Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1838-07-21
TIE CHURCH WHERE WASHINGTON
WORSHIPPED.

SAs the stones themselves are into "rwin gone.
Who would have thought that these words could
have been applied to tho church in whose holy
shade Washington knclt and wOrshiped? Yot 50
it is.-That temple whose solemn pOrcbes were
made still more sacred by the remembrance Of the
Father Of his Country, is almost forgotten, its
asles are deserted and its roof shelters only the
beasts Of tho field! In the days Of chivalry, such
a spot would have been visited by pilgrims from
every nation; lamps would have burned ON its
affairs; rich curtains would have hung on ITS walls;
and music and perfume would have filled the air;
but, alas! the days Of chivaIry arc gone! Nay,
more than chivA'ry has gone, the deep reverence
for this pure aud great, Tor home and country has
gone with II.
We extract from the report Of the assistant
Bishop Of Virginia, made in May, 1888, the follow
ing touching account Of Washington's church. 1t
is similar to that Of many other Episcopal church
cs in Virginia, which Furnishing, are now
fallen into deep decay.
1t will be recollec,ed that the Episcopal church
was once established church in Virginia, and
it's communion decided majority Of the religious
portion Of that people. In their priests we may
utter incfiicacy Of am c>tnSsiehmcs.s..o give
energy to the church. But fear there is still
more seen in 1.-THE rapidly disasterous effects Of
slrrc institutions on the morals and character Of
the pccpic.-Wherc is the glory Of the Ancient
Dominion? Where are her Washingtons, her
Hcnrys, Lees, and Mladisons? Who could rccog-
their posieriy in the poor vascillatng poll
tIcians Of her present school?-'fhe glory OF the
church and Of the State have gone together.
! Gin. Chron.
! The next visit was to Pohick Church, in the
vicinity Of Mount Vernon, the seat Of General
Washington. I designed to perform service there
On Saturday well rs Sunday, but through some
mistake no notice was given OF the former day
The weather indeed such as to prevent the
assembling Of any but those who prize such occa
sions SO much be deferred only by very strong
IL ut~oU Il
preached the house and foand no one there. The
wide opened doors invited me to enter, as they Dc
invite day aud night thro1gh the year, not only
the passing traveller, but every beast Of the helt
and fowl Of the nir. These latter, however, seen
to have rcvercnced the house of God, since few
marks OF their pollution are TO be seen Throughout
it. The interior Of the house having been vel
built is still good. The chancc, communion ia
blcs Of the law, &C., still there and in goo
order. The roof only is decaying, aud Mt the tim
was there the rain was dropping on these sacre
places and on other parts Of the house. On tn
DOORS Of the pcws, in gilt letters, are still to b
; seen the namss Of the principal families whic
} once occupied them. How could |, while for a
least an hour reversing those long aisles, enter
ing the sacred chancel, ascending the lofty pulpit
torbear ask sand is this the house of God whic
was built by the Washingtons, the Masons, tn
McCarties, the Grahans, the Lewises, the FAN
faxes-thc house in which they used TO worshi
VI
? forms Of the Episcopal church, and some OF who's
names are yet to be seen on the doors OF thos
now deserted pcws2 Is this also destined
e mouldcr piccemeal away, or when some signal
: given, To become the prey Of spoilers, and to
carried hther and thither, and be applied to ever
: purpose under heaven!
b Surely, patriotism or reverence for the create
:, Of patriots, II not religious. might be effectual
> appealed TO in behalf Of this temple Of Go
The particular location OF il il 10 be ascrbed ii
: youthful Washington, who MT q very early ag
,. being an active member IL the vestry, when
u was under consideration and in dispute where
should be placed, carefully surveyed the Who
, parish, and drawing accurate and handson
II map oft with his own hand, showed clearly whe
Is the claims Of Justice and the interest Of religie
d required its erection.
N /, was to th. church that Washington, for
long series Of years, regularly repaired, at III
n lance Of six or seven miles, never permitting AT
s. company to prevent the regular observance Of Il
&c Louis dav-And shall il be permitted to sia
'e into ruins fog want IL fsw hundred dollars
= rest the decay already begun! The f.mli
n which wosshiPped there are indeed nearly go0
IS and those who remain are not competent to
8, complete repair. But there are immortal bcin,
IN around il, and not far distant from it, Who mig
be forever blessed by the word faithfully preach
10 therein.
al
:, It is said that cargo Of rye, faN Il small pc
4 has arrived in Boston. 1t 10 intended to be ma
b. into whiskey, swhomsoevcr drinketh, drinke
10 unto himself condemnation. Il Bangor Cosr