The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-12
Objects Of Movement.

THE planting OF Virginia had its
origin in the patriotic aud religious
zeal Of the people OF England: the
prime objects OF the movement were
ever expressed TO be the welfare of the
kingdom OF God and the Kingdom OF
England and the final instructions to
the first colony that settled at James
town Were closed with an eShortation
TO serve and fear God the givcr of all
goodness. for every plantation which
our Heavenly Father hath not planted
shall be rooted OUT
This exhortation the new settlers
ever observed, and though the forms of
worship differed on their part and on
the part OF the Puritans, no Puritans
werc ever more jealous than those
Church of England colonists of Vir-
Sinla Religious fervor was the char
actcristic Of the time. The annals and
records show that religion was a prom
dinent part OF their life. and from that
, day to this the people of Virginia have
been among the most religious people
in the world. III,
On that first Sunday, when the In
d1ans attacked the fort. as soon as
II .Hc ATTACK had been iepiistG. Worthy
y Master Hunt asked the President If II
We're his pleasure to have a sermon.
and Wingfeld replied that tho men
were weary and hungry. and if it
pleased him we would wait until some
otler time And even this failure was
made the subject Of a charge against
him by his enemies
the records are full of the pietv
OF the time and the ministratjons or
those faithful soldiers of Christ WHO
came IN the true missionary shirt nrc-
pared TO lay down their. lives, even
win JOY, III their Masters service
POSSIBLY the first cdiice erected after
me construction of the fortifications was
however rude. built for q church ,rd
four sacred edifces arose before JamnsI
Town ceased to be the capital of Virginia.
And now 81. the site of the third and
iourth ct these, 'and possibly OF tic
hecohd, the fifth has arisen through tho
V'ous zeal or those worthy women, sue.
cessors OF the pious women who first
contributed to make that spot holy.
No Lack OF Piety.
Indeed, whatever lie sl1or,co,,;rc, =,
tile Virginians were, the lack or nat,
was not among them. | venture to mako
tle assertion that their attendance ,,nlm
nlYlne worship from the time of Arcalls
laws down 10 the last ringing of the
rhurch bells has not been exceeded nv
the people OF any other. COLONY or state
In this country.
This Is no occasion for soct;on,t
or for personal self-Gratuation, On
this spot, at this time, such conero,n,
latiohs as we may venture TO feel II
properly informed. must be nationa
and racial. The work, the deeds. In,
acts performed here belong not mere
ly to us. but to every part of this
country. and in a larEerscnsc to ever,
part OF the world where men strIv,
and aspire. From this spot went fort,
tho streams which have made tho prna
ocean of American life. and in a wa,
of all life which has been affected
by the American life. Had this colon,
not had being 1t is possible that n,
other English colony might have take,
root on these shores. Had this colon,
not had being It Is almost ccrtair
that the life planted here would no
have taken the form which IT di,
take. Had this colony not had being
1t Is possible that this republic Nigh
never have been. and that all In,
blessings that have flowed thercfrom