The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-19
Chaplain Virginia conven-

ITT4-l1Ib. lrglniA ConYeIi-
ton HIS.
In memory OF Rev. Mr.. Buchanan Is:
I'm memory of the Rev. John Buch-
anan. ID. D., born In Scotland, 1913;
died In Richmond, 1922; first treasurer
OF the Diocese of Virginia.
"The beloved parson.
This stone lis placed by the coil
gregation OF st. Johns Church. 1910,
marks his grave under the chancel"
According to Mr.. Goodwin. who de-
livered an address on the life and work
of Mr.. Selden and Mr.. Buchanan, they
were brave, true men. who kept the
fires Of religion burning during the
period prior to and after the American
Revolution. tt was explained by Mr..
Goodwin that the Patriot Parson," as
MIR. Selden was known, took an active
part in the gathering Of the fragments
of the scattered, u~norganizcd church
in what had been the colony OF Vir-
GINA, and who. 1876 years ago ycster-
day.. organized the Diocese of Virginia.
This would have been Impossible had
not the love for tho church. as q
church. and not as part of the state.
been deeply rooted in the hearts OF
virginians." he said. probably no me
NAL did more to bring about this love
for the church In the hearts OF those
who were at enrnity with the govern
ment, with which the church had been
united, than one who went to his re-
was organized
History contains many interesting
facts concerning Mr. Selden. He was
the grandson of John Selden. the first
of the name in Virginia, who came TO
the Northern Neck in 1890. When Mr..
Selden became rector of Henrico Par
ish. Curtis was the only parish church.
There was another Schurch at Deep
Run and one in Richmond Town. He
probably lived at the cilebe. near Va
rina, before he owned and resided at
Tree Hill. just below Richmond.
Mr.. Selden.s Grent Work.
Referring to the manyNgood qualities
of Mr.. Selden. Mr.. Goodwin said:
Curtis Church fell into decay dur
ing the last century. but during Mr.. Sell
denis incumbency 1t was in, constant
use. as the records of the vestry will
show. with Curtis Church are %associ-
ated the names of many great men. 1t
was the church of the Randolphs. the
Bollings and Cookies, whose names APP
pear as members of the vestry for many
years.
william Randolph, the founder OF
the Virginia family OF that name. was
a member of this parish. OF him
Neul's Virginia Papers say. He landed
IN the colony of Virginia. a. broad x
upon his shoulder. His descendants
have hewed to the line. and made their
way to the front in State and In church.
from that day to his. They are num-
bered among the best %jurists. soldiers,
Congressman, Governors. Presidents OF
the United States. preachers and
bishops which American has produced
For twenty-one years Mr.. Selden
had lived among the people of Henrico
county. and doubtless they felt safer
when they knew that he had beer ap-
pointed to look after the safety OF
their lives and property as well a.
souls.
Governor Dunmore was bitterly op.
posed to the patriotic cause: 1t was
therefore unsafe for the Virginia Con-
vention of 1875 to meet in Williams
burg. where Governor resided. It
will be remembered that this conven-
lion was called to hear and consider
the report from the Genera Congress
of the colonies, which had met. a ferT
months before. in philadelphia. Rich
mond was chosen as the place OF meet
ing. The rector and vestry of the par
ish offered this church est. John's) for
the use OF the convention. AS soon as
they met they elected MI. selden chap
lain.
Famous Church Members.
".As We think of what the God OF
our fathers intended TO accomplish
through that convention by flashing
from the heart and tongue of Henry
the electric spark which would kindie
the fires of liberty. destined to en-
tighten the world: as we read the
names of the il6 members of that con-
vention. among whom We're Jefferson.
Randolph, George Washington. Patrick
Henry. Richard Henry Lee: when we
remember tt,a nearly all of these dele
gates We're churchmen, and that all of
them We're patriots. Ii realized how
Important and far-reaching their con-
illusions would be. we can imagine the
reverential awe which must ave per-
vaded this sacred building
Both speakers told of the good deeds
which Mr.. Buchanan, who assisted Mr..
Seiden, in the work of the parish. ac-
comp1ished. The two parsons were
hand in hand IN the u%pbuilding OF the
church and the kindling of patriotism
in the hearts of their flock.
At the luncheon served in the parish
house a number of Informal speeches
We're made. The clergy from the vari-
Gus dioceses exchanged Fluctuations
with those OF this diocese and parish.
Bishop Gibson presided as POSTMASTER.
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