Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-04-28
niOu aud dispatch.
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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN sHEL-
RYVINIF
Correspondence Union and Dispatch.

| Correspondence Jnt0n and Dispatch.
SHELBYyILLE TENN., April %, 1867. -
Il is both a matter OF surprise and graiiii-
cation 10 notice with what rapidly the
Episcopal Church in this place has grown
within the last four months, FROM faithful
two or three that used to- assemble and
meet together to "hear His holy word, - to
congregation of goodly size From A
lukewarm few we have grown within q
very short time TO devoted and Jealous
many, so 10 speak.
We have now a neat aud tastefully built
house Of worship, well furnished and beau
tifully located l might here add that the
erection & the church and its hourishing
condition al present IL attributable, in a
great measure, TO two highly esteemed gen.
tlemen Of this place, than whom none can
be more kindly remembered in connection
with their devotion to this cause so holy,
from its very origin, Messrs. VIM. Costing
and Edmund Cooper. These are our credi-
tors for debt Of gratitude which we can
never relieve until there be added TO our
thanks that glorions reward in heaven,
which will surely fall upon them, for this
act of their lives, so commendable in the
sight Of God. We have regular morning
and evening services on every Lords day
and other holy days.
We have permanently secured the seryi-
ces of a rector, 10 whom we are able to pay
a salary, which, in addition to his income
from a flourishing school, Of which he is
principal, gives him comfortable support
The services on Easter day, just passed,
was a source Of the sincerest pleasure and
thankfulness to thoseof this parish who have
had its growth and welfare at heart, inasmuch
as the services, the numbers present, their
devotion and zeal on the occasion, and not
least, the beautiful and appropriate manner
in which the church was bedecked, in an
attire of beautiful flowers and evergreens,
to show the general JOY of this glorious an
niversary. Twas an unmistakable evil
denee ofboth the spirit and temporal growth
and improvement Of the church in this
place. The parish is in flourishing con-
ditiOn, and the "Church Of the Redeemer,"
a branch Of the Holy Church Universal,
has become one Of the fixed religious insti-
tutions Of the land.
This gratifying prosperity is attributable
10 a great extent TO the indefatigable ener-
gy and devotional zeal Of Rev. III. P. Hay,
u. ID. L. l.. d., who has been called to thiS
parish. After the death of Rev Mr.. Smith,
the former rector of this parish, everything
relapsed into apathy and lukewarmness,
but DIR. Hay, by his Characteristic energy
and untiring zeal in the cause of Christ,
has aroused the members of the parish
from their lethargy, and infused into them
a renewed vigor, and has brought, and is
bringing daily new members into the little
flock.
DR.. Hay is eminently the man for us.
He is a learned man, and his discourses
are both pleasant and instructive. His two
sermons on Easter day, cannot well be sur
passed. he is a faithful and devoted dis
ciple of the meek and holy Lamb, and
never tires in laboring to the advancement
of the interests of the church.
DIR. Hay is also a valuable acquisition to
our community as well as 10 our church.
He has, for several months, been principal
OF Dixon Academy here, and is now Presi-
dent of the Bedford University,1 recently
chartered by the Legislature. Good schools
have been much needed here, and if the
people will but support DR.. Hay with their
patronage, he will make Bedford Univer-
sity not only an honor 20 our town and
county, but also brilliant light in the ed
vocational history Of the South.
Respectfully,