The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-19
ALL HONOR
TO NAME
OF WESLEY
Biz Centennial Celebra-
ton in Progress Here.
OCCASION is a
NOTEWORTHY ONE.
Great Congregations ThrOng
All the churches.
THE SINGING OF THE
HYMNS OF OLDEN TIME
Wonderful Influence Of the Name Of
Wesley Exertlng Itself Through
Two Long Centuries Now Just
Closed-Programme the
Rervlces TO Be Held To-
Day and To-Morrow.
Great Congregations Throng
All the churches.
THE SINGING OF THE
HYMNS OF OLDEN TIME

In the Methodist Churches OF Richmond
on sunday last there began, to continue
through four days, what promises 10 pc
one OF the most notable events IN the
local history of the denomination. IhronE-
ed churches, eloquent sermons. enthusiast
tic rendering by congregations standing
en- masse of the old-tlme hymns SO
dear TO the heart. OF all. proclaimed time
and again and as never before the con-
tinued and ever growing influence OF
John Wesley, founder Of the church. ex-
erting itself through two long centuries
now just closed.
NOTEWORTHY EVENT.
The celebration of the long-awaited bi-
centennial, which celebration is now about
half done. is in more respects than one
noteworthy event. For weeks past ex-
tcnsivc preparations have been in maxi
ing and local pastors and laymen have
strained every effort to give to the occa-
sion the setting Its Importance demands;
The result OF these efforts was witnessed
during Sunday and yesterday and 1t
proved q result In entire correspondence
with its cause.
From every Methodist pulpit OF Rich
mond Sunday morning there went forth
a sermon brea thing the spirit and the
work Of the Wesleyan creed as exempli-
fed in the life and labors OF It's great
founder. Churches were filed and at
every hand the great and wonderful In
sfuence OF the name OF Wesley calling
down through the ages was to be Witness
ed. Any demonstration OF the great VI
tality Of this branch of the church uni
versal which was needed was here given.
Observers could not fail 10 be Impress
ed with the power of the personality of
the man who though dead many years
still lived In sense so true and effective
as this.
Afternoon and night witnessed scenes
OF a similar sort, and yesterday again.
saw the same. The first of the great
mass meetings planned was a distinctive
Methodist gathering, which filled every
Inch and corner In the church In which
1t was held. The four union services
held Sunday night In the four different
parts of the community were like In
kind and in spirit, and rounded out the
full day well. Yesterday afternoon the
Methodist women gathered and heard a
distinguished speaker tell OF what their
sex had done for the work Of the church;
last night another mass meeting filled
Centenary, and there was In part re-
production Of the scenes of. the day be-
fore. To-day the celebration will be con-
tined. and tomorrow services will be
held morning and night. A portion Of
these two days will be given over to
six local ministers. who Will discuss the
six distinctive doctrines promulgated by
him in whose honor the celebration is
held.
THREE FEATURES.
Three points in connection with the
services need to be specially emphasized.
In the first place the attendance thus
far has been such as would surprise all.
Reports submitted yesterday at the meet
ing of the pastors showed full houses
at the morning services; the attendance
Mt the mass meeting in the afternoon was
sufficient evidence of itself. AT night
the four churches In which the services
were held were filled.
The second feature Is the great excel
lcnce of the sermons and addresses, and
the third the profound and telling inhu-
ence of the old Wesleyan hymns being