Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-02
THE LORDS SERVICE.
FULTON BAPTIST CHURCH DED,-
GATED FOR DIVINE WORSHIP.
CHE DAY FULL OF INTEREST
soyous Services Held Throughout
ahe sabbath, aud the Debt on the
House Nearly Raiscd-scrvices I'm
ether Richmond Churches.

pastor. was dedicated Sunday afternoon
with impressive services. and The great
interest in the event was manifested
by the overlooking congregation which
taxed the capacity OF the new edince
Rsptists from all parts OF Richmond
and some from Henrico were present to
participate In and enjoy he services.
and long before the doors we're opened
a happy gathering had assembled with
out the building. As time wore on the
gathering grew in immensely. and when
the doors were opened there followed
rush which soon caused every scat 20 be
filed. and standlng-room vas at pre-
MUM long before the hour appointed
for the services to begin arrived.
The church, in itself a handsome struc-
turc. was beautihed and adorned with
palms, ferns. and cut-flowers. which en-
banked the pulpit and choir stalls and
lent fragrance to the atmosphere.
Rev. J. r. Harrison, the church's pas
tor, was. Of course the central figure on
the platform. and he had with him
thereon Revs. DR.. William y. Hatcher
Dr. George Cooper. Or. Nelson. Or. John
Pollard, DR. j. A. Dickinson. !. A. Mer-
Ger. Joel Tucker. ]. Q. Kirk, DR.. a. j..
Barton. Mr.. Quarles and s. 9. Hatcher
Of Denny-Street Methodist ,hdrch
THE EXERCISES.
The pastor opened the exercises with
a few words of welcome On behalf Of
his congregation. and the choir. a most
excellent one. augmented by singers
from Denny-Street Methodist church,
rendered a voluntary my Faith Looks
Up 10 Thee" Rev. Mr.. Quarles. Of Broad
dus- Memorial, led IN prayer, after which
Mr. Harrison told OF how a "hildens So
ciety. "the Little Cleaners bad given
the church a pulpit hymn-book. lie then
introduced DR. Cooper VINO presented
to the church a handsome pulpit-Bible.
given by the Baptist Publication Society,
and bearing the following inscription:
Presented by the American Baptist Pub
lication Society TO the Fulton Baptist
church. Richmond, Va, through their
pastor Rev J. r.. Harrison
The hymn. Gan Hail the Power of
Jesus Name" was next sung, after
which the Rev. DR.. Mercer read the
Scripture lesson from the sixteeath chap
ter OF John which is the closing ad-
dress Of Christ before his betrayal Fol-
lowing this the congregation standing,
Rev John Pollard led in prayer.
THE INTRODUCTORY SERMON.
Then came the Introductory sermon, by
Rev. Percy G.. Elsom, Of Danville,
former pastor of the church. He an
nOunced as his theme THE Second
Coming of Christ" and began by reading
a dozen or two verses on the subject
from the Bible. Mr.. Elsom is a very
effective speaker, and he has a bound
=sl..,.
which he handles for all they are worth.
lie first undertook to establish the fact
Of the second coming OF Christ, and,
second. how He will come and when,
and then he drew some lessons as TO
the influence this doctrine ought TO have
on our daily lives 1t was a forcible
and stirring sermon.
Following the sermon, Dr. Hatcher
briefly told how the church had cost
$1,000 and how a debt of $500 alone
rested upon it.. This, he said, was no.
thing short of a wonder. a miracle OF
grace. This debt he asked those pres
ent TO raise from the shoulders of tbs
congregation, and the response was a
magnificent one. Within half an hour
about 81 800 was subscribed.
The new Fulton church is a thing OF
beauty. DR.. Hatcher said he did MOI
believe there was in Richmond more
beautiful church, but with twinkle OF
the eye he added. there may be aftel
a little" When DR.. Hatcher announced
NOW Is the time for you TO run If YOU
don't intend TO give" two babies scream
ed aloud The Doctor gently remarked
Even the babies understand what Is
coming"
The first subscription was $500 from thu
Fulton Dorcas Society, Councilman Gar
Der went down for $500.
The exact amount raised including
the cash collection, amounted to l,S6sO
THE OTHER SERVICES.
Another large congregation assembled
at night and listened to an admirable ad-
dress on Foreign Missions" by Rev
DIR. r.. J. Winngham. The music at this
service was exceptionally good.
The morning service was given &c
GLORY, Hallelujah speeches" as mem
Der OF the congregation called them, de
lveTed by Rev. Percy @. Elsom and Dr.
A. Z. Dickinson Mr.. Elsom began bS
telling why he loved the people in Full
ton better than the people who live any
where else on the earth. He said: -
was poor boy, with IA heart filed with
desires for an education that ] might
p~each the Gospel. My highest ambition
was 10 90 through the course at Rich
anond College. / thought about IT, anC
with tears and prayers, and finally
was invited 10 be a supply for this Full
ton pulpit. My heart leaped for joy
because 1 saw that this would carry N,
through Richmond College, and it did
Hut for Fulton church l would never
have had an education. Thousands have
been converted through my ministry, and
have built churches and raised money
for Gods cause. but the credit all belongs
10 This dear Fulton church. He concluded
win a feeling allusion TO his wife whom
he had secured from Fulton church.
Or. Dickinson, to whose personal effort!
were due the founding OF the church
and the collection from points outside
the city OF the funds which erected tn,
old church. made an address, in which
ne told of the struggles which il haC
and the difficulties which IT had over
come. He also told OF his association
with it's present pastor. The Rev. Mr.
Flsom and the Rev. MIR. Harrison also
made brief addresses.
A speclal dedlcatory rally OF the sun
day school took place in the morning
under the direction OF its superintendent
AR. n. L.. Harrison. The usual exercise.
were held In the scnool-roOm, after
which the concluding part OF the pro
gramme was given an the new church
auditorium Ii embraced Scriptural read
ings by Messrs. Floyd Reams and Henr,
leonard, and a designation by the super
intepdent OF the gifts made by the Sun
dav school to The church during the pas
year. An which IL was shown that II hat
given the sum Of 500, besides previously
having for the lot on which the building
stands.
Miss Ruth Harrison next gave a reci-
tation. 1--WE Are Building our Homes oil
Eternity's Shore" after which the ex