USA > Virginia > Henrico County > Henrico County > The first century of the First Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia. 1780-1880 > Part 15
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CONCLUDING ADDRESS
BY J. B. HAWTHORNE, PASTOR.
W E have reached the conclusion of this celebration. For two days we have com- muned with the past. We have heard with grateful hearts the story of God's dealings with our fathers. We have seen how from extreme feebleness we have risen to great power. En- riched by the wisdom, and inspired by the ex- amples of those who have gone before us in the good fight of faith, let us now turn our thoughts upon the future. Time past is past forever. It can never serve us again.
" Listen to the water-mill all the live-long day, How the creaking of the wheels wears the hours away ! Languidly the water glides ceaseless on and still, Never coming back again to the water-mill ! And a proverb haunts my mind as the spell is cast- The mill will never grind again With the water that is past."
Let it be our purpose and ambition to make
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the most of that part of life which is before us ; let us crowd into it all that we possibly can of service to God, and of good to man. Let us bequeath to posterity as rich a legacy as has been left to us.
III. SUPPLEMENTARY STATISTICS AND
STATEMENTS.
SUPPLEMENT.
FINANCES AND PROPERTY.
F ORMERLY the Finances of the Church were conducted by the Deacons. At pres- ent, all monetary interests, except the funds for the poor, are managed by a Finance Com- mittee. The income of the Church is acquired by pew-rents, and by voluntary contributions in envelopes every Sunday morning and night. The collections of eight Sunday mornings in the year are devoted to benevolent objects, which are stated on the envelopes of the days assigned for these objects respectively. The current expenses of the Church are some seven thousand dollars per annum. This sum seems relatively large, as $3950 is reported as the yearly charities-for Missions and the poor. But, the church-books indicate only a small part of the donations of the Church. Scores of thousands of dollars are known to have been
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given by members of the Church to various benevolent objects, of which there is no record, except in the courts of heaven. The present Finance Committee are: John C. Williams, A. P. Fox, Charles T. Davis, Robert W. Powers, Patrick H. Starke, Peter W. Grubbs, John G. Spotts, John A. Belvin.
In compliance with the laws of Virginia, the property of the Church is vested in a Board of Trustees, as follows:
R. H. Bosher, James Thomas, Jr., Christopher Walthall, Coleman Wortham, John C. Stanard, R. W. Powers, Josiah Ryland.
POOR OF THE CHURCH.
The fund for the poor is raised by a monthly collection, at each communion season, and a general annual collection. Deacon Wm. G. Dandridge, Treasurer of this fund, has furnished the following paper:
The Church recognizes distinctly her obligation to care for Christ's poor. About seven hundred and fifty dollars are an- nually appropriated to this purpose. The distribution is made mostly in money ; sometimes in provisions ; and chiefly by the Deacons. But valuable aid in this direction is afforded by the ladies individually and through their societies.
Districts are assigned to the Deacons, who visit the poor within their limits, systematically. Members of the Church,
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especially the ladies, also visit certain persons, of the poor, in whom they take a special interest. There are about twenty poor members of the Church who are more or less constant re- cipients of her bounty.
That the benefactions of the Church may be bestowed only on the disabled and really needy, all practicable caution and inquiry are employed in the dispensation of alms. The bene- ficiaries of the fund are, therefore, generally worthy persons and deserving of charity. Miss Lucy Courtney, a grand- daughter of Rev. John Courtney, one of our former beloved Pastors, has been for many years blind and deaf. These in- firmities, with advancing age, utterly incapacitate her for self- support. Hence she has, for a long period, gratefully and meritoriously received the cheerful support of the Church. She is a Christian of deep piety, and genial, submissive spirit, evincing a lively interest in the welfare of the Church, to which she is much attached. Visitors to the lonely room of this afflicted yet joyous saint, have often magnified God's sus- taining grace, and bidden her farewell with suffused eyes and confirmed faith. She is eighty-eight years old.
The Church accepts the assurance of her Saviour that she will always have the poor with her; and that what she does unto one of the least of his little ones will be regarded as done unto him.
LIBRARY, INFANT CLASS, AND OFFICERS OF SUNDAY- SCHOOL.
IN a recent refitting of the Sunday-school Rooms, with fountains and other improve- ments for health and ornamentation, the Li- brary Department was enlarged, reorganized, and beautified. It is now a model as to conveni- ence of arrangement and facility for distributing
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and preserving the books. The school is in- debted for re-systematizing and improvement mainly to Mr. Carlton McCarthy, the Librarian of the School.
The Infant Class has been called " the pet " of the school. The ensuing notes are pro- vided by the late Assistant Superintendent of the school, Deacon A. P. Fox :
" The Infant Class was organized in January or February of 1859, by Mrs. Abby M. Gwathmey. At first, there were twelve pupils. The number increasing, the class was divided. Mrs. Gwathmey retained the girls, and C. P. Burruss took charge of the boys. In the month of June, on account of the sickness of Mrs. Gwathmey, the entire class was put under the care of Mr. Burruss. Under his direction the average attend- ance was about twenty pupils. He was succeeded by William Forbes, under whom the children numbered between twenty and forty. E. Gathright had a fuller class. Mrs. Mary W. Curry followed Mr. Gathright, and has had charge of the class for some ten or twelve years. Under her administration it has been very prosperous.
There have been as many as two hundred children pre- sent. The average attendance is one hundred and twenty. " The Side Chapel" was built in the fall of 1871, for the accommodation of this school. The little ones are thor- oughly drilled, and carry with them into the main school a good foundation of Scripture information for their future teachers to build on. In the absence of Mrs. Curry in Europe, the class is conducted skilfully and successfully by Miss Kate S. Winston, daughter of Professor Charles H. Winston, of Richmond College. Besides the above named teachers, others have taught well for a limited time.
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The full corps of officers of the Sunday- school is as follows :
WM. M. TURPIN, Superintendent.
D. S. MCCARTHY Assistant Superintendent.
ROBERT S. BOSHER Secretary.
GEO. A. HAYNES
Assistant Secretary.
CARLTON MCCARTHY Librarian.
A. L. HAYNES. Assistant Librarian.
N. B. PLEASANTS. do do
A. B. TYREE do do
E. C. WALTHALL do do
W. A. BARRETT
do
do
WILLIE REINS do do
JOSIAH RYLAND Treasurer.
GEO. A. HUNDLEY Collector.
JACOB REINHARDT . Organist.
Officers and teachers 60
Scholars 525
Average attendance of scholars 337
Volumes in library 847
YOUNG MEN'S PRAYER-MEETING.
This meeting is one of the fixed and best institutions of the Church. A brother writes : " It is difficult, indeed impossible, to estimate its value to the young brotherhood." The follow- ing sketch is from Deacon R. H. Bosher :
The completion and dedication of the new Church edifice, in October, 1841, infused into the membership a very decided progressive spirit. There were a number of prominent and pious brethren ready to every good word and work, but so modest and shrinking that the energies of the Church were not fully developed.
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Our special need was a pious, gifted, and active man, posses- sing the affection and confidence of the Church, to take the lead in its various enterprises and activities. The return to the city of Brother James C. Crane, and his connection with the Church supplied in an eminent degree this need.
He came at once to the front, and with all his noble gifts and energies, devoted himself to the service of his Master in bring- ing to light the buried talents of his servants.
Among other valuable suggestions of Brother Crane, was that of a Young Men's Prayer-Meeting, which was immediately adopted, and put into practice.
The first Saturday night in January, 1842, was appointed to begin this meeting. Six brethren, assembled in answer to this call, namely : Wm. Tyree, Wm. G. Dandridge, J. L. Apper- son, Geo. J. Hooper, J. W. Meanley and R. H. Bosher.
The meeting was a decided success from its start ; many of our brethren who had not participated in the Prayer and Con- ference Meetings of the Church connected themselves with it. Some of them were advanced in life and others of middle age. They were punctual and constant in their attendance, and con- tributed, by prayers, exhortations, and example, to its success.
Among those of this class who have passed away and whose names are fragrant in the memory of this meeting, may be mentioned, Wm. Tyree, Henry Keeling, R. L. Coleman, Chas. Wortham, Wm. Beale, John C. Franklin, Geo. W. Atkinson, James C. Spotts, G. R. Myers, Jas. H. Walthall, Albert G. Wortham, R. B. Tyler and others.
Of those who died in early life were Saml. C. Clopton, Wm. M. Gaskins, Geo. W. Keesee, Geo. M. Leftwich, Wm. Ligon, David R. Crane, John H. McCarthy, Henry M. Walthall, Ed- ward S. McCarthy, James T. Crane.
From the organization of the meeting, no portion of our membership have aided the Pastors more largely in all special and protracted efforts; and no other agency of the Church has been more potent in developing the gifts and piety of our young brethren.
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In its infancy, the Pastors, Deacons, and indeed many of our older brethren took a lively interest in its prosperity ; and were frequent in their attendance, exhorting and bidding our young men God-speed.
This meeting has been constantly held during thirty-eight years past, even while our city was besieged, and the roar of guns was heard. Those that have enjoyed its privileges ap- preciate them to some extent. But all that it has accomplished we can only know, when we join our loved ones in that better land.
LAST HALF DECADE OF THE CHURCH.
Dr. Burrows' "History of the Church," prop- erly closes its details with the year 1874. Some- thing should be said of the Church and its Ministry since that time.
For six months the Church was ably supplied by Dr. J. L. M. Curry, assisted by a brother- minister of the church. The Church would have unanimously numbered Dr. Curry among its Pastors, but he prevented the proposed in- vitation to its pastorate. For some three months, Rev. Duncan McGregor, of England, preached; and was subsequently "called " for twelve months. The call was not accepted.
Rev. E. W. Warren, D. D., began his minis- try here in March, 1876, and closed it on the second Lord's Day in October, 1879. At the " Centennial " he said that Dr. Burrows was the Paul, and Dr. Hawthorne the Apollos of the
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Church. What name would better suit himself than the John of the "Old First?" In an Au- tograph Album, presented to him the day after the celebration by the "Young Ladies' Mis- sionary Society," the writer noticed these in- scriptions : " A good Minister of Jesus Christ ;" " Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
Having referred to this "Presentation," which took place in the "Side Chapel," it may not be amiss to remark, that our good brother showed himself capable of saying pleasant with wise things on a pleasant occasion. A set of Reso- lutions had been previously sent him. From his reply, on receiving the Album, we copy these words : " In the Resolutions I received, you sent me the heart of the Society. In this beautiful Autograph Album, just presented through my beloved brother, Dr. Tupper, and which I accept with feelings of profound gratitude, you give me your several names, with many choice senti- ments and loving wishes for my future useful- ness and happiness. I bear in my own heart the photograph of each of you. So, having your heart, your names, and your photographs, I shall henceforth enjoy the privilege of being the rich possessor in its entirety of 'The Young
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Ladies' Missionary Society of the First Baptist Church of Richmond.'"
The speech was tender and loving-much in the vein of John, when he wrote: "The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth * * and now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new command- ment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments."
The following summary of his work in Rich- mond appeared in the Religious Herald of October 23d, 1879.
Not to praise him, but to tell what Dr. E. W. Warren has done in Richmond, and the spirit that moved him, as Pastor of the First Baptist Church, is the object of this article.
In the spring of 1876, he succeeded Dr. Burrows, now of Kentucky, a man cultivated, eloquent, successful, and pious. It took a man to fill his place. The congregations did not di- minish under the change, but on Wednesday and Sabbath evenings they grew in interest and numbers. The varied re- ligious efforts of the membership suffered no detriment. All church work went forward with unimpaired vigor.
During Dr. Warren's charge, three extra, or protracted, meetings were held, in which he did most of the preaching and labor. Over one hundred happy converts and the quickening of the Church are some of the results of the earnest, precious meetings. While he was connected with the Church, one hundred and thirty-four persons were received by baptism. If due allowance is made for diminutions by removals, and era- sures or " dropping " on account of unknown residence, the
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increase of the roll strength of the Church may be fairly stated at one hundred and seventy-five. The Young Men's Mission- ary Society of the Church has grown in zeal and activity. It supports a laborer in the State Mission field, and contributes annually three hundred dollars to the Baptist German City Mission. The Ladies' Missionary Societies are also doing a noble work. One of them supports a native Chinese mission- ary, and the other assumes five hundrd dollars of the support of Miss Stein, our accepted missionary to China. The Sunday- school continues large, flourishing, and efficient. The poor, sick, and bereaved have been tenderly cared for, and in his nine hundred annual pastoral visits, all hearts in our families have been won by the light and love and warmth which Dr. Warren's presence diffused. Evidently all his powers were consecrated to the cause of the Master, and his teaching and pure example stimulated the graces and developed the Chris- tian character of his flock.
* * * * *
He leaves the Church full, strong, united, active. The Lord has given him success in Richmond, and the Church which he leaves declares that they will "part from him with sorrow, and he will bear to his new field their undivided love, and also their prayers for his greater usefulness." The saintly Payson advised a brother minister, " Paint Jesus Christ upon your can- vass, and then hold him up to the people; but so hold him that not even your little finger can be seen." If our late be- loved Pastor had been so advised, he could scarcely more fully have followed the counsel, for he literally hid himself behind the cross. A MEMBER.
Richmond, Va.
Rev. J. B. Hawthorne, D. D., entered upon the pastorate of the Church on the first Sunday in December, 1879. The congregations have been very large. After crowding every pew, the Ushers have had to send many away for
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lack of seats. The spectacle of the galleries packed with young men is often thrilling. A new feature of the congregation is the large number of our most intelligent colored people who attend the worship. God has blessed the preached word. In a series of special meet- ings, conducted by the Pastor with skill and power, some forty were added to the Church by baptism-among the number, his own and only two children. In the Church and congre- gation and community, there is felt in regard to the new Pastor much of enthusiasm.
Dr. Hawthorne has been elected on the Boards of Foreign Missions, Richmond College, and the Richmond Female Institute. In the last institution, he succeeds Dr. Jeter as its President. It may not be an unpardonable offence against delicacy to add that Mrs. Haw- thorne has speedily captivated the hearts of the members of the Church.
The prosperity of the Church was never greater, if it is tested by the number and char- acter of its membership, the attendance on the devotional services, the activity of the Societies and the Sunday-school, the attention to the sick and the poor, and the harmony and love of the "Conference Meeting."
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In some respects, this last-named meeting is the most important of the Church. For the benefit of those who are unacquainted with the democratic polity of Baptist churches, each of which is independent, in government, of all other churches or church organizations, it may be stated that at this " Conference," as it is com- monly called, all business of the Church is openly transacted. All candidates for member- ship, if they do not bring letters from other Baptist churches, are examined; and on satis- factory profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus, are accepted for baptism, which admits them to the Lord's Supper, before which they receive "the right hand of fellowship," in token of their full membership in this particular Church ; all cases of discipline are reported and disposed of ; all plans for church work are dis- cussed and determined; all committees are ap- pointed, and make their reports ; and all officers of the Church are elected. To this meeting the Sunday-school, the Societies, and the Treasurers of the Church, make annual reports. This Conference is the Church in its organic and executive capacity. It has no legislative power ; but it has the power derived from God's word, to enforce the laws of the Head of the Church on
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its own membership, which recognizes it as the highest ecclesiastical authority. At such a meet- ing there will naturally be diversity of opinions and sentiments and speech; but the voice of the majority is the decision of all questions. The spirit of the body is as conservative and harmonious as it has ever been during its long and distinguished career of harmony and con- servatism. Its motto might well be the last text of the Pastor : " Faith, Hope, Charity- these three: but the greatest of these is Charity."
In this connection, and as the conclusion of this Memorial Volume, the following report, from the pen of James Thomas, Jr., Chairman of the Committee to nominate a Pastor, may be appropriately recorded:
" The Committee to whom you entrusted the important duty of nominating a suitable minister of the gospel for Pastor of this Church, have executed that duty to the best of their ability.
"We were guided in our decision by the past of this old Church,-now nearly one hundred years old,-the chief feature in whose long history has been its uniform harmony-having one heart, one mind, one way. Another marked feature has been the overflowing congregations of young as well as old, and the extraordinary additions to the membership, when the pulpit was filled by a preacher of great power and eloquence and zeal in winning men to Christ. From all we know and
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can learn of the Brother whose name we present, he can and, if obtained, will deepen and widen for the future these two main features in our past history, namely, brotherly love, and enlarged prosperity.
"We, therefore, unite unanimously in nominating Rev. J. B. Hawthorne, D. D., for Pastor of the First Baptist Church, with the earnest hope of his receiving the unanimous vote of the Church."
INDEX.
-
A
ABERNETHY, Alexander, 24, 25. Agassiz, Louis, 312. Allen, William, 145. Alvey, Laura, 100. American Bap. Miss. Union, 217.
" America's Contribution to the Wealth of the World," by J. L. Burrows, D. D., 18. Anderson, Jane L., 100. Anderson, Rev. Peyton, 226. Anthony, Rev. Joseph, 56. Apperson, James L., Treas., 155, 181, 235, 342. Apperson, Mary W., 99. Arnold, Benedict, 48.
Associations Bapt., Culpeper, Va , 63. Dover, 55. 57, 70, 119, 120, 214, 220. Elkhorn, Ky., 62. General of Virginia, 20, 32, 61, 89. Licking, Anti-Missionary, Ky., 62. Atkinson, Geo. W., 77, 97, 181, 342.
B
B›gby, A., 239. Baker, Rev. Elijalı, 56, III. Ball, Rev. Eli, 87, 272. Baptist Preacher, 126. Bargamin, Olivia, 100. Barrett, W. A., 341. Bayard, Chevalier, 307, 312. Beale, Wm., 342.
Belvin, John A , 338. Belvin, Mrs. John A , 238. Benedict, David, D. D., 214, 215. Berry, Miss Lelia, 239, 240. Bibb, Ann L., 99. Biblical Recorder, 80.
Blair, Rev. Mr., 67. Blenner, Rev. John, 102. Bodeker, H., 234. Bosher, Mrs. Elizabeth, 76, 105.
Bosher, Mrs. E. J., 240. Bosher, Mrs. Gabriella, 76. Bosher, Georgie, 100. Bosher, Robert H., Deacon, 12, 13, 38, 84, 156, 181, 183, 276, 341, 342.
Bosher, R. S., 234, 341. Bosher, Miss Sophie, 240. Bosher, William, 77.
Braine, Rev. Samuel, 70. Braine, Rev. William, 70. Braxton, Martha, 100. Briel, Mr. Barney, 144. Briel, Mrs. B., 144. Broaddus, Rev. A., 17, 28, 29, 43, 57, 69, 125, 241, 288. Broadus, John A., D. D., 244. Brockenbrough, Miss Sallie, 224. Brutus, 312. Bryce, Rev. John, 29, 69, 123, 125, 223, 226, 241, 288. Buchanan, Rev. John, 225. Buchanon, Rev. John, 51, 66. Burnett, James E., 98.
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Burke, Virginia, 100. Burress, Miss Georgia, 236.
lurrows, J. L., D. D., 13, 15, 18 21, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. 160, 170, 191, 204, 216, 221, 286, 292, 343 345. Burrows, Mrs. J. L., 221, 224, 238.
Burrows, Rev. Lansing, 101. Burruss, Mr. C. P., 340.
Butler, Frederick, 97. Butler, Thomas, 98.
C
Callaham, Miss Willie, 236.
Campbell, Alexander, 75, 156.
Campbell, Rev. Duncan R , 86, 225.
Carey, Rev. Lott, miss'y, 221, 222.
Carey, William, D. D., 193.
Carrington, Mis. Col., description of old Richmond, 51, 53.
Cary, Harriet, 99.
Cary, Howard H., 98.
Caster, Franklin, 98.
Caulfield, William, 97.
Chalkley, O. H., Deacon, 155.
Chamberlayne, Custis, 98.
Chandler, Christopher S., 98.
Chariton, Miss Jane C., 175, 176. Chase, Irah, D. D., 125. Chastaine, Rev. Rene, 61.
Chaucer, extract from, 67. Childery, Stephen, 77. Childs, Susan R. 99.
Choir, 24.
Churches, Baptist. Antioch, formerly Boar Swamp, III, 213.
Beulah, King William Co., Va., 79. Blue Creek, Ky., 115.
Blue Run, Orange Co., Va., 62.
Boar Swamp, now Antioch, III, 213. Bordentown, N. J., 77. Brashear's Creek, Ky., 114, 117.
Broad Run, Fauquier Co., Va., 64. Buckingham, Va., 61. Bull Run, Fauquier Co., Va., 64. Cedar Creek, Ky., 116.
Chesterfield, 59. Chickahominy. Va., 56.
Crooked Run, Culpeper Co, Va., 63. Dover, Goochland Co., Va., 55. Ebenezer, Richmond, 261. Elk Creek, Ky., 115.
First African, Richmond, 81, 85, 86, 225, 247.
First Richmond, 11, 28, 45. Constituent members of, 146. Members of, 1790, 1824, 68.
1835,77, 81.
1842, 86. 1849, 85. 1854, 95. 1874, 96.
66
State in 1780 and 1885 compared, 104.
Fourth, Richmond, 87.
Fox Run. Ky., 115.
Fulton, Richmond, 95, 225.
Georgetown, Kentucky, 87.
German Church, Richmond, 102.
Ghent, Ky., 116.
Goldsboro, N. C., 103.
Goochland, Va., 55.
Hicksford, Va., 103.
James City, Va., III.
Jefferson, Ky., 113.
Leigh Street, Richmond, 91, 225.
Long Run, Ky., 115.
Lower King and Queen, Va., 58.
Lynchburg, Virginia, 87.
Manchester, 95, 102.
Manchester, African, 86.
Meherrin, Lunenburg Co., Va., 61.
Mill Creek, Ky., 116.
Moratico, Va., 58.
Mound Bluff, Miss , 87.
New Bridge, Va., 78.
New Hope, Wash. Co, Ky., 116.
New Market, or Fourth, Phil., 71. Norfolk, Va., 125.
Nottaway, Va., 60.
Pine Street, Richmond, 95, 103. Piscataway, Essex Co., Va., 58. Port Wi.liam, Ky., 116.
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INDEX.
Powhatan, Va., 59.
Reeds, Caroline Co., Va., 58, 70. Rehoboth, King William, Va., 57, 118. Second Richmond, 72, 82, 86, 156, 158, 176. Second African, Richmond, 86.
Severns Valley, now Elizabethtown, Ky., 116. Sharon, King William Co., Va., 79. Shelbyville, Ky , 117. Sidney, Richmond, 9: , 225. Skinqnarter, Va., 59.
St. Stephens, King and Queen Co., Va., 78.
Third, or Grace Street, Richmond, 82, 86.
Tomahawk, Va., 59.
Upper King and Queen, Va., 57.
Venable Street, Richmond, 95, 159, 225. Vernon, Miss., 87. Clay, Rev. Eleazar, 59. Clay, Henry, 55. Clay, Rev. John, f. ther of Henry Clay, 55. Clopton, Betty, 100. Clopton, Judge. John B., 160.
Clopton,, Maria G., 99.
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