RICHMOND.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 316, 30 October 1860, Page 2

RICHMOND.

[from a correspondent.] The.Fifth Anniversary of the Baptist Chapel in Richmond has recently been celebrated. On Sunday week, two sermons were preached, that in the morning by Rev. J. Innes, who took for hi 9 subject the miracle performed on the impotent man at the Pool of Bethesda, John v. I—9; and in the evening by Rev. D. Dolamore from Matt. ix, 36—38. " The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few." Both discourses were delivered to large and attentive audiences. Collections were made after each service which amounted to about £5.

On the following Monday evening, after a tea party had been enjoyed by a considerable number of persons, amongst whom were a good muster from Nelson, a public meeting was held, at which Mr. Dolamore presided.

The meeting \vas opened with a hymn— " All hail the power of Jesu's name." and prayer was then offered by the Rev. Mr. Biss, Baptist* Minister, of Nelson.

The Chairman, in opening, congratulated the meeting that by the providence of God they had been spared through a season marked with much sickness and sorrow to assemble once more in health and happiness. On looking back through the past year, although conscious that the church had not enjoyed that amount of prosperity which might have attended it, at the same time he rejoiced that the year had been marked with spiritual success, which he regarded but as the droppings of a copious shower. Mr. Weblby, in a very pleasing speech, addressed the members, congratulating them upon the report of their pastor, which spoke, if not of many conversions to God, of the establishing in the faith of his redeemed ; urging them to perseverance and activity in the cause of Him whose " service is perfect freedom." Mr. Gardiner spoke upon the use and abuse of Christian privileges, drawing his illustrations and comparisons from the Jewish dispensation, and its contrasts to the present. Mr. Edwin Hodder (being shortly about to return to England), briefly bade adieu to his Christian friends, thanking them for their counsels and encouragements during a period of three years, and also expressing his gratitude to Mr. Dolamore for his instruction and kindness in his capacity of pastor during that time.

Mr. Drew regretted that at these public meetings subjects were not given to the respective speakers so that they might come prepared to say something to edification. He regarded every one bound to do everything in tlie best possible way, and the more a subject for either sermon or address was studied, the better it would be delivered. He then addressed the meeting from the first words of the preceding speech, " Christian Friends," shewing the infinite superiority of a Christian otev the most exemplary, moral, and intellectual man devoid of its elevating influences.

Rev. Mr. Biss, on this his first public introduction to the country friends rejoiced that he was present a+, so large and congenial a meeting which he felt was characterised by a solemn, earnest tone of Christian love, that he had seldom witnessed on such occasions before. In a very masterly address he summed up what had been said by preceding speakers, and gave a very stimulating encouragement to increased unity and action.

Mr. Pani^ll, of Nelson, and Mr. Austin of Stoke also addressed the meeting, the former taking for his subject the Christian's individuality and influence.

Prayer was then offered by the Chairman, and the proceedings terminated.

During the evening several appropriate and beautiful pieces of music were sung, which added greatly to the enjoyment of the evening.

The whole of the services were held for greater convenience in the Wesleyao, Chapel,, which, was kindly lent for the purnoae.