Page:Letters of Life.djvu/296

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284
LETTERS OF LIFE.

it at the grave of a companion: "Let that same be read over me when I am dead."

There was but one place of worship for the Episcopal Church in this city, at the time of our marriage in 1819, a plain structure of wood, with a small congregation. This was sold to the Catholics in 1827, removed, and eventually destroyed by fire. The original site is occupied by the present spacious and substantial specimen of Gothic architecture; besides which, there are five edifices of stone, counting the chapel of Trinity College, consecrated to the Episcopal form of worship.

When I commenced attending it, the Rev. Jonathan M. Wainwright was for a short time our rector, a young clergyman of high classical attainments, noble elocution, and dignified manners. He was afterwards widely known as Bishop of New York, and author of several beautiful volumes of tasteful literature and piety.

His successor was the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel S. Wheaton, respected for undeviating integrity, practical philanthropy, and universal knowledge. His earnest promptings stimulated to the erection of the present edifice of Christ Church, which had throughout its progress the aid of his architectural taste. With persevering industry he drew the original design, marked out the ground-plan, and superintended the details of the work from buttress to tower with somewhat of the attachment of the ancient Jews for their sacred temple. After ten years of faithful service, he resigned our