Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-14
THE KEEPING OF THE FAITH.

ETTTTTT,
matchless eloquence. in undying literary
monuments. I'm numberless conversions,
and IN countless churches planted and
nourished, building everywhere upon
foundations not laid by other men he
had been a marvellously successful
preacher and teacher; I'm hardships en-
dured. In sacrifices made. in battles
fought. and In victories won he had been
a valiant defender Of the faith. But now
all these seem TO have been forgotten.
and he remembered only and simply that
he had been true to the trust and faithful
to the faith.
"Out OF circumstances and considera-
tions Ike these must come the true and
final estimate OF the worth of things.
one who keeps the faith. then. sustains
the first and most important posture
10 the truth I'm the estimate OF one whose
work is finished and whose crown Of re-
ward Is at hand"
Dr Thames, continuing. said faith was
even more than a creed IL was "A life that
demanded the breath and action. the
beauty and glory of the incarnated truth:
IL was the abiding law. the constant rule
for the life and conduct OF Christian
diScipleShiD. To this law and rule OF the
faith the apostle gave cheerful and con-
stant obedience. and his life was a match
less and splendid incarnation OF it's truth
ana spirit. The life Of cOnsecrated piety.
and broad and vigorous evangelism is the
pressing and paramount duty OF the
Church. The church which does no more
than obey the Word. however scrupulOus
and exact the keeping Of the faith IN
this particular. surrenders the claim TO
apostOlicity, If II has nowhere a voice
that cries I'm the wilderness proclaiming
this faith and evangelizing the world.
KEPT BY THE FAITH.
In conclusion. DR. Thames said: "'The
apostle found that in keeping this faith
there was "a mutual and reciprocal pro-
cess. While he kept the faith he himself
was kept Of the faith. Ii had been TO
him shelter in storm, refuge in distress,
comfort in sorrow, hope in despair, in
spiratiO and cOnQuering strength in
weakness and defeat. II he found light
in II for others. IL shone with infinite
sweetness upon his pathway; II he found
I'm II a message of truth for others. il
spoke a thousand unutterable things to
his own soul; II he struck one blow IN its
defence II delivered a thousand for his
own safety: II he distributed IL as bread
TO the hungry and water 10 the famished.
IL was his meat and drink. nourishing
and satisfying his own great soul.
This faith, like his Lord, had never left
him nor forsaken him, sheltering him
with its grace soothing him with its
peace. strengthening him with its invinci
BILE might. In WEAKNESS and wastings.
i'm illness and infirmity the outer man
languished. but the inner man increased
I'm wisdom and strength And now the
long voyage OF vicissitude and storm
over one has well said His old age does
mot come creeping into port. with broken
mast and rudder gone, but full sailed
stll and strong for other voyages in
"This is the reciprocal feature Of
every covenant between the faith and
its Keepers. This is what was done for
the apostle. this is what will be done
for every man. every church. every So
ciety and for the wide. wide world. when
the faith is Loyalty kept. It's miracle Of
salvation is constantly being wrought
I'm the individual, I'm the Church, and
IN society Let any man. however disso-
Lutte and demOraliZed; any church, how
ever cold and backsidden; any COM
munity however lawless and wicked, en-
gage TO keep this covenant. and before
the eyes of this sceptical civilization will
be wrought a miracle Of preservation as
real and wonderful as was ever witnessed
hv the followers Of our Lord and Christ.
Every saving resource belongs to IT, and
is fully used in the discharge Of this
high Office. II is light and Keeps from
darkness: II is salt and keeps from cor
ruptiOn; IL is life. and keeps from DEATH"
THE BODY ORGANIZES.
At the conclusion Of the sermon the
organizat ton Of the body was announced
as the first order OF business. Mr.. Pol
lard placed in nomination for the presi-
dent Of the association the incumbent
and Rev. c. r. Cooke, of Hollins Insti-
tute was called upon TO take the chair.
The motion was then put, and unani-
mously carried. The election of vice
presidents was then declared in order,
and the following were placed in nomina-
ton and unanimously chosen; First Vice
President, l.. u. Jones. of Bristol,
placed i'm nomination by T. II. Elicit;
Secoisl Nice-Presldent, w. G.. Fisher. OF
AppomattOx. placed in nomination by
NJ. l. Wood Third Vice-President. A.
T. Scott, Of Essex. placed in nomination
bv George W. Cooper: Fourth Nice-Presi-
dent. II. r. Pollard, of Richmond, placed
e. i
other officers were all reelected,
they being: II. c. Smith, recording
secretary; Theodore Ellyson, assistant
recording secretary; J. B. Montgomery,
auditor and Norvell Ryland, treasurer.
President Dunaway then took the
chair and made a few remarks. thank
ing the body for again electing him as
their moderator Before he took his
seat he read the rules, which would gov
ern the proceedings Of the body.
THE ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
The address Of welcome on the part
of the Richmond churches was delivered
bv Professor L. w. Boatwright Of Rich
rnond College He was most heartfelt In
his words "Thackeray once visited this
city by the James" he said. "and wrote
of il that il was the merriest city In all
the land and one of good cheer. / some
times think" said he. that the General
Association ought TO come 10 Richmond
oftener than it does. And where in all
this state viii you find man who loves
the Baptists better than does the pastor
~ this church? Richmond is said TO be
the one city Of all the world in which
the Baptists are I'm the lead. We must
see 10 it that the Baptists must stay in
the lead" The speaker referred touch
inglv to the destruction by flames Of the
beautiful house Of worship Of which DIT.
Hatcher was pastor. but said that the
building in which the exercises were
then being held. rough though IL was
was a church in every sense OF the Woru'
DIR. McONNELBs RESPONSE.
The president called upon Rev. DR.. f.
O. Mcconnell. Of Danville. 10 respond
10 the address. on behalf OF the associa-
tion DIT. McConneirs address was one
~ the most enjoyable features Of the
evening. He said he had no doubt that
he voiced the sentiments Of all when ne
said that he expected this to be great
meeting. IN coming on here" he SAID
"somehow ] felt that we were going 10
catch hold Of the strands and widen ols
expectations and prospects The SPEAK
or aaid he remembered well the calamity
which befell DR. Hatcher's church, ana
mat tears welad in his eyes when ne
saw the illustrations I'm the newspapers
showing the beautiful building In hames'
Richmond. he said. was the headquar-
tors FOR Virginia Bapusts. The pes,
interests OF the Baptists were centereu
here - ,os,
rhe sneaker. continuing. said the pas,
wear had not been one 20 boast OF. IL ha1
been a hard year. The campaign hau
swept over the country like name on
fire Religion had been forced from ,ne
minds OF the people, while every % %one
stood on tip-toe, waiting for the eleclloii
OF william Jennings Bryan. There W.
not a cheer at the mention OF the name