USA > Connecticut > The records of convocation, 1790-1848 > Part 3
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1 See pp. 305-308, 311-313, 331, 332, 347, 348 Dr. Beardsley's "Bishop Seabury."
2 P. 327, Connecticut Church Documents, II. Also : p. 347, Dr. Beards- ley's "Bishop Seabury."
3 Bishop Seabury to Bishop White, New London, June 29, 1789. p. 350, Dr. Beardley's "Bishop Seabury."
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A convention of "Lay delegates from our several congrega- tions" was to meet in the Spring of 1789 to consider "the support of their Bishop" and "the practicability of instituting an Episcopal Academy in this State." Bishop Seabury and the clergy generally thought that "the point of sending Lay dele- gates to the General Convention should come fairly before them." Bishop Seabury thus outlines their action: "When the matter was proposed to the Lay convention, after some conver- sation, they declined every interference in Church government or in reformation of Liturgies. They supposed the government of the Church to be fixed, and that they had no right to alter it by introducing a new power into it. They hoped the old Liturgy would be retained with little alteration; and these matters they thought belonged to the Bishops and Clergy and not to them. They therefore could send no delegates, though they wished for unity among the Churches, and for uniformity of worship; but could not see why these great objects could not be better secured on the old ground than on the new ground that had been taken with you." Bishop Seabury with impres- sive dignity says in the same letter to Bishop White: "For my own part, gladly would I contribute to the union and uniformity of all our Churches; but while Bishop Provoost disputes the validity of my consecration I can take no step towards the accomplishment of so great and desirable an object."1
Dr. Parker had devised a plan which he thought would effectually unite the Church in New England with the Church in the rest of the United States. It was the election of a Bishop for Massachusetts and New Hampshire and a request by Memorial to the General Convention for the three Bishops then in the United States to join in his Consecration. The five other clergymen then resident in those states readily agreed to it. A convention of the Clergy was held at Salem, Mass., on June 4, 1789, when the Revd Edward Bass, Rector of St. Paul's church, Newburyport, Mass. was duly elected. Those present then joined in the preparation of "An Act of the Clergy of Massachusetts and New Hampshire," in which they rejoiced that the good Providence of Almighty God "had supplied the Church in the United States with "a complete and entire
1 Bishop Seabury to Bishop White, "New London, June 29, 1789." p. 350, Dr. Beardsley's "Bishop Seabury."
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Ministry," cited the facts of the election of Mr. Bass, and requested that "the Right Reverend the Bishops in the States of Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania" give "their united assistance in consecrating our said Brother and canoni- cally investing him with the apostolic offices and powers."1
Dr. Parker was appointed to transmit the "Act" to the Bishops named and as agent of the Convention to attend "any Convention to be holden at Philadelphia or New York, and to treat upon any measures that may tend to promote an Union of the Episcopal Church throughout the United States of
America."2 When this "Act" was brought before the General Convention, which met in Christ Church, Philadelphia, on Tues- day, July 28, 1789, there was almost immediate approval of it and the passage of a resolution affirming the validity of Dr. Seabury's Consecration. After long discussion in the com- mittee of the whole upon the best method to bring about the union, a series of resolutions offered by Dr. William Smith, President of Washington College, Maryland, and former Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, were adopted. They declared that "a complete order of Bishops derived as well under the English as the Scots line of Episcopacy doth now subsist within the United States of America."
It was declared that these three Bishops "are fully competent to every proper act and duty of the Episcopal Office and character in these United States." It was affirmed that Chris- tian charity as well as duty required them to supply the wants of "their sister churches in these States:" therefore the "Right Rev. Dr. White and the Right Rev. Dr. Provoost be and they are hereby requested to join with the Right Rev. Dr. Seabury in complying with the prayer of the Clergy of the States of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, for the consecration of the Rev. Edward Bass, Bishop-elect of the Churches in the said States." Should the Bishops consecrated at Lambeth feel "any difficulty or delicacy" in respect to an implied pledge to the Bishops and Archbishops in England that there should be three Bishops of the English line consecrated for the United States before there was any transatlantic consecration by them, "this Convention will address the Archbishops and Bishops, and hope
1 p. 334, Connecticut Church Documents, II.
2 p. 335, Connecticut Church Documents, II.
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thereby to remove the difficulty."1 The Convention then adopted a body of Canons, and a Constitution in which a pro- vision was made for a House of Bishops when three should be members of the General Convention. It was to act as a house of revision but had no power to originate legislation for the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies.
The Convention adjourned on August 8 to meet again on September 29 with the full expectation that its members would then welcome Bishop Seabury and deputies from New England.
The proceedings of the Convention were transmitted to Connecticut very soon after its adjournment. A formal letter signed by the special committee of invitation, Bishop White, Dr. William Smith, Dr. Samuel Magaw, the Hon. Francis Hop- kinson, and the Hon. Tench Coxe, was sent on August 16 to Bishop Seabury detailing what had been done and indicating the liberty allowed in the Constitution adopted for any state to be represented only by clergymen.
It disclaimed for the Convention in the past any act implying the invalidity of Dr. Seabury's consecration, asserting that its course in the matter had been misunderstood.
As a proof of "respect for our sister Churches" everything had been postponed "except what was intended immediately to open the door of union" until the session of September 29, "in the full confidence of then meeting a representation from all the Churches in the Eastern States, for the purpose of devising and executing such measures as through the blessing of God may concentre all our future labours in the promotion of truth and righteousness, and for preserving our Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace.""
Bishop White wrote an affectionate personal letter to Bishop Seabury on August II. In it he comments upon the deeds and temper of the Convention. He defers answering Bishop Seabury's recent letter as he has "ye Expectation of our soon discussing ye weighty contents of it more fully and effectually than can be done in correspondence." He cannot suppose that the Bishop "will see cause to decline ye unanimous invitation
1 pp. 53, 54, Journals of the General Convention, 1785-1817. Bioren's reprint, ISI7.
2 pp. 347-349, Connecticut Church Documents, II. The copy followed is the original draft in the papers of Dr. William Smith.
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which you will herewith receive from ye Convention to their adjourned meeting."1
Dr. Smith in a very cordial letter gave some of the inner history of the Convention, especially concerning the meaning of the "five resolves" which he had offered. He also invited the Bishop of Connecticut to his house during his stay in Phila- delphia.2
Until the arrival of these letters Bishop Seabury and the Connecticut clergy were in great perplexity as to the result of Dr. Parker's proposal. In a letter to him written by Bishop Seabury on August 26 there is this inquiry : "Have you yet heard the result of your application to the Southern Bishops respecting Mr. Bass's Consecration ?" The Bishop comments upon the information given him by Dr. Moore and debates the question whether he should keep an appointment for Portsmouth or defer it and go to Philadelphia. Before he finished the letter the mail brought him the three communications already epitomised and he closes with these words: "I have determined to go to Phila- delphia, and hope to see you there. Time will not permit me to add more than that I am
Your affectionate, Humble Servant,
S. Bp. Connect."3
Bishop Seabury wrote immediately to Bishop White his accept- ance of the invitation to the adjourned Convention. He fears as "the time is so short" that "we shall not be able to get our dispersed clergy together ; but everything shall be done that can® be done, and I presume on so sudden an emergency any little informality in the appointment of their representatives will be overlooked."4
The summons of the Bishop brought together a large number of the clergy in a special Convocation at Stratfield (now Bridge- port) on September 15, 1789. As the Bishop did not attend, the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Leaming was chosen President and the
1 pp. 337, 338, Connecticut Church Documents, II.
pp. 345, 346, Connecticut Church Documents, II. "August 16, 1789."
3 pp. 349, 350, Connecticut Church Documents, II., from the Bishop Parker Correspondence. Also : Bishop Perry's Journals of the General Conven- tion, 1785-1835. p. 408, volume third, Historical Notes and Documents.
4 p. 351, Connecticut Church Documents, II. Also, p. 409, Historical Notes and Documents.
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Rev. Mr. Jarvis retained his office of Secretary. The letters and documents received from Philadelphia were submitted to the Convocation for discussion and action.
The Rev. Dr. John Bowden, then residing in Stratford, whose word always had great weight, moved that the Diocese be represented by clerical proctors, which was adopted. After some informal discussion the Convocation adjourned to the following day. The Rev. Bela Hubbard, of Trinity Church, New Haven and the Rev. Abraham Jarvis, of Christ Church, Middletown, were then elected as "proctors," or clerical depu- ties, to the adjourned General Convention to be holden in Philadelphia on Tuesday, September 29, 1789.
They were "empowered to confer with the General Conven- tion on the subject of making alterations in the Book of Common Prayer." The Convocation expressly stipulated that "the ratification of such alterations was expressly reserved to rest with the Bishops and clergy of this Church."1
An account of the proceedings of this adjourned session of the General Convention, and the consummation of the continen- tal union of the Church in America will be found elsewhere in this volume.2
The table of voluntary Conventions and meetings of the Convocation to 1790 appended to this introduction is that given in the Convention Journal of 1891, with the benefit of careful revision by Dr. Hart, the compiler.
1 These particulars are given by Dr. Beardsley on pp. 409, 410 of his History, I. Also on pp. 367, 368 of his Life of Bishop Seabury. The quo- tation marks are as above. Dr. Beardsley does not mention his authority. 2 See Note V.
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VOLUNTARY CONVENTIONS OF THE CLERGY OF CONNECTICUT.
A.D. 1739-A.D. 1785.
1739, March 29
Fairfield.
1740, May 4
New London.
1742, August 24 Fairfield.
1743, May 16
Stratford.
1744, March 28
Norwalk.
1760, June 4
New Haven.
1765, June 5
Hebron.
1766, May 28
Wallingford.
1766, October 8
Stratford.
1767, June 17
Turkey Hills in Simsbury.
1769, May 24
New Milford.
1770, June 13
Litchfield.
1771, May 22
Norwich.
1772, June 24
Fairfield.
1773, September 8
1776, July 23
New Haven.
1782, May 29 Middletown.
1783, March 25
Woodbury.
1784, January 13 .
Wallingford.
New Milford
1785, August 2
Middletown.
84, рис 8
MEETINGS OF THE CONVOCATION OF THE CLERGY OF CONNECTICUT.
A.D. 1785-A.D. 1790.
1785, August 3
Middletown.
September 14 New Haven.
1786, September 22
Derby.
1787, February 27
Wallingford.
May 3I
Stamford.
1788, October 22
North Haven.
1789, June 3 . .
Norwalk.
September 15
Stratfield.
Records of the Convocation -OF-
Connecticut
Records of the Convocation
-OF-
Connecticut
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[1790]
At a Convocation of the Clergy of Connecticut, holden at Litchfield, on the 2ª. day of June 1790-
Prefent, The Bishop
The Rev'd Mefs's. Hubbard The Rev'd Mefs's. Ives
Jarvis
Prindle
Bostwick Foot
Sayre Clarke
Shelton
Hull
Baldwin
Marsh
Perry Edwd. Blakeslee
Sol". Blakeslee1
The Clergy met at II. ºclock, & by particular defire attended Divine Service at the Presbyterian Meeting-House.2 The Rev'd Mr. Sayre read Prayers-The Rev'd Mr. Truman Marsh was ordained Priest-And a Sermon was preached by the Bishop, the Rt. Rev'd Doct". Samuel Seabury .-
At 4. ºclock P. M. the Clergy met again at the Rev'd ME. Baldwin's ; & the Rev'd MT. Sayre was chofen Secretary.
Refolved, that a Blank-Book be provided at the expence of Convocation, in which, minutes of their proceedings shall be entered by the Secretary-And that the said Book shall be pro- duced, by the Secretary, at every Convocation.
Adjourned, to meet tomorrow-morning.
Note I.
2
Note II.
3
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Met June 3ª. 9. ºclock A. M. as pr. adjournment. The Rev'd Mr. Sayre refigned the office of Secretary :- and The Rev'd Mr. Perry was chosen in his place .-
On motion, it was agreed, that the Constitution & Canons of the Church, formed by the late General Convention at Phila- delphia, be read: Which, after a short examination, were deferred for further consideration, at the adjourned Convoca- tion, to be holden on the 26th. of Augt .-
Doct". David Perry, Layman, was admitted as a candidate for Holy Orders-& being examined by Messrs. Jarvis, Bostwick, & Baldwin, was found worthy to receive Deacon's Orders.
Voted, That a Committee be appointed to draw up rules & Canons for regulating the discipline of the Church in Connecti- cut :- and that the Rev'd Doct". Leaming, The Rev'd Messrs Jarvis, Mansfield, & Hubbard be a Committee for the purpose- & that they prepare the fame against the next Convocation.
June 4th. met at 9. ºclock, A. M .- and adjourned to the 26th of Augt. to meet at The Rev'd MT. Perry's at Newtown.
Sunday, June 6th. Doct". David Perry was ordained Deacon by the Rt. Rev'd Samuel, BishP. of Connecticut.3-
At a Convocation of the Episcopal Clergy of Connecticut, holden by adjournment, at the Rev'd MT. Perry's at Newtown, on the last day of Sept". 1790.
Prefent .-
The Rev'd Mefs's. Mansfield The Rev'd Mefs's. Brunson
Hubbard Prindle
Bostwick Foot
Sayre Clarke
Shelton
Hull
Perry
Marsh
Ives . Edd. Blakeslee
The Clergy met at 7. ºclock in the Evening-& chose the Rev'd Mr. Mansfield President .-
Voted, That the Constitution & Canons of the Church, agreed to by the General Convention at Philadelphia, in Octobr. 2ª. 1789, be read, & considered,-agreeably to a vote of the Convo-
00 Note III.
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cation at Litchfield on the 2ª. day of June 1790 .- Upon which the Constitution & Canons were read, & the Convocation adjourned till to-morrow IO. clock .--
Octobr. Ist. Met according to adjournment in the Church. After morning Prayer, read by Rd. Mr. Shelton, the Constitu- tion & Canons were examined & considered. After which a motion was made, to take a vote of the prefent members, Whether the Constitution & Canons should be adopted. The motion was not agreed to, as the majority of the Convocation wished for further consideration.
Adjourned till the Afternoon.
The Rt. Rev'd Bishop Seabury,-The Rev'd Messrs. Fogg, Tyler, & Todd, joined the Convocation
Met in the Church at 3. ºclock-And the Bishop took his seat as Prefident, ex officio .- The Rev'd Mr. Ogilvie took his Seat as a member of the Convocation .- 4
The alterations in the Book of Common Prayer, made by the General Convention at Philadelphia, were read & considered .-
On motion, The question was put, in these words, "Whether "we confirm the doings of our Proctors in the General Conven- "tion at Philadelphia, on the 2ª. day of Octobr. 1789." 5
Which pafsed in the affirmative by the votes of every member prefent, the Rev'd Mr. Sayre excepted :- Who then entered the following Protest against the aforesaid Vote & proceedings of the Convocation, which Protest is here recorded at his defire by order of the Convocation, viz .-
"In the Name of our Lord Jefus Christ, Amen.
"I James Sayre, a Minister, in Presbyter's Orders, of the "Church of England, of late having officiated as a Presbyter of "the Church of England in Connecticut, & having been a mem- "ber of a Convention of the Clergy of Connecticut, for the pur- "pose of considering an Invitation of the Episcopal Clergy in "the Southern States, to the Episcopal Clergy in Connecticut, to "unite with them in a general, ecclesiastical System for the Epis- "copalians in the United States,-at which Convention, two "Proctors were chosen by ballot, to meet the Episcopal Clergy "at a General Convention held at Philadelphia from the 29th. of "Sept". to the 16th. Octobr. 1789 .- & to treat with them upon "terms of union,-but, with this restriction of the power dele- "gated to the faid Proctors, or to this effect, "That their pro- 4 Note IV. 5 Note v.
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"ceedings in the sd. Treaty should not be deemed conclusive, till "they should be considered & approved by the body of the "Clergy, their Constituents" do folemnly protest against the "signature of the "General Constitution of the Protestant Epis- "copal Church in the United States of America, made by the "said Proctors, on the second day of Octobr. 1789, in the City "of Philadelphia,-and against the Vote of the Episcopal Clergy "in Connecticut, this day made & taken, whereby the said signa- "ture of the aforesaid Constitution by the said Proctors has been "approved & adopted : For Reasons alledging,-
"I.st That the said General Constitution of the Protestant Epis- "copal Church in the United States of America, does not import "in it, that Form of the Government of the Church of Christ, "which it's blefsed & glorious Head imprefsed upon it; which "is therefore, it's proper, & only right Government ;- which was "committed to the Apostles & their succefsors in office, fince "their day stiled Bishops; & which has therefore obtained the "name of the Episcopal Government of the Church; but that the "sd. general Constitution signed & approved as aforesaid, is "repugnant to the above-described proper, only right, & episcopal "Government of the Church .- And, altho' I think this reason of "sufficient force, tho' it ftood alone; Yet I alledge,
2.ªly "That, the faid Constitution will be found disagreeable & "distrefsing to great numbers of good Christians, lately members "of the Church of England in Connecticut, & will have the most "probable tendency to occasion divisions & feparations.
3.ªly That, by the aforesaid "General Constitution," all the "sacred matters of the Church, her Doctrines, Discipline, Lit- "urgy, Sacraments, Rites, & Offices, are fubjected to the utmost "hazard; as they must naturally be fupposed to be in the power "of the same hands in which the government of the Church is "lodged; and which Hazard, it is my opinion, the authorized "Stewards of God are not warranted to encounter.
and
"Lastly, "That the alteration of any fystem of long ftanding "has ever been productive of more or lefs inconvenience & dam- "age; & that, therefore, old fystems should not be changed "without necefsity."-
"In witnefs whereof I have hereunto fet my Hand this Ist. day "of Octobr. in the year of our Lord 1790-
"at Newtown-James Sayre"
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The foregoing Protest being read, & ordered to be recorded by defire of the Rev'd Mr. Sayre :- The Convocation was then adjourned to 9. ºclock to-morrow morning .-
Octobr. 2ª. This morning the Rev'd Mr. Sayre withdrew & left the Convocation .-
Met in the Church at 9. ºclock
Morning Prayer being read by Rev'd Mr. Prindle, A motion was made, that the Convocation should determine on a mode of introducing the Constitution & Canons & Liturgy in our several parishes :- When it was agreed that each of the Clergy should take that method that should appear to him the most eligible.
Agreed, also, that in the use of the New-Prayer-Book, we be as uniform as pofsible,-& for that purpose, that we approach as near the Old Liturgy, as a compliance with the Rubrics of the New will allow .-
Agreed, that the Secretary write letters to the Churches of Woodbury & Salem, recommending to them, an union with the Church at Waterbury, for the purpose of settling a Minister.6
Refolved, by a Vote of the Convocation, that a College of Doc- tors of Divinity be established, by the Bishop & Clergy of Con- necticut : And that the College of Doctors shall be considered as the Bishop's Council,-to be consulted on any emergency that may arise :- and that the Rev'd Mefsrs. Dibble, Mansfield, Hub- bard, & Jarvis, be the first four Doctors.7
The Rev'd Mr. Ogilvie, Deacon, offered himself as a candidate for Priest's Orders :- His title, letters of recommendation &c being produced & read, were deemed fatisfactory. The Rev'd Mefsrs. Hubbard & Perry were appointed his examiners-and on Sunday morning, Octobr. 3ª. he was ordained (in Christ's Church, Newtown) to the order of Priest, by the Rt. Rev'd Samuel BP. Connecticut.
[179]]
At a Convocation of the Episcopal Clergy of Connectt. holden at the Rev'd Mr. Prindle's, at Watertown, on wednesday 5th. of Octobr. 1791-II. ºclock A. M.
Note VI.
7 Note VII.
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Prefent.
The Rev'd Mefs's. Mansfield
The Rev'd Mefsrs. Clarke
Hubbard Todd
Shelton Hull
Perry
Ogilvie
Ives Prindle
Rev'd Mr. Mansfield chosen President, p. t.
2. ºclock P. M. proceeded to the Church .- Prayers were read by the Rev'd MT. Todd ;- & a fermon delivered by the Rev'd Mr. Perry .- After fervice, returned to Rev'd Mr. Prindle's-When the Convocation was joined by the Rt. Rev'd Bishop Seabury, Rev'd Mefsrs. Jarvis & Tyler,-& Rev'd MT. Perry, Deacon .- Proceeded to businefs.
Voted; That a Standing Committee be appointed, as required by the 6th. Canon agreed on by the Gen1. Convent". at Philadel- phia in Oct. 1789. & that the Committee consist of the Rev'd Mefs's. Mansfield, Hubbard, Shelton, Ives, & P. Perry.8-
Voted; That those who shall hereafter prefent themselves to this Convocation to be admitted as Candidates for Holy Orders, fhall, previous to their admifsion, be examined by the Convoca- tion, or the Standing Committee of Convocation.
Voted; That the 6th. Canon of the General Convention afore- faid, be the general rule to direct the Convocation, or Standing Committee, in their examination of perfons to be admitted as Candidates.
Voted; That every Candidate for orders fhall have been a Communicant in this Church, one year at least, previous to his recommendation for orders, & that this fhall be a necefsary quali- fication.
Adjourned at 9. ºclock this evening,-to meet at 9. ºclock, to-morrow-morning in the Church.
Thursday, Octobr. 6th. met in the Church at 9. ºclock A. M. according to adjournment .- When, Prayers having been read by the Rev'd Mr. Ogilvie, the Convocation proceeded to bufiness .-
The Convocation having attended to the application of M". R. B. Marfhall to be admitted a Candidate for H. Orders, recom- mend to him, to apply to his ftudies for one year, that he may qualify himfelf, as the 7th. Canon of the general Convention at 8 Note VIII.
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Philadelphia requires ; & then the Convocation will chearfully encourage him & admit him a Candidate for orders, provided he obtain a title, & proper testimonials, agreeably to the 6th. Canon aforefaid.
Rev'd MefsIs. Bostwick, Baldwin & Marsh joined the Convo- cation .-
Voted; That MT. Seth Hart be recommended for examination for the order of a Deacon .-
Adjourned to 2. o clock P. M .-
2. ºclock P. M. afsembled as pr. adjournment .-
Voted : That, in the use of the Common Prayer Book, we will use the Nicene-Creed on Communion Days; & the Apostle's Creed on all other days.
Voted : That the College of Doctors shall consist of a limited number : Which number shall never be lefs than four ; (allowing six months to fupply a vacancy which may be caused by death or removal)-& shall never exceed six, unlefs by the content of the Convocation.
Voted; That the instalment of the Doctors shall be by Diploma from the College of Doctors, which shall be announced by the Bishop in public, at the next Convocation .-
Voted; That the Acts of this Convocation relative to the Col- lege of Doctors, shall be published in the Connecticut-Journal.9
The Committee, appointed by the Convocation, in June 1790, to prepare Canons for the internal government of the Church in this State, made their report.
Voted: That the Canons reported by said committee, be revised & completed by the Bishop, & the College of Doctors ; & laid before the next Convocation.
Adjourned; to meet at 9. ºclock tomorrow-morning in the Church. 9. ºclock met as pr. adjournment.
Prayers having been read by the Rev'd Mr. Marsh-the Con- vocation proceeded to businefs .-
Voted; That we will prefent a memorial to the General Afsembly of this State, praying for a repeal of the Certificate, or Conscience Act, pafsed at their last fefsion in May.
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