The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1908-10-31
CENTENNIAL
EXERCISES CLOSE
Address By Rev. DR.. R. P.
Kerr.
RECEPTION GIVEN BY THE LADIES

A large congregation, In spite OF the
heavy rainfall, gathered at the Pre-by.
terrain church Wednesday night for the
centennial celebration. The various
churches OF the town hal given up their
usual midwaek services because uf these
special exercises and there was good
representation from he different congfe-
cations, including The pastors
The services were OPENED witlan organ
prelude and Concone's Gloria, sung by
the choir Prayer whs ilsrrd by the
Rev. VIM ) Campbell. If Richmond. \
feature Of the occasion that added much
TO the enjoyment was the presence OF the
Union Seminary quartette, who sang
several selections. Their singing IL Of
unusual excellence aud was greatly en-
ioyod.
REV. DIR. kERR's ADDRESS.
The speaker OF the evening, Rev. X. P.
Kerr, ID. d., Of Baltimore, wasintroduced
by the pastor, Rev. j. II. Henderllte.
DIR. Kerr Is very we'll known in Freder-
icksburg. He was for twenty years pas
tor OF the First Presbyterian church, OF
Richmond, and at one time WAS chair
man oi the Board of Directors OF the As
sembly's Home aud School located here
| He has visited the town several times to
lecture and preach. As "A member 81 i'm
portant boards aud committees 81 the
Presby terian church and a. the author
OF number Of wsllknown booksaud the
editor OF thu lily mns OF the Ages he Is
very well known throughout the South.
he Is now pastor Of the large NOrthmin
ster church, Of Baltimore.
DR.. Kerr's subject was "Some Less ons
From the Past, and his address sho wed
| his intimate knowledge ofcimrch history
and a strong grasp Of the philosophy Of
it's facts. tie pointed out the lessons
of the past In the growth Of the Hierarchy
and usurpati)n OF ecclesiastical powe, =
by Pope- and Kings H. ssetchrd the
gradual sp,eaf of the truth, widening
from the NaIdenses and Wycliffe and
Hu-s through the Lutheran reiJrmatiuu,
and carrying civil aud religious liberty
through Europe, England and Scotland
and TO America John calvin the
founder Of tie American Republic" The
Presby terrain church, both ia Europe and
America. had stood for the open Bible,
the Lordship Of Jesus Christ alone over
the church and over she conscience. and
for civil and religious liberty.
The distinguished speaker eloqueLtly
described the part taken by the church
under Calvin at Geneva, the Hugu-nOts
and Admiral Colignl In France, Knox in
Scotland, and by the Scotch. Irish end
others IN America IN the cause OF truth
and liberty. He was listened TO with
close attention from beginning To end
After a selection by the Seminary
Quart tie and q hymn by the cOngnRa-
ton. the service was concluded with the
benediction by Rev. Vim. s. Buchanan,
OF japan.
THE RECEPTION.
Following these exercises reception
was given by the ladies in the basement
Of the church, hich was completely filled
by the attending people. Those receiv-
ing were Dr. Kerr, Dr. and Mrs. j. p
smith, Mrs. 4. ". Gilmer, Miss Annie
Wilson. of Louisville, ny Mrs. A. j,
Saunders Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Rosebro
and Rev. J II. Henderltte.
The crowd was delighted with some
humorous selections by the Seminary
Quartette. Miss Bessie Belle Cannon
sang very sweet solo, and there wss
other very much elioyed music on the
piano and by the College Orchestra.
Short speeches Of congratulation and ap.
probation were made by Rev. K. j. Me-
Bryde. D. d Rev II. H. Barber, Rev. X
A. Williams and Row. Decatur Edwards,
all breathing delightful spirit OF good
will and fellowship.
| Refreshments were served and the
whole evening was greatly enjoyed. 1t
was very happy elimination OF these
notable exercises
Among the numerous visitors. who
have been attending the centennial from
a distance, there were present Mrs. L.
W. Gilmer, Mrs and Miss Huntington,
Charlottesville; Miss Ellen Baskerville,
Clifton Forge; Miss 6omerville, Culpeper
county; Mrs. Camp, Petersburg; Miss
Scott, Stafford county; Miss Annie VIII
son, Louisville Ky Maj. Wexford, Dr..
and Mrs. j. P. Smith, Rev. VIM. S.
Campbell, Richmond; Mr.. Darlington,
Lynchburg; Mr.. Henry Miller, Philsdel-
phia; DR.. K. 2. Kerr, Baltimore; and
Messrs. Hassell Mclver, Mann and
Philips, of Union Seminary.