Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-01


the occasion. He said that II was un-
necessary 10 introduce Dr. Hoge TO
Richmond audience. lie was well-known.
not only In Richmond, but upon two con-
tinents. and one OF the creates, pleasures
10 himself In coming TO Richmond was
10 know and 20 hear this great man OF
God.
Dr. Hoge thanked Mr.. Stickney for his
kind words and said that he reciprocated
them. 1t might be necessary. he said. TO
Introduce him 10 the people OF Richmond
but not, he hoped. TO an Episcopal con-
gregation. "In the name OF the Lord" he
continued, II greet you With best wishes
in which the members OF my own congre-
cation Join. Peace be within your walls
and prosperity In your palaces.
INTERCHANGE OF GREETINGS.
The arrival Of this anniversary. he went
on to say, made this an appropriate oc-
casion for the interchange Of Christian
greetings. They were not here TO ratify
UNCONVENTIONAL fraternity. for that needed
no ratification, but TO ratify the friend
ship that existed between the founders oil
our churches. because the occasion re-
called to mind the circumstances under
which the church was erected. The play
Of THE Bleeding Nun" was followed BY
the tragedy of bleeding hearts. when 80
many loved ones persisted in the terrible
disaster. This church WAC erected as a
memorial. and the two venerable pastors
representing the largest congregations
then In Richmond proposed that there be
joint services. but the question arose as
20 who should take charge. and 1t soon
became necessary that the church should
fall into the hands OF one denomination
II was a pleasing thought, however. that
joint worship was had here as showing
the amty between the Eplscosalians and
the Presbyterians at that time. The hap
pest relations existed between Parsons
Buchanan and Blair They loved as they
lived. and. dying about the same time.
they went above 10 renew their love I'm
Heaven. leaving us the example Of their
amity.
1t is matter OF speculation as to
what would have been the outcome. had
this church fallen into the hands of the
PresbyteTans. II is fact of history,
however, that in the hands of the Epis.
copalians II has been power for COOS
ana has had much to do with promoting
the work Of that denomination in Vir'
glna. The calling of Richard Claiming
Moore was an epoch In its history, and
the influence Of that great man as bishop
of the diocese cannot be calculated. Six
bishops had Monumental church sent out,
and its influence had been felt through
out the Commonwealth.
a GREAT LIVING QUESTION.
With these Introductory remarks DIR.
Hoge said that the occasion naturally
suggested the great living question OF the
day-to what extent could these two
churches and all Protestant churches be
brought into closer amity? There were
many answers. he said and ne alluded
20 them briefly. but no platform had been
formed upon which all could stand Yet
there was common ground around the
Cross. All had a common interest in the
Scriptures and in the great attributes OF
God. All could rejoice together In the
beams OF the Sun of Righteousness, shin
ing alike upon the cedars OF Lebanon and
the lilies of the valley, and all were en-
riched by the examples of the Christian
heroes of the past These constituted
common Inheritance for the people or
God. and with bonds Ike these they
could say that in some things they were
agreed. and that there were some lines
along which they could walk together.
But whatever may be done in posi-
tive way. all denominations should avoia
everything tending TO mar this amity II
controversy must be. il should be with
out vituperatiOn. without personalities.
and without misrepresentation.
CANNOT BE DIVIDED.
The visible church might be divided
and arbitrary men might set up walls OF
separation. But there was another
church which could not be divided. the
Invisible Church was united by great
and living faith in Christ. which can
never be- divided. and IT should be the
endeavor Of every Christian. 50 far from
widening the breach. TO do all In his
power to promote the unity OF the Spirit.
Further on Or. Iloge said: AT my
forty-fifth anniversary celebration
bishop of one of your dioceses was good
enough to say that much of the amity
between the Christian people OF Richmond
was due TO the fact that 80 many people
off different congregations had been
brought together in my church. If /
have. indeed. contributed TO this. | give
thanks 10 God that he has used me as
an instrument to promote that which Is
so near and dear TO my heart
He believed that God had overruled the
various divisions In his Church for good.
Each denomination, perhaps. exempiiied
and emphasized some one truth better
than others. Each made some one ray
to shine more brightly but it was the
c0mminclng of all rays that made ~
the great white light Of righteousness.
We are making progress in this line. lie
concluded, and for that end let Is all
work.
Or. HOge's address, of which the above
is mere outline. was one of great
beauty, as well as Of historical value.
lie spoke with even more than his usual
force. and was heard distinctly and with
pleasure by all in the great congregation.
He closed with a quotation from Milton
and the exercises ended with the hymn,
"Blest BE the Tie that Binds"
Other Church News.
At the Baptist ministers conference
yesterday nearly all present reported adj
ditions To their congregations during the
month.
Rev J. S. Hunter. Of Trinity Methodist
church. preached Sunday two sermons
appropriate to the close Of the old year
and the beginning Of the new. On yester-
day afternoon the children OF the Sunday
school were given a Christmas entertain
ment. which was greatly enjoyed.
Mr.. John w. Ferguson has been elected
chairman Of the Board OF Stewards Ct
Trinity.
Sunday night Rev. DR.. Fair, of Grace
Street Presbyterian church. preached
beautiful and most impressive New-Year's
sermon.
Heights. and Rev. j. n. Latham. Of
Highland-Park Methodist churches. ey-
changed pulpits Sunday night
Bishop Granbery, who has just returned
from the South attended services at Gem
tenary Methodist church Sunday.
There was a good attendance at the
meeting of the Richmond Glorious yester-
day.
The next meeting Of the Episcopal Mis-
sionary Society viii he held at Grace
Episcopal church Sunday night
CHANGED TO THE NOWlAN co.
f,.o.,.rs Granted Yesterday NV ,1udCe Well