USA > Connecticut > The records of convocation, 1790-1848 > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
The "Family Prayer Book" prepared by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Brownell, the third Bishop of the Diocese, appears to be the first issued in Connecticut.
This valuable compilation gave the full text of the Prayer Book with notes and comments, which were distinct from the text. It was issued from Sidney's Press, New Haven, in 1823, in a large quarto volume. Other editions were published in Hartford, and finally Stanford & Swords, in New York City, became the publishers.
The earliest edition of the Prayer Book without commentary with a Connecticut imprint is one in thirty-two mo published by Andrus & Judd in Hartford in 1826; in the same year a forty-eightmo edition appeared from the press of S. Andrus in Hartford. Other editions, or new impres- sions from the same plates, by the same publishers, appeared in 1831, 1832, 1837, 1844, 1845. Gurdon Robbins, of Hartford, published a thirty-two mo edition in 1843, which was reprinted in 1844 by Robbins & Smith of the same city. Sumner & Goodman of Hartford published a sixteen mo edition in 1848. In 1851 A. C. Goodman & Co. of Hartford printed a sixteenmo edition.2 This completes the list of known editions of the Book of Common Prayer printed in Connecticut.
1 See Appendix to the Report of the Custodian of the Standard Prayer Book, p. 535, Journal of the General Convention, 1898.
2 See pp. 536, 537, 538, 539, 540 of Journal of General Convention 1898, for entries in Cata- ogue of Custodian's Collection.
Note XIII
No proceedings were taken under this vote. The subject of the Bishop's support was one which was much discussed both in Con- vocation and Convention, and resolutions appointing a committee to memorialise the General Assembly were adopted at the second Conven- tion of the Diocese, held in Middletown on June 5, 1793. Twenty trustees, eight clergymen and twelve laymen were then appointed.1 Nothing was done and the motion was renewed in 1794. Finally, after special convention in New Haven, October 18, 1797, a formal motion to continue the Committee on the Memorial with directions to apply to the May session of 1798, was adopted. It would seem that the Memorial was not presented until May, 1799, when it was favorably received and a resolution incorporating "The Trustees for receiving Donations for the Support of the Bishop" was passed and approved.1
The formal thanks of the Convention were given on June 6, 1799, to Messrs. Isaac Beers, Elias Shipman, Ephraim Kirby and the Rev. Ambrose Todd, "for their liberal and spirited exertions before the Legis- "lature, to obtain an act of Incorporation for the Bishop's Fund."
The Trustees named in the resolution were: the Rev. Dr. Bela Hub- bard, the Hon. Jonathan Ingersoll, Mr. John Morgan, the Hon. Samuel William Johnson, Mr. William Herron, Mr. Jonathan Starr, and Mr. Evan Malbone.
1 Pp. 6, 7, Journals of the Annual Conventions of the Diocese of Connecticut, 1792-1820 New Haven : Printed and published by Stanley & Chapin. 1842.
2 Pp. 8, 11, 13, 19, Journals, 1790-1820. For a copy of the Resolution see pp. 326, 347 Private Laws. 1789-1830, pp. 23, 24.
Note XIV
The Rev. Dr. Burhans has preserved this interesting account of his examination for Holy Orders :
"On the first of June I accompanied the Rev. Mr. Bostwick to Middle- town, Ct., to attend the annual Convention of that Diocese, who intro- duced me as a candidate for holy orders. The next morning I was examined in the presence of the Bishop by the late venerable Rev. Richard Mansfield, D.D., Rev. Dr. Hubbard & Rev. Mr. Fogg. They were courteous & familiar. I was soon at ease & unembarrassed, sup- porting myself [with] confidence, with becoming humility.
The most puzzling and difficult question was put by Dr. Mansfield as follows: 'Aside from the fulfilment of Prophecy & Miracles, on what ground would you defend Divine Revelation?' By its internal effects upon the external conduct. Contrast the Civilization & Morality of nations who receive & make the Bible the measure (?)1 of their Council, with the Nations destitute of the Holy Scriptures; you have ocular demonstration of the prosperity of the one & the depression of the other. These with a few of the conclusive arguments of Soame Jennings in his unanswerable defence of Christianity from its Internal Evidence.
This was perfectly satisfactory, & Testimonials were cheerfully signed with many flattering remarks .- In time & due form a Procession of the Bishop, Clergy & Laity proceed to the Church where I was soon robed & presented to the Bishop with his son Charles & received the Order [of] Deacon, June 5, 1793 in the 30th year of my age.
The mingled sensations of joy & fear under the high responsibilities of the office is better realized by the Novitiate properly impressed than by any language he can express.
The next day I parted from the Bishop & Clergy with mutual and Christian wishes."2
THE REVEREND DANIEL BURHANS, D.D.
Daniel, a son of Henry Burhans, an officer in the British army during the "old French war," was born at Sherman, Connecticut, on July 7, 1763. As his father had a large family to support by his work upon a small farm, the only opportunity his son Daniel had for education was in the district school during the brief winter terms. He early showed a desire for knowledge and so impressed his teachers that one of them promised to aid, provided Mr. Burhans would consent to send his son to college. This he finally agreed to do. When seventeen he commenced
1 This word is abbreviated in the manuscript. It may be "medium."
2 An extract of a portion of the MS. Autobiography of the Rev. Daniel Burhans, D.D., in possession of the writer.
-
-174-
his preparation for college, combining with it work upon the farm in summer and teaching in the winter. At the end of two years he was ready for college, but upon visiting his old teacher found him dying. This disappointment was severe, but determined him in a newer part of the country to make his own way and secure an education. He went to Lanesborough, Massachusetts, in the heart of the Berkshires. Here at first working for his board he attended a school of high grade and made as rapid progress as the incompetence of the teacher would permit. Finally his natural ability and acquired knowledge was recognized. The teacher was dismissed and Mr. Burhans offered the principalship, which he accepted. The school grew and flourished and a large brick school house was built for him.
Lanesborough was a part of the missionary circuit of the Rev. Gideon Bostwick. During a revival in the Congregational Church, which Mr. Burhans attended, several theological and philosophical questions con- cerning Regeneration, Election, and the Means of Grace, were brought before him. In his examination of these abstruse subjects he found that his views of them were widely different from those of his fellow worship- pers. While his mind was puzzled with the problems, the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion were put into his hands by a friend, but without his knowing with what body of Christians they originated. Their state- ments seemed to him forcible, just, and true. When informed of their origin he immediately sought out Mr. Bostwick, found in him a friend and counsellor, became an attendant and soon a communicant in St. Luke's Church. So fully had his thoughts dwelt upon religious matters that he determined to study for the holy ministry.1 It was, however, ten years before his intention was carried out. In the meantime he had aided Mr. Bostwick by reading the service at Lanesborough on three Sundays in each month. For some months he read the service at Lebanon Springs, Columbia County, New York, on the western slope of the Berkshires, ten miles from his home, then becoming a fashionable resort. After his ordination he became the minister in charge of Lanes- borough and Lenox, for Mr. Bostwick had died at New Milford on June 13, 1793.
Dr. Burhans vividly pictures his work in Berkshire County and the surrounding country. It was thorough and faithful. He was ordained priest in Trinity Church, New Haven, by Bishop Seabury on Whitsun- Day, June 8, 1794.
In August, 1799, he accepted the rectorship of Trinity Church, New- town, vacant by the death of the Rev. Philo Perry. He entered upon his duties in October and began a long course of usefulness. "The church," he records, "was filled to overflowing. I had a large number of candi- dates for Communion at Easter, & to have all things done decently & in order according to the excellent provision made in the Rubrics I invite[d the Bishop] to hold a Confirmation, & rising of eighty were confirmed. And a great proportion of [them] were admitted [to] the
1 This religious experience is stated in very nearly the exact words of Dr. Burhans in his communication to Dr. Pitkin, who prepared his funeral sermon.
-175-
Holy Communion on Easter Sunday. At this Revival while there was a Jubilee in the Church, the sectarians stared with astonishment! And were ready [to cry] out '[Is] Saul among the Prophets'?"1
Dr. Burhans became very active in Diocesan affairs and was honored with many offices. He was especially energetic as an agent in securing funds for the General Theological Seminary, both at its inception in 1817 and when in the Diocese from 1820 to 1822. Upon the verge of old age he resigned his parish on November 1, 1830. Without accepting another charge he officiated in St. Paul's, Woodbury, Christ Church, Bethlehem, and Christ Church, Roxbury. In 1831 he became rector of St. Peter's Church, Plymouth, where he served six years, when he resigned, as the infirmities of old age were increasing upon him. He temporarily served at Oxford and Zoar for some time, and in 1844 he retired from the active duties of the ministry and spent the remaining years of his life at Pough- keepsie, New York. He retained his vigor of mind and body to the last. In his ninety-first year he commenced his "Autobiography," of which only a portion seems to have been preserved. He was a storehouse of information upon all matters of Connecticut diocesan history, and his recollections of Bishop Seabury and Bishop Jarvis, recorded in Dr. Sprague's "Annals of the American Pulpit," are graphic and lifelike. He departed this life peacefully on December 30, 1853, in the ninety-first year of his age and the sixty-first of his ministry.
He received from Washington (now Trinity) College the degree of Doctor in Divinity in 1831.
While he wrote much he seems to have published only one sermon : The Scripture Doctrine of the Election of Jacob and the Rejection of Esau Considered.2
The Rev. Dr. Buel, Rector of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, at the time of Dr. Burhans' residence, says that he was "a man of com- manding personal appearance, of a large and well built frame, of a healthy and ruddy countenance, of a nervous temperament and somewhat quick in his movements. His manners, though not highly polished, were simple and natural, and evinced what he actually possessed, a fine genial spirit."3
Dr. Burhans was the last survivor of those ordained by Bishop Sea- bury. During the session of the General Convention of 1853 in the City of New York he was formally welcomed in the House of Bishops.
THE REVEREND CHARLES SEABURY.
Charles, the youngest son of the Rt. Rev. Samuel and Mary (Hicks) Seabury, was born at Westchester, New York, on May 20, 1770. When he was five years old he was taken by his father to New York City, where the family remained during the Revolution and until Bishop Seabury assumed his Episcopal duties and made his home at New London.
1 MS. Autobiography of Dr. Burhans.
2 Vergennes, 1810; reprinted, 1828. 8vo, pp. 32.
3 P. 414, Dr. Wm. B. Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit, V.
-176-
He studied theology under the Rev. Dr. Mansfield and the Rev. Dr. William Smith the younger, then at Narragansett, Rhode Island. With these well read divines he was made ready for ordination. Upon his return to New London he pursued a special course of systematic divinity with his father. He was made a deacon, as the "Records" note, on June 5, 1793. He spent the year after his ordination at Ripton (now Huntington) in charge of St. Paul's Church. He assisted his father in New London during his frequent absences until the fall of 1795, when he was called for six months to Grace Church, Jamaica, Long Island. Here his services were appreciated and he found much parish work to be done. The sudden death of his father on February 26, 1796, summoned him once more to New London.
On March 28, 1796, he was called to the rectorship of St. James's Church, New London, which he accepted. Without the force and grace of his father or the profound knowledge of men and books which made the Bishop preeminent, his son Charles was an excellent parish priest. Few events occurred during his rectorship, which covered the period of depres- sion, financial and spiritual, immediately preceding and during the War of 1812. On July 17, 1796, Mr. Seabury was ordained priest by Bishop Provoost in St. George's Chapel, New York City. In 1814 Mr. Seabury removed to Long Island and became Rector of Caroline Church, Setauket. Here, in pleasant surroundings, in the busy and unnoted cares of a rural parish he spent the remainder of his days. For several years he had charge also of Huntington and Islip.
In 1843 he resigned and accepted a retiring pension from the Aged and Infirm Clergy Fund of the Diocese of New York. His home was still in Setauket, where he died on December 29, 1844, in the seventy- fourth year of his age, fifty-first of his ministry.
Bishop Onderdonk, in announcing his retirement to the Convention, said that he had since he was commissioned to the ministry given him- self to his Master's work, "unweariedly, disinterestedly, and with no small share of trial and self sacrifice."1
Dr. Hallam says : "His was the fate of too many of our clergy even now, whose life is but the trial of the varieties of starvation, and it is believed that his removal to Setauket brought with it little alleviation of his con- dition, so that his whole life, that of a good, kind-hearted, sensible and faithful man, was but a long struggle with adversity, which after being maintained for more than half a century with a zeal and ardor which trouble and privation could not abate, and age could scarcely dull, has ended at last we doubt not in a better and enduring substance.""
Mr. Seabury was the third in the illustrious line of clergymen in one family, his grandfather, Samuel Seabury, having been the first resident missionary in New London. His son was the well known Dr. Samuel Seabury, editor, theologian, and professor, and his grandson is the present senior professor in the General Theological Seminary, Dr. William Jones Seabury, the eminent canonist.
1 P. 401, Sprague's Annals, V.
2 P. 83, Annals of St. James's, New London.
Note XV
This refers to an inhibition of Mr. Sayre from officiating in any of the churches of the Diocese until he accedes to the Constitution of the Church and conforms to the Book of Common Prayer of the American Church. No copies of this paper seem to be in existence.
Note XVI
THE REVEREND CALEB CHILD.
Nothing seems to be known of the birth or parentage of Mr. Child.
He was made deacon in Christ Church, Stratford, on the first Sunday after Trinity, June 7, 1795, at the last ordination held by Bishop Sea- bury.1
He was placed in charge of St. James's Church, Great Barrington, Massachusetts, where he remained for nearly two years. He seems to have returned to Connecticut and officiated wherever there was a vacancy.
As early as 1800 rumors affecting his character were in circulation and a formal complaint made to the Convocation. The report of the Com- mittee was made at Newtown on June 2, 1801. It had found the charges true and the Bishop was asked to publish his sentence of degradation in such way and manner as he shall judge proper.1
The sentence was pronounced on Wednesday, June 2, 1802, by the Bishop of the Diocese and entered on the "Records."3 No details of his subsequent life have been found after a careful investigation of probable sources of information.
THE REVEREND SMITH MILES, M. A.
Manoah Smith Miles was born in Derby on March 19, 1766. He was educated in the schools of the town and studied by himself and under competent tutors until ready for college. He was graduated with honor from Yale College in 1791. He evidently soon determined to study for the ministry, as the "Records" show. He was made deacon on June 7, 1795, in Christ Church, Stratford, by Bishop Seabury, at the same time with Mr. Caleb Childs and Mr. Alexander Viets Griswold.4
1 P. 10, Registry of Ordinations.
3 P. 58, ante. 4 P. Io, Registry of Ordinations. 2 P. 55, ante.
I2
-178-
Mr. Miles took charge of Trinity Church, Branford, Christ Church, Guilford, and St. John's, North Guilford. His work was difficult and required much effort, as the parishes were several miles from each other. He made here full proof of his ministry. In 1796 he became the min- ister in charge of Christ Church, Middle Haddam, and Trinity Church, Chatham. In this field of labor he was most earnest and successful. His charge of Middle Haddam continued until 1810, when he devoted himself wholly to Chatham. He was a good pastor and considered an instructive preacher. Like many of the country parsons he kept for many years a classical school, which gained a high reputation. After a ministry of nearly thirty-four years, he died on January 30, 1830, in the sixty-fourth year of his age.
THE RIGHT REVEREND ALEXANDER VIETS GRISWOLD, D.D.
Alexander Viets, a son of Elisha and Eunice (Viets) Griswold, was born in Simsbury, Connecticut, on April 22, 1766. His ancestry was distinguished in the annals of the Colony, and his father was a man of high reputation in the community. His mother had the charge of his early education and taught him carefully the rudiments of what was then considered essential for one not designed for the law or ministry. He then came under the instruction of his uncle, the Rev. Roger Viets, Rector of St. Andrew's Church, Simsbury, whose attainments in both literature and the classics were remarkable. It was intended by the family and Mr. Griswold that he should accompany his uncle to Nova Scotia, where he accepted the parish of Digby. Mr. Griswold's early marriage, however, interfered with their plan. He temporarily aban- doned the study of theology and commenced to read law. It was the faithfulness of his pastor, the Rev. Ambrose Todd, that brought him to a renewed sense of his duty and led to his becoming a candidate for holy orders. He was made deacon in Christ Church, Stratford, on June 7, 1795.1
His first charge was at Cambridge (now Bristol), Harwinton and Northfield. The stations were eight miles distant from each other. He gave to Trinity Church, Northfield, and to St. Mark's, Harwinton, one- quarter each of his time. The remainder he devoted to St. Matthew's, East Plymouth, to which church the people of Cambridge then came. In this work Mr. Griswold was extremely useful. He was honored and respected by every one in a wide region of country. A few months after his incumbency the new church of St. Matthew's was ready for conse- cration. The Convocation met on October 22, 1795, and, as the Records state, the Church of St. Matthew's was consecrated and the Rev. Mr. Griswold ordained priest.2
"Then, too, it was, though with no thought or expectation of such a thing, that the clergy proposed to the Bishop and to myself that I should
1 P. 10, Registry of Ordinations.
2 P. 10, Registry of Ordinations. P. 49, ante.
-179-
be ordained priest, which was accordingly done."1 Mr. Griswold now redoubled his efforts, and by his long missionary journeys extended a knowledge of the Church to many hamlets very remote from his home. In June, 1804, after much solicitation he accepted the very pressing call of St. Michael's Church, Bristol, Rhode Island. Here, amid happy sur- roundings, with a parish compact and aggressive, he spent twenty-six years. He was the most prominent clergyman in Rhode Island, although his extreme modesty and self-distrust caused him to shun publicity. In 1810 he was about to accept the charge of St. Michael's, Litchfield, as the Rev. Truman Marsh was unable to do full duty, when, to his surprise, he was informed of his election on May 29, 1810, as Bishop of the Eastern Diocese, that confederation of the existing dioceses of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont which had been made necessary by the extreme feebleness of the Church in them.
The consecration of Dr. Griswold took place in Trinity Church, New York City, on May 29, 1811 by Bishop White, Bishop Provoost and Bishop Jarvis. At the same time the Rev. John Henry Hobart was consecrated assistant Bishop of New York. This event was the turning point in the history of the American Church, the end of the period of extreme depression and the beginning of a constant growth and expansion.
It is unnecessary here to follow minutely the details of Bishop Griswold's work as Bishop. It was wise, judicious, fruitful. The Church recovered from her despondency throughout New England. The design of the Eastern Diocese was accomplished. Bishop Griswold became Presiding Bishop of the American Church on the death of Bishop White in 1830.
From 1830 to 1835 he was Rector of St. Peter's Church, Salem, Massa- chusetts. He then relinquished all parochial cares and removed to Boston, giving himself fully to his Episcopal functions. Upon the morning of February 15, 1843, he made a call upon his recently conse- crated coadjutor in Massachusetts, Dr. Eastburn, and fell upon his door- step and died instantly. He was in the seventy-sixth year of his age and the thirty-fourth of his Episcopate.
Bishop Griswold published a few sermons and charges, among them one before the General Convention of 1817.
He received from Brown University, Princeton University and Har- vard University the degree of Doctor in Divinity.
1 P. 70, Extracts from Bp. Griswold's Autobiography in Memoirs of the Life of the Rt. Rev. Alexander Viets Griswold, D.D., by John S. Stone, D.D. Philadelphia : Stavely & McCalla, 1844. 8vo, pp. x1, 620.
Note XVII
The Bishop had early in his Episcopate set forth prayers for the Civil authorities.1 These prayers for the use of the Courts do not appear to have been printed. Manuscript copies may have been sent to the clergy who desired them. They are printed here through the courtesy of the Rev. Professor Seabury.
Occasional Prayers prepared by Right Reverend Samuel Seabury, D.D. Bishop of Connecticut and recorded in his handwriting in a manuscript book entitled, Occasional Prayers and Offices.
"OCCASIONAL PRAYERS. AT THE OPENING OF A COURT OF JUSTICE.
Remember no (sic) Lord our offences, etc: Liturgy.
O Lord, We beseech Thee mercifully hear our prayers etc-Commination.
O God, Who art the Author of Peace &c: \ Morning
O Lord, our Heavenly Father &c Prayer.
The Prayer for the President.
The Prayer for all conditions of men. This Collect.
Almighty God, Who upholdest and governest all things in heaven and on earth; Hear the humble supplications which we make before thy divine Majesty in behalf of the Court now opened for the administration of Justice to thy People. Let thy wisdom guide and direct all their determinations; that impartiality and truth being the directors of all their proceedings, they may promote the peace, order, and happiness of Civil Society : and that we and all thy People being in constant safety under the protection of thy good providence, may, under the impartial administration of just and equal laws, lead godly and quiet lives in this world; and, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life in the world to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
General Thanksgiving.
Alm. God, the fountain of all wisdom etc:
Post Communion.
The Lord's Prayer & Blessing.
OCCASIONAL PRAYERS. At the supreme Court, New London September 1795. Enter not into judgment etc: Ps. cxliii. 2 or If we say we have no sin etc: I John I. 8, 9.
1 See pp. 29, 30 of Dr. Hart's Bishop Seabury's Communion Office.
-18I-
Collect for Ashwednesday.
Almighty and everlasting God etc :
Lord's Prayer.
Our Father etc:
Collect for Peace, Morning Prayer.
O God, from whom etc :
Prayer for the President & all in authority.
O Lord, our heavenly Father, the high and mighty etc:
Prayer for the people & government of the U. States.
O Almighty & everlasting God, we make our supplications to thy divine majesty, humbly imploring thy protection & blessing on the people and government of the United States of America, and especially on the people & government of this State in which we live-entreating thy favour and gracious goodness towards them. Particularly we make our prayers to thee in behalf of this Court, by thy good providence, now assembled for the administration of justice to thy people. Look with favour, O God, on the Judges of the Court, on the subordinate officers belonging to it, and on all concerned in the administration of justice in it. Direct them by thy grace in whatever business shall come before them; and grant that all their decisions may be grounded on the principles of truth and equity : So that peace and happiness, justice and righteousness, religion and piety may flourish among us for all genera- tions : And that thy people being secure, thro' the protection of equal laws and the administration of impartial justice, may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness, and may live in peace and unity with each other, and in peace and friendship with all mankind. Hear us, we beseech thee, O God, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Saviour. Amen.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.