The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-15
Interesting Exercises at the First
Presbyterian Church.
DRS. KERR AND MOORE SPEAK,
r,doa II. IL. Wexford and Mr.. W. III.
Fraser. "a Student. Also Address
the Gathering Social
Reception.

/ nduus, lfecculcu "A ltStdl dPfNHi anu
\ great congregation filed the audito-
rum at o'clock and inspiring music
from the organ and choir, under the d.
rection Of the chief musician, Professor
y. Bowditch Clapp, ushered in the cerc-
monies. After devotional exercises. the
pastor. Rev. Robert +. Kerr, ID. d., VINO
presided, rose and said:
A HAPPY WELCOME.
I'VE extend to the faculty and their
families and the students Of Union Theo-
logical Seminary, a hearty welcome TO our
city. our church and our homes. We take
this occasion 10 say that our hearts are
yours and all else goes with our hearts.
We shall be glad 10 see you at sunday
services. our sunday school, and al our
nresidos. but / warn you. young men. not
10 20 near our girls unless you are willing
10 lose your hearts, Tor If you come under
the influence of their charms you are
gone.
About four years ago, a lusty hand
some youth whose name is Union Theo-
logical Seminary. desiring TO better his
condition. gave out that he was willing to
marry some comely Virginia city. The IA
vitation was general TO all such maidens
as Danyille. Lyuchburg, Petersburg,
Roanoke. Charlottesville and Norfolk yet
10 was plain 10 careful observers. tnat
tho young man was casting Sleeps eyes
particularly upon Richmond for his bride.
lie was an original wooer. lie minated
in plain terms that lie would do no court
ing but must be cOurted, and that DE
would marry no one OF them unless she
could bring With her "A handsome dover.
lie considered that his name and moral
character were enough Co tempt any
daughter Of Virginia.
"Lvnchburc. Charlottesville and all the
| other ladies' named made offers, but
Richmond was accepted because she
brought most ducats.
1T Is now an open secret however, tnat
Richmond would have been accepted it
she had had nothing 10 bring with her 10
/ the altar except her heart provided me
/ two could find the plalnest sort OF doml-
| Gle where they might dwell.
! AIS well that ends well and the mar
riare has been consummated al last. and
/ "a home provided with when our young
spouse seems we'll pleased.
! I'VE Will now toll our secret TO the
| Seminary. Richmond loved you so, she
would have given any price within her
means 90 get YOU. ana N she had failed,
| il would have broken her heart
"Thc marriage was solemnized last
week. and we are here tonight for the
wedding feast.
AS the ordinary method of procedure
| I'm such clses has been reversed 10 thla.
! the bride having done an the counting.
D.. speaking for her. propose the heallh oil
the groom. wishing for him long IRE. great
| wealth. and unbOundcd prosperity ana
happiness. / will ask the Hon. B. x.
! Wexford Jr. a distinguished elder OF
! this church. 10 tell the groom how well
! We love him. and that we tender 10 MN
| a right royal welcome.
JUDGE WEXFORD.
Judge Wexford made e. very happy adj
| dress. saylng On substance that our hope
| of greatly enlarged success for the Semi
| nary. is based upon what IL has done.
upon the personnel of the faculty and
| students and upon the great system of
| doctrines taught within it's halls Dr.
| John Holt Rice. who was the first pastor
of this church. was also the founder OF
the SEMINAR and now our present pastor
was largely instrumental In removing II
to Richmond. We extend to the semi
nary. faculty. their families and the stu
dents hearty welcome.
Mr. w. n. Fraser. one OF the senior
class. responded in behalf of the student.
in 20 very happy address. expressing me
Gratitude of the young men for the kind
met I'm Richmond. and especially for thl
entertainment of the evening. He paid a
high tribute to- the work OF DR. Kerr IN
behalf of the Seminary.
DIR. MOOREs RESPONSE.
Tho Rev. W. w Moore ID. D.. was the
last speaker lie said:
There is something Wery familiar Ia
me about this scene tonight TINS
large assembly. these sympathetic faces
these Well known voices. these words OF
cordial welcome. all carry me back To =
| time three or four years ago when tht
Board Of Trustees had Indicated theli
desire 10 change the location OF the
Seminary I'm order To- its larger usefulness
and when they had thrown out ieeiei
10 the cities and towns of Virginia Ton
the purpose of ascertaining whether any
one Of them especially wished to have
the institution established wlthlu ITS
own suburbs Two mass-mcetings were
held at that time not FAR apart. one FOL
I the purpose OF giving the board and iu
friends am opportunity to state their case
and another for the purpose OF givnl
tine people of Richmond an opportunitl
! to say whether they desired 10 have ih'
Seminary come 10 their community
There was large attendance an both %
| those meetings and the scene at both VA
/ not unlike the scene tonight Stroni
words OF welcome and cheer were utter
ed by Judge Wexford and Or. Kerr AM
| Judge Christian and Or. Ryland and Dr
Hatches and other distinguished mem
bers OF your community and they mad
as feel more deeply than ever that on
f>ces were turned in the right direction
The movement towards Richmond va
definitely organized and in a little Will
after. that committee Of your own ell
zens was appointed 10 whom this insti
tuition IS now under everlasting obliea
tons Mr. s. II. Halves, q, G. D. Lar
us. Nh John ). Munce. Dr. r. Z. Ker
and Dr. l.. b. Turnbull. the men VIII
have ever since borne the brunt OF III
battle and who with courage, persist
ency and faith beyond praise have ear
ried the enterprise 10 splendid success
ALL DOUBTS REMOVED.
say the scene tonight reminds US o
those meetings three or four years age
And yet the circumstances are very dii
ferent. Then our hearts were racked wit
anxiety. We were perfectly clear in on
own convictions But we were disturbe
and saddened by the misunderstanding
Of some Of our friends who entertaine
grave doubts as TO the wisdom OF IN
movement inaugurated by the Board an
responded to 50 heartily by your citizen
| AZ large. And there have been innumei
able difficulties and sleepless nights an
racking anxieties since then But &c
night we have only feelings Of thankful
! ness and 10y Those who doubted hay
been convinced by the results. No on
who has studied the situation as It "a