Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-29
PASTORS IN SESSION.
Baptist Ministers Of the City Adopt
Resolutions Of Sympathy.
-, DENOMINATIONS UNITE.
crcat Movement In the Matter Ok
RebuiIding the Grace-stree' ""p-
-. Observation-Disclosures from the
pre.,dent Of the brotherhood

vsv DIR William +. Hatcher was see"
=, ,hs second Baptist church last h'sh'
ct the conclusion of the reV'N"' ''..'.oas
and asked in regard 10 what p.oe'voS
had been made during the Jay :"
matter Of shaping plans for repu"'l"e
- o,,,rcb which was destroyed by nre
r,asdav afternoon. Or. Hatchers ninu
seemed TO be as much occupied WI" ''e
go. revival which has been go''s On
=, ~. church for two or three weeks
ms in the destruction OF MS -,
MACE OF worship. lie SAID tha'
tho xisO,o contributed 10 the reo"'iu"'s
suns by members of his church P'ne's
outside NJ his congregation had gwen
sums Of money 10 aid in the object, many
~ whom were not members Oh ""!
church.
THEIR GRATITUDE.
The minister said he and his congresa-
t,on felt that they had many irlenH''
hut that none had been more sSnnp',
thetic in spirit, or more courteous "'''
faithful than the newspapers OF TINS cry
"a distinguished gentleman said me-
"wbo Is not a citizen OF Richmond re
,,arkoa 10 me to-day that he knew no
citv I'm the world where church Wou'u
have received such gentle ana help-
ful consideration from the press, a.
Grace-Street church Is receiving nSie.
The gentleman referred 10 ~" wy.
remarked that religion haa no -
tor allies than these papers nave SHOWN
themselves to be" DR.. Hatcher sald ne
noned i'm due time TO make some pubic
.xnression of gratitude TO the friends VINO
had shed sunshine upon him ana nus
reonle while they stood amid the runs
az their beautiful temple. lie sald ne
was in constant dread that he shoulu
fail TO show his gratitude to every one
who had shown this kindness.
STEPS TO REBUILD.
DR. Hatcher said very shortly the
building Committee would ask several
architects TO prepare preliminary sketches
for the proposed new building NheH
asked as TO the report that the church
was seeking TO purchase the lot In the
rear Of the burned structure. so as 10
enlarge the site for the new building
Dr Hatcher said the Building Commit
tee had not even had the subject men
toned at their recent meeting. IL Is
very probable that tabernacle VIII De
built, in which the congregation or Grace
Street church may worship until their
new church Is eiecttu'
REMARKABLE COINCIDENCE.
A remarkable coincidence in connection
with the destruction OF the place OF wor-
shin is the fact that the beautiful com
,nun,on-seryice set of solid silver, present
e1 10 the church two years ago, by the
late A. l.. Shepherd. was burned in the
fire ~ the very hour at which the de-
ceased's funeral was to have occurred at
the church. -.
The fact that the service had been
nresented by Mr. Shepherd was known
only 10 DR.. Hatcher and one deacon, until
II was announced at the funeral
Mr.. T. II. Elicit. of Grove-AVenu~
church whose mother was for many
Years n useful and honored member OF
Grace-Street church, called on Dr.
Hatcher yesterday morning. and asked
The privilege of presenting to the chlrcn
enothe, -'lyer service. as memorial Oh
his mother.
ACTION OF MINISTER'S.
Tho Rap,ist PASTOR Conference Of
Richmond and Manchester met IN specliaal
session yesterday at the second bdptlS'
church at u NJ, and adopted the ioi-
Resolved. THAT all express to our presi-
dent, Rev. DR. w =. Hatcher -. y,
our fraternal sympathy at TINS time Oh
his peculiar affection.
That In view OF the extraordinary straln
through which he passed in leading the
movement for the building OF his Iately
DESTROYED house OF worship, We feel II IN
cumbent on u.s. so far as possible, 10 save
him from the accommodating and pecullarly
oppressive anxIeties which his present
situation viii necessarily impose upon
him.
Resolved, That we will rehearse the
story OF our brothers misfortune In the
hearing OF our people at the services
OF next Sabbath, and ask every one 10
devote part Of their substance 10 the
rebuilding OF the house OF worship, the
same TO be sent either through the pastor
or directly TO DIR. Hatcher.
That in addition TO our efforts 10 secure
contributions from our own people, we
will gladly receive gifts from any friends
disposed to help in this philanthrople
movement.
(Signed) GEORGE COOPER. Chairman.
]. b. HUTSON. Secretary.
To this we gladly add the following
Believing that the calamity that has be-
fallen the Grace-Street Baptist church III
the loss of their house of worship APP
peals TO the general sympathy Of our fell
iow-citizens we beg to express our hope
and our earnest wish that they should
do what they can Immediately TO repair
the great loss by such aid as may be
within their power TO tender.
Most respectfully,
MOSES ID. HOliE.