USA > Virginia > Henrico County > Henrico County > History and reminiscences of the Monumental Church, Richmond, Va. : from 1814 to 1878 > Part 23
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"Resolved, That we sincerely condole with his be- reaved family, and tender them our warmest feelings of regard and esteem.
" Resolved, That we will in a body attend his funeral, and pay to his remains the last tribute of our respect and attachment.
" Resolved, That these resolutions be published in the papers of the city, and in the Southern Church- man.
Signed,
RECTOR AND VESTRY OF MONUMENTAL CHURCH."
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The next meeting was held on the 10th of same month, and Mr. Thomas Potts was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy in the vestry caused by the death of Mr. Dudley. At this meeting the at- tention of the vestry was called to a change neces- sary in renumbering the pews, which had grown out of the enlargement of the chancel, and thereby the removal of the four front pews on each side of the aisle. The committee on repairs was given the authority to take under consideration the propriety and expediency of carrying out the original design of a tower or steeple to the church building, and a chime of bells in the same, and report cost, etc., from time to time as the said committee may find convenient to do.
The next meeting was held on the 8th of May, when a delegate to the council, to be held in Alex- andria, on the 17th instant, was elected, and Mr. Peter C. Warwick was chosen, with Mr. John Tyler as alternate. And at this meeting also the treasurer of the church was authorized to execute his note, binding the vestry to the extent of five hundred dol- lars, in the event of the church funds being insuffi- cient at any time to meet the current expenses of the church.
The next meeting was held on the 12th of June, when a condensed statement by the treasurer of the condition of the church funds for six months was rendered ; whereupon the thanks of the vestry were voted to Mr. Powers for the excellent manner in which he had advanced the interest of the church as the treasurer of the same.
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MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
· The next meeting was held on the 26th September, and in the absence of the regular registrar, Mr. Pow- ers acted as such. After considering the subject of a continuance of subscription on the part of the Monumental Church to the parish schools of Rich- mond and Manchester, as connected with the Pro- testant Episcopal Church in Henrico, it was decided by resolution that the vestry think it inexpedient to continue the contribution.
The next meeting was held on the 9th of October, when the committee made a report as to the best mode of appropriating the funds of the church (out- side of the regular expenses), to be done by means of a finance committee connected with the rector and treasurer. A resolution was also adopted that an ap- propriation of $200 per annum may be made to the parish schools of Manchester and Grace Church, Richmond, in such proportion as the committee on finance may deem most advisable.
The next meeting was held on the 13th Novem- ber, when the rector read an application from the Rev. Mr. Morris, of Ashland, asking a contribution towards an Episcopal Church to be established in that village; and it was determined that the collec- tion taken up the following Sunday afternoon should be devoted to that object. And at this meeting a committee was appointed to ascertain the best method, as well as cost, in having the pews in the gallery so altered as to command a view of the pulpit and reading desk in every part of it. Mr. John Tyler called the attention of the vestry to the
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benevolent society connected with the church, and a debt of not less than $100, due by it for clothing, etc., and it was decided that an appeal had best be made to the congregation the following Sunday.
1877.
The annual meeting of the council of the diocese of Virginia was held in Trinity Church, Staunton, on Wednesday, May 16th. Present, Right Rev. F. M. Whittle, D. D., bishop, and the Rev. T. G. Dashiell, secretary.
At this meeting, by written consent of Bishop Whittle, the new diocese of West Virginia was formed out of the old one which had embraced the entire original State of Virginia.
Parochial report of Monumental Church, Rich- mond .- Rev. George Woodbridge, D. D., rector, and Mr. H. D. Whitcomb, as lay delegate in annual council at Staunton, 16th May, 1877. Communi- cants, 243; contributions, $6,654.75.
REMARKS .- The Sunday-school has an infant school of about seventy scholars, admirably con- ducted by two ladies. There is also a Bible-class for young ladies, which is taught with great ability by a gentleman who delights in teaching, and is enthu- siastic in the work. There is also a sewing school which meets every Saturday, and where the poor children are taught to sew, and where religious in- struction is imparted, and the duties of womanhood are faithfully impressed upon them. The principal of the sewing school is a young lady of most ad-
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mirable character and attainments. The ladies' sew- ing society deserves the highest commendation for their untiring energies .*
During the fiscal and church year, ending with November, 1877, the vestry held seventeen meetings, all of which were more or less directly in the in- terest of the church's condition, and one or two of a deeply interesting, personal nature.
The first was on the 11th December, 1876, when the treasurer made his annual statement as to the financial condition of the church, and the same was referred to the finance committee for future consider- ation.
The next meeting was on the 8th of January, 1877, when the committee on finance was requested to prepare a paper, and have the same printed and distributed among the pews, in the form of an ap- peal to the congregation on the approaching Easter, asking the aid of the congregation for a liberal con- tribution towards paying a balance of the debt to- wards the late repairs of the church.
The next meeting was on the 12th of February, when an application from Mr. Wheat, the organist, was read, asking the authority of the vestry to have the choir gallery carpeted, and a wood wing on each side of the same put up and painted, so as to render the choir less liable to intrusion.
* NOTF .- The young lady alluded to in this report by Dr. Wood- bridge was Miss Mary Maury, one of the daughters of the late- Commodore Maury, and who has since married Mr. James R. Werth, of Richmond. This was the last parochial report made to the council by Dr. Woodbridge.
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The next was held on the 18th February, when the paper, drawn up by the finance committee in the form of an appeal for Easter-offering, was readily approved.
The next was on the 12th March, when it was de- termined that the register of the vestry, in the name of the same, be requested to borrow from the ves- try of St. Paul's Church, Richmond, the journal containing the history of the Monumental Church, which had been compiled by Col. Thomas H. Ellis.
The next meeting was held on the 16th of April, the pew holders having held a meeting on the 2nd (Easter Monday), and elected the following to serve as the vestry for one year, viz: Messrs. George D. Fisher, senior warden; John H. Tyler, junior warden; Wm. H. Powers, treasurer; John Tyler, H. D. Whitcomb, Peter H. Mayo, Richard H. Meade, Chas. R. Skinker, Thomas Potts, Peter C. War- wick, Thomas L. Alfriend, and Dr. Edward T. Robinson.
The senior warden acted as register, and it was at this meeting the officers were re-elected, and Mr. H. D. Whitcomb appointed the lay delegate to the council, to be held the third Wednesday in May at Staunton.
The next meeting was held on the 7th of May, and the subject of altering the doors of the church so as to make egress and ingress more easy, and particularly in the event of alarm from fire or any other cause, was discussed, and turned over to the committee on repairs for future action.
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MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
The next meeting was held on the 11th of May, but a quorum not present, nothing donc. The next meeting was held on the 11th of June, when the treasurer made a condensed statement of the finances of the church for six months, and exhibited a bal- ance then due of about $1,234.25. At this meeting the attention of the vestry was called to an institu- tion recently established by a few zealous working ladies of our own Episcopal and other churches in the city, and also by the liberal aid of the Medical College faculty, called the "Retreat for the Sick," and the treasurer was requested to pay out of the communion alms monthly, the sum of ten dollars for the establishment and support of a "child's cot" in the said "Retreat for the Sick," as the donation of the Monumental Church. An appeal was made by the rector to the congregation in behalf of the above monthly appropriation, but not to diminish thereby the regular sum given to the poor of the parish on communion days. Some conversation at this meeting was held as to a change in the insur- ance on the church building, and the matter was re- ferred to the committee on finance.
The next meeting was held on the 9th of July, and in the absence of the rector, the senior warden opened it with appropriate prayer, with Mr. Whit- comb as chairman. No especial business was trans- acted at this meeting, but a general conversation, relative to the music and other church matters oc- cupied the time of the meeting up to the usual hour of ten. And here it is agreeable to state that at all
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our vestry meetings a spirit of brotherly, Christain feeling prevailed, and to such an extent that we generally found the time to pass away faster than was desired. Usually our number was eight to ten present.
The next meeting was on the 7th of August, but no quorum. The next was on the 13th of August, and in the absence of the rector, the senior warden opened it with usual prayer, and Mr. Whitcomb presided. Mr. Powers, for reasons stated at the time, desired to tender his resignation as a member of the committee on music, and, after consenting to accept his resignation, Mr. Potts was duly elected to fill his place. After some discussion on the char- acter of the music, as well as the expense attending it, the committee was requested to take up the mat- ter for their consideration, and at a future time re- port to the vestry the result of their deliberations.
The next meeting was held on the 12th of Sep- tember, at the residence of Mr. Peter H. Mayo, (on previous occasions generally they were held at our junior warden's residence, on Grace street, Mr. John H. Tyler's.) In the absence of the rector, the meet- ing was opened with prayer by the senior warden, and Mr. John H. Tyler, junior warden, presided. This meeting was a sad one, for our first attention after opening it was called to the death of our long cherished and valuable brother vestryman, Mr. James H. Gardner, whose remains we had consigned to the grave at Hollywood the previous afternoon. A committee was appointed to draw up appropriate
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resolutions expressive of the vestry's deep sorrow upon the occasion; for Mr. Gardner had been an ac- tive and most liberal co-worker in our body for twenty-six years, and only a few years before did he feel compelled to resign his place in the vestry on account of his declining health. The resolutions which were passed are spread on the records of the vestry, and a copy was sent to his family, and also published in the city papers, as well as the Southern Churchman. At this meeting Mr. Mayo, in behalf of the committee on music, read a communication from three members of the choir declining the terms. offered by the committee for another year, where- upon the matter was left to the committee to arrange upon the best terms they could.
The next meeting was held on the 8th of Octo- ber, but no quorum, and nothing was done. The. next meeting was on the 23rd of same month, and a verbal report was made by the committee on music, and some advice asked for its future action on certain points connected with the subject. The regular register was absent upon this occasion, and Mr. T. L. Alfriend acted in his place.
The next meeting was held on the 12th Novem -. ber, when Mr. John Tyler acted as register. The rec- tor laid before the meeting sundry applications for aid in building and assisting churches in the diocese and elsewhere, and after exchange of opinions, on mo- tion, the matter was referred to the finance com- mittee.
Bishop Whittle, in his address, says: "The great.
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want of our diocese is a largely increased missionary fund, which shall enable us to supply vacant parishes with ministers, and to send forth other ministers into the waste places of our land. There are from twelve to fifteen clergymen faithfully laboring in this dio- cese to-day because of additions made to their sala- ries by the domestic committee of the board of mis- sions and the American Church Missionary Society, and who, but for such aid, would have been obliged to seek food and raiment for their families in some other field. Indeed, I know not what would have become of a number of our ministers and churches but for the kindness of those societies extended to us during the past ten years.
" The time has come, however, it seems to me, when we ought to relieve them of their burden, and ourselves of our obligation.
"The executive committee of our Diocesan Mis- sionary Society will make an effort to accomplish this end during the present council. Their plan is to induce each minister and lay delegate to pledge himself to try and raise a certain sum during the coming year, to be paid quarterly. I trust the plan may be successful, and that at least $10,000 shall be placed in our missionary treasury. And surely no more appropriate or important work can possibly engage our attention.
"The missionary spirit is the spirit of Christ, and the missionary work is the work for which His Church was established and is continued in the world. Just in proportion as we pray and labor,
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and give for the cause of missions, may we expect. God to bless us in our own souls."
In his address of this year also, Bishop Whittle- calls the urgent attention of the council to the dreadful and sinful habit of intemperance through our land, and its great increase, even among many members of the communion of the Episcopal Church. He urges, if possible, that some action by the coun- cil shall be taken, by which an effort is made to put an end to this sinful practice, and especially by those professing the name of Christ. And he also calls attention to the subject of flowers and the coverings used by some of the churches in the chan -. cel for the different seasons of the church year, and usually called altar cloths for the communion table,. reading desk and pulpit. These are introductions he regards of modern date in our diocese; except the evergreens at Christmas, which is as old a cus- tom in Virginia as the church itself. He expresses the hope that the other adornments will not be con- tinued, for they are but the commencement of a system which may sap the very foundation of our Protestant faith. He alludes to the warning which Bishop Johns had given in regard to flowers as part of church ornamentation, much to be deprecated; and he also calls attention to the subject of round danc- ing, which has become so common among young communicants.
The whole of the address of Bishop Whittle, as well as the report of the committee on "the state of the church" for this year, is of the deepest interest,
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and should command the serious attention of every minister and member of the church in all portions of our land.
1878.
Parochial report of Monumental Church, Rich- mond, to annual meeting of the council, at Lynch- burg, 15th May, 1878 .- Communicants, 243; con- tributions, $3,278.42.
REMARKS .- The venerable and beloved Rev. Geo. Woodbridge, D. D., departed this life on Thursday morning, February 14th, 1878, with the deepest sorrow of all his flock; and the vestry of the Mon- umental Church called in his place the Rev. J. G. Armstrong,* who entered upon his pastoral duties the 19th May, 1878.
GEO. D. FISHER, Senior Warden.
The vestry held twelve meetings for the six months to 1st of June, 1878, and these close the book of proceedings from the commencement of the fiscal year, in December, 1845, (when the late rector, the Rev. Dr. Woodbridge, commenced his ministry in the Monumental Church).
The first meeting was held on 9th December, 1877, when the thanks of the vestry were returned to the ladies' sewing society, for $250.51, contributed by them towards the payment of the church debt. The treasurer made a statement of the finances of the
* NOTE .- Mr. Armstrong was unable to get to the meeting of the council, not having time to make his final arrangements in Wheeling, after accepting the call of the Monumental Church, hence the parochial report being made by the senior warden.
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church for the year, ending with November; and the thanks of the vestry were returned to the trea- surer for the able and faithful manner he had man- aged its affairs. A resolution was adopted asking delinquent pew-renters to close their indebtedness by negotiable notes.
The next meeting was held on the 14th of Janu- ary, and in the absence of the rector, Mr. John H. Tyler, junior warden, presided, and Mr. Richard H. Meade acted as register. No special business was transacted.
The next regular meeting was omitted, in order to attend service at St. Paul's Church, to hear an address delivered by the Rev. Mr. Rainsford, a young evangelist from England, and now of Canada. Men alone were invited by him to come, and the church was crowded.
The next was a called meeting, on Thursday after- noon, 14th of February, occasioned by the sudden death, soon after breakfast that morning, of our be- loved pastor, the Rev. George Woodbridge, D. D.
At this meeting a committee, composed of the senior warden and Messrs. Whitcomb and Meade, was appointed to prepare suitable resolutions upon this sudden and distressing event, and submit the same to an adjourned meeting, to be held the next afternoon.
. Accordingly, the meeting assembled on Friday afternoon, the 15th, every member (except the junior warden, who was absent in Florida), being present. · The funeral arrangements were made at this meet-
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ing, and the service to take place the next afternoon at 4 o'clock, from the Monumental Church. The bishop, with the other members of the city clergy, were requested to take part in the chancel service and at the grave, And seats were ordered to be provided for ministers of other denominations.
The committee offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted :
"In the providence of God the congregation of the Monumental Church are called upon to mourn the sudden death of their beloved and revered pastor, the Rev. George Woodbridge, D. D., and the vestry desire to place on record the deep sorrow we all feel under so great an affliction, and to express our sym- pathy for the church and his family in their bereave- ment ; be it therefore
" Resolved, That during the long period of forty- four years as our pastor his people have always cherished for him the kindest and most confiding love and esteem, and nothing has ever occurred to mar our affection for him. In season and out of season he was ever ready in sympathy and in prayer to promote the welfare and happiness of his pastoral flock.
" Resolved, That we hold his memory in great re- verence, and humbly thank our heavenly Father for the bright example of the daily life of His servant, so eminent in all the Christian graces, as well as for his faithful preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and his earnestness and zeal in the saving of souls.
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"Resolved, That we will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.
"Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings be forwarded to his bereaved family, and also published in the daily papers, the Southern Churchman and Hartford Churchman."
An adjourned meeting was held on Monday evening, the 18th of February. On motion of Mr. Potts, it was resolved that a memorial window, in token of the affection of his congregation, be placed in the Monumental Church, as a further tribute of esteem to the memory of Dr. Woodbridge. Messrs. Potts and Skinker were chosen as the committee to carry out the resolution.
The next meeting was held on the 22nd of Feb- ruary, when it was resolved that the pew, so long occupied by the family of Dr. Woodbridge in the Monumental Church, shall be continued free of rent for their use, and that the register be requested to communicate the same to Mrs. Woodbridge. It was determined at this meeting, that the vestry will meet on Friday night, the 1st of March, and proceed in the election of a minister to fill the place vacated by the death of Dr. Woodbridge.
An informal but deeply interesting meeting was again held on Monday evening, 25th. All the members present but two, who were out of town. In accordance with a resolution, the next meeting was held on Friday evening, the 1st of March, and after arranging for service to be held by the Rev. Mr. Kepler, until a regular minister is obtained,
25
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the vestry entered upon the duty of ballotting, (having many names before them), and the result was a call to the Rev. Dr. J. H. Eccleston, of Newark, New Jersey.
A committee composed of the senior warden, and Messrs. Potts and Alfriend, was appointed to com- municate with the Rev. Dr. Eccleston on the sub- ject, and report to a future meeting.
The next meeting was held on Monday evening, the 18th of March, when a communication was pre- sented from Mrs. B. F. Ladd, president of the ladies' sewing society of the Monumental Church, and with it a copy of very interesting resolutions, tender- ing $30 from the funds of the society towards the cost of the "Woodbridge memorial window." The following are the resolutions embraced in Mrs. Ladd's communication :
"Resolved, That memory cherishes with endear- ing recollections the warm interest taken in the suc- cess of our association by our late lamented pastor, Rev. Dr. Woodbridge, at whose house we have had so many pleasant meetings.
"Resolved, That whilst memory will serve us as a tablet to keep alive in our hearts his many virtues, yet we cheerfully contribute the sum of thirty dollars, being the whole amount now in our treasury, to be appropriated toward the purchase of a tablet or me- morial window, as that in after years, when we shall have crossed the river to that beautiful shore, those who fill our places may have awakened in their me- mories the evidences of our endearing affection for him.
REV. J. G. ARMSTRONG.
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MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
" Resolved, That these resolutions, together with the amount of money herein contributed, be for- warded to the vestry of the Monumental Church.
[Signed] MRS. B. F. LADD,
President Sewing Society."
The vestry requested the registrar to return their thanks for the liberal contribution on the part of the ladies' sewing society, and also to spread upon its records the appropriate resolutions which accom- panied the communication of Mrs. Ladd.
No official reply was received up to this time from the Rev. Mr. Eccleston, but one of the committee read a private letter from him, which clearly indi- cated he must decline the call the vestry had made him, and it was then determined that the meeting will stand adjourned until Monday evening next, the 25th.
Accordingly, the vestry met on the 25th of March, and after a full and free discussion on the names of clergymen presented, at half-past ten the balloting commenced, and the Rev. J. G. Armstrong, of St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling, West Virginia, was declared unanimously elected, and a pastoral call thereby made him, in behalf of the vestry, by the same committee, with the addition of Messrs. Whit- comb and Mayo.
Memorandum by registrar of the vestry : Thursday, 4th April, 1878: "A reply was received yesterday by the committee from the Rev. Mr. Armstrong, de- clining the call made by the vestry of the Monu-
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mental Church. After some further conference the vestry urged Messrs. Whitcomb and Mayo to visit Mr. Armstrong in person at Wheeling. These gen- tlemen accordingly went to Wheeling, and Mr. Arm- strong consented to reconsider his decision; and finally, in his communication of the 10th of April, accepted the call."
In his letter of acceptance, Mr. Armstrong ex- pressed the wish to remain with his old congregation until they could obtain another minister, or at least had the prospect of one. A reply on the 15th was sent, expressive of the vestry's wish that he would consult his pleasure and convenience as to the par- ticular time he would enter on his duties as pastor of the Monumental Church ; but at the same time the vestry hoped that he would be with us at the earliest day consistent with his plans.
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