Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-17
lIIIIR1Qi3
LETTER FROM DIR. wrrHERsPoos
He sends Greeting and ADVICE ."
The (:race.Street People.


The following Is the very Interesting
letter from Rev. DR.. Jere Witherspoon'
which was read on Sunday before the
congregation Of which he is soon TO be-
No. 1921 X Street,
washington, ID. C., November TO- 1887.
tn the Congregation and Members OF
the Grace-Street Presbyterian Churcn,
Richmond, Va:
brethren what we know 10
he APOSTOLIC example, and yielding TO I'M
nuIses that stir my heart to-day. 1 beg
leave 10 address to you this letter, WITH
the request that IL be read In the pubic
assembly.
With pleasing anticipation of residence
among Won as a pcople known far and
wide for kindness and hospitality. and
of association with you in the work ana
worship Of our Lord, / am now sojourn-
ing In this city with the aim OF gather-
ing strength by a much-needed rest be-
fore coming to you on the first Saooath
i'm December. This delay may seem 10
involve a loss of precious opportunity
and positive injury TO the work tnat
awaits me. but TO me, coming from the
strain attaching to the close Of pasto-
sity and a duty. The benefit OF this rest
shall be yours. my brethren and sisters,
and the energy of body and spirit trea-
sured I'D in these weeks of suspended
toll shall be given to you in conscien-
tious service.
First of all. let us thank God for the
promise of useful labor that lights the
future. He has given us resources which
we must see are developed and con-
secrated. With a membership. say OF
400 n comfortable building, an eligible
location and a measure OF material re-
sources. it only remains that we give
thanks for the open door set before us
and seek the blessing Of power upon 1t
all that 1t may be effective.
A WORD OF CAUTION.
The past history of your church Is fun
of encouragement Men, whose praise is
I'm all the churches, have served you In
the ministry. and under their capable
leadership you have witnessed for Christ
and possessed much land" The lesson
of that past you have surely lost ana
the inspiration of that history OF useful
labor you fail to catch If you are not
emboldened to undertake great things for
Christ to-day.
Pardon a word Of counsel. AS your
pastor-elect delays his coming, Ii may
be that some may delay their return TO
their place in the church and the..' re-
sumption of work The interests of the
cause will suffer, disorganization and
dispersion of the working force Will fol-
low, and the preliminary work of gather
ing and organizing the forces, which can
as well be done now as at any time, will
be delayed.
~ ha ChnnlG o.
sumo work and set about increasing It's
constituency Your Westminster League,
of which / have heard so much even be-
fore IL ever occurred to me that / might
live among you, should, without delay,
| take up it's work and send up prayers to
| the Lord of the harvest to come and
| bless US.
| Every one who has a mind to work
| or to help your pastor In his labors has
! an opportunity in doing something to
| build up the Sabbath school At once
send your children if you are a parent;
take class, If you are able, or join a
class, If that be your wish.
SHOULD MEET FOR PRAYER.
| With pain ] have heard that your
| meetings for prayer are not attended as
| they should be. and "as the manner of
| some is" certain of you have forsaken
the assembling of yourselves together
| Those who would have the blessing must
| put themselves in the way Of the same
''in those places where He has recorded
His name, He will come unto you and
He will bless you" Pentecost, with Its
increase of courage. of zeal, its spiritual
power and aggressive evangelism, came
in answer to prayer. The laws Of the
| Kingdom being the same as formerly
and the conditions on which Pentecos'
may be enjoyed in this century as II
the first remaining the same also, how
important that we come into Gods house
TO worship and meet with such as be
| ueve In God who heareth prayer.
Therefore, brethren. stand fast anC
hold the traditions which you have beer
taught, whether by word or our epistle
Now, our Lord, Jesus Christ Himself
and God, even our Father, which haiti
| loved us and hath given us everlasting
consolation and a good hope through
grace. comfort your hearts and estab
lish you in every good word and work
Faithfully yours.
| VDQDnnN