodist Laymen's Union, OF which Mr
| A. L. Lumsden is president AMI Mr. j. Is. tarrai
! secretary. has decided 20 erect new church On
| the corner ~ Twouty-niuth and Marshall streets
| The edilce. which viii be GOXtj feet. vii. co-
$4,000. Il, will be- built IN such manner that
! future additions may be- made without destroy
| iug is architectural symmetry The structure
| which will be erected ~ once, viii include tht
| tower of the future church. The congregation
| oi the new house Of worship will be composed o
! the overflow membership from Trinity anl
| UniOn-Staii0n churches. one half oi ihe money
| 20 he expended IN the building Of the eiihce WI
| be raised by the union aud the rest Will be se
| cured by q loan on the property