Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-01
IN OLD MONUMENTAL.
Tremendous Assemblases Attend the
Anniversary Services on Sunday.
TWO SPLENDID HISTORIC ADDRESSES.
Rev. Mr.. suokncy Talks OF the Value Up
on Civilization OF Such q Memorial and
DIR. Hoge Speaks of Amity.

or Sunday morning and afternoon 20 at
tend the services at Monumental church
commemorative Of the eightleth anniver-
sary Of that historic structure. The seat
ing capacity OF the edifce was taxed TO its
utmost On both occasions long before the
services commenced. and In the afternoon
more than 100 people turned back from
the threshold Of the church, not even be-
iug able TO get within the doors. 1t Is
Doubtful IL the Monumental ever held
larger assemblaee than that which at
tended the service in the afternoon
In the morning Bishop Newton who
was for many years rector OF the church
assisted Rev +. 5. Suckney, the presen'
rector IN the service. The music by the
new surpliced choir was beautiful and
'nppropriate 10 the anniversary OCCASION
being old and simple in character. Inc
serrnon was preached by Rev. MI. STICK
ney. and was able and impressive and IN
d!cauye OF the broad and liberal ideas
OF that minister as "a ohurchman.
PARTING OF TWO WAYS.
Mr.. Stickncy took as his text part OF
The eighth verse OF the tirty-ffth chap
Ter OF Isaiah: and an highway shall be
there. and n way. and II shall be caileu
Che Way Of Holiness"
In opening Mr.. Suckney sald; we
stand to-day on one Of life's high places,
at the parting OF the ways. between two
Years From this pinnacle we can cast
our eyes backward and forward, look
upon the course We have travelled, and
observe its advantages and Disadvantages
then. from that experience. look upon the
way before lis and determine how Wa
shall proceed.
This lesson for the day-this last Sum
day in the year and this occasion OF
our coming together-consplre To add pc
Culiar emphasis 10 the introspection ana
retrospection and sweet anticipation OF
the high place 10 which the text lifts us.
"The way the prophet alludes TO Is that
which leads 10 the city, whose builder ana
tnakcr is God"
The preacher dwelt upon the beautiful
eni glorious prophetic figures and prom
sscs Of the wonderful 3bth chap
ter of Isaiah, that, near three thou
sand years ago. foreshadOwed the splen-
doris of present Christian civilization
over Europe ana America, then wilder
ness. but now In many respects very
yarlen OF the Lord The darkest ana
worst places In the world and the worst
aspects Of human nature since lsalah's
day have all changed. The wilderness
anl tn solitary place everywhere eSpe-
cally al this season. glow with the nght
'anl warmth Of the coming Kingdom
The habl;atons OF dragon. spiritually.
politically. physically, more or less IN
truth and IN righteousness, are bespeak-
.ng the present spirit of God Chris
flaniiy has made the worst places ana
conditions of the world 10 testify TO the
God Of Israel. Every place and every
condition has been made an altar ana
monument 10 send up incense 10 the Al
;nlghty and t. make his name great
Lmong the Gentil,s.
VALUE OF MONUMENTS.
Mr. S,ickney spoke Of the value OF
monuments. saying: I'VE should never
forget the past out Of which We have
emerged. and should pepctuate the
memory u heroic deeds and fire the
hearts OF youth 10y their consequences.
An great ideas find embodiment IN WIS.,
ale institutions. The Jewish and Chris
tan churches were expressions OF the
passover and the resurrection. The 'th-'
1ology Of all nations Is studied IN their
relies. This Monumental church Is
der to remind us Of the age from which
Il came. Eighty .'ears ago, Wnen th'se
v Us were consccra;ed, Richmond was
L. little town Of 1900. The United States
was staggering under a second war
with Great Britain. The government had
ieen bankrupt, and a panic ensued. Ma
pole1n BonaIari- ablicated. and peace
own peace commissioners at Client, IN
belgium, this very week in December
,Ii. signed treaty Of peace with Great
1,rltain Following upon these events
laige wave OF religious fervor swept the
country The burning OF the Richmond
srcure became 10 the people here a
Warning from above. arl We should be
thankful that this stately temple was
hunt then. Col seemed 10 say, as unto
David OF old For as much as twas
.n thy heart 10 build me house IL was
We'll that twas IN thy heart and the
people IN response answered I'm the words
OF SCION on. when he spread his arms ont
Upon the bra@en pulpit: Arise, q, Cod
Snto Thy resting-place! Thou and the
ark OF Thy strength. Let Thy priests
~ clothed with righteousness, and let
Thy saints sing with joyfuness.' Here
then. within these hallowed walls, you
should always ma dove-like minstrd-
f!ons Of the Comforter"
RECONSTRUCTION POWER.
Mr. Stickney then took up the recon-
BtTuctve power OF Christianity. Ter
fubbabors spirit was stirred within him
40 20 up TO rebuild the house OF the
Lord. AS Of old. blessings continue 10
conc out Of what seemed 10 be curses;
81 Monumental church, like the TABLED
Phoenix. from her ashes, arose from the
runs upon this spot Verify man pro-
poses, but God disposes, and all things
ronsplre TO accomplish GOd's purpose.
Our actions lead 10 their appropriate We
suits. whether We Will or not The
1shmaelitsh caravan was Gods chariot
- convey Joseph 10 Egypts throne FOR
The future preservation OF His people.
I'VE read the march Of a nations idea
md character In His architecture Thtie
was no luxury here. All was sweet.
simple, and profound. These columns
This wlde-spreadinG dome. these pam
pctaCOnal walls. tell the story OF the
profound conviction Of God In the minds
r. The promoters Of this undertaking.
Their sense of obligation duly found
expression in this product Of their thought
n soon as they began TO build.
MAKE IT THE CATHEDRAL.
.But | have another thought for YOU
concerning this church. said Mr.. Stick
,ey. which may strike some with as
tcnishment. Here in the presence OF
him who Is TO be- the future chief pas
tor and overseer of the flock OF this
Dlocese of Virginia, nominate this his
toric and splendid fabric for the
cathedral church Of Virginia. There was
a day when our people were jealous OF
The cathedral idea, but everywhere en-
pcrience has shown the universe! need
until there Is scarcely "a diocese OF any
standing that has not its cathedral foun-
n,tiong Every bishop should have his
cathedral church. to be the ecclesiastical
centre OF his work. and to steer between
fhe extremes Of thought that manifest
themselves in hts diocese-a pulpit. verify
f,om which may be heard the message
OF all the prophets. Ana am pieasTu
g. say that the bishop who has this
,N,rch for his cathedral will find that
mere is nothing like IT in any other dio-
rese II IL and will forever remain ap-
so,u,ely unique. Nor would he VINO
Vince ministered 10 you here. whose voice
of many years sounded from THIS pulpit
EEL himself strange oeneaih this u3lhv
s~,,ans there Is no other place In which
- could 20 thoroughly find himself DO
s,Icated. And now. my friends my
LIVER 10 God for YOU is that you may