not clse this increasingly-unsafe position for his slave-property. The Northe man, who still cherishes strong opposition to slavery, will not come where it exists, nor would he be welcomed there; for in no part of Virginia is the opposition stronger to any thing savouring of abolitionism Still, it is our duty, as I have often said privately, publicly, and officially, not only diligently to cultivate the places already opened to us, tend the little flocks already gathered, search for wandering sheep among the hills and mountains, but be ever ready to occupy any new positions, such as Fairmont and Fellowsville, which shall from time to time present themselves. If we cannot do all that we would, let us do all that we can. But it is best to think soberly, and not deceive ourselves with false calculations. Even Western Pennsylvania, though having more ministers and churches than Western Virginia, has but few by comparison with her agricultural and other improvements, and by comparison with Ohio and other parts of our country. The cause of this may be found chiefly in the character of the population which first took possession of it, and still holds possession, and which was and is averse to the Episcopal Church. The same may be said of the population of Western Virginia. Though for the most part of a different kind from that which first established itself in Western Pennsylvania. it was not and is not favourable material for the Episcopal Church, as past experience has shown. Western Virginia was doubtless settled chiefly from Eastern Virginia. Those who moved from the valley were not Episcopalians, for it is well known that the Germans and Scotch-Irish took possession of the valley at an early period, and that the Episcopal Church had scarcely an existence there until a very late period. Those who emigrated from Eastern Virginia were chiefly of that class who had deserted the Episcopal Church and been engaged in a violent hostility to it, and carried with them and transmitted to their children nothing but prejudice against it, which prejudice has been cherished ever since by their religious teachers. But, even if such prejudice has not been, so many generations have since grown up in utter ignorance of our Church, that in the great body of the people of Western Virginia there is no tendency to it, but the reverse. That the service of our Church is most admirably adapted to the edification of the poor and labouring man, I firmly believe and often delight to affirm; but the difficulties in the way of getting such to make trial of it are so great, by reason of their partiality to other denominations, and various other circumstances, that hitherto all the efforts to induce them so to do, whether in Virginia or elsewhere, have been of little avail."

ARTICLE LXXVIII.

Churches in Wheeling, Fairmont, Clarksburg, Weston, Buchanon.

THE Rev.Joseph Doddridge was the first Episcopal minister, it is believed, who officiated in Wheeling. Residing in Wellsburg, he occasionally visited the few Episcopal families then in Wheeling; but there was no organization until the 11th of May, 1819. This is to be ascribed to a visit of Bishop Chase, at whose instance it doubtless took place. The organization was with the title of "St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling." The persons composing the first association were as follows:-John Armstrong, Jr., W. T. Good, W. Gray, T. H. Armstrong, Joshua Morton, J. Good, W. Perrine, Richard Simms, P. Ray, J. C. Williams, Josiah Chapline, J. Wilson, Jr., W. Chapline, Jr., P. Bier, S. Scovill, T. M. Cowles, C. D. Knox, J. M. Smith, R. C. Thompson, Moses Shepherd, Moses W. Chapline, H. Thornbury, John Eoff, Samuel Chamberlain. A vestry being appointed, we find that the Rev. John Armstrong, from Maryland, was chosen the first minister. In the year 1821, Mr. Noah Zane presented a lot for an Episcopal church. On the 9th of May, 1821, the corner-stone of St. Matthew's Church was laid by the order of Masons,-the Rev. Mr. Armstrong delivering a sermon and the Rev. Dr. Doddridge an oration. In the fall of that year it was ready for divine service. Mr. Armstrong's labours continued for seven years, at the end of which time he died and was buried in the church. He was an honest, zealous, laborious, and faithful minister. At the building of the new church his remains were removed to it and now rest beneath its chancel. His son-the Rev. William Armstrongwas elected to fill the vacancy, but declined, and recommended the Rev. Thomas Wheat, who was chosen. In 1832, the Rev. Mr. Wheat resigned, and the Rev. Wm. Armstrong, being again elected, became the minister of St. Matthew's Church. The congregation so increased under his care that it became necessary to build a larger house. The present one was consecrated by myself on the 26th of October, 1837. In the year 1849, the question of dividing the diocese of Virginia having been agitated in the western part of the State, and being brought before the vestry, it was decided by a unanimous vote to be inexpedient. In the year 1853. the Rev.

Mr. Perkins was appointed assistant to the Rev. Mr. Armstrong. In the following year Mr. Armstrong resigned. The vestry and congregation were so unwilling to part with one who had faithfully served them for nearly one-quarter of a century, that earnest efforts were made to prevent his removal from Wheeling or the vicinity; and, had he consented, provision would have been made for his support without the performance of the usual ministerial services; but he felt it his duty to return and spend his remaining days in a small parish in Maryland, which he had served during the first thirteen years of his ministry The Rev. Mr. Perkins was therefore chosen. as his successor, and still continues to be the pastor of St. Matthew's Church.

List of the Vestrymen of St. Matthew's Church.

John Good, Richard Simms, Wm. Chapline, Jr., S. Scovill, J. C. Williams, Noah Zane, W. Chapline, Sen, Alexander Caldwell, Josiah Chapline, Eli B. Swearingen, Moses Shepherd, Richard Lane, Peter Garnall, Patrick Roy, Joseph Caldwell, Jas. Tanner, Edmund I. Lee, Jr., Dr. Morton, W. H. Heiskell, John F. Clark, Major Good, Z. B. Curtis, F. Bassett, John Robinson, W. T. Selby, H. D. Brown, W. B. Atterbury, C. T. Strong, Alexander T. Laidley, Morgan Nelson, Samuel Neil, Alfred Richardson, A. P. Woods, Alexander Caldwell, J. L. Newby, J. R. Greer, W. K. Linsay, George Armstrong, S. Brady, R. C. Bonham, G. C. Tingle, M. C. Good.

Of the high respectability of the above body of vestrymen, under whose guardianship the Episcopal Church in Wheeling has so eminently flourished, the citizens of Wheeling, during the term of their service, would, I doubt not, bear a strong and willing testimony. Some of them were, and others still are, personally known to me. Of those who were known to me on earth, and whom I hope to know again in a higher sphere, and who are specially noticed and honoured on the records, I may be permitted to mention the names of Judge Caldwell and Richard Simms. The latter I knew from the year 1820 to the time of his death,-a few years since, and knew him always as the same active, useful vestryman, and consistent Christian. He helped to build the first church in Wheeling, when it was in the midst of the woods. He loved, like David, to be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord, though from first to last he was the chief churchwarden. Providence permitted him to experience great reverses during his earthly pilgrimage, but, through grace, he knew how to abound and how to suffer need. One thing he did not know, and that was to be idle and dependent. When, in extreme old age, he was deprived of all earthly property, but when both the church and the town would have felt honoured in making

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provision for him, he could not endure the thought of being unemployed, but obtained the place of toll-keeper on the great turnpikeroad from east to west, a few miles from Wheeling, and there, with his old and excellent companion, who yet survives him, spent the evening of his days,-still turning the curse into a blessing, and by the sweat of his brow making an honest livelihood. Mr. Simms was a native of Maryland, moved to Wheeling in 1816, was married by Dr. Doddridge, died in Triadelphia in March, 1854. His remains were brought to Wheeling, and into the church, and from thence to the East Wheeling Cemetery. Judge Caldwell was a man of high character and standing in every position in society, but above all was an humble Christian. Whenever the Holy Communion is administered, the pastor and the people partake of the emblems of the Saviour's body and blood from a rich service of plate, costing, according to the vestry-book, the sum of three hundred dollars, a present from Mr. Joseph Caldwell, the brother of Judge Caldwell.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, EAST WHEELING.

The following account of it has been furnished me by one who is fully acquainted with its history. St. John's parish, Wheeling, was organized in the year of our Lord 1849. Previous to that time St. Matthew's parish embraced the whole of the city of Wheeling, and was the only Episcopal church in Ohio county.

The location of the church-building was at an inconvenient distance from the residences of a portion of the congregation. This, together with the rapid increase of the population and business. of the city, demanded the formation of a new parish. Moved by these considerations, and an earnest desire to extend the influence and benefits of the Church, the Rev. William Armstrong, rector of St. Matthew's Church, on the 31st of July, 1849, called a meeting of his vestry for the purpose of considering the propriety and expediency of erecting a church and forming another congregation in the southern part of the city. The vestry, in pursuance of said call, met on the second day of August, 1849. The following are the proceedings of the vestry at said meeting, so far as they relate to a division of the parish:

"The petition of Robert C. Woods and others upon the subject of a new parish being the first business before the meeting, Mr. Brady offered the following paper:-'A communication from Robert C. Woods, Beverley M. Eoff, and Henry Tallant,-committee,-was presented and read, signifying that the necessary means had been raised for the support of a minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church in a new parish which it is proposed to

organize within the city, and asking the assent of the rector, wardens, and vestry of this church to such organization.' Whereupon it was unanimously ordered, that the assent desired be and the same is hereby cordially given, and that the new parish embrace within its limits all south of Wheeling Creek.

"Resolved, Moreover, that this vestry would humbly invoke God's blessing upon the organization contemplated in the communication this day submitted."

Having obtained the consent of the vestry of St. Matthew's Church, and being favoured with the hearty support and sympathy of the respected and beloved rector, the committee promptly called a meeting of such of the citizens of South Wheeling as were favourable to the formation of a parish of the Church in that part of the city. At the meeting so called, the rector of St. Matthew's Church was present, and, in remarks appropriate and impressive, explained the object of the meeting. After which, suitable measures were adopted for the complete organization of the new parish, and provision made for the erection of a building for the services of the Church.

On the 6th of August, 1849, the Rev. Jas. D. McCabe was invited to take charge of the parish as rector thereof, which invitation was accepted on the 24th of the following month. The rector-elect did not, however, enter upon the duties of his office until January, 1850.

On the 8th of February, 1850, the building erected by the congregation was sufficiently near completion to be used, and the pulpit was, for the first time, occupied on that day by the Rev. Mr. Armstrong. The services were conducted by the rector, assisted by the Rev. William L. Hyland. The organization of the parish was sanctioned and confirmed by the Convention of the Diocese of Virginia, in May, 1850, as "St. John's Parish, Wheeling." The churchedifice which had been erected and completed by the congregationwas consecrated to the service of Almighty God, by the Rt. Rev. John Johns, Assistant Bishop of Virginia, on the 1st of November, 1850.

The Rev. Dr. McCabe laboured profitably and acceptably to the congregation until the 8th of January, 1856, when he removed to Baltimore, as associate rector of St. Paul's Church, in that city.

The following is part of the proceedings of the vestry of St. John's parish at the meeting called to act upon the resignation of the rectorship of the parish by the Rev. Dr. McCabe. This resolution. was adopted unanimously, and heartily concurred in by every member of the congregation :

"Resolved, That the Rev. James D. McCabe, D.D., bas by courtesy and kindness, by purity of life and doctrine, and by the faithful discharge of