Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-26
A JOYOUS REVIVAL,
Great Crowds Attend The Metho-
dist Centennial Services.
DISTINGUISHED D|V|NESSPEAK
4 Typical 0ld-Tlme Experiences Meet
Ing at Centenary.
SERVICES At BBOAD-sT. At NIGHT.
Rev. DIR. Young Makes n Stirring Ad-
dress on Mcthodism and City Evan
SERVICES At BROAD-sT. At NIGHT
pcciaIIy Good.

The third day Of the great Methodist
Centennial was characterized by cOntn-
ued enthusiasm and devotion, and by
great crowds in attendance upon all the
service. Mary more Of the prominent
ministers throughout the State were pres
ent yesterday, while in the Methodist
homes OF the city there are many visiting
laymen, in many cases accompanied by
their wives and daughters, who have been
attracted hither by the great celebration
OF their Churchs Tooth anniversary in the
capital city.
The occasion will be long remembered
as most interesting and profitable one,
and will add an additional lustrous page
TO the annals of Virginia Methodism. Nor
| is interest In the event confined to the
Methodist people. for their brethren of
all sister denominations have evinced
their interest and sympathy and rejoice
with their Methodist brethren i'm their
| great feast Of loyal devotion.
| prominent feature of the several SER
vices is the singing Of the old-time Meth
odist hymns and tunes, led by a choir Of
100 trained voices. under the leadership OF
Mr.. Mitchell. of Farmount church. This
singing is grand and beautiful, and is par
| ticpated in by the entire vast audiences.
the older people seeming to be transport
ed TO their younger days as they joyously
sing the old songs. There are sung
these old hymns and tunes which have
| been in use i'm the hymnology Of the
] 80. 4. Al. .s.t
the march Of time cannot destroy.
Though old. they are ever new. DR.. Hoss
declared that Jesus. Lover Of Ny Soul"
was the most exquisite lyric in the Eng
| lish language.
THE MORNING SERVICE.
The special feature Of 'he morning SER
vice yesterday was an able and eloquent
address by Rev. J. J. Lanerty. d. D.,
upon the subject. "The Heroic Men Who
Made Methodism What it Is in Rich
mond." In his own unique and inimitable
style Or. Lafferty graphically portrayed
the trials and trumphs, the courageous
efforts, and grand achievements of the
consecrated souls who wrought in this
field in the long, long ago, and so vivid
ly did he picture the past that there was
a grand sight-review as II were. of the
scenes and actors-moving pictures repro
duced from the camera of memory and
thrown upon a VtascOpic canvas The
Doctors address will furnish valuable
paper for the centennial Memorial Vol
ume."
Rev. DR.. W. V. Tudor had charge Of
the singing of the missionary and old re-
vival hymns. Rev. X. Il. Wilson. pre-
siding elder of the Richmond District.
presided at this service, which was very
interesting throughout.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon service was begun with
devotional exercises, followed by singing !
of revival hymns, Rev Dr. Tudor in !
charge. Rev. II. T. Johnson. u. d., de- |
livered a very thrilling address Oh THE |
Social and Revival Meetings of Metho-
dism," which embraced a most interesting |
rehearsal of the primitive MethOdist meet |
ings and manners-their spiritual power |
and effectiveness on the soul life. in |
their essence these meetings are largely |
in vogue in the MethOdism Of to-day, for |
be it remembered this Church has held |
closely in all essentials 10 the old land
marks; but there is not that very general |
use of the "class" that characterized the |
primitive days. Dr. Johnson declared |
that the class meeting reached the indi- |
Vidual heart and conscience and was pro-
motive of spiritual life and progress. The
speakers portrayal of the Old-time scenes
and incidents in the class-meetins, re-
vivai-meetng. camp-mcetng. Overcast
etc, was indeed graphic, and the audience
was greatly moved.
OLD-TIN1E EXPERIENCE-MEET
At the conclusion Of DR.. Johnsons
mastery address there was regular old
time Methodist experience-meetlng. which
was not only interesting. but thrilling In
the extreme. Ministers and laymen. men
and women, gray-haired veterans of the
Cross, and young Christians, male and ie-
male. feelngly spoke Of the great peace
and comfort their religion gave them.
All praise was ascribed unto the Lcrd Tor
the richness of His grace. Some or the
testimonies were deeply affecting, while
all Of them were marked by spiritual
and fervent thankfulness TO
God.
There was the most perfect attention
and indeed reverence on the part Of the
the silence only being bro
ken by the voices of the speakers, the
hearty Amens and the sObbings OF those
whose emotions could not be controlled.
Ii was a great OCCASION ana no one pres
emf will ever forget It. Dr. Johnson had
struck the keynote OF grand Methodist
svnnhOnV There was a general awaken
ing of old-time memories and experiences,
ana the fiood-gates were lifted and heart
md voice responded spontaneously In
the midst Of 1t all, some old brother
struck I'D Happy on the Way ana
very voice in the house heartily joined
in singing the old Methodist battle-song.
n was a typical old-time Methodist meet
Ing. ,,
THE NIGHT SERVICE.
Eroad- street church was filed, as usual
D., the night service There were the
,sual devotional exercises. the spirited
singing of the old-time hymns ana tunes
ma interesting addresses.
Rev. w. j. Young, ID. d., OF Norfolk
;poke very eloquently and forciby on ,
alcoholism and City Evangeization.' in I
oich Ec. too. urged the Importance OF
.eaching the masses in our cities. The
address evinced profound conviction
hat the speaker deemed this one Of the
most momentous questions OF the hour,
md it made decided impression on the
'ast audience. {
The singing was very spirited and IN
piring and greatly enjoyed.
TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME.
The programme for to-day Is very at
ractive and is as follows:
AT Broad Street church at IL ~ Nj