Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-06-12
Memorial Services.

Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
CLARKE COUNTY, Va, JuDe love at
tended the memorial services last Saturday at
"OId Chapel" in Clarke county, WHARF some
Of our Confederate dead lie. With drive OF
seven miles before US we started IN a cal riage
behind Gne pair Of horses, one OF them hand.
some enough TO attract attention 10 Central
Park and, With Two agreeable, cultivated gen
tlemen, found tho distance only too short. just
at this season the Valley is particularly lovely,
and 10 high state of cultivation, the road
winding between great fields Of nearly ripencd
grain, which, despite the croaking of the farm
ers promises an abundant harvest. Around US
! the mountains rose, from one side only faint
blue line observable, while from the other VIC
had full view tf the "Everlastiog Hills"
Nothing is so suggestive Of beauty, strength
and grandeur as are these mountains, resting
| the eye and quoting the heart by the picture
| they present of eternal rcposc. The only dampcr
| to cur drive was a wet c0uotenance, due to
| light rain which set 10 before We reached the
Church. This slight Inconvenience was soon
removed, and 10 safety we allPhtcd before the
venerable lie. We regret not to be able TO
give the year in which it was built, but from
| the exceeding primitVcDcss of its style cocieo
ture it to be among the oldest sacred edificcs in
our State. 1t is built Of limestone without
vestibule or covered doorway, two little WHO
dows aboutt two feet square, on Que side, and give
it singular appearance Ga entering We dis
covered that they were more for use than orDa
ment, and served the purpose OF lighting The
pulpit with light from heaven instead OF the
modern improved method of gas or candles.
The old fashioned pul pit surmounttd by a
sounding board, raised far above the coDgregs
ton, and the perfectly straight backed pcws,
form striking contrast 10 anything W. sec
now. days. There is mural tablet 10 honor
Of Bishop Meade, will! this insclptlon :
Sacred 10 the memory OF 1T. Rev William
| Meade, Bishop Of the Diocese OF Virginia
lie commenced bis pastoral duties IN thls old
chapel 10 the year 1909. and 10 the day CT his
death supervised the parish with patcrnaI IN.
tcrtst. Here he desired 10 lie down and rest
amidst the sepulchres of his cwn people, ii God
willed' We would have watched over his
crave with Glial care. But this privilege has
been denied, and 10 sad regret We can only pre-.
sent this little testimonial OF love and vtnerauon
to our Spiritual Father lie died in Richmond
on the 18th day Of March 1862 10 the 74,h
year of hi. age, and is buried in Hollywood
Cemetery"
The services were opened aud conducted by
Capt. VIM. N. Nelson. Of Wildwood, gcntlc.
man whose grace Of manner and dignity OF
character suited the occasion. Among the
prayers we noticed that for the "Presldent and
all in authority" followed Immediately by the
Collect "for that most perfect gift Of charity,
proving as it did, at such time, that as the
years 70 on We are learning, while We cooiouc
to honor those who gave their lives for tho
cause they deemed right, a higher, bolIcr, les.
son of forgiveness and charity. The roll OF
honor was called, one CT the saddest features
of the occasion, reminding those who survive
of the eager voices 80 quick to respond. now
silent forever. A poem by MIR. W. =. Carter
was read, 10 which the names of many OF our
heroes we're appropriately and beautifully men
toned.
The rain nterferfed with the regular outdoor
exercises of decking the graves, which Was done
without ceremony. The grave yard attached to
the chapel is worthy of notice. 1t contains the
grave of Eimuod Randolph, one of the mem.
bers of Gen. Washiugton's Cabinet, Sec
retary OF State. Bishop Meade's first wife is
buried there, and has an Inscription on her
tomb taken from the Apochrapha which VIC
can't recall. The grounds are beautifully kept
and many handsome monuments adore this
resiog place of the dead.