The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-13

any church here. for the early missions in
America, both OIL the west ana the eastern
scaboerd, had become exhausted and had
ieft no descendants nor permanent connect
ing links and 80 the field was clear for
them 10 found n church; but they did not
do this. they transplanted 10 new soil amid
new surroundings the old church which mad
come down to them from the apostles and
Inc! not only secured for themselves free
dom TO Worship God. but allowed to others
the freedom which they had bonpht Al 40
dear price. And they left of record deeds
no. words only. of their purposes and their
iitentions, which show that there is no
fh4me, nor reason. nor sense nor argument
IN the theory which some moderi, speak ers
have bolstered up By spec!ous remarks that
some other church was the first founded on
American so!l when II IL an historical
faet. that within the next 100 years sew
erei societies( as they called themselves,
did enter into and spread over the East and
south. while the same church, OF which
Robert Hunt was a minister, continued to
teach and TO grow with the same Bible the
same sacraments. the same orders the same
creed, the same worship then as now not
contemplating anything difficult nor doubt
iItg that their testimony Witnessed in tho
beginning OF the seventeenth century would
be borne by their successors In the eigh-
tecnth and nineteonth and twentieth CEN
turtles. and so forward to the end of the
wcrld.
The planting OF colony and the plan.
who blazed the way so Intended, and they
SO began when they Sc. foot on these
shores. Il.
1--WE. brethren. you and and the peopl,
gathered here are tho inheritors OF the pre-
cious blessings OF civil liberty and churchly
Ways which were newborn on the .conti-
nent of America with the coming of these
seekers for room and place to live ana
practice the old religion of their ancestors.
And In this cradle were rocked the forbears
soi the men who give to this country the
Bill OF Rights. the Declaration OF 1ndepen-
dence. those foundations upon which rest
to-day tho guarantee OF our life. our liberty
and our pursuit OF happiness .sg
"As pioneers in state and church they are
deserving OF honor and merit, which can
ne,e r be dinlmed by the greatness OF after
they suffered. they lived. they died for u.s. as
men who had vocation and endcavored Ia
realize that 1t Is not enough to live
and save ourselves but that We ought to
Is there that we can say and do 800 years
after that settlement?
Now that the blood of those pioneers ha.
ceased to flow on with the waters OF the
James and mngle with the brine, and thei!
ashes have become one with the sands, while
tho rich marsh grasses cover their hastily
made graves the wild flowers wave thei,
benedction OF beauty. and the birds sins
uninterrupted praises on the quiet shore
where human voices are silent?
ut is n duty which we owe to ourselves
oui heirs and neHlgns, no lcss than TO thOst
who purchased these possessions for us, Il
rcrder available for the increasing multi
tides in our land the truths and principles
OF the gospel so nobly hcralded.
1T Is our privilege. being, as iSydneS
Smith insisted, not the youngest, but thu
Oldest people, because we have all tile pas
belind us: It Is ours to enjoy the opportu
Mtg for putting all our learning and nll III,
splendid examples OF faith and herosm int
efsNGtive practice, and so convince the ma
lions that we are not of those who forget
Y All thinking and honest people upbrald tn
sleek and overfed sons who newer earned ;
dollar BY any personal effort. but slmpl.
.w.ui themselves and others out spendin;
the denominations of their fathers, with M
sense of responsibility for others no con
federation OF theSwoes, the hunger, the pam
tile Ignorance Of mankind.
'.lluw can we claim to be any improve
men. on those unworthy scons of indus
Ehious and pntient toilers II in our spiritna
\ relationship. in our church life, III MIN:
our place In the world I'VE lie suplnel.
on our backs while the great throbbins
| shining self-crazed world moves on to II
| decay; or how can we rest in The SNUG con
1 scit usness that wo have great possession
| and Will enjoy them or not at our pleas
4 uie?
'It Will not suffice merely to nid in til
] restoration of IL church or in erecting
/ brass to Robert Hunt and his companions
| for ono may pass Into other hands. ana tn
\ Other may become furnished or forgotten.
1T Viii not dnsto enter into an expositlo
OF our material progrcas end OF theHdeveiop
.tmcnt OF our genius. It will not do; to marc
over the ground with sound Of music, .
sail over the course while cannon boom IN
/ bass OF Il peace hymn to the creator.
These things simpart certain stimuli
/ to endeavor; hey mark the advance OF thre
centuries and prepare us FOR greater hchleVe
/ ments vet ITO come.
"J3ut tho only propcr mark al appreciation