The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-01
JAMESTOWN CHURCH.
yxIxRESzIyG IyCIDENTsl OF OUR
EARLY.HIsTORY.
Religious Feeling Among our Forefathers-
Tho Frat Place of worship Of the New
Coionists- Structure Erected
Lord Delaware.
For The Times.1

IFor The TlmesJ
Tradition is more seductive than history; it
engages the imagination, pleases the fancy,
and is not too practical 1t makes up the
folklore so incorporated with the life OF
people, that 10 doubt it is heresy, and 10
violate the sanctity of it's teachings a crime.
So il follows that people learn 10 believe what
they wish until the facts Of history are either
entirely lost or strangely perverted. We need
not 90 far from home TO find practical illus
trations of this. And although it may appear
an unnecessary thing to attempt correction
Of what seem after all TO be small matters. yet
is IL due % accuracy that the truth should be
maintained II is in no censOrious spirit there
fore that we propose correcting few popular
decisions in certain directions, but rather 10
protect ourselves from the charge OF inaccufa-
cy in the knowledge of our own affairs OF the
hands Of those better informed who may come
among us.
EARLY INCIDENTS OF INTEREST.
Interest in the early history Of Virginia
will never cease as long as the Anglo-Saxon
race continue to rule the land. ANY incident,
no matter how Insignificant, connected with
the beginning of their career on TINS contl-
pent, must always attract attention. particn-
iarly il there should be the slightest doubt
attached toits authenticity. Although nearly
two hundred years have passed since the set
Element at Jamestown. yet the sacred spot
seems ever prolific of historic interest In
deed, so intense has this become OF late, tl9t
at last after a prOtracted period OF culpa6le
inactivity, the Virginians are about to make
an effort to rescue from oblivion the ancient
shrine of the nation.
PUBLIC WORSHIP.
- The purpose Of this article is 10 lay before
those who NAV not have ready excess 10 all-
thOrities an outline of how our forefatherS
provided for public worship in Their colony
of Virginia. of what the first place OF WORSHIP
was constructed. and with what consequence
they regarded buildings consecrated TO divine
uses. and incidentally correcting here and
there such accounts as may not appear MS
tOricay true.
The explorers Of Christian nations were re-
quired 10 strictly practice the outward ooserV-
snce Of religion Immediately after landing
upon the shores of a new country. IL was
not merely TO plant the cross and by uniurl-
ing a flag proclaim their sOyereign's power
over the new acquisition The custem OF the
English settlers was TO do more than this. As
soon a. practicable IL was their duty 20 erect
structure under the protection OF which the
oracles of God rested, and their precepts were
duly taught. Whether done from pOhcy or
principle the effect was the same. ltreminded
the adventurer, though far from friends aud
home in the midst OF wilderness. and sur
in the hands of God and of his country and
consequently preserved within him such
degree of confidence as reconcled him to ms
new conditions.
THY FIRST CHURCH.
So il was that when the English colonisis
first landed at jamestown. the first church
they erected was simply piece of an old sail
stretched IA an awning from tree 10 tree 10
keep of the sun. For pulpit, bar of wood
was nailed TO two trees. the seats unhewn
trees. the place being at the same time en-
closed by rails for walls. Here, almost IN the
open air famed by the soft breezes Of May
laden with the same sweets that at this day
greets the senses in the Virginia forests, the
first daily morning prayer was devoutly SAID
10y Rev. Robert Hunt chaplain of the eXpe-
dition. When the weather was bad, the con-
gregatOn were forced to hold their services
under cover of an old rotten tent. II may be
imagined with what curiosity the savages Wit
messed these daily ceremonies. They came
at early morn TO attend them, and Otttlmes
the colOnists found 1t necessary 10 adjourn
their duties. The neighbOring Tickets
were at times thrOnged with Indians perhaps
attracted by the mystic ceremonies performed
at that hour. or perhaps more than willing 10
lake advantage OF the whites while thus en-
gagged While WinCfeld was i'll charge of the
colonyh felt the necessity of guarding against
sudden attacks of the saNages on these Occa-
siOns by suspending religious services. IL was
I
ship establishediE Virginia was built and main
tanned. Ii was under the roof of this primitive
structure that the first administration of the
holy communion IN the Anglican Church WAS
held in America. Authorities differ IN regard
TO the exact date of this solemn event: bat
from the best evidence now recognized. IL
took place on Sunday the 18th % june. the
day before Captain Newport set out on his
first return 10 England leaving Wingfeld as
President of the Colony. The holy ordinance
Was celebrated 10y Dr.. Hunt and II Is a matter
~ be noticed how the people gave evidence
of the importance they attached 20 Its regular
observance Joy having TeligiOusy kept, amid
all their pTiYatiOns and losses. certain
amount of the best sack (wine) for this special
use.
NEW HOUSE or WORSHIP.
Fortunately FOR The colony, Rev. Robert
Hunt was a man of great piety and zeal. lie
was not content that his church should
remain in this unstable and primitive state.
Although he survived Onl about one and u
half years after the arrival a. JaIn"si own, his
influence had been greatly ielt. He had IN
the meantime caused 10 be ercted a new
place of public worship. 1T had been done M
the midst of great difficulties The people
were 30 constantly occupied in providing Tor
their bodily wants, settling their personal
difficulties and anticipating the demands
of a most precarlOus future that they seemed
willing enough to continue ~ they had begun.
But Dir. Hunts influence among them pre-
vailed. aud even the sailors from the ships
joined IN building the new church. At this
time jamestown WAS but au accumulation
of rude huts built OF logs, "chnked."
AS they say IN the country, and FOOTED with
rough slabs. The lattec Ncie covered over
with mud and turf. upon which grew crop
OF grass and weeds. The new place of worship
partook Of the like style % architecture. a
renaissance whose beauties are described as
"a hOInely thing ike q barn set upon clutches.
covered with raf;s. sedge and earth, etc"
Here the colonisis continued. up u the death
Of their faithful minister. 10 hold daily CON-
muniou prayer. morning and evening and. al
thoughthe building 'couldneither well defend
them from wind Or rain they also had two
services on Sunday and Holy Communion
every three months and after Nj Hunt was
departed IAN homly ON Sundays"
DESTROYED BY F1EE
Before the coming OF spring the little city
Of huts was well nigh destroyedby fire. and the
last newly furnished church shared the fate
OF the other buildings. The inhabitants
nothing daunted. went to work at once 10 re-
pair damages. The. palisades that protected
them from the savages had also been burned
These they restored as soon as possible. but
even while rccorsIucing their important