Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-11
OVER ACENTURY OLD.
RICHMOND BLUES CELEBRATE
THEIR 10TH ANNIVERSARY.
FINE SERMON BY DR.. CARMICHAEL.
uattnIion Attended the Services In
m Body-Paraded to lakewood Ycs-
terday Afternoon, ana Then En-
loved nm Informal Feast.

[ Yesterday was the 10Th anniversary
OF the Richmond Light Infantry Blues.
and that splendid military organization,
in a measure. adhered to its annual GUS
tom of an all-day celebration. In the
stead OF the customary outing, the bat
talon simply paraded to lakewood Gene
terry and attended the memorial exer-
cises. which took place there, then re-
turned TO its Armory and enjoyed an in
formal feast.
Tho celebration really commenced on
Sunday night, when the body OF soldiers
marched in a body to St. Pauls church
and attended the special services held
there in its honor.
The two companies of the battalion,
commanded by Major Sol. Cutchins,
marched from their Armory TO tho
church. where they were Joined by a
numbers of the members of the Blues
Association. The battalion entered the
church and filed the pews on the middle
aisle.
SERMON TO THE SOLDIERS.
After PRAYER by the rector and the
singing OF several hymns by the sur
pliced choir, directed by Professor Jacob
Reinhardt, Or. Carmichael, the rector Oh
the church. and chaplain Of the battalion,
assembled the steps of the pulpit ana De-
gan his sermon. He took as his text the
18th and 18th verses OF the third chapter
of the Episue Of st. Paul to the Phil
Iinpians: "Brethren, i do not count my
self TO have apprehended. But one thing
ff4
hind and stretching forth myself 10 thosa
that are before, i press toward the marx
for the prize of the high calling of God IN
Christ Jesus"
DR.. Carmichael drew a smile by way
of illustration, between mans quest Tor
salvation and the chariot races OF the
ancient Roman hippodrome, which wera
pictured by the soldiers to ST. Paul when
he was in captivity. AS the charioteer
looked not behind him, nor gave heed 10
what he had passed, but bent every
energy towards reaching the prize that
Law at the goal before him. so must we
press forward continually, forgetting the
fatigue and discouragements that we
have passed by on the course If we would
attain the great prize which God hoids
out TO us?
DR.. Carmichael held that if we forget
the evil part We must w 81 ~ 49, ~
of the Christian racer; there Is only
one way Of dealing successfully with what
has been by turning it over 10 God.
We must have an earnest desire Tor
spiritual growth in the present. God
aids US i'm every way to win the race, and
one way is by forgiving US our sins. The
prize is not Christ himself. but it is our
high calling in Christ Jesus.
The church was crowded and the dis
course was exceedingly impressive and
earnest.
THE PARADE AND FEAST.
The Blues turned out in fine form yes
terday afternoon to participate in the
Oakwood Memorial parade. Major Clutch
ms was i'm command, and both companies
OF the battalion were well represented.
Headed by its splendid band of music,
the body moved toward lakewood. 1t
was an ideal day, and the boys hoped 10
have an evening of pleasure, but their
merriment was marred and almost broken
up by the incident which occurred near
the corner of Thirty-first and p streets,
when Mr.. Alfonzo J. Stevens, one OF the
cornetists, fell from apoplexy and died
almost instantly. Owing TO this the Blues
did not go into the grounds of lakewood,
but soon returned to their armory. where
light refreshments which had been pre-
pared for them were partaken Of, but
there was no merry-making, and the large
hall and body Of soldiers, although gath
cred around the festive board wore a
look Of gloom.