Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-29

ia to be painted, and its floors are tongued
and erooyed The auditorium Is
i02 feet I'm length by Ga feet In width.
and. as IL is to be seated with split
bottom chairs. II Is estimated That IL
will seat nearly 1000 persons. 1t Will
have two extra rooms-one with 40 seats
for the infant class, at the northern emu
~ the building, and another at the
northwest corner, which Will be the pas
tors office: but will serve in various
other capacities, as deacons'-room' com
mittee-room, a meeting-plaee TOT various
societies etc The room Is erecteu az
the expense Of Deacon 10. III. roster oi
the condition that he may nave the use
OF Il for his large, ladies' Bipie Grass
The pulpit consists OF large PLATFORM,
on the western side OF the building, SxlO
feet IN length, and Of two-foot ele-
walton. 1t will accommodate the choir'
&c we'll "a the minister. The chairs were
hopobt from a firm at High POINT, ~
r. ana cost about AZ cents apiece. Inc
Vas-hxtures were put into the building
free of all expense. and loaned to the
church as long as the tabernacle Is &C.
cupied. by Mr. John Bowers.
little attempt has been made to deco
rate or beautify this simple structure.
A few of the over-zealous ladies' or thls
church have wrapped the nude posts IN
white and put a curtain at the rear OF
tie pulpit.
LOCATING THEIR CLASSES.
Last night there was a meeting OF the
supday-school teachers in the tabernacle
for the purpose Of locating the different
Bible classes, OF which there are nearly
fifty. The school meets this morning
MT o'clock. 1t has an actual attendance
of largely over six hundred, and II VIII
not be an easy task to place the
classes so that they will not In
some degree interrupt each other
The school and church are exceedingly
gratified by the kindness OF Messrs
pannos &, Co. and the Hume-Minor
Compauy. each OF whom has generously
placed an organ at the command OF the
church and Sunday school, SO long as they
are In the tabernacle. The Sunday-schooi
music Is under the leadership OF MT. b.
r. Cosby, and the school Is famous TOT
its excellent singing.
At II o'clock there will be grand rally
OF the church, and II Is hoped that every
member Of the congregation, SO tar as
possible will be on hand. Dr. Hatcher
will preach q sermon suitable to the oc-
caslop. and II Is expected that he VIII
be assisted by several other ministers.
THE AFTERNOON MEETING.
A notable feature Of the days exercises
win be the mass-meeting at $3.50 O'Clock
this afternoon. All of the Baptist pastors
OF the city have consented TO be present
and II will be exceedingly gratifying 10
the congregation II the ministers ana
friends OF all denominations can ma IL
convenient to be present. number or
brief addresses will be made. and 1t Is
designed to make the meeting one or deep
spiritual influence. No collection for the
church building fund will be taken.
For over twenty years boys society
has been maintained In the Gracs-Street
church. 1t has always been under the
direct control OF the pastor, and while
Il has encountered varying fortunes. its
interest has never seriously tagged. II
meets every Sunday afternoon, and never
fails 10 attract a large number or boys.
The meetings OF this society have been
suspended since the fire, but they viii
be resumed this afternoon at $3.50 o'clock.
1t Is the purpose OF DR.. Hatcher TO put
his boys promptly to work TO raise money
for the building fund. The little fellows
raised nearly 400 for the erection OF the
ether church. and that was six years ago.
and those boys are now the ushers and
collectors In the church. A new set,
about 100 strong, IL now in charge Of the
society, and they are eager TO begin work.
Or. Hatcher viii pledge them for 500 to
start with.