USA > Virginia > Henrico County > Henrico County > History and reminiscences of the Monumental Church, Richmond, Va. : from 1814 to 1878 > Part 21
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travagant and complicated externalism is designed symbolically to favor and facilitate the new produc- tion of great error in doctrine and worship re- pudiated by the distinguished divines of the Eng- lish reformation, and condemned by our standards, and which tend to unprotestantise the church, and assimilate it to the corrupt church of Rome. If it were a mere question of aesthetics, though we would still eschew the pageantries and puerilities by which some, from whom better things were to have been expected, are carried away captive, yet we would less care to remonstrate and resist; but when the tendency of the innovations is to subvert scriptural truth, and pervert scriptural worship, our solemn oath of ordination allows no indifference or com- promise, but binds us expressly to "be ready with all faithful diligence to banish and drive away from the church all erroneous and strange doctrines con- trary to God's word." But if, as we have stated, the agitating question is simply one of degree, how is the proper gradation to be settled. The authori- tative rule is found in the book of common prayer, as ratified by the general convention, and what has been the general usage of this church under that directory.
" To any ritualism so recognized and sanctioned no one may justly object, but beyond the license thus indicated begins excess, which, being once out- side the legitimate limitation, may run on to any amount of extravagance which the fancy or the folly of the individual affects-such as the use of fading
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flowers, cut off from their roots, to symbolize a re- surrection to life ; groups of variegatedly vested and artistically attitudinizing priests, to observe the sacra- ment instituted with so much simplicity in the upper chamber at Jerusalem ; pictorial representations of the scenes and scriptural images of the saints of Scripture; dramatic exhibitions of the affecting events of passion week, even their consummation at Cavalry ; any thing and every thing which sentimen- talism or superstition may crave to gratify its mor- bid appetite. Thus churches are changed into ex- hition halls, the people lose their spirituality in sight seeing, and become mere gazers instead of godly worshippers. So it has been, as the history of the church sadly testifies. The tendencies are still the same. The proclivity of the natural heart is to externalism in religion. So therefore it will. be again, if legal limits are disregarded, and every one is left to introduce such innovations as are pleas- ing to himself.
" Brethren, we are one church, under compact to- maintain, as far as may be, one and the same man- ner of public worship. And, worship in this church where we may, it is the sacred right of each one of us to be secured against any service or mode of ad- ministration not prescribed by the Book of Common Prayer, or authorized by known usage which has be- come our common law.
" Thanks to God, under His blessing, and by the sober piety and sound sense of the clergy and laity, we have as a diocese been signally preserved from
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offensive practices, which in other places seem to be the order of the day. Let us not, however, forget our exposure, and that those evils, though small at their inception and entrance, are the restless and in- sidious precursors of the corrupt system to which they naturally pertain. Continued exemption can be expected only at the cost of constant vigilance. Help me then, dear brethren, by your devout and intelligent co-operation, to keep our beloved church in this diocese on the scriptural basis of our book of common prayer-a basis broad enough to allow all reasonable variety in public worship, and any doc- trinal diversity compatible with spiritual health and eternal salvation.
"Whatever may be the imperfections of that ex- cellent form of sound words, I deem it less liable to exception than any similar provision of any age or section of the Christian church. Now closing the fiftieth year of my ministry, I may testify that I have found it, not a hindrance, but a wholesome re- straint and a precious help. I regard it with in- creased admiration and love, and feel assured that if parted with, or materially changed, its like would not be obtained before the dawn of a new dispensa- tion."
The committee on "the state of the church" that year submitted to the council the three resolutions as follows: two of them touching sanitary regula- tions for observance within the diocese, and one its regulations to the church at large:
"First, That in view of the doctrinal declension
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from the standards of the church, as distinctly Pro- testant, which has occurred elsewhere within the past thirty years, it is the duty of the clergy of this diocese to guard against being lulled into security by the assumption that our people are sufficiently well established in the truth, and are free from danger; and to give more earnest heed to the incul- cation in the pulpit, the Sunday-schools and Bible- classes, of the doctrines of those standards of our Protestant church.
" Second, That in view of these 'novelties' which disturb the peace of the church, and wound the con- sciences of so many of both clergy and laity, and of the difficulty of arresting innovations originating from small beginnings in ornaments, decorations, or otherwise, and of returning to the simplicity of worship after the same has been departed from, it be earnestly recommended to the clergy, church wardens and vestries, strenuously to resist the intro- duction of any changes in the forms and modes of conducting public worship and administering the sacraments, as the same were used in the church of England and our own before the rise of tracta- rianism and ritualism.
"Third, That the diocese of Virginia, represented by this council, as a constituent part of the Protes- tant Episcopal Church in the United States, is ani- mated by heart-felt love for the Reformed Protes- tant Church of our fathers, by a sincere desire for its purity and integrity, and by a just sense of the injury which it suffers, in common with others, when,
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in view of the doctrines preached and changes introduced in those churches commonly called ritual- istic, of the systematic omission or rejection of its constitutional name by some whose aim seems to be to unprotestantize the church, and of the disastrous effects of these and other novel practices and teach- ings upon the peace and progress of the church, it does here record its protest against the further tole- ration of such practices and teachings as being un- lawful, perilous to the unity of the church, and hostile to the Christian interest, and this council re- verently invokes the power of the Holy Ghost to continue with and preserve the church as one cath_ olic and apostolic church,
" Signed by C. W. ANDREWS,
REV. WM. N. PENDLETON,
REV. HENDERSON SUTER,
REV. CHURCHILL J. GIBSON, REV. JOSEPH PACKARD,
REV. WM. FRIEND, REV. JAMES A. LATANE,
MR. HUGH W. SHIFFEY, MR. R. C. L. MONCURE, MR. RICHARD PARKER, MR. R. H. CUNNINGHAM,
MR. A. L. CARTER, MR. P. H. FOSTER.
1870.
Parochial report of Monumental Church, Rich-
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mond .- Rev. George Woodbridge, D. D., rector ; Mr. John Tyler, as lay delegate; Mr. H. D. Whit- comb, as alternate, to annual meeting of the council, in Wheeling, Va ; but neither was present. Commu- nicants, 217 ; contributions, $2,190.21.
Four meetings of the vestry were held this fiscal year. The first on the 21st March, 1870, when the treasurer informed the vestry that the " envelope " system thus far was working well in aid of regularity of income. The subject of the music also occupied the attention of those present; but it was left to the music committee to manage the best way it could, and to insure its success
The next meeting was held on the 3rd of May, when Mr. John Tyler, as one of the committee on music, stated that the services of Mrs. Lockerman had been again procured, and another female voice was necessary in the choir to make the music more attractive. At this meeting Mr. Wm. S. P. Mayo was nominated and unanimously elected a member of the vestry, to take the place of Mr. Ro. W. Pow- ers, who had resigned. Mr. John Tyler was elected the lay delegate, and Mr. H. D. Whitcomb, the al- ternate, to the annual meeting of the council, to be held at Wheeling, West Va., on the 25th instant.
The next meeting was on the 19th of October, when Mr. John Tyler mentioned that the committee on music had employed Mr. Leo P. Wheat, as organ- ist, at a salary of $100 per month, $600 of it to be paid from the regular funds of the church, and the remainder to be collected from certain contributors
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outside of the church funds. At this meeting Mr. J. V. L. McCrery was elected a member of the choir, to take the place of Mr. Rhodes, who had gone to the west. It was also decided to take up an afternoon collection in church, in addition to the forenoon, every Sunday.
The next meeting was held on the 29th Novem- ber. Mr. Powers, the treasurer, stated he was not then prepared to inform the vestry of the exact con- dition of the finances of the church, but would do so at an early day in December. It was at this meet- ing the vestry resolved to hold meetings every two months during the year.
1871.
Parochial report of Monumental Church, Rich- mond .- Rev. George Woodbridge, D. D., rector, and Mr. Wm. H. Powers, lay delegate, at annual meeting of council in Petersburg. Communicants, 232; contributions, $3,122.08.
There is a sewing school attached to the church, which meets every Saturday for two hours, and in which there are about twenty teachers and two hun- dred children. These young girls are thus brought into familiar contact with some of the most cultivated ladies of the city; and while at work are instructed by familiar and practical illustrations in the word of God.
The vestry held ten meetings this fiscal year, viz : The 6th December, when the treasurer reported the financial condition of the church so improved, that
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the rector's salary was raised to $2,500, commenc- ing with the 1st December, 1870, the present month.
The next meeting was on the 13th February, 1871, when a committee was appointed to look into the trusteeship of the Monumental Church property, and report to a future meeting of the vestry. That committee was composed of the rector, Mr. John H. Tyler, and Judge A. B. Guigon.
The next was held on the 10th April, when the following was adopted :
"WHEREAS, It has been ascertained that the ori- ginal trustees of the Monumental Church have long since died, therefore,
"Resolved, That the following persons, to-wit: John Tyler, Richard H. Meade, Peter II. Mayo, William H. Powers, and Charles R. Skinker, all of the city of Richmond, be, and are hereby, appointed in their stead, and that the judge of the chancery court of the city of Richmond be requested to have the same placed on the records of the court."
At this meeting the vestry determined to hold monthly meetings, say on the 2nd Monday of each month.
The next meeting was held on the 16th of May, when Mr. Wm. H. Powers was elected the delegate from the Monumental Church to the annual meeting of the council at Petersburg, on Wednesday, the 30th instant. Messrs. John Tyler, W. S. P. Mayo, and Richard H. Meade were appointed members of the advisory council of the Henrico Sunday-school union, in behalf of the Monumental Church. Mr.
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John Tyler, in behalf of the committee on music, made a suggestion in regard to having the organ thoroughly overhauled and cleaned, the cost being estimated as $550, and the money to be raised by a concert in the church, unless the rector shall object.
The next meeting was held on the 12th June, when a committee was appointed to unite with that on music, to learn if Mrs. Lockerman and Mr. Wheat will consent to aid in a concert for paying the cost of cleaning and repairing the organ. And another committee was appointed to look into the cost and best plan for enlarging the Sunday-school room.
The next meeting was held on the 10th of July, when the committee reported that no serious diffi- culty would prevent the concert being given by Mrs. Lockerman and Mr. Wheat, and it was decided to have the organ cleaned in the summer, while the church was closed, and during the absence of the rector on his usual summer recreation. Mr. Gard- ner, in behalf of the committee on the alterations and repairs of the Sunday-school room, submitted a report, with a plan and estimate of the cost, etc., and the vestry gave the committee full power to carry out their plan whenever, in the judgment of the committee, it was thought advisable.
The next meeting was held on the 11th of Septem- ber, when the registrar read a letter he had received from the rector at Greenwood Depot, in Albemarle county, dated the 7th, requesting notice to be given in the newspapers and churches that divine service in the Monumental Church would be held on the following Sunday, the 17th.
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The next meeting was held on the 27th of Septem- ber, when the subject of Mr. Wheat's salary for a new year was discussed, and a communication made to him expressive of our satisfaction of his musical talent, as well as his gentlemanly deportment during the time he has acted as organist.
The next meeting was held on the 29th, when again the subject relative to Mr. Wheat occupied the attention of the vestry. He was present, and gave his views and proposal for another year.
The next meeting was on the 10th of October, and a resolution adopted stating the terms upon which the vestry were willing to make with Mr. Wheat for another ten months' service as organist. At this meeting, also, Mr. John Tyler was authorized to employ Miss Julia Fox, as alto singer, at $20 per month.
The next meeting was held on the 13th of Novem- ber, when it was determined that the first Thursday in December was the best time to hold the contem- plated concert in behalf of the church.
Bishop Johns, in his address in the convention of 1871, after referring to the death of two valuable clergymen of the diocese, the Rev. John Grammer, of Halifax county, and Rev. H. W. L. Temple, of South Farnham Parish, Essex county, mentions that of General Robert E. Lee, a vestryman of Grace church, Lexington, in a most appropriate manner.
1872.
The annual meeting of the council was held in
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Christ Church, Norfolk, on Wednesday, the 15th May. Present : Right Rev. John Johns, D. D., bishop, and Right Rev. F. M. Whittle, D. D., assis- tant bishop, with Rev. T. G. Dashiell, secretary.
The parochial report of Monumental Church, Richmond .- Rev. George Woodbridge, D. D., rec- tor, and Col. Ro. E. Withers, lay delegate, at meet- ing of council in Norfolk, 15th May. Communi- cants, 232; contributions, $3,489.26.
We have no parish school, but are contributors to several which are supported by all the congrega- tions of the city. These are established in different parts of the city. There are several paid teachers, and about 300 scholars. There is an infant school connected with it, numbering about 45 scholars. It is very efficiently taught by a very devoted lady .* The present Sunday-school building is too small, and we are making efforts to build a new one. We expect to begin the work during the present year.
Ten monthly meetings during this fiscal year were held by the vestry, viz: On the 11th December, 1871, when Mr. James H. Gardner, our senior war- den, sent in his resignation, owing to his enfeebled state of health; but the meeting declined to receive it, and a committee was appointed, and requested to wait upon him, and beg that he would withdraw his then determination.
The treasurer, Mr. Powers, made his annual ex-
* NOTE .- Miss Helen King, an old citizen, and of cheerful piety, and has a remarkable talent in winning the affection, as well as the confidence and respect, of children.
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hibit of the finances of the church up to the 1st inst., which showed a deficit of about $205 between the receipts and expenses.
The next meeting was held on the 9th January, 1872, when a committee was appointed to wait upon Mrs. Lockerman and Mr. Wheat, to ask their ser- vices in a concert, to be held in the "assembly rooms," and under the direction of the choir of our church, to raise enough money to pay the balance due for cleaning and repairing the organ.
The next meeting was held on the 12th of Feb- ruary, and a letter from Mr. Wheat, of the 30th January, to Mr. Powers was read, giving his reasons for his absence from the city, but hoped to return in a week or two, and resume his duties as organist.
Mr. Powers, in behalf of the committee stated to the meeting that he had held one or two conversa- tions with Mr. Gardner, and regretted to say that he still adhered to his determination, and must de- cline acting as a vestryman for the reasons he first gave; so it was with deep regret that his resigna- tion was accepted. At this meeting Mr. Peter C. Warwick was elected to fill Mr. Gardner's place as vestryman.
The next meeting was held on the 11th of March, when the vestry elected Mr. George D. Fisher as senior, and Mr. John H. Tyler as junior warden of Monumental Church.
The next meeting was held on 8th of April, and a long conversation ensued relating to the contem- plated concert in behalf of the debt due for repairs
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to the organ, and it was decided that, if the "assem- bly room" could not be procured, the concert should be held in the church.
The next meeting was held on the 7th of May, when Col. Ro. E. Withers was elected the delegate from the Monumental Church, to the annual meet- ing of the council, to be held in Norfolk, on the 15th inst., and Mr. John Tyler, as the alternate. At this meeting it was decided that the concert would be held in the "assembly rooms."
The next meeting was held on the 17th of June, when Mr. Powers, the treasurer, reported that $250 net had been obtained from the concert, and the amount paid in full towards the organ debt. At this meeting Mr. Woodbridge announced that the ladies of the sewing society desired to appropriate the funds in their hands towards recarpeting the chancel and aisles of the church, and also to paint the wood work inside the church, and the vestry very willingly consented to their wishes.
The next meeting was held on the 1st of July, when the committee on the plan for removing the old Sunday-school room from its present position, to the east side of the church, was requested to make a report as soon as possible. And the thanks of the vestry were returned to the ladies of the congrega- tion for their liberality in providing the carpeting for the chancel and aisles of the church; but that the painting of the wood work must be paid for out of the regular funds of the church.
The next meeting was held on the 26th of July,
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when the plan of Mr. Lee, the architect, for build- ing the new Sunday-school was submitted for con- sideration, and Messrs. Peter H. Mayo and Peter C. Warwick, were added to the committee, to carry out the same as then proposed. Mr. Powers, in be- half of the committee on music, stated that Mrs. Lockerman and Mr. Wheat had consented to take their parts in the choir for another year from the first of October, upon the same terms as this year.
The next meeting was held on the 11th of Novem- ber, when Mr. Powers, in behalf of the committee on repairs and painting the wood work of the church, made a report of the cost for same. It was decided at this meeting to increase the pew rents, not exceeding 25 per cent., as the present rate was insufficient to pay the rector's salary. The rector called the atten- tion of the vestry to some resolutions on " church music," which had been adopted by the last council, and expressed his wish that a plainer style of music in the Monumental Church should be practised, and that he would inform Mr. Wheat accordingly.
Bishop Johns, in his address this year, again calls the attention of the church in Virginia, to the sub- ject of small beginnings in ritualistic exhibit-such as pieces of chancel furniture, which are called "altars," instead of the usual "table" for the Lord's Supper. He deprecates the name of "altar"-for it is the word "table" which is used in the Book of Common Prayer. This is the scriptural name for that on which, not a sacrifice is to be offered, but the Lord's Supper administered. He also ad-
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monishes and strongly deprecates the habit of round dancing, especially by communicants, and that ministers must make every appeal in their power to those who practice it, to give it up, and if they will not do so, then the painful duty of suspension from the communion must ensue.
1873.
Parochial report of Monumental Church, Rich- mond .- Rev. George Woodbridge, D. D., rector ; and Mr. Peter C. Warwick, lay delegate, to meeting of council, in Winchester, 21st May. Communi- cants, 243 ; contributions, $4,507.87.
The ladies' sewing society attached to the church has been very active during the past year. The proceeds of their labor has amounted to nearly $550, with which they have carpeted and painted the interior of the church. This amount is not included in the contributions above stated. We trust the new Sunday-school will be built during the present sum- mer.
Twelve meetings of the vestry were held this fiscal year, commencing with the 9th December, 1872, when the treasurer made his annual report of the finances of the church, and it was thought that the addition levied upon the pew-rents would be suf- ficient to meet the deficiency which then existed, say about $340.
The next meeting was on the 13th of January, 1873, and no special matter was brought before the vestry, except that of the music, and it was under-
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stood that its character should be in conformity with the wishes of the rector.
The next meeting was on the 10th of February, and a like conversation was held and determined upon.
The next was on the 10th of March, when the new Sunday-school room occupied the attention of those present.
The next was on the 17th March, when the rector announced the sudden death of our late esteemed and much beloved brother vestryman, Mr. W. S. P. Mayo; and very suitable resolutions were offered and adopted on this distressing occasion, and which are duly recorded upon the minutes of that meeting.
The next was held on the 14th of April, when the vacancy caused by the death of our late brother vestryman, Mr. W. S. P. Mayo, was filled by the election of Mr. H. D. Whitcomb, a worthy and zealous member and communicant of the Monumen- tal Church.
The next meeting was held on the 12th of May when Col. Ro. E. Withers was elected the lay dele- gate from the Monumental Church to the annual meeting of the council, to be held in Winchester, on Wednesday, the 21st instant. Mr. Richard Hall at this meeting tendered his resignation as vestryman.
The next meeting was held on the 8th of June, when Mr. Charles R. Skinker was elected a mem- ber to fill the place of Mr. Richard Hall, who had resigned. At this meeting Mr. John Tyler ten- dered his resignation as a member of the music com-
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mittee, and Mr. Wm. H. Powers was elected in his place.
The next meeting was held on the 16th of July, and the ladies of the sewing society again came to the aid of the church, and proffered $100 towards painting the outside of the church; and a resolution was adopted, thanking the ladies for their generous offer, and accepting the same. At this meeting Mr. John H. Tyler tendered his resignation as a member of the committee on music, and Mr. R. H. Meade and Peter H. Mayo were elected members of the same.
The next meeting was held on the 10th Septem- ber, when authority was given the committee on music to employ Mr. Wheat as organist upon same terms as the past year.
The next meeting was held on the 14th of October, and the treasurer was empowered to pay forty dol- lars towards the publication of a Sunday-school newspaper, called " Early Days." A committee was appointed at this meeting to solicit aid towards the completion of the new Sunday-school room.
The next meeting of the vestry was held on the 10th November, and Mr. John Tyler made a verbal report in regard to the progress the committee was making about the new Sunday-school room.
1874.
Parochial report of Monumental Church, Rich- mond .- Rev. George Woodbridge, rector; and Wm. H. Powers, lay delegate to the council at Charlottes-
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ville, 20th May. Communicants, 234; contribu- tions, $6,344.76. The church has built during the past year a very large and commodious lecture and Sunday-school room, at a cost of about $3,000.
The ladies' sewing society has, during the last year, as heretofore, done most efficient work.
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