Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-18
DOWN ON INGERS0LL.
HIS VISIT pRovokEs CRITICISM FROM
The RICHMOND CLERGY.
Christian People Urged Not To Attend the
Lecture-Dr. Landsuin's Anniversary
other sunday Services.

There was SpHllcu me-uns Va e'~
Richmond Glorious yesterday at noon.
The president, Rev. Or. Pike Powers,
filled the chair, and the attendance was
larger than It had been for many weeks.
Assistants Bishop Newton, Rev. Drs. Car
michael and Mason, and Rev. Mcssrs.
Goodwin, Nash. bowman. Landon X.
Mason. Farland, and several others were
present. The question OF the Church re-
naming client while the mission Of Christ
In the world was being decried by Colonel
Ingerson was the theme OF an Interest
ing and rather animated, though informal
discussion. The Assistant Bishop and
Drs. Mason and Powers had very decided
views upon the matter, as did Rev. Mr.
D6wnman and Rev. Mr.. Gravatt. These
ministers were out and out opposed 10
the appearance before a Richmond audi
ence-an audience In a city of so many
Christian influences and tendencies-but it
was deemed best to take no action, as II
would but advertise Colonel Ingersoll, and
accomplish no real good at this late day.
The clergy did not hesitate TO censure
the owner and manager OF the Iheatre
for allowing Colonel Ingersou to lecture
there last night IL was suggested that
prayer be offered for the famous agnos-
tic, but this was not put into effect. one
OF the ministers cited a case In town IN
Canada, in which Ingersoll was billed TO
speak, and the Christian people OF the
city entered such a strong protest against
1t that the Mayor Of the place forbade
his speaking there. Another clergyman
a ttof Ia. haA ,,-aNa1 for InRpF-
soil AT his service Sunday night, and recon-
mended that his brethren follow his ex-
ample.
SHOULD NOT HEAR HIM.
Several of the Richmond ministers took
occasion on Sunday to express their con-
demnation Of Colonel Ingersoll and his
lecture, and TO either directly or indi-
rectly appeal TO their congregations not
to go to hear him last night.
Rev. DR.. James Y. Fair. Of Grace
Street Presbyterian church, advised his
hearers against attending the lecture,
which he characterized as a travesty
on religion. He did not think that such
utterances as were made by the infidel
should be countenanced in the community,
and expressed the hope that the public
would show their disapproyal Of Inger-
soil by their absence.
Rev. DR.. James Nelson. Of Emmanuel
church, In sermon on How the Gospel
May be Hindered," referred to Christian
people going to hear such pernicious doc
trines as those enuncated by Ingersoll
as one of the means Of impeding the in
fuence of Gods preached word. Chris
tian people, he declared, should not go
where they know the scene Of Calvary
is to be held up TO ridicule and for sar-
castle criticism. The sermon was a strong
one. and this was one Of its most effective
points.
Rev. w. 2. Hines, formerly pastor OF
West-Vlew Baptist church, preached an
eloquent sermon Sunday at Cambridge
Street Baptist church, In Manchester.
During the course of his remarks Mr..
Hines alluded in a general way to skep-
tics and said the world would be better
off without them Raising his voice so
that no one in the house could fail TO
hear what he said. the preacher declared
that "the man who is 10 make an adj
dress at the Richmond Theatre to-mor-
row night would be better off If he never
better off too"
AT his afternoon service Sunday DR..
Hoge preached to a large congregation.
4 nc nun WAS especially interesting IN
view Of the fact that Colonel Ingersoll
was TO lecture here last night Dr. Hoge
made powerful defence OF the truth Of
the Scriptures, and dealt unsparingly with
the assailants Of the Bible.
II is understood that there was some
thought last week OF putting on foot
a movement TO prevent Colonel Ingersoll
from lecturing here. but it was plain that
this could not be done, and the matter
was dropped.
HIS TWELFTH ANNIVERSARY.
Rev DR.. Landrum celebrated his twelfth
at the Second Baptist church
on Sunday morning. A very large audi
ence greeted him. He accepted this i'm
portant charge when he was only %
years Of age. A native OF Georgia, and
eldest son Of Rev. Or. S. Landrum, who
lied eight years ago. as pastor Of the
Coliseum Place church, New Orleans, Dr.
Landrum was ordained at Jefferson, Tex,
n 1874, and has had three pastorates. His
irst charge was the First church OF
La, and the second the
FIRST church OF Augusta, Co Since
coming 10 this city Dr. Landrum IA.
lad remarkable success. The church |
when he came numbered little more |
han four hundred commandments: to-day |
I has nearly eight hundred names on its |
oil. In 1852 1t contributed on an average |
bout 5000 year 10 the cause of Christ, |
including current support Last year-one |
II great financial stringency-the Second |
BAPTIST church gave for work at home and |
abroad, $l6,500 The church during DR..
4andrum's pastorate has paid his salary,
which has been three times increased in |
he last five years, on the first day OF |
very month in advance. In addition &
his, 1t has twice paid the expenses OF |
! tour OF the pastor in Europe.
The anniversary sermon was preached |
rom the words: Go Forward" After the
ermon, the pastor said that the church |
las at interest 5000 towards new
Office, and asked for $500 10 be raised /
Turing 1895.
Rev Dr. Willingham, a member OF the
hurch, who was powerfully moved by |
he sermon. arose. and addressed a few
tirring words to the great assembly,
rglng them 20 follow the pastor for
yard, and to pledge this by giving him
he hand at the close Of the worship
hundreds Of people accepted the sug-
estion, and for more than an hour the
astor held a holy levee, receiving con-
and bestowing his pastoral
enedctions. Dr. Landrum, since coming
o this city, has had numerous calls else
where, seven or eight in all, in localities
s far north as New York city, and as
ar south as Galveston, Tex, but his
eople hope that he is settled in Rich
nond for life.
TRINITY METHODIST CHURCH.
There were exceptionally large con-
regations at Trinity Methodist church
/ both morning and evening services.
he retention OF Rev. j. s. Hunter In
his pastorate by the late conference was
eceiVed with universal satisfaction and
eEuine pleasure. Doubtless there was
ever greater unanimity among a church
respecting their pastor. The
ew conference year opens auspiciously
18th the church and the prospects are
hat the good work done last year will
e surpassed by the record OF the present
ear, with a live, harmonious member
hip working in harmony with an earnest,
ealous, energetic pastor.
Mr.. Hunters morning discussion was
pom MANS Partnership With God in
ne Salvation Of the World" The points,
cry prettily no less than forcibly de-
uced, were. /. In Gods dealings with
ian He uses human agencies-not OF ne
essity, but for mans good and spiritual
evelopment. This fact is illustrated in
hat may be termed the lower forms
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