The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-04-10
The New Pastor OF the Monumental
S,hureY,...Fscy. r. 81. Armstrong;.


| have icalled Rev. j. G.&Armstrong, Of st.
Matthews parish, Wheeling; w. Va, to fill
the pulpit made vacant by the death Of
Rev. George Woodbridge, D. D., and he
has accepted the call. The first official in
formation. of Mr. Armstrong; decision to
come to this venerable parish was received
Yesterday about noon in telegram ad-
dressed to Mr. Thomas Potts, which read {:
WHEELING, w. Va, April 8, 1873.
/" Thomas Potts, RichTond, Pa.:
I accept the call, subject to the approval
OF the Bishop. Will write.
aJ. G. ARMSTRONG;"
Mr.. Armstrong was called by the vestry
about two weeks ago, and a committee then
appointed to communicate with the reverend
gentleman by letter the desire OF the yes
try that he should fill the vacant rectorship
and administer to the spiritual welfare Of the
Monumental congregation. At that meet
ing it was agreed that the fact Of Dir.
Armstrong; having been invited to
come among US to live should be kept
quiet until he had definitely decided the
matter one way or the other. 1t was pretty
generally believed, however, that he had
been called. Subsequently information was
received that he had positively declined to
accept the rectorship OF the church, and his
many warm friends here were in conse-
quence greatly distressed. They knew his
worth, appreciated his eminent abilities,
and felt that he would be great acquisi-
tion to the Diocese of Virginia as well as
to the old church, whose flock was without
a pastor. The committee appointed to write
to Mr.. Armstrong, however, appointed a
sub-committee, composed Of Messrs. IL. D..
Whitcomb and Peter 81. Mayo, two OF MIR.
Armstrong's warmest admirers, to Visit
Wheeling, and endeayor to present the case
to him in such light that he could not
longer decline to come to Richmond. Inese
gentleman lett the city on Friday morning
last and proceeded to Wheeling. where they
very faithfully executed the trust conhded
to them. So we'll performed was the duty
that no doubt Mr.. Armstrong was lnaucea
TO reconsider his former action. and hnaEy
accept the very cordial invitation that hao
been extended to him.
The congregation Of the Monumental ana
their pastOr-elect are probably mutually
pleased with The result-the former be-
cause Mr. Armstrone's surroundings III
Wheeling have been Of the most agreeable
character. Rector as he was OF a prosperous
church, whose membership is very large,
and living in community where he is uni
versaily popular and dearly loved, 1t was
not singular that he should desire to remain
there. On the other hand, it was an undoubt-
ed compliment to him to be called to ill Dr.
Woodbrldge's pulpit, man around whom
there clustered the Warmest attachments,
both in his congregation, home. and social
circle, and who was such IN eminent theo-
logian, and whose services were so unlVer-
sally acknowledged and admired.
Mr.. Armstrong is native OF Ireland, we
believe, and is probably about forty or
forty-tiye years OF age. He was educated
at Trinity College, in Dublin, and at an
early age came to the United States as a
Presbyterian minister. At later period
he studied for the Episcopal ministry, was
ordained to the priesthood, and has for
the past four or five years been rec
tor OF St. Matthews parish, Wheel
ing, q new and handsome gothic church.
He is regarded as an eminent theologlan.
most eloquent minister. and KIND ana
loving pastor and friend. Socially MIR.
Armstrong Is a most agreeable companion,
and will prove asvaluable accession to this
community. His labors have been attended
with fruitful results in his recent held,
where he spent much OF his time among the
workmcr who came over from England,
and who are prosecuting their duties IN the
vicinity OF Wheeling.
Mr.. Armstrong is married and has one
child, q daughter, about thirteen years OF
age. His wife is an accomplished, attrae.
tive, and beautiful lady, native OF Yer
mont, but who moved to Ohio when seven
teen years OF age, where she lived until
married to Mr.. Armstrong.
Mr.. Armstrong will hardly be able to re-
move to Richmond until after Easter. In
the mean time efforts will be made to secure
the services OF Rev. Dir. Stringfelow, who
oflieiatcd so acceptably on Sunday Lass.