Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-03
The CHURCH 80 YEARS OLD.
Impressive Exercises at the First Presby'
terian-The Bishop Going to Rome.

terian-The Bixhop Going to Rome.
The eightieth anniversary OF The First Presby-
terian church Of Richmond was appropriately
and happily celebrated on Sunday, and the occa-
sion was one Of rare Interest to multitudes OF
our people both in and ont Of the church.
In the morning the SABBATH school omitted the
usual lesson service and marched In procession
into the church whore ell participated In efet-
cises Of q delightful character, consisting OF re-
sponsiye Scrpiure-readines, Win prayer ~ M;
James Lyonsaud number OF bright and spirited
songs Of praise. The historical address was maoe
by the superintendent. Mr.. j. ID. h. sielght, who
has served in that capacity for some twenty-nse
years, and was replete with facts OF deepest
interest, frightened with touching "reminiscences
Of the past and hopeful words for the future.
Rev. DR.. Kerr also made a brief and happy tals
20 the children and teachers TO the great delight
Of all
THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
AHA NJ. another crowd flled the church
and were first OF all delighted with grand an
them finely rendered by the choir, followed Dy
prayer and scriptgr. eading. Then came the
" Historical Address ON the Church" By Hon. b.
X. Wellford Jr giving in brief a complete his
tory Of the church from the time OF Us organiza-
ton In 1912 up TO the present. III showed ereat
research and thought, and, conched In the chaste
yet glowing language 90 natural 10 the Judge u
was n gem in its way. Following this, Rev.
Thomas L. Preston, ID. d., former pastor
preached from Psalms c1iv., 4, zone generation
shall praise Thy works 10 another-a sermon OF
rare power and beauty-1nd, with his old-time
yigor and eloquence, held his large audience
spell-bOund 10 the end.
REV. DRs. HoGB AND KERR.
Tho church was filled to overlooking at the
night service. the vast congregation represent
ing all the churches and denominations OF the
city.
The platform was occupied by Rov. Drs. Read.
Hoge, Richardson, Campbell, and Kerr, and
Reys. Messrs. Stewart, Little, ahd Wolfe. Tho
prayer Of invocation was offered by Rev. James
Little, NJ. A., followed with spirited anthem by
the choir, the reading OF Scripture by Rev. j. L.
Stewart, and prayer by DR.. Richardson.
DR.. Hoge's address on the "Four Deceased
Pastors OF the Church " was simply superb, aud
his vivid, lie-liKe sketches OF Rev. DIS. kice,
Armstrong. Plumer, and Moore revived many
tender memories in the hearts OF his hearers,
and the hushed spell that rested upon the vast
audience attested their intense interest In the
thome presented aud the eioquence OF the
speaker.
The closing address was made by the present
pastor Rev. X. L. Kerr, ID. d., upon the Il" Pres
ent and the Future OF tho Church." and, like
those preceding II, sparkled with good things
aud with facts as TO the great "Fresbyterian
family which were quite new and gratifying 10
many Of his hearers. DIR. Korr's ringing and
well-umed address finally rounded up day
long 10 be remembered IN the history OF the OLD
First Presbyterian church.
dainty little brochure Of some sixty-four
pages is already Issued containing pictures oi
all the pastors Of the church, an outside and In
side view OF the church itself, and all OF the ad-
dresses and sermons delivered on this eightieth
anniversary.
THE BISHOP GOING TO ROME.
Right Rev. Bishop Van de yyver, announced
at the Cathedral Sunday morning, as IL had been
anticipated that he would do, that he would start
IN day or two for Rome TO make his first visit
dd tinin0 10 the Pope. The Bishop will leave
for New York to-day and 9ill sail for Rome sat
urday He Will be away about two months, aud
will durng his absence meet the Rev. DR..
OCounell, rector Of the American College, al
one time connected with the Cathedral
Friday next being the FIRST Friday In the
month there will be benediciions and deyotiOns
at the Sacred Heart church.
The Ladies' Aid Benevolent Society held n
meeting at the Cathedral yesterday after high
mass, and after yespers the Coniraiernity OF the
Living Rosary met.
NEW ASSISTANT RECTOR.
Rev J. Augustine Smith has accepted call as
assistant rector OF Moore Memorial church and
parish. He will assume his duties June lst next.
Rev. Mr.. Smith Is Vrginian 10y birth and was
raised at and near Winchester. He comes "a
Richmond from Washington He l. 32 years OF
age and married. but has no Children. The
assistant rcctor-elect comes highly recommended
a. a man Of decided talent, as jealous and an
efficient labOrer, and as n man OF deep piety.
On next Wednesday night Inc regular annual
meeting OF ST. Johns Church Union will be held
at the old church. There will be addresses OF
unusual interest and reports will i,e raad----
Plans are being matured under the auspices OF
the Chancel Of the Chapter Of ~. PauFs church
for the arrangement OF a bsptisiry In tho church
as u memorial 10 the little children baptized
there Who have since died.