The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-11

~m.fa YI nlNIUllE imam AAA4b WnlCn lHrltlAAN
corded the one hundred aud fftieth ami
yer.,rv of the erection of the st. Johns Pro-
.s.sat Episcopal church
N ospot IN all this lovely city ns naturally
more beautiful than tho quiet, peaceful
Grounds surrounding this historic old church,
.si vesterday morning a spirit OF reverential
calm seemed to peryade the entire church
ward. the flowers bloomed in fragrant pro-
m..oa. The venerable trees cast their pleasant
shade across the time-worn tomhs, and the
yfr, hrcathingso of nature seemedt0 be paying
Silent tribute 10 those who dreamlessly
Sent. awaiting the un%recOgnlZed realities of
rsurrecuon's d%awning.
There Is something supremely sacred and
sat about tho ancient and hOn0red spot
~. mutations al time have left their imprints
rn.n the crayo-stOnes. the epitaphs and IN
s'-iuIons which recorded the manifold viz
t..s OF some. or the tender affections of
others. have faded with the heeting years,
and occasionally a crumbling stone reminds
d, how unenduring are monuments of marble
and how feeble are the passing tributes 70 our
dearest and most hOnOred dead.
Eleven O'Clock was the hour named for the
commencement of the morning exercises, but
LONG before that hour arrived a steady stream
az people poured through the ancient arch
WAYS and hlled the edihc 10 overlooking.
Che pulpit was beautifully decorated with
cut lowers and potted plants, and the yarle-
gated blossoms yielded a pleasant perfume,
which was waited over the entire building.
These flowers were sent 10y Mr.. Catlett, Mr..
Smith and Mrs. Thornton, and added greatly
g. the beauty of the surroundings.
The original pulpit and soundlng-board
placed I'D the church IN ll4l are Sui IN Use,
tle yestry record-bOok beginning IN 1870 is
still preserved and yesterday the aims-basln,
which is 2O5 years old, was used. The bap-
f,nal font. which belonged 80 the mother
church at Curle's Neck. and the challce and
paten of ZIG were brought into service TO ~
dictate the antiquity OF the churchs origin.
and to forcibly remind those present Of
It's beloved traditions. At 10:55 A.. NJ. the Old
bell Of st. Johns began TO toll and the
procession composed OF the clergymen ana
vestrymen Of all the Episcopal churches of
Richmond and Manchester which had formed
IL the brick chapel moved toward the church.
At the door the yestIymen formed INTO two
lines and the clergymen passed between them
into the building, preceded Ivy Bishops WHIT
tie and Randolph. On entering the church
Bishop White passed up the east aisle and
Assistant Bishop Randolph the west
aisle and took their places in the
pulpit. The following clergymen fol-
lowed them and We're seated within the
chancel. Rev. +. G.. Dashlel, ID. D., Rev. Pike
Powers. ID. d.. and Rev. }. Y. bowman, Rev.
Preston g.. Nash, Rev. Edward Mead, hey. j.
d. ClODtOn. and Rev. Charles lfOtman, of the
diocese Of Alabama. The Right Rev. II. Nj.
Jackson. ID. D., assistant bishop Of Alabama,
and Rev. j. Calvin Stewart, OF the tourth
Presbyterian church. occupied seats among
the wardens and vestrymen. The usheTs We're
slessrs. John j. Mayer. George l.. Currle, IS.
T. Howard. g.. Gilmer Minor. D. =. Roane and
Cyrus BOssieux.
lie choir, under the leadership OF MIS-.
Charles T.. Fit ZWilsOn. assisted by Mr.. CIar-
ance Marshall. rendered appropriate music,
and tbe organ under the skllltuI management
of Miss A.. T.. FtZwllsOn added much TO the
solemn sweetness of the occasion.
On the walls of the vestry-rOOm was hunga
fine picture Of the Rev. Miles Selden, who
WAS the rector Of st. Johns at the beginning
of tie Revolutionary war. The picture was
loaned for the occasion by Mr.. and Mrs.
Lucien Is. Tatum. Mrs. Tatum's maiden
name was Mary Selden. and she Is a great
granddaughter of the ulustrious rector.
In the long line Of fervent and eloquent
cerrvmen none have possibly more endeafed
themselves 10 the congregation than has the
present rector. Rev. Lewis W. Burton, and 70
bm much credit Is due for the success and
lpprOuriateness Of TINS occasion. There Is
something s|ingularly suggestive IN the date
tf his coming TO this charge, which was on
Easter day, April Is, 1884.
OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH.
Below will be found a list Of the officers of
the church.
Rector. Rev. Lewis ". Burton; Vestrymen:
James w. Shields, Cyrus BossieuX. wardens;
9oAu H.. Mayer. treasurer. George X. Taylor,
register: J.. A. Saunders, Richard l.. Brown,
John A. Curtis, q. @. Minor, Joseph Ii.
koane, Thomas S.. Macon, George l.. Currle,
b.. j. Howard.
Tie usual morning service was lmpressiyely
conducted by the Right Rev. Bishop Nhlttle;
J.. J.. IL. d., and the morning lesson closed
WITH "a special thanksgiving prayer, WuIcn
Wa earnest and eloquent.
Bishop Randolph's Address.
The address was made by Bishop Randolph,
Who ia the course of his remarks SAID
] must rely upon your love for tins old
church and your reverence for Its associations
i0r your interest and kind attention as dis
charge tho grateful duty which my valued
Mend, your rector, has assigned TO me.
lt LAS often occurred to me IN the last rev
years that a sense of the value OF our history
and reverence for our past Is growing III TINS,
our new land. and in tins age whch we are IN
The habit Of designating as above all others a
material. mechanical and practical age.
Tho organization of societies Tor preserving
Memorials Of the past. the revival OF interest
Mtle historical societies IN the dinerent
States. the reverence for the old churches, the
renewed interest in our colleges IN historical
studies are all symptoms Of a revival OF the
historical spirit and assertion OF the historic
Instinct which has always been one OF the
s~Longest clements in our ADglo-Sa1on char
A'ier and civilization.
ln studying the history OF our torefathers
ana Of our land we are studying ourselves;
We are finding out how We came TO be, what
We are tracing back 10 their sources the
streams of our liberties, our laws ana our IN
S%utut0ns.
TRUE HIsroRY.
All true history is the record Of the educa-
Ton Of nations and races under the teachings
vi providence and the movements OK the
SPIT u God upon the hearts OF men.
me highest kind Of history IS the history,
va christianity. Ever since the Church OF
cslIsl began its work in the world on the
zoe OF good il has been the soul OF all true
DtlAzauou, u has been the inspiration OF an
TIe liberty, it has been the guide ana the
~ upon the pathway of all true knowledge.
4o-lay we are 10 think OF some OF the
e'eu's and gather some lessons from the MS
~iy % one old church.
~ We At within its walls they are one hun
Leu ana nifty years old, and for these long
tnIValiOus II has been standing upon TINS
~ mat Is Older than itself by llilmitabie
aoar0. u has been looking down upon
h. HEef that has been flowing on
Il tle sea just as 1t, Is
a1s ages and ages before its foundation
~ was laid, bpt ii nature is older every
W S4ee around IL is younger.
""A' nov due II come 10 DO hefef And TO