USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Stratford > The genesis of Christ Church, Stratford, Connecticut : background and earliest annals, commemoration of the two hundred fiftieth anniversary 1707-1957 > Part 5
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Much Ilonor'd Sir,
I received yours, dated May 2, 1706. The instructions you sent along with it, I'm informed, are at York, which will come to my hands quickly. I understand by yours that the Society expects an account of all the subscriptions and con- tributions I receive from the Government or inhabitants, of which this is an exact statement. That there is £50, N. York money, settled by act of Assembly upon Rye Parish ; but the people being very poor, I've received only about £10 or £12 since I've been their Minister. It's true I could compel 'em, by law, to pay the whole; but such proceedings, I'm well assured, would have been very hurtful to the interest of the Church, in a place, especially, surrounded with Dissent- ers of all sorts ; and, therefore, I thought it better to have patience with them till they are more able, than that our glorious work should anyways suffer. They are all new con- verts, and so I must bear with 'em in many things, tho' to my present disadvantage ; but I hope, when our Church is finished, they will consider my circumstances, and make my life more comfortable than hitherto it has been. As to the present circumstances of my parish, I've nothing new to offer ; only, since my last, I've baptized several persons ; that the number of connnnnicants increases ; that the people duly frequent the Church, excepting a few Quakers and Anabaptist families. There is a considerable number of
growing persons not yet baptized; but I intend to admit them after they are instructed into the principles of that re- ligion of which their baptism makes them members; for I think it necessary that the adults be first taught what they are to promise and perform in that covenant.
I have been thrice in Connecticut Colony, and, in one town, have baptized about 32, young and old, and adminis- tered the Holy Sacrament to 18, who never received it before. Each time I had a numerous congregation. Col. Heathcote has taken abundance of pains among 'em, and I find that many of the people are well disposed to the Church, but dare not, at present, show themselves, being under great dis- couragement from the Government, for the Independents threaten 'em with prison and punishment for coming to licar me preach ; and not only so, but one of their magistrates, with some other officers, came to my lodgings, on Saturday, and, in the hearing of Col. Heathcote and a great many people, read a long paper ; the meaning of it was to let me know that theirs was a charter government; that I had done an illegal thing in coming among 'em to establish a new way of worship, and to forewarn me from preaching any more. This he did by vir- tue of one of their laws, entitled ecclesiastical, page 29. The words he made use of are these, as the shid law expresses them : " Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and Repre- sentatives, convened in General Assembly, that there shall be no ministry or church administration entertained or at-
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tended by the inhabitants of any town or plantation in this Colony, distinct and separate from, and in opposition to, that which is openly and publickly observed and dispensed by the approved ministers of the place." Now, wlintover interpre- tation the words of the said law mnay admit, yot wo are to regard tho souse and forco they put upon them, which is plainly thus, to exclude the Church from their Government, as appears by their proccodings with me; so that hereby they deny a liberty of conscience to the Church of England, as well as to all others that are not of their opinion, which, being repugnaut to the laws of England, is contrary to the grant of their charter; and which, I humbly presume, if onr Gracious Queen was acquainted with, her Majesty would be pleased to disaunul tho same, or, at least, make it ineffectual against the settling of the National Church. Till this be donc, or somne other method taken to remove these hindrances, I cannot expect my endeavours should be so successful as otherwiso they might be; for though the people are very in- clinable, yet they are afraid of the penalty annexed to the law. It's very remarkable how industrions both ministers and magistrates are to frustrate my undertaking; for, wherever they comne, thoy busy themselves from house to house to keep the peoplo away. Among many others, I sliall offer only one particular instance of their spight and malice against the Church. I was lately invited to preach, and baptize some children,, in a town called Fairfield ; npon which, I sent a letter to the minister and magistrate of said town, entreating tho use of their meeting-house, supposing they would readily. grant it, being on a week-day ; but they refused it, and told me they would discountenance such new ways. A gentleman was so kind as to invite ine to his house, where (notwithstanding all the stratagems they had used to linder the people from coming) I had a large congre- gation ; but so cruelly was the Independent party set. against 18, that they railed and scoffed at the Church, making her as idolatrous as Rome, and denied us the liberty of ringing tho bell, or beating a drum, to givo tho people notice. . The Reverend Mr. Evans was there along with me. He was pleased to travel almost 200 miles, that, being acquainted with the particular circumstances of that Colony, he might bo the more capable of giving you a true and full informa- tion. He has their law book; he can show you what laws they make use of against the Church, and how they force our people to pay to their Ministers, and take their estates by dis-
tress. By those and such intolerable oppressions, the people are disenabled to contribute to the support of a Church of England Minister, and therefore have petitioned home that one may be sent, with a sufficient maintenance, from the Honourable Corporation. Ho had need be a man very pru- don't in conduct, and exemplary in life and conversation, (for being the first,) the advancement of the Church in after agos depends, in a great measure, upon his good be- haviour ; for the people generally judge a man's principles by his life.
Sir, it would make my letter too tedious, should I onume- rato all the attempts they make against us. I shall therefore dosist from this subject, desiring only you would be pleased to onquiro moro particularly of Mr. Evans, as also to consult those letters which the people, from time to time, have sent to me, by which you will see the necessity there is of a Mission- ary among 'cm, and how desirous these good men are of re- ceiving the sacred ordinances, and worshipping God in the way of our holy mother, and yet what sore grievances and hardships they labonr under for the same.
It would be a great service if the Society would be pleased to send over some Common Prayer-Books and some small treatise in defence of the Church ; for our adversaries have mnstered up all the scandalons and reviling pamphlets they can get, and have dispersed them among tho people in order to prejudice 'em against us.
I want books very much for my own use, having only a few I bought before I came from London, but I hope tho So- cicty have been pleased to consider my request before this time.
I heartily beg your prayors, that all my endeavours may answer the glorions ends of my mission, the advancement of God's Glory in the due edifying of liis people.
That Almighty God may be pleased, (out of the immense treasury of Ilis riches,) so to increase your stock and bless all your laudable designs, that you may, for the further good of His Church and people, send forth more labourors into His Harvest, shall ever be the fervent prayer of ,
IIonor'd sir, Your most faithful friend and Very humble servant, GEORGE MUIRSON.
RYE, 4 April, 1707.
1707, April 14: Colonel Heathcote reported to the Secretary of the S.P.G., recommending strategy for the consolidation of Church-of England forces in Stratford :
Sir,
After I had furnished my other letter by the bearer, Mr. Evans, he, resolving to tarry a month or six weeks longer than he first proposed, gives mo tho opportunity to send what new matter hath since occurred. And to begin with Connec- ticut :- Abont 14 days ago, Mr. Muirson paid his congregation in those parts a visit, and had the happiness to bo accompa- nied by Mr. Evans, who, ont of his zeal to serve the Church, though of a weakly constitution, undertook that troublesome journey, so that, being an eye-witness to those affairs, he might be the more able to give a more satisfactory account concerning the state of the Church there, to whom I shall make bold, in a great measure, to refer yon. I bless God for. it. Every thing has almost outgono my first hopes, and I am very much of opinion that, if that matter is pushed' on with
care, a wonderful deal of service may be done the Church in that government. The people having been kept in perfect blindness, as many of them now declare, and as I told you in mine by the Jamaica fleet, it cannot be an act of greater charity to undcecivo the Indians, than those miserable blind- ed people ; and where there are such vast numbers debarred from the benefit of God's IIoly Ordinances, concerning which; I was so full in the letter beforo inentioned, that it will be needless to enlarge on that licad.
I did, in my last two letters, acquaint you that there was a very ingenions Minister in that Colony, who showed great inclination to come over to the Church, and I was of opinion he would be well worth the recovery. . I also told you that his affection for the Church had created him many enemies : and that he has undergone a sort of persecution on that ac- ' count; but now his encinics have done their worst to him,
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having turned him ont of his living, as Mr. Evans can more fully inforin you-he having seen and discoursed with him- that, as I really helieve, it will conduce very much to the ser- vice of the Church, and also, in justice to the poor gentleman, who has a large family of small children, who must come to ruin and misery, and become a sacrifice to the cause of the Church, which would be a great dishonour, should ho not be relieved by us. I did, therefore, mako bold to assure him of the Society's favours ; and that upon his going to England, and making a solemn declaration, that he will receive orders from the Bishop of London, so soon as he can with conve- nieney do it ; that to enable him to maintain his family dur- ing his absence, I would pass my word that he should be en- titled to the usual Missionary allowance of £50 a year, from the time of his going off; and that in order thereunto I would give him my best recommendations to the Society. So it is my humble request they would be pleased to allow it if he comes ; and in case they do not think it proper to settle a salary upon him before such time as lic is actually in orders, that it may be considered him under some other name; be- cause my promise to him is such ; and I am not under the least doubt but he will merit it by his service to the Church. . This sudden turn, concerning Mr. Reed, has put upon mo new thoughts, which are, to have Mr. Mnirson removed fromn this parish, and that his mission be for Connectient Colony in general, the place of his residence being at Stratford, or at such town as he shall judge to be most for the service of the Church. This will, in my opinion, not only be the most effectual way for carrying on that great work; but the So- ciety will be put to no difficulty in getting a proper person, in which, if the least mistake should happen as to the quali- fications of a Minister, the whole Mission would bo endanger- cd by it ; and as experience hath fully satisfied us how fitting Mr. Muirson is for that undertaking, by what he hath already donc, I am humbly of opinion that for that reason it would not be proper to put that matter to a new risk ; and, in the next place, it will be of absolute necessity not only to have a
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very good man in this place, being on the froutiers of that goverinnent, but also one who will be zealously assisting to Mr. Muirson, in which none will be more proper than Mr. Reed. And in caso there is a removal, according to the ad- vice given herewith, it is my desire it may bo so; and then as to Mr. Muirson, if he goes on that mission, he cannot havo less allowed him than 100 pounds sterling a year ; because, at the first setting out, nothing must be expected from them, nor, indeed, any offers made toward it; and as his Mission will be four times as large as any other, so, he must consequently be in a perpetual motion, which will be chargcable and troublesome. I have not had much talk with him about it, but I doubt not in the least, if my Lord of London and the Society directs his removal, I can persuade him to bo casy under it.
I have, since writing my other letters, taken some pains to inquire concerning the character and behaviour of the bearer, Mr. Evans, and, upon the whole, find him to be an extraor- dinary good man, and one that hath done very great service to the Church, not only in Philadelphia, but in other neigh- bouring towns, so that I am very much concerned that there should be any misunderstanding betwixt him and any of his parish, as he represents things ; and being a very honest, good .. man, I can't help giving credit to it. The Church and he have had hard usage offered them, though I am past a doubt that upon his making ont those things to my Lord of London he will find means to settle and complete their differenecs, and will return him to his parish ; and, so far as it may be proper for the Society to concern themselves in that matter, I could wish they would give their assistance therein, because, whilst they are in that broken condition, the Church can't but receive many wounds by it. I can't think of any thing fur- ther of moment at this time. So remain, sir,
Your obed't servt., CALEB HEATHCOTE. NEW-YORK, April 14, 1707.
1707, June 18: Writing from the Manor of Scarsdale, Colonel Heathcote addressed the Secretary of the S.P.G. in part as follows: 68 "I am very thankful to the Society for the books sent by [Mr. Cleator]. which shall, with a more than common care, be disposed of for the service of the Church. As for the Common Prayer Books, I shall not give or send 'em to any but such as give me an assurance of their mak- ing a right use of them, and I question not, by the blessing of God, with the help of these Prayer Books that we shall be the most regular parish in the Province, except New-York, as to the people making re- sponses; as to which in most other places, they are generally too defective .... [Mr. Cleator] has en- tered upon his school teaching and with all the success which can be desired, for the people, being ex- ceedingly fond of him, most willingly commit their children to his care to be trained up by him accor- ding to the discipline of our church, which, with the assistance of Almighty God, will be established on a lasting foundation in this parish; and besides the care of his school, which trust he discharges with the utmost faithfulness when Mr. Muirson is absent from the town of Rye, either to the extreme parts of his parish, or otherwise for the service of the church; the people being called together after the usual manner, he reads the prayers of the church to them, and a lecture morning and evening, and the people come very readily to hear him. I take notice that the Society are not willing to send any minister nor ministers into Connecticut, unless they have a formal application; which having been done to my Lord of London, and sent by Mr. Evance [sic], shall wait till I know their result therein .... I have wrote unto you so lately and fully by Mr. Evance [see April 14, 1707], who I hope is ere this arrived, that I shall not now enlarge .... "
1707 [near the year's end]: Colonel Lewis Morris wrote to the Secretary of the S.P.G. 69 "The min- isters they [the S.P.G. ] have sent, have gained some ground, especially the Rev. Mr. Muirson; he is placed on the borders of Connecticut, and among a people labouring under the greatest prejudices to our Holy Church. He has among these made many converts, and persuaded the building of a very fine church of stone in the town of Rye. His cure is not confined to his parish, but he sometimes sallys into Connec- ticut, and has made a very great harvest there; and in my humble opinion, deserves the thanks of the Society and what encouragement they can give him."
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1708, January 1: Caleb Heathcote and Mr. Muirson were again in Stratford. While on this visit, the Colonel wrote the Secretary of the S.P.G., announcing that the Anglicans in Stratford were determined to build a church which might be ready for use by September. 70
Stratford, 1 January, 1707-8.
Worthy Sir,
I have given you the trouble of so many letters by this Fleet that I am ashamed you should hear further from me; however, I shall depend upon your good and generous tem- per, and the cause I am upon, to plead my pardon ; the occa- sion of this is, Mr. Muirson and I, being at this place, where the people's zeal hath carried them so far that they are re- solved of building themselves a Church, with which be pleased to acquaint the Society ;- they intend to build and furnish it vory regularly, and are in hopes to have it fit to preach in boforo noxt September. I intreat the favour of your care concerning the enclosed, that to his Graco is to give him the best account of the state of this colony I can ; in which I do not only beg the delivery with your own hands, but that you would be pleased to speak your thoughts of mo to him, and recommend me to his favours. As to our pro- ceeding in this place, I desire the Society would believe that every part is managed with all the temper and moderation they can desire, and they may bo assured it shall never be otherwise where I am concerned ; for I abhor heat and vio- lenco on any account whatsoever, but especially in matters
of religion, and Mr. Muirson is very much of my opinion ; and not only that, but it would be the greatest breach upon prudence and discretion to act otherwise, for we are here in an enemy's country, and, by the laws, they pretend to govern themselves. Independency and Presbytery are the estab- lished Churches, and the Church of England the only dis- senters, and indeed the only people they unwillingliest would adınit to have liberty of conscience amongst thiem ;- that all the ground wo can propose to gain amongst them must be by soft and gentle incans, for should the friends of the Church do otherwise, the whole country would soon bo in & flame; for the ignorant, blind people believe already that, by virtue of their charter, Independency and I'resbytery are as firmly established here, as tho Church is in England. I am sorry that anybody should be so unjust in giving the Society an account of the people of this colony, as that they are a well-incaning and not heady people, nothing being more true than the contrary, concerning which I will be more full and partienlar in my next. In the mean time, I beg leave to assure you that I am, unalterably,
Worthy Sir, yours, &c., CALEB HEATHCOTE.
1708, January 9: Mr. Muirson wrote to the Secretary of the S.P.G. in part as follows : 71
I entreat your acceptance of my most humble and licarty thanks for the kind and Christian advico you were pleased to tender me in relation to Connecticut. Such measures as you proposed I have all along observed, and I am sure no man in that Colony can justly accuso me of the contrary. Iknow that meckness and moderation is most agrecablo to the mind of onr blessed Saviour, Christ, who himself was meck and lowly, and would have all his followers to learn that lesson of him: It was a method by which Christianity was at first propagated, and it is still. the best policy to persuade man- kind to reccivo instruction. Gentleness and sweetness of temper is the readiest way to engage the affections of the people ; and charity to those who differ from us in opinion is the most likely to convinco them that our labours are in- tended for the welfare of their souls ; whereas passionate and rash methods of proceeding will fill their minds with preju- dices against both our persons and our principles, and utterly indispose them against all the means we can make use of to reclaim them from their errors. I have dnly considered all these things, and have carried myself civilly and kindly to the Independent party, but they have ungratefully resented my love; yet I will further consider the obligations that my holy religion lays upon me, to forgive injuries and wrongs, and to return good for their evil. Thus I hope, by God's assistance, I shall behave myself, and avoid the doing any thing that may bring blame npon that godly Society, whose Missionary I am, or hinder the progress of that glorious work they have undertaken ; and ever since I have been invited into that Colony I have been so far from endeavouring to en- trench upon the toleration which Her Majesty has declared she will preserve, that, on the contrary, I desired only a liberty of conscience might be allowed to the members of the National Church of England ; which, notwithstanding, they seemed nnwilling to grant, and left no means untried, both foul and fair, to prevent the settling the Chinreli nmong them ;
for ono of their Justices came to my lodging and forewarned me, at my peril, from preaching, telling me that I did an illegal thing in bringing in new ways among them ; the pco- plo were likewise threatened with prison, and a forfeituro of £5 for coming to hear me.
It will require more timo than you will willingly bestow on these lines to express how rigidly and severely they treat onr people, by taking their estates by distress, when they do not willingly pay to support their Ministers. And though every Churchman in that Colony pays his rate for the build- ing and repairing their meeting-houses, yet they are so ma- liciously set against us, that they deny ns the use of them, thongh on week days. "They tell our people that they will not suffer the house of God to bo defiled with idolatrons wor- ship and superstitions ceremonies. They are so bold that they sparo not openly to speak reproachfully, and with great contempt, of our Church. They say the sign of the cross is the mark of the beast and the sign of the devil, and that those who receive it are given to the devil. And when our people complain to their magistrates of the persons who thus speak, they will not so much as sign a warrant to apprehend them, nor reprove them for their offence. This is quite a different character to what, perhaps, you have heard of that .people. That they aro ignorant, I can easily grant ; for if they had either inch knowledge or goodness they would not act and say as they do; but that they are hot-heady, I havo too just reason to believe; and as to their meaning, I leavo that to be interpreted by their unchristian proceedings with 11s. Whoever informed you so, I may freely say, that he was not so well acquainted with tho constitution of that people as I am, who gave you the contrary information. I beg that you would believe that this account (though seeming harsh and severe, yet no moro than is truc) does not proceed from want of charity, either towards their souls or bodies, but purely for the good of both. And to give you better infor-
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'mation concerning the state of that people, that proper reme- "dics may be taken for curing the evils that are among them, and that our Churchmeu in that Colony may not be oppressed aud insulted over by them, but that they may obtain a liberty of conscience, and call a Minister of their own Communion, and that they may be freed from paying to their Ministers,
and may be enabled to obtain one of their own. This is all these good inen desire.
Honored sir, your mnost assured friend And very humblo servant,
GEO. MUIRSON. Rxv, 9th January, 1707-8.
1708, January 26: Colonel Heathcote wrote Trinity Church, New York City, asking whether a loan of £100 for two years might be arranged so that the people of Stratford might the sooner complete their church. He said that he and the Rev. Mr. Muirson would be security. 72
1708, February 14: The Rev. John Talbot reported to the Rev. George Keith on the state of affairs in Connecticut, especially in Stratford : 73
Westchester, 14th Feb'y, 1707-8.
Reverend and Dear Sir,
I came to this Province before Christmas, but the winter set in so hard that I could go no further than New-York ; 60 I came back again and preached about in several places, and dispersed such books as I had in this and the next colony, Con- necticut ;- Mr. Leslie's Five Discourses, The Poor Man's Help and Young Man's Guide, by Mr. Burket. The Inde- pendeuts say, if they don't get some books soon to answer them, they will convert the colony. Mr. Muirson is the first that read the Common Prayer in that place, in Stratford ; when ho set np first, the Honourable Col. Heathcote came along with him, or elso I believe their justices would have put him in prison. Gov. Winthrop is dead, and was buried at Boston when I was there, and they of Connecticut have chosen Mr. Salstonstall, Preacher at New-London, to be their Governor. IIc called his council lately of Milford, and showed them his letter that he had written home to answer the Quakers' com- plaint, and also to get power to hinder the progress of the Church in the Province; but I hopo we shall have as much toleration as the Quakers have obtained there, which is all that we expect or desire. Mr. Muirson deserves a double salary for the great pains and prudence he has shown in that matter.
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