Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-06-26
4 WORD FOR
DR.. WISHER
A GLOWING TRIBUTE
Mr.. Carter Does Honor to thu
Theologian.
70 the Editor of the PLANET;

IN due TO the Rev. DR.. d. w. Wisher x
for his almost twenty Eve years OF Cos
Del work in the great city OF New u
York. The Reverend Doctor came to
this great Metropolis in the seventies q
and commenced his pastoral lsbors in B
West 26th street with membership
of twenty-one Though at the very s
commencement in this part OF the b
Masters vineyard. as it generally IL
with the true servants OF God, much 8
npposition confronted his energetic ef
forts; but beng leo ana sustained bs
she hand of Him whom he faithfully &
loved and served, he went from one
poipt of success TO another, until with 3
IN a short time after he had organized
the Mount Olivet Baptist Church with !.
mem bership Of twenty one in base
ment in west 26th street, he was forno
filling the pulpit OF that church before &
an increasing congregation IN spa-E
cious hall in west 9th street.
There his fame con- meDced TO bloc nh
and blossom, the church commencedE
to thrive, many converts were thek
fruits or lis labors, the increase OF
mem bershp was the result or his toll
ard the swelling Of the congregation
Was due 10 his spiritual influence.
oTEER QUARTERS NEEDED
And it YVES found necessary to seek
Other quar- tiers with n larger seating :
capacity, for the tide OF spiritual pro-
press was rowing toward his door.
success Was attending his efforts and
the impediment that aid in the path
way " Hs fast fading before his inces-I
SAINT lBbors.
From the spacious hall in west 9TtbI
hp
&c Grand Union Hall, on Seventh ave-
nue., where he continued in his relig.
ious lsbors, preaching the Werdl
whereof the Itrd God had command
ed. AID here al thls Place, his power
in spiritual work became more IA
mCus ard his endeavors more pro-
found and white ministers of Bsp
tist and other denominations would
oft time come to hear him expound
the doctrine of his Lord and Master
for which he was called. Pure deeds,
not hollow words forms character and
make the man.
INCREASE OF MEMBERSHIP.
Therefore, az time rolled on the
membership of the church hac in
creased from tweDty-one TO much over
six hundred and the seating capacity
even of Grand Union ball proved IN
adequate to accommodate the large
crowds that came to hear the spiritua
expostulation Of the Reverend, bu
now Doctor Wisher.
Here we are persuaded bv mag
unanimous spirit to pass over the an
Iuet snim ed VERSIONS that greeted thi
Reyerend's success and extrsordinsr.
Accomplishments, and regret to So.
that such criticisms came more read
lily from persons calling themselye
Christians than from those OF tn
world.
But undaunted by any just or un
Just criticisms, being endowed wit
blessings from the throne above an
annointed with the oil of consolatiOI
he pushed on with unmitigated couI
age the divine work of his Lord an
Master. Therefore, being compelle
by the huge crowds thst gsthere
about the doors of Grand Union Hal
and OF the necessity TO cease worship
ping in Halls, the deacons and tru
tees led by Rev. Wisher put fort
energies to get some where in the cit
irregular church building, And aft'
some little time their efforts wei
crowned with success through the il
strumentality OF white friends
securing the magnificent edifice
West Fifty third street.
SPACIOUS BUILDING.
This spacious building with q sea
ing capacity of over twelve hunire
its frescoed selling. its elegant paint,
walls, its fine garnished wood work,
well cushioned seats and beautiful
carpeted floors, was formerly own,
and occupied by viii
congregation OF the same demo
congregation was requested to have
certain sum of money before enteril
and taking possession of this fine gr
stone edifiee. The sum was five thou
and dollars, the given time was o
month, but Rev. Wisher raised tn
amount almost in day, and certain
within q week, and entered this hne
fitted church before the given time G
Pired.
In this church he preached Sund
after Sunday for more than Jwel
years to congregations overwhelmiu
ly large, expounding the doctrine
Christ Jesus ard poured forth wi
spirit and power the gospel trut
And under the influence Of his CONT
ned laDors many were converted 81
added to the church and many til
were in darkness brought to light, al
taught to walk In the newness of III
But in the face of his energetic effol
and his over twenty years OF faithi
services and devoted labors OF reli
ious work in the Mount Oiivet Bapt
Church, the congregation came e
split 1t is needless now to expls
the cause of the trouble for the wor
is too well acquainted with the inco
sequent act of those calling theI
selves the church in that particul
and of the political letter which sci
ed the good brother, deacons and tru
tees OF said church as pretext In t
matter.
1t was not the letter in fact, but
letter in theory that covered the r
motive. 1t was grudge of long star
ing, deep seated prejudice and az
malignity, But of this matter let
say no more Let us leave it to I
Gn0 of insfioA. OF frnth and love