The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-15

scented. and I'm whose decisions, there
fore we have no voice
I'VE desire you to tender In the
most respectful terms. our grateful ac-
acknowledgements to the late, worthy
delegates OF this colony for their wise
spirited and patriotic exertions I'm the
General Congress. and to assure th.m
this. we will uniformly and rcligiously
adhere to their resolutions providcntly
and graciously formed for their coun-
trys good
Fully convinced shat the safety and
happiness OF America depend, next to
tho blessing OF Almighty God. on tho
humanity and wisdom OF her country
we doubt NOT that you will ON your
parts comply with the recommends
lions OF the late Continental Congress-
by appointing delegates from this
colony to meet in Philadelphia on the
10th of May next unless American
grievances be rcdrcssed before that
time. And so We are determined to
maintain unimpaircd that liberty which
is the gift OF Heaven to the subjects
OF Britain's empire. and will most cor
daily join our countrymen in such
measures as may be deemed wise and
necessary TO secure and pcrpetuatc
the ancient, just and legal rights Of
this colony and all British America.
placing our ultimate trust in the
Supreme Disposer of every event.
without whose gracious interposition
the wscst schemes may fail OF sue
cess. W. desire YOU to move the con-
vcntion that some day. which may APP
pear To them most convenient he set
apart for imploring the blessing or
Almighty God on such plans as human
wisdom and integrity may think nee
cssary 10 adopt FOR preserving America
happy virtuous and free"
signed ny Committee.
Although this letter was signed by
the whole committee. which was com
posed of Samson Matthew'S Captain
Alexander McClanahan. Michael Bow
yer William Bew"s and Captain George
Matthews. beside the chairman. the OK
uuisitc English In which 1t is couchcd
and the spirit of picty that runs
through H. seem to point 10 Mr., Bal
maine as its actual author, and there is
little doubt that II was tho product
OF his pen. The wording in remn's
cent Of tho Declaration OF Indcprn-
dence In several places. especially the
statement that These rights We arc
fully resolved. With our lives and for
tunes inviolably to preserve" and a.
the letter was secn by the members Of
the Colonial Convention. OF which Jcf-
f"rson was one. 1t Is possible that from
Il Mr. jefferson drew some Of the
phras"oloSy Of the famous Declaration.
Oa March 20 month after the letter
Was written. the Colonial Convention
met in the Old Church In Richmond.
where the great speech Of Patrick
iicnry did much TO start the r.volu-
tionary hall to rolling. and as soon
n In. war broke out. Mr.. Balmainc
resigned his peaceful charE" AZ Staun-
ton ard entered the Continental Army
as a chaplain.
TIL" charge was often brought
against tho clergy and laitv % thu
anglican Church In virginia that they
were indifferent to. II not actively
opposed TO. the colonial cause. To say
nothing Of WASHINGTON. Jefferson. Lee
and many Of tho Colonial leaders
among the laity. IN. cNampl" set By
Mr.. Dalmaine should correct such a
misapprehension. and another striking
instance occurred lower down In the
Valley. The Reverend Peter Mullen.
burg was the rector Of church a
Woodstock. the county scat Of a coun-
~ that had been named Durmorc In
nonor OF tho Governor This Governor
made himself So obnoxious to tho poo
pl- of virginia that tho name was
changed 10 Shenandoah. which II still
retains.
In June. 1874. MIR Muhlenburg was
gcsses, and in that capacity he be-
came personally intimate with Wash
ington jefferson and Henry. and was
AN enthusiastic advocate OF colonial
rights Al a meeting OF the freehold
crS Of his county, he was elected the
moderator or chairman. and his in
fucncc made that county one OF the
hrst to take stand against british
aggression. In l775 he vas elected
colonel OF the Eighth Virginia Rcri-
mcnt. and when the crucial time ar
rived. he prea chcd his last sermon from
EcclcSiastes iii. ! ITO everything there
is q season, and a time to every pur-
pose under the heaven" He described
In glowing terms the condition Of the
colonies and said: There is "A time
tor everything, and now is the time to
fight" With these closing words he
threw aside the black gown in which
IT was then customary to preach. and
appeared in the full uniform Of Con-
tinental colonel He ordered She drums
To lac sounded 1T the door OF the church.
and taking command of his recruits
marched away TO Join the army. He
rose to he general in the American
army. Certainly these two Virginia
parsons did not bear out the tradition
that the church was not well disposed
toward the colonial cause
Closed for Worship.
. After the departure of Mr.. Balmaine
the doors Of Trinity Church were closed
for Worship until 1881 for so far as
any Information can bc had no SER
vice was held in the church during that
interval In 1871. however. an incident
occurred that made the old church his
toric. Lord CORVALLIS had been opc-
rating in the South. and as he came