The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-10-28

ment does not seem to have prosper
ed, though for after time the semi
nary was neglected and the house
became ihconvenient for purposes of
worship" 1t WAS az though the spirit
of the church could not brook this
sharing with the world. as IL were,
precincts that had hitherto been trod
by worshippers only.
Some time after this the cloud be-
giRs 10 show a silver lining, for the
neighbors petitioned the legislature to
give the building back to its right
full owners and its original purposes.
This request was complied with, and
three-auarters of the edifice was
forthwith set aside to be used wholly
as a church, while the one-fourth in
the rear. separated from the rest by
thick walls. was made the abode of
the rector.
In 1916 the parish had been re-
organized by ii newly made Vestry,
and between 1922 and 1850 we lind
various ministers taking the over
sight OF the flock. The Rev. Joseph
Chaplain; the Rev. Edward Peef. to
whom belongs the honor of having
done most toward bringing the church
back to its ancient prestige, the Rev
Mr.. Goldsmith. and others We fancy
during its time of utter restitution
and desolation, there were some who
loved the old church still and cared
to iuCer within its walls. 1t is said
that an old colored woman who had
spent her life near the plaee--haNing
belonged to a family of the congre-
gation-used to go regularly every
Sunday and sit among the ruins. ON
being questioned. she answered that
il did her more good To sit there and
think over the old prayers than II
would to go apraying in any of the
newer churches OF other denomina
tons,
After the restoration there may
have times of dtseourageme Of de-
creasing prosperity and dark out
looks for II whtte--fu doubt they
came: and there was the blow II the
Civil War and its attendant demorali-
cation: hut the tide had turned, the
cid church--the physical part-stood
firm. and the spiritual part Went on
from strength To strength. Sunday
after Sunday the people gathered in
their reclaimed temple to join in the
prayers and praises OF the service,
| There was never any lapse into the
old dread state; and the years dealt
kindly. on the whole with that which
had been recovered by the grace OF
God from such a Slough of Despond,
st Pauls stands to-day as il stood
a century and a half ago, unchanged
la form, unaltered in construction.
with the self-san1e bricks in it's walls
that the first builders put there. The
shape is crueiform, and, as of old,
three parts of the cross make up the
| place OF worship. while the fourth is
a spacious vestry room, warm and
l., Il "a
lead up to gallery. which runs
around three whole sides Of the build =
ing, and affords al itself room for a
| congregation. TWO stories of win
I dows; that is. windows in both gal
! lery and lower floor let in abundant
! light and air. ana an entrance to
! each angle of the cross allows the
| congregation to enter by different
| aisles thus making their assembling
| well-nigh noiseleSs An old lofty pull
pit. draped in deep crimson and APP
| preached by d stairway of no mean
| dimensions. occupies the background
| of the chancel The Communion rail
makes an immense semi circle, which
accommodates d large number; while
! the entire building would seat five
| hundred people.
! The plate still used for the service
! was donated a good deal over hum
/ dred years ago by communicate. and
i bears the inscriptions
Given by Henry Fitzhugh, of Stat
ford county. St. Paul's parish. Gent,
/ for the use of Your church" There
/ is "A prayer book, also presented in
! 1880 by Miss Jane Parke, a descend
ant of the first rector, and in the old
! pulpit is to he found large Bible,
the gift of the well-beloved Rev Will
| liam Stuart. in 1863, and inscribed
with his name and the date. This
! volume is Cambridge edition. APP
pointed by His Majesty's special com
| mand to he read in church cum priv
| legiis." with the dedication: ITO our
! most high and mighty Prince James.
/ by the grace of God King of Great
Britain, France and Ireland, defender
! of the faith. the translators of the
| Bible wish grace, mercy and peace.
! through oar Lord Jesus Christ"
! St Paul's holds many precious
memories and associations for the
| congregation OF to-day. There is
scarcely member who cannot claim.
/ My grandfather was vestryman-or
/ warden--or rector here: or. at least,
My ancestors Worshipped in these
4 very -alls." 1t was on the doorstep
I of this church that one of our Nir-
4 ginia Bishops was won to Christ. A
/ thougntless unDelleNer, lingering out
side at sunday service, he over
| heard the sermon being delivered
! within. ana, like Saul OF Tarsus, saw
u great light. And doubtless, to many
! others have come, beneath that roof.
during these two hundred years IL
| luminations across a dark path. sud
den moments of falling at the Divine
| feet--reNeiations too deep for tell
ing.
One of the treasures of the parish
| Is the ancient church register now
| in the possession Of a direct descend
ant of the Rev. DAVID Stuart. Its
| first pages are torn out, and the earl
| lest recorded date il 1716. while the
leaves are thinned and blackened by
| tine. but the stannch coverings have
| resisted the wear Of two centuries.
and the contents is remarkably well
preeerved. The small. cramped hand
1 writing ornate with flnurfahan and