USA > Delaware > Early clergy of Pennsylvania and Delaware > Part 11
USA > Pennsylvania > Early clergy of Pennsylvania and Delaware > Part 11
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difficulty, while now Michigan was to receive its bishop. The Episcopal Recorder, quoted by the paper mentioned, says that Rev. Drs. Ducachet and Suddards presented the candidate for the Episcopate, and Rev. Drs. Clemson and Suddards read prayers. Bishop McCoskry died on the Ist of August, A.D., 1886.
In 1836 that godly man, the Rev. Dr. James May, accepted the rectorship of St. Paul's Church. He resigned the charge by reason of poor health in 1840. The Rev. Mr. Bents had received an election before that of Dr. May. The Rev. Dr. Shiras wrote a beauti- ful memoir of his friend Dr. May which will here guide us. It is naturally dedicated to his students, and is intended to perpetuate the memory of a holy and gracious Christian life.
The mother of James May was a member of the Potts family, of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and a faithful Chris- tian woman. The father was an ironmaster, in Cov- entry, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, of high char- acter. The home was in French Creek Valley, and was a delightful country abode, amidst beautiful scenery. . Here James was born in 1805. His father died in his early boyhood, and, a few years after, the mother was laid by her husband in the graveyard on the estate. James had the advantages of school life, and was aided by his brother Thomas, a student for holy orders, in studying Latin. The brother became rector of White- marsh and Norristown, but died early. James May graduated at Jefferson College, Canonsburg, Pennsyl- vania, where he had studied with his relative, the son of Governor Stevens of Maryland. The excellent Dr. Matthew Brown was president of the college. In college, May had felt the quickening of religious life, and he, after leaving that seat of learning, was called of God to
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enter the ministry, and became a student at the Alex- andria Theological Seminary in Virginia, which had been started under the auspices of Bishops Moore and Meade, and where Professors Reul Keith and E. R. Lippitt were faithfully training up the future clergy. The young student, who had distinguished himself in college, gave himself prayerfully to his new and sacred work. He afterward studied under Rev. Dr. Boyd, in Philadelphia, and was ordained deacon by Bishop White, in Christ Church, in this city, in 1826. He preached his first sermon in St. John's Church, and his second sermon at St. Paul's. He became rector of St. Stephen's, Wilkesbarre, when only a little over twenty-one years old. Dr. Stone describes his "fresh complexion and dark hair" at this stage of his life. He had a peaceful and benevolent spirit, and was an earnest and faithful preacher of salvation through Christ as given in the Gospel. With his country stations he held four services on Sundays, and one every day in the week, and did great good. He preached in school-houses, and once used a barn for a time. His delight in these simple services was great, and the Divine Master, who could give the sermon on the hillside, blessed them.
Dr. May had a faithful helpmeet in his sweet wife, who was a sister of Bishop Bowman, her piety was of that sunshiny cast which lightens all who draw near it. It was a sad day when Dr. May was forced to leave his much-loved flock for city work, but duty called him to St. Paul's, while his attached people could hardly loose their grasp upon him. The work at Wilkesbarre had been highly successful and wondrously blessed of God in the ingathering of sheaves for the heavenly garner. The good man found an appreciative congregation at St. Paul's, where he faithfully toiled until ill health
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forced him to travel abroad. The people still tried to retain him in the rectorship, but he found it needful to resign. On his return from Europe, he was made a professor in the Alexandria Theological Seminary, where he dwelt among delightful Christian society, including Rev. Geo. A. Smith of the Female Seminary, and Rev. Dr. W. N. Pendleton of the Virginia High School. The students found a home in his house ; and those who were going forth to missionary work from that "School of the Prophets," or those who returned to visit this country, were ever sure of the sympathy and hospitality of Dr. May and his wife. The Doctor wrote beautiful and spiritual letters to the absent, and gave welcome enter- tainment to the present, including the noble Bishop Payne and the Grebo brother named G. T. Bedell. Bishop Payne's statements in church on one occasion moved the tears of the clergy. The consecration of Bishop Payne, of Africa, at Alexandria, by Bishops Meade, Johns, Eastburn and Alfred Lee; when Drs. Bull and Tyng read the service was a most interesting occasion. The visits of the foreign missionaries Rambo, Bishop Boone, Mr. and Mrs. Hening and the candidates for mission work abroad, Robert Smith and William Wright, and Rev. Mr. Callaway, of Kansas, give a fine picture of missionary interest in the biography. Nearly all have now entered on their reward. Those who have entered Dr. May's hospitable mansion, on that beau- tiful Virginia hillside, know what Christian hospitality means. .
Dr. May was fond of country life, and when he became a professor in the Divinity School, in West Philadelphia, he also held the rectorship of St. Paul's Memorial Church, Upper Providence. Here the learned professor could be seen teaching a class of country
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boys in the Sunday-school. He entered on his last- named professorial duties in 1861. Dr. May doubtless did much to leaven the minds of the prospective clergy, but he was also a sympathizer with all in trouble and a comforter. His death was full of Christian faith and hope. A friend wrote, " He had not far to go to reach the gate for his conversation was in heaven."
Dr. May was a holy man, and one greatly beloved. Bishop Stevens said of him, " A man of singular piety, purity, meekness, fervor and force." He and his wife were buried in St. Mary's churchyard, in West Phila- delphia. The Doctor died in 1863. Rev. Dr. Packard, his fellow-professor in Alexandria, regarded him "as a model of what a minister of Christ should be." In twenty years he did not remember "anger, pride, selfish- ness or ambition" in him. He was humble, and preached solely the work and merits of his blessed Saviour. This holy man was fond of natural scenery, and used to watch the clouds of heaven with delight. May we not suppose that he now sces brighter scenes than earth can show to mortal eyes?
In 1840 the Rev. Dr. Richard Newton was elected rector of St. Paul's Church. His noble Christian life and work are fresh in the memory of us all. His son, Rev. Dr. William W. Newton, has given a delightful sketch of his life in the volume of his father's sermons entitled " The Heath in the Wilderness." The Doctor was of English birth, and in 1824 left his native town of Liverpool, with his father's family, to come to this country, when twelve years old. He had the privilege of visiting his boyhood home in after days. In "Bible Animals" he tells a story of God's providence in sparing his life, in his childhood, when a bull grazed his fore- head with its horns, when he was bravely stopping its
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way in the street. He had other foes to encounter in battling with sin in after years. He was conscientious from childhood. We find him at Rev. Dr. Clemson's school, near Wilmington, Delaware, toiling to improve his mind ; his future wife, Miss Lydia Greatorex, lived near by, and cheered "the ruddy-faced boy" in his efforts. The young scholar taught in the family of Hon. James A. Bayard. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania and at the General Theological Semi- nary, in New York. The future Bishop Whittingham, and Drs. Turner and Bird Wilson were then professors. Dr. Turner was his particular friend. The carnest student was styled "the little preacher." Bishop Onderdonk ordained Richard Newton a deacon in 1839. The next Sunday afternoon he preached at St. John's, Philadelphia, where he had spent his boyhood, on "Christ, the Power of God, and the Wisdom of God." He struck the keynote of his public life in these divine words. He was married by Dr. Boyd, at St. John's Church, and then assumed charge of the young parish at West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Newton came from West Chester, leaving many friends, to the rectorship of St. Paul's. He lived once in the church rectory on York Street, and afterwards in various abodes, settling finally in Clinton Street, until the country drew him out of town. The Doctor's home was a happy place for his chlidren and he was a leader among his clerical brethren, and they were often under his hospitable roof. The services styled " Children's Church," and the "Missionary Sundays," both observed monthly, were strong features of the rector's successful work at St. Paul's. He told missionary stories with wonderful power, and especially prolonged that of John Williams to his delighted auditors. A parishioner,
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named George Lewis, brought from London a piece of timber from the missionary ship "John Williams," which Captain Loper had made into a ship, which voyaged the church aisles, bringing back little bags of gold on its deck as offerings. Thousands of dollars were thus raised. The Doctor was much beloved at Cheltenham, where a new St. Paul's Church arose; and where Mr. and Mrs. Jay Cooke generonsly presented him with a beautiful cottage home. John W. Thomas and his household were also faithful friends there.
The success of Dr. Newton's work is shown in the fact that, in Bishop Potter's absence, Bishop Hopkins once confirmed one hundred and twelve persons at St. Paul's in one class. In 1862 Dr. Newton resigned the rectorship of St. Paul's Church to accept that of the Epiphany, in this city. He had been rector of St. Paul's twenty-two years. This truly devoted Christian man died at Chestnut Hill, in 1887. After labor came rest and praise.
As Dr. Newton's son has narrated his father's life, so I am indebted to Kingston Goddard, M.D., the son of the next rector, Rev. Dr. Goddard, for a written sketch of the life of his honored father. Kingston Goddard, was born in Philadelphia, in 1813, being the son of John Goddard, a merchant, and the grandson of Paul Beck. The boy spent his early life in Philadelphia, but studied theology in the General Seminary in New York. His first parish was Fishkill Landing, and his next was Christ Church, Brooklyn, but Emmanuel Church was afterward built for him. On account of the health of his wife he removed to Clifton, on Staten Island, becom- ing rector of St. John's Church. We next find him in the Church of the Atonement, Philadelphia, which was erected for him. Thence he went to Christ Church,
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Cincinnati, which still stands on the busy street of that active city to repeat the story of the Cross. From this place, he came to St. Paul's, Philadelphia, and, on leav- ing here, was rector of St. Andrew's, Staten Island, for twelve years. He died in October of 1875 as pastor of that church. He was rector of this church-St. Paul's -from 1862 to 1866. Dr. Goddard was a striking and impressive preacher, and the Sunday-schools here flourished under his care.
In 1866 Rev. Dr. R. Heber Newton took the rector- ship, which his father had once adorned. His zealous Sunday-school work is displayed in the pamphlet on the semi-centenary of the Sunday-schools in 1866. The long list of scholars or teachers who became clergy, includes Rev. Edmund Roberts, Dr. Benjamin Watson, Bishops Odenheimer and Starkey, Dudley A. Tyng, Drs. Henry A. Coit and Matlack, and George A. Latimer, and Professor Claxton, and Dr. Charles R. Hale, and Rev. Messrs. Getz, J. Sanders Reed, Samuel Durborow, and Christian Wiltberger. Rev. Dr. R. Heber Newton is now rector of All Soul's (Anthon Memorial) Church, New York City, and is well known as a preacher and writer. Dr. Newton's son William is rector of St. Stephen's, Pittsfield, Mass. Mr. Thomas Latimer has given me valuable aid in tracing the suc- cession of rectors.
Rev. R. T. Roche, D.D., succeeded Dr. Heber New- ton in this church, and lived in Dr. Pilmore's old house on Fifth Street. He is now in Monticello, Florida. Rev. Samuel H. Boyer was rector from 1872 to 1878. He is now the rector of the Church of the Beloved Disciple, Philadelphia. Rev. William S. Adamson was the next rector. He is now in the American Church at Geneva, Switzerland. Rev. Dr. Thomas K. Conrad
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next assumed this rectorship, and still holds this ancient parish, which has, however, been placed for a time under the charge of Dr. Nichols, of St. James's Church; and let us hope and pray that the new efforts to be put forth may restore the church to its old state of usefulness, and that it may long do good service, by the Holy Spirit's aid, to the glory of God and the salvation of men, through the merits of that blessed Saviour whose coming we commemorate in this joyful Advent season.
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CHAPTER XV.
TRINITY CHURCH, OXFORD (PHILADELPHIA).
"Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever .- Heb. 13: 7-8.
T HIS discourse may be considered as an appendix to the invaluable book of my friend, and former neighbor, the Rev. Dr. Buchanan. That was a parish history ; this is a series of sketches of the lives of rectors.
The Rev. Thomas Clayton, who died in 1698, and Rev. Dr. Evan Evans, and Rev. John Thomas of Christ Church, Philadelphia, and the Swedish clergyman, Andreas Rudman, meet us in the beginning of the history of this ancient parish, but as I have treated of the Christ Church clergy in a sermon at that church, and of the Swedish clergy in articles in the Standard of the Cross, I pass on to the next clergyman here, Rev. John Clubb. Bishop Perry's collections of the records of the venerable society of the English Church for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts give useful information as to these early clergy. We should never forget the kind care with which the Church of England nursed these weak missions, and should gladly pay the debt by nursing other weak points.
Mr. Humphreys writes of the faithful Mr. Clubb that he had his hands full, "Preaching frequently to two or
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three congregations besides those immediately com- mitted to his charge by the Venerable Society." The - church wardens and vestry of Oxford wrote the secre- tary, thanking for aid, and announcing the death of Mr. Clubb, and saying, " It hath pleased Almighty God to take unto Himself, our loving and beloved pastor, Mr. John Clubb, your missionary who departed this life, in December last past." The letter is not dated. They ask for another clergyman. One has sometimes served them who left England on account of the oaths and other impositions, that is, government matters. The document is signed by "Edward Collins and others." It adds "We know the want of a good minister, by sad experience, particularly in our great loss in the decease of our late Godly minister, Rev. Mr. John Clubb, who was entirely beloved of this congregation who is now, we doubt not, entered into the joy of his Lord." Peter Taylor and James Morgan, church-wardens and others signed this communication.
Dr. Buchanan, who had noted this character of this good man, also adds an extract which shows that his death was apparently hastened by his exposure in the fatigue of riding twenty miles from Oxford to Radnor, in the "dismal " roads and severe weather of winter. So he must be added to the number of domestic mis- sionary martyrs, who have not counted their lives dear unto them, so that they could fulfill their Master's will, and finish their appointed work. The letter announcing the death of Mr. Clubb was written in 1718.
Before Mr. Clubb took charge of this church, Rev. John Humphreys, of Chester, Pennsylvania, frequently visited it and for two or three years before 1714 appears to have had the parish under his oversight. He was one of the donors of the Church Paten.
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Mr. Humphreys wrote to the secretary of the Propa- gation Society in A.D., 1715, " I have a fine congrega- . tion at Chichester, where the people, since the summer, built a convenient chapel." He preached monthly "to a good number of people," at Concord. He and Mr. Ross had raised a congregation at Marlborough, in Chester County. Chichester was Marcus Hook, where St. Martin's Church is now served by Rev. Gustavus C. Bird, and St. John's, Concord, is under the care of Rev. Robert L. Stevens, a nephew of Rev. Dr. . Beasley, the former rector of All Saints', Lower Dublin, near Torresdale, Philadelphia.
Mr. Humphreys was the son of a physician in Lim- erick, Ireland. Colonel Morris, in 1710, writes that he is a bachelor of arts, and a sober communicant design- ing "to enter into orders."
He moved to Virginia in 1724, and died in 1739, aged fifty-three. He ministered twenty-four years in this country, and fourteen years in St. Ann's parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The Rev. Dr. Dorr, in his "History of Christ Church," Philadelphia, states that in 1718 Hon. William Keith, Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania, a member of the vestry, announced that in accord with his invitation, " Rev. Mr. Talbot, of Burlington, Mr. Humphreys, of Chester, Mr. Ross, of New Castle, and Mr. Sandel, of Wicacoa," were ready to supply the vacancy in Christ Church, "until the Bishop of London's pleasure was known." In his History of the Church in this State, in the same volume, Dr. Dorr gives notes from the History of the Propagation Society, by its Secretary, Dr. David Hum- phreys, in which it is narrated that Rev. John Hum- phreys was a very diligent missionary at Chester, loved by his people. The missionaries were few, and their
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tasks were heavy in serving scattered places, and fatigue induced sickness in this case ; and some friends invited - Mr. Humphreys to Maryland, and thither he went, the Society allowing him a gratuity above his salary on his removal, "on account of the hardships he suffered on his mission, and of his good behaviour during his being employed," as the old narrative quaintly expresses it.
The Rev. Robert Weyman next draws our attention. His "good and mild management" at Oxford, which Mr. Weyman calls "Oxon," in English style, was above commendation from the clergy of Pennsylvania. He sought not honor from men, but faithfully served his Divine Master, Christ. When sometimes preaching in Philadelphia, he is described by Governor P. Gordon as "a very sober good man." He held Oxford and Radnor together, and says that the roads were not easy of travel, "especially in winter, in extreme cold, nor in summer, in excessive heat." He had an afternoon lecture, with "numerous auditory," at Frankford, in the house of Mr. Walton, an excellent schoolmaster of good repute.
Mr. Weyman assumed the charge of Oxford the year that Dr. Evans withdrew from it. For eleven years he worked faithfully at Oxford, and Radnor, and White- marsh, and his diligent zeal drew forth the constant "love and confidence of his increasing flock," as Rev. James S. M. Anderson notes in his History of the Colonial English Church.
This faithful missionary was appointed by the Society in 1718, and reached this province on the 19th of De- cember, A.D., 1719. He retained charge until 1732 and is mentioned in the first volume of the Collections of the Protestant Episcopal Historical Society. He worked acceptably in Christ Church, Philadelphia, during a vacancy in that parish. Dr. Buchanan styles him, "a
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person of great worth, and very diligent in the discharge of his ministerial duties," and mentions his traveling often to Conestoga, about forty miles, to baptize and perform clerical duty, which is quoted from Secretary Humphrey's reports. The first glebe of this parish on the Bristol turnpike, between Frankford and Holmes- burg, was purchased in Mr. Weyman's day
This pioneer moved to Burlington, New Jersey, where he performed faithful work from the time of his removal to 1737. Davis's history of Bucks County names him as rector of Bristol in 1733. He died in Christ's ser- vice, with his armor on. The day before his death he wrote to the Society, praying for God's blessings on its members. Rev. Edward Vaughan, who watched his dying hour, sent home the testimony that he had been "a true and faithful laborer in God's vineyard." That dying-bed was indeed "but just this side of heaven," as Young expresses it; and the missionary had spent his life in teaching others how to die, and now exemplified his lessons. Thomas's History of Printing, names a son of Mr. Weyman named William, who learned printing under Wm. Bradford, and published the New York Gazette.
On "St. John's Day, 24th of June 1733," as noted in the Church Records, the Rev. Alexander Howie suc- ceeded the Rev. Robert Weyman. Dr. Buchanan describes him as "a conscientious, careful and good man." His report of work at Oxford shows faithfulness and success. He seems to have held St. James's, Perki- omen, with Oxford and Whitemarsh. Roman Catholics, Anabaptists and Quakers came into the church at Perki- omen. The zealous missionary ran the risk of losing his life in riding over creeks between Whitemarsh and Perkiomen. The extreme cold of winter at Oxford is noted in the ruinous condition of the rectory, as the
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dilapidated building would not keep out the cold and the wet. In 1742 this missionary went to the West Indies. He expected to return, but there is no evidence that he did come back to this country.
From 1742 to 1758 Rev. JEneas Ross was in charge of Oxford and Whitemarsh. He had acceptably filled Christ Church, Philadelphia, in a vacancy, and assisted Dr. Jenney, the rector of that parish after coming here. Griffith Griffith, a parishioner here, kindly remembered this rector in a bequest.
Mr. Ross was the son of Rev. George Ross, a mis- sionary at New Castle, Delaware. Dr. Sprague gives an account of him in his valuable Annals. He went to England for orders in 1719, recommended by many people of New Castle. In 1741 he reports the baptism of twelve Negro men and women at Christ Church who were examined in the Catechism before the congrega- tion to the admiration of the hearers. Nine were bap- tized together, "the like sight never before seen in Philadelphia Church."
The churches in the country appointment of this cler- gyman were generally crowded on Sundays, and the men and women appeared devout. This is the report in 1744. In 1745 the report runs: "The chief of the Old Standers of Oxford are dead and there appears in many of their children a great share of devotion." He writes the Society thathe "lives on friendly terms with the dissenters, and hopes in time to see many of them conform."
Mr. Ross had married in Philadelphia, and was to live at Germantown, as more convenient to reach White- marsh than the Oxford glebe, in winter and bad roads. The glebe was "in the remotest corner of Oxford Township from Whitemarsh."
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The missionary gives a pleasant description of Ger- mantown, and of the conspicuous church at Whitemarsh, - on its fine location, plainly seen three miles distant, "riding on the great road." We may imagine the cler- gyman and his bride on a pleasant summer day riding from Chestnut Hill to Whitemarsh, and talking of the fine view which God had spread out before them, and of the old church, "beautiful for situation," near the site of the present St. Thomas's, whose stone tower now presents itself so grandly to the traveler. The mud and snow of winter was less desirable, but the devout ser- vice and Holy Sacraments, and the hospitable entertain- ment of loving parishioners brightened even a wintry day. The scene has vanished. The horse and carriage have departed, and the riders and the faithful par- ishioners are in paradise, "but the earth abideth for- ever," and let us be thankful that the prayers and praises that honor God yet arise in Trinity Church, Oxford, and St. Thomas's Church, Whitemarsh. While men die, their good Christian work lives ; and the seed sown in faith brings forth fruit in later years.
After living a year in Germantown, Mr. Ross moved to the Oxford glebe. He was cheerful and hopeful in his reports. His father, however, writes that the charge is too great for the young missionary who is in risk of comsumption. "His good behavior and extraordinary diligence " were creditable.
In 1757 Mr. Ross was transferred to New Castle, Delaware, vacated a little before by the death of Rev. Aaron Cleveland, an ancestor of Bisliop Coxe. The name of Rev. Encas Ross is found in the reports of the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts until about the close of the Revolu- tion.
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