The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-06-14

A Substantial Manner of Showing Love and
Ekteem

Esteem.
The lecture-room Of the First Baptist church
was the scene,of neutrality-suspicious. occa-
sion last evening. 1t was the seventh ami
versary of Dr.. Cooper's passionate, and it was
also the twenty-ffth anniversary or silver
wedding Of Or. Cooper.
The church was prettily decorated with
living plants and flowers, and back of the
pulpit was a huge pyramid OF rare and beau
tiful plants, while shaded candelaora shed q
subdued and pretty light upon the scene.
The attendance WAS very large, and after
the regular exercises, of the evening were over
the ladies' served Refreshments in great
abundance.
MI. John S. Harwood presided over the
meeting in very graceful manner and intro
duced the speakers.
After singing by the choir composed of
Mrs. w. z. Knowles. Mrs. Jasper l.. Rowe
Captain Frank Cunningham and Mr.. III.
ThurstOn Cardozo. under the direction OF
Major Kirk Mathews, Professor Winston was
introduced 10 make the welcome address and
present DR.. Cooper with pretty satin purse
that contained four hundred silver dollars.
The Professor made an excellent address.
He said in part:
do not think that any words of mine can
add To the impressiveness of this scene. 1t is
not often, or for light cause, that this staid
old church rOuses itself 10 such enthusiasm
or displays such heartiness ana unanlmlty OF
feeling and action.
We are here. as with one heart and one
mind. 10 testify to our personal and Chris
tian regard for our pastor and for our pas
tors wife.
There was nothing more touching in that
admirable review sermon of yesterday morn
ing than the noble generosity OF the preacher
in ascribing to his people all the credit for the
good work that in tho last seven years has
been done amongst us. That generosity we
would emulate this evening and give honor
to whom honor Is due" Nor could any OF us
fail TO be moved by those pathetic words in
which the preacher declared the approval of
his people 20 be prize which he coveted far
above all other earthly reward
In conclusion lie said have been commits
stoned by these good friends 10 give you such
words OF gratitude. love and sympathy.
feel that have come far short of my desires,
and of theirs in utterng them. But they
knew, as did, how bard II would be to put
into words the fresh, spontaneous, multiform
emotions OF so many loving hearts. They
| knew. too, how quickly mere words born of
| the air. may vanish and 30 forgotten. They
| have prepared. therefore, a more enduring
memorial of this occasion-this day of double
| blessing to you both.
This is your silver wedding we are told
and this little package contains something in
| that pure and beautiful and suggestive metal
| that the people of your charge wish you to
receive in token OF their love for you aud
| their interest in your welfare IL is all free
silver, " in the language OF the day. Ii is the
| free-wili Offering of many devoted hearts;
and it is free in that il is not yet shaped into
any article of domestic use or ornament
You are to take II to Mrs. Cooper and to do
| with IL as you will.
| do not know Just what value is repre-
sented here the bank can give you its esti-
mate of 1t. / cannot but think that your esti-
mate will be different. for you will know that
many hands have wrought together to rear
| this memorial. and every separate piece OF il
| carries with IL the outspoken expression of
! love. the silent but fervent benediction of
some one of those who love and revere YOU.
! These will DO 10 you its real value.
Dr. Cooper accepted ia well-chosen words
| the token of esteem from the church. He
| spoke of the twenty-five years Of happy we'd
/ ded life and OF the seven years of delightful
! connection with this church.
Rev. DIR. Whitfield vas then introduced.
and said that he had been delegated by the
ministers meeting Yesterday to extend to DR..
/ Cooper. his wife and the church their con-
| graduation.
Dr. Hoge followed with q few remarks.
which were heartily received bv those present.
After the remarks Of DR. Hoge Captain Frank
! Cunningham sang a solo. when a general
hgnd-shaklng was INDUCED in and the popu-
| lar pastor received the congratulations of his
people.