The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-11-20
RE0PEhED WITH
NOTABLE SERVICE
Leigh Street Baptist Church
Has Day of Exceptional
Interest
REV. WICKER, PASTOR,
breaches THE SERMON
Beautiful Floral Decorations.
Special Musical Program.
Baptismal rite Per-
formed

The auditorium oil Leigh Street Bap-
list church WAS rnopeued yesterday
after having been Nlosed for repairs
for fourteen months and the day was
one of unusual interest and import
ance for the members and congrega-
ton of that church. Extensive re-
pairs have been maf~ and the church
is now one of the finest in the city.
Church Packed
Long befofe the ETnUur 0f worship
the auditorium WAS packed 10 its
utmost capacity and hundreds had
to be turned away The church *
one of the oldest Baptist churches
In the city. having been organized in
1854, and it in said there is not
BAPTIST church In Richmond which
does not number among its mem
bers people who We're reared Ia Leigh
Street Ehurch. Large numbers Of
these and other friends of the CON
gregation We're present at the opening
services yesterday.
Tasteful Decorations.
The auditorium Was tasteIuily deco
rated with flowers and nothing was
lacking in perfectiHg the beauty of
the splendid auditorium. Handsome ely
printed programs giving fun details
Of the exercises were distributed To
all the members Of the congregation
The services We're opened By an
organ selection with Mrs. Laura Wat
son presiding at the magnificent in
strument. the gift Of Mr.. w. j. Par
rish The choir, under the direction
Of Mr.. Walter Mercer, rendered
number Of appropriate selections in
a most ereditable manner. The choir
is voluntary one. and under its lead
er is doing efficient service.
Orttinan(xa az Baptism
Pastor John J. Wicker led IL num-
Der OF candidates into the baptismal
waters at both the morning and eve
ming services. This nervice was most
impressive. The haristry Is of mar
BILE and matches the rest of the in
terror of the church.
DIR. James Buchanan. secretary OF
the Associated Charities, was in the
pulpit with the pastor and took part
in the services by leading the respon-
sive reading and Offering the dedi-
catory prayer.
Pastor Wicker selected for this
text Nehemiah IL: 43--hts theme
being The Building of the Church"
He drew graphic picture OF the de-
struction OF the temple at Jerusalem
and the captivity OF Judah. The
return and the rebuilding of the
temple and the walls of the city under
Ezra. Lerubbabel and Nehemiah We're
set forth and the lesson from the
zeal. conservation and sacrifice OF the
returning captives was held up as
an inspiring example to the congre-
CATION.
In the course Of his sermon Dr.
Wicker took occasion to say that the
work was accomplished because the
captives had daring leader in
Nehemiah. What this world needs.
he said. is preachers. Politicians do
not make prosperity nor give full
dinner pail. but this is due to preach
ers in the belief OF the speaker
What the starving nation needs, "
he said, lis preachers. Fill China
with churches and her famine viii
cease. There is no famine where the
gospel is preached. The church of
Christ brings prosperity. Wickedness
means want and idolatry means cap
tivity The church OF Christ is the
engine OF trade. The many millions
given to-day by the worlds rich men
is In recognition of this fact
And the church OF Christ stands
Continued on Second Page.)