Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-17
SPECIAL SERVICES
OF FIRST COM
MUNtOE AT JAMESTOWN.

All the Episcopal congregations in Wash
ington yesterday held special services, by
order Of Rev. Henry Yates Satterlee, bishop
| of the diocese. to commemorate the first
holy communion held at jamestown 800
years ago. The various services at the diff
ferent Episcopal churches were interesting
and impressive. and several of the minis
tiers Quoted John Smiths account of the
first ceremony participated in by a small
group OF settlers.
The celebration yesterday marked the
third century since the communion in the
Anglican rite given by Rev. Robert
Hunt the third Sunday after Trinity, June
D. 1907. The first ceremony, according to
history, was interesting as we'll as unique.
The worshiping settlers. among whom was
Capt. John Smith. assembled on the beach
and sat beneath an old ships sail stretched
between three or four majestic trees. There
were about 100 of the sturdy colontsts in the
gathering. In their arms or on the ground
alongside them they had their weapons,
fearing every moment that they might be
disturbed by the Indians or wild animals
Was the Beginning.
The little company was the beginning
from which a great and powerful body has
grown, having its representatives and mis-
sions in every part of the globe. In other
words. it was the planting of the Episcopal
Church in America.
Rev. Randolph H. McKim, who for many
years has made close study of church con-
ditions in America and who is looked upon
as an authority, yesterday at the Church Of
the Epiphany, made a historical address.
He told of the great trials and difficulties
that the early settlers faced in their eff
forts to worship God, and referred to pesti-
lence which depleted their ranks and for q
limo nod 10
ton and other perils they were compelled
to face were mentioned Regarding the
early worship Rev. Mr.. Mckim read John
Smiths account of it, as follows:
We did hang an awning (Which is an old
said to three or four trees to shadow us
from the sun; our walls were rc-ls of wood.
our seats unhewed trees, alpit bar
of wood nailed to two neighboring trees.
This was our church till we built an homely
thing like barn. set upon cratchets COW
cred with raft. sledge and earth-yet we had
our daily common prayer morning and even
ing, every Sunday two sermons and every
minister died. But our prayer daily with
an homily on Sundays we continued two or
three years till more preachers came
In Other Churches
The three hundredth anniversary COM
memorating the first service of the holy
communion. according to the English
Prayer Book, was celebra ted in all the
Protestant Episcopal churches yesterday
throughout the country. At ST. Thomas
Church 1t was particularly interesting.
The music given by the choir, said to be
the best in the city, was very beautiful.
and excited much comment from the large
congregation present. The sermon was an
intellectual inspiration to all who heard
it. DIR. c. Ernest Smith, rector of ST.
Thomas is one of the best informed schol-
ars of historical subjects in the Protestant
Episcopal Church He has published sew
eral books on historical questions, and his
work on Religion Under the Barons of
Baltimore" in which the right of tolera-
ton being given by the Roman Catholics
is analysed, shows the most accurate
knowledge of conditions, social and re-
ligious. prevailing in the colonies at that
time. DR.. Smith pointed eloquently to the
lessons of the commemoration and the
glorious record of the Protestant Episco-
pal Church in this new world.
sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. w. L.
Devries of St. Marks Church. in which he
spoke of the effect of the English church
upon this government. He argued that
American freedom is due to the English set
Element
At Christ Church, Georgetown. Rev.
James Blake delivered the anniversary ser
mon. songs of thanks sung. with a
choir of adult male voices. At st. Pauls
Church Rev. Alfred Harding delivered the
sermon while Rev Richard p. Williams ad-
dressed the congregation at Trinity.
At the Cathedral of SIS. Peter and Paul,
Rev. y. E. Pierce delivered the sermon.
and the music was rendered with a Marine
Band accompaniment
The services at ST. Adams Church were
particularly impressive. They were con-
Quoted by the bishop, who assisted by
the rector. Rev. George c. F. Bratenahl.
At ST Johns Church. Rev. Edward Slater
Dunlap. assistant rector. preached in the
absence of the rector, DR.. Roland Cotton
Smith.