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| 1877, having become too feeble for active service, he subscribed liberally towards the salary of the assistant minister and the Rev. Jesse C. Taylor, Deacon came to the Parish and remained until October, 1880, when he resigned. It was largely through his influence that the Ladies' Mite Society, which has proven such a faithful ally to every minister since, was organized. In the Autumn of 1880 the venerable Rector was stricken down and gradually failed until the last night of the Old Year when he quietly "fell asleep." He was buried from his beloved Parish Church the 3rd of January, 1881. Rev. G. F. Wil- liams, rector of Port Tobacco Parish, of- ficiated. The weather was bitterly cold, but an immense congregation of all ranks and conditions of life assembled to pay the last tribute to the memory of him who was, by universal consent, the foremost citizen of the community. His dying gifts to the Parish were a new Communion service and a legacy of $1,000, the interest from which, he wisely directed, should be de- voted to keeping the Church property in repair. A handsome marble monument marks the grave of the Rev. Robert Prout, on the left side of the walk leading from the gate of the Churchyard to the front door. "For all the Saints who from their labors rest, Who Thee, by faith, before the world confessed, Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed. "Allelulia." During the twelve years that have elapsed since 1880 three clergymen have held the rectorship: - The Rev. William Locke Braddock who was here from 1882 to 1884, the Rev Thomas O. Tongue, from 1885 to 1888, (the last year of his service being noted for the very successful repairing and decorating of the Parish Church), and the Rev. William P. Painter, |
who entered upon his duties on the 6th of October, 1889, and remains in charge, being the Twenty-second Rector of Dur- ham Parish. Already I have kept you too long, but you must bear with me today, for this is our BI-Centennial Celebration - our 200th Anniversary - one of the High Festivals of our Parish Calendar. As we pause, look backward, and see how mercifully God has led this Parish in the past; as we turn over the ancient records and find there "with honorable mention" the names of Adams, Brawner, Cobey, Dunnington, Gray, Haslip, Hanson, Nally, Perry, Posey, Price, Speake, Williams and many others - all of which names are familiar to us now - some of whose descendants, alas! have found it in their hearts to desert the old Mother Church, but only for a genera- tion or two, let us hope; - as, I say, we see these familiar names on every page of our Parish Register, how should our zeal be quickened and our hearts inflamed with still deeper love for the Church of our forefathers and the Parish in which our lot is cast. This very structure, around which cluster so many associations, ought to be the Parishioners of Durham the holiest spot in all the land, and preserved with most loving care. It ought to be a source of pride to you that, in a country where almost every building is of wood, this strong brick church has stood, almost one hundred and sixty years, the most conspicuous edifice in your midst. God be merciful unto you, and bless you, and may the comfortable Gospel of Christ be truly preached, and His Sacraments duly administered, in this Church, so long as there are immortal souls within the limits of Durham Parish to be brought into the glorious Kingdom of Our Lord. |
" WE HAVE HEARD WITH OUR EARS, O GOD, OUR FATHERS HAVE
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