James Chisholm

James Chisholm

When we consider the word ‘ecumenical’ it can mean two things.  First, it can mean a sort of ungodly compromise – where those of different Christian faith traditions get together to discover their commonalities and try to merge into one.  While a noble thought, experience shows that the compromises tend to be around the lowest common denominator and, ultimately, the Christian teaching is watered down almost to the point of being unrecognizable.

Second, the word ‘ecumenical’ can mean something much better.  When Christians of many faith traditions gather together for the purpose of propagating the Gospel and shining the light of Christ, often great things can happen.  Samaritan’s Purse is a contemporary example of this kind of cooperation.

James Chisholm is a great example of godly ecumenicalism.  Born in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1848 he moved to Virginia to teach and ended up becoming the rector (pastor) of St John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth.  A few years later his wife passed away, leaving him the single father of two young sons.  He was described as unassuming and shy, his physical appearance as pale and frail, and he seemed somewhat awkward around people.

In the Spring of 1855, a Yellow Fever epidemic hit Portsmouth and Norfolk.  People of means fled to the country while the poor stayed behind.  Unfortunately, those who fled included the city’s doctors and clergy.  Reverend Chisholm sent his sons to stay with distant relatives and resolved to stay in Portsmouth.  Several weeks into the epidemic, he wrote:

Shall I regard personal safety alone, and flee with all speed from this atmosphere of poison and death, or shall I look the question of my relations to society, to humanity and to God, full in the face, and decide accordingly?  The question of duty, as a minister of Christ, has determined me to stand in the post to which, I believe, all along the providence of God called me.

James remained, along with a single Catholic priest, to minister to the entire city of 12,000.  Survivors of the plague wrote of his tirelessness in providing the medical care he could, in his surprisingly energetic preaching to the lost of the city – pointing them to the Cross, in patiently staying by the bedside of those who were dying, and even in digging graves for those who lost their fight with the disease.  He seemed like a changed man, tirelessly ministering to his own congregants who stayed behind, as well as those of the other Protestant churches and even some of the Irish-Catholic congregants of the overburdened Priest. 

By that Fall, the disease had run its course through the city and it began to abate.  It was only then that Reverend Chisholm began to show signs of the disease himself.  He was taken to a Naval hospital in Portsmouth where his exhausted body finally gave out.  He was 39 years old, one of over 3,200 victims of the disease.  His funeral was attended by 20 people, from all the different faith traditions of Portsmouth.  The funeral was conducted by a recently-returned Baptist minister.

Reverend James Chisholm is remembered in the Episcopal calendar on the date of his death, September 15^th.  He has a memorial in Cedar Grove Cemetery and was long remembered by all the churches in Portsmouth for his incredible energy and commitment to serving those in need in a critical time.  As he wrote late in the plague, “I trust that I more than ever realize the ‘Eternal God is my refuge, and underneath are the Everlasting Arms.’ I am in His hands to do with me what seemeth Him good.”

Sources:

e-mail from Christian History Institute

https://standingcommissiononliturgyandmusic.org/2010/09/15/september-16-james-chisholm-priest-1855/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Chisholm_(priest)