An immense prayer meeting.
--Never in the history of
Richmond was so large an assembly convened for prayer as that which took place at the First Baptist Church Friday afternoon. By four o'clock--the hour appointed for the commencement of the services — the large Church, with its galleries, holding from twelve to fifteen hundred persons, was full to overflowing, and, when it was announced that the basement would be opened, the large room which it contains was soon occupied by an additional crowd amounting to several hundred, making in all probably near two thousand persons in the house.
The exercises in the upper part of the
Church were conducted by
Rev. Dr. Hoge, and those in the basement by
Mr. John Caskie.
The meetings were solemn and deeply earnest; the remarks indicated trust in the Almighty arm as the hope of the
Republic, the whole scene was beautifully illustrative of patriotism, piety, and Christian union.
At the conclusion of the services,
Dr. Hoge announced that there would be a meeting at the Second Presbyterian Church in the evening, conducted by
Dr Burrows.
At the appointed hour this Church was full below, and nearly full in the galleries.
The services were very interesting, and at their close it was announced that daily prayer meetings would be held, commencing on Saturday at 12 o'clock, at the
United Presbyterian Church.
In accordance with this appointment several hundred persons assembled on Saturday, and held an interesting service.
At its close it was suggested that 4½ P. M. would be a more suitable hour to several classes of our citizens, and it was understood that at that hour the meeting will be held during the present week at the
United Presbyterian Church, and that notice would be given accordingly.