Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-13

Seminary at Louisville. Ky, in 1873. He
was pastor twelve years in the First
Baptist church Of Lynchburg. Va; three
years in the First Baptist church of
Nashville, Tenn. and five years in the
Third Baptist church of St. Louis. Mo.
DR.. Smith. IN the full blessing Of physi-
cal health, is delighted with his people
and greatly encouraged at Ire progress
Of his work and the noble outlook Of the
church No other congregation in the
city has d more honorable past. and il
is not invidious TO say that probably no
other has a brighter or more promising
future.
DIR. Hatcher's Church.
GraCe-Street Baptist church was organ.
lied in 1894 IL Is the mother of three
other churches, and has sent out many
other members TO assist in the organza-
ton of churches in other portions OF the
city. The church has always been distin-
guished for its gift in training its young
people, and hundreds of those who re-
ccived their training in this church have
become eminent as Christian workers
elsewhere The church has had many
superior men in its pastorate. Or. James
b. Taylor, ST.. did largely the foundation
work, and made possible the great
achievements which the church has at
tanned since. Or. j. b. Jeter was pastor
Of the church for seventeen years, and
shed much lustre upon its name by his
high and imperial character. He was sue
ceeded by Dr. n w WiAon, perhaps the
most gifted man that the church ever
had lie was an orator that would have
honored any pulpit in the land.
DR.. w. l.. Hatcher has been pastor Of
the church for over twenty-four years
Called to many other fields. and overload
ed with UNCONVENTIONAL work. Dr. Hatch
er has chung TO the church with un-
changing loyalty. Under his administra-
ton two new churches have been organ
ICED, two new houses Of worship have
been erected, and the church has stood
in the forefront Of Christian enterprise
and liberaity. 1t is admirably organized
in every department of its work; II de-
lights to help every good enterprise, and
is full of harmony, energy, and hope.
Largest In the south.
The church in Richmond which ranks
above all others in point of membership,
and which. indeed. is the largest Baptist
church in the entire South. is Pine-Street.
This church first known as the Belvi-
dere-Hill Baptist church, was organized
with sixty-nine members on the 9Th day
of May. 1855 Rev. Henry w. Watkins
was chosen as the first pastor, and served
the church diligently for five years. Prior
to this time. before the congregation was
constituted a regular church, Rev. John
NJ. Butler, an earnest and faithful
preacher, labored with the people FOR
several years. and he was afterwards
twice elected pastor, serving for a num-
Der Of years. The congregation originally
worshipped in small brick house on
Church street. and it was under the pas
torate Of Mr.. Butler that il was decided
10 remove 10 Pine street. Rev. A. h
Dickinson, ID. D.. was called as pastor
in 1870. and continued with the church
about two years. Under his ministry a
large and commodlous frame building was
erected. the church grew In numbers.
and its prosperity has been continuous.
From the beginning the congregation