USA > Virginia > Henrico County > Henrico County > Annals of Henrico parish > Part 7
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73
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.
Under a strong appeal preached December 18, 1887, from the text (Mark 13: 34), "To every man his work," the various voluntary organizations of the Church were banded and united together in a St. John's Union. Its motto was, "Laborers together with God"; its principle, "To every man his work." At the annual meetings the various organizations composing the Union submitted their reports for the year. Included within the Union were the choir and the Sunday schools as institutions belonging to the spiritual administra- tion of the rector.
There was a pleasant emulation and an individuality about these organizations that made them vie with each other in showing good results, that added a zest to their labors, and made them work more effectively and efficiently. With all his other work our beloved rector also found time one night in each week to teach a Bible class to aid the teachers in prepa- rations for their instruction.
With his own hand he prepared and had printed service leaflets containing selections from the Book of Common Prayer and from the Hymnal for the use of the Sunday schools. Under his administration not only were the home schools self-supporting, but, in addition, missionary scholar- ships were sustained as follows : The Eliza Carrington Schol- arship, the Solomon Memorial Scholarship, and St. John's Sunday school also united with those of the Diocese in the support of diocesan missions during Lent. The organizations combined in the Church Union at the latter's organization were:
The Brotherhood, devoted to parochial, benevolent and mis- sionary work.
The Sisterhood, devoted to parochial, benevolent and gen- eral missionary work.
The Guild, devoted to parochial, charitable work, particu- larly the clothing of destitute Sunday school children.
The Little Gleaners, devoted especially to missionary work in all departments, and incidentally to ministering to the needy in the parish.
The Knights of Temperance, devoted to sobriety among young men and boys. Of the five organizations above men- tioned, all except the Knights of Temperance had been started
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HISTORY HENRICO PARISH,
under Dr. Weddell's ministry. When it is remembered that most of these organizations met weekly, and that the rector was frequently present at their meetings, some idea may be formed of his busy life and the great tax upon his time and energy.
Not satisfied with these various societies, another organiza- tion, called the Junior Aid Society, was instituted in 1890, under the auspices of the rector's charming and devoted wife. This society was composed of young ladies who stood between the Little Gleaners and the Guild, and, in addition to the pa- rochial work, supported by their industry a scholarship at Cape Mount, Africa, and also assumed the rent of an aged and faithful, but indigent member of the congregation.
Again, in 1901, did our rector show his zeal in good works by establishing the St. John's Chapter of St. Andrew's Brotherhood.
Still another organization came into existence in 1893, entitled St. John's Missionary Association.
In addition to these various organizations of the Mother Church, the missions also had their appropriate societies, at which the rector was sometimes present, he being ex-officio chairman of all of these organizations.
In addition to the above societies, there were Committees on the Sick, a Committee on Burials, a Committee on Church Decency and Order, and a Committee on Strangers and Ab- sentees, and a Charitable Committee, which was the first formed, and one of the most important; the objects and aims of these various committees are indicated by their respective names.
It would not do to fail to mention in connection with these Church committees the "Committee on Entertainments," of which Mrs. R. L. Brown was chairman, a position for which she was exceptionally fit; by these entertainments consider- able sums of money were raised for paying church debts and making improvements and for charitable and pious work. The character of the entertainments was always simple, refined, elevating and instructive, and promoted good fellowship and friendly intercourse amongst the congregation, and enabled many persons who were not pecuniarily able to contribute to the support of the Church to utilize their time and services in her behalf.
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ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.
Besides the entertainments, where cream and cake and oysters and coffee in season were sold at moderate prices, there were birthday offerings, excursions, lectures, etc.
Through these instrumentalities the hungry were fed, the naked clothed, and the poor had the Gospel preached to them. As an evidence of the appreciation the Vestry had for these entertainments, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted on the 4th day of October, 1890:
Whereas the Committee on Sociability and Entertainments of St. John's Church Union, together with the other members. of the Church and friends outside, have within the last two years, by two large entertainments, requiring most skilful management and indefatigable labor, contributed upwards of $2,000 for the payment of debts and improvement of build- ings ; therefore be it
1. Resolved, That we, the Vestry of St. John's, do cor- dially acknowledge the peculiar ability of the committee in making a success of church entertainments, and do most heartily thank them and all their co-laborers for their great and kindly help.
2. Resolved, That the rector be requested to read this, our action, to the Church Union at its next meeting; and that the Register of the Vestry be also requested to spread the same on the minutes of the Vestry.
In these entertainments objectionable features were es- chewed and they were not only exceedingly popular with our congregation, but deservedly so with the community at large. In these amusements the wife of the rector was the soul and the spirit. By her charming manner and pleasant address she was indeed a help-meet and an inspiration not only to her husband, but to the congregation. It would seem almost im- possible for one man to attend to all the above enumerated functions, preach three times a week, visit the sick, and at- tend to all parochial duties, and yet Mr. Burton did all this, and in addition served on the Executive Committee of the American Church Missionary Society, and was a representa- tive of the Church Temperance Society of the Diocese of Vir- ginia, and was Vice-President of the Richmond Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society, as well as a member of the Executive Committee of the Diocesan Missionary Society ;
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HISTORY HENRICO PARISH,
a member of the Standing Committee of the Council o Church Property, and examining chaplain of the Diocese With all these multifarious duties and responsibilities, is i any wonder our beloved rector's hair became prematurel gray ?
" But not with years, Nor grew it white, In a single night,"
but gradually as his cares and labors increased, until it is a white as the driven snow, but his face is still young, his ste elastic, and his eye as bright as of yore.
The Vestry purchased the present rectory, then in the odes cupancy of Mr. Burton, in April, 1888, at a cost of $3,100 it was fitted up in a convenient and attractive manner for th use of the rector and his wife, at an additional cost of abou $1,600.
The old parsonage on Twentieth street was sold the sam year for $3,250, therefore there was nearly an exchange i: money value.
In May, 1887, the Vestry gave to Mr. R. L. Brown and th rector permission to occupy, each of them, one of the window frames on either side of the chancel and within it with stained glass memorial window. The one on the right wa erected to the little boy of the rector, Lewis James Hendree the one on the left was erected to the two little children o Mr. R. L. Brown. In November of the same year (1888) th memorial window to the late Allen Y. Stokes was placed. Mr. 20 Stokes was for many years a communicant and Vestryman of me St. John's.
Owing to the weakness of the tower and the supposed effect upon the tunefulness of the organ, which was at that time situated in the gallery, the bell was tolled and not rung witl but one exception during the entire rectorship of Mr. Burton The organ was moved to the main floor of the church unde? Mr. Goodwin's administration, and since that time its joyou ... peals and clear notes ring forth to gladden the hearts of the ye community.
The old bell that formerly hung upon St. John's and knowr as the "Henry Bell," was for many years in use in the town&
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ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.
lomof Martinsville, Va., and called the children to the public cesej schools. It was donated by the town to the Virginia His- is itorical Society, of this city, and is now in their possession. urely This famous bell called together the Virginia Convention of March, 1775, and beneath it Patrick Henry made his liberty speech.
On June 5, 1888, it was ordered by the Vestry that the approach to the communion rail and kneeling at it by the communicants should be made easier and more dignified by is as removing one of the front pews of the transept rows that flank step he chancel on either side, and by replacing it by an upright panel. At this time the arrangement, which still continues, e octwas made as to the manner in which the communicants 100 should come to the Lord's Table and retire from it. Those r theirst to commune were to come from the western aisle and bout remain till all then kneeling had communicated; and while hey were retiring those from the eastern aisle could come same without collision.
During the year of 1891 a valuable addition was made to he communion vessels by the bequest of $100 by Miss Nan- I thenie M. Sheilds, a faithful and lamented parishioner. Through dommer sister, Miss Cornelia R. Sheilds, was purchased a solid th asilver chalice and paten, which formerly belonged to an old was James River Parish. The chalice is of unusual size, ten and freethree-eighths inches high, its cup four and a half inches deep. n of The old chalice to which it became a companion is seven and thesix-eighths inches in height, with a cup three and six-eighths Mr. inches in depth. The paten is seven inches in depth. Both nofare engraved with a design somewhat similar to that dis- covered in repairing the sound board-alternate straight and ffectcurved rays. In the centre of the design upon these silver timesups is the monogram I. H. S., superimposed upon what with seems to be an Archbishop's crozier. The hall mark indi- rton, sated them to be upwards of a century old. In 1892 venti- nderlators were introduced in the ceiling. In the same year Mr. youst L. Stern presented the Church with a handsome clock, and the Mr. Peyton R. Carrington, with his wife, Mrs. Sarah J. Carrington, presented the Church with two handsome hymn own tablets, which were placed upon the south wall in the centre own panel on either side of the chancel. On the 29th of Feb-
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HISTORY HENRICO PARISH,
ruary, 1892, under the auspices of the Committee on Church Decency and Order, a brass font ewer was purchased. A overhanging sycamore tree had been largely responsible fo rotting the shingles of the Church roof. Permission wa obtained from the city authorities to cut it down. It was : sad though necessary sacrifice to make to the far more impor tant welfare of the Church building. It was one of the mos beautiful, largest and oldest trees in the Church yard. I stood close to the northeast corner of the Church. Its branche hung over the portion in which Patrick Henry spoke. I was certainly a good sized tree in his day. It was older than any portion of the Church. If its leaves could have heard its heart remembered and its branches whispered to us of th burning words it heard that day, and of the knots of patriot that gathered under its shadow at that time to discuss wit! bated breath the questions of that eventful period! Its trun! averaged four feet in diameter ; its age was estimated at 17. years. Grasped in its gnarled roots was a skull, face down ward, which certain Hamlets standing around declared to b an Indian's, and perhaps apostrophized, as the Prince of Der mark did poor Yorick's.
Sentiment, feeling, appealed in vain to the woodmen t spare that tree. The wood from this tree was preserved fo souvenirs. It was made into canes and crosses and sold t the thousands of tourists who visited the old Church, an nearly $200 was realized from these sales. Some idea ma be formed of the number of visitors when it is stated by th keeper that from 1888 to 1891 there were 11,924 visiting th old Church. The wear and tear upon the carpet of th Church was considerable; one eager souvenir collector wa detected tearing off a scrap of the cushion in "Patric. Henry's pew." Finally an alms box for the benefit of th missions of St. John's was conspicuously placed in the per during week days. It was observed by the sexton that itir erant patriots and prying antiquarians were noticeably les eager to be able to say that they had stood where Henry stood and indeed often gave but a passing glance to this sacre spot, when the shrewd cicerone, in pointing it out, directe his finger at the alms box. In 1889 the city lowered th grade of Twenty-fourth street, involving the removal of be
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ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.
tween six and eight feet in the middle of the square between Broad and Grace streets, building a new brick wall on that side, surmounted with a tasteful iron railing. The yard was graded down to it. This closed the entrance to the Church yard, which had been its west side. The steps and gate were removed to Grace street near the corner of Twenty-fourth, so as to be convenient for access to the brick chapel, and so as to afford to those coming from the southwest a more direct approach to the Church. Afterwards the wall on Broad street was lowered and improved in the same way, affording a better view of the Church from the street. The northern half of the burying ground belongs to the city; the southern half to the congregation. The control of the whole is vested in the city. The buildings, except the keeper's lodge, are under the exclusive jurisdiction of the congregation. The City Council annually appoints a Committee on St. John's Burying Ground, and appropriates regularly a sum for the keeper's salary and another for the maintenance of the grounds. In 1889 the Brick School-House was put in thor- ough repair and was used during Mr. Burton's rectorship as now for the Primary Sunday School, for the meetings of the Vestry and some of the societies, committee meetings, etc.
for In 1892 the frame school building was repaired and en- d to larged to its present dimensions at a cost of about $1,000.
We now again take up the story of the missions. The Rev. W. B. Everett, M. D., served as assistant minister from Feb- ruary 18, 1885, to March 19, 1886; the Rev. Pike Powers, D. D., from January 5, 1888, to June 30, 1890; the Rev. C. R. Kuyk, from October 6, 1891, to June 15, 1893; the Rev. J. H. Burkhead, from May 7, 1895, to June 1, 1897 ; the Rev. E. B. Snead, from February 1, 1900, to June 15, 1903.
In 1891 the Sunday school at Weddell had increased to 200 scholars. Nine years after Calvary Mission was started, Sergeant B. F. Howard, superintendent, reported 183 chil- dren as having joined St. John's Sunday school during this period, and sixty-three from its neighborhood as having united with St. John's. The conditions that called for the establish- ment of Calvary Mission having ceased to exist, this mission was discontinued in 1902. At the time this enterprise was started by Dr. Weddell there was no mission or church in
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HISTORY HENRICO PARISH,
that immediate vicinity. Some years ago the Presbyterians built at the corner of Nineteenth and Franklin the beautiful little brick church known as the Hoge Memorial. More re- cently the Methodist Church established a mission in the old building, formerly known as the Union Hotel, at the corner of Nineteenth and Main streets. These two enterprises filled the place and supplied the needs of the people in this neigh- borhood so that Calvary Misson was no longer necessary.
Not only did St. John's prosper in a material sense under the admirable and efficient rectorship of Mr. Burton, but two especial seasons of spiritual revival in St. John's congrega- tion were vouchsafed us by God's Holy Spirit. A series of meetings in conjunction with the Rev. John B. Newton, rec- tor of Monumental Church, were held by the rector in 1887; these meetings were held nightly, and were attended by a large and deeply affected congregation. Again in 1891, the rector, assisted by Dr. Newton and the Rev. H. M. Jackson, the rector of Grace Church, awakened great interest; many souls were gathered into the fold as a result of these two especial revivals. In January, 1893, the hour of service was changed from 8 o'clock at night to 5 P. M., which still con- tinues. These services are much better attended and are more popular than were the nightly services. Three unusual services belong to the period which we are now covering. On February 5, 1889, the rector arranged with the Vestry for a service, to be held in St. John's Church April 30th following, commemorative of the centennial of the inaugura- tion of George Washington as first President of the United States. The service was held in response to the proclama- tion of the President and the Governor of Virginia. It was felt that no place for such a service could be more fitting than old St. John's. The Episcopal clergy of the city of Rich- mond and Manchester not only participated, but also united in an urgent printed invitation to the congregations and to the brethren of the different denominations to attend. It was on a Tuesday at 8:15 P. M. that the service was held. A printed order of service was prepared by the rector, with the approval of Bishop Whittle, copying a form compiled by Dean, afterwards Bishop, Hale, which was as nearly as possi- ble a reproduction of that used by Bishop Prevoost when,
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ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.
after the inaugural exercises in New York, the President pro- ceeded on foot to St. Paul's Church, and the Bishop of New York, as chaplain of the Senate, there conducted services. An impressively eloquent sermon was preached by Bishop Randolph. Fourth of July services were held in St. John's in 1890, on Friday, at 10 A. M., in response to a suggestion by the public press. It was urged by the rector as a means of promoting sectional harmony, as the associations both of the Fourth of July and St. John's Church belong to a com- mon noble past; but being obliged to leave the city because of recent sickness in his family, the Rev. J. B. Funsten, rector of Christ's Church, generously accepted the chairman- ship of the Committee on Arrangements. The address was delivered by Rev. W. W. Landrum, D. D., of the Second Baptist church, in Richmond, and was pronounced by those who heard it to be characteristically bright and able as well as appropriate. On June 10, 1891, there was a memorable celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the erection of St. John's Church. The Vestry and the congre- gation united with the rector in elaborate and extensive preparations. The Bishops manifested their deep sympa- thy. The clergy and Vestries of all the other churches in the Parish of Henrico and those of Meade Memorial Church, Manchester, were invited. The Governor and officers of the State government, the Mayor, City Council and the muni- cipal officers had seats reserved for them. A souvenir pro- gramme, containing the services prepared by the rector based upon the office for the consecration of churches, was approved by the Bishop of the Diocese and handsomely printed. It contained on the front of its enamelled cover a wood cut of the Church and yard from a photograph taken by Mr. W. W. Davies, of the Lee Gallery. As an appropriate memorial of the occasion, the Vestry determined to purchase the hand- some lectern that now ornaments the Church. It was suit- ably inscribed :
"A Thank-offering to God by the Congregation, on the 150th Anniversary of the erection of St. John's Church, Richmond, Virginia, June 10th, 1741-1891."
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HISTORY HENRICO PARISH,
It was sincerely meant by the people of the congregation to be a testimonial to their gratitude for His signal mercies so long bestowed upon St. John's. It was duly in its place on the appointed day, and upon it lay a new and handsome Bible, presented by Captain and Mrs. Cyrus Bossieux.
Bishop Whittle, in reply to the application of the rector, declared that his pastoral as to the use of flowers in the churches of Virginia did not refer to sesqui-centennials, and the ladies tastefully decorated the Church. The Bish- ops and clergy vested in the robing room and were led by the Wardens and Vestrymen of St. John's and by the other Vestries of the Parish and of Manchester to the front doors of the Church. There the two Bishops entered first, each of them by one of the aisles, Bishop Whittle to the right and Bishop Randolph to the left, leading the clergy, who divided in following them, in antiphonal reading of the 24th Psalm. The Rt. Rev. H. M. Jackson, D. D., Bishop Coadjutor of Alabama, was also present on the occasion. The service was read impressively by the Bishop of the Diocese; the sermon, a powerful and telling one, was delivered by the Assistant Bishop. In the evening, after appropriate services provided for in the souvenir programme, a carefully prepared address was delivered by the Hon. Wm. Wirt Henry, a grandson of him who had given special historical distinction to the spot. Mr. Henry led before the congregation in animated pro- cession the chief men of his grandfather's time, whose bodies were now lying in the Church yard. The congregations on both occasions were such as to justify the preparations. And the occasion, worthily commemorating the erection of the Church building, made that fane even more important and sacred and dear in the estimation of the people of Rich- mond. Growing out of the interest thus quickened, Mr. Joseph W. Johnston presented to the Church a Bible and Prayer Book printed in 1770.
Mr. Burton had his convictions and was firm in the main- tenance of the principles of the Church. With him there was no compromise with evil, and yet he was not conceited or self-opinionated. He did not think "he knew it all." He not only did not deprecate, but encouraged well meant and friendly criticism. On several occasions the writer took
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ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.
the liberty of commenting on his discourses; sometimes he agreed and at other times he differed with him, but he al- ways received Mr. Burton's thanks and his assurance that the criticisms were not only helpful, but encouraging. He liked to know the opinions of thoughtful people of his efforts. Any comments made by his hearers were not deemed pre- sumptuous if made in the proper spirit, but were appreciated and received prompt and courteous acknowledgment.
It is said that death always chooses a shining mark, and it is equally as true in regard to Church "calls." In May, 1893, it was whispered that our rector had a "call"; it was soon ascertained that he had had two calls. Hope and doubt, fear and trust beset our minds ; an air of sadness, of expecta- tion, of subdued excitement pervaded our congregation. It is true that theoretically an Episcopal minister is "called" for life; but if they are called to greener pastures or better prospects, or if they think duty impels them and that they can do more good elsewhere, they always hearken to the "call." These rumors were confirmed when our beloved rector announced at a Vestry meeting held May 11, 1893, the re- ception of two "calls"-one to Moore Memorial, Richmond, and the other to St. Andrew's, Louisville, Ky. He expressed affection for each Vestryman and for the congregation ; spoke of the many ties that bound him to the old Church. No pecuniary consideration entered into the question ; he hoped to be governed entirely by a sense of duty. He requested the Vestry to talk freely, and to place before him every argument for remaining, and, above all, to pray. The Vestry ex- hausted every argument in their power and expressed in warmest terms their sincere affection, giving reasons from their standpoint why he should remain. On the afternoon of May 15, 1893, the ladies of St. John's congregation met at the "Old Carrington Mansion," the residence of Mrs. A. W. Weddell, and one hundred and seventy-five names were signed to a touching address asking Mr. Burton not to leave.
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