The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-30

with twelve members. II now enrolls
ninety names, with many applicants
awaiting election.
During the past year. the Legislature
OF Virginia passed bill Incorporating the
society under a formal constitution.
The officers consist OF a president, two
vice-presdents. a recording. and cor
responding secretary. registrar.
treasurer and historian. A Board OF
Managers Of twelve danes, and an Advi-
sorry Board OF seven gentlemen.
With the hope OF encouraging an inter-
est in tho study OF Colonial history
among the rising generation, and there
by to arouse admiration for the deeds
OF the founders of the nation, and a de-
sire TO emulate them In patriotism. the
Virginia Danes have offered a prize 10
tho girls Of the private schools OF the
State for the best essay upon Colonial
history. They have also given sum OF
money 10 assist in furnishing rooms In
the Historical Society Building, aud for
subscriptions TO periodicals. 10 be kept
therein.
A committee has been appointed to
form plans for lectures. essays. or what
ever may aid research IN the study OF the
Colonial period Of our countrys history
This period possesses no Pepys; no Eve
Ign; no Horace Walpole. but 0n spite OF
the fact that the homes and archives of
their beloved State have been ravaged
by three successive wars). the Virginia
danes hope, by patient toll I'm collect
ing and preserving old letters, documents,
and authentic traditions, 20 accumulate
in time. what may serve TO throw
strong light upon the history OF those
days.
HISTORICAL TREASURE.
The utmost care Is taken I'm the OK
animation Of the papers of applicants:
the Committee on Admission being in
vaTiably assisted by a gerealogisl Of
acknowledged skill In consequence. the
Virginia danes have the pleasant assur-
anc that each accepted paper records a
hit of accurate history The registry OF
these papers will. it is believed. some
day prove q historical treasure.
one Of the most important works plan
ned for the coming year. is the copying
OF the register % old Christ church, Mid
dlesex. This reg. ster is a largo folio, be-
ginning I'm 1863, and extending down 70
1888 IL contains the record OF births,
baptisms. marriages. and deaths in Mid
dlesex; which, al that time. was one Of
the most pOpulOus and wealthy coun-
ties IN Virginia.
Among the names appearing are those
OF Corbn, Chewing. Cooke. Willis. Gus
It's Dudley, Skipwith, Thacker. Beverley,
Wormiey. Churchill, Grymes, and others
equally well known.
This is one OF the most important OF
a number OF old parish registers collected
by Bishop Meade, and used by him in the
preparation Of his "Old Churches Min
listers, and Families In Virginia" After |
his death they were deposited in the Theo-
logical Seminary at Alexandria, where
they have since remained. They arc so |
time-worn as TO be decipherable TO eyes |
skilled in unravolling old documents. and |
are practically inaccessible. In addition |
10 their great genealogical value. they /
will be Of inestimablc worth In refuting |
the charge that has been made against |
the Southern slave holder. that their |
slaves were left in spiritual darkness. re- !
,eiving no religious ministrations; as