Edward McGuire’s “Centennial Sermon”, Oct. 4, 1835

McGuire’s Centennial Commemoration Sermon of 1835 was delivered 100 years after the sexton Susannah Livingston was paid for her work in that capacity 700 pounds of tobacco and “for cleaning the churchyard.” This is evidence the building was complete for occupancy at the time.

A Vestry resolution in Nov., 1835 led to the sermon being published in Fredericksburg. A copy is in the NY Public Library and also at Virginia Theological Seminary where this copy originates.

He preached on Matthew 28:20, “…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

2 topics

I. The Perpetuity of the Church in her External Constitution
II. The Prosperity of the Church in the efficacy of her Ministry

There are not many references to it from other sources. Quenzel in his history doesn’t mention this. Slaughter refers to it once in a footnote in his history.


mcguiresprintedcentennialsermon