Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-10-23
Chinese Christians i'm the West Indies

The Demerara Royal Gazettee of recent
date publishes long account OF the proceed
ings connected with the laying the foundation
stone of a Chinese Christian church by the Gov
ernor. "The CEREMONY says the Gazette,
attracted more attraction than might have
been expected from so modest an effort on the
part OF few Christians to provide themselves
with small place OF worship. But the fact
that Christianity had made SO much progress
among our immigrants from Chiua that the
erection of church for public services In their
own tongue should have been proposed by
themselves seems to have taken the commuul-
ty by surprise. From the time of the first In
troduction of a small body Of Christians, sent
to the colony in 1868, under the auspices of
the Rev. Mr. Lobschied, there seems to have
been quiet work going on, mainly through
the euergy Of the converts themselves As
soon as their wish TO have a church of their
own was announced the Governor at once took
a lively interest in the project, and consented
to take prominent part 10 the proceedings.
1t was arranged that the ceremony on the
ground should be preceded by a solemn service
in St. Philips Church Long before the hour
appointed this spacious building was filled; aud
certainly strange sight it was to see In
Christian congregation so large a number
nearly three huudred-ot Chinese faces. a
procession was then formed consisting Of the
choir and large number of clergy, with the
whole body of Chinese, accompanied by their
catechists, from the church to the site Of old
ST. Philips.
The frame from which the stone was sus-
pended was beautifully decorated With flowers
the work, we understand, OF the Chinese
themselves; and after the customary prayers
and blessings the stone was lowered and set
iu its place by the Governor. The Governor,
after laying the stone in the usual manner IN
a few earnest words gave expression to the
crest interest he took in the work, and alluded
to its exciting more than ordinary interest
from its very novelty. He said: The work
which we have this day commenced is one well
fitted to strike the imagination even oil the most
Indifferent. 1t is not merely the fact that this is
believe, the first church erected in the west
ern world for the use of Christian Chinese, but
it is a fact that there should be in this country
sufficient number of Christian Chinese to de-
mand for their own use church In which the
services of religion shall be conducted 10 their
own ancient language.
FIRST BLoop OF THE REVOLUTION. "A cor
respondent at East Westminster, Vermont, OBJ
tained from Mr.. Richmond, sexton, whom
he interviewed in the cemetery, the following
facts:
Mr.. Richmond said that in '745 the Wings
and Tories were about equally divided, the
Judges and jurles being appointed by the king.
The British authorities attempted to hold
court 10 the court house, then standing about
forty rods north of the cemetery. The colon
lists were bound that no court should be held;
SO they armed themselves and attacked and
drove the court from the court house. La re-
turn, the British soldiers attacked the colon
lists, aud a man named William French fell
r. H. - tlo I'D al
tioughtou was fatally wounded
This was the first bloodshed of the Revolu.
ton. In 1872 the State of Vermont appropri-
ated 5000 for monument which now stands
about six feet from the place where French
was buried. A gentleman, by the name OF
William c. Bradley, formerly Congressman
from Vermont, q few years ago erected tomb
almost over the grave of French, hence the
reason of the monument not standing over the
grave A small slab stands within foot Of
the front side of the tomb to tell the exact spot
of the grave, aud on it is the following inscrlp-
ton:
SIN memory of William French,
Son of Nathaniel French,
Who was shot at Westminster,
March we 18th, ITS.
by the hands of the Cruel Ministerial tools OF
George ye Sd,
Ia the Courthouse at IL Clock at night,
in the 22d year of his age"
Below this are the following lines:
Here William French his body lies;
For murder bis Blood for VeDgeucie cries
King George the third his Tory crew
That with bawl his heart Shot threw,
For Liberty and his Country Good,
he lost his Lite, his Dearest blood
The above is an exact copy, capit''s end all.
As a good many think that the ilst uiood flowed
at the battle OF Lexington, this may be interest.
ing to them, for it certainly was to me. A build
ing erected in ITO, FIVE years before the bat
tie. is still standing. 1t was erected as Con-
gregatioual Church. but is now used as a town
house, and is in good repair.
d.. Dn1cnN A II