Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-15
wAsHINGT0N,s HOME CHURCH.
An Historic Edifice I'm Alexandria that
L. in Need Of Aid.

WASHINGTON'S HOME CHURCH.
An Historic Edffice I'm Alexandria chat
II in Need Of Aid
Not to the Protestant Episcopallans alone,
but to the people Of America, an appeal is made.
for the preservation Of Christ church Alexan-
dria, Va, better known as "Washington's
church." At SO years Of age, in 1765, Colonel
George Washington was chosen fifth on its first
board Of vestrymen, and in 1870 the twin tablets
to the memory of George Washington and
Robert E. Lee were inserted in the eastern
WALL The edifice is in q good state Of preserva-
ton, but the congregation is poor and 1T is felt
that the work of putting it in repair should be
a national one. regard being had to its great
historic value. Of the sixty-fve families which
worshiped in the old church in 1908 all but nine
had disappeared from Alexandria before 1873.
Since Washington wOrshiped there the pulpit
and chancel have been altered and new pews in,
but WashingtOns pew, on the north side, next
the wall is still retained as it was. The bricks
Of which the church is constructed were brought
from England. 1t is stated that Washington
bought his pew for G36 los, and that the forty
other pews were allotted to the parishioners ac-
cording to dignity.
The history of the building after the war of
independence is very interesting, George WASH
ington was the first to set an example of lib
crafty toward the support of the church, for an
entry In the yestry book shows that he. with
seven other gentlemen. agreed that the pews
owned by them should be forever charged with
an annual rental Of 95. His own signature is
appended, and it is the only instance in which it
appears in the book. Under his patronage the
parish flourished during those years when many
others were in very depressed condition. Be-
fore 1900 the galleries were put in. In 1904
George Washington Parke Gusts presented the
parish Bible, published in 1772. which had
been the property of General Washington. In
1919 the altar was altered and new roof put
on. In 1910 an organ was introduced and Mrs.
Cook became sexton. She always locked the
doors of the pews after admitting the occupants.
A west aisle was added in 1911. and in 1912
chimneys were erected. In 1916 the bell was
purchased for S53S 81. In 1921 all the old
square pews were divided, WashingtOns among
the number. but it was restored in 1887, to soon
again be altered and again restored. In 1918
the steeple was erected. In 1920 the venerable
Washington Society secured permission to hold
its anniversary in Christ church. In 1853 gas
was introduced and i'm 1856 lightning rods
affixed. In 1867 the chancel was altered.
The Faithful Workman.
Several years ago a large number Of men
were employed not far from Boston to fill some
unsightly salt water flats and raise them above
Underwater. One day-it was II o'clock in the
forenoon-the contractor went out to where
separate gang were at work in building sea
wall, and when he reached the spot he found
solitary man busy on the face of the wall He
mad bucket OF cement and a trOwel, and was
engaged in pointing" the wall-that is, neatly
filling in the seams and interstices with bits of
stone and cement. 1t was nice work and re-
quired competent workman. But why was
this man here alone?
Where are the rest Of the workmen?"
tits IL o'clock. sir; and they've gone over to
old Caffertys after their beer"
Don't you ever go with them?"
NO. sir. In the first place, don't want the
beer; I'm better Off without it, And. in the
next place. can't make 1t seem quite right to
take time that is not mne'
You are right. young unexpectedly right"
And then the contractor looked the workman
over more critically. He was young-not more
than two or Internationally a strong we'll
Knit, handsome youth, with an intelligent face
and an eye as bright as sapphire.
Tell me. my friend" the contractor pursued,
after his survey, . If you have fixed upon this
course from any principle-that is, if you have a
reason for it ~
The workman looked for few moments
little puzzled. He did not at first catch the
contractors meaning. But presently his face
frightened, and he seemed to grow taller as he
answered:
"Ah see. You mean to ask me II l do this
because l think it is right ?"
The gentleman nodded whereupon the other
went on:
why, no. sir-I can't say it's exactly that.
I'd do right anyhow. simply because it is right
but l do this because l want. one of these DAYS,
to be sOmebOdy-tO succeed in business, to do
something better than working on level with
gang Of navvies."
Eyes, yes" added the contractor 81 think
we understand one another. Do you know who
ann"
''No, SIR"
"Well think once hired the man that
hired you. HOwever-yOu know where YOUR
contractors Ofice-where the paymaster's
of1ice-is?'
''Yes, sir"
''Then, my man, do you call there this even
ing, half an hour after you have quit work
here"
At the appointed time our young workman
presented himself at the office, where he found,
first. that 1t was his employer who had spoken
with him that forenoon; and second, he found
that said employer, or contractor, was in want
OF trusty agent into whose hands he could
consign the entire charge Of overlooking the
wOrkmen and the work. In less than q year
the young man owned stock in the ENTERPRISE
and in ten years from that day he was one of the
leading citizens of New Englands METROPOLIS
Neoo York Ledger.
Saf RAs