USA > Virginia > A history of Virginia : from its discovery and settlement by Europeans to the present time. Vol. II > Part 30
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ª Jefferson's Works, i. 50.
470
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER. [CHAP. VIII.
The first newspaper in the Colony was the " Virginia Gazette," the opening number of which appeared in Williamsburg, August 6, 1736. It was continued, under various changes, through nearly fifty years. Companions and successors were soon established. Examiner, Patriot, Vir- ginian, Herald, Enquirer, Whig, Compiler, Re- publican, and many other equally promising names, have thrown light and heat among the people. The tone of the newspaper press in our state has been always animated, sometimes violent; but often dignified and impressive. Several attempts had been made to establish a literary periodical, but they were not successful until 1834, when Thomas W. White commenced the "Southern Literary Messenger," in Richmond. Mr. White supplied the want of learning and refined taste, by labour and enthusiasm. He drew able pens to his pages, and made them welcome to a wide circle of readers. After his death, in January, 1843, the Messenger passed into the hands of Benjamin B. Minor, and within a few weeks it has been trans- ferred to John R. Thompson, of Richmond. This periodical, since its birth, has experienced the changes incident to human effort. At one time it has been solid and instructive; at another, brilliant and erratic ; at another, decent and dull. Mr. Thompson's friends believe that it will not lose vital warmth under his care. High considerations will induce Virginia and her sister states to sustain a work commenced and persevered in under so many disadvantages.
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471
COLLEGES.
In close union with literature, we will speak of the institutions intended to spread learning among the people of the state. We have already noticed the University, and indulged in surmises as to its prospects. William and Mary College continues to flourish with strength apparently not abated. It has four regular professors, and an average of one hundred students. Its library contains about five thousand volumes. Washington College, at Lex- ington, has had varied success in the past ten years, but must still be regarded as prosperous. It has six professors and tutors, one hundred and thirty-six students, and there are twenty-seven hundred volumes in its library. The Virginia Military Academy was established by act of As- sembly in 1836; its buildings are at Lexington. Its operations commenced on the 11th November, 1839. The course of instruction is intended to train young men to all that is essential to the mili- tary art, and of course embraces a wide field of study. The number of students in each year since its establishment, has averaged about eighty. The students are divided into pay and state cadets. In 1846, the number of pay cadets was seventy-seven, of state cadets twenty-seven, making a total of one hundred and four.ª The annual cost of the insti- tution to the state has been about seven thousand five hundred dollars. Randolph Macon College, in Mecklenburg County, is under the care of the Methodist denomination. It was founded in 1832.
ª Sess. Acts, 1835-36, page 12; 1, page 13, and Doc. No. 34, page 6. Journal of 1846-47, H. D. Doc. No.
472
COLLEGES.
[CHAP. VIII.
It has eight professors and tutors, and seventy- three students. Emory and Henry College, under the same denomination, was founded in 1839. It has four instructors, forty-six students, and a library of two thousand eight hundred volumes. Rector College, in Harrison County, is under the care of the Baptists. It was established in 1839, and has about fifty students. There is also a college at Bethany, which is under the general supervision of Rev. Alexander Campbell. It was founded in 1840, has six instructors, and one hundred and twenty-eight students.ª
Hampden Sydney College, in Prince Edward County, has not flourished as its friends had hoped, for a school so unexceptionable in its origin and object. In the last ten years, the number of stu- dents has hardly attained an average of sixty, and now it is much less. Difficulties have been expe- rienced in providing an efficient organization of its faculty. Within a very short time past, a change has occurred, which will render a complete reor- ganization ultimately necessary. Efforts are now in progress to raise a fund, by which permanent scholarships will be attached to this college. With strenuous exertions it will again prosper ; without them, it will, we fear, become extinct.
But while the parent college thus languishes, the medical department of Hampden Sydney, established at Richmond in 1838, promises even more than its most sanguine friends had hoped. It has a beautiful building, of Egyptian architecture,
ª See American Almanac, 1847, pages 180 and 257.
473
COLLEGES.
perfectly arranged for hospital instruction, and the other facilities essential to the medical inquirer. The number of students has annually averaged seventy. The number during the session of 1846- 47, was seventy-five, of whom sixty-seven were from Virginia. At commencement, in March, 1847, seventeen students received the degree of Doctor of Medicine. The department has six professors, presiding in the several schools of Anatomy and Physiology, Surgery and Surgical Anatomy, Che- mistry and Pharmacy, Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children, Theory and Practice of Medicine, Materia Medica and Therapeutics.ª Dur- ing a few months past, the College has sustained a serious loss in the death of Augustus L. Warner, M.D., Professor of Surgery, who united to profound theoretic knowledge of his subject, a delicacy and skill in practice, which made the surgeon's knife in his hand the instrument of mercy to the patient. He has been succeeded by Doctor Charles Bell Gibson, formerly of the Washington University, of Baltimore. Thus the faculty is again complete, and to the student who expects to combat Southern disease, this medical college presents unique ad- vantages.
Next may be mentioned the institutions of Vir- ginia for the relief of the insane, the deaf and dumb, and the blind, which though not immediately con-
* Catalogue and Report, 1846- Faculty, Jeffries Wyman, M.D., and 47. The professors are John Cullen, Charles Bell Gibson, M.D. Doctor M.D., R. L. Bohannan, M.D., L. W. Carter P. Johnson is Demonstrator Chamberlayne, M.D., Socrates Mau- of Anatomy. pin, M.D., who is also Dean of the
474
LUNATIC HOSPITALS.
[CHAP. VIII.
nected with the advance of learning, are evidences of that higher philanthropy that learning tends to produce. The state has two lunatic hospitals : the Eastern, at Williamsburg, under the care of Doctor John M. Galt, and the Western, at Staunton, under Doctor Francis T. Stribling. On the 1st of January, 1846, the Eastern Asylum had one hundred and twenty-eight patients, of whom seventy-one were males, and fifty-seven females. During the year ending 31st December, 1846, thirty-two were ad- mitted, thirteen were discharged, and seven died, leaving at the last named date, one hundred and forty in the hospital; of whom eighty-two were males, and fifty-eight females. Of the aggregate of one hundred and sixty in the Asylum during the year, ninety-two were single, fifty-five married, seven were widows, and six widowers.' The Western Asylum, on the 1st January, 1846, had one hundred and eighty-two inmates; one hundred and fourteen males, and sixty-eight females. During the year 1846, ninety-two were admitted, of whom precisely one-half were of each sex; thirty-seven were discharged, and twenty died, leaving at the close of the year, two hundred and seventeen ; one hundred and twenty-three males, and ninety-four females. Of the whole number of two hundred and seventy-four patients in the hospital during the year, one hundred and seventy-eight were single, seventy-three married, twelve were widows, and three widowers. The civil relations of the re-
a Journal H. D., 1846-47, Doc, No, 29.
475
DEAF AND DUMB AND BLIND.
maining eight were not ascertained.ª The build -; ings for each of these institutions, are large; the Western Asylum, in particular, embraces several ample and beautiful edifices. The treatment of the insane is tender and judicious. Humanity, gentle labour, and watchful study of the laws of mind, have taken the place of bars, and bolts, and chains, and dungeons.
The building at Staunton for the deaf and dumb, and the blind, has recently been completed, and is thought to be very elegant and commodious. It will accommodate one hundred and sixty pupils, without inconvenient crowding. On the 4th De- cember, 1846, the number of deaf mutes was thirty-eight; twenty-one males, and seventeen fe- males. The number of the blind was twenty-six ; fourteen males, and twelve females. Fifty-one deaf mutes, and sixty-three blind persons were ap- plying for admission. The organization of this united scheme of philanthropy is almost perfect, and its results have been highly gratifying. The pupils perform such profitable labour as their in- firmities will permit; their schools are regularly conducted, and their proficiency in some branches of study is astonishing. In music and figures, the blind excel the most accomplished visiters who come to see and hear them.
For the Eastern Asylum, it is estimated that twenty-five thousand dollars will be required from the state during the current year ; for the Western,
a Journal H. D., 1846-47, Doc.
b Journal H. D., Doc. No. 9, No. 35.
1
476
STATISTICS.
[CHAP. VIII.
it is thought that twenty-three thousand will be sufficient. The Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind, has a state annuity of ten thousand dollars, and with five thousand more, it is believed by the Board of Visiters, that sixty additional pu- pils could be supported.ª
By the census of 1840, the number of white deaf and dumb persons in Eastern Virginia, was two hundred and twelve; of white blind, two hun- dred and fifty-six; of white insane and idiotic, five hundred and twelve. Of coloured deaf mutes, there were one hundred and twenty-five; of co- loured blind, four hundred and seventeen; of co- loured idiotic and insane, three hundred and seven. In Western Virginia, at the same time, there were of white deaf and dumb, two hundred and forty- one; of white blind, one hundred and seventy ; of white idiotic and insane, five hundred and forty. Of coloured deaf and dumb, there were twenty- five; of coloured blind, forty-nine; of coloured idiots and lunatics, seventy-five. Thus, in the state, the aggregate was six hundred and three deaf mutes ; eight hundred and ninety-two blind ; and fourteen hundred and thirty-four idiotic and insane persons. From this it will be apparent that much as have the benevolent institutions of Vir- ginia accomplished, more yet remains to be done.
a Journal, Documents, No. 9, 29- 35.
e Compendium of Census of 1840, pages 35-39. Most of the estimates
b The institutions of Virginia are on this subject given in Howe's Hist. for the benefit of idiots as well as Collec. 179, seem to be entirely in- lunatics, See Dr. Galt's Rep. Jour- accurate. nal, Doc. No. 29.
477
RELIGION IN VIRGINIA.
For, throwing out of the account, those unfortu- nates of all the above classes, whose relatives and friends are able and willing to support them, there will remain a large number to be provided for by merciful appropriations from government.
Besides the various colleges and institutions al- ready mentioned, there are in the state many aca- demies and schools, male and female, incorporated and unincorporated, in which the earlier stages of learning receive attention. To these, farther allu- sion may be necessary under another head.
We pass now to the religious aspect of Virginia. We have seen, that from the dominion of a rigid establishment, supported by law, the state passed, gradually, through changes which resulted in com- plete religious freedom. We hazard little in assert- ing that there is no part of the world in which conscience is more perfectly free from legal re- straint than in Virginia. If there yet remain points in which a man is subjected to disabilities because of his religious character, they are few and anomalous. So broad are the principles of liberty which, on this subject, pervade the minds both of rulers and people, that it has been considered doubtful whether government, general or local, can enforce the observance of the first day of the week, the Christian Sabbath. The conscientious pre- ferences of Jews and others, who adhere to the seventh day as the Sabbath, have been respected. Many of the wise and virtuous have believed that this matter should be decided rather by the influ-
1
478
RELIGION IN VIRGINIA.
[CHAP. VIII.
ence of enlightened public opinion, than by the re- quirements of positive law.
The effect of this divorce between Church and State, has corresponded with the hopes of the friends both of religion and of liberty. Those who are most competent to judge, have believed that in no one of the United States, has Christianity had more vital power than in Virginia. We would not be misinterpreted on this subject ; there is yet irreli- gion enough in our state to appal the reflecting ; there yet exists among us vice in its most reckless forms, and infidelity in its most open developement. But the assertion made is, that those who have pro- fessed to be Christians, in Virginia, have adhered steadily, both to the creed and the practice enjoined in the Scriptures. They have avoided, on the one hand, the bold rationalism which denies that Christ is God, because reason cannot comprehend him ; and, on the other, the slavish superstition which embodies Christ in a wafer of bread, because Rome has thus degraded him. The great doctrines of revelation, the Triune God, the depravity of man, the necessity for a spiritual change, the almighty agency required to produce it, the imputed right- eousness only by which a guilty moral agent can be justified, the faith by which it is appropriated, and the absolute requirement of a holy life, as evi- dence of that faith,-these teachings have been received in all their simple power by the people of our state who have sense and virtue enough to re- flect seriously upon religion. And as religious truth, when steadily contemplated, must enlighten
479
BAPTISTS.
and purify, so sound doctrine and consistent prac- tice, have eminently characterized the various de- nominations of Virginia who profess an evangelical Christianity.
The Baptists have sustained their strength, both in numbers and influence. Since we last had oc- casion to speak of them, their progress has been continuous and rapid. The Regular Baptists are still known by the title, and are the prevailing class; the Separates are now hardly distinguish- able as such ; but other classes have been formed, into which many of them have been merged, and which differ more or less from the Regulars. From time to time secessions from the Baptist Church have taken place, of members or bodies of mem- bers, believing with it as to immersion, but differing from it in other important points. The indepen- dent form of government adopted by this Church, has prevented any general schism on the agitating topics of the American Union; but great differ- ences of opinion on the question of slavery are believed to prevail between the Northern and Southern Associations in the United States. In Virginia, it is thought that the denomination, as a body, are thoroughly Southern in feeling and principle, on this subject.
In 1844, the Baptists of the state had thirty-five associations, of whom twenty-three were warmly devoted to the missionary cause, and twelve were opposed to it. The Church had then 609 houses of worship, 312 ministers, and 84,258 communi-
480
BAPTISTS. [CHAP. VIII.
cants.ª Accurate observation of men who have long watched its progress, has shown that the Church grows at the rate of about three and a half per cent. per annum. At this ratio, in 1847, the number of churches would be 673, of ministers 345, and of communicants 85,143. The actual number of ministers is 357.ª Those Baptists who approve of missionary effort, and other benevolent schemes, have a complete and efficient organization for the purpose. In 1846, the amount contributed by the churches for the education of candidates for the ministry, was two thousand and thirty-two dollars, a sum confessedly too small for the demands of the subject.c The amount raised for foreign mis- sionary purposes was four thousand one hundred and thirty-one dollars; for printing and publish- ing Bibles, two thousand eight hundred and fifty- six dollars; for Sunday-schools, one hundred and sixty-eight dollars. For some years past, increas- ing attention has been paid by the Baptists to the work of training their ministers, and the effect has been obvious. The denomination in our state is very powerful, and will exert a material influence whenever it shall put forth its strength.
The Methodists of America became a distinct Church in 1784. Previous to that time, Mr. Wesley had been deterred by feelings engendered by long habit, from acting upon his opinion that
' Proceedings Gen. Asso. Virgi- nia, 1845, statistics.
b Their names are given, Proceed. Gen. Asso. Virginia, 1847, 12-15.
Proceedings, 1847, pages 18, 19. Amounts will generally be given without fractions.
481
METHODISTS.
bishops and presbyters in the primitive church, had the same authority. But when the Revolution sepa- rated the United States from Great Britain, he found in the condition of the Methodists of America every- thing favourable to the re-establishment of what he believed to be the scriptural and primitive model. Accordingly, assisted by Dr. Coke and Rev. Mr. Creighton, two presbyters of the Church of Eng- land, he ordained Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey as presbyters for America, and afterwards, assisted by other ministers, he ordained Dr. Coke superintendentª of the American churches. These divines arrived in the United States in November, 1784, accompanied by Mr. Wesley's letter, ex- plaining his conduct and object.b From the open- ing of the next year, the Church in Virginia may be considered as having a distinct existence.
Through a series of years it has grown with little intermission. The ingenious system of rota- tion and responsibility peculiar to Methodism, has been applied, and up to the year 1844, it worked without material hindrance. The Conferences, known by the names of states, have, it is true, never corresponded with the geographical bounds of those states. The Virginia Conference has em- braced only the larger part of the eastern division of the state. In 1803, this Conference had 4 dis-
a The more scriptural title of Bangs' Hist. M. E. Church, i. 153, bishop has since been substituted for superintendent in the Methodist Episcopal Church. See Dr. Bangs,
154; Dr. Hawks, 166-168, omits every sentence of the letter in which Mr. Wesley declares his opinion as to the parity of bishops and presbyters, i. 154.
b This letter in full is in Dr. VOL. II.
31
482
METHODISTS.
[CHAP. VIII.
tricts, 32 circuits, 44 preachers, and 16,893 com- municants, of which last 13,099 were white, and 3,794 were coloured.ª From this time the denomi- nation increased constantly in the state; camp- meetings were often held in various counties, and varied as may be the abuses of such means of reli- gious instruction, candour will confess that their good effects have often been apparent. In 1844, the conflict of opinion and practice between the Northern and Southern Conferences on the subject of slavery, had become so intense that a separation took place, which has resulted in the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The ultimate effect of this disruption will, it is hoped, be good; but its immediate effect was a decrease of nearly thirty-two thousand members in the Church from 1844 to 1845. It is believed that all the churches of the Virginia Conference accord in feeling and principle with the South, and that of the other Conferences, a major portion of the churches within our state are equally firm in at- tachment to Southern doctrines, although diffe- rences on this subject exist among them which have already produced most distressing results.
Our means of information do not enable us to present the statistical aspect of the Methodist Church in our state, beyond the beginning of the year 1846. At that time, according to the best evidence we can obtain, the Virginia Conference
a Dr. Bangs, ii. 143, 144. c Minutes, 1844-45, Gen. Recapit. b See minutes for 1846, '47, title- 603.
page.
483
STATISTICS.
had 79 church edifices, 166 local preachers, 26,868 white members, 5,192 coloured members, and had contributed during the past year, 2,322 dollars for superannuated ministers and other kindred cha- rities, and 5,132 dollars for missionary and similar religious purposes. The Kentucky, Ohio, Balti- more, and Philadelphia Conferences, all cover parts of Virginia. We report such parts in the above order as follows. Kentucky Conference : church edifices, 4; local preachers, 29; white members, 3,746 ; coloured, 165 ; contributions for superan- nuated ministers, 130 dollars; for missions, 302 dollars. Ohio Conference : church edifices, 8; local preachers, 14; white members, 2,889'; colour- ed, 307 ; contributions for superannuated ministers, 50 dollars. Baltimore Conference : church edifices, 61 ; local preachers, 80; white members, 15,167; coloured, 3,441 ; contributions for superannuated ministers, 980 dollars ; for missions, 3,960 dollars. Philadelphia Conference : church edifices, 4; local preachers, 9; white members, 1,173; coloured, 712; contributions for superannuated ministers, 167 dollars; for missions, 238 dollars. Total : church edifices, 156; local preachers, 298; mem- bers, 59,660 ; contributions for superannuated mi- nisters, &c., 3,649 dollars ; for missions, &c., 9,632 dollars.ª
2 These statements have been the Conferences in relation to geo- carefully compiled from the minutes graphical bounds, but it is hoped of 1844-45 and 1846-47. I have that the errors of the statement are found the task perplexing, because not grave. of the very irregular arrangement of
484
PRESBYTERIANS.
[CHAP. VIII.
The Presbyterian Church in Virginia has not been false to the promise made by its auspicious beginnings. Its progress has been steady; and though inferior in numbers, and in some other respects, to the Baptist and Methodist, it pro- bably yields to none in the influence which, when required, it is capable of exerting. Its ministry, as a body, have been learned men ; and from time to time, it has been adorned by minds as brilliant in talents as they were devoted in piety. The names of James Waddel, Moses Hoge, John Holt Rice, Conrad Speece, George Baxter, and William Arm- strong, will long be remembered and revered. Of the distinguished living, it would not be proper to speak. For many years of its existence, this church in Virginia, was harmonious. But the un- happy division of 1837-38, extended itself into this state. The Old School portion maintained a great ascendency in numbers, but the Constitutional Presbyterians were active and determined. For a time embittered feeling prevailed, and scenes oc- curred which produced a painful impression on all minds in love with true piety. But as years have passed away, bitterness has subsided ; the parties have learned to regard each other as sister churches, separate in name, and perhaps in some doctrinal opinions, yet united by many common sympathies. Within a very short time past, a coalescing ten- dency has exhibited itself, the full result of which is yet to be developed.
Of the Old School part of the church, in 1847, the Synod of Virginia embraced members from six
485
STATISTICS.
presbyteries, which, with minute exceptions, cover- ed the whole state, according to geographical boun- daries. Of these, the Presbytery of Greenbrier had 20 churches, 14 ministers, 1 candidate for the ministry, and 1,076 communicants. Its contribu- tions for religious purposes during the past year, had not been reported. The Presbytery of Mont- gomery had 18 churches, 11 ministers, 2 candi- dates, 1,028 communing members, and had con- tributed for religious objects, 646 dollars. The Presbytery of Lexington had 28 churches, 23 ministers, 4 licentiates, 1 candidate, 3,286 commu- nicants, and had contributed 1,751 dollars. The Presbytery of Winchester had 30 churches, 19 ministers, 2 licentiates, 6 candidates, 1,412 com- municants, and had contributed 3,284 dollars. The Presbytery of West Hanover had 42 churches, 37 ministers, 5 licentiates, 2 candidates, 1,996 com- municants, and had contributed 1,890 dollars. The Presbytery of East Hanover had 13 churches, 14 ministers, 2 licentiates, 2 candidates, 1,283 com- municants, and had contributed 5,189 dollars. Small frontier portions of the state are embraced within the bounds of the Synods of Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Wheeling, and North Carolina. These portions altogether, have 19 churches, 19 ministers, 2,967 communicants, and have contributed 2,452 dollars. The aggregate of the state will therefore be 170 churches, 137 ministers, 13 licentiates, 14 candidates, 13,048 communicants, and contribu- tions amounting to 15,212 dollars.ª
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