101493

OF THE

Struggle for Religious Liberty
in Virginia.

BY

Denton

CHARLES F JAMES, D. D.,

President of Roanoke Female College,

DANVILLE, VIRGINIA.

LYNCHBURG, VA.:

J. P. BELL COMPANY

1900

TO ALL TRUE LOVERS OF LIBERTY,

BOTH CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS,

AND TO ALL SEEKERS AFTER THE TRUTH OF HISTORY,

THIS VOLUME

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.

"Seize upon truth, wherever found,
On Christian or on heathen ground,
Among your friends, among your foes;
The plant's divine, where'er it grows."

CONTENTS.

PREFACE.

INTRODUCTION.

FIRST PERIOD-BEFORE THE REVOLUTION.

CHAPTER I.

INTOLERANCE AND TOLERATION.

CHAPTER II.

LEGAL PERSECUTIONS.

SECOND PERIOD-DURING REVOLUTION.

CHAPTER III.

COLONIAL CONVENTION OF 1775.

CHAPTER IV.

CONVENTION OF 1776.

CHAPTER V.

BEGINNING OF STRUGGLE IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1776-PARTIAL

VICTORY.

CHAPTER VI.

STRUGGLE IN LEGISLATURE CONTINUED.

CHAPTER VII.

FALL OF THE ESTABLISHMENT, 1779.

CHAPTER VIII.

BAPTIST AND PRESBYTERIAN MEETINGS DURING STRUGGLE JUST

CLOSED, 1776-1779.

CHAPTER IX.

DESULTORY ENGAGEMENT, A LULL BEFORE THE FINAL STRUGGLE,

1780-1783.

THIRD PERIOD-AFTER REVOLUTION.

CHAPTER X.

STRUGGLE RENEWED-GENERAL INCORPORATION AND GENERAL

ASSESSMENT BILLS-1784.