The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-27
THE GRACE STREET BAPTISTS.
Congregation VI the Destroyed Church Hold
Meeting.
TO SECURE ILA'OHskY QUARTERS.
substantial Assistance and Sympathy Re-
ceived From Many Sources s-Dr. Hatcher
Makes "a Statement With r. COM
mendations-Eloque Address.

Kerr ana his congregation, the congrega-
tion OF the lately destroyed Grace-Strect
Baptist church met at 4 O'Clock yester-
day afternoon IN the First Presbyterian
church
The edihce was crowded when Dr.
I Hatcher entered the church and opened
! the meeting 10y Swing out that patheu-
/ caiiy sweet hymn, come Thou fount
! OF Every Blessing" This was followed
/ by What "a Friend we Have IN Jesus
/ and Jesus, Lover Of my Soul The con-
/ effect.
Indeed the meeting was a great grand.
ana glorious Success. After the hymns
/ had been sung Drs. Hatcher, Kerr, Coop
cr, and Pitt took seats upon the fostrlm.
] Prominent IN the audience were haphi
| Callsch and Rev. Or. W. ". Landrum.
Dr. Hatcher said: - believe 1 VIII
begin by "a request. ana ask YOU an 10
stand up This was done. then am ap-
! propriatc ana feeling prayer was onerei
/ Dy Eev. DR. h. II. Pitt.
The audience remained standing While
/ the DoN0logy was sung.
Dr. kERKS ELOQUENT ADDRESS
Ut. Kerr, in his usually eloquent and
leIae manner next spoke. lie said IL
lcit yesterday, as / stood beside the fire
ana watched the flames destroy the noble
Giace-Strtl Baptist church, as IF 1 We're
sldiuihk ~ the bedside OF some dying and
dear friend. ] remember how it was
t"N ttt't' Hf i 'ulo OF tDll, ana now Dr.
was sanclihed, But, dear friends you
nave another church. The First presby-
leIlan church 10 yours as long and as
olten as you care TO use f. You honor
uS Dy accepting it. The flames that
destroyed your homo have made a con-
migration of brOthcriy love that nothing
can destroy. / have always loved Won
Iovpe, put unul now have never known
now strong my love for yOu was. no was
Gods viii That your church should burn
put your mission Of saving souls snail
not oe interrupted, for Gods word can
never burn"
There was hardly a dry eve in the
IarBe audience when Dr. Kerr finished
epeAkihb' ana soDs were 10 be- heard an
over the church.
Blessed BE the Tie That Binds" was
next sung. then DR.. Hatcher arose. ap-
laienuy almost overcome with feeliu.-
lnanAed Dr. Kerr and ms people.
Dt' iateher said; ~ never felt hap
pier than i do now. had Intended tD
ask you TO get @ new captain 40 load
you lh your coming fight but / have
changed my mind now" Here some one
III me audience said, Thank Cod"
DIR. HATChER'S STATEMENT.
Dr. Hatcher then read the following
,ap,I' Miich was unanimously adopted
py ule congregation by rising vote:
TO the Grace-stIeet Baptist Church.
My Beloved Brethren.
AIier consultation with the dcacons
Deg 10 submit TO you. the following Ia
pei LOT your serious anu pfaycrful con
First. We cannot shut our ewes n tbo
serious disaster which has fallen uno1
us. OUT mouse Of worship the object of
se.,, SOL iilciig tolls and ardcul az
i'cuon, was swept away from us vcsfoT-
gay in an hour. All of ITS precious thirps
nave been turned into ashes. The event
mas rendered us homeless. checked our
'i,,.. u,iueI .dhihss, TAX. and crushed us with sur
PRISE ana anguish.
My sympathy is deep with every one
on you, ana especially with those who
nav worked so long and cheerfully 10
se,~1i,. ,l,9 'iti9 mouse. truly the Lord has
soIely aHncted us, ana this Is indeed our
Heiy trial. Even our little children feel
lhe blow, ana their little faces are wet |
with sorrow.
Second. ,t We must not sorrow oyermuch.
III is the Lord; let Him do as il sefmeth |
good ia His sight. Let no feeling OF re- |
DtiLlOh rise IN our hearts. and no COM |
plant break from our lips Let as sub |
ihll TO What God has done with cheerful |
lallh. and Tie Will turn this event into "A |
blessing Affections are intended 10 test /
our strength. and we must show TO the
HOUSINGS whose eyes are upon us how |
peacrlui ana triumphant Gods children /
can Zoe in the hour of distress.
Third. 10 will not hurt us 10 face delhi
arateiy our situation. We have not only |
lost building, but we have lost tie |
mouse which served as our home ana
"Ork-shOp. We are to-day HtcralN |
without a home. 1t is just as well for
MS 10 realize the facts Of the case.
ouIth. but we must not faltcr in orr
.aith and purpose. or course. If orr ex-
stcnce as church Is TO continue We |
must turn our thoughts at once 10 "A
new mouse OF worship. So FAR as we can
low see. we cannot hope that the new
louse can be made to equal that which
he nave lost in all respects But we |
lught an least % hx it i'm our mfuds-aud
hearts that the new structure shall at
east eXemplify thc hcroism of our faith |
ma be worthy of our city and dcnOmina-
ION. and adapted tO the great things !
gmch we hope yet tu DO for the Lord
Fifth. While We are in no condition to-
Law for planning FOR our future building |
becomes us at once to inauguratc Il
movement DO that direction. and I re- |
necifully suggest that our former huild-
lp committee De rcappOinfed with au- I
horiiy 10 make necessary changes in los
lemhership and organization. and that
his committee have authority fa fnrff
utc such measures for raising money as
may deem expodient and necessary
/ recommend. lurthcr that this CONE
littec at once appoint "A subcommittee 10
ecure temporary quarters for Worrnip
Ist as soon as practicable.
sixth. ! recommend. also. that "a eDc-
tai committee Doe appointed TO make-a
lccinct and definite statement of our
OnditiOu 10 the public and while wc
iay hesitate 20 20 into the community
18th an appeal for ho'p. We need not De
s. named Co say 20 our MANY sympathetic
i.4NH titt any NtiN Wllrl fNNN NAV /
eel willing 20 extend 10 as in our sore
licllon, VIII b. accepted with unfcigned ,
10 becomes us - express our profound 4
anks for the multitude of kilograms a
tiers and personal words OF sympathy I
hich are coming TO MS from every dirac- '
on. Nor can we fail 20 make mention 7
the following buildings which have D
'en offered for our use. The Hebrew 1
'nagogue. Young Mems Christian AS II
citation Hail. Richmond College chapel. | {
rst Baptist. Second Baptist. calvary 4
intist Grove-Avenue BAPTIST FIRST 5
'esbyierian. and Centenary churches. 30
DIR. LANDRUM SPEAKS. G.
Or. Landrum next spoke. He said that I
prominent Kchmondcr had often said a
him that ne was proud TO show visitors .
e city Han the Chamber OF Commerce | -
q Masonic Temple. the jefferson. and / u
e pfdce-Street baptist church as the / a.
preventative buildings Of the city Dr y
Lndfum referred 10 the manner I'm which -
e syn pdthy OF the whole people. re- =
rdless OF creed or faith. had gone ONT ~ e
e bface-Sireet congregation In the loss y
us splendid new edihcc. Many persons x
u spoken 10 him regarding the fire. and
hdd regarded the burning OF the -
urch as great public calamity. Tne / .
tire community had taken the same n
w that DR.. HOge had-that was Thai III
ary one should take an interest In the 70
building Of the church. Dr. Landrum ii
d that ne did not know how the MEM OF
IS OF DR.. Hatchers church might feel
out such a thing. but that n he knew
ythlng about the people OF the city OF I'm
,hmond, and he thought that he d!d ~,
y great pressure would be brought 10 on
if upon that congregation from I'm. eh
side 10 inluce the church 10 accsut ci.