USA > Connecticut > The history of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, Vol. II > Part 2
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Renounces his Ministry in the Episcopal Church, and is canonically suspended .
274 Accepts a Call from the Universalist Society in Hartford ·
· 274
CHAPTER XX.
NEW PARISHES ; PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE LITURGY ; VISIT OF THE BISHOP TO THE SOUTHWESTERN STATES ; AND LACK OF CLERGYMEN.
A. D. 1828 - 1831.
Erection of larger and more substantial Churches . 276 Mr. Wheaton's Address at the Laying of the Corner-stone of Christ
Church, Hartford . 276
Churches erected under the Auspices of Rev. George B. Andrews 277
New Parishes in Pomfret, and Hitchcocksville · 278 A Chapel of Ease for Trinity Parish, New Haven, built . 279
Bishop Brownell receives pressing Calls for Missionary Services 279
Parishes at Windham and Saybrook organized
280 Report of a Committee on the State of the Church in the Diocese . 281 Certain Changes in the Liturgy proposed by the General Convention of 1826 282
Not acceptable to the Diocese of Connecticut, and rejected at the Annual Convention 284
Bishop Brownell's Sermon before the "Domestic and Foreign Mis- sionary Society," in 1829 285 His Visit to the Southwestern States, at the Request of its Directors 285 Presided at Conventions held for organizing the Church in Louisiana and Alabama 286
Return Home, having accomplished a Tour of about six thousand Miles . Growth of the Church greater than the Supply of faithful Laborers . 288 Establishment of an Academy in Hartford, under the Charge of Rev. Reuben Sherwood 289
288
Frequent Changes in the Location of the Clergy, and their Cause · 289 Propensity of the Young for popular Preaching . 291
xxiii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXI.
RETIREMENT OF THE BISHOP FROM THE PRESIDENCY OF THE COL- LEGE ; CHARGE TO THE CLERGY ; AND GENERAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE CHURCH.
A. D. 1831 - 1835. PAGE
Movement to withdraw the Bishop from the College, that he might
devote himself exclusively to the Pastoral Care of the Diocese . 292 His Salary increased to Eighteen Hundred Dollars per annum 293
The Income of the Fund insufficient to meet it, and Parishes assessed to make up the Deficiency · 293
Resigns the Presidency, and delivers a "Farewell Address " to the Students on retiring 294
Second Charge to the Clergy · 295
A Season of Revival, and the Duty of the Clergy 297
Extravagances of the Pious detrimental to true Religion . 299 Rev. Bethel Judd appointed Principal of the Episcopal Academy 300 Visionary Project of providing for the Support of necessitous Young
Men 300
Meeting of the Annual Convention changed from June to October 301 Appointed to be held in Norwich in 1833, and no Quorum 302 Melancholy Accident on the Connecticut River 302 Bishop Brownell sails for New Orleans in the Autumn of 1834 303 The General Convention recognizing the Church as the great Mis- sionary Society 304
Bishop Brownell's Plea for building up the Church at Home . 305 The Diocesan Convention of 1835, thoroughly Missionary in its Tone 307
CHAPTER XXII.
USE OF THE GENERAL CONFESSION ; THIRD CHARGE OF THE BISHOP; ANOTHER VISIT TO NEW ORLEANS ; AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CLERGY.
A. D. 1835 - 1840.
Opinion of the House of Bishops on the Use of the General Confes- sion
308 Further Opinion about the Minister uniting with the People in say- ing " Amen " 309
Proposed Changes carried into Effect in Connecticut 309
Third Charge of Bishop Brownell 309 Extract from the Sermon of Dr. Jarvis before the Church Scholar- ship Society . 31
xxiv
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Great want of the Church - the Want of more Ministers 311 Bishop Brownell's Third Journey to New Orleans 313
Dr. Wheaton accepts the Rectorship of Christ Church in that City . 313 Constitution of the Episcopal Academy revised, and Rev. Allen C. Morgan appointed Principal . 314
Annual Meeting of the Convention put back to June 315
New Parishes and new Churches 315
The Bishop not expected to visit each Parish every Year 317
Publication of " Episcopal Watchman " discontinued 318
A. B. Chapin, and the " Chronicle of the Church " . 318
Increase of Candidates for Holy Orders in Connecticut, without adding to the List of Parochial Clergy . .
319
Insufficient Salaries, and Bishop Brownell's Appeal to the Laity on the Subject .
. 320
CHAPTER XXIII.
EDUCATION IN THE CHURCH ; OXFORD TRACTS; FOURTH CHARGE OF BISHOP BROWNELL ; AND NEW PARISHES.
A. D. 1840 - 1843.
Fashion of Family Boarding-schools . 323 Report of a Committee of the Diocesan Convention on the Subject of
Education 324
Establishment of Female Seminaries by Christian Women 325
Theological Movement in England . 326 Appearance of the Oxford Tracts in this Country 326 Controversies about them, and Bishop Brownell's Address 327
Fourth and last Charge of the Bishop - entitled " Errors of the Times " 329
The general Exercise of Private Judgment, the Right of every Man 330 Evils arising from the Abuse of this Right 331 Baptismal Regeneration, as held by the Church, misapprehended $32
Doctrinal Views of the Continental Reformers, and of Westminster and New England Divines 333
· Hostility of other Denominations to the Charge of the Bishop . . Errors of the Day, and Controversies about the Oxford Tracts, not preventing the Erection of new Churches, and Organization of new Parishes . 335
333
Sermon of Rev. Mr. Burgess, at the Consecration of St. John's Church, Hartford . 336
XXV
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXIV.
INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF THE CLERGY ; MOVEMENT FOR. AN ASSISTANT BISHOP; DEATH OF REV. ASHBEL BALDWIN; AND IM- PROVED STYLE OF ECCLESIASTICAL ARCHITECTURE.
A. D. 1843 - 1848.
PAGE
One hundred Clergymen residing in the Diocese 338
" Report on the State of the Church," to the General Convention in 1844 · 339
Official Acts of Bishop Brownell for a quarter of a Century · 340 Age and Infirmity unfitting him for the Care of all the Churches . 341
Contemplates applying to the Convention, for the Election of an Assistant Bishop . · · 342
Health improved, and the Subject postponed indefinitely . 343
" Trustees of the Aged and Infirm Clergy, and Widows' Fund " in- corporated . 345
Death of Rev. Ashbel Baldwin
· 345
Story of his Conversion to Episcopacy · 345
His Position in the Diocese, and Character
346
Affecting Letter to Bishop Brownell taking Leave of the Convention Separation of St. Paul's Chapel, New Haven, from Trinity Parish Improved Style of Ecclesiastical Architecture
348
New Church at Meriden consecrated
Outward Growth of the Diocese accompanied by Signs of increasing
351 Piety
·
352
Rev. George Burgess, D. D., elected Bishop of Maine
·
352
CHAPTER XXV.
MISSIONARY AND CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS ; CONVENTION AT NEW LONDON ; ADDRESS OF THE BISHOP ; AND TENDENCIES TO ROMANISM.
A. D. 1848 - 1851.
Increasing Contributions for Missionary and Charitable Purposes . 353 Number of Towns and Villages in Connecticut without Houses of Episcopal Worship · 354
354
Annual Convention at New London · Consecration of the new Church, and Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Wil- liams . 355 · Appearance of Romish Tendencies among certain Individuals . · 356
347
Costly Churches built at Waterbury, Norwich, and New London · 349
350
xxvi
CONTENTS.
" A Voice from Connecticut " by Rev. Dr. Jarvis 356 Sharp Articles in the Church Periodical of Connecticut 357
Address of Bishop Brownell on the Movements of the Romanizers . 357
The Doctrine of Catholic Unity made to perplex the Unwary .
361
Auricular Confession and Priestly Absolution The Performance of the Ritual of the Church . 363
362
" Yearning after greater Holiness " . 365
Romanizers comprising Laymen as well as Clergymen 366
Reference of the Bishop's Address to a Committee . 367
Unanimity of the Convention in sustaining his Views 368
CHAPTER XXVI.
DEATHS AMONG THE CLERGY ; ELECTION OF AN ASSISTANT BISHOP ; AND THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION IN THE DIOCESE.
A. D. 1851 - 1853.
Decease of Isaac Jones and Truman Marsh 369
Death of Dr. Jarvis - " Historiographer of the Church " . 370
His Scholarship and theological Attainments 370 Death of Daniel Burhans, D. D., the oldest Presbyter of the Diocese 371
Third Jubilee of the " Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts " 371
Letter of the Archbishop of Canterbury, to the Bishops of the Church in this Country, proposing a joint Celebration . 372
The Church in Connecticut many Reasons to be grateful to the Society . 372
House of Bishops depute two of their Number to visit England, and join in the closing Services of the Jubilee 373
Extract from the Sermon of the Bishop of Oxford 374
Increasing Infirmities of Bishop Brownell, and his Call for an As- sistant . 375
Election of Rev. John Williams, D. D., as Assistant Bishop of the Diocese, and his Acceptance of the Office 377
His Consecration in St. John's Church, Hartford 378 Theological Department in Trinity College established 379 Bishop Williams resigns the Presidency of it 380
His Removal to Middletown, and the Charter of the "Berkeley Divinity School " . · 380
Usefulness of Trinity College, and the Theological School 381
Endowment of the College increased . 382
CONTENTS.
xxvii
CHAPTER XXVII.
NEW PARISHES AND NEW CHURCHES ; GENERAL CONVENTION ; FUND FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE EPISCOPATE; AND SALARIES OF THE CLERGY.
A. D. 1853 - 1857.
PAGE
Rapid Advancement of the Church in Connecticut . 383
Building of better Churches and Improvement of the old ones . · 384
New Parochial Organizations . · 385 Christ Church, Bridgeport, and St. Paul's, Fairfield, formed 387 Bishop Brownell becomes the Senior and Presiding Bishop of the Church in the United States 388
Abandonment of our Communion by Dr. Ives, late Bishop of North Carolina
· 389
Two Missionary Bishops consecrated for the Pacific Coast · 389
Pastoral Letter of the House of Bishops . ! 390
· Immigration of Roman Catholics to this Country
391
Support of the Assistant Bishop not provided for at the time of his Election 392
Trustees of the Bishop's Fund petition for an alteration in their Charter · 393
Vote of the Convention to pay the Assistant Bishop Twenty-five Hundred Dollars per Annum · 394
His Salary increased · 395
Report of a Committee of Laymen on Salaries of the Clergy . 396 The rural Rectory . 397
CHAPTER XXVIII.
PROGRESS OF THE DIOCESE; DEATH OF DR. CROSWELL; NEW CHURCH AT STRATFORD ; AND EFFORTS TO INCREASE THE RANKS OF THE MINISTRY.
A. D. 1857 - 1860.
Clerical Force of the Diocese
· 398
A remarkable Religious Interest
· 399
Results of it in the Episcopal Church
· 400
Dr. Croswell's fortieth Anniversary Sermon · 401
His Death
· 402
Sketch of his Life and Character
403
Death of Rev. Z. H. Mansfield
· 405
New Church in Stratford
. 406
xxviii
CONTENTS.
PAΘΕ
Scene at the Time of the Consecration contrasted with the Entrance
into the Village of Heathcote and Muirson . . 407
New Parishes and new Churches 408
Number of Candidates for Holy Orders .
409
" Society for the Increase of the Ministry " formed . 410 The great Necessity for more Ministers 411
Extract from Sermon of Bishop Williams before Diocesan Conven-
tion
. 412
CHAPTER XXIX.
CONVENTION AT NEW LONDON; DIOCESAN MISSIONS; EPISCOPAL DUTIES; CIVIL WAR; AND DEATHS AMONG THE CLERGY.
A. D. 1860 - 1862.
Greater Efficiency in the Work of Diocesan Missions urged . 413 Report of a Special Committee on the Subject . 414
Public Services appointed by the Convention to awaken more Interest 415
The Result of the new Movements . 416
Summary View of Episcopal Duties for a Period of Ten Years . 417
Occurrence of new and startling Events . 419
Address of Bishop Williams on the National Troubles 420
Honoring and obeying the Civil Authority taught by our Church 421
The Clergy subjected to Drafts for Troops 423
Gifts to Christian Charities increased 423
Deaths among the elder Clergy 424
Sketch of the Life of Rev. Dr. Wheaton · 425
His Benefactions to his Native Parish and to Trinity College . 426
CHAPTER XXX.
MORE NEW CHURCHES AND PARISHES; PROVISION FOR THE CLERGY; DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS FOR CHURCH PURPOSES; PROLONGED RECTORSHIPS; AND DEATH OF BISHOP BROWNELL.
A. D. 1862- 1865.
Consecration of Trinity Church, Southport 428
New Stone Church for the ancient Parish at Brooklyn begun 429
New Parochial Organizations . 430
Memorial Church of the Holy Trinity, Westport ·
431
Trinity Church, Bridgeport, formed . 431
Its Admission into Union with the Convention opposed 432
CONTENTS.
xxix
Church Homes for Aged and Destitute Women
. 433
Pastoral Letter to the Laity on the Straitened Condition of many of the Clergy · 434
" Trustees of Donations and Bequests for Church Purposes," char- tered
. 435
Candidates for Confirmation and new Communicants . 436
Number of Clergy in the Diocese . 437
Prolonged Rectorships
. 438
Death of Bishop Brownell · 439
Address of Dr. Burgess at his Funeral
.
440
Growth of the Church in Connecticut under his Episcopate . 441
Brief Outline of his Character
. 442
APPENDIX A.
Letter of Bishop Claggett to Rev. Ashbel Baldwin, Secretary of the Diocese of Connecticut
.
447
APPENDIX B.
Final Decision of the House of Bishops in the Case of Ammi Rogers 451
APPENDIX C.
Letter of Rev. Menzies Rayner renouncing the Ministry . 453 Record of his Suspension by Bishop Brownell . . 454
Index.
PAGE
HISTORY
OF THE
EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CONNECTICUT.
CHAPTER I.
ELECTION OF A SUCCESSOR TO BISHOP SEABURY, AND CONSE- CRATION OF THE REV. ABRAHAM JARVIS TO THE EPISCOPATE OF CONNECTICUT.
A. D. 1796-1799.
THE Church in Connecticut, upon the death of Bishop Seabury, was embarrassed in the selection of his successor by the want of an Episcopal fund. The petitions to the Legislature for a charter empowering a certain number of trustees to receive and hold do- nations for the support of the Episcopate, had not yet been granted, and the parishes had made no adequate provision for this object. Many of them, in their pov- erty, confined their obligations to the maintenance of their rectors, and it was natural, therefore, in choos- ing a bishop, to direct attention to those clergymen in Connecticut, who, with suitable qualities of head and heart, were in circumstances or occupied positions which would enable them to live and perform Episco- pal duties without expecting much, if anything, from the Diocese in the way of pecuniary support.
The Constitution, adopted in 1792, required the VOL. II. 1
2
HISTORY OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Presbyters, Deacons, and Lay Deputies, from the sev- eral parishes, to meet within three months from the time when a vacancy shall occur, either at New Haven or Middletown, and " select a person to fill the Epis- copal chair." Accordingly, a special Convention, com- posed of twenty-two clergymen and twenty-six lay- men, - the largest number which had yet assembled in this form, - was held in Trinity Church, New Haven, May 5th, 1796, and the Rev. Mr. Jarvis deliv- ered on the occasion a " well-adapted sermon," having reference to the late Diocesan, a copy of which was requested for publication. £ Printed minutes never give the whole proceedings of a deliberative body, and in this case there appears to be unusual brevity. The two orders separated for the purpose of free con- sultation, and soon it was discovered that the clergy, though wishing to choose one of their own number, were divided in their preferences and unable to come to a unanimous vote. Mr. Bowden, the most schol- arly among them, and the best fitted in many respects for the office, declined to be a candidate; and Mr. Jarvis, after a succession of ballotings, was declared to be elected. When the result was communicated to the lay delegates, they debated long and earnestly about the manner of proceeding, and finally agreed upon the bold and somewhat extraordinary method of giving in their yeas and nays with their names annexed. A majority of two only appeared in favor of confirming the choice of the clergy, and, unfortu- nately for the Bishop elect, the most influential lay- men were not included in this majority.1 The subse-
1 MS. letter from Rev. Abraham L. Clarke to Dr. Parker of Boston, May 10th, 1796.
3
IN CONNECTICUT.
quent action in the whole Convention was far from being unanimous, and no cordial and liberal measures were adopted to encourage Mr. Jarvis to accept the appointment. He was ready, therefore, when waited upon for his answer, to say that he declined the office to which he had been chosen ; and the Convention adjourned to meet again in the same place and for the same purpose, in the ensuing October, having first appointed a new Committee to " memorialize the General Assembly for an act of incorporation to establish a fund for the support of the Bishop of Connecticut."
In the mean time, the Annual Convention, fixed as now for the month of June, was held at Cheshire ; but so little interest was manifested in its proceedings that twelve clergymen only, and half as many lay delegates were present. The principal subject of their deliberations was the reported Constitution for the Episcopal Academy, already established in that village, and no sooner had it been approved and a board of twenty-one Trustees appointed under it, than the Convention, which originally had this power, pro- ceeded to the election of a Principal of the Institu- tion. The ballots were all in favor of the Rev. John Bowden, who signified at once his acceptance of the office. It was an eminently responsible position, for the Academy thus founded was intended to be, not only a preparatory school of a high order, but a col- lege and a nursery of theological learning. The old prejudices against Episcopacy which characterized the immediate descendants of the first settlers in New England, were still active, and the clergy felt most painfully the want of some literary institution where
4
HISTORY OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
the sons of the Church might receive a thorough classical education without endangering the religious predilections of their childhood. The Trustees of Yale College, ever since the affair of Rector Cutler and his associates in 1722, had pursued the illiberal policy of preventing the admission of any one as an instructor therein who should be suspected of " in- clining to Arminian or prelatic principles." Grati- tude for Berkeley's benefactions and for the gener- osity of that churchman 1 whose honorable name the Institution bears, had not changed those severe statutes which exacted religious tests of the officers of in- struction, and compelled Episcopal students to attend worship regularly in the College Chapel, except on Communion Sundays. Most of our clergy, at that period, were graduates of Yale ; but the affection which they cherished for their Alma Mater was not so great as the love they bore to the Church. They knew that, under God, her prosperity was to be ad- vanced by their own energy and faithfulness, and
1 Jeremiah Dummer, agent of the Colony of Connecticut, writing to Gov. Saltonstall, from " Middle Temple [London], 14th April, 1719," says : " I heartily congratulate you upon the happy union of the Colony in fixing the Colledge at New Haven, after some differences which might have been attended with ill consequences. Mr. Yale is very much rejoyc'd at this good news, and more than a little pleas'd with his being the Patron of such a seat of the Mnses. Saving that he express't at first some kind of concern, whether it was well in him, being a Churchman, to promote an Academy of Dissenters. But when we had discours't that point freely, he appear'd convinc't that the business of good men is to spread religion and learning among mankind without being too fondly attach't to particu- lar Tenets, about which the world never was, nor never will be, agreed. Besides, if the Discipline of the Church of England be most agreeable to Scripture and primitive practice, there's no better way to make men sen- sible of it than by giving them good learning." - State Library, Hartford. Extract from Document 110 of vol. ii. " Foreign Correspondence with Co- lonial Agents, 1661-1732."
5
IN CONNECTICUT.
much as they desired to see the number of candidates for Holy Orders increased, they would not peril the usefulness and respectability of the clerical profession by lowering the standard of literary and theological attainments.
Mr. Bowden was not without experience in the instruction and management of youth, for since his re- turn from the Island of St. Croix, - whither he went in the autumn of 1789 to pursue the pastoral work, hoping that a residence in that climate would benefit his health, - he had been in charge of a private school for boys at Stratford, and he took the greater part of his pupils with him when he removed to Cheshire, and entered upon his new office. As the friend of Seabury, and the able defender of the Church with his pen, he had, for some time, exercised a com- manding influence among his brethren; and when the adjourned Convention met on the 19th of October, attention was again turned to him as the most eligi- ble candidate for the Episcopate. Nineteen clergy- men and twenty-one lay delegates composed this Con- vention ; but one third of the laymen were new members who had never before attended such meet- ings, and it is worthy of note that there is no re- corded lay representation from Trinity Parish, New Haven, in whose church the body assembled, nor from the venerable parish at Stratford. That the proceed- ings might be confined to the object which had called them together, it was " resolved that no other busi- ness shall be done at this adjourned Convention, to be recorded, but only the business of electing a bishop." After the two orders had separated, the clergy cast their ballots unanimously for the Rev. Mr.
6
HISTORY OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Bowden, and then, at his particular request, they voted to indulge him in giving a decisive answer on his election till the next annual Convention. The lay delegates readily concurred in their choice and in their resolve ; and after the President and Secretary had been requested to make out the testimonials for the Bishop elect, and sign them in behalf of the Con- vention, an adjournment took place till the annual meeting in June.
To these gleanings from the printed Journal, some- thing may be added from the manuscript records of the Convocation to show the hopes and designs of the clergy. They adopted measures to provide for the expenses of the Bishop elect in obtaining consecra- tion, and requested him, in his tour to Philadelphia for this purpose, to solicit aid of pious and charitable persons or societies " for the encouragement, support, and benefit of the Episcopal Academy in Connecticut." Mr. Baldwin was desired to be his attending Presbyter, and the Standing Committee were charged with the duty of replying to a communication from the Church in Rhode Island, and of inviting a continuance under the same ecclesiastical head. " Mr. Bowden's well- known abilities and integrity," said they, “if he ac- cepts the appointment, will, we trust, in some meas- ure repair the loss we have sustained, and be a means of continuing and firmly establishing that diocesenal unity which has been so happily begun between us."
All these proceedings indicated a confidence on the part of the clergy, that the business which had called them together was now settled, and that the Diocese was soon to be administered by one whose learning and talents they had not failed to appreciate very
7
IN CONNECTICUT.
highly. But to the adjourned and annual Convention held in Derby, June 7th, 1797, Dr. Bowden - for by this time Columbia College, of which he was a grad- uate, had honored him with the degree of Doctor of Divinity - communicated in " writing his non-accep- tance of the Episcopate." The chief reason that led him to this decision was the weakness of his voice and lungs, which he had tried in vain to strengthen, and finally he was compelled to relinquish, for the most part, the public exercise of the ministry. Had he been consecrated, the mitre had rarely crowned a worthier head.
Steps were immediately taken to go into another election, and at the appointed time, the lay members withdrew to a separate apartment, and the clergy proceeded to ballot for a bishop. The Rev. Mr. Jarvis, who was not present at this Convention, was unani- mously chosen by both orders, even though there were some among the laity who had strenuously op- posed his election at the first special meeting held after the death of Bishop Seabury. It must have been understood that such a result would be reached, and that the candidate, when elected with entire unanimity, would accept the office. The exigencies of the Church in Connecticut at that period demanded a spiritual head. There was no neighboring bishop who could be invited to exercise Episcopal oversight or make occasional visitations. Provoost, of New York, had not much love for the primal Diocese, if the clergy of it had any love for him; and Dr. Bass, who had been consecrated just a month before for Massachusetts, was an old man, already bending under the weight of seventy years, and retaining still the charge of his parish at Newburyport.
8
HISTORY OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Before the clergy dispersed for their homes, they met by themselves in Convocation, and among other resolves which they adopted, was this : " That if the Rev. Mr. Jarvis, the Bishop elect, should go to Phila- delphia for consecration, the Rev. Mr. Baldwin be requested to attend him ; and that it be recommended to the several churches in the State to have collec- tions for defraying the expenses of both, by the first Sunday in August next, and that the money be sent to the Rev. Mr. Hubbard by the third of said month." There was some delay in fixing the time and place of the consecration ; but when the consent of a major number of the Standing Committees in the different dioceses had been obtained, Bishop White, who was the Presiding Bishop, acquiesced in the desire of Con- necticut that he and his colleagues would come to New Haven ; and accordingly a special Convention was duly warned and held in Trinity Church on the 18th of October, and sixteen clergymen and twenty-seven lay delegates were present to participate in the solemn services. The sermon on the occasion was preached by the Rev. Dr. Smith, who had recently removed into the Diocese from Newport, R. I., and taken charge of St. Paul's Church, Norwalk. In England it is the common practice to select a learned presbyter to preach at the consecration of a bishop ; but in this country, since the days of Dr. Smith, with a single exception,1 no one in the second grade of the ministry has been known to perform such a high duty.
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