Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-27
HONOR THEIR HEROES.
4 GREAT DAY OF "REMINISCENCES
AND BIOGRAPHIES IN METHODIsM.
INTEREST In CENTENNIAL INCREASES
The Services Yesterday Were Ex-
ceedIngIy Inferesting--Rev. DIR. w
AIRY Last Night.
AIRY Last Night.


per cent. OF the members Of the denomi-
nation in Richmond have probably at
tended every service, and there must be
indeed few OF the total GOO who have
not attended one or more Of the interest
! ing and impressive services.
The committee to whom has delegated
the arrangements for the celebration.
and Of which Mr. c. ". Hardwicke is
chairman, surely prepared an elegant pro-
gramme and 1t is being heartily enjoyed.
The first service Of yesterday was held
at Broad Street church. beginning at 1880
o'clock in the morning. Rev. DR.. j.
Powell Garland presided. There were de-
votional exercises. and at II o'clock Rev.
". V. Tudor delivered a fine address on
the subject. 1.-THE Correctional Idea and
the Local Church" which was very much
enjoyed by the large congregation, ana
contained many suggestions Of value to
the church. Or. Tudor's paper was very
greatly complimented.
At noon there were short talks on
What the Church Is 10 Me-" led by Rev.
r. F. Gayle. Quite number of minis
ters and laymen, and also several Of the
lady members. made very interesting
talks on this pertinent subject.
HONOR THEIR MEMORY.
The afternoon service was character
ICED by a review OF the lives and times
Of many Of the prominent Methodist
characters who lived and wrought in
| Richmond and of the founding Of seve-
raj Of the churches in the city This was
a most interesting occasion. and the bio
graphical and historical papers read COM
! bined a vast amount Of valuable data,
much Of which had been collected espe-
| cially for this occasion and at the cost
Of much research and effort.
The paper Of Rev. DR.. i. c. Reeds was
entitled THE -1739-GeOrge,
! Ferguson, Samuel Putney, William VIII
! lis"
There were two papers by Rev. DR.. W.
G.. Starr-on in the Midst Of the cen
fury; William Allison and the Building
of Broad-Street Church" and James ~
Taylor and the Erection OF Clay-Sireet
Church" Also paper on In the Midst
OF the Century; The Year 1873 and the
Erection Of Centenary Church. by Rev
W. w. Lear
Rev. Or. Paul Whitehead's paper was
on yesterday: The Days of David S.
Doggett and Thomas Branch"
Each Of these most interesting papers
evinced careful preparation and abounded
IN citations of facts that should be pre-
served as a valuable legacy to the Church
of the present and of the future. Nor IS
interest in them confined 10 the Methodist
people for the lives and scenes or men
which are a part Of Richmond's history
is matter Of general public interest
The men whose memory was so justly
t-rf los II shining
amples Of Christian courage and Chris
tan citizenship well worthy of homage
and emulation The service was con-
cluded by singing in a spirited manner
Meet Ne There" which was led by the
special choir and joined in by the entire
congregation.
There were some references in the paper
Of Rev. Mr. Lear which caused ripple
OF merriment. These related to the OBJ
jections which some of the property-own-
ers near old Centenary church raised
against the erection of the building ON
account Of the noise" Qoud singing. hall
leluiahs. SCI the Methodists then made.
Mr. Lear added that whether for better
OF worse. that objection could not obtain
al this day as the Methodist people we've
very peaceable. quiet. law-abidinS citi-
Zens." Naughter)
DIR. STAIRS GREAT ADDRESS.
The attraction at night was an address
by Rev. DR.. w. G. Starr upon the sub
ject. "The Influence Of MethOdism in the
History Of the American Republic" and
Centenary church was filed with an eager
audience Professor Shepherd Webb's
organ voluntaries were very fine, and in
cluded patriotic America" Lord. Re
viye Us" was sung as the opening song
which was led by the Centennial choir
Z h. ~ d
II was well sung. DR.. J. Powell Garland
introduced Rev. DR.. Rosser as the con-
ductor of the service and Mr.. Rosser
announced a hymn. which was composed |
for the occasion by Mr.. d. s. Morrison,
which was sung 10 the grand old tune,
"Migdol," in a most thrilling manner. Mr. |
Rosser then offered a fervent prayer,
after which a collection was taken mo !
innovation on the old CUSTOM. during the !
taking of which offerings Mr.. c. w. Hun !
ter sang very sweetly a solo entitled, |
Come 10 Ne" This solo was followed |
by the whole concourse Of people singing |
1.-THE Old Ship Of Zion" and the wellsin |
was made 10 ring with this truly grand /
old Methodist battle song.
INFLUENCE OF METHODISM.
Rev. DR.. Starr was then introduced by !
Dr. Garland, and proceeded 10 discuss his /
theme. his opening sentence catching the /
audience, and he held their closest and |
most interested attention TO the climax |
Of the eloquent address. II would be an |
injustice TO the gifted speaker and his /
address TO attempt a frag- |
mentary synopsis of his effort. He main
tanned that the influence OF Methodism
is seen in the web and wool Of every
American historic page since the founda-
ton Of Methodism There was no eX-
hibition Of a spirit Of UNCONVENTIONAL eX-
clusiveness or bigotry, but lucid pre-
sentation Of the truths that the principles
Of righteousness and Christian citizenship
as exemplified by the Methodist people
have been most potent factors for good
IN the history of the country. The
Church. too, as an organized body has
welded wonderful influence for good; her
high standard and bold progressiyeness
conserving the highest interests Of so
riety and carrying the Gospel into the
homes Of the people and wherever the
pure Gospel Is preached and practiced
here is true liberty and progress. The
Methodist Church is peculiarly d church
II the people. and the primitive Metho-
list movement was OF such a character
as TO mould the structure for the best
orm of government, and the grandeur
II our government-its best and highest
lttainments-is in very large measure due
% Methodism.
DR.. starr elucldated this point in very
orcible manner and in language that was
haste and eloquent, charming his hear
rs.
The speaker evinced an entire familiarl-
v with the history of his Church and or
he republic. and Of the intimate rela-
ions between the two. and his portrayal
of |