The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-04-25

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Inc fruit is the only assurance that is
worth anything as TO the excellence OF
.he SEED. III we are Christians, we will
be like Jesus Christ. Nothing
can be palmer than that Jesus of NaZa-
rein set the emphasis both of His life
una has teaching upon the practical
sue OF religion. He came to minister
10 the needs of men. and He sent His
ulscipIes to continue that blessed minis
Try Religion as he taught Ii was not a
ritual, nor an organization. nor a phil
osophy, but life, and life crowded
with fraternal deeds. Our task
is 10 care for the distressed, to comfort
, sorrowing. to open the eyes OF the
phnd, to make the lame walk, and the
zeal near. and to cleanse the lepers.
me moral and spiritual meaning of
THESE miracles is evident enough. We
are TO teach. to strengthen, to uplift.
we are 10 concern ourselves with all
the needs of men," The sight of one
VINO was keen of Vision I'm the business
OF the world; the strength that moved
10 constant effort and kept going the
various parts OF complicated business
In short. all the endowments of thought
ana labor necessary 10 accumulate and
apply the wealth here represented Is
this day in the name of God. conse-
Grated 10 the help of those who need
Such work is Christlike
We may not look into the future and
definitely declare what is to spring from
this. Could we measure the rest OF
troubled spirits that Will find here a
nome and comforts long denied; the
gratitude of souls long veXed by hard
SHIPS and lonely amidst the friendless-
ness which chills the hearts of the UNI
fortunate; the revival of faith i'm those
VINO. amidst sorrow, like the prophet
IN the prison. may have begun TO doubt
Ion goodness and even to question the
happy consciousness of earlier and more
prosperous years. when they feel
amidst these scenes the touch of friend
~ hand and the returning glow of true
heartease; could we see and measure
all these we would not have I'm our recl
oning all the good that will flow from a.
IThis institution will stand a living an
peal to others to do likewise with the
wealth which God gives them. 1t will
by its beauty of architectural structure
urge to the erection of other beautiful
buildings, and thus educate through the
leye. and by that means prompt to bel
ter feelings. The spirit which prompted
This gift will lcaven the hearts of all
around. and Il trucr Fellowship and
closer brotherhood. demanding cxDres-
sion Will flow from ii.
May the blessing of Him who prom
i T' mat cup of cold water given in
Ills name should not be without re-
ward. rest on him through whom
this gift has come to cheer
the evening of the aged poor:
and to those who shall he here gathered
ana share in material form of the bene-
hts sent from the Father OF us all
through the brotherly spirit inspired
by Him in the heart of the donor. NAV
grace, mercy and peace abound Amen
Ana now. sir, In the name of the donor
of this building and grounds. for the
good of mankind and for the glory OF
Eod. present you the deeds OF the
Same.
Picking up the envelope containing
me deed Or. Smith handed 1t to Colonel
Iaylor who. in accepting IL, said:
Doctor Smith. Ladies and Gentlemen.
AFTER VIVA; has been so beautifully
ana so inloquently said and while our
hearts are Yet swectv attuned 10 the
sentiments Of love and sympathy that
nave attended these dsdicatory services
as am accompaniment of sweet music IL
only remains for me. as the chosen rep
resentatiVe OF the Board of Trustees of
me Mary T.. ialentine Home for the
Aged. In their name and on their behalf
ana III as few words as NAV bo necps-
sary Tor tho pun pose. 10 accept the trus;
so graciously rendered them While fully
realizing the responsible nature of the
uuties they ale about to assume It IS
with willing hands and ready hearts that
him who has designed ana created this
lovely charity, in the endeavor TO assn
age the suffering. to relieve the distress
10 smooth the pathway of what remains
To them of the journey of life and to
carry peace of mind in their declining
years. to those Of that class of our com
munity. for whose especial benefit this
home has beer, established. who shall
here receive the advantages of Its
bounty
Good taste and regard for his mod
osty alike forbid. on this occasion, any
extended adulation of the motives and
noble purpose of the donor; but GER
tainly we may felcltate ourselves at the
thought that in the providence. of God
he is still with MS and we shall have the
benefit of his wise counsel and ready
aid in the performance of our trust.
That that trust may be so executed as
to rebound TO the glory OF God and to
the blessed memory of her whose name
will be ever associated with Il, is our
sincere desire and will be the object of
our constant endeavor
After singing the doXology the assem-
bly, dispersed, many continuing their in
spection of the building
The Board of Trustees then held n
meeting and formally organized by tn.
election of the following officers for the
next year: President, Mr. Thomas r..
Ballentine: Vice-President. Colonel Geo
TAFT; Secretary. Mr.. w w. Vicar. and
Treasurer. Mr.. Caldwell Hardy. A com.
mittee was also appointed 10 prepare
bylaws.
INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING
A commemorative of ,Tlra \-i,,,i,i,,, ,