Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-12
CALLED TO ORDER.

At $50 A. NJ. the Ministerial Associa-
ton was called to order by its president,
A. r. Cooke, of Woodstock, Va
Devotional services were conducted by
F. F. Billiard, and the music was led by
Professor w. S. Weaver.
It appearing that ]. D. Hamaker per-
manent secretary, was absent, stephen
Morton was elected secretary pro tenn.
D.. S. Henkel and II. P. Atkins were chos-
en- to report the proceedings, respectively,
for the Dispatch and Times.
OPENING ADDRESS.
The president, A. r. Cooke, then de-
livered the opening address in his usual
happy and earnest manner. His subject
was Some Of the Needs Of the Successful
Minister" He needs to know the Bible.
re who has an imperfect knowledge OF
Gods book is a failure as preacher.
He must know the gospel of Jesus. This
gospel must be transferred into his own
life But above all things he must know
Jesus. He must not be content with
knowledge of his history, but he must
knew Him personally.
"BE YE STEADFAST"
This address was followed by beauti-
full sermon by James E. Dickson. BE
We steadfast in the service OF the Mas
ter" The sermon was we'll prepared, and
gave evidence of careful study. This ser
mon will be published in full.
The programme was varied at this
point The address of H. P. Atkins was
postponed till the afternoon service
EXCELLENT ADDRESS.
F. D. Power then delivered most ex
cellent address on his twentv-seven years
as a pastor He began by telling Of his
beginnings in the ministry. He told of
III 80,
ington; the growth and development of
his own church. His talk was inter
spersed with humor. wit and some beau
tiful flights in rhetoric. Mr.. Power has
had long and varied experience In pas
toral work and the brotherhood could
not fail to be benefited by his timely
talk.
DINNER SERVED.
Dinner was served in the basement Of
the church. during brief intermission.
The ladies in charge Of the dinner table
presided with the most perfect grace to
the satisfaction Of all.
At 2:3o P. NJ. tho meeting was called
to order. The prayer and praise service
was led by B. P. Smith. This was indeed
a spiritual treat to all.
f. NJ. RAINES.
The address Of F. NJ. Raines was &
splendid budget of plain, practical sug
gestions. and interesting statistics There
are $500 churches now in America. Two
hundred and fifty new churches were or
canized during the past year; some Of
these have splendid buildings. About
s6000.000 was collected for all purposes.
Six thousand preachers. and nearly $780,
coo membership Our preachers are get
ting better, more learned and more spir-
tual. We not only know the Book bet
ter but we know Jesus better. We are
not now content with theological Christ,
or an historical Christ. but we are now
having to do with a present living. reign
ing Christ. We should not think SO much
of meeting Him up in Heaven as Of meet
ing Him now. The preacher who does
rot read and think had better get out to
the shop. tie pillow, or wherever he be-
longs. Don't get entangled with politics.
Vote, but don't seek Office. To get into
Office is to get out of the pulpit He would
have chair in the schools to tea CHI prac-
teal theology-how to baptze. preside at
the Lords Supper. marry people, and
bury people.
MINISTERIAL COURTESY.
This was followed by an address on the
subject of Ministerial Courtesy. by Rev.
II. P. Atkins. The address abounded in
good practical suggestions which should
be remembered by all. He did not
think that there should be any clash be-
tween the ministers of the different