Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-27

peaceful and triumphant Gods children
can be In the hour Of distress
g. IT will not hurt Us 10 face deiibe-
rately our situation. We have not only
lost a building but we have lost the
house which served as our home ana
workshops. We are to-day literally
without a homo. Il is lust as well Tor
US 10 realize the facts Of the case
l. But we must not falter in our
faith and purpose. or course. II our eX-
istcnce as q church is 10 continue we
must turn our thoughts at once 10
new house Of worship. So far as we can
now see. we cannot hope that the new
house can be made 10 equal that which
We have lost IN all respects But we
ought az least % fix IL In our minds and
hearts that the new structure shall at
leas. cNempliiy the heroism Of our faith,
and be worthy OF our city and denOmina-
tIon. ana adapted 10 the great things
which We hope yet TO do for the Lord.
TAKE STEPS AT ONCE.
3. While we are in no condition to-
day for planning for our future building.
10 becomes us at once 10 inaugurate
movement I'm that direction. and ] re-
spectfuuy suggest that our former Build.
ing Committee be roappOinted with au-
thority 90 make necessary changes in its
membership and organization. and thai
This committee have authority TO ins,i-
tute such measures for raising money as
II may deem expedient and necessary.
! recommend. further that this COM
mttec at once appoint a subcommittee
20 secure temporary quarters for worship
just as soon as practicable.
g. / recommend. also. that a spe-
c.al committee be appointed to make a
succinCt and definite statement of our
condition 10 the public. and while we
may hesitate 70 GO into the community
with an appeal for help. We need not be
ashamed 90 say TO our many sympathetic
friends that any help which they may
feel willing 10 extend % as I'm our sore
atiiIcuor will be accepted with unfoisned
gratitude.
II becomes us 10 express our profound
thanks for the multitude OF telegrams.
letters. and personal words Of sympathy
which are coming TO MS from every dircc-
ton. Nor can we fail 20 make mention
OF the following buildings which have
been offered Tor our use: The Hebrew
SyHacogue, Young Mems Christian As
soc!at.on Hall, Richmond Coilege chapel.
First Baptist, Second Baptist Calvary
Baptist. Grove Avenue BAPTIST. First
Preshyteriar. and Centenary churches.
In submitting this paper Dr. Hatcher
NatNf.N i..aN l.f INNrl IL NDlll be DIS
cgssed an1 amended so as TO meet the
Views OF the congregation. but IL was
unanimously agreed 10. without being
either argued, augmented or culled.
DIR HATCHER WOULD SUCCEED.
This being done. Rev. Mr.. Mullins. OBJ
tained the floor and made a most appro-
pria,e speech. He said while he had not
long been a member Of Dr. Hatchers S
church. he nevertheless spoke as q men,
Der OF his congregation. While he had
not worked with the other members 10
erect so handsome and commodious a
structure as had just been swept away
from them. he felt deeply the great blow.
He argued that IL should not be REGARDED
as sore afiiction that the splendid
church had been destroyed. This was an
act Of God We could not go up 10 the
Heavens and look into the Lord Shook
and see why Tie had done this thing.
We should not question Gods motives
The duty deVO4viug upon the congregation
Of the Grace-Street Baptist church
lay plainly before its members. and they
should only look TO it Mr.. Mullins
spoke Of the great work which had al
ready been accomplished by the church
8nd its pastor during the past twenty
years. and said Dr. Hatcher would sue
coed and HIS people would see that the
years Of his life yet 10 come were hi,
best and most useful.
DIR. LANDRUMS SURPRISE.
Dr Landrum. pastor OF the Second
Baptist church, was the next speaker
and what ne said was OF profound inte-
rest 10 the congregation Of Dr. Hatcher's S
church. Or. Laudrum first referred 10
the pleasure he felt in the privilege Of
appearing before the large assemblage
drawn together IN an hour OF ahliction
by the bonds of brothcrly love He re-
Wembered once 10 have heard q DrOmi-
rcIt citizen say that he always took
great pride In showing 20 ell visitors TO
this city the City Hall. the Chamber Of
Commerce the Masonic Temple the
Jefferson. aui the Grace-Street Baptist
church, as the representative BUILDINGS
OF the city. The speaker referred TO the
manner In which the sympathy of the
whole people. regardless OF creed or
faith. had gone out TO the -Grace-Street
congregation iu the loss Of its splendid
new edihce. Many persons had spoken
% him regarding the fire. and all had
REGARDED the burning Of the church as a
great public calamity The entire commu-
nifty had taken the same view that DR..
Hoce habitat was. that everyone should
take an interest iu the rebuilding
OF the church. Dr. Laudrum said ne ala
Hatcher's church might feel about such
a thing, cut II he knew anything about
the people OF the city of Richmond-and
he thought he did-very great pressure
would be brought 90 bear upon that con-
grcgat.On from the outside 10 induce
the church 10 accept very substantial
evidences OF the universally prevailine,
sympathy. This would not be a denOml-
national or a Christian matter. Il woiild
NHa "a L. HFHn Ia.
drum said he was not spcakina, as a
minister OF the Gospel. or as a church
member, but as citizen OF Richmond.
THE FIRST THOUSAND DOLLARS.
Or. Landrum here thrust his surpr,se
upon the audience He said that during
the mbrning hours he was called upon
by half a dozen members OF his own
church. who desired TO practically mani.
fest their feelings OF Kindness toward
Dr. Hatcher's church. These gentlemen
had made Up a contribution Of 1900.
which they desired should be the first
money subscribed 10 the erection OF the
proposed new church. This. asserted DR..
Iandrum, was not intended 10 be under
stood as what the Second church would
give 70 this cause. Grace-Street church
had grown from the Second. and the Old
mother had not done much heretofore
for the daughter. Now the parent was
anxious 20 DO its part. DR.. Hatcher was
almost overwhelmed by Or. Landrum's
kind words. and by the generosity OF the
several members OF his congregation who
had prOnered this assistance ana ne
thanked The pastor Of the Second church
with all the warmth and earnestness
Of his nature.
THE GRANDMOTHER" SPEAKS.
Before Or. Landrum had taken his seat.
Dr.. Cooper. Of the First Baptist was
lpon his feet lie said inasmuch as Or
Hatcher had heard crom the mother. he
should now learn something from the old
grandmother Of Grace-Street church. lie