The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-05-20
fReported Tor the Disps,ch.J


DANvILLE, Nav IS. 1881.
The eigbty-sixth annual Council of TN
Diocese Of Virginia met IN Epiphany churcl
here to-day.
For the first time IN this generation. i
not the first in the life of the Church il
Virginia, the opening of the Annual C0un
Gil was united with the consecration OF tn,
editice in which it was to be held.
The history OF the Episcopal Church il
Danville may be said to date from the frs
coming hither Of its present venerable rec
tor, the Rev. George w. Dame, ID. D.. wht
since 1910 has labored in this town. Ii
1874 the first church was built. 1t occupied
the site CT the present one, and being founC
unsuitable for the growing congregation
was demolished in 1879, and the new build
ing erected. This has >ittings for nearly
six hundred persons, and cost something
more than $4,000, and not a dollar Is now
due upon ii. The architect is b. j. Black
Of Richmond, on whom the work reflect:
infinite credit.
CONSIDERATION SERVICES.
Long before 10 O'Clock, the hour for be-
ginning. the church was filled TO repletion
Precisely at that hour the procession
headed by the Bishop Of the diocese (Dr
Whittle), supported by the Bishop OF We>'
Virginia (Dr. Peterkin), entered the main
door of the church, Bishop Whittle read
Ing and the congregation responding in the
Psalm Ohe 24th) appointed in the cOnsecra
tion office. The Bishops were followed by
the Rev. George W. Dame, rector OF the
church, and his three sons: the Revs. VIII
liam NJ. Dame, OF Baltimore: Nelson p
Dame, of West River, Ind; and George
w. Dame, Jr., OF Clarksburg, W. Va. Then
came the Rev. Arthur ). Johns, OF Middle.
burg, and the Revs. y. A. Kinsolvng, Will
liam NJ. Clark, and W. +. Webb, Of Hall
fax the line being closed by the vestry OF
the church. who, like the clergy, all walked
in pairs. The Bishops and most OF the other
clergy toOks their seats in the chancel. the
vestry in chairs being ranged in front OF the
steps leading toward the chancel. The clergy
were all of course properly robed.
The service for conservation was then
proceeded with as usual by the Bishop, the
sentence OF consecraton being read by the
rector. The new church, IKE the old one
is to be known as the Church Of the Epipha
ny. Morning prayer was said by the three
sons of DIR. Dsme-as far as the Creed by
the Rev. w. NJ. Dame. and from the Cre"d
to the prayers by the Rev. G. W. Dame, Jr.
the Rev. NJ. P Dame reading the prayers
The interest of the occasion was heightened
by the excellent elOcution of these gentle
men. Three such readers in one family are
rarely found. The special psalms for the
occasion were the S4th, l22d, and 1921; the
lessons, |. Kings, viii, verse %, and He
brews, ", 1896.
OTHER SERVICES.
The eante-commuDion was given by Bishop
Peterkin, and the sermon preached by the
Rev. A. ;. Johns, on III. Kings, xviii, %. The
latter was fOrcible, instructive, and interest
ing. and admirably delivered, but not spe'
cially adapted 10 the occasion. The holy
communion service was then resumed
Bishop Whitte being the ceebrant, and
Bishop Pelerkin assisting.
The Rev. O. A. Kins0lving read the
PRAYER for the church militant, the exhorta'
lions and confession. Though the commu'
nIcants were, as usual on such occasions,
ONLY members Of the Council, the accus-
toned opportunity for the Withdrawal OF
non.cOmmunicants was not afforded. The
entire service was rendered in an impress
siye and beautiful manner, every part being
exceptionally well read. The interest was
heightened, too, by the exquisite singing Of
- Not Ashamed OF Christ" as solo during
the offertory, by Mr.. W. II. Grant, Jr., OF
Monumental church, Richmond.
The new church Il as handsome as any IN
the diocese, If not handsOmer than any. IL
is OF brick, rectangular, prettily succeed
like granite, and has graceful Splre and
cross. There il 4 recessioual chancel, with
handsome stalls, lectern, and pulpit in front
suitably arranged and equipped. The win
doWs are OF stained glass, and, like the fres-
Going OF the walls, elaborate and in beauti-
ful taste. The entire effect is altogether
pleasing, and it loses nothing by the pews
being curved so as better to front the chan
eel. There is no gallery except in the rear
OF the church. All the seats are free.
The church is very similar to st. Cathe-
rine's church at Montreal, and the interior
not unlike old Trinity
ehurch. on Broadway, near Wall street,
New York. The choir consisted OF Miss
Taylor. soprano; Mrs. Enright. contralto;
Mr.. Robert BrydeB, tenor; Mr.. w. a.
MILLER. bass: Mrs. A. X. Crews, organist.
During Mr.. Grants solo he was accom-
panied by Professor Reuckert. Altogether,
ibe music was highly satisfactory, and tue
chcrch fairly resounded with the great vol
ume OF sweet, rich tones which went up
Ir0Ra that immense congregation.
The C CsunetR-MOrnissg session.
At the conclusion Of the administration
)f the holy communion the Council was
,alled 20 order-Right Rev. r. M. Whittle,
D. d., LID. Bishop of the Diocese, pre-
iding; Rev. &. G. DashieII, secretary, and
Rev. Thomas spencer assistant secretary.
The secretary read the list Of clerical and
ay delegates, and II cergymen and 96 lay
delegates answered TO their names.
The Chair announced the following Com
1ittee on Credentials: Reys. Kebb White
nd Thomas Spencer, and Messrs. Il. A.
ra,cdao w A Rrocke brOuQh. and ID. III. |