Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-06-16
sHEPHERDsTOWN, A. JUNE 16 1898.

ton and family worshipped. This
church was built in 1867. 1t was not
dedicated, however, until 1874. The
reason of the postponement of the ded-
ication, the janitor said, was the fact
of the debt still remaining on the
church. But the real reason is that
Washington withheld the dedication
because of the fact that the Governor
of Virginia was an Englishman and in
sympathy with England, which SO
persistently clung to the hope of still
regaining possession of her truant
American children. But the war of
1912 finally settled matters, and in
1914 the church was consecrated by
Bishop Ciegget of Maryland.
The church is built OF brick import
ed from England. Its dimensions are
about so feet by so feet, with frame
colonial tower about $50 feet high.
Passing through covered brick en-
trance we step directly inside the au-
ditorium. A magnificent structure it
must have been regarded when first
built. The pews were arranged orig
inally in this church with every alter
nate seat facing the rear, and each
double pew constituted family sit
ting facing each other, enclosed with
door. Just as the seats are still ar
ranged in the "Old South Church" Of
Boston, Mass. where old Cotton Mathey
once thundered so powerfully against
British oppression and in favor Of in
dependence. While all the pews are
now facing the chancel, Washington S
family pew, or box, with double pew
facing each other, is still left as used
by Washington. The silver plate bear
ing his name in autograph still rests
on the arm of the pew. Just opposite
the aisle is the pew of General Robert
E. Lee, who worshipped in this church
also. Memorial marble tablets of both
Washington and Lee are placed on the
walls of the church. The pulpit re-
mains Just as it was in Washington s
time-half way between the floor and
ceiling, approached by narrow, wind
ing stairway. The marble baptismal
font, chancel chairs, chandelier with
tallow candles, all remain in place
and use just as in Washington time,
save the tallow candles. The whole
church, exterior and interior, is un-
altered and in excellent state of pres
ervation. We hesitated to leave the
sacred spot, and memory called up the
great fact of Washington's Christian
character, his implicit, childlike faith
in God, his clean, consecrated life, and
his faithfulness to his Christian duties.
In those troublous times of war for
independence, in those long after years
of establishing of government and final
adjustment uron its new foundation,
Washington always found time to en-
ter this sanctuary for prayer 1t was
this quality of his character and this
pledge of his life that made him the
Father of His Country, and won for
him his place in the hearts of CRATE
ful people.
The Christ Church Of Alexandra"
this is the central spot of Washing
tons life. Around the church is the
old graveyard, with its antlquated
grave-stones and peculiar inscriptions.
On one bearing date of 1892 is this
verse
Weep not for me. my parents dear,
! am not dead but sleeping here,
As am you all must be,
Prepare yourself to follow me-
Upon the bottom Of this inscription
some one wrote the words at de-
pends upon where you went to-" An
other grave bears the inscription:
who afliction sore, long time he bore,
Physicians IN vain:
Till God was pleased. death him should seize,
And ease him Of his pain
THE CARLYLE HOUSE.
We were anxious to visit the old
Carlyle House, popularity called the
Braddock House. This building was