Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-03-07
Rev. DIR. Atkins Prcaches.

Charlottesville. Va. Mch. 2. 'OS.
To the Editor of The Richmond
PLANET-Dear Sir.
have just closed an engagement
with the Rev. DR.. Harvey johnson.
Pastor Of the Union Baptist Church
on Druid Hill Avenue. Baltimore.
Maryland. 1t was our pleasure to
be with DR.. Johnson and his people
for more than three weeks and nev-
er have we been impressed with both
congregation and pastor as we we're
with DR.. Johnson and his people.
The Union Baptist's elifce is solid
stone, built at a cost Of (S45.OOO)
fOrty-five thousand dollars. Theis
have membership OF 27OO. The
building is indeed an imposing one
and mammoth affair. For more
than thirty-six years DR.. Harvey John
son has been leading the members Of
this Zion.
First OF all they believe that the
mission of the Church among men
is this. 10 be a witness for God and
for the incarnation of God in the
face OF the World. From age to age
the testimony of the Apostles mas de-
scended unbroken. The intrinsic Ger
tainty of their witness has not di-
minished by a shade, jot or little In
the lapse OF time.
Again, this great Zion judges be-
tween the truth of God and the er-
rOrs OF men and gives decision with
divine certainty what Is truth and
what is darkness. But will the
Church succeed2 See her like some
FURNISHED comet. as she blazes along
the sky more fleet than Phoebus car
everlasting joys lowering about her.
the very mountains crested with n
borrowed radiance, shouting well
come. Fly on, shine on blessed
Church OF God. the hills are laughing
under her smile and the Islands Of
the sea, clapping their hands TO her
nraise.
The pastor OF this great Church
is able and accomplished. bold and
brilliant, courtly and tlnvalr0us. de-
corus and dignified. elegant and elo-
quent. gracious and generous. He
has all those superb powers and Sc
ductive graces that make him invul-
nerable. invincible and irresistible:
for In him there is the powerful log
ician, the polished rhetorician. the
thrilling and facinatinE orator and
the author OF world wide reputation.
In DIR. Harvey Johnson the young
mea of our denomination and race
find n friend and father.
The members OF my Church join
in with me for thanking him and his
loyal congregation for (S1O7.5O) one
hundred and seven dollars and fifty
cents and all others who have assist
ed in our struggle. The Church has
withstood the revolutions of time and
the mutations of fortune. the desc
lating tread of ages and the disinte-
grafton and downfall of Dynasties,
the ravages OF the famine and the
wasting scourge of pestilence. It
has outlived the confusion OF
language, the brick yards OF Gosh
en-, the astrological love OF the
Chaldeans. the mythology of Greece
and Rome. IL is still advancing and
placing herself in sublimer attitudes
every day.
AS Archaeologists find traces OF
Ancient civilization left, so after DR..
Johnson has passed away, he will
ever be held in memory's sacred en-
brace by others. Again we take this
medium of thanking all friends for
aiding us, at this critical time. We
must raise 100000.
Humbly yours.
THOS. ID. ATKINS.
Pastor Ebenezer Baptist Church,
Charlottesville. Va. Box III.