Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-24
OLD DRUTON CHURCH.
Its Reopcning-Rcmnr Of the
Pastor.

WILLIAMSBURG VA, November o.
(Spccial)-The work Of preservation and
restoration which has been going on At
old Bruton Episcopal church since late
in the summer "a about completed. and
the body OF the church was used on
yesterday morning. the pastor. Rev. w.
T. Roberts. preaching a beautiful and
touching sermon from 1871 Psalm. first
verse-"I was glad when they said unto
me. we will so into the house Of the
Lord" Mr.. Roberts said 81 can
with difficulty believe that there IS one
single member OF this congregation who
is not deeply moved. whose heart is not
stirred by The deepest sense OF gratitude
90 the Giver Of every good and perfect
SIT. through the great Head Of the
Church. our Lord aud Saviour Jesus
Christ for the happy change which we
see around us on every side. Yes after
some months OF waiting we are in our
accustomed places again. and we are
here. beloved under extraordinary cir
cumstanccs, which ought 10 make as
happy. very happy indeed. only three
months ago the condition OF the dear old
church was one which caused those who
love her the very deepest anxiety. Bru-
ton church was I'm an advanced stage
dations were crumhllng Her walls had
parted In great gaping seams. and We're
almost ready to- drop apart In what
ever direction the eyes turned the evil
dences Of disirtegration and decay were
specially visible. All this was most dis
tressing
"But to-day what 90 We see? We have
no longer before Us any evidences Of
disintegraion and decay. We look up
as We approach. and we are confronted
with the fair form and comely proportions
OF the most imposing and the most ma
iestic as well as the most interesting
in its assoc'ations-its historic past-of
all our old Colonial churches each and
every part OF its exterior presenting 10
our admiring gaze the beauty and
strength Of youth instead OF the weak
ness and decrep.tu1e Of old axe. Her
foundations have been strengthened and
made firm and secure basis for the
noble superstructure which they support.
Her walls have been cemented and bound
together by bands which we would fam
believe are too strong for any pressure
less than the all-dcstroyinc earthquake
10 rend asunder Every portion OF her
exterior which has suffered by long eN-
posure 10 the forces Of nature has re-
celved most careful attention. and has
either been replaced by absolutely new
material of the best and most enduring
qualities. or has been repaired. and so
protected as TO put the whole exterior
i'm "a condition OF stability and beauty
equal. 81 not superior. 10 that which u
originally presented, when 10 was rresh
from the hands Of the builder. Under
these circumstances how happy we ought
20 bc. in this great work OF pre-
servation and restoration what have We
You and 7. done? Nothing, absolutely no.
thing. We have been simply interested
SPECTATORS OF what others in the good
great providence of God were doing
for as
MAY the name OF Marie Marshall ever
Doe held I'm loving, grateful remembrance
lv this CONGREGATION. May she ever be
remembered by this congregation and
vonerated as under God the preserver
and saver Of DrutOn church. May the
prayers Of this congregation ever ascend
I'm her behalf: may the LORD God Tighten
the great burdens which she has 20 bear
and has SO long borne. and ever keep
her i'm inward peace and security safe
alike from all the turmoil and care and
worry Of life and from every wicked
vile and device of the evil one against
her soul. The Lord bless her and Keep
her. The Lor1 make His face % shine
upon her. and give her peace now ana
forever"
Notwithstanding the lnclement weather
a good congregation was present 10 hear
the beautiful sermon
Miss Marshall. who has pew IN the
church. was not present i was hei
money that was cxf ded. ana the con-
creation and people generally Of this
community wifi in the words Of our
pastor. ever hold the name Of Marie
Marshall Gin loving, grateful remem-
trance."
Rev. j. Y. Latham. the new Metho-
d.st pastor. preached yesterday hoth
morning and night 20 large congresa-
tlons. Both services were Of high
order and greatly pleased his hearers
Rev. w. II. Davis, the retiring pastor
will leave tomorrow for his new charge
,.. rrrtou Tfafuhte