"to solicit his advice upon the best manner of
repairing the Protestant Episcopal Church in Hampton, and beg of him his
particular aid and patronage in carrying into effect the same." The
letter below will show how that "old man eloquent," felt on the subject.
It is not among the Bishop's published letters, and is without date:

"MY DEAR BRETHREN:--My long confinement at the north prevented
my reception of your letter, until very lately; and the
feebleness of my frame, since my return, must apologize to you
for any apparent neglect which has attended my reply. It will
afford me the greatest pleasure to assist you with my counsel
in the reorganization of your church, and with that purpose in
view, I will endeavor to visit Hampton in a short time, of
which you shall be duly notified, when we can converse at large
on the subject proposed for my consideration. To see that
temple repaired in which the former inhabitants of Hampton
worshipped God, and to see you placed under the care of a
faithful and judicious clergyman, will inspire my mind with the
greatest delight. May the Almighty smile on the proposed
design, and carry it into full and complete effect. Believe me,
gentlemen, very affectionately, your friend and pastor,

RICHARD CHANNING MOORE."

The citizens and friends of the church were blessed with the energetic
aid of the Rev. Mark L. Chivers, chaplain at Fortress Monroe, who for
several years officiated once on each Sabbath in Hampton. It is not
saying too much when we assert that mainly through his efforts, the
church was resuscitated. The present rector, the writer of this, with
pleasure makes this acknowledgment.

With the zeal and energy which were brought to bear, the results were
most favorable; and on Friday morning, the 8th of January, 1830, a crowd
might have been seen wending its way to those venerable walls. A rude
staging was erected for the prominent actors, and on that platform knelt
a white-haired soldier of the cross, the venerable Bishop of Virginia,
his face radiant with "faith, hope, and charity." The ritual of the
church was heard once more in that old pile, and in answer to the
invitation, "Oh, come, let us sing unto the Lord, let us heartily
rejoice in the strength of our salvation," there might soon have been
heard those beautiful words:

"And wilt thou, O Eternal God,
On earth establish thy abode?