Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-23
SERMON TO STUDENTS
DIR. wlLLuNGHAws DISCOURSE
HEARD ny A LARGE AUDIENCE.
HlYE A PURPOSE IN THE HEART.
This the Minister'S Themc-A strong
Plea for individuality and Cody
Iivcs-Otber Services I'm the Rich
mond Churches Sunday.


ever held IN Richmond was that Sunday
evening az the First Baptist church. and
Dr Wmnehams sermon before them
vas an able and olovaung one.
This movement TO bring the students OF
che several colleges OF the city in closer
touch with each other found its In
,,ruon some months ago. when q COM
,nitce embracing a student from each
of The leading Institutions OF the city,
was created. and from the very birth
of Tho idea II has grown I'm favor.
short time before the service began
"a larce number Of these incipient editors.
teachers. preachers. doctors. lawyers.
and businessmen. who represented Rich
aond College tho University College Of
Medicine. the Medical College OF Vlr-
e.nn. the Woman's College, McCabe's
school and commercial and other
schools. gathered IN the lecture-room. and
ir body proceeded 10 the auditorium Of
tho church, where seats had been re-
served for the young ladies and gentle
mon. The sight was most inspiring
one
me pastor Rev. DR. Cooper; Mr. !. J.
Hurt chairman of the committee, and
Rev pr. Willingnam occupied seats in
The pulpit The music was OF "a very
appropriate nature. and was received
with marked appreciation 10y the students.
The opening remarks were made by Or.
Coonor. who heartily welcomed the young
students on the part of the church. and.
I'm closing. introduced Mr.. Hurt. That
gentleman indicated In few words the
history OF the movement and was hope
IN for a closer sympathy between the
colleges of the city as the outcome Of
these meetings. which will be held from
time 10 time.
DIR WILLINGHAMS SERMON.
Dr. Niuingham was then introduced.
and followed I'm a discourse which nea-
slred full height in power and in the
fuiness Of earncstness. He drew the les
sons Of the evening from the life of
Daniel and chose that thing which lifted
this great statesman far above the mass
OF his fellows as his theme-"A Purpose
in the Heart The speaker said il gave
him great pleasure TO speak 10 students;
I'm fact. 10 was an inspiration 10 him.
He paid a tribute 10 the physician. Spying
that the doctor was the preachers pest
friend lie spoke of the great power Of
the good physician for good. and the bad
physician for evil. To the young men he
said that they must aim 20 come W TO
the mark OF God, not TO their own mark.
THAT old saying: Boys must SOW their
wild oats said he, twas born in he'll.
1T is thrown out as a lasso TO bind the
Young man hand and foot. 1t is O. cheat,
fraud. a deception, delusion. If the
old men here would speak they would
tell you that"
Dr. Wiuingham next spoke Of the mat
ter of having a good time. God IN
tended that young people should have en-
joyment." ne said. There are good
times that are devlish times. There are
good times that are cody times. Never
go where you would not take your pastor
your deacon or your Saviour
GOING AWAY FROM HOME.
The speaker. continuing, touched on the
most important part OF his sermon in
the minds of many present. 1t was the
matter Of going off from home. He
cautioned his hearers not to 80 any
where that they would not have their
mother accompany them, and that would
not receive her smile Of approval de
advised the constant keeping Of the nome
in the heart. even If the body was off
from the hearthstone. 1.-THE time TO test
a man is when he is off from home" SAID
tine preacher. 1.-The small sicky man
held I'D az home by his pastor, his dea-
cons and his family. when away goes
Gown" Next, Dr. Willingham spoke OF
the influence of others. and how some
persons were thus made captives- lie
pofnted out that this influence some
times wrecked the SOUL and cited Daniel
Us ana example 10 follow. He also SPOKE
OF employment, and how some were
bought soul as well as body. II heard
of a Young woman who lost her position
recently" said he, because she Woulu
not deceive customers as her employer
expected her 20 do"
Dr. Willmgham next spoke OF the
dangers Of society, 10 enter when ne
said was the ambition Of many young
men and young women; but he directed
his remarks principally 20 the young
mon. lie said that he sympathized Win
the young man who wanted TO rise. lie
advised his hearers never 10 rise II they
had 10 do so in opposition 10 Coos com
mands lie told a pathetic story OF a
proud father, who came 10 this CITY
10 see his son graduate, and found him
etsogerinr i'm the street He took the
SON home and he filled a drunkard 5
orava The punch-bowl, he said, was
tho Kindergarten Of the bar-room
WE NEED INDIVIDUALITY
Dr Wllinghams treatment OF "lndi-
,,iduoutv" made q profound impression.
In beautiful, but very strong, language
De ear-marked those traits Of character
which made one man dlIerent rom an
other. and ordained one anothers leader
"a purpose I'm the heart develops IN
dividualitv." said the speaker. satan
drives men in throngs What we neeu Is
srd,,i9r.iit, The successful agent
never smoke TO men IN groups but slngE.
T4e smoke of the dangers of following
customs. and the way people were ullvei,
along in mobs-rclined mob5, ne calIeD
thcm. People he said were IKE sheel'
they would follow a leader Wherever He
went ,,....,.
eioht and let people SMILE said the
e-eaker. Act for yourself About one
an ten leads. Ten IS made up on the
1loelboard Of the figure 1 and an o. Iht
one thinks and acts-the nine can l.
Don't be one Of the zero crown
Have a purpose. like Daniel. purpose
concentrates on energy and form power
which IS aimed az certain emu g
many. like a locomotive when runs l0i
ward and backward. have no purpose
IN closing Dr. Willingham SAID tna'
the students had come TO the ci's
green" and would 80 back poilshev
ana cultivated. He said that mucn
,vouid be expected Of them, and they
would be models for others lie urseD
them TO set noble. Christian examples
AT the close Of the service the stuoeuts
were rendered reception IN me chui =,
rarlors by the Young Peoples Union o.
the church >,
pREsBYTERIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL
UNION.
A large audience assembled at the Sc
copd PRESBYTERIAN church Sunday aIter'
noon 10 hear an address from me Key
Dr. j. r. English. Of Union SEMINAR
The meeting was conducted 10y MI = -
sfunce. president OF the union ana NeVs
Dr Kerr and j. c. Stewart took part II
The opening exercises.
xIfu