The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-18

breathe words that burn. The intellec-
tual youth OF that day were his admirers,
and some of them became for time his
followers. Among those who nocked to
the church might have been seen John
M. Daniel, afterwards the famous war
editor: L. Il. Tucker, editor OF the star,
the first evening newspaper of the city:
james Il. Couty, son OF the distinguished
civil engineer of that surname; Robert
Jake Wicker. city coroner; Thomas H.
Wynne. who subsequently became the
compiler of the Westover manuscript
and several others of like Tx.
Upon the retirement of DR.. Chaplin
from the minlstration OF the church, the
life went out OF 1t seemingly, the dis
tressed congregation calling In vain for
just such another pastor.
Old Second Baptist Church.
This was plain brick building. without
ornamentation OF any kind. inside or out;
no steeple shooting UP heavenward; no
organ resoundig the praises of the Lord.
1t fronted the east line of Eleventh
Street midway between Main and Cary.
The lot upon which 1t had been built
was bounded on either side of 1t by
wide alleyway for vehicles going In and
backing out. The church was lighted UP
on all sides by the sun. excepting Its
front, which was shaded In summer by
mulberry trees. My space will not allow
me to speak as fully as desire of its
early pastors, and It's early members.
some of whom, were endeared to me by
the strongest ties of friendship.
or the Second Presbyterian Church
remember but little, never having been
in 1t. 1t formerly stood upon a plateau
of clayey earth, which has long since
been reduced to the present level OF the
mt CHI a
building, though It's situation on the
northeast corner of Eighth and Franklin
was strikingly picturesque. It's architect
was a Mr.. Swain, of petersburg.
The Roman Catholic Church, at the foot
of Church Hill, noticed in the "Bygone
Days of Mordecai.'' was the first ever
founded by the ancient church In the
vicinity of Richmond. The city growing
upward. the little congregation followed
suit, and built a prototype of the first
chapel on North Fifth, its west side a
few steps beyond Broad. This chapel Is
one of my earliest recollections. Unless
my memory be at fault. its celebrant
was Father Schneider a lawn fenced in
by wooden palings led UP to its open
door, inside of which, on plain benches.
sat few, but earnest, members at their
devotions None are living now who
worshipped then and there. and every
vestige of the little house of God has
vanished from the sight
My earliest recollection of Council
Chamber Hill, on the Southern slope OF
which stood the First Presbyterian
Church-old school-goes back to an early
period, when it had not been cut down to
the level of the blue clay by that man of
all work, the notorious benjamin w.
Green. It was better known in my boy
low nv, nf M c
hill than by its original designation. A
frame house stood on It's truneated top
John Mayo's former residence-which
was in the occupancy OF the father of
Otis Manson. NJ D., SO well and favor
ably known by the past and present gem
GRAFTON. The slopes of the hill were
intact on its northern and southern sides.
though much dis1gured by excavations.
made to extend from Mayo and Governor
Streets to Broad. The First Church of
the Presbyterians of RichnloLd. the Rev.
DR.. Primer. its then pastor. stood on the
side subsequently taken up by the box
factory of Norman Randolph. north side
OF Franklin Street, little below Cover
nor. 1t was a plain brick building, set
little back from the street, with green
alleyways thanking either side, and
grassy slope sweeping down with pic
turesuue effect from the historic hill to
it's utmost rear. 1t might have been
called with proprlety the little church
round the corner. wherein sat at their
devotions some of the most respectable
citizens of Richmond. 1t was not SO little,
though, of deeds, as 1t might have been
of size, If we take into account the eff
fects wrought by Its pastor. one of which
will be presently and particularly related.
After it's congregation had removed up
town. q few years prior to the great war
of the States, 1t was converted into a
show-pace. with little other spectacles
than those usually exhibited by itinerant
companies. The last concerto so 1t
may be caIled-which 1 attended there
was given by two Confederate veterans.
dressed in faded gray, one lame of foot,
the other slightly weak in the knees.
paid my entrance fee quite cheerfully.
but came away sorrowing. for the poor
fellows had but a slim house of 1t. and
We're evidently in need, One of the twain
was scholarly gentleman, and music
master, named Rosine a citizen of Rich
mond. The other was Crouch, the author
of Kathleen ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF
lyrics.
DR.. Pluner.
If could paint In words the hand
some face and figure of DR.. Plumer as
John 3. Martin has painted it in oils. /
should be we'll contented That match