Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-28

and the whole pulpit scene was picture
OF beauty. AS Mr.. Justis touched the or
gan. Professor II. II. Harris. VINO naa
been chosen TO preside. appeared on the
puiplt, followed by Rev. X. K. Chambers.
pr. G. II. Ryiand, DIR. w. ID. Thomas.
and DIR. Hatcher. The visiting ministers
conducted the devotional exercises, ana
then followed several brief addresses. me
first was BY Mr.. f. NJ. Foster who
spoke for the office-bearers In the chufcn.
He said that ne could testify that In
ali the varied organizations Of the church
there was not one officer who was not
In loving accord with the pastor, wei
pleased 10 follow his hopeful leadership,
and ready 10 pledge him TO attempt
greater deeds for the Master than they
had ever yet undertaken.
THE TWENTY YEARS RECORD.
Twenty Years OF Our Church-Life" was
the theme on which DIR. George X. Pace
made an address which was replete with
historic interest. He paid high tribute
to the ministers who precedeo III.
Hatcher In the passionate, and spoke OF
the iatter's labors during his incum-
bency. Under the Doctors pastorate there
have been over 1850 additions 10 the
church, over 500 coo raised for religious
purposes. ten ministers ordained TWO ns"
churches sent out. hundreds or members
dismissed to reinforce other churches' anu
the actual membership Of the church dou-
bled. The talk was spicy, Instructive,
and full Of hopefulness. Indeed, the wnoie
meeting was instinct with hope. Inis
fact was strikingly manifest when Few
moments later Professor Harris pre-
sented MIR. j. Garland Pollard, "one OF
the rising young lawyers OF Richmono''
to speak on Facing the Future Mr.
Pollard said Tie church had won the
distinction Of being great but IL rernaiheu
for Il to attain unto the glory OF oelns
an ideal church. He urged faitniuihess
In discipline. patience In training, am
unflaggfng zeal in winning others 10
Christ, His speech was full Of fire, ana
closed with a fervent appeal to the cnurcn
to rally around the pastor, lay hold on al
that was good In the past, study ne"
methods and look for more glorious
things in the future.
DIR. HATCHER's ADDRESS.
Dr Hatcher then arose. and delivered
his twentieth pastoral address. 1t was
touchtng tribute to the church over whlch
he had so long presided. Twenty years
he said. sis a long time TO be pastor OF
one church, especially OF large, pro-
eressiye city church. There are only TWO
ministers in the city OF Richmond whose
pastorates exceed twenty years In Iength'
and 1 can think OF only three Bapust
pastors IN Virginia who have held tneir
pastorates longer than l nave been mere
Long pastorates are unusual. tor the
reaaou that they are not easily main
tanned The pastoral tie is very delicate.
and II does not require much to strain
and even to break IL. AS to-day l sweep
NV eve over the path / have walked
these twenty years, and recall my i'm
perfection in character and my feeble
ness in the performance OF my official
duties, l wonder that l am here. IL l
should be called to explain my con-
tinuance in this relation, should ascrihe
IL mainly o this church-to its conser-
vatism, its patience, its justice, and It's
forbearance. 1t is pleasant TO bear tes-
timony to the unvarying courtesy and
consideration with which the church has
ever treated me.
And yet 1t will not be indicate for
me TO say that something on my part
has helped TO prolong this connection.
I have held myself to be the servant
and not the master of the church.
have labored all the time with the pun
gent and overmastering conviction that
the Lord has put me here for the ac-
complishment OF certain ends and be-
sides, / have been filled with great hopes
as TO the future Of the church, and II
has been my burning ambition to have
some part in leading the church UP the
highway of its destiny, even though I
may be gone when its highest glory Is
reached.
THE SPIRIT OF HARMONY.
at cannot be said that the church
has yet reached fits highest point of de-
velopment and power But II has accom-
plshed some noteworthy things within
these twenty years. u has built a house
for worship and for work, which. in its
capacity. conveniences, and elegance has
no superior in the city, or even in the
South. 1t has grown rapidly I'm Its mis-
sionary spirit. having become one or the
foremost churches in the South in its
gifts for the spread Of Christ's Kingdom
on the earth. and that. too. while send
ing out Of itself two new churches during
this time To this LET II be joyfully added
that a new splrit-the spirit OF harmony
and mutual love-has taken full posses
sion of this church. Through all its ranks
harmony ana peace seem TO, reign, krl-
its life illustrates how good and ilyS
pleasant II Is for brethren TO dwell to-
gether in unity. For these tokens NJ
outward and spiritual prosperity we cik
not sufficiently honor the Lord. To IN
we give the glory. and to- Him we ought
to-day to give ourselves anew.
"And now refreshed by the recollections
Of the gracious things the Lord has given
us. let US rise to undertake greater things
for Him In the future now opening to our
view
DR.. Hatcher spoke in high praise OF
those who had finished their course in
this church since he came here. and
he also told OF the noble brethren who
met him here twenty years ago, and
who still remain. and then he invited
that class to rise. About lG0 arose, and
the pastor addressed TO them a brief
message Of affection and comfort.
PRESIDED WITH GRACE.
DR.. Harris presided with much grace
and dignity, and interspersed the exercises
with many apt and helpful remarks
He referred quite sadly to his expected
retirement from the membership of the
church. Of which he had been a leading
and honored member for nearly thirty
years, 1t being inferred from his words
that he has decided TO accept the call
to the professorship in the Theological
Seminary at Louisville, Ky. The only
member Of the church present Sunday
morning who was an officer OF the church
when DR.. Hatcher came was Mr.. T. c.
several years ago to unite in organizing
the Emmanuel Baptist church, OF which
he is now a beloved deacon. Mr.. Minor
is fondly cherished by the Grace-Street
people, and at the end OF the exercises
he was called to the pulpit 70 make the
closing prayer.
After the benediction, notwithstanding
the services had lasted two hours. IL
looked as II the people were 10th TO leave.
and multitudes fingered TO shake hands
with Or. Hatcher. and to wish him "an-
other twenty years"
In the afternoon the annual meeting
Of the church was held. and II was found
that during the past year the church
had raised $1,000 The meeting was full
of zeal and hope. and the pastor and
people enter the new year with faces
all aglow with faith and courage.
THE SCOTTISH RITE MAsONs.
Officers Elected Last Might by Lodge
OF strict Observance.
Lodge OF Strict Observance. at its an
I IL Al. -