The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-11-03
Old st. Augustine Church


The following interesting letter was
written by ii lady for the Par5Sh Cleaner
published at Chesapeake City by Rev.
Jacob Miller and appeared in the October
number of that valuable little journal,
which was issued this week: Being a
native of Bohemia Manor, and as the
bones Of my forefathers rest in the old
churchyard at St. Augustine, | can but
feel an interest in the church and its
surroundings. In the Parish Cleaner,
| notice You mention the conservation of
st. Augustine Church in 1912, which of
course refers TO the present building.
The eld one-oh. how well | remember
it-stood on the side of the churchyard,
beside which the public road now lies.
Wy early school days were passed in the
old vestry room, which was used as
school house. 1t was a large building of
logs, strongly plaS5ered within and with
out, some Yards from the ruins of the
church. At one end was an enormous
large fire place across which ran heavy
iron bar; in the fire place large logs were
piled, and around the CHEEKY blaze would
crowd the merry band, many of whom
are now sleeping their last sleep beneath
the sod so often pressed by their feet in
the happy gambols of childhood. OF all
the school none remain save three or four
beside myself. My earliest recollections
of the Ortgja0l church was about 1916.
Then the old walls were standing, but
the hand of the desecorator had then
already been at work. | have heard my
grand father, (who was churchman) say,
the first entertainments made on the old
shutters, and doors, and it was even used
as a stable by man who lived near by;
then the bricks were taken by any who
wished for building purposes, until at last
all was gone, the dear Old church laid low
i'll the dust; not vestige of her remained
save the arch of the chancel, which stood
for years beneath a willow which sadly
waved over it as If mourning the degra-
dalton and Dissertation of our Holy
Church. Bishop Kremp officiated in the
old vestry room a short time before his
death, which occurred whilst on his way
to Baltimore; the stage coach in which he
left New Castle, Delaware, was over
turned, and he died three days afterwards
from injuries then received. His text
was telling and appropriate as he stood
amidst the ruins, being from Haggai, |:
4. as it time for you, o ye, to dwell in
your cieled houses, and this house lie
waste?" Some years since IN reading, l
Came across the following extract which
| copied; having never seen it in print
since, or remembering from what it was
copied, ] was struck by hearing a quota
ton from it my pastor some time since in
one of his sermons. L. awakened memo
ries aud fond recolIections of old St.
Augustine. For my part l find no
church like the old one. love the shade
of the old vines. aud the shelter of the old
walls. within which my fathers lived and
died happily. l cling to their prayers,
their ordinances, their gravestones, to
their Lord, aud Faith. and Baptism to
their Father and our Father to their
God aud our Cod and trust through
Gods infinite grace to be a humble.
watchful, loving worshiper in this holy
happy company of the Lords people till
l change the church on earth for the
church in heaven.
| love the vy-mantled tower
Racked by the storms of passing years,
The grave whose melancholy flower
Was nourlshed by martyrs tears.
| love the organs joyous swell,
Sweet echo of the heavenly ode,
| love the cheerful village bell
Faint ELI blem Of the call of God
Walked by the sound, bend nv feet,
bid my swelling sorrows cease,
[ do but touch the mercy seat
Aud hear the still small voice of peace.
And ~ the raw of evening fades,
| love amidst the dead to stand,
And seem amidst the dropping shades,
To meet again the holy baud.
Long he our fathers renple ours;
Woe to the hand by which it falls
\ Thousand spirits watch its towers,
a host of Angels guard it's walls ~
18th Sunday after Trinity, 1888.