The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-26

CT of the late lamented Bishop Rich ard. Hooker wi1mer of the Diocese of Alabama. To few men Is 1t given to accomplish SO much in so short time as was wrought. by the Rev. MT Will mer. who in 1926 became rector of Old Bruton and President of William and Mary College. His short career in williamsburg became peffect ova-' tion. Some of the old citizens declared that he took possession of the town. He visited from ho6se to house without regard to denominational distinctions. His colloquisl powers and wonderful tact were illustrated in many social scenes. On one occasion the company became so fascinated by his felicity of speech that the dance was forgotten and the entertainment ended with word of exhortation. singing hymns and prayer. The direction and depth of his influence over his students Is exhibited by an anecdote, il1ustrativve of the power, of true piety and sihceri- ty. The principles and reasonings de- rived from France had greatly under mined the religious steadfastness of the men of fashion who aspired to be the leaders of thought in the Old Do- minion. Had the good MT. Blair been alive he would have found infidelity as well as the great wickedness" he de- plored. flourishing like the traditional bay tree. One of the students hear ing of MT. Winners election to the Presidency of the ancient seat of learn ing indignantly exclaimed: "Old Will fam and Mary, thy glory is departed! long farewell to all thy greatness, since Priest has come to be thy Gov ernor!" This extraordinary apostrophe being repeated to MT. Wilmer provoked in him such an exercise of kindness and gentleness towards the speaker, that his enmity was changed to de- voted friendship. We are not surpris- ed that the labors of such a priest were blessed with success. But the service of this devoted soldier of the cross was of short duration. In 1927 in the performance of his duty he took a heavy cold and after a brief illness died. praying with his last breath that the Lords will might be done." He married Marian Cox of New Jersey daughter of Major Richard Cox, of the New Jersey Continental Line and a member of the Order of the Cincin- nati.
 The surroundings of Old Bruton are in harmony with it's striking and dis tinguished history The church-yard boasts it's sculptured tombs and an- cient monuments, among which may be seen that of Lady Christina Stewart Griffin, said to be the original of the heroine in Miss Johnston's story, gro Have and To Hold" and here rests all that is mortal of Daniel Parke Custis, the first husband of Martha Dandridge Tn front of the church Is the statue of Lord Botetourt, the most genial and popular of the Royal Governors, and the old chancel end of the church fronts on the green belonging to the Colonial 10 n% ernors was called. In the Yorktown campaign Washington's headquarters were in the residence of Chancellor Wythe adjoining the churchyard; not far off is the home of Edmund Ram dolph, and little further on the head quarters of that noblest friend of America, the Marquis de Lafayette. To the west rise the beloved and time honored walls of William and Mary. The association is complete. The mind is filled with the picture of Freedom and Learning purified and enforced by Religion.
 The old church still guards in sacred fidelity its priceless treasures The hearts of all loyal churchmen and true patriots must melt within them at the sight of the old Jamestown baptismaI font and communion set. Here also is another set bearing the Royal Arms of George III; the set presented by Lady Gooch to the college, known as the Queen Annie set, the old Prayer Book of -1752 brought from Petersburg and the parish register dating from 1874.
 The Jamestown Tercentennial of 1907 has awakened, fortunately, fresh and it is hoped, permanent interest in this relic of Colonial history. It is now proposed to remove the desecrating Improvements" of 1S40 and to restore the church to its ancient beauty and condition. The chancel will be replace ed to the east. the flag-stoned aisle will be extended through the building. The Governor canopied pew. the clerks desk, the old corner pulpit. the square pews and ancient galleries, will go far toward giving the church its ap- pearance of Colonial quaintness.
 This restoration of it's ancient charm will be most welcome to those who place the true value upon historic as- sociation and who wish to preserve in it's truth the building where worshipped in simplicity and sincerity the men who founded our mighty nation.