Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-25

the Progress Of the Baptists In Rich
mond in the Last Twenty-Five Years
The following excerpts are made from
this well-written article, as being OF
interest not only to the Baptists. but 70
the peop,e Of the city and state generally.
He writes: In 1872 the white Baptists OK
Richmond had seven churches, and q
total membership OF 2.s7t In 1898 they
have Is churches and s,779 members. IN
this period the city has grown In popu-
latlon from 0,0O0 to 1850, making an In
crease Of 81 ITO per cent. Tho white
Baptists have made in the same time a
net gain of 6.lO5. which Is 2s 2.i0 per
cent. In 1872 there were, OF all denomina-
tons, 40 church buildings; now there are
S9-a gain OF 81 SIS per cent. The white
Baptists in the same years have added
9 churches-a gain OF 12s Al per cent.
The total number Of Baptsts white
and colored) now I'm the city is about
1890. or nearly one fourth OF the entire
population; so that. on the average,
leaving out little children and infants.
about every third person one meets in
Richmond Is a Baptist.
or the colleges he says: Richmond COL
lege has been a massive bulwark OF
strength 10 the Baptists OF the city. But
for her solid front, our ranks might be
surprisingly weaker and thinner than
they are to-day. In various ways and by
many means she has given safety and
prowess to the denomination. Her faculty
has been composed of men OF mark. who
could not live in a community without
e~xerting an ~elevating influence. She has
drawn to her walls of the pride and
ehivalry of the land, an army Of color
bearers. who delight TO honor tho me-
tropolis Of their Alma Mater. She has
singled out. armed, and stationed upon
the walls Of our own city men Of might,
not one whit behind the chiefest. She has
exerted a quickcning and uplighting in
luence among all classes, from the lowest
walks OF unkempt squalor 10 the highest
circles Of velvety culture and refinement.
The Woman's College, the modest little
sister. who In recent years has outgrown
her short dresses and stands up almost
as tall as her stalwart brother. must not
DO overlooked. How beautifully she has
! adorned the doctrines we prize. sent sun
shine and song into many homes, and
lent aromatic sweetness to the toll or
mental acquisition How much has she
done 10 make our homes happy, our
churches attractive. and our people capa-
bic. active, and progressivel And what
have both our colleges done. THAT out
sons may be as plants grown up in their
| youth; that our daughters may be as
corner-stones. polished after the simili-
tude of a palace"l
We reckon among the powerful agen-
cies OF this city In behalf Of the Baptists
the Religious Herald. Ably edited. sound,
and conservative, spiritual and progress
siye, this paper has exerted an influence
silent az the leaven, but scarcely less
pervaslve. How much are we Indebted.
to 1t for the unity, soundness In the faith,
rehsious Intelligence, and progressive
ness which characterize our people, The
Herald, like our colleges. is of such wide
and almost unlimited influence that II
sounds something like a detraction TO
speak only Of Its fruits in Richmond.
or men who have made Baptist history
In Richmond he says: There were giants
In those days" among whom we may
mention DR.. j. t. Burrows. As a pulpit
orator he was the peer OF Henry Ward
Beecher, whom he strikingly resembled
In physique. and his clarion voice was su-
pcrior. No mar Of his day was better in
formed as to denominational work. He
was a dynamo OF energy, and knew how 10
bring things to pass. He was frank and
open as the sun. and SO able in debate
and gifted In repartee that none would
willingly provoke his trenchant blade. He
loved Richmond. he loved the Baptists.
he loved the Master, and he was a power
for good in the city.
Professor Herbert RI. Harris was a fac
tor In the progress Of our denomination.
He answered to Carlyle's definition: Gee
MUS is an immense capacity for taking
pains" Modest and unassertive, not of
ten eloquent. but a profound scholar. a
ciear-sighted theologian. a born teacher,
he was a tower OF strength among us.
Honored and beloved by all. there is an
untold pathos In his untimely death.
Hon. II. X. Ellyson, who for forty-slx
years watched with eager eye the mar
shalled forces of the state. did much 10
build the waste places in Zion. He was a
man Of dauntless courage, soft as velvet
In the suavity Of his manners, but firm as
steel in principles FOR which he lived and
wrought. His self-denying labors and I'M
ceasing devotion to Baptist interests were
an inspiration 10 many, and infused a
spirit Of zeal and activity all along the
lines.
He writes affectionately OF Rev. Y. w.
Wilson. DIR. Theodore Whitfield. Rev. J.
7. Jolly, and. lastly, OF the peerless Jeter.