Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-05-19

on tue Wotk---only one PeIsV" W.
long time having been ordained, and ne
from . distance, and q most anwer-
thy OMIT created surprise, and was :
matter Of much conversation when u
was understood that young Srginian
had entered the ministry Of the Episco-
nal Church. Even some years after
this, whom applied 10 Judge Marshall
for a subscription to our Theological
Seminary, though he gave with his ac-
customsd liberality, he could not re-
frsin from saying that il was hopeless
undertaking, aud that II was almost
unkind to induce young virg'aians to
enter the Episcopal ministry, tho Church
being too far gone ever to be revived.
Such was the general impression among
friends and foes.'
At that time there was only one
church building in Richmond, and that
used only occasionally. The reader
will, Of course, understand that this
was st. Johns, then known as the
church on Richmond HILL"
1t was in this year that the Menu
mental church in Richmond was ad-
mitted into union with the Convention,
and its rector, the Right Rev. Richard
Claiming Moore, ID. d., Of the city OF
New York, elected bishop. Biskep
Moore made his first report to the Con-
vention which met here in 1915, at
which time there were only about Geo
communicates in the diocese, 200 con-
firmations, and 200 baptisms. Up to
1914 the conventions had been held IN
the Capitol building. In 1915 and IN
1916 they were held in the Monumental
church, and in 1917 that Convention
met in Fredericksburg.
INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING--BIsH-
oPs MOORE AND MEADE.
The Theological Seminary Of Virginia
was begun in 1921, and located at Al
exandria, prior to which time there
were a few theological students edu-
Gated for the ministry at Williamsburg.
The first graduate OF the seminary was
the Rev. George Smith, of Alexandra,
who is still alive. He has been in the
ministry sixty-twc years this summer,
and is perhaps the oldest presbyter
officiating in this country. In 1929, on
account Of the age and failing health Of
Bishop Moore, it was thought best to
elect an assistant, and the Rev. William
Meade was chosen to till that position.
At the Convention which elected
Bishop Meade there we're present but
27 clergymen and SO lsymen. 1t will
thus be seen, however, that the Church
was making a gradual but steady adj
vance in the direction Of her prosperity
Of to-day.
Upon the death Of the venerable
Bishop Moore, in 1871, Bishop Meade
succeeded to the bshopric of the do
cese Of Virginia.
At this time the Episcopal High
School was begun under the charge Of
Rev. William n. PendletOn, who was
afterwards a prominent officer in the
Confederate army, and for many years
subsequent rector of the church in Lex
ington.
BISHOP J0HNS-STATISTICA
After the death of Bishop Moore,
Bishop Meade, feeling unable to attend
to his arduOus duties alone, asked for
an assistant, and Rev. John Johns,
of Maryland, was elected, being the
choice Of the clergy and laity. He
was chosen by the Convention in ses-
sion on May 2lst, in Trinity church,
Staunton. Bishop Meade died in 1862.
1t was at this time that the tcrrors Of
war swept the State. Churches were
closed and her ministers scattered.
Especially was this the case in Pied
mont Virginia, where there was not
rail, and hardly church left after the
war, and only four ministers. The
High School at Alexandria and the
Theological Seminary had both gone
down, and the poverty Of the Church
was so great that the revival of those
institutions Of learning seemed we'll
nigh hopeless. In the last twenty years
both of these schools have greatly pros
pered.
In 1885 delegates TO the Convention
numbered 55-3l being clcrgymen and
"a laymen. In 1850 there were 100
clergymen present and 65 laymen. The
total number Of communicates Of the
preceding year were reported at 5,l47.
Since that time there has been a steady
increase until to-day they number nearly
l4,o00. There are, too, 100 lay read
ers in the diocese, nearly 1000 Sunday
school teachers. and 1900 scholars,
and the contributions Of to-day are
equal to $500, 600. whereas in 1914, as
has been shown, they were most insig-
Dificant.
AND RANDOLPH.
As a part Of the history Of the
Church during the days Of the war, it
should be stated that clerical and lay
deputies were sent to the "General
Council the first session after the
war separation--from Virginia. This
General Council met in augusta, Ga,
November 10, 1862, and the principal
business Of that body was the substi-
tuition of the word " Confederate " for
"United " wherever it occurred in the
Prayer-Book, and the word " Council -
for " Convention " rs the name for the
ecclesiastical body administering the
business affairs of the Church. These
facts were reported to the Virgins
Convention. which met in Richmond
in May, 1862. twas at this meeting
that the word "Convention wa!
changed to Council" and it so re
mains to-day.
The Council which met in Richmond
the first year after the war renewed it
fraternal relations with the Genera
! Convention Of the United States, anC
also adopted paper looking to the re
ligious instruction Of the colored PEG
pie. In 1867, on account Of the failing
health Of Bishop Johns, the Rev. Fran
els Nj. Whittle was elected assistant
Bishop Johns died in 1876. In 1877
the State Of West Virginia was set apart
as separate diocese, and Rev. Georg,
W. Peterkin, of this city, and son o