The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-07
SUNDAY In PETERSBURG.
BEAUTIFUL FLORAL DECORATIONS.
The Graee-street Church Supplied Choir.
DIR. Battle Elected vice-President Of
the sunday-schooI Board-Tbrewn
From Buggy.

PETERSBURG, VA, April Especial.
Rev. DR.. Henry w. Battle preached his
fourth anniversary sermon yesterday
morning as pastor OF the First Baptist
church, in this city. and had very large
congregation to hear him.
The pulpit platform had been elaborate
ly and beautifully decorat ID with flowers.
and the loveliness OF the Easter day added
interest TO the occasion.
DR.. Battle chose for his text a part
of the 18th verse of the 10th chapter Of
Numbers. from which he preached most
able and forcible lermon. The spes ker
began his discourse with a graphic de-
scription OF the journey Of the Israeltes
through the wilderness to the promised
land. lie alluded to the moral Impressive
ness OF the great multitude. and referred
TO the effect that the contemplation Of
vast numbers has produced upon the
minds OF great men. He showed how the
moral sublimity Of the spectacle was
heightened by facts OF lsraelitsh history.
Life" said DR.. Battle. lis a journey, a
journey not optional, but necessitated by
the unexorable laws OF being" Continu-
Ing, DIR. Battle said: oh. Church OF God;
yours is a glorious mission. Call loudly,
call tenderly, call IN faith, call ever.
Come, thou, with us, and We will 90 thee
good, for the Lord hath spoken good con-
cerning Israel" "The Spirit and the Bride
say come"
A RETROSPECTION.
Hast. thou, oh preacher for the past
four years. ending this day, been true to
thy Lords commission? Alas. alas. that
we have done so little. Thank God, that
we have done so much. In that period
more than one hundred souls have been
baptized upon profession OF their faith
In the Lord Jesus, one hundred and sixty
eight have been introduced into our
church family, and allowing for all denom-
nations, We number to-day more than
half hundred more than we did at the
beginning of the term. During the period
you have generously contributed S22.-
5s2 in cash. and your pledges. as good as
gold, bring the amount TO the neighbor-
hood Of $4,000. You have made this audi
torum the most beautiful In the South.
aud. hest Of ALL you have done IL all for
the glory Of God. Thank God for this:
but, Oh, what might II have been. AS We
stand upon an eminence to-day and sur
vey tho past, and look ont toward the fu-
tnre. let us with gratitude and humility
take frOSn nOtd upon the Noth.
At the close Of the sermon DR.. Battle
and the deacons OF the church extended
the right-hand of church-fellowship TO
twenty-four new members.
THE sURPLICED CHOIR.
There was an immense congregation at
Grace Episcopal church last night TO hear
the new surplced choir sing. II is estlgnat-
ed that nearly three hundred people were
turned away, not being able TO get into the
church.
Seated in the church. beside the rector.
Rev. John Ridout, were Rev. c. X.
Haines, ID. D., OF Petersburg. Rev. Rer-
ben Meredith. OF surry Courthouse, and
Rev. Mr.. Cassell of City Point. all OF
whom took part in the services.
The surpiced choir sang the process
sional hymn, The Church Is one Foun-
dalton In Jesus Christ, Our Lord" chants.
Magnihcat and Nunc Dimittis; hymns.
How Firm a Foundation, Ye Saints OF
the Lord" recessional hymn, Jerusalem,
the Golden" AT the offertory, Stand up
for Jesus" was sung. The singing OF the
choir was very fine and was much en-
joyed by the large congregation. Rev.
MIR. Ridout preached an able and forcible
sermon from the ith and 10th verses or
the 37th chapter OF Ezekiel,
Rev. DR.. Battle received n letter to-day
from Rev. DR.. ]. NJ. Frost. president OF
the Sunday-Sc Board Of the Southern
Baptist Convention, informing him OF his
election as vice-presdent OF the board, TO
succeed Rev. j. VI. Pitcher. u. d., or
Petersburg. VINO has resigned. President
Frost writes that the board will make
a fine showing at the next convention.
THROWN FROM A BUGGY.
Mr. John Callear and Mrs. Caliear who
reside in Dinwiddie county. n short dis
tance from Petersburg, were thrown from
a buggy on the corner OF Washington ana
West streets, yesterday morning. while
on their way 10 church, and very serious
ly injured Mr.. Callear had his shoulder
very badly injured, and Mrs. Caliear re-
ceived a terrible scalp wound. They are
both as well as could be expected to-
day.
Mr.. John Moyler gave a launch party
today TO Shirley. on James river. 10
some Of his friends. Those who went, pc-
sides Mr. Moyler, were Misses Lelpser
Venable Elise Harrison, Mary Zimmer'
Fannie Smith, and Ledbetter. and Messrs.
John Watson, Alfred Friend, Clagsett
Young. and Spooner Epes.
Ouite a large number OF nshias parties
left here this morning for neignoorlns
streams to spend the day fishing Tor the
nnny tribe. ,
Mrs George Rodgers. wsll-knowh ano
lady OF Prince George coun-
ty was taken TO the Home Tor the SICK
10 undergo very delicate su.si-
ral operation. Mrs. Rodgers Is the molher
,-...~.I,, napiqlo of Manchester.