USA > New Jersey > Burlington County > Burlington > History of the church in Burlington, New Jersey : comprising the facts and incidents of nearly two hundred years, from original, contemporaneous sources > Part 30
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 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
351
IN BURLINGTON.
" 20th. This day our Bell tolled twice for our beloved Wash- ington dead."
"21st. This day our bell tolled once for our beloved Wash- ington."
" 22d. Epis. Parson Wharton preached on the death of our beloved Washington, from Isaiah XIV : 10, 11. [All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us ? Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.]
" Ditto from 1st Maccabees IX : 18 to 22. [Judas also was kil- led, and the remnant fled. Then Jonathan and Simon took Judas their brother, and buried him in the sepulchre of his fathers in Modin. Moreover they bewailed him, and all Israel made great lamentation for him, and mourned many days, saying, How is the valiant man fallen, that delivered Israel ! "] t
Extracts from an " Oration delivered to the citizens of Burlington } on the 22d of February, 1800, in commemoration of Gen. George Washington, who died at Mount Vernon, Dec. 14, 1799, in the 68th year of his age, By William Griffith, Esq. To which is added a Prayer, on the same occasion, By Charles H. Whar- ton, D. D., and Rector of St. Mary's Church in that city. Trenton : Printed by G. Craft, MDCCC." §
"[Burlington February 22d 1800.
" Resolved that Mr. Wallace and Mr. Bloomfield, do wait on William Griffith Esquire and on behalf of the Committee of arrangement, present their thanks for the Oration delivered by him this day in memory of General Washington and request of him a copy for publication.
" By Order of the Committee of Arrangements.
" WILLIAM COXE Jun. Chairman."
+ One who was present at these services-now the oldest communicant in the parish says, Nearly all who attended Church that day wore mourning.
į This took place in St. Mary's Church. "The chancel," says a venerable lady who was present, " was covered with a staging which was draped with black, and all the hangings had been previously covered with mourning."
¿ For transcripts of this oration, and the prayer which follows it, we are indebted to Mr. Wm. John Potts, of Camden, N. J.
352
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
" Burlington February 24th 1800. " GENTLEMEN
" In complying with your request to have a copy of the address delivered by me to the citizens of Burlington on the 22d instant, for publication you have a real proof of my personal respect ; as no motive, but that, could have prevailed over my reluctance to give publicity to the only imperfect feature in the sublime and appropriate performances of the day. The circumstances of its preparation, known to yourselves, will I am persuaded, excuse me to you from the imputation of culpable inattention in executing this part of your arrangement; and with others, brev- ity and sincerity will, I hope, procure it some indulgence.
" With much respect and esteem
" I am, Gentlemen, " Your Obedient Servant,
WM. GRIFFITH.
" To the Gentlemen composing the committee of arrangement in the city of Burlington, for the 22d of Feb. 1800.
The Committee of Arrangement having obligingly pre- sented the subscriber with the copyright of the Oration, it is secured according to law.
G. CRAFT.]"
"ORATION.
" The Day, which for so many years has never returned, but to suffuse every eye with pleasurable recollection and to gladden every heart with delightful anticipation-This day which gave to Human Nature, an ornament ; to America, her greatest bene- factor ; and to the World, a bright exemplar of every virtue, by a mysterious providence, has become an epoch of painful retro- spection, and unavailing sorrow.
" Whilst its annual returns gave to a grateful people, another, and another opportunity of honoring the living object of their affections, the rapture of possession seemed to repress the admo- nitions of time or but faintly listened to the voice which told us that Washington must die.
" This event, which all knew would happen, was by all post- poned ; and each one cherished the fond illusion, that he who
353
IN BURLINGTON.
had surpassed all others, in glory, and in usefulness, might add a new prerogative to humanity, and exceed the ordinary limits of mortal existence.
" Vain were our wishes and unrealized our hopes ! The deep, the extensive, the unceasing lamentation, which is heard through- out the American empire, proclaims to the world, that Washing- ton is no more! Yes ! that mind which penetrated the destinies of his country-that courage which undertook her deliverance- that wisdom and fortitude which led her to independence-that love which planted the Tree of Liberty here, and watered it with the tears of parental solicitude-they no longer animate your Washington !
" To you, who have felt the public shock, and added so many tears to the tide of public grief, it were unnecessary to describe its extent, and unkind to retouch the sensibility which an event so sudden and so affecting has produced in our country.
" Invited, through your preference on this day, dedicated by national repect to the commemoration of the illustrious dead, to exert my efforts-alas how unequal ! in rendering homage to his exalted character-it is due to my own convictions, and to your expectations, that I renounce the design of personal and historical panegyric. I have no expressions which can con- vey an Eulogium on Washington ! I stand not here to delineate his person ! You who saw him in the vigour of life, when prostrate Freedom first dyed his cheek with flushes of resentment-indig- nant at her wrongs! and the voice of his country summoned him to her succour-you can never forget his graceful form, and his commanding aspect. We who have seen him bending with years, and furrowed with public cares, can never forget the filial rever- ence which his presence inspired. And to you who have never seen him-and to posterity-a West and a Stewart, have given of his figure and countenance, whatever Art could borrow from the life.
"Nor do I stand here to recount his actions, or to grace with the splendor's of language, his intrinsic claims to present and to future admiration.
Z
354
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
" The great drama, in which he bore so conspicuous a part, is over. To review its august scenery-to rehearse its wonderful events-to follow him in all his vicissitudes, were equally super- fluous and impossible.
" You require no register of his achievements ; for you were all witnesses of their performance or partakers in their benefits. Actors with him or Spectators! they are imprinted on every heart, and live in characters indellible as his own unrivalled pre-eminence.
" The faithful page of history will hand down to succeeding ages, his exploits of war, and arts of peace :- To other pens must be committed the delightful office, with glowing rhetoric, and in immortal song, to trace the countless services which he rendered to his country, and the unceasing honors, and bound- less gratitude, by which they were rewarded.
" While orators mount thro' the annals of time, and examine the lists of fame, for subjects of historic resemblance, and models of eulogistic contrast -- while poets and historians, are emulous to transmit to other times the striking incidents of his fortune, and the varied and brilliant succession of important actions, which distinguished him above other men-
" I would leave comparison, to those who can find parallels ; and the relation of battles and triumphs, to those who excel in epic eloquence.
" On this occasion you will permit me, my indulgent audience, to pursue a less splendid-but may I hope, not an unpleasing theme. I would draw you from the contemplation of those past events, and personal objects, which so dazzle and captivate our senses-and fix your minds upon the inherent qualifications, which rendered his life so useful ; his example so impressive ; and his precepts so invaluable.
" My countrymen ! If you have seen your enemy wasted, defeated, and driven from your borders, under his military guidance-if order, peace and happiness, have grown out of his civil administration-if his experience in war and in govern- ment claims your highest consideration, and his truth and love give intrinsic weight to his opinions-it is of the utmost impor- tance, and an obvious duty, that we imitate the conduct and
355
IN BURLINGTON.
pursue those maxims, which rendered him illustrious, and America powerful and happy.
" His life-his virtues, and his principles address themselves to our imitation, in every relation, which connects us with each other and with our common country."
" PRAYER.
" Almighty and everlasting God, the author of life and death, who dost not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men, we do in all humility submit our wills entirely to thine; most humbly beseeching thee to accept of our thanks and praise for all the graces and favors vouchsafed unto our beloved fellow- citizen, now, we trust, in peace. We thank thee for having raised up such a man at such a period, to be unto his country a Joshua in her battles, and a Moses in her councils. We ac- knowledge with grateful hearts the incalcuable national bless- ings, which we enjoy from thy bounty, to which thou wast pleased to make him so eminently instrumental. We adore thy Providence in directing him to adopt and enabling him to pur- sue, at one time, that wise system of peace, moderation and justice, which delivered us from the horrors and calamities of war-and at another, that system of vigour and resolution, by which we escaped the still more direful disasters of anarchy and prostration of principle. To him-to his successor, thy servant, and to other virtuous fellow citizens like them, under thee we are indebted, that the wild spirit of political fanaticism has not desolated our country ; that the convulsions of Europe have not been felt on our borders ; that thy existence, thy worship, and thy religion have not been publicly questioned, insulted and abolished. For all these mighty and undeserved blessings, we desire here publicly and solemnly, to praise and glorify thy gracious Providence ; most humbly beseeching thee, that all the present and future leaders of our armies, and directors of our councils, may be inspired with the same constancy and intrepidity -the same sagacity and wisdom-the same moderation and humanity, which thou was pleased to bestow upon thy servant, Washington! May the citizens of America, learn to emulate all his public virtues, and ever keep in mind the solemn testi- mony, which he bears to the necessity and excellency of thine everlasting gospel, in his farewell address to his country, where he expressly declares that freedom cannot subsist without moral- ity, nor morality without religion. And now, O holy and eternal God, Father of all Creatures, and Lord of the Universe!
356
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
who callest upon all orders and conditions of men, by precepts, promises and threatenings-by mercies and by judgments-teach. us to admire and adore all the wisdom, effects and infinite varieties of thy Providence ; and make us to regulate our affec- tions and conduct, by obedience, by repentance, by all manner of holy living, that we may never provoke thee to jealousy, much less to wrath and indignation against us. Keep far from our land the sword of the destroying Angel ; and let us not be consumed by the public expressions of thy wrath-by pestilen- tial diseases-by the fury of war-by calamitous, sudden, and horrid accidents. Lord open our understandings, that in all thy dispensations we may know the meaning of thy voice, when thou speakest, either from Heaven or from Earth in signs and judgments-And let a godly fear so soften our spirits, and an intense love so inflame and sanctify our desires, that we may comprehend every intimation of thy pleasure at its first and remotest representation ; and be thereby induced, by timely repentance to go forth to meet thee, and stop the messengers of thine anger. Let thy restraining grace, and the observation of the issues of thy justice, so allay our unruly passions, that we be not severe and forward in condemning others, nor backward in passing sentence upon ourselves. Make us obedient to thy voice speaking in holy scripture-to tremble at the same, when sounding in the wonders and great effects of thy providence ; but cautious not to enter into thy recesses of the sanctuary, nor search the forbidden records of thy councils-to read our duty in the pages of revelation, not in the labels of accidental effects -that thy judgments may confirm thy word and thy word teach us our duty. Teach us to implore thy compassion on us in these days of delirious innovation and mad confusion ; lest, for our sins, we be delivered up to lawless violence and distraction. O Lord! prevent the judgements that afflict other nations, and hang over ours. Purify us from all such crimes as may excite thy heavy displeasure against us; from impurity and drunken- ness ; from swearing, lying and perjury ; from blasphemy, in- justice, fraud, disobedience, malice, and uncharitableness. Take from among us the spirit of atheism, irreligion and profaneness ; and, in mercy convert all such as encourage any of these vices, which may provoke thee to give us up to infidelity and destruc- tion. And since as thy word informs us, "For the transgression of the land, many are the princes thereof," that is, since a con- fused government is the punishment of national wickedness, O give us not over unto the will of our adversaries-of such as strive to perplex the councils and operations of our government. Restore unto us that peace and unanimity, which was formerly
357
IN BURLINGTON.
the boast and protection of our land; and grant above all things that while we progress in the science of true freedom, and in the enjoyment of legal security, we may be still more anxious to become and to continue a people fearing and serving thee, and daily advancing in the ways of virtue and religion. All which we humbly ask in the name and mediation of Jesus Christ, our Saviour-to whom with the Father, and Holy Spirit, be ascribed all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
AUTHORITY TO DEMAND BURIAL FEES.
" 1800 April 14. The Minister shall have authority to de- mand 12 | 6 for attending the funeral of persons who do not belong to the Church. Persons who have left the Church or who are not contributors are considered as not belonging to the Church, any right their ancestors had to the contrary notwith- standing."-Minutes of the Vestry.
TRUSTEES OF THE FUND FOR MAINTAINING A MINISTER.
" Whereas the Subscribers together with sundry persons now deceased have at various times subscribed and paid into the hands of the Wardens of St. Mary's Church in the City of Bur- lington and State of New Jersey certain sums of money the interest of which was to be applied to the maintenance of an orthodox Minister of the Church of England and was declared to be at all times hereafter at the sole disposal of the Wardens and Vestry of the said Church for the use aforesaid as will ap- pear by the original subscription paper dated the thirteenth day of March 1775. And whereas the Interest arising from the said fund has not hitherto been applied agreeably to the inten- tion of the subscribers from a wish entertained by them, and confirmed by the assent of the persons heretofore exercising the duties of the Minister Church Wardens and Vestry of the said Church, that the said Fund should from time to time be put out at Interest until the aggregate sum should amount to Five hun- dred Pounds current Money of New Jersey after which time the annual interest should be applied conformably to the Intention of the subscribers. And whereas further it appearing by a Statement of the said Fund that it amounted to upwards of the
358
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
sum of Five hundred Pounds, the Minister Church Wardens and Vestry of the said Church did by a Resolution of the said Corporation passed on Monday the 15th day of April 1800 order and direct a meeting of the Subscribers to the said fund to be convened at the Church aforesaid on Monday the fifth day of May A. D. 1800 for the purpose of appointing Trustees of the said Fund with power and authority to put the monies thereto belonging out at interest and to apply the Interest thereof an- nually hereafter to the maintenance of the Minister of the said Church as expressed in the original subscription paper hereunto annexed. Now know all men that we the subscribers having attended on the day and at the place aforesaid and having pro- ceeded to the appointment of Trustees aforesaid did elect consti- tute and appoint Joshua Maddox Wallace and William Coxe junior the present Church Wardens and Treasurer of the said Church of St. Mary and their successors in office together with one other member of the said Vestry to be elected at their annual meeting Trustees of the Fund aforesaid and until such. election shall be held Daniel Hancock shall be the third Trustee with power and authority to invest the amount thereof in good and sufficient obligations or securities public or private for the use and purposes hereinbefore mentioned, and to apply the ."qual Interest thereof to the support of the Minister at St. Mary's Church aforesaid for the time being, keeping regular accounts of their proceedings in the premises subject to the inspec- tion of the Vestry of the said Church at all times and to be de- livered up together with the obligations aforesaid to their Successors in Office within ten days after the expiration of their office.
AMOUNT OF THE FUND MAY 5, 1800.
Dollars Cts
Caslı in the hands of the Treasurer of St. Mary's Church. 561- 54 Charles Ellis's Note p'ble in one year from April 2, 1800. 252 86
Micajah Ellis's Bond Judgt & Mortgage do .. 252 86 George Hancock's Bond dated 1 April 1795, £88 5 6. 235 39
Thomson Neale's Bond dated 17 April 1795. £25 00 0
Interest 5 years due Ap. 17, 1800 8 15 0
£33 15 0 90 00
equal to £522 4 11
Dolls. 1392 65
359
IN BURLINGTON.
" Witness our hands the day abovementioned.
WILLIAM SMITH,
JOHN TONKIN,
WM. COXE, JUN.,
JOHN NEALE,
ROBT LUCAS,
DANIEL HANCOCK,
GEORGE PAINTER,
THOMSON NEALE,
CHARLES ELLIS Executor to Daniel Ellis,
JOSEPH BLOOMFIELD."
OPINION OF WM. GRIFFITH, ESQ.
" Mr. Coxe having communicated to me certain propositions, which the Revd. Doctor Wharton intends to make to the Vestry of St. Mary's-as the terms upon which he can consent to re- main in the Church-for my opinion whether the appropriations therein required can be made by the Vestry according to the Charter ; and having carefully examined the same am very clear that the Vestry have full power to go to the extent of those propo- sals and much further if they conceived it for the service of the Church. If the Vestry or any gentleman of it wishes any further satisfaction on this point I will very cheerfully give it. It is perfectly clear to me that there exists no obstacle to a com- pliance unless it should be the disposition of the Vestry ; and I only wonder how any doubt could have arisen-as to their right of making any contract of this sort with the minister-calculated for the service of the Church and for its most essential interests. " WM. GRIFFITH." "Octr. 6th 1801."
REV. DR. WHARTON ELECTED PRESIDENT OF COLUMBIA COLLEGE.
" To the Vestry of St. Mary's Church
" GENTLEMEN
" Burlington Oct. 7th 1801
" I presume that none of you are ignorant of the appointment to which I have been elected at New-York. + Its emoluments
t "The deserved reputation which Dr. Wharton's scholarship had procured him, rendered him an object of great desire with several of our literary insti- tutions. As early as 1785, he was sought for as Principal of the Protestant
360
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
are such as would place me in an independent & affluent situa- tion for life : The duties are light, & the station very respectable. A Church now vacant in the suburbs of that City may also probably be obtained, which, I am told, would offer a handsome salary without exacting any parochial duties besides that of preaching every Sunday morning. It must be evident to you, Gentlemen, that, in a pecuniary point of view, nothing in the offer of this Church bears any proportion to these advantages. On the contrary, all the funds, which I receive fall greatly short of my support; so that I have been obliged to incroach consider- ably on my Capital, and to expend annually almost the whole of my private income. Under these circumstances, the Vestry of this Church will not, I trust, deem it either uncandid or un- generous, if I endeavour to secure a decent and permanent establishment. Indeed I conceive it my duty so to do; & I shall accordingly move to New-York, unless the proposals which I am going to submit to the Vestry, should be carried . into effect. In making these proposals I am actuated with a sincere attachment to the Members of this Church in general, with a deep concern for its prosperity, & with a due & grateful sense of the kind exertions which have been made by its Vestry for my accommodation & comfort ; for which exertions I pray them to accept my most affectionate thanks, & to believe me fully convinced that the present funds of the Church could not authorize their extension. What I mean, therefore, to propose at present, is-
" First. That my present establishment consisting of the
Episcopal Academy of Philadelphia, under the patronage of the Bishop and Clergy; but declined on account of his health, which had been much enfeebled by a nervous fever. In 1801, he was unanimously elected to the Presidency of Columbia College, in the city of New York, which he accepted, and pre- sided at the Commencement ; but in the course of the year, to the great dis- appointment of the friends of the College, tendered his resignation. In 1803, he was powerfully urged to become Principal of the College at Beaufort, South Carolina, and Rector of the Parish there, but declined the appointment. The emoluments of office, in both these latter cases, would greatly have exceeded the value of his parochial living. But he loved retirement. He was unwill- ing to undertake duties which his health miglit not enable him to discharge. He was reluctant to dissolve the sacred bond which years of endearment and confidence liad formed with the friends of his bosom and the people of his charge. And more than all, he had learned, with an Apostle, in whatever state lie was, therewith to be content."-Sprague's Annals, p. 337.
361
IN BURLINGTON.
House and Lot where I live with the salary of. £175 per annum, shall be permanent ; & that the Vestry do now make an appro- priation of any future revenues & interests, which may accrue to the Church over & above the present income as an addition to my permanent salary aforesaid to be received by me as the same arise & come into the possession of the Church; provided nevertheless, that such addition to my permanent salary shall not be wished or expected to exceed four hundred dollars per annum, & provided also, that before any such surplus revenue shall be applied to my use as aforesaid, there shall be deducted from it all such moneys as may be necessary for the repairs of the Church, & other usual & incidental expenses.
" Secondly. That as it is possible I may from age or infir- mity become incapable of performing parochial duties, in that case I should not expect either my permanent or additional salary to continue, but my proposal is, that the House & lot, where I now dwell should be legally secured to me free of rent during my natural life.
" Thirdly. That in case Mrs. Wharton should survive me, she shall be allowed to occupy the said house & Lot for one year after free of rent.
"It will be perceived that in proposing these terms I ask no present addition to my salary ; and shall only obtain it as the funds increase. My expectations rest upon a mere uncertainty ; but, in my present circumstances, I could wish them to be as secure as they can be. As to my becoming disabled by age or infirmity from officiating in the Church ; it is a bare possibility. In that event however, Prudence on my part, & Justice, I trust, on the part of the Vestry must suggest the propriety of securing a house to reside in for the short time that I should probably survive such inability to discharge the duties of the Ministry. In the mean time all the revenues of the Church might be applied to the support of my Successor, who would also have a reasonable expectation of the House & lot coming speedily into his occupation. Mrs. Wharton's surviving me is also a con- tingency. But should this happen, I am convinced that I do but justly appreciate the delicacy & generosity of the Vestry in
362
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
believing that they will cheerfully permit her to reside for one year in the House, if she find it convenient to do so.
"The propositions which I have made appear to my mind just & reasonable. They call for no immediate accession of Salary-they provide only for small accommodations in case of certain possible contingencies. They are in short, such as in my mind bear no proportion to the sacrifices which I make, in order to obtain them, that I may continue with a Congregation which I love & respect. Security, however, will greatly en- hance their value ; for however disposed I am to confide in those, from whom I have received so many proofs of kindness & attachment, yet as continual changes both of Men & Opinions are taking place around us, no Prudent Person, or Friend of mine would desire, that I should leave these points to future casualties. I am about to relinquish for them great & perma- nent advantages, & should justly incur the reproaches of my own mind, did I not endeavor to make myself secure in the ' unequivalent Compensation, which I propose to accept in their place.
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.