The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-28
to illustrate Gods providence and grace
in his dealings with pastor and people

I'm his dealings with pastor and people.
CALL TO RICHMOND.
II was a singular providence that brought
me to this city. AS | drew near 10 the
end of nv course I'm the Theological Sem
mary. a little country church IN Meckieh-
burg county signified its wish TO engage me
as its pastor as soon as ! obtained my IL
cense Its attention was called TO me, no
doubt chiefly because IL bore the name
/ OF both Of my grandfathers; II was called
the Lacy Hoge church. About that time,
however, the venerable DR.. Plumer. then
! pastor OF the First Presbyterian church
in this city, made visit to Prince Ed
ward, and told me ! would probably be
invited 10 this city 10 become his assist
ant. J assured him Of my preference for
! "A small country charge, at least until |
gained some experience and had composed
some sermons. The Doctor requested
meeting of the Faculty OF the Theological
Seminary. explained his wishes to them,
and sent for me They united in advising
me 10 go 10 Richmond. in case ! received
an invitation. There was another small
church in another county TO which had
been recommended. but all prospect OF
| my settlement there was blignted by an
influential elder. who frankly told the
people that he did not think me qualihed
|
my desire to become "a country pastor
was disappointed.
/ was licensed TO preach at a meeting
Of Presbytery in Lynchburg The circum-
stances were without 8ny parallel. 1t was
the same church in which my father was
licensed, and what made the event unique
was the fact that HIS father was the
Moderator of the Presbyery and gave
the charge to his son. Thus three gener-
ations OF the same family were connected
! by this strange sequence Of services in
! the same church.
! I'm the year lS74 / was invited to Rich
mond by the Session OF the First Presby-
| terrain church. The invitation was accept
ed. and the Arrangement made by which
1 was to become the assistant Of Or.
! Piumer, until q lot could be purchased
and small building erected. with the
view OF ascertainng whether another
congregation could be collected in a new
locality. The lot on which the building
IN which we are now gathered was pur-
chased, lecture-Toom built, a congrega-
ton gathered, and on the 9th OF Februa-
! ry. lSlJ. ! was installed as pastor. the
Rev. Or. Leyburn preaching the ordna-
! ton sermon, DR.. Plumcr delivering the
! charge to the pastor. and the Rev. Will
| nam Lyon the charge to the people. In
ii few months IL was found that the lee
| ture-room was too small for the needs
OF the congregation. and plans were
adopted for the erection Of "A more COM
m0dious house of worship Mr. Samuel
! J.. Hawcs, the father Of one of the honor
"a officers Of this church. and myself went
| To New York TO obtain model for the new
! church building; an architect of that city
| was chosen. who drew the plan in ac-
cordance with which it was erected 1t
was dedicated to the worship Of Almighty
God i'm the year 1873. dedication HMM
having been composed by the late John
| x. Thompson, and introduced into the
hymn book subsequently authorized by
our General Assembly. In the process Of
time the odfice was found too small for
the requirements of the congregation. and
1t was enlarged by throwing a transient
across the eastern end thus adding two
| wings 10 the building, charging and bean
| tlfylnS 1t at the same time. This was done
! III the most satisfactory manner by Mr.
George Gibson. the only member of this
| church present at my ordination. who is
| here tonight.
An incident connected with the early
! history OF the enterprise illustrates the
grown Of our city westward When the
| officers of the First Presbyterian church
| proposed to purchase the lot on which
! this edlfice stands il was earnestly on
posed by an influential member. on the
| ground that il was too far ND town. and
that a congregation could not be gathered
at ms remote region. Now this church
! stands in the centre of the city-eau.dis-
tant from the Lee statue on the west
and the soldiers and sailors monument
on the east.
TWO OTHER CHURCHES ORGANIZED.
When a church has increased in wealth
ana numbers TO strength justifying such
enterprise II is made still stronger and
more eihcient by sending out colonies IN
'stabllSh new organizations. In 1882 this
chCrcn sent out IT'S first colony. II Cccupied
the building erected on west Grace street
near the Richmond College The chief can
trlbutor being the late Or. James Nc
DoWeH, son of Governor Mcdowell. of
Rockbridge county Its first pastor was
the ReV. Peyton Harrison Hoge. under
| whose earnest ministry il was steadily adj
VancinS until his removal to Wilmington
\. {. lie was succeeded by the Rev \. r.
holderDy, now happy pastor in At
lahta, Ga. Its third pastor is the Rev
i. calvin Stewart. under whose admins
trauon another localitl has been chosen
and new church edifice erected. with the
prospect Of another structure. I trust. I'm
the near future. worthy Of the admirable
| position il VIII occupy and Of the zeal
Of its beloved pastor
The second colony sent out from this
| church found It's quarters I'm the Old Mar
| ket Hail. 1t is now an organized and
! prosperous church with a little colony of
! its own succeeding Wen. The history of
| this enterprise is too well known to need
| rehearsal here. So much has been already
| published about it in the newspaper press
all over the country that It's name has
| become familiar 10 thousands and its
story better known than that of many
OF the Old and wealthy churches OF our
great cities.
ANOTHER CAUSE FOR CONTEMPLATION.
one of the peculiar honors with which
this church has been crowned is the
number OF its young men who have be-
! come eminent and successful ministers
| and missionaries of the Cross. | need not
! enumerate them, but ! may say they are
TO be found occupying conspicuous posi-
| lions. and everywhere recognized and
! honored for their successful labors one
OF the most distinguished of these OF
whom | must say Il few loving words
was the late Edward Lane. missionary to
! Brazil. The literal history Of his life
| would read like a romance He seemed
| to possess all the endowments needed for
! the work 10 which he consecrated his life.
! IT was one of noble Christian chivalrv.
| He died like a hero at the post OF duty.
| II was nay privilege TO render him A
| small service at a critical time i'm his
| life, which he abundantty repaid by his
! loyal affection. He was my guest during
his last visit to Richmond AS we part
ed he told me that should he be disabled
! BY any cause from service in the mis-
sionary field, he would come back to me
| and connect himself with nv church