The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-26
Religion in Iowa.

/
Religion in Town.
DUBUQUE, Iowa. June %, 1870.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
The past week was ushered in by Trinity Sunday
Services were held in St. Johns Episcopal church
both morning and evening. The service was read by
Rev. Mr. judd principal OF Lee Seminary and by
Rev. Charles L. Lymour, rector; sermons by the
Right Rev. Henry w. Lee, Bishop Of the diocese Of
Iowa. To say that both were deep. logical
and appropriate to the day, Is but plain fact The
whole was full OF glowing eulogIum Brilliant burn
Ing metaphors gushed forth at every sentence and
The ear and taste OF the most fasdidous rheorcian
found nothing wanting. In the evening the rite OF
confirmation was administered to eight-some in the
budding gushing days OF glrlhood, Others matured
strong, vigorous manhood, yielding himself willing
subject for mis- Lord and the Church.
hal ~ ee anu
selves with merit, from principal to pupil. Tues
day evening an essay was delivered by the Rev.
Samuel Edison, rector OF Grace church, Cedar Rap
ids, Iowa, clergyman OF distinction. His effort
was full of scholarly merit and most
admirably adapted to the occasion. which gave Inn
mense satisfaction. His people may well congratu-
late themselves upon the possession of so hearty
worker, and he that his Zines are cast In such pleas
places' for special Providence seems TO smile
upon the the people and beautiful city OF Cedar Rap
Ids. An original poem upon ''Woman" was read BY
levee was given to the Bishop by Reverend
and Mrs. Judd. IL was all that rare and costly
pldntS anu mowers, DrianC music ana rlcn song
could suggest to make 1t attractive. The music was
all exquisite but must speak OF the eighthand per-
Torrance Of four young ladies OF the school, charm
Ing song by Miss woodruff. or Independence, Iowa.
and OF the brlliancy OF song by Mrs. Charles Rogers
a petite brunette, who would do credit to an audi
ence Of any size that Parepa or Kellogg might. The
pubic schools are closing this week with examina
tons. All the schools have tine corps Of teachers.
Memorial Church to General Washington.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
a church memorial OF General Washington has been
suggested by some patriotic, and, we presume pous
lady in Philadelphia. She proposes build 1t in the
county OF Westmoreland Virginia, in which Wash
ingtOn was born. The idea strikes as being good
one and suggestive OF commendable spirit OF pa
triotism. Whatever feelings may have been pro.
duced by the terrOrs and suerings of the late war;
we cannot forget that those who regard the early
Revolution as the source OF all American prosperity
and happiness must attribute to that great and good
man more of the credit of than to any other
In contemplating his character and achieve
ments we lose sight OF more recent events.
All must delight to honor him, aud no one has ever
yet felt justified in refusing to pay tribute to his
memory. In colonial times there were five Episco-
pal churches in Westmoreland Pope's Greek church
was nearest 10 the birthplace of Washington,
ere rhe cnarcHes wers s
P0pes Creek, Round Hill Leeds. or these Bishop
Meade says, in his "Old Churches and Families Of
Nirginia':-"Wherea are now the venerable churches
Popes Greek, Round Hin, Nomn Leeds-where are
theyY Yeocomico only survives the general wreck.
or the old men, mansions, churches, &C.. we are
tempted say. Fut Hiiuna, ct tasgens gloria Oar
ddntuna. And yet we rejoice to think that new
ones have taken their places, In some respects bet
ter suited TO present times and circumstances.
Those who in the general detection have remained
true TO the Church are exertng themselves to repair
the waste places; and we trust there awaits for
WestmOreand a greater glory than the former.n In
regard to the new churches that have taken the
Even the spot where Popes Creek stood canno;
with certainty be designated. There are now no
Eplscopalians in Its Vicinity, and for the evidences
OF church there we must look only to history. IL
Is true that new comparatively brick church has
been butt on the site OF the Old Nomn church, but
none upon those of the others. A few Episcopal
churches have been built IN other places In the
county, but these are languishing and show but few
signs q Vitality Indeed when one looks over the
past history or Virginia. her churches her Institutions
and her once proud POSITION the exclamation seems
involuntary "fua I1tu'a, 60 tngens gloria Dar.
ddnt,tn." At one time every county had its mas
sive Episcopal church, built in the most substantial
manner, showing them to have been the religious
sort sort Tor the people OF wealth and standing in the
leaving no stone to mark the spots from which
earnest prayers once assembled to heaven. Even the
materials OF the new churches, SO unsubstantal,
seem to say, ave are rapidly passing away and
the Episcopal Church In Virginia Will be no more"
Many counties In which In former DAYS there were
several Episcopal churches now have none and com.
paratlvely few OF their Inhabitants can point
stranger TO any spot where there was once one. In
has occurred to us that If there is really any desire
upon the part Of the American people TO build a
church in memory Of Washington no place could be
more suitable than the site OF Yeocomico church,
and instead of building new church repair this
one or course popes Creek church, having been
the place OF resort OF the Washington family, that
spot would naturally suggest itself as the
one most suitable. But there are no Epis-
not be attended, Washington used to
attend fe0comic0, and tradition says he was bap-
tlzed there Being the only old church left in the
AMI ri atn Mo cn
Tor those who are idUddtores e'pOris dct to cOnse
crate TO the memory OF an early and attractive epoch
Ihis church Is now out OF repair but by recent es
innate OF an English architect, who has settled in
put it IN perfect order. The original wall surround
ing the yard OF the church is in good repair AMI
averages about four feet OF thick, solid masonry The
church was built in 1706 Over door In the bricks
is cut rose over another the Scotch thistle In
1913 Captain William L. Rogers, OF New Jersey, OF
the Thirty sixth regiment Of United States infantry
Colonel Carberry) came TO the county with his COM
pany TO watch the movements OF the enemy on the
Potomac. Alter remaining on the river for time he
moved back into the forest for better camping
ground, and CHANGING to pass along the road on
which this church stands and being attracted by
the lovely site OF the old church, pitched his camp
there 1t was then not used and was RAPIDLY going
TO decay. AT once the soldiers were set 10 work TO
clear away the rubbish and repair the damages Of
time and neglect az far as they could. When this
company left there was care for the church.
and again the hand OF decay and ruin fell upon it.
In 1870 Captain Rogers again returned TO the county
and visited this place, which had become spot OF
great interest TO him. Finding the church still
gong down. he suggested the idea OF thor
oughly renovating it to Mr.. John Murphy,
IA scotch gentleman rom Ayrshire, living ut
Ayrield, balf mile distant from Old Yeoconiiso,
whose estate or some thousands Of acres surrounded
me church and burial ground on all sides;n aud
they interested others, ana by their united efforts
pat The church, yard ana wall in good order. Since
then nothing OF consequence has been done TO it, but
OF such substantial material is 1t built that the walls
and timbers are in perfect repair Captain Rogers
Is now Dead but this church is and always will be
pace OF great interest TO his family, still residing In
New Jersey (PrlncctonI. There Ii another Northern
family whose early history is Intimately connected
with this Old church. IL Is the family OF the late Dr.
Jonn Augustine Smith, of New York-a gentleman of
The old school, learned, cultivated and fenneo. In
the year 1913 and IN l776 we are told Rev. Thomas
smith was its minister and either "before or after
HIM rev. Augustine Smith was its minister These
minister's had charge OF the two churches in Cope
parish - feOcOmiCO AMI Nomlni--and resided M the