The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-17
ANNIVERSARY OF
FIRST SERVICE
Episcopalians Throughout Coun-
try Observe Occasion With
Many Historical Addresses.
NOTABLE DAY AT ST. JOHNS

Exercises Corformed as Nearly
as Possible to Service of Early
Colonial Days.
Throughout the United States yes
terday the third Sunday after Trinity
was observed as n historical occasion
IN the Episcopal Church. The celebra-
ton OF the tercentenary OF Jamestown
has turned the attention Of the country
to It's earliest days. and In no denpmi-
nation is the founding OF the first
English colony OF more interest than
to the Episcopalians. BY resolution
of the various State gatherings. the
day was set apart for special observe
ance. The Diocese Of Virginia. whose
council met at Warrenton last month.
approved the proposition and requested
all the rectors to make the necessary
arrangements. In nearly Rll the Eps-
copal churches of Richmond historical
addresses were delivered. the clericus
OF Richmond being composed OF men
who are we'll prepared for such an
undertaking.
At Old st. Johns.
With the possible exception OF Bru-
ton Parish. In Williamsburg. It is prob
able that nowhere were the exercises
more appropriate than at old St. Johns
Church, Richmond. Rev. RobeI A.
Goodwin, the rector OF st. Johns. is
a master OF Colonial and Virginia his
tory. and from his pulpit the setting
for an address on the history of epls-
copacy was unexcelled.
BY direction OF the vestry, the service
was made to conform as nearly aa
possible to the Episcopal service OF
early colonial days. Especially was
this noticeable when. after the sermon.
the communion was administered, and
following the custom Of the early
times. was offered to the men only,
the women and young people taking
no part In the sacrament The &C.
casion was a most impressive one. as
an unusually large number OF men
were present.
In the course of his address Mr.
Goodwin made several references to
historical characters who had been
prominent in the early Episcopal
Church. and in a number of cases. the
rector was able to point to this or that
pew. and say that the person mentioned
worshiped from that seat for years.
The Early Days.
Mr.. Goodwin took US his text: Psalm,
CIV. /: Not unto us. o. Lord. not unto
us. but unto Thy name give glory.
In his opening sentences he sketched
the conditions and events In England
leading up to the founding of the Vir-
gfnia colony, especially as bearing on
the environment and heredity OF the
body of colonists. Continuing, he said
in part
You cannot know the life. the true
moving force, of any man or OF any
people IL you ignore the religion OF
that man or OF that people. Tho HIS
tory of none OF the modern nations OF
Europe can be understood unless we
study the period OF the Reformation.
1t was then that the peoples were
awakened. The transition from the
Middle Ages to the new world marks
movement which included q very
marked change in attitude of mind and
ideals of life, as well as In philosophy.
art. political and religious thought. AT
this time God gave men the wisdom
to invent the printing press, the mar
iner's compass and gunpowder. II the
door was shut in the East by the fall
OF Constantinople. 1t was opened In the
West by the discovery OF America.
England became the leading Profess
tant nation in Europe. The conditions
relating to the upbuilding OF the
Church Of England were described.
with the appeal to arms in the attack
of the Armada which was described
as battle royal between Spain and
England for the supremacy OF Epis-
copacy or Catholicism In the colonies.
Contended for Liberty.
But Jamestown was founded IN
1907. In 1907. as you know. there Is
nothing OF the first English settlement
left but the tower OF the church. This
simple fact shows that. the founders
OF our country Were more careful to
make the church of God permanent
than their own dwellings
The men who formed the plans for
settling the colony were not adven-
turers nor self-seeking traders. There
is extant sermon preached in White
Chapel. : London. by Rev. William
symonds. of the English Church to
men who were thinking. of coming to
Virginia in 1909. Just two years after
the colony was established. The
preachers text was Genesis 1912.
.For the Lord said unto Abraham. get
theet out of thy county. and from
thy kindred and from thy fathers
house, unto the land that I will show
thee. and will make OF thee a great
nation. and in thee shall all the fam-
lies OF the earth be blessed" He eX-
pounds his text and answers objec-
tons against going to Virginia. He
tells how Sir Humphrey Gilbert had
told his officers and men. as their lit
tie bark was tossed in wild storm,
BE Of good cheer. my friends. 1t is as
near heaven by sea rs by land
IT cannot tell to-day OF the strug-
giles with disease and famine and dis