The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-06
MONUMENT
TO JASPER
Move to Perpetuate the Old
Preachers Name.
TRIBUTE BY DIR. HATCHER

Rev. William Il. Hatcher D. D., last
night delivered a lecture at the Jasper
Memorial Church (colored), under the
auspices of one of the organizations when
is endeavoring to raise funds for tho
Improvement OF that edliice and for tho
rearing Of suitable monument to tho
famous former pastor of the church. some
very good singing by quartette and
prayer completed the programme.
DR.. Hatcher, though In poor voice, from
the effect of much travel and hoarseness,
made an address which was in the ma
ture OF personal "reminiscences OF the
widely known negro pastor. 1t was re-
ceived with many evidences OF pleasure
and approval by the congregation, which
punctuated the speakers "reminiscences
with audible endorsements and other ex-
pressions Of acquiescence OF the senu-
ments and estimates expressed.
FAMILIAR WITH THE BIBLE.
DR.. Hatcher first commented upon the
physical characteristics OF the deceased
preacher, and then upon his mental CHAR
acteristics. He declared that though un-
educated in the sense OF schooling and
wide reading, John Jasper was eminently
equipped for his work In his remarkable
familiarity with the Bible. He referred
to the contempt OF the old man for the
.'educatcd fools" In the ministry, as he
was wont to call them, but stated that IN
his age the old man amended his views
80 as to admit that education was deslr-
able. but conservation more So. Dr.
Hatcher described the conversion OF Jas
per, while he was working as q stemmer
in Hargrove's tobacco factory and after
being for two weeks miserable through
conviction of sin. The speakers descrip-
ton of the conversion and the actlon OF
the convert Immediately thereto especial
Nv pleased and interested the congregation
and was followed with the closest atten-
ton.
HIS IMAGINATION.
The wonderful Imagination of Jasper
was illustrated by the speaker. who re-
viewed some OF Jasper's sermons IN
which his imagery was SO powerful as to
sway his audience wonderfully. The Doc
tor, with rare initiative powers, reproduced
some of the striking passages from some
of the notable discourses OF the dead.
whom he used frequently to hear on Sum
day afternoon. Among other amusing In
cidents In the old mans career, which ne
reviewed, was his answer to some OF his
members, who asked him where sin came
from. This consisted OF an ina ginary
conversation between Eve and satan IN
the Garden OF Eden. tracing the origin OF
sin. DR.. Hatcher's summary OF the char
acterist!cs of this wonderful old man WV
IDLY recalled him to his old congregation.
The speaker drew timely lesson from
Jasper's friendliness to white as well as
black, and that while denouncing sin
with vigor that made the sinner trembie
he never spoke evil or advocated hostil-
ty among men, whatever their race. The
doctor closed with reviewing sermon
heard by some W hite visitors TO me
church. wherein these who had come
doubting the mans power had gone away
Impressed and convinced. He recalled an
inquiry as to Jasper by the great Spur
geon when the speaker was In England
many years ago. and Spurgeon's tribute
TO the old apostle to the negro race. Dr..
Hatcher expressed the hope that some one
would prepare biography of Jasper, and
regretted that some of his sermons could
not be reproduced for their wonderfully
graphic pictures
At the conclusion of the address vote
OF thanks was rendered the speaker and
a bouquet was presented to him.