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

nv A'a" W "oloCbioH I'd receive ana atten
to the suggestions of the rector himself abou
Ichurch matters, but that he positively obiee
ted to the constant interference of the Benc
r of Female Bishops, who seemed to usur
!. authority, and to desire to regulate the ten
poral affairs of the parish" This was i
= alluslon to some excellent ladies, whose yea
sometimes was probably greater than thei
Judgment. The ladies of the congregation
tell me that to hint such thing as applica
9 Die now, would be scan naag-and that th
5 Female Bishops" have been abolished.
The other Episcopal Church was st
PauPs, situated on Fairfax, between Prime,
and Duke streets. Subsequently, the presen
handsome and commodious Church for thu
congregation, was erected on Pitt street
The Rector was the Rev. Mr.. Wilmer. HI
was man Of marked and decided charac
ter; active, energetic, and determined; a
sincere Christian, we'll read scholar, good
theologian, and devoted to the principles
and creed of his church. lie stood high in
the Virginia diocese, and many thought. if
ne had lived he would have attained in due
time, to any post of ecclesiastical distinction.
which ne might have been willing to accept
lie soon formed large congregation-his
church was one of the most hourishing in
the diocese-his sermons attracted attention
for their general excellence, and were al.
ways listened to with pleasure as valuable
lessons in religion. Before the EPISCOPAL
Seminary was established near this place
Mr.. W. had frequently young men prepar,
ing for the ministry, under his instruction
His fame extending, he was invited to accept
the Presidency Of the venerable College of
William & Mary, at Willamsburg-and he
finally concluded to undertake that CHARGE. /
In short time, under his auspices, the in
stltutlon began to revive and prosper. But.
in the midst of his labors and usefulness. be
was seized with illness, and so % died. The
news of his death was received in Alexan.
drla with great grief. He was succeeded. I
believe, by Rev. Mr. Jackson, very elo-
quent preacher. highly acceptable to the
The Roman Catholic church was, at thu
lime OF which l write, small building. the
entrance to which was court leading from
Duke street, between Royal and Fairfax
streets. The present handsome church, from
ing on Royal street, is partly ON the site of
ne old building and is really an ornament to
he town. The priest best remem bered bv me
vas the Rev. Mr.. Baxter, S. j. This very
earned and accomplished scholar, in addition
his own regular congregation, had almost
very Sunday number ofpersons Of other de-
nominations to hear him, who were always
'ieased with his natural eloquence and the
manatlons of his gifted mind. The famous
theological controversy which he carried on {
With Mr.. Wilmer, he adopting the signature g
M. B., and Mr.. Wilmer that of Oumro.
omewhere about the year lS1S-'l9, through (,
he columns of the Alexandria Gazette. ex.
tied interest all over the country. The let. Il
BIS of these gentlemen were acknowledged. I
all hands, to be of great ability, and the N
lscussion was considered to have displaved d
ore research. ingenuity and argument than
g often exhibited. While the disputants
ere generally courteous. there were coca. l
onal'y sharp passages and keen encounters. Il
hich it was thought would affect the per. D
nal relations of the contestants but have g
card, after the controversy was over. the V
'rtleS met and resumed their friendly de. i
rtment towards each other. The demand A
this discussion was so great, that the let b
rs OF Qu@ro and M. B.. were afterwards A
liected, published in pamphlet form. and CO
d large sale. They are still to be found III
many theological libraries. Mr.. Baxter
Is very popular in his manners, and liberal We
the expression of his sentiments, and had all
large circle Of friends, in and ont Of his of
ngregation, when he was called from St. N,
ary's church to another situation. hi
The old Presbyterian church was at the La
Wer end of Fairfax street, and the present wi
lldlngls upon the same ground occupied en-
the former one, which latter was burned In
wn not many years ago. am glad the we
aggregation determined, in these DAVIS IF WI
ange, not to move their land marie n