The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-09-15
For the Central Presbyterian.
Rev. John H. Rice, D. D.
In Richmond l812-l823.


The Year le14-A Visit to Norfolk.
In January of this year Mr.. Rice sent
to Norfolk, then without a Presbyterian
minister, Mr.. Paxton, whom he highly
recommended to the church at that place.
In April Rev. John 81. Rice, accom-
panied by his wife, and his brother, Rev.
Benjamin H. Rice, of Petersburg, visited
Norfolk. The two brothers preached
very acceptabIy, and the interest with
which the people waited upon their min
istry was very remarkable The visit
extended over eight days, during which
Rev. B. H. Rice suspended his labors on
account of sickness so that the preach
ing principally devolved on the other.
The meetings were held in the Presbyte-
rian church part Of the time, once in the
Episcopal church, once in the Methodist
church, and several times at the house of
Mrs. Mcpherson, a venerable Christian
lady, under whose roof the prayer meet
ings of the church were at that time reg
ularly convened. Two Sabbaths were in
cluded in the time thus spent in Norfolk.
On the night of the last of these days
Mr.. j. II. Rice exhorted the people In
farewell meeting at which those present
were 80 much affected that the scene was
somewhat akin to that described in Acts
Xxx: 36-30, when Paul kneeled down and
offered his last prayer with the elders of
Ephesus. The troubles of the war with
England, then prevailing, and the de-
privation of regular ministerial services
for some time previous to Mr.. Paxtons
arrival, had prepared the disciples ald
others of that city to embrace with eager
ness the privilege now afforded them,
and to receive the word from the lips of
his servants with gladness. The seed
then sown probably yielded much fruit,
and the season was long remembered.
In the following brief account, Mr.. Max
well thinks that Mr.. Rice spoke modest
ly of the great work which God had
wrought by his hands Nancy and |
have Just returned from Norfolk. 1t was
one OF the pleasantest tours that I ever
made. Religion seems to many in that
place the great concern. l never saw
people hear with such deep attention,
and such appearances of general feeling.
May God visit the whole world in his
mercy, and cause religion to prevail
where wars now carry desolaton and
misery"
The Monumental Church.
This house of worship, erected on the
spot where the theatre was burned on
the 26th of ecember, 1911, was built
chiefly by the Presbyterians and Episco.
palians, who had sat together under the
ministry of the 1.-TWO Parsons" Rev
John D. Blair, Presbyterian, and Rev
John Buchanan, Episcopalian, in the
Capitol. The building had been nearly
or quite completed, before the question
was settled whether it should be free to
all denominations OF the Joint property
Of Presbyterians and Episcopalians, or
should belong exclusively to one of the
latter Mr.. Blair, with his usual mod
esty and liberality, and perhaps from a
secret conviction that the Episcopalians
were most in need OF the house at this
time, iorbore to take any part in the de-.
cision OF the question, and, following bis
example, other Presbyterians Of Shockoe
Hill pursued the same course. Thus the
sentimentin favor OF exclusive occupancy
by the Episcopalsns so nearly obtained
the ascendency that the matter was set
tied by the influence Of one subscriber.
An Irish gentleman, from the generous
impulses of his nature, and from the in
huence of some Episcopal connections,
finally gave his vote for Episcopal con.
secration rather than prolong discus
sion that might end in bitterness. This
example prevailed with others and the