Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-05-31
TRINITY CHURCH AND CHURCH
YARD

Broadway, waiting for the crowd to move
forward through the doors into the grand
old church.
II was perfect Easter Sunday, bright
with golden sunshine and blue sky, and
the very air seemed filled with the JOY OF a
living hope and risen Christ, so that,when
we entered the editice, where the sunbeams
streamed through the windows In floods OF
blue. crimson and gold, and the anthems
burst forth in thrining harmony, and the
beautiful. service commenced; it all was
scarcely more impressive and solemn than
the picture outside, made. by light and
shadow, which rested so tenderly on tow
err and arch, aud more gently still on slab
and monument, suggesting the darkness OF
death and the glory of resurrection.
The alter was profusely decorated with
/ flowers, trailing smilax, snowy azaleas,
/ fragrant hyacinths, waxy tube roses with
their heavy perfume, and fairer and more
exquisite than any others, the pure Easter
[ lilies, in baskets, boxes, vases, and all i'm
I aginable designs. About the foot OF the
reading desk. which is a large golden eagle
with outspead wings, standing upon gid
ed column, were heaped rosebuds and
white carnations in profusiou. The large
stained glass window, through which the
light fell on the rare blossoms, and the
richly carved uredos below were the gins
OF VIM. b. Aster, who is buried beneath
the alter.
During service, my glance fell upon an
I illustrated tablet on the wall in front Of
me. bearing in letters of gold upon black
ground the inscription "In memory OF the
Rev. Alexander Davidson. Chaplain at
/ Fort Columbus, New York Harbor, who
died of Yellow Fever, September, 1870.
Though absent on sick leave when the dis
ease broke out, he came back and while
ministering to the sick aud diving, was
himself struck down and thus gave his life
for his brethren. The tablet is erected by
the Vestry Of Trinity Church in affection
ate remembrance OF a brave man and a
faithful servant of Christ" read il again
and again, forgcttnl OF minister and service,
and yet those simple words telling the
story OF duty done were more powerful
than any sermon could possibly be.
In the rear Of the church is a memorial
OF Percival Drayton. Captain in L. S. y,
who greatly distinguished himself at Port
Royal, Sumptcr and Mobile; and near by
another to WIN. Berrian, thirty years
rector OF Trinity. Wise, meek, gentle.
kind, pure, devout."
The history OF Trinity dates back to the
early days OF New York, and is closely in
terwoven with some Of the most stirring
and famous local and National events IT.
erection was commenced in 1890 under the
fostering care OF Gov. Fletcher, who had
arrived in New York only the year before,
and who always attended divine worship
in 1t, accompanied by all the dignitaries
sent over by his Most llustrious Sovereign,
T w illldui III NIUE VI PNNN'"NNf
France and ireland, and Defender of the
Faith.
Ii was small building in Gothic style
ofarchitecture aud could not accommodate
the people, a. the city began 10 Increase in
population, so II was enlarged in 1875 and
again two years later, showing how num-
erous were the admissions 70 membership
in that period. During the terrible fire OF
l776, which laid the west side OF Broad
way from White TO Barclay street In ashes,
the church was destroyed but handsome
building OF stone was erected on the same
site This was demolished some time
later, being considered unsafe, and the
present magnificent structure arose In its
place II is in the Gothic style, built of
rich. New Jersey brown stone, deliberately
carved and cost s3jS, G29. The parish OF
Trinity Is enormously wealthy, owning
large tracts OF land In different parts OF
the city, so that its income for 1880 was
half million OF dollars.
As We came out OF the church we went
into the adjoining churchyard, and, follow.
ing the well worn path, soon stood by the
grave of the unfortunate Charlotte Temple,
on which some thoughtful person in men,
DRY Of the day, had placed few sweet
flowers and short poem written in free
hand on q card. intended TO copy it but
when went for that purpose early Monday
morning 4 relic hunter probably had car
ried il away. Two tablets, one OF marble,
the other OF brass, have been stolen from
the large brown tomb stone that lies upon
the surface OF the ground. II is supposed
thay were moved by some of her high born
English relatives, who were unwilling she
should share their names even in death.
Although century has elapsed since the
young life went to read her pardon in her
Sayior's face, her sad story is still remem-
bered and the lone grave not forgotten.
Near the railing next Broadway are the
three oldest slabs in the yard, one erected
in 1851, another in 1891, and the third in
I 1892, and just across the path is bronze
stone, which is quantity inscribed as fol-
lows:
Here Ives the body OF sidney B,
who died in 1867.
Made by his own hand.
Hs, sidney, sidney,
Lyest thou here?
], here I've till time is flown
Many of the epitaphs are curious enough,
and several of those so often printed in
newspapers are engraved on these weather
beaten stones.