The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-17
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
THE KELLYS, OF CHARLOTTESVILLE

At the time Mr.. Kelly was chosen elder
it was the opinion generally, that if all the
gentlemen in the village were Christians,
Mr. Kelly was the most fit person for the
Office on account of his dignity and courte-
BUSINESS, and resoluto piety, and ability gen
orally to fill the duties of the eldership. In
his own opinion, he was chosen and accepted
because there was no one else to take the
place. The officeproduced no change In him.
His house had been for years the stoppln G
place for preachers of all denominations, and
for time the only one in the village; his
doors still continued open to all the minis
ters of God that chose to call. lie went on
with the Sunday School; and kept mp the
prayer meetings; and visited the sick; and
counselled those that desired word of ad'
vice. His alacrity was not stimulated oy
the office; but his sense of responsibility
greatly increased His religious principles
we're clear and positive; he knew what he
believed He had carefully read his Bible,
and as carefully the Confession of Faith OF
the Presbyterian Church, and its Form of
Discipline and Government. The Bible
made him a Christian; he had read it till he
must either bow to it, or tread it under his
feet; and he bowed to it. The Creed and
Forms and Discipline of the Presbyterian
Church, after careful perusel, seemed to him
most conformed to the word of God. So he
openly held himself believer and Presby-
terian.
AS the University expanded, and the
preparatory schools were opened in Char.
lottesville, the village increased in popula'
ton, and extended itself towards the great
seat of learning. Families of different de
nominations of the Christian religion came
into the village to partake of the advan'
tages. The success of the University was
equal to the highest expectations of the
founder; and he looked with increasing
kindness on the prosperous village.
The tone of discussion on the subject Of
religion now changed; from the inquiry
whether the religion of nature or philosophy
or the religion of revelation were to be pre-
ferred, to the no less exciting enquiry which
of the various denominations of Christians
was to be preferred. The former discussion
had been without clamor, and the stronges
movement against Christianity had been the
entire ignoring it's claims. In the latter
discussion men, women, and children could
and did engage, and with some spirit.
The court house was the only place O
public worship; and the different denomina
tions occupied it in rotation; sometimes two
or three occupying it on Sabbath at differ
ent hours. AS the cong, 'egations increased
in numbers and variety, there arose desire
for convenient church-bu ilding. Mr.. Kel
ly fell in with the thought that church
building of moderate size might be put VI
which all denominations might use as the.
had done the court house. Mr.. Jefferson
favored the design. He had been reading
his Bible and found much to admire, AM
anything he disapproved, he considered a
Jewish peculiarities; and if according to tn
feeling of the age, his neighborS wishe
for public worship with Christian form
he would join with them; occasionally di
meet with them. A discu ssion arose, VIII
should preach in the house when finished
Some said every one that wished to preac
might preach in it. Mr.. Kelly said, onl.
the accredited denominations of the Protes
tant Faith should use it. And finally, t
be more definite he named tn ese we'll know
in Albemarle, the Prcsbyteri; IN, the Episcc
palian, the Baptist, and the Methodist
This was thought by some to be too exclu
sive. Mr.. Kelly abandoned tn project, an
it soon was lost sight of in the whirl of un
settled minds and underlined thoughts Of
new and heterogeneous popula ton attempt
ing to act together; all having an opinio
sufficiently firm, and goodly n lumber wish
ing to take the lead; and in this case, as i
many others, the least capable of leadin
were the most clamorous to be heard.
Mr.. Jefferson became discouraged in hi
attempt to embody all the worshippers @
Christ in one company, or in one house, an
abandoned all further efforts, finding it eas
ier to manage the politics of the State, tha
the religion of Charlottesville. Though dis
appointed in the result, he yielded with goo
humor to this exhibition of the popular vii
About this time Mr.. William J. Armstrong
who had been preaching with great accer
tance in Charlottesville, expressed an inter
ton of returning to New Jersey. The men
bers of his church were greatly opposed t
his leaving them; and some gentlemen i
the neighborhood that had not made an
particular declaration on the subject of re
ligion, sent him letters expressive of thei
high appreciation of his ministerial services
and their desires that they might be contir
ued for the advantage of the public, whic
had already been greatly benefited. Mr.
Kelly entreated him to stay with her; ths
he was to her as son, as we'll as pasto
Mr.. Kelly, with great dignity and tende
ness, expressed his personal attachment, h
sense of the excel lence of his pulpit mini