USA > Delaware > Early clergy of Pennsylvania and Delaware > Part 10
USA > Pennsylvania > Early clergy of Pennsylvania and Delaware > Part 10
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LEFABER
REV. DR. H. J. MORTON.
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paragraph of the article : "His long life has been both beautiful and blessed. It has been eminent for the grace of gentleness, for charity, for brotherly love, for love of children, and sympathy for sorrow of every kind, for 'whatsoever things are of good report.'" Let me add, may this life be long prolonged to the benefit of this church.
It is a pleasant fact that the architect of the new church, Emlen T. Littell, was a son of the church, and did good work in the construction of a spiritual home for its shelter.
Your present rector, Dr. Nichols, came to you from grand old Christ Church, Hartford, where it was my privilege to worship as a student of Trinity College. Bishops Philander Chase, Wainwright, George Burgess, Brownell, Williams, Clark and Drs. T. W. Coit and Wheaton had served that church, and a son of Dr. Aber- crombie was once its rector. Your rector has declined the Episcopate to remain among you, and may his future work be most successful. Connecticut took Bishop Kemper from this parish and in due time returned Dr. Nichols to it. (Since the above was written Dr. Nichols has accepted the post of assistant bishop of California.)
The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society was inaugurated in St. James's Church vestry-room, on the third Wednesday in November, being the 2 1st, A. D., 1821, Bishop White presiding. See Bishop Perry's History of the American Church, Vol. 2, page 242.
The prayers and toils of your rectors were undergone that their people might become temples " of the Holy Ghost," and, in this momentary life, prepare, through Christ's aid, for the millions of years of eternity. Then strive to get benefit from your church. With proper
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interest its daily services should be thronged, and crowds should seek its blessed sacraments. In the busy whirl of pleasure, and the mad rush of business, stop at times, and enter this sacred enclosure to breathe heavenly air, and feed on angelic manna, and listen to strains of heavenly music, thus getting a fore-taste of heaven, in this beautiful temple; and then widen your thoughts, and hand on these blessings to the distant Western settler, or the Indian, or the dweller in Africa, China and Japan ; and having "freely " received Christ's religion, "freely give" it; and then will you exemplify the teachings of the bishops and clergy who have in this parish proclaimed the Word of God for generations, and this church will indeed be a praise and a joy in the earth.
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BISHOP NICHOLS. (By permission of The Churchman.)
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CHAPTER XIV.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCHI.
"Paul preached unto them."-Acts 20: 7.
S T. PAUL has been preaching in all the churches named in his honor for centuries. In considering the lives of the rectors of this church, we see the effects of his preaching.
Dr. Tyng's sermon at the consecration of this reno- vated church, January. Ist, A.D., 1831, and Bishop Perry's Reports of the Propagation Society give much valuable information about this ancient parish.
The Rev. William McClenachan was the first rector. He had been a Presbyterian minister, but offered him- self to the Church of England, and was recommended to the "Kennebeque Mission" by Mr. Shirley, "on account of his robust constitution." He was ordained in A.D., 1755, in London, He practiced as a physician in Halifax and Boston for a time, but afterward went to his mission where he remained two years and a half. He traveled long distances in performing his sacred duties, and he and his large family were in danger in the French and Indian war. He lived in a dismantled fort called Fort Richmond. There were no soldiers or ammunition there at this time. The mission included Georgetown and Frankfort. This was a part of the colony of Massachusetts Bay. The missionary declared that he was nearly worn out with fatigue in his labors in the wilderness, where the prosperous town of
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Gardiner now stands. He accepted a post in Virginia, but soon settled in Philadelphia and became second assistant at Christ Church, Rev. William Sturgeon being first assistant, and the rector, Dr. Jenney, being in feeble health. He held this post about a year, and drew crowds to the church, as his preaching was striking and powerful. He afterwards organized St. Paul's Church, mostly composed of members withdrawing from Christ Church. There was much friction in the formation of the new parish, as may be seen by a reference to the life of Rev. Dr. William Smith, by Horace Wemyss Smith. The Protestant Episcopal Historical Society Collections, and Sewell's History of Bath, Maine, and Webster's History of Prebyterianism, and other works noted by Bishop Perry give some account of Mr. McClen- aghan or McClenachan.
In 1760 the new congregation met at the State House, where four or five thousand persons assembled, and where, for a time, services were held. John Ross, a distinguished lawyer, was a leader in this movement, and the first warden. The new church was opened the Sunday before Christmas, in 1761. The rector was a popular preacher, though not always prudent; as he was of an impetuous disposition. The people were interested and affectionate. The rector preached thrice on the Lord's day in this prosperous church, and the building is described as the largest church in this city or province. Over a thousand sittings were taken in it. The rector's health failed in his zealous work and an assistant was needed, but one was not secured from England, and in 1765 the rector resigned in infirm health and went to the eastern shore of Maryland, where Dr. Tyng says, "All accounts agree in testifying, that he was regular and exemplary in his conduct, and
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA,
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where, after a few years, he died, much lamented by his parishioners in general."
Mr. McClenachan was from the north of Ireland, and had the Irish gift of eloquence. Dr. Newton says, "He was an earnest and devoted Christian, and one of the most eloquent, successful and popular ministers of that day."
Dr. Newton's sermon on the Centennial Anniversary of St. Paul's, entitled "God Shining out of Zion," notes that Rev. William Romaine, the distinguished author of "The Life, and Walk, and Triumph of Faith," was now called to the rectorship. Whitefield who had preached in St. Paul's, recommended him. He had just settled at St. Ann's, Blackfriar's, London, and did not think proper to resign that parish so soon after settling in it.
The Rev. Hugh Neill, missionary at Oxford and Whitemarsh, assisted the vacant parish somewhat by gratuitous services, and they presented him with "a very handsome piece of plate " as a testimonial. In 1767 Mr. Neill writes that the people of St. Paul's had built "a church and endowed it with a handsome revenue."
The next rector was the Rev. William Stringer, who was introduced by a letter from Whitefield. He was ac- ceptable to the people, and zealous in endeavors to pro- mote the glory of God, as the vestry testify to the Bishop of London. His Christian life drew the affection of the congregation. The clergy respected him, and after . having served the parish some time he went to England for ordination, with testimonials for Bishop Terrick, and was ordained. In 1773 he was elected rector, the clergy of Christ Church and St. Peter's having kindly taken his services during his absence. Bishop White was one
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who had assisted in Mr. Stringer's absence. Mr. Stringer was humble and unassuming, but in the troubles of the Revolution in 1777, when the British army were in Philadelphia, through a misunderstanding, his resignation occurred. The next year he returned to his native England and entered on clerical work, and when Bishop White was consecrated in London, in 1787, he visited London to see him and inquire about his Philadelphia friends, who had been attached to him.
Dr. Smith writes, "Mr. Stringer seems a peaceable good man." He was said to preach "in the way of Romaine." He was useful, and said he was "willing to be employed wherever he can serve the cause of re- ligion." Dr. Peters mentions his quiet goodness, say- ing, "he gives constant attendance to his duty which he punctually performs according to the Rites and Cer- emonies of our Church," preaching on holy days, and lecturing " once a week in the evening." He was com- mendably diligent, and paid no regard to worldly in- terest, or the amount of remuneration from the congre- gation ; he was universally esteemed. People of all "persuasions expressed a value for him and thought the city much favored by having so quiet and innocent a man at the head of St. Paul's Church."
In 1783 Rev. Dr. Samuel Magaw became the rector of St. Paul's. For five years he had sole charge of this parish, and then Rev. Dr. Joseph Pilmore was made assistant minister. I gave an extended account of Dr. Magaw in the Standard of the Cross and the Church of Feb. 4th, 1888, and will note but a few points here re- garding him. It is believed that he was born in 1735, and that he went to England for ordination. He died in 1812. He was active in this diocese, and in the
REV. DR. JOSEPH PILMORE ..
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church at large. He is buried under this church, near Dr. Pilmore. He was Vice-Provost of the University of Pennsylvania and stood high among the clergy of his day. Before coming to St. Paul's, Dr. Magaw was rector in Dover, Delaware, where he succeeded Bishop Inglis, of Nova Scotia. In 1804 Dr. Magaw resigned his rectorship of St. Paul's by reason of infirm health. His last days were passed in pain and disease. His wife was a daughter of Andrew Doz, a great benefactor of the church work in Philadelphia by legacies. This devoted Christian lady died before her husband. Dr. Magaw lived several years after his resignation, and was aided by the church, living in a house on York Street, which belonged to St. Paul's parish. At length his labors were over and he entered into the peace of God. Among his printed sermons is one on the death of Mary, the excellent wife of Bishop White, preached in Christ and St. Peter's Churches in 1797.
Rev. Dr. Pilmore was the next rector of St. Paul's Church. I gave an extended account of him in. the Standard of the Cross and the Church, of March 16th, 1889, but will here condense Rev. Dr. Sprague's Annals, in which he acknowledges the aid of Rev. Richard D. Hall and Rev. Dr. B. T. Welch, simply adding that Rev. Dr. Milnor speaks of the effect of Dr. Pilmore's preaching on him, as is noted in Dr. Stone's Life of that good man.
The Rev. Mr. Hall writes of him as his spritual father, and the guide of his youth. Mr. Hall was a member of St. Paul's parish, and his father was a vestryman in it.
Dr. Pilmore was born in 1734, in Tadmouth, Yorkshire, ยท England. His father and mother were Church of England people. When about sixteen, the lad formed the acquaintance. of Rev. John Wesley, who was
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preaching through Great Britain, and was drawn into the path of piety by him, under God's providence. Mr. Wesley took him into his noted school at Kingswood, where the sons of preachers were taught. Among other things he studied Hebrew, and Wesley had composed a Hebrew Grammar, and Dr. Pilmore gave Mr. Hall a copy of it, and of a Hebrew Bible; and Mr. Wesley's autograph added to the value of the gift. Dr. Pilmore was fond of study. He became one of Mr. Wesley's itinerants, or lay-preachers, "helpers in the work of calling sinners to repentance," as the Doctor himself used to express it in after years. He worked successfully in this vocation a number of years in England and Scotland, Ireland and Wales. He was a friend of Lady Huntingdon, the patroness of Whitefield, and also enjoyed the friendship of Lady Maxwell.
The appearance and manner of the young lay-helper were impressive. He was tall and manly ; his manner was pleasant, and his spmpathy strong, and the earnest- ness of his prayers increased the interest in his work. His melodious voice, and effective gestures, and his strong concern for the salvation of those who heard him, and his simple statement of the Gospel gave him great power as a preacher.
In 1769, when thirty-four years old, Mr. Pilmore offered himself to Wesley as a missionary to America. He came, and delivered the Gospel message from Maine to Georgia, at a time when travel was difficult. The whole of the thirteen colonies were traversed, with danger to life and limb, in the rude travel of those carly days. Persecutors added to the danger. At Charleston, S. C., while preaching in the theatre, by a contrivance of his enemies, a trap-door fell beneath him ; and table, Bible, Hymn-book, and preacher vanished, but the
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undaunted man went into the yard, declaring that by God's grace he would overcome the Devil, and not be beaten by him ; the sermon was finished peacefully. In military battles the English have the reputation of not knowing when they are whipped, and in a higher warfare this sturdy follower of Christ was a victor. The effect of this action appeared for years after in a drawing of souls to God. Crowds attended to hear this noble man deliver his Master's message. In after years, persons often declared to him that he had started them in a religious life in his itineracy,
Mr. Pilmore had . always loved and venerated his Mother, the Church of England, and in 1785 he applied to Bishop Seabury for ordination. The bishop had heard a good report of him, and was glad to ordain him. He was ordained deacon on the 27th of November, and priest on the 29th. He was soon called to Trinity Church, Oxford, All Saints', Lower Dublin, and St. Thomas's Whitemarsh, near Philadelphia. He resided near Poole's Bridge, " in the upper part of Second Street." He was not married, but he married a hundred couples every year. In addition to his country work, he assist- ed Dr. Magaw, at St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia, preaching Sunday evenings to crowds, many of whom were hopefully brought to a knowledge of the truth.
About 1790 he married Mrs. Wood. His ministry in the Yellow Fever times of 1793 was very useful. In 1794 he became rector of Christ Church, New York, which was a new church. He labored here for ten years with success; and then was elected rector of St. Paul's, Philadelphia. In 1821 Rev. Benjamin Allen became his assistant. Dr. Pilmore died in 1825, being ninety- one years old.
While rector of St. Paul's, Dr. Pilmore revisited Charleston and found that his religious work prior to
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the Revolution was still bearing fruit there. How much good the clergy accomplish which they will never know until the Day of Judgment. Had this evangelist failed to make this visit, he might never have known on carth of the ripening sheaves. The Doctor worked effectively in the churches near Philadelphia, and God blessed his earnest labors greatly. Annually, on Easter Tuesday, he visited the Lazaretto and preached in the ample upper-room of the Custom House building and the visit blessed the neighborhood. The administration of the Holy Communion and the Holy-Day services in St. Paul's Church were times when the Lord refreshed his people abundantly by showing his presence and manifesting his love in pardoning sin-sick souls. The rector was filled with life and energy on the festivals of the church. He called Whitsunday "Holy Ghost Day," and souls were then gathered to Christ, while devout hearts were full of " the joy of the Spirit." The penitent received comfort, the sinners were "awakened and con- verted ; and great good, as in primitive days, was done in the name of the ascended Saviour." There were about seven hundred communicants, "knit together in the fellowship and filled with the fruits of the Spirit." The Doctor's social meetings for prayer in different parts of Philadelphia were remarkably useful and brought a blessing to many souls. Many young men of St. Paul's Church, through the rector's efforts and moved by the grace of God, were called into the sacred ministry of the Church and most, or all of them, have entered on their reward in Paradise. As Mr. Hall closes the beau- tiful account of his friend and rector, which I have here followed, he expresses the hope of joining his "departed spiritual father and brethren of St. Paul's with whom I have taken sweet counsel, and walked to the house of
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God in company,-in celebrating, in nobler strains than we ever knew on carth, the praises of Him who loved- us and gave Himself for us." That hope was accom- plished many years ago and that faithful servant of God has rested from his labors and joined his brethren above.
The Rev. Dr. B. T. Welch writes to the Rev. Dr. Sprague, that Dr. Pilmore was a remarkable man, who left an ineffaceable impression on his mind. His bearing was noble and dignified. His countenance was intel- lectual and benignant and his appearance prepossessing. His preaching was fervent and simple. He always kept near the Cross, delineating the work and character of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit and religion in its experience. He would begin to read his sermon deliberately, without much animation, but would grow warm and his eyes would kindle, "and the muscles of his face move and expand, until at length his soul would be all on fire, and he would be rushing onward extempor- aneously almost with the fury of a cataract, and the only use he would make of his manuscript in such cases would be to roll it up in his hand and literally shake it at his audience. When he was in these excited moods, his gesture was abundant ; but at other times-I mean when he was reading from his manuscript-I think he gestured very little." His voice was sonorous. He enunciated distinctly. He was at times exceedingly eloquent, but a divine unction gave his preaching its great power. His zeal was burning, and his devotion to Christ intense. Dr. Welch closes thus: "I sat under his ministry with great delight, and even at this late period, he rises before me as one of the most ven- erable men whom I have ever seen in the pulpit."
Would to God that many such powerful preachers might arise to stir the careless and comfort the faithful,
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The successor of Dr. Pilmore was Rev. Benjamin Allen, whose life I abbreviate from Sprague's " Annals," which acknowledges the Memoir by Rev. Thomas G. Allen, the brother of the rector, as the source of infor- mation. The volume written by this good man is quite a lengthy and full narrative of the life and death of a saintly clergyman.
Benjamin Allen was born in Hudson, N. Y., in 1789. The lad became a clerk in a store, but literature beckoned him away from merchandise and at seventeen he was con- tributing to a newspaper called The Balance, edited by Harry Croswell, who afterward was Rev. Dr. Croswell. The young student entered the Hudson Academy, under Ashbel Strong, and also issued a volume of poems, which had a second edition. He brought out an edition of Doddridge's "Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul," and was the means of putting thousands of copies in circulation. In 1812 Mr. Allen married Harriet Swift. The theological studies and other labors of Mr. Allen, when in New York, led to the necessity of a vacation, which he utilized in pro- curing subscribers to "Scott's Family Bible." He put forth various poems of his own composition. He had been a Presbyterian, but seems to have been somewhat influenced toward Episcopacy by an interview with Bishop Moore, of Virginia. That saintly man pressed on him the need of spiritual laborers in his Diocese. Mr. Allen entered the Church and went to Virginia as a lay-reader, being settled at Charlestown, Jef- ferson County, where he preached faithfully to the colored people with good effect. He had charge of seven congregations, and five churches needed building or repairing. Sheperdtown was in his care; and he preached widely through the country. God blessed his
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work with a revival, in which it is thought that one hun- dred were drawn to Christ. He was ordained deacon by Bishop Moore, in 1816, and priest in ISI8. In 1821 he became rector of St. Paul's, Philadelphia, succeeding Dr. Pilmore. He gave attention to Sunday-schools and Bible Classes, and to the colored people. He issued a volume of sermons on "Jesus Christ and Him Cruci- fied," as well as other works. Even in travel, this spiritually-minded man appears to have had the kingdom of Christ ever in mind. In 1827 he entertained Bishop Chase, of Ohio, and gave valuable assistance in further- ing his noble Christian work in the West. Mr. Allen opened a book establishment that the Prayer-book might be sold cheaply, and other religious books be circulated. His labor affected his health, and in 1828 he went to England as the representative of several benevo- lent institutions at the May anniversaries. His zeal for his Master at the anniversaries prompted labor beyond the strength of an invalid. He made a visitation in the country for " The British and Foreign Bible Society," and overtasked himself and was prostrated. After some months of waiting and medical treatment he sailed homeward ; but the disease ran faster than the voyage, and death approached. He asked that the 15th chapter of First Corinthians should be read to him. The night before death the Scriptures were read almost constantly at his request. He expressed to the captain a readiness for death, which was his last intelligible speech. He died as if sleeping. He was buried at sea. His rela- tives and parishioners and the whole community mourned his loss. Mr. Allen died in 1829.
Bishop Smith was the successor of Benjamin Allen at Charlestown, and felt abashed when he found the repu- tation of his predecessor, whom he did not know. He
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was presented to his mind as a tireless rider on his gray horse, with saddle-bags loaded with Prayer-books, Sunday-school books and tracts scattered widely through the country, as the bearer preached "the everlasting Gospel," carnestly striving to be free from the blood of souls. The bishop describes him as tall and slender, but muscular, with a pleasant countenance. IIe was generally calm and dignified, though at times his restless spirit would assert itself. He was energetic with pen, or in pulpit, or in the open air, doing more in a day than most persons would in a week. His mind was active and retentive. He knew how to apply his knowledge. He was generous and good, and in Sunday- school or service on Sunday, and in lecture and Bible Class his glow set others aflame. Apathy, indifference and stagnation fled before him. A permanent fervor was enkindled by him, as feeling the soul's worth, and Christ's love led him to feel "the privilege of living, doing, giving, suffering and dying for Christ and His church." This thought tinctured his life. He was sincere and full of feeling in his work and God blessed his deed. The death at sea, and the waiting family are sad pictures, but when the sea gives up its dead there will be a brighter one.
In 1829 Rev. Dr. Stephen Higginson Tyng accepted the rectorship of St. Paul's Church. He was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, A.D., 1800, and died in Irvington, New York, on the banks of the beautiful Hudson River, in 1883. Dr. Tyng graduated at Harvard College, in Cambridge, Mass., in 1817, and studied theology under the devoted Bishop Griswold, in Bristol, Rhode Island, and doubtless imbibed much of his spirit, and learned his methods of work. Bishop Gris- wold ordained him in ISer. His first rectorate was in
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Georgetown, D. C., he was next in Queen Anne parish, in Maryland, whence he came to this church, which he- left in 1833 to take charge of the Church of the Epiphany in this city, and in 1845 he removed to New York, and was rector of the old St. George's in Beekman Street, and the new St. George's in Stuyvesant Square, in active work until 1878, when he became Rector Emeritus, having well earned this honor.
Dr. Tyng was eloquent and energetic in organizing societies, and effective in platform speaking, and a forcible writer. He published a great deal, and was a powerful instrument of good in the Christian Church in two large cities in his day. I have given a sketch of his character and a notice of his earnest parish and Sunday- school work in the Standard of the Cross and the Church, of December 15th, ISSS.
In 1834 Rev. Samuel Allen McCoskry succeeded Dr. Tyng in the rectorship of St. Paul's. He was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 1804. He was a cadet at West Point, and a student in Dickinson College, and became a lawyer at Carlisle. He was ordained by Bishop Onderdonk, and became rector of Reading, Pennsylvania, and then this tall and fine appearing young clergyman was called to the rectorship of St. Paul's. He was consecrated Bishop of Michigan by Bishops Onderdonk, G. W. Doane and Kemper in 1836. Bishop White was too ill to officiate and died a few days afterward. The consecration was delayed from the 5th of July to the 7th in the hope that Bishop White might be present, but an accident disabled him from action. The Protestant Episcopalian, of August, 1836, states that the aged bishop had not been absent from such consecrations for half a century, during which time he had seen the church rise from danger and
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