The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-22
XMAsIy FIRGINIIJN 1901.
How the Event was Celebrated in tho
Country's Olden Time,

Country's Olden Time.
The following interesting article.
christmas In Virginia, 1907" was Writ
ten several years ago by ri. Rev. VIII
liam Stevens Perry, Bishop Of Iowa ana
historian OF the Episcopal Church IN
America: A..
The last OF April A. D., 1907, the first
insfalIment OF the Virginia colonlsts
reached the mouth OF Chesapeake Day.
Six weeks later, on May IS, the nrst per-
manent settlement Of the English IA
North America was effected al James
town. II was a motley. iil-assorted crowd,
these pioneers of church and Common
wealth in Virginia. The number OF gen
t1emen" was largely in excess OF that OF
artifcers or artisans; and unlike their
predecessors at Roanoke, there were no
women TO bind the Adventures IN iani-
lies and thus cement in heart and nome
loves these founders CT the "Old Domln-
ion" The long and tedious voyage was
productive OF discomfort and dlssension'
and. although in the enthusiasm OF lalu-
ing, and In the e1igencies OF the Des"
Ming OF settlement, iealousies ana
strifes were for awhile allayed, 1t was
soon evident that there was but one bond
of union among these turbulent men, ana
that was the priest of the expedition,
Robert Hunt, and the ministrauons OF
the word and sacramenis he so idith-
fully supplied. The Historic OF the re-
doubtable Capt. John Smith, as wen as
the other and abundant narratives OF THIS
colony's first days, throw ample hsht on
the varied events and experiences OF
these early days. The half-moon fort OF
naIisades and boughs of trees; the tents
pitched by the watersde: the little gar
dens. sown with English seeds; the fish
ing stations up and down the shore the
clearing OF the land Tor the settlement;
the expeditions among the forest giades
or along the water-courses, for discovery
for traffic. or FOR food these matters
these duties, that record tells us, Oc-
cupied the settlers from the first.
on the third Sunday after Trinity, june
q. 1907, the Holy Communion was adj
ministered 10 the colonists by Parson
Hunt The rude house OF prayer where
| the settlers celebrated their first Euchar-
| ist had for its roof an old sail hung 10
| trees so as 10 shade the worshippers from
| tho Glare of the summer sun. The walls
were rails OF wood The seats We're UNI
| hewn limbs or stumps Of the native for
est. Later. planks were cut and SNAPPED
Tor seats The pulpit was bar or WOOD
nailed TO two adjacent trees. In ioul
weather the congregation crowded INTO
IAN old rotten tent" This, was our
| Church." writes the old chronicler, ana
| in this simple structure there gathered
the men whose feet had trod the aisles Oh
/ grand cathedrais in the motheriand and
| who had knelt at the affairs Of their own
| parish churches in the old home, seeking
| the same Blessed Sacrament o. the Body
| and Blood Of Christ.
| Soon sickness came. Crowded In huts
OF the rudest construction that could
neither keep out wind nor rain: drinking
| the "unWholesome water" lacking the
| food their enorvated condition required
| il is not 10 be wondered at that one-hall
| of the colOnists died ere autumn brought
relief. 1.-THE living. were scarce able 10
| hurry the dead" writes Smith. and yet
the daily morning and evening prayers
| were regularly maintained. a church
was built. "a homely thing like barn
| set upon cratchots covered with RATS
! sedee and earth. so were also the walls
| i'm the rapid consumption OF the stores
when only two gallons OF sack were left
| this was reserved for the communion
| table" Although but five men were left
| able 10 guard the bulwarks, services and
| sacraments were faithfully kept up and
| sermons regularly delivered. two on each
| Lords day. II was in this homely church,
which Smith so quantity describes. that
| the Christmas feast was kept Sad in
| though priest and people may have
| sought 10 reproduce I'm "the Virgins
land" the wel-remembered English
| Christmas cheer The graves of the lar
ger number OF the colonists were still
| green: the faithful priest was himself
| worn out BY his self-denying and I'M
| ceasing toll and the people. even in
| their Christmas gladness. could rot but
| see that soon they must lose their pastor
| and preacher. Later We read. I'm the mar
| ratfves OF the settlers. Of the decking OF
| tho sanctuary with flowers. making II
passing sweet" and the piu and box
| and holly we're doubtless used on the FIRST
Virginia Christmas day in the homeiy
| house OF prayer. II was the last great
| festival which was 10 be celebrated IN
| these rude surroundings, for, ere the
| Epiph-sny-tide. church and town We're de
! stroyed by fire. Good Master Hunt
! lost all of his library and ali his Jew be-
longings: all In fact, but the clothes on
| his back" Qulintly Hoes the chronicler
| proceed: None ever saw him repine at
| his loss. Upon any alarm he would bt
As ready for defence as any; and TIL ne
| could not speak he never ceased TO his
for the holy life the patient toll ana
| sist" Touching are the concluding words
| ~ The writer referring 10 this good priest
| Of F,neia,id's Church. whose soul ques'
| tionIess Is with God" The Church OF
| ENGLAND. the Church in Virginia, the
| American Church. may we'll thank God
| utmost TO animate US constantly 10 per-
| the sanity memory of Good Master
| Hunt" who first OF all in English orders
! celebrated the Christmas feast on Vir-
| ginian soil "The righteous shall be held
| I'm everlasting remembrance"