USA > Virginia > Henrico County > Henrico County > History and reminiscences of the Monumental Church, Richmond, Va. : from 1814 to 1878 > Part 6
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After the election of a new vestry, under the in- corporating act of 1784, the following proceedings took place :
"At a meeting of the vestry of Henrico Parish at the Court House in the city of Richmond, on Tues- day, the 10th day of May, 1785, the meeting pro- ceeded to elect by ballot an incumbent for the Parish of Henrico, and upon the examination of the ballots, the Rev. John Buchanan was found to be unanimously elected.
And at another meeting, to wit, June 25th, 1785:
"Resolved, That until a report shall be made of the amount of the subscriptions, (for the support of the minister, clerk and sexton, and for the contingent expenses of the church,) and until the further order of the vestry, it be the duty of the minister to
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preach every other Sunday in Richmond Church, (meaning then St. John's,) and on the intervening Sundays, at 'Curl's,' or Deep Run Church, in due turn; but the church for performing of Divine service on festivals, is, for the present, submitted to the discretion of the minister."
At the meeting of the convention of 1786, Dr. Buchanan was appointed visitor of District No. 4, containing the counties of Henrico, Goochland and Louisa, for assembling the ministers annually in presbytery, and for several other purposes, as set forth in the eighth canon.
In the convention of 1814, " the Rev. Dr. Buch- anan, who has executed the duties of treasurer to the general church for nearly thirty years, urging. his increased years and consequent infirmity, de- clined a re-appointment to the office of treasurer of the church in the diocese; and thereupon, on motion made and seconded, the convention proceeded to the appointment of a treasurer; and on the next day,
"Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be returned to the Rev. Dr. John Buchanan, for his long and faithful services as treasurer to the conven- tion of the Episcopal Church in Virginia."
In the convention of 1821, the Rev. John S. Ravenscroft, from the committee appointed to ex- amine the accounts of the treasurer of the widow's fund, presented a report, which was read as follows : "And it being satisfactorily ascertained that the
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Rev. Dr. Buchanan, by reason of age and infirmity, is desirous to resign the office of treasurer, and sur- render the funds in his hands ;
"Your committee therefore beg leave to recom- mend that the amount constituting the widow's fund be placed in the hands of a treasurer, to be ap- pointed by this convention."
DEATH OF THE REV. JOHN BUCHANAN, D. D.
From the Richmond Enquirer, December 21, 1822: " Died .- At 1 o'clock on Wednesday night, the Rev. John Buchanan, a minister of the Episcopal Church, and for forty odd years a resident of this city. He was faithful to the duties of a minister and a man."
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind ; this is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." This excellent man seemed to have these two laws written on the tablets of his heart.
But we forbear ; a biographical sketch is promised us for Tuesday, by one who knew, and can describe him well. He was buried within the old church (St. John's) to the right-hand of the altar.
From the Richmond Commercial Compiler, De- cember 21, 1822:
" COMMUNICATION.
" What can be more lamentable than to record 6
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the death of a fellow-creature ? But when it is the death of a friend to God and man; when it is the death of a pious and zealous advocate for the prin- ciples of Christianity, and the doctrines of the church ; one who left few equals, and no superior; one whose loss is literally irreparable ; how much more is it to be deplored ?
"In announcing to the world the death of the Rev. John Buchanan, we feel it but a dream. It is with difficulty we can persuade ourselves that we are really deprived of so sood, so humane, and so be- nevolent a man. Yet it is true that Buchanan has paid the last debt of nature. His soul has fled to the regions of everlasting bliss.
" Let us not repine at his better fate; and yet how is it possible to look back on the days that are past without shedding one tear to his memory !
"Always happy, always cheerful, always loving and beloved. He was the very soul of his companions. From the aged to the infant he was beloved.
"Although in good circumstances he was not wealthy; and possessing the same means, there never lived a man who bestowed more charities, who suc- coured the distressed, and supplied the wants of the needy, more than the subject of this obituary. Mr. Buchanan has been a resident of this country for upwards of fifty years, during which time no man could be more universally respected, esteemed and beloved. As a minister of the gospel he was pure and devout; not rigid, yet strict; not enthusiastic, yet zealous.
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"After a gradual decline of about six weeks, he terminated his existence on Wednesday night, the 18th instant, in the 74th year of his age.
From the Compiler of Monday 23rd :
" Yesterday Bishop Moore delivered, in the Mon- umental Church, an instructive and affecting dis- course on the occasion of the Rev. John Buchanan's death."
From the Enquirer of Tuesday the 24th : " COMMUNICATION.
"The Rev. John Buchanan, who departed this life on the morning of the 19th of this month, was born in Scotland, in the year 1748. After receiving a liberal education at the University of Edinburgh, which conferred on him the degree of Master of Arts, he studied law, with the view of being admitted to the bar of his native country; but not being pleased with the profession chosen for him by his friends, he came to America, and joined his eldest brother, the late Mr. James Buchanan, who was then extensively engaged in commerce in this place.
"It was soon perceived that neither his early habits nor his turn of mind fitted him for mercan- tile pursuits; and his own inclination concurring with the advice of his brother to study divinity, he returned to Great Britain for the purpose of being invested with holy orders.
"After accomplishing this object, he again came to Virginia; but the war of our revolution was then
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commencing, and he found no immediate employ- ment as a clergyman of the Episcopal Church. After passing a short time with some friends, in whose families he acted as a private tutor, he returned to Richmond, where he officiated as an assistant to the Rev. Mr. Selden, then rector of the parish of Hen- rico.
"He continued to perform this duty until the death of Mr. Selden, whom he succeeded as minis- ter of the parish.
" Mr. Buchanan was distinguished as a classical scholar, and was a critical judge of his own lan- guage. As a clergyman he was greatly approved. His sermons, which were excellent, were delivered with perfect propriety, and considerable eloquence. As a reader of the church service, he had no supe- rior. His attention had been particularly directed to this department of his sacred function, and he was master of it. That he was a firm believer of the doctrines he taught need scarcely be averred, because he was an honest man, incapable of guile. His piety was always cheerful-was as unostenta- tious as it was unaffected; and the kindness of his heart permitted no asperity of feeling to mingle it- self with his zeal. Allowing to all that freedom of conscience which he claimed for himself, he saw in every sincere professor of our faith a Christian -- in every good man a brother.
"It is a rare instance of that meek and tolerant spirit, which he believed to be inculcated by the pre- cepts and example of the Saviour whose gospel he
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preached, that for many years himself and the Rev. Mr. Blair, a minister of the Presbyterian Church, who were attracted to each other by mutual excel- lence, and were bound to each other in the strictest bonds of friendship, delivered sermons alternately from the same pulpit to almost the same auditors; and it is characteristic of the principles which re- gulated his professional life, that after the improve- ment of his fortune enabled him to surrender en- tirely to his estimable friend and fellow laborer the scanty subscription made by their congregation, he continued without relaxation to perform his ac- customed duties .*
"To the last moments of his life he cherished a grateful recollection of those from whom, while under the frowns of fortune, he had received kind- ness.
"The distinguishing features of Mr. Buchanan's character, which rendered him, while living, and will long preserve his memory in the tender recollection of those who knew him, were singleness of heart, simplicity of manners, and genuine benevolence.
"These qualities entered so thoroughly into the structure of his mind as to be at the same time deeply seated in his bosom and apparent on the surface of his conduct.
* NOTE .- The Rev. Dr. Blair was the father of a large and most estimable family, and the Rev. Dr. Buchanan was single ; and it was a standing anecdote that after the improvement in his for- tune every marriage fee which Mr. Buchanan received was at once carried by him to his valued Brother Blair.
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"They were the agents which impelled, controlled and regulated the actions of his life. They were visible to the transient acquaintance, and were felt by the intimate friend. His benevolence was uni- versal. It embraced the family of mankind, but was not of that cold-blooded, heartless character which exhausts itself in professions of general phil- anthropy. It strengthened and warmed as the circle of its action was contracted. It was active in searching out distress, and delighted with relieving it.
"In the carly part of his life, when his means were very limited,-at a more advanced period, when his fortunes were liberal,-he was the same kind, humane, and charitable man, aiding his fellow-man to the ex- tent of his power, and giving consolation to the wretched.
"In every situation, and at every time of his life, ' to the homeless child of want his hand was open still;' and like the clergyman described by Gold- smith, of whom it is impossible not to think when drawing the character of Mr. Buchanan,
' His pity gave ere charity began.'"
From the Evangelical and Literary Magazine, edited by the Rev. John H. Rice, Vol. VI, 1823 :
" COMMUNICATED.
" In the death of the late Rev. John Buchanan our city has been deprived of an individual whose amiable qualities gave him a place in the affections of all who knew him.
" His disinterested labors form a proof of his attach-
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ment to the Redeemer perfectly conclusive, and the good will he manifested towards all men is an evi- dence that his heart was influenced by the spirit of the doctrines he inculcated.
"The author of this feeble tribute of attention knew him well, and it is with truth he can declare that, of all men with whom he has ever been ac- quainted, Buchanan was inferior to none in humility of heart, benevolence of disposition, and sincerity of friendship. His loss to the poor will perhaps never be filled by any other man. He possessed means of relieving the distressed, and when the appeals of the afflicted met his car, Buchanan's heart vibrated with sympathy, and his purse furnished the necessary supplies. It only remains to add, that he was one of the founders, and the first President, of the Bible Society of Virginia, which was instituted in this city in the year 1813; an office which he held, by annual election, until advancing age and increasing infirmi- ties induced him to decline a re-election."
The Board of Managers, as recently as their fifty- third annual report, made a grateful reference to his services in this connection.
1823.
The convention assembled in Leesburg, on Tues- day, the 13th of May.
In the absence of the Right Rev. Richard Chan- ning Moore, D. D., who was prevented from attend- ing by the sickness of his family, the Rev. William H. Wilmer, D. D., was elected by joint ballot of the
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clerical and lay deputies president, pro tempore ; Mr. Munford acting as secretary.
Mr. Wmn. Mayo attended as a lay deputy from the Monumental Church.
At this convention, as well as the previous con- ventions of 1820, 1821 and 1822, Mr. Mayo was elected by ballot one of the eight delegates to repre- sent this diocese in the approaching General Con- vention. He was also elected a member of the Board of Trustees of the General Theological Semi- nary.
1824.
The convention met in Staunton on Thursday, the 20th of May.
The Right Rev. Bishop Moore, D. D., took the chair as President.
Mr. John G. Williams attended as the lay deputy for the Monumental Church.
"On motion, resolved, that Mr. John G. Williams be appointed Secretary to this convention.
"On motion, resolved, that Mr. Robert Greenhow be appointed Treasurer to this convention."
The following preamble and resolution were of- fered by the Rev. Win. Meade, and unanimously adopted :
" WHEREAS, Mr. Wmn. Munford, who has for many years served the convention as Secretary and Trea- surer, has signified by letter his wish to resign these charges, it is hereby-
" Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be returned to him for the obliging and faithful man-
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ner in which he has performed the duties of the said offices ; and that the Right Rev. Bishop Moore be requested to express the same to him, in the name of the convention, and to add their best wishes for his prosperity and happiness."
The Secretary received the following contribu- tions from sundry parishes in the diocese, viz : Monumental Church, Richmond, $30.
Mr. William Mayo was elected one of the dele- gates to the next general convention.
The Rev. Frederick W. Hatch, from the com- mittee to whom the parochial reports were referred, presented a report, viz :
" It is with great pleasure that the rector of the Monumental Church in the city of Richmond in- forms the convention that the state of his congrega- tion is very promising.
"A Bible class was instituted by him the last winter, which has been uniformly well attendel. It consisted of from eighty to a hundred ladies, whose religious deportment was highly pleasing, and who, from the readiness with which they answered the questions proposed to them, must have closely studied the subjects under consideration.
"The number of communicants slowly increases. The congregations are uniform in their attendance upon Divine worship, and devout in their behaviour.
"The rector closes his report by recommending to the clergy the institution of Bible classes in their respective parishes, and to be diligent in their cate- chetical instructions to the children belonging to their congregations.
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"Communicants, one hundred and thirty."
The following preamble and resolution were of- fered by the Rev. Win. Meade, and adopted:
" WHEREAS, the Bishop has signified to the con- vention his desire and intention of employing an as- sistant, which is now rendered absolutely necessary to the discharge of his Episcopal duties in this dio -- cese, and that he is willing to pay one-half of the as -- sistant's salary out of his own purse ; therefore,
" Resolved, That as soon as the Bishop shall have. obtained an assistant he communicate the same to the ministers and vestries, stating what would be needful on their part to the support of said assistant, and making such a representation of all the circum -. stances of the case as he may deem most effectual."
From the Richmond Enquirer, Tuesday, August 10, 1824 :
" DEATH OF MRS. MOORE.
"Died, in this city, on Friday last, Mrs. Moore,. the beloved and lamented consort of the Right Rev .. Richard Channing Moore. The Rev. Mr. Wilmer. preached an affecting funeral discourse on Sunday."
This lady, the second wife of Bishop Moore, was. Miss Sarah Missanau, of Staten Island.
Letter from the Bishop to one of his sons, on the- occasion of Mrs. Moore's death :
"AUGUST 11, 1824 ..
"MY DEAR SON .- The long indisposition of your- dear mother has been brought to a termination ;, andi
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she has bid an adieu to all her ailments, and entered into the joy of her Lord.
"The tranquility and composure with which she met her dissolution forms another evidence to the many I have heard of the power of a saving faith, and of that belief in the promises of God which in- spires the soul with confidence, and the mind with perfect assurance in His word.
"To the inquiries I repeatedly made of her rela- tive to the state of her mind, she uniformly assured me that she had not a doubt of her acceptance with God, and that her prospects were perfectly clear.
"When I called her attention to the declaration of the Psalmist, 'Though I walk through the valley and shadow of death, I will fear no evil,' she looked at me with an eye beaming with life, and a counte- nance clothed with a heavenly smile, and then said, ' There is no evil here.'
" Her understanding to the last moment was un- disturbed, and I do not believe that her reason left her until the breath left her body. She placed, a few moments before her death, her hands upon her breast, and from the motion of her lips it was evident that she was engaged in prayer, after which she raised her eyes to heaven, and exclaimed, 'Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly !'
" She died without the movement of a finger.
" In a conversation she held with me the morning preceding her dissolution, her children formed the object of her solicitude, and she requested me to press religion upon their consciences. Her funeral
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was attended with every mark of respect, and Dr. Wilmer, who had come upon a visit to me, preached upon the occasion, the day following, which was Sun- day, the 8th instant, from these words, ' Watchman, what of the night ?'
"Her remains are interred in my church yard, the first burial which has taken place within that so- lemn enclosure.
" Your affectionate father, " RICHARD CHANNING MOORE."
From the Richmond Enquirer, Friday, Novem- ber 5, 1824:
" GENERAL LA FAYETTE.
"On Sunday he attended Divine service in the Monumental Church, when an uncommonly large congregration attended, and a prayer was offered by the Right Rev. R. C. Moore, D. D , bishop of the diocese, for the happiness of himself and family."
1825.
The convention assembled in the Monumental Church in the city of Richmond, on Thursday, May 19th.
The Right Rev. Bishop Moore, D. D., took the chair as President; Mr. John G. Williams acting as Secretary.
The Rev. Robert B. Croes, assistant minister of the Monumental Church, appeared and took his seat as a member of the convention.
Mr. William Mayo and Mr. John G. Williams
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attended as the lay deputies of the Monumental Church.
The Right Rev. Bishop Moore delivered to the convention the following pastoral address :
"At the last convention, an arrangement was made for the procuring an assistant in this parish, in order to enable me to attend to the duties of the diocese.
"The assistant contemplated has been called, and is now a member of this convention.
"I have promised to pay him $500 annually out of my salary, and the last convention pledged them- selves for a similar sum.
"I mention these circumstances in order that the parishes may take such measures to raise their pro- portion of the salary as they may consider expedient in the case.
"May God in tender mercy, my beloved brethren, preside in the council of His church, direct us in all our doings, and further us with His continual help."
On motion, the Secretary received the following contributions from sundry parishes of this diocese :
"Monumental Church, city of Richmond, $30."
Mr. Wm. Mayo was elected one of the delegates to represent this diocese in the general convention ; also was nominated to the general convention as one of the trustees of the General Theological Seminary.
The Rev. Edwd. C. McGuire, from the committee to whom the parochial reports were referred, pre- sented the following report:
" Monumental Church .- The rector reports the
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congregation as in the same state as at the last con- vention."
1826.
The convention met in Lynchburg, on Thursday, the 18th of May. Bishop Moore in the chair; Mr. John G. Williams, Secretary.
The Rev. Ro. B. Croes, assistant minister of the Monumental Church, attended as one of the clergy ; Mr. John G. Williams as lay deputy from the Monu- mental Church.
The Secretary received the following contribu- tions from sundry parishes of this diocese for the contingent fund :
" Monumental Church, Richmond, $30."
The Rev. Ruel Keith, from the committee to whom were referred the parochial reports, presented the following report :
" Monumental Church, Richmond. - Communi- cants about 140.
"The Sunday-school connected with this parish is in a flourishing condition-consisting of more than one hundred children ; and through the laudable exer- tions of several young ladies and gentlemen, the former of whom have devoted much time to the prosecuting of their undertaking, bids fair to become a fruitful nursery of pure and undefiled religion.
"The education society has contributed liberally during the past year to the funds of the parent in- stitution, and has now at its disposal one hundred and fifty dollars.
"A Bible class of young men has been formed,
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the members of which, though few in number, pur- sue their studies with zeal and diligence; and in the course of the ensuing season it is contemplated to revive the female class, the exercises of which, from various causes, have of late been suspended."
Mr. William Mayo was elected one of the dele- gates to represent this diocese in the next general convention.
1827.
The convention met in Fredericksburg, on Thurs- day, the 17th of May. Bishop Moore presiding ; Mr. John G. Williams acting as Secretary.
The Rev. Ro. B. Croes, assistant minister of the Monumental Church, took his seat as one of the clergy; Mr. John G. Williams attending as the lay deputy for the Monumental Church.
The Secretary received the following contribu- tions from sundry parishes for the contingent fund : Monumental Church, Richmond, $30.
The Rev. Mr. Croes, from the committee to whom were referred the parochial reports, presented the following report :
" Monumental Church, Richmond. - Communi- cants (thirteen added), about one hundred and fifty. Baptisms (of adults, one; of children, twenty-four), twenty-five. Sunday-school scholars, about one hun- dred and thirty-five.
" The spiritual concerns of this parish, it is be- lieved, are improving. An increased attention to religion has, within a few months, manifested itself, especially among the younger members of the con-
1
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gregation ; and on the approaching celebration of the communion it is expected that several persons will come forward, and for the first time testify their love to their Saviour, by partaking of those sym- bols which were designed to be means of grace, and pledges to assure us of God's acceptance.
" The Sunday-school is flourishing. This school (in conjunction with that of Henrico Parish, consti- tuting the Richmond Episcopal Sunday-school So- ciety,) has lately become auxiliary to the very impor- tant institution lately established by the members of the general convention, entitled ' The General Pro- testant Episcopal Church Union.'
" To the credit of the male teachers of the Rich- mond Union it ought to be mentioned that, in the course of the past year, they have published an ad- dition to the Rev. Titus Strong's very popular letters, entitled 'A Candid Examination of the Episcopal Church,' which have been extensively distributed through the diocese, and produced the good effect of exciting a spirit of enquiry to the claims of our communion, and of strengthening the attachment of many to the faith and order of the gospel, as main- tained by apostolic and primitive men.
" RICHARD CHANNING MOORE."
1828.
The convention met in Petersburg, on Thursday, the 15th of May. The Bishop in the chair ; Mr. John G. Williams, secretary.
The Rev. Robert B. Croes, assistant minister of
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the Monumental Church, took his seat as one of the clergy.
Mr. Wm. Mayo and Mr. John G. Williams at- tended as the lay deputies from the Monumental Church.
The secretary received for the contingent fund from Monumental Church, Richmond, $30.
The Bishop delivered the following pastoral ad- dress :
" Before I conclude, there is one more point to which I think it my duty to call the attention of this convention, and as a year must necessarily elapse before a final determination of the question can take place, we shall have full time allowed us for reflec- tion and consideration.
"Although my labors the past year have been equal to the labors of any preceding twelve months, it is impossible for me to calculate upon a long con- tinuance of such effort and exertion.
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