The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-07

Passing along Washington street, the otl
er day, paused before old Christ Church
one of the most venerable edlfices in vi,
ginia, and remembered how often l had, i
the olden time, turned my footsteps up tn
gravelled walk from the thoroughfare, to it
doors; and with what pleasure I always en-
tered the sanctuary and attended the servi
ces there. 1t is an ante-revolutionary reli
built when the original States were colo
nles-the very bricks having been, 1 believe
imported from England It is as are al
the Colonial Churches in this State, plain
but substantial and we'll constructed edifce
large enough, even now; and its solidity il
such, and it has been so well cared for. anc
so we'll used, that its walls bid fair. to al
appearances, to outlast many of the most
pretentlous church edifces, erected long
since Its foundations were laid. Are there
many Aiexandrians left who recollect the
bare brick aisles-the square, high backed
Pews-the sounding board over the pulpit.
and all the other accessories of an old Eng.
lish parish church I find, in accordance
with modern taste and fashion-and will
hot say, whatever may think, aught in Oh.
position thereto-that the aisles are now
carpeted-the pews re-modelled and re-
formed-and the sounding board is gone
One thing remains, and looks much like il
used to look-and that is, the quiet church
yard, where "the forefathers of the hamlet
Sleep" and through which the pensive citi.
zen or the wandering pilgrim may vet walk
and muse, with all the holy influences of the
place surrounding him. Some of the form
er graves, in the progress of years, have
been levelled-but number still show their
hliiocks above the green turf-and the head
stones tell that those who rest beneath are
not IN the memory of the present generation.
l nave two little brothers there-infants
when they were "called from earth to hea.
ven''-whose faces never saw; but, if a poor
sinner can express such a hope, may recoe-
nize them, hereafter, in another and better
world. The first Rector of the congregation
worshipping at Christ Church whom I re.
member, was Rev. Mr.. Norris. He was a
most esteemed gentleman, beloved pastor
ana an excellent preacher. Though no ora
tor, ne was always impressive in his dis.
courses, sound in his doctrines. and persna.
slve IN his appeals. For number of wears
ne ofhcated to the entire satisfaction of tho
congregatlon-and at bis death the voice of
mourning went up from all who had known
him. irrespective of creed or sect. He was i,
succeeded by Mr.. Griswold, who died at an
early age, having given promise of being
distinguished in his vocation.
Christ Church has something of a nation. .
al fame, as being the:Church where General !.
Washington held family pew, and which :
ne attended whenever he came up to town .
or worship on Sundays; and which pew is !
till preserved, marked with plate, bearing ;,
he name of its former illustrious owner !.
t remained in the possession of the Mount ;,
ernon family up to the time when I left 9;
and is an object of interest to :,
I'll strangers looking at the antiquities of the -
I'D town. ;,
Is any body lett, who remembers the old ~
exton, Mrs. Cook-the terror of ill behaved =,
Joys, the faithful guardian of the church E,
building and grounds? She lived, (much -
espected by the ladies and gentlemen of the ~
in frame house, at the cor =,
Ter of the Church alley, fronting on Wash. -
ngton street, now pulled down. We have -
20 parish beadles, in this country: but :.
ave thought that she was the nearest to !.
hat official in her idea of the dignity and :,
Importance of her Office, that l should ever M
ee. l believe her honest opinion was, that !
he Episcopal Church was the only church l.,
yorth talking about on the face of the earth. !,
ne Christ Church people the only people de. \,
srving of moments attention, and the ~
hrist Church building not inferior in gran 80
eur, Certainly not less worthy of respect.) 81
St. Peters at Rome, or St. PauPs in Lon. NJ
IN. have had many a chat with her, s.
hen she was complaisant, and was dutiful ~,
ID mot Wild" and she could always give G.;
e interesting anecdotes of the ministers II,
fore Mr.. Norris time, to say nothing of or,
casional descriptive notices of sundrv of on