Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-19
4 scaman's bethel I'm Rfchmon
Fifty Years Ago.
CFor the Dispatch

(fOr the DlSpatcn.D
A Richmond pastor has very season.
ably, as reported in the Dispatch. re-
Gently, directed attention to religious
work for seamen. Some account OF what
was done in former years may not.
therefore. be inappropriate.
The Third Presbyterian church orr
glnated IN a Sabbath school, begun more
than fifty years ago at Rockets, in an
old clearinghouse near the spot where
the gas-works now stands. This school
was started with a view to the reli-
gious instruction OF sailors children, as
wei as other children in that part OF
the town. When a church was organized
and house Of worship built on the
Bloody-Run road. just opposite the
school, the house was known as the
Seaman's Bethel and special measures
were regularly adopted to induce the
sailors 10 attend public worship.
The first pastor was Rev. Alexander
Mebane. some of whose descendants.
the family Of w. b. Robins, are still
residents Of Richmond. Among the la
borers prominent and active in this
Sabbath school, and afterwards in the
Bethel, Were Thomas Samson, George
Hutchinson, Peter Van Demsen, and
Samuel NJ. Price, who, though residing
in the upper part OF the city, spent
their Sabbaths on this field, and were
frequently found at the meetings held
between Sabbaths. Among the laborers
residing at Rockets were the family
Of Captain William Rowlett. of the First
Presbyterian church, an old sailor. but
then the harbormaster; Captain Il. Gift
ford's family, and the family of Elijah
Craig, who was afterwards converted and
became a most deyout and faithful
ruling elder in the church. In the
homes OF these families the brethren
who so often visited the church found
hospitable and pleasant entertainment.
Dir. George Hutcheson above named,
visited every vessel in port every Sun
day morning distributed tracts, and
the Sailors Magazine, and invited the
sailors TO church. a younger brother
sometimes accompanied him. / occa-
sionally enjoyed this privilege, and those
who remember the humble and sincere
piety of this excellent man need not
to be assured that IL was edlfying to go
with him on such a mission. There
were those among the sailors, as in all
classes, who cared for none of these
things. L remember at least one man
with whom 1 stopped 10 argue on the
absurdity Of some of his views. and that
my wise old brother warned me against
such a waste of time The invitations
TO church were needed by many. and
now and then the meetings were attend
ed by truly pious seamen, and we had
the pleasure Of hearing some nautical
eloquence on religious experiences on
shipboard, which were eloquent and
thrilling.
hn
pastorate OF Rev. Hasey Dunnlng. the
Bethel church built house of worship
on church Hill, at the corner OF Broad
ana Iwenty-ffth streets, and the church
was thence known as the Third Pres
byterian. But the sailors were not
forgotten. Regular services were held
by the pastor and ruling elders at the
old Bethel, and a Sabbath school con-
Quoted at Rockets. And when il began
to appear that the first house built as
a Bethel was too far from the wharves
and the centre Of population, house
was built beyond the creek. The pastor
preached there regularly, and prayer
meetings and temperament were
held there. The people were visited by
the pastor and ruling elders, and much
was still done by the useful ladies OF
the Third church. always active In this
field.
Later. a chapel was built and mis-
sion established by the First Presbyterian
church. at a point further from the
wharves and near what is now Fulton
This was at one time in charge OF Rev.
Mr. Murkland. father of Rev. Or. w
L.. Murkland. Of Baltimore.
Large Methodist and Baptist congre-
cations are now gathered in that part
OF the town. and TO them 1t would seem
naturally belongs the religious care Of
the sailor.
Among the most remarkable changes
effected by religion that are known TO
the writer were some that occurred on
the field where so much faithful work
was done by these early laborers. The
recital Of them would stimulate any
who may coyet this work and encourage
them TO prosecute It under any difficult
ties that may arise. L. b. L.
Buchanan, Va.
(Our correspondent neglects TO mem
ton the Seamen's Bethel on the cross
street near the Libby prison. This
church building was afterwards used az
Bethel Public School. and IS now used
for storage purposes, we belleye.-The
Dispatch)