The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-12-07

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then assemble in the basement OF his
own residence, should he fail to secure
another place. He worked for the coIored
people in the Sunday school and read for
them IN the congregation before he was
ordained-while they were In their infancy
and unable TO procure minister. More
than that, he procured for them their two
first colored ministers NOW dead), the
Rev. Messrs. Josephus and Atwell. He
never lost interest in this work. and for
years after leaving Petersburg generously
contributed to its support. The credit
OF being one OF the founders
OF the coIored work in Peters
burg surely belongs to him. He was also
for many years closely identified with the
colored work in the diocese. The Bishop
had great confidence in his judgment, and
DIR. Weddell was one of his chief advisers
in the management OF this great work. In
deed, the colored man since his emancipa-
ton has always received DR.. WeddelPs
marked consideration, and few men have
done more to elevate that race than be.
ST. JOHNS, IN PETERSBURG.
There is still another monument in Pc
tersburg to DR.. WeddePs Christian work,
and that is st. Johns church, beautiful
chapel in the western part OF the city, OF
which Rev. Thomas Spencer is the rector.
Years ago he gathered around him few
Jealous workers and established a small
mission school on South street. II grew
in numbers until it became necessary to
look for larger quarters. A lot was pur-
chased on Washington street, and on this.
in the course Of time, handsome church
was built. TO this end DR.. Weddel's
time and labors and means were literally
contributed
DR.. Weddell in hours OF leisure before
and after he entered upon the ministry
helped his newspaper friends with contri-
buttons. and some Of the most delicious
humorous writings that have ever appeared
in the press OF this city or Petersburg were
the products OF his pen.
TEMPERANCE.
DR.. Weddell took great interest in the
temperance movement OF his day, and did
much for the advancement OF the cause.
He was largely instrumental in the or
ganiZation OF the order known as the
" Friends OF Temperance" and to his able
pen the order is in great measure indebted
for It's beautiful ceremonials. These were
prepared in Petersburg, mainly by himself.
A MINISTER IN RICHMOND.
In 1875 DR.. WcddelI, then a pastor Of a
church in lIarrisOnburg, was called TO the
rectOrship OF the historic st. Johns church,
i'm this city, TO succeed Mr.. Wall, and he
entered upon his ministry with great en-
thusiasm, and i'm short time had nearly
doubled the number OF communicates.
The walls Of this edfce which echoed the
voice OF Patrick Henry. in the patriot con-
vention Of 17Tj- sounding the keynote OF
the Revolution, "Giye me liberty or give
me death "-reSounded with DR.. We'd
ders impassiOned preaching. earnestly
calling sinners to repentance and feryently
describing the joys OF the true believer. He
made himself very popular, particularly on
Church Hill, and was especially success
ful in enlsting the young people in his
church enterprises. His health. however,
began 10 fail in the spring OF 1882, and
Rev. Mr.. Wharton was called in TO assist
HIM. and remained several months. Rev.
Mr.. Burch was subsequently elected assist
ant rcctor-l position he now holds.
lie was earnest, conscientious, and his
efforts were unremittlng. Greatly was he
blessed. Ii he had lived his distinction
and usefulness in the Church would have
been greatly advanced. His physical de-
velopment was greatly above that Of his
fellows, and his mental and moral promise
was equal to his remarkable powers in
other respects. He was the peer OF any
man in the ministry in the State, and the
Church OF which he was a devoted adhe-
rent sustains a great loss in his death.
The Funeral.
A meeting OF the yeStry OF -. Johns
church was held last night, and a commit
tee appointed to make arrangements for the
funeral, which will take place from that
church at 3 p. VI. tomorrow. Deceased
will be buried in It. Johns churchyard, ii
suitable arrangements can be made there
| for. This cemetery. after over a hundred
years use, was closed years ago as a burial
| ground, and intermentS can now only be
made there with permission of the city
authorities. That permit obtained. the
next thing to he sought will be a space
sufficiently large for grave. so thickly is
this cemetery dotted with the dead OF past
generations.
DR.. Weddell was member Of Richmond
Randolph Lodge, No. 10, A. +. and A. VI.
! Richmond Royal Arch Chapter, No. 3;
and Richmond COmmandcry, No. >. lie
was also member OF the Legion Of Honor.
Knights OF Honor, and Royal Arcanum-
endowment orders.