Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-07-03

the echoes of congratulations rad died
away, and whilst announcement was
coming as it were. in gentle zephyrs
only, there could be heard the dolo-
rous inquiry" can he accomplish the
great undertaking, viii his people ev-
er pay for such an immense struct-
ure 7''
The dimensions of this house is go
feet wide and 90 feet long with a seat
ing capacity of 1900. 1t is regarded
as one OF the best ventilated church
edii1ces in this city, having q location
second TO none in point OF desirability i.
being situated on the line of the east
ern division of the two Electric Rail-
ways, (the cars of one of which, passes
the church every five minutes) and on
an eminence from which the building
can be viewed from both Shockoe Hill
and the North Side of the city. It is
built OF line re d brick, with stock brick
pilasters, and the recent addition of q
and most substantial pair of
granite steps 10 the front entrance,
gives i5 an attractive appearance.
The contract price of the building
proper was SIS, AIS 90. In 1887, on ac-
count of the then hard times the pas
tor devised plans by which the notes
could be made smaller, and according
~ had the outstanding DEBT reversed
by obtaining a loan OF 5000, which
with the interest for 10 years, aggre-
gated an amount of $l4,720.
LARGE SUMS RAISED.
AS financier, Rev. Payne who was
now regarded the author Of plans for
raising large sums of money, won the
well deserved title-''The Bishop of
Church Hill" The significance of this
new name was aptly demonstrated.
when on the occasion of the Thanks
giving services held on the night of the
oath OF September, 1894, it was an
nounced that the entire indebtedness
had been cancelled, thereby bringing
his people out of debt three wears be-
fore the expiration of the time con-
tracten for, despite the fearful finan-
cial stress which had swept the whole
country. The Honorable w, I. Ely
son on behalf of the note holders pre-
sented the release deed with express
slons of most congratulatory terms of
the honesty and business sagacity of
Fourth Baptist Church's officers COM
posing the cabinet of their able pastor.
Rev. Evans Payne. he has been sig
nally su cessful in all of his church
enterprises such as church entertain
ments and excursions-many of which
was the largest thathas ever gone from
this city. In the several rallies al
stated times, he has raised such
amounts as 500, $500, Sl1OO, $l4OO
$l44S, and in the grand rally in 1898,
S2,34S.uS
Not only in the financial affairs, hut
numerically, morally, intellectually
and spiritually has he also led the van
IT F.ara - rr.44 -
teen years of his pastorate, upwards oi
5000 souls have been brought 10 Christ
there was added to his church by bap.
tism 1858 and by letter l58 BE ha.
preached upwards OF 900 funerals and
solemnized wedding ceremonies fol
49S couples. His visits to the mem.
bers of his flock, and friends, are toe
numerous TO mention; whilst faithful
in paying pastoral calls, he delights
most in visiting the sick, needy anC
distressed.
HIS MAGNANTAuTY.
Notwithstanding the onerous dutie
] imposed in his own field, he takei
great pleasure in finding time for re
| sponse to the Macedonian cry--"Com,
over, and help u.s." for there is seldom
or never a Grand Rally for the benefi
of a sister church, but what his pres
| ence can be counted upon; on one oc
casion. closing his church that al
| might attend the Rally services, a
another, to which he had been invited
In the furtherance OF the work of tn
Y. Al. G. A of this city, few year
| since, he led an excursion of tw,
trains to Hampton; his directions hov
ever, not being adhered to in the mail
II he tcfa IL
suit, yet it was said to be (by those in
position to know) the most substan
tial help the Association had ever re
ceived from such an enterprise.
At the expense of his reputation, h
extends sympathy to. and sometime
almost hazards his own life for the un
fortunate who may be deserving Q
help. For instance. in the Mary Nor
man case, he figured so conspicuous
ly as an eye witness, that he was sub
sequently said to have been called i
question bill of Indictment PREFER
ed against him-the news Of which
swept the city like wild fire. On ths
occasion his brother ministers VIII
have for him most benevolent re
gard, demonstrated their loyalty, an
black. and white friends alike, test
fed to his sterling fidelity, Christia
fortitude and veracity; publicatio
of which appeared in the columns {
the Richmond PLANET. At the tria
the Hon. Judge Samuel B. Witt, tha
whom q more dignified officer has nev
er graced the Hastings Court, wa
heard TO Elder Payne, 70
have been annoyed long enough wit
this case, therefore acquIt you of tE
charge"
Again was his patience tried whe
, his attend tion was called to Miss Ann
Jackson's ejectment from an electr
car, while on her way home from Eai
End School. We need not add tn,
the herculean cond ucton had no mo-
cars after that day, Cor the Superintel
dent forthwith discharged him on ii
complaint of Rev. Payne.
He was called upon on another O.
casion to report the case of an insu
7 to Mrs. Lucy Lewis-nee Brooks, wi
was then 8 teacher at the same schoC
and the result Of his careful investig
ton into this case as in the abo,
caused another would be conductor
come to his senses. Rev. Payne is Or
eminenly a man, a preacher. teache
husband, father and guardian.
IN HIS HOME.
, At home, he is an embodiment of
that is implied in the lines-Domest
! happiness, the only bliss that has su
: vived-% and while not the lea
2 extravagant believes in providing abr
: dantly for the inner man of all who
Z pleasure it may be to enjoy his mar
\ fest-Old Virginia hospitality. b
companion is exceedingly kind and q
q fectionate, and so sensitiyely symp
= thetic is she, that the Reverend
want to say-that her life work is b
e to bind up the broken heart and
/ cheer the comfortless. Providence h
O blessed them with two children. II
: surviving one, in the person OF Mrs.
Is B. Hardy, being very affable and ge
d erOus is beloved by all who know h,
; He has also reared two Of his nice
ir one in the person of Miss Rosa JAG
!. son, recently graduated from the RI
l. mond Normal and High School.
!. HIS PHYSIQUE.