The history of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, Vol. II, Part 1

Author: Beardsley, Eben Edwards, 1808-1891
Publication date: 1865
Publisher: New York : Hurd and Houghton ; Boston : E.P. Dutton
Number of Pages: 514


USA > Connecticut > The history of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, Vol. II > Part 1


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33



ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02754 297 3


GENEALOGY 974.6 B38HA v. 2


Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015


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HISTORY


OF THE


episcopal Church in Connecticut.


VOL. II.


THE


HISTORY


OF THE


Episcopal Church in Connecticut,


FROM THE


DEATH OF BISHOP SEABURY TO THE PRESENT TIME.


BY E. EDWARDS BEARDSLEY, D. D., RECTOR OF ST. THOMAS'S CHURCH, NEW HAVEN.


VOL. II.


NEW YORK: PUBLISHED BY HURD AND HOUGHTON. LONDON: SAMPSON LOW, SON, AND MARSTON. 1868.


Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by


F. EDWARDS BEARDSLEY, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Connecticut.


RIVERSIDE, CAMBRIDGE: STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY H. O. HOUGHTON AND COMPANY.


TO THE RIGHT REVEREND JOHN WILLIAMS, D. D., A WORTHY SUCCESSOR OF


SEABURY, JARVIS, AND BROWNELL,


THIS CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE DIOCESE OF CONNECTICUT, WITH RENEWED GRATITUDE FOR HIS INTEREST IN THE WORK,


IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR


PREFACE TO THE SECOND VOLUME.


THE publication of this volume completes the pur- pose which I formed when I began to write the " His- tory of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut ' T have now traced its progress, from the settlement of the Colony to the death of Bishop Brownell in 1865, - a period of more than two hundred and twenty-five years, - and given the events with as much minute- ness of detail as the nature of the subject and the plan of the work would permit.


The clergy generally, in the beginning of the pres- ent century, used very little care in making and pre- serving a complete record of their official labors. The Missionaries of the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, were required to send home a full report of the state of their respective missions, and in this way information was secured, which rendered it less difficult to com- bine and arrange the materials for a true narrative of events connected with the origin and progress of the Church in Colonial times. But for the first ten years of the Episcopate of Bishop Jarvis, there are no paro- chial reports to aid the historian, and no printed ad-


viii


PREFACE TO THE SECOND VOLUME.


dresses summing up the results of Episcopal visita- tions. The meagre Journals of Convention, and the more meagre records of the Convocations would have been quite unsatisfactory, had I not found, among the archives of the Diocese and in manuscripts and publi- cations of that period, statements and narratives as full of interest as they are of significance and value. When newspapers and periodicals began to appear more frequently and regularly, they were made the repository of many important facts and movements, the knowledge of which might otherwise have been lost.


It would have been an improper omission in a work of this kind, to pass by the political revolution which resulted in the overthrow of the "Standing Order," and the adoption of a new Constitution for the civil government of the people of the State. But I have not been concerned to dwell on the heats and passions of that day, - having contented myself with simply noting the ripening causes of the revolution, and the part which Episcopalians bore in bringing it on. Their influence in shaping the future government, was a natural outgrowth of the success which attended the political scheme to change the rulers of the common- wealth.


The right to characterize persons, systems, and events, according to the shades and colors which they assume, belongs to the office of a faithful historian. But the exercise of this right is a delicate business


ix


PREFACE TO THE SECOND VOLUME.


where it involves a survey of the achievements and principles of living men, or of those who have just passed from the stage of human action. In support of the statements of the text, and in justice to Bishop Brownell, I have made liberal extracts from his ad- dresses, sermons, and charges, and allowed him to speak for himself on subjects about which some diver- sity of opinion may be supposed to exist outside of the Diocese. The same rule has been partially ob- served in reference to his successor in the Episcopate, and others who have figured conspicuously in these pages.


That I have made no mistakes, or that the work is entirely free from defects, I have not the presumption to claim. I am conscious of having been diligent in endeavoring to secure correctness, and I have been actuated by those principles of impartiality which governed me throughout in the preparation of the first volume. I have not sat beneath the arches of history to indulge in indiscriminate praise or censure. Nor have I forgotten that "Salvation is of the Lord." Much as I love and venerate the Church of my fore- fathers, no one will accuse me of raising it into an idol, or of exalting it above its Great Head.


My acknowledgments are again due to several friends for assisting me in my researches by kindly placing in my hands valuable manuscripts, documents, pamphlets, and rare periodicals. To those clergymen and laymen of the Diocese in particular, who have


X


PREFACE TO THE SECOND VOLUME.


taken the pains to furnish me with brief outlines of the history of their respective parishes, I cannot be too grateful. Many of the facts and personal inci- dents thus obtained, which shed light on the organ- ization and progress of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, have been woven into the thread of the narrative, and assigned the important places which they deserve.


With this volume is issued a second edition of the first, in which a few typographical and other errors have been corrected. As I part from my work, I have a feeling of thankfulness to the Giver of all good, that I have been enabled to complete it; and I send it forth, such as it is, only asking a fair indul- gence from my readers, especially from those who have not added to their pastoral duties the critical and laborious task of writing a church history.


NEW HAVEN, October, 1868. E. E. B.


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER I.


ELECTION OF A SUCCESSOR TO BISHOP SEABURY, AND CONSECRA- TION OF THE REV. ABRAHAM JARVIS TO THE EPISCOPATE OF CON- NECTICUT.


A. D. 1796- 1799.


PAGE


Special Convention at New Haven to elect a Bishop . 2


Constitution for the Episcopal Academy adopted 4


Rev. John Bowden chosen Principal .


His Election to the Episcopate, and Decline of the Office


Rev. Abraham Jarvis elected a Second Time


7


9


" Answer to Mr. Blatchford's Letter "


10


Consecration of St. John's Church, Waterbury . First Ordination by Bishop Jarvis ·


11


Trinity Church, New Haven, voting a Salary to the Rector · 12


Infidelity and the French Revolution 13


Address of the Clergy of Connecticut to the President of the United States


Their Thanks to the Bishop of Llandaff for his Answer to Thomas · 13


Paine's " Age of Reason " ·


14


Letter from William Jones, of Nayland, to Dr. Bowden · 14 .


CHAPTER II.


REMOVAL OF BISHOP JARVIS TO CHESHIRE ; ADOPTION OF AN OFFICE OF INSTITUTION; AND EFFORTS TO ENDOW THE EPISCOPATE.


A. D. 1799 - 1804.


Prosperity of the Academy, and Donations solicited for its Benefit . 15 Committee appointed to frame Articles of Religion · 16


Death of Dr. Dibblee, and Code of Canons


.


17


Office of Institution prescribed .


.


. 19


4


6


His Consecration, and the Sermon of Dr. Smith


11


xii


CONTENTS.


PAGE


Caleb Childs and Ezra Bradley degraded from the Ministry 20 Rev. Menzies Rayner instituted into the Rectorship of Christ Church, Hartford 21


Removal of Dr. Bowden to Columbia College 22


Rev. Dr. Wm. Smith chosen to succeed him in the Academy 22 Trustees of the Bishop's Fund chartered 23


Appeal " to the Members of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut " for Donations 24


Grant of a Lottery for the Benefit of the Academy 26


Removal of Bishop Jarvis to New Haven . 27 Publication of the Churchman's Magazine . 27


CHAPTER III.


ECCLESIASTICAL TROUBLE ; PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF AMMI ROGERS ; AND INTERPOSITION OF THE HOUSE OF BISHOPS INVOKED.


A. D. 1804 - 1805.


Peace of the Church in Connecticut disturbed . 29


Fabrication of Certificate by Ammi Rogers, and his Ordination by


Bishop Provoost 30


Forbidden by Bishop Jarvis to officiate in the Churches of the Diocese 32 Appeal of the Clergy to the Standing Committee of New York 33 Rogers memorializes the House of Bishops . 34


The Memorialist sent back to Connecticut under a Sentence of Con- demnation 36


His Degradation from the Ministry by Bishop Jarvis . 37


Consequent Troubles in the Church at Stamford 38 Effort of the Bishop and Clergy to conciliate the People 39


The Adherents of Rogers declare themselves not amenable to the Authority of any Bishop .


43


The Parish at Stamford excluded from Lay Representation in the Convention . . 43


CHAPTER IV.


EPISCOPAL ACADEMY, AND RESIGNATION OF DR. SMITH ; RENEWAL OF THE CASE OF AMMI ROGERS ; AND ORGANIZATION OF PARISHES.


A. D. 1805 - 1809.


Decline of the Institution at Cheshire


45


" Missives " between the Trustees and Dr. Smith . . 46


His Resignation accepted by the Convention . . 46


xiii


CONTENTS.


PAGE


Rev. Tillotson Bronson chosen to fill the Vacancy 47


Renewal of the Case of Ammi Rogers . 47


Letter of the Clergy to the Bishops, asking their Advice 48 Address of Bishop Jarvis to the Annual Convention . 50 Rogers appeals again to the House of Bishops 53


Suits for Slander, and their Result 54


Revision of the Canons by the General Convention 55


First Pastoral Letter from the House of Bishops 55


Imperfect Statistics of the Parishes 56


Secession from the Congregationalists in Bethany 58


Isaac Jones, their Minister, ordained in the Episcopal Church 58 Mr. Rayner removes to Huntington, and is succeeded in Hartford by Rev. Philander Chase 60


CHAPTER V.


ACT RELATING TO RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES; WARDENS AND VESTRYMEN A COMMITTEE ; TAXING AND GRAND LEVY; PETITION TO INCOR- PORATE THE EPISCOPAL ACADEMY WITH COLLEGIATE POWERS ; AND UNION OF PARISHES IN CURES.


A. D. 1809- 1811.


Language of the Law not in accordance with the Usages of the Church 61 Address of Bishop Jarvis on the Subject 62 Supplemental Act making Wardens and Vestrymen a Society's Com- mittee 64 ·


" Grand Levy," and Assessment of the Parishes 65


Changes in the relative Wealth of the Church in Connecticut 65


Trustees of the Episcopal Academy petition the General Assembly for a Charter with Collegiate Powers · 67


The General Convention, meeting in New Haven, supports the Move- ment


·


68


Second Pastoral Letter from the House of Bishops ·


70


Visitations by Bishop Jarvis, and total Number of Persons confirmed by him 72


·


Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge formed .


·


73 Union of Parishes in Cures not unalterably fixed by the Convention . 74


xiv


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER VI.


STATISTICS OF THE PARISHES ; SUPPORT OF THE EPISCOPATE ; DEATH OF DR. HUBBARD ; LIST OF ORDINATIONS ; AND DEATH OF BISHOP JARVIS.


A. D. 1811- 1813.


PAGE Statistics of nine Parishes in the Diocese reported 76 Difficulties in New York brought before the Clergy in Convocation at


New Haven . · 77


Last Annual Address of Bishop Jarvis to the Convention 79 His Plea for the future Support of the Episcopate 79


The general Poverty of the Church a Bar to its respectable Endow- ments 82


War declared by the United States against Great Britain in 1812 . 82


New England opposed to the Measures of the Administration . 83 Effects of the War upon Churches 84


Rev. Henry Whitlock chosen Assistant Minister by Trinity Church, New Haven . 84


Death of Dr. Hubbard, and Sermon at his Funeral


. 85


Number of Ordinations by Bishop Jarvis, and his Predecessor 86


Death of Bishop Jarvis


. 87


Monument to his Memory in Trinity Church


. 87


Sketch of his Character


88


CHAPTER VII.


ANNUAL CONVENTION AT STRATFORD; STYLE OF PREACHING ; REV. JOHN KEWLEY ; AND PERVERSIONS TO ROME.


A. D. 1813 - 1814.


Sermon of Rev. Tillotson Bronson before the Annual Convention at Stratford 91


Effort to increase the Fund for the Support of the Episcopate . 93


Election of a Bishop postponed . 94


Diocesan Missionary Society projected 96


Sermons of Bishop Seabury published 97


Style of Preaching 99


Dr. Kewley's Sermon at the Anniversary of the Episcopal Academy 100 Valedictory to his People in Middletown . 101


His Removal to New York, and Return to the Church of Rome 102 Defections to Popery of the Barbers, Father and Son · 103


Followed by the Rev. Calvin White . 104


XV


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER VIII.


CORNER-STONE OF TRINITY CHURCH, NEW HAVEN, LAID ; DEATH OF MR. WHITLOCK ; ELECTION OF A BISHOP ; AND INCREASE OF THE CHURCH.


A. D. 1814 - 1815.


PAGE


Houses of Public Worship in New Haven


106


Novel Scheme devised to erect a new Church . 107


Address of Rev. S. F. Jarvis at the Laying of the Corner-stone of Trinity Church 110


Health of Rev. Mr. Whitlock declining · 112


His Journey to a Southern Climate, and Resignation of his Parish . 112


Rev. Harry Croswell chosen to be his Successor


113


Death of Mr. Whitlock 113


Annual Convention in Middletown . · 114


Bishop Griswold performing Episcopal Duties in Connecticut · 115


Rev. John Croes elected Bishop


116


Elected also Bishop of New Jersey two Months later, and consecrated for that Diocese


· 117


Drift towards the Episcopal Church in Connecticut . . 118


CHAPTER IX.


BISHOP'S FUND ; CONSECRATION OF TRINITY CHURCH ; SERVICES OF BISHOP HOBART ; AND ANNUAL CONVENTION.


A. D. 1815 - 1816.


Bishop's Fund, and Charter of the Phoenix Bank 120


Distribution of the Bonus . 121


Sharp Controversy on the Subject


122


Legislature appropriating Public Money to different religious De- nominations .


123


Lottery Grant to the Trustees of Bishop's Fund in Commutation of their Claim upon the Phoenix Bank Bonus 124


Consecration of Trinity Church, New Haven . · 125


Institution of Mr. Croswell into the Rectorship of the Parish 127


Handsome gratuity to Bishop Hobart, and its Appropriation 128


His visit to Cheshire, and the Number confirmed there 129


Fashion in Connecticut to attend Public Worship . 130 Effort to obtain a Charter for an Episcopal College renewed 131 Bishop Hobart invited to take provisional Charge of the Diocese . 131


VOL. II. b


xvi


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER X.


SPECIAL CONVENTION, AND VISITATION OF BISHOP HOBART; DOC- TRINAL CONTROVERSY ; AND STANDARD EDITION OF THE BIBLE.


A. D. 1816 - 1817.


PAGE


Bishop Hobart accepts the provisional Charge of the Diocese . 133


Visitation of Parishes, and Number of Persons confirmed 134


Address to the Annual Convention . 136


Candidates for Confirmation not all expected to become immediate Partakers of the Lord's Supper . 137


Christian Education of Children not neglected .


138


Religious Revival and its usual Excitements


139


Rev. Menzies Rayner's " Dissertation upon Extraordinary Awaken- ings or Religious Stirs" 139


Regeneration, and the Doctrines of the Episcopal Church misinter-


preted .


Rayner's Review of Mr. Taylor's Sermon and the Rejoinder · 142


143


" Saints' Perseverance " vindicated and established .


144


General Convention in New York


145


Mode of publishing authorized Editions of the Standard Bible of the Church prescribed


. 146


CHAPTER XI.


CONVENTION AT GUILFORD; ADDRESS OF BISHOP HOBART ; VISITA- TION ; AND AMMI ROGERS.


A. D. 1817.


Attempt to take an accurate List of the Number of Souls belonging to each Parish . 147


Bishop's Fund, and Report of the Treasurer 148 ·


Inadequate Provision for the Support of the Clergy, one Cause of their frequent Removal from the Diocese · 150


" Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge" formed . 151


The Effect of its Operations upon the Prosperity of the Church in Connecticut . 152


153


Extended Visitation of the Diocese by Bishop Hobart · Attempt of Ammi Rogers to be recognized by the Convention · Rev. Solomon Blakeslee's Letter to Bishop Hobart . 156


154


The Bishop's Interview with the Wardens of St. Peter's Church,


Hebron 157


xvii


CONTENTS.


PAGE


Rogers in full Canonicals coming out to welcome him at the Door of the Church . · 157 Bishop Hobart leaves the Town without officiating · 157 Rogers convicted of Crime before the Supreme Court, and sentenced to Imprisonment for two Years 158


Memorializes the General Assembly to be released from Confinement, or allowed a new Trial . 158 Served out his Sentence, and afterwards published his " Memoirs " . 159


His Last Days and Death


· 159


CHAPTER XII.


POLITICAL REVOLUTION ; CHANGE IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT ; ELECTION SERMON ; AND NEW CONSTITUTION.


A. D. 1817 - 1818.


Control of the Government in the Hands of the " Standing Order " . 160 " Toleration party," and political Revolution 161 Oliver Wolcott chosen Governor of the State . 161 ·


Episcopal Church well represented in the General Assembly . 162 Election Sermon printed at the Public Expense 163


Rev. Harry Croswell requested to preach it in 1818 -a Departure from the established Custom . 164


Congregational Ministers present on the Occasion 165 The religious Services, and Extracts from the Sermon 166


Public Dinner, and Remark of Rev. Dr. Perkins, of West Hartford . 168


Great Changes in the Government of the State contemplated . 169


Governor Wolcott on the Charter of Charles II. of England 169


The " Stand up Law " unpopular . 170


Formation of a new Constitution, and its Adoption by the People 172


CHAPTER XIII.


PROSPERITY OF THE DIOCESE ; CORRESPONDENCE AMONG THE CLERGY ; AND ELECTION OF A BISHOP.


A. D. 1818 - 1819.


Power of Congregationalism as a State Religion destroyed ·


174 Future of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut brighter · 174


Endowments for the Support of religious Worship . 175 Bishop Hobart's Charge at the Annual Convention in Bridgeport


Laymen chosen into the Standing Committee for the first and last · 177


176 Time .


xviii


CONTENTS.


PAGE


Election of a permanent Diocesan agitated . 178 Correspondence between Rev. Messrs. Noble and Croswell 179 Rev. Bethel Judd mentioned for the Episcopate 182 Attention of the Clergy directed to Rev. Thomas C. Brownell . 183 .


His Election at the Annual Convention in New Haven in 1819 . 184


Interview with the Committee, and Acceptance of the Office . 185


Treasurer of the Bishop's Fund empowered to call upon the delin- quent Parishes to pay their Assessments . 186


Vein of Secret Universalism


187


CHAPTER XIV.


AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE BISHOP ELECT.


His Birth and Ancestors . 189


A Schoolnaster at the Age of fifteen 190


Graduates at Union College with the " Valedictory " 191


Turns his Attention to the Study of Theology, and pursues it under the Tuition of Dr. Nott 191


Accepts the Station of Tutor in the Latin and Greek Languages in Union College


· 192


Appointed a Professor in the same Institution with Leave to spend a Year in Europe 193


Travels on Foot through the interior of England, Scotland, and Ire- land 194


Embarks in a Merchant Ship for New York 195


His Marriage with a Lady of the Episcopal Church . 196 Changes his Church Relations, and is baptized . 196


Admitted to Holy Orders by Bishop Hobart 197


Spends a Winter in the Southern States to recover from an Affection of the Lungs 197


Returns with restored Health, and is chosen an Assistant Minister of Trinity Church, New York . 198 ·


His Election to be Bishop of Connecticut . . 198


CHAPTER XV.


THE CHURCH DEFENDED; COVERT ATTACKS; "SERIOUS CALL ;" AND " SOBER APPEAL."


A. D. 1819.


" Plain Reasons for relying on Presbyterian Ordination " 200


· Mr. Judd's Answer under the Title of "Presbyterian Ordination Doubtful " . 201 .


CONTENTS.


xix


PAGE


Wilson's " Review of the Letters of the late Rev. John Bowden, D. D." . 203 Extracts from the Election Sermon of Dr. Stiles 204


Dissenters in England remonstrating against allowing Lay Ordination in this Country


" Serious Call " - an ironical Pamphlet published without Name or Imprint 207


205


Answered in a " Sober Appeal to the Christian Public," by the Rector of Trinity Church, New Haven 210


Reference to the Rules of the Congregational Order in Regard to the Baptism of Infants 211


The Half-way Covenant, and Letter of Dr. Dwight . 212


Appearance of two Pamphlets in Support of the " Serious Call" 213 No Rejoinder by the Author of the " Sober Appeal " 214


Case of Hector Humphreys · 214


CHAPTER XVI.


SPECIAL CONVENTION ; CONSECRATION OF DR. BROWNELL ; GENERAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY ; AND REVIVAL OF THE CHURCHMAN'S MAGAZINE.


A. D. 1819 - 1821.


Number of Clergymen and Lay Delegates present at the Special Convention . 216


Report of the Principal of the Episcopal Academy . 216 Sermon of Bishop White at the Consecration of Dr. Brownell · 217 Formal Relinquishment by Bishop Hobart of his Provisional Charge of the Diocese


218


219 Address of Thanks to him by a Committee of the Convention . · Recognition of Bishop Brownell, and his Reply to the Welcome of the Diocese . 220


His Removal to Hartford, and Commencement of his official Duties . 221 Number of Candidates for Holy Orders . 222 General Theological Seminary transferred from New York, and located in New Haven . · 223


Opened with an Inaugural Address by Dr. Turner . 224


Bishop Brownell removes to New Haven, and takes Part in the Instruction of the Students . 224


Legacy of Jacob Sherred for Theological Education in the Episcopal Church 226


Return of the Seminary to New York, to secure the Bequest ·


227 Revival of the " Churchman's Magazine " . 227


XX


CONTENTS.


PAGE


Houses of public Worship constructed without Regard to warming them in the Winter 228 Comforts of these Days as compared with those of our Forefathers . 229


CHAPTER XVII.


MANNER OF PERFORMING DIVINE SERVICE ; SUNDAY-SCHOOLS ; CHARGE OF THE BISHOP; AND PROSPERITY OF THE DIOCESE.


A. D. 1821 - 1823.


Laxity in the Rubrical Observances of the Clergy . 231


Inconvenient Chancel Arrangements 231


Resolutions adopted by the Convocation to secure Uniformity in the Manner of conducting Divine Service . 232


Dr. Smith's " Churchman's Choral Companion to his Prayer Book " . 233 Organs in the Churches, and Introduction of Chanting 234


Robert Raikes of Gloucester, England, the Originator of Sunday- schools 235


First undertaken in Connecticut by benevolent Christians without Regard to Denominational Differences . . 237


" General Protestant Episcopal Sunday-school Union " established . 238 Annual Convention at Waterbury in 1821, and Primary charge of the Bishop 239


Extracts from the Charge 240


Names of venerable Clergymen disappear from the List . 243


Revision of the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese . 243


Bishop Brownell's " Commentary on the Book of Common Prayer" 244 Extract from his Address to the Convention of 1821 244 His Testimony that the Clergy are everywhere zealous and faithful . 244


CHAPTER XVIII.


CHARTER OF A COLLEGE ; OPPOSITION TO ITS ESTABLISHMENT ; CHANGES IN THE CLERGY ; AND DEATH OF DR. BRONSON.


A. D. 1823- 1826.


Circulation of a Memorial in the Diocese for Signatures, petitioning


the General Assembly for the Charter of an Episcopal College . 246


The Charter granted .


247


Institution located in Hartford, and College Buildings commenced . 249 One of the Trustees deputed to visit England and solicit Donations


for the Library and Philosophical Department 249


CONTENTS.


xxi


PAGE


Anonymous Pamphlets and their Spirit · 250


Bishop Brownell the first President of the College


251


Its Graduates taking Orders in the Church, and radiating in all Di- rections of the Country · 252


Frequent Changes in the Location of the rural Clergy 253 · Extract from Bishop Brownell's Address to the Convention in 1825 . 253 Two neighboring Presbyters, Philo Shelton, and Ashbel Baldwin, resign their Cures . .


Death of Mr. Shelton


His Departure followed by that of Dr. Bronson . 257


Dr. Bronson's Letter to the Annual Convention at Newtown ·


257


His Character and Attainments . 258


Publication of the "Churchman's Magazine " discontinued, and


" Episcopal Watchman " commenced · 259


Pernicious effects of Universalism, Fatalism, and Fanaticism . 259


CHAPTER XIX.


SUPPORT OF THE EPISCOPATE ; ACADEMY AT CHESHIRE ; MENZIES RAYNER, AND HIS SUSPENSION FROM THE MINISTRY.


A. D. 1826 - 1828.


Loss of the Bishop's Fund by the Failure of the Eagle Bank . · 261 Annual Deficiency in the Bishop's Salary · 261


Rev. Stephen Jewett appointed to visit the delinquent Parishes, and make a Settlement of their Arrearages . 262


Other Losses by the Failure of the Eagle Bank · 263


Episcopal Academy closed for a time


263


Remarks of Bishop Brownell upon it in his Address of 1829, referred to a Committee 265


Rev. Christian F. Cruse, appointed to the Charge of the Academy . 265


Arrangement of the Parishes of the Diocese into Cures . 266


The " Church Scholarship Society " founded 266


First Report of the Board of Directors 267


New Canon for the Trial of Clergymen charged with Offences 269 · The Rev. Menzies Rayner, the first to fall under its Operation 270


His Defence of Universalism, and his Lawsuits 271


Episcopalians of Ripton and New Stratford, originally one incor- porated Society, divided into two Parishes 272


Mr. Rayner's Connection with Ripton dissolved, and his Removal to the other Parish . 272


Charged before the Standing Committee with offensive Teachings,


and Conduct unbecoming the Character of a Christian Minister . 273


255


256


xxii


CONTENTS.




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