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 37
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"OFFERINGS OF THE CHURCH."
" The 'Offerings of the Church,' in the diocese of New Jer- sey, are the voluntary contributions of the people, laid up, in accordance with the Apostolic precept, in the 16th chapter of St. Paul's first Epistle to the Corinthians .-
"'Now, concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the Churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come,'-and to be employed, under the direction of the Bishop, in Missionary purposes ; nine tenths in the diocese of New Jer- sey, and one-tenth elsewhere.
" In introducing the plan into any Church, the Minister is supposed to have a list of every man, woman, and child, in his congregation. Upon every individual, he either calls himself, or sees that some suitable person calls, to ask his engagement to endeavour, on every Lord's day, to 'lay by him in store' at least a certain sum, increasing it 'as God hath prospered him ; ' and it is particularly recommended that 'the little children' be encouraged to the practice.
" The names of the persons consenting are enrolled in a little book, ruled with twelve columns, for the months in the year, which the Minister himself keeps.
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" On the morning of the first Sunday in each month, (notice having been given, on the preceding Sunday, that 'the offer- ings of the Church' for the four Sundays in - -, or the five Sundays in -, as the case may be, will be collected,) the sums laid by 'in store' on the several Sundays in the month, -the contribution of each person, or each family, being done up in a paper, marked with the name of the contributor, and sealed or tied,-are gathered, by the proper persons, directly after the reading of the Gospel, and placed, if it be a communion day, ' upon the Holy Table,' and so offered to the Lord, with 'the alms for the poor,' and other devotions of the people. The parcels being opened, the several sums are credited to their respective contributors, in the proper column for the month, and remitted quarterly to the Treasurer, (James Hunter Sterling, Esq., at Burlington, by mail or otherwise,) before the 20th day of February.}
" The engagement to lay up a certain sum weekly, is adopted, that, after the first month, there may be a probable estimate of the missionary income of the year. Of course, it does not limit the offering to that sum-the rule which is supposed to govern the Christian being, 'as God hath prospered him.' The recom- mendation in the diocese of New Jersey was, that, one with another, adults and children, an average of at least five cents in each week should be laid by 'in store,'-because it was desired to propose a mark which all should reach, and because, were that amount realized, it would produce a sufficient sum for the missionary purposes of the diocese."-Appendix to Episcopal Address, 1835.
DIOCESAN RETROSPECTION.
" It is now within nine days of forty-two years, since the first convention was held in St. Mary's Church. Since then, what changes have taken place! What progress has been made ! What rich experience has been here enjoyed of God's protection
+ This seems to be the origin of what has grown to be so extensively used, throughout the Church, and is known as " The Pledge and Envelope System." G. M. H.
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of His Church ! How fit an emblem is this holy and beautiful house,-enlarged, improved, adorned, and filled, we trust, with spiritual worshippers,-of the increase and prosperity with which God has blessed the diocese! The number of the Clergy in the year 1793, was five, of whom, at the time alluded to, but four were present; while fifteen delegates, from ten parishes, composed the whole of the lay representation. There was then, and for twenty-two years thereafter, no Bishop in the Diocese. Since that, there have been five meetings of the Convention in this Church. At that in 1800, there were present four Clergymen,-in 1805, there were five,-in 1811, seven,-in 1817, ten,-in 1828, seven years ago, eleven. There are now twenty-three. These are instructive statements. They show the effective influence of the Episcopal office in strengthening and ex- tending the Church. Before the accession of the first Bishop of the diocese in 1815, the greatest number of the Clergy was eight. By the blessing of the Lord upon his faithful oversight, the number had increased in 1832, the year of his decease, to nine- teen. There are now twenty-nine .- They bear strong testimony . to the prevailing power of the truth and order of the Gospel. No where has the Church had less to hope for from external aids. No where has it been more true that 'not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called.' No where has the array of counteracting influences been more complete or formidable. No where has ' evangelical truth ' been more distinctly taught, or 'apostolic order' more steadfastly maintained. The triumph here achieved,-from my . recent residence among you, I can speak of what has been as an impar- tial witness-the triumph here achieved has been the triumph. of ' the Gospel in the Church.' The Gospel has been here pre- sented as the Gospel. The Church has been presented as the Church. The result, with His blessing, who is ' Head over all things to the Church, which is his body,' is seen already in a good degree of increase, and in an approach as near as can be expected here on earth, to the unity enjoined by the Apostle on, his Corinthian converts,-' now I beseech you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye all speak the same thing,.
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and that there be no divisions among you, but that ye be per- fectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judg- ment."-Episcopal Address, 1835.
REPEAL OF TWO PROVISOS IN THE CHARTER. " [No. 214.] "State of New Jersey.
"A Supplement to the act entitled 'An act to incorporate the Protestant Episcopal Church of Saint Mary in the City of Burlington,' to annul the former charter thereof, and to repeal 'An act to amend and confirm the charter of the Episcopal Church, called Saint Mary, in the City of Burlington,' passed May twenty-eighth, seventeen hundred and ninety-three.
"Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Council and General Assembly of this State, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That all the proviso contained in the fourth section of the act to which this is a supplement, be, and the same is hereby repealed ; and that the following proviso be inserted in lieu thereof, viz. : Provided always, That in the disposition, sale, or alienation of such messuages, houses, lands, tenements, and here- ditaments, the consent of at least six members of the vestry shall be had and obtained.
"Sec. 2. And be it enacted, That the words following the second proviso, in the eleventh section of the act to which this is a supplement, to wit: 'That if at any time nine or more members of the said vestry shall agree so to do, they may dis- charge said minister, giving him six months notice of their inten- tion, after which time his salary shall cease and the said minister shall peaceably leave the Church, and' beand the same are hereby repealed and stricken out of the said eleventh section.
" House of Assembly March 4th, 1836. This Bill having been three times read and compared in the House of Assembly Resolved, That the same do pass By order of the House of Assembly DANIEL B. RYALL Speaker of the House of Assembly."
" In Council March 9th, 1836.
This Bill having been three times read in Council
Resolved, That the same do pass. By order of Council P. D. VROOM Prest. of Council
-- Parish Archives.
CONCERNING DANCING IN THE ACADEMY.
"To Captain Newton :
" DEAR FRIEND, -- On the instant that I learn that there is any difference of opinion on the subject of our conversation last evening I adopt this course of reasoning. There is no principle
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or duty requiring the amusement in question. Some think it wrong in that place. Therefore it ought not to be. I acted on these grounds in regard to the Cross, and shall endeavour always to do so. It will be well to make the disappointment as easy to the young folks as may be, and this I am sure you will aid in doing. I asked when the matter was first named if the Wardens approved and understood that they did, or I should have made further inquiry to-day.
"Affectionately yours, "G. W. DOANE." "St. Mary's Parsonage, 2 May, 1836."
AMUSEMENTS FOR MAY-DAY.
"To John T. Newton and James H. Sterling, Esquires, Wardens of St. Mary's Church.
" GENTLEMEN,-The fact that two of the Vestry, (one of them a Warden,) disapprove of any part of the arrangements proposed by the children for May-day is conclusive with me. We must go together unless where principle divides us-which I hope it never will. Let it be stated then to the ladies who are in the direction that on further consideration the Rector and Wardens have deemed it inexpedient that there should be music or dancing in the Academy, and let the statement be made as early in the morning as may be. I could under no circum- stances grant my consent to the indulgence, knowing that any portion of the Vestry disapproved of it. An Apostle has declared that though all things are lawful all things are not expedient."
"Affectionately your friend & servant, "G. W. DOANE." " St. Mary's Parsonage, 2 May, 1836."
THE CONDITION OF THE PARISH.
In his report, as Rector, to the Convention held May 25th, 1836, Bishop Doane says :
" The condition of the parish is in most respects encouraging. The practice of explaining before the congregation the Scriptural
-
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lesson for the Sunday School is still kept up with great advan- tage. It forms the Lecture for Sunday afternoon, except on the first Sunday in the month, when the children are catechised 'openly in the Church,' instead of the sermon. This congrega- tion continues to give noble support to the diocesan plan of systematic charity-their contributions this year being $354.83, about twenty-five per cent. more than last year. Their dona- tions to other objects are none the less liberal. The ladies of the parish all unite as a Sewing Circle, which meets at the Par- sonage once in every fortnight, to work for charitable purposes. Besides clothing many of the Sunday Scholars, and doing much for the relief of the sick, poor, and afflicted of the parish, they have contributed $50 to the 'Offerings of the Church.' The Rev. Samuel Starr has lately entered with great acceptance on the office of Assistant Minister."
"WILL NEVER FORSAKE THE PLAN OF A DIOCESAN SCHOOL."
In the same Episcopal Address-May 25th, 1836-Bishop Doane says :- " I have pledged myself never to forsake the plan of a Diocesan School, and I never will. I am more and more convinced of its importance. There is nothing in so great demand among us as good education, and there is nothing so scarce. There is no influence so generally desired for its direc- tion and its control, as that of the Episcopal Church, and there is none which exerts itself so little. This ought not to be so. We are losing what we cannot calculate, and never can regain. There is no part of the United States more favorable for the purpose, than that in which we are most concerned, and there is nothing which we so greatly need. Why should it not be done ? We have declared ourselves a Missionary Church ; why should we not have Missionary schools, and a Missionary College ?"
MOURNING FOR BISHOP WHITE.
On Sunday, July 24th, 1836, St. Mary's Church was clad in mourning weeds for the late Bishop White of Pennsylvania (whose burial was attended on the Wednesday preceding in
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Philadelphia, f) and Bishop Doane (who was one of the pall- bearers on that occasion) preached a sermon from Prov. IV, 18, [But the path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day,] in commemoration of the departed Senior Bishop.
THE LORD BISHOP OF QUEBEC IN BURLINGTON.
"On Sunday, Aug. 14th, 1836," says Bishop Doane in his Episcopal Address, " I enjoyed the high satisfaction of listen- ing to an edifying sermon in this Church, by my right reverend brother, the Lord Bishop of Quebec. The recollection that to the Church, of which he is a prelate, our whole communion 'is indebted for its first foundation, and for a long continuance of nursing care and protection,' and especially the traces, which everywhere surround us, in this parish, of royal and of indi- vidual bounty, from the same venerable branch of the Church Catholic, gave to his visit a peculiar interest."
COMMITTEE TO PROCURE A NEW ORGAN.
At a meeting of the Vestry held March 27th, 1837, the fol- lowing action was had :
" The organ now in St. Mary's Church being very much out of repair, it was stated, by Capt. Newton, that Messrs. Corrie & Huddie, Builders, had examined the same and offered to allow the sum of $200 for it, in part payment for a new one. Where- upon
" Voted, That the Wardens be a committee to procure a new organ, the cost of which shall not exceed the sum of six hun- dred and fifty dollars."
MONUMENT TO THE LATE REV. DR. WHARTON.
At the same meeting, on motion of the Right Rev. the Rector, voted, "That a committee be appointed to take measures for the erection, in St. Mary's Church, of a monument to the mem- ory of the late Rev Dr Wharton.
"On motion of Gen Wall, the Rector was chosen as this Committee." (See p. 416.)
+ The Vestry of St. Mary's, Burlington, attended in a body.
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BISHOP DOANE TRAVELS AS FREIGHT.
" When Bishop Doane was commencing St. Mary's Hall, early in 1837, he had occasion to visit the city of New York in order to secure pecuniary aid. He was detained there until the close of Saturday. He had made no provision for the supply of his Church at Burlington, on the approaching Sunday. He therefore hastened to set off for home by the evening train. On the way to the station he met with a friend whom he found dis- posed to listen to his statements respecting the great importance of the proposed enterprise, and whose interest increased in con- versation upon the subject. The time was consequently allowed to pass when the evening train was to leave; but the Bishop knew that a freight train was to pass through Burlington from New York at a later hour that night, to which he supposed there would be a passenger car attached.
" When the Bishop parted from his friend, he hurried to the railroad station. He was there informed that a freight train was to go immediately, but that no passenger car was to accom- pany it. The Bishop at once proposed to ride on the engine, or even to sit or stand on one of the platforms, or to occupy a chair such as is often secured on the roof of a car of that sort. He was then told that strict orders had been received forbidding the agent to permit any person to travel as a passenger in that train. The Bishop replied-' Very well, obey your orders. I never can encourage anything like disobedience. Yet you say
that this is a freight train. Are all your cars full ? Do you forward freight by weight?' The agent said, ' We have room for more than we have on board. We weigh whatever is to be forwarded, and charge by the pound.' The Bishop went to the scales, and asked to be weighed, and then to be put into a car as freight ! The agent did not know Bishop Doane. He looked upon the proceeding, though, as a good joke. After he had put in this extraordinary freight, and secured the door-which he was required to do-he remarked to his assistants, 'This is the greatest instance of perseverance that I have ever known.'
" When the train arrived at Burlington early the following morning, the man who had charge of it told the agent in that
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city that there was some freight in one of the cars the like of which he never had heard of having been carried over any road in a train like that before. The car door was opened, and the Bishop of New Jersey stepped out! He was well known by everybody at that station. The charges had been paid before starting from New York. A portion of the freight over the Camden and Amboy Railroad on that memorable night, then walked to the Episcopal residence at Burlington, to prepare for the services of the day as Rector of St. Mary's Church !
" If 'at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God' when suffering confinement in an 'inner prison,' can we doubt that the midnight hours voluntarily spent, for the Church's sake, in the dark, exposed to danger, in a closed freight car, by the founder of St. Mary's Hall, registered prayers in heaven for that institution, and for the Church of Christ, which are now being answered ever year, in blessings upon both ?
"The writer of the above was intimately acquainted with Bishop Doane, and the statements here given were made to him by the Bishop himself."-Rev. John Woart, U. S. A. Jan. 1873.
"AN APPEAL TO PARENTS
FOR FEMALE EDUCATION ON CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES ; WITH A PROSPECTUS OF ST. MARY'S HALL, GREEN BANK, BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY."
Under this title-with a handsome engraving of the attractive property he had secured, preceding it-Bishop Doane issued a " Circular," with this inscription :
" To all who bear the sacred name of daughter, sister, wife or mother, and to all who honor it, this appeal to parents also addresses itself; and to their prayers and patronage the institu- tion now proposed is entrusted and commended."
From this publication, we give the chief points, in its own language :
" An age which has adorned itself, and blessed the world, with the Sunday School enterprise, and the Infant School system-
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an age which has established and multiplied its Schools for- Teachers, has but another step to take, that it may reach the first fountains of our nature, and open its SCHOOLS FOR MOTHERS. The mother is the earliest teacher, and the best. Long before the Sunday School, or even the Infant School is reached, she has given her imprint to the character-an imprint, which. deepens with our years, and, more than all human influences, makes our present life what it is, and gives direction to the life which is to come. Regarding the sex in this, in its highest and holiest relation ; regarding the delicacy, the difficulty, and the responsibility which it involves ; regarding the great end and. aim of life, the divine image formed in the soul, qualifying it for the divine acceptance, through faith which is in Christ Jesus ; regarding the sole means by which this end may be suc- cessfully pursued, religious instruction, religious example, re- ligious influence-is it unreasonable to speak of an Institution, for female education, on Christian principles, as A SCHOOL FOR MOTHERS ? Is it extravagant to believe, that an enterprise,. which, by such means, aims at such an end, cannot in vain appeal to Christians, to patriots, to philanthropists, to men- can, least of all, appeal in vain to the parental heart ?
" Short as the time is, since the project first was entertained, there remains no doubt of its reception with those whose appro- bation antedates the verdict of the public. So far as its pur- poses and plan are known, the enterprise has the cordial sanction and warm interest of some of the highest minds and largest hearts in the land. The first consideration has been the formation of the domestic establishment of the Institu- tion. And, if there needed ever, in a Christian cause, an omen. of success, God has granted it to the present Institution, in ena- bling us to secure, as Chaplain and Head of the Family, and as Matron-in a word, as the adopted parents of the daughters of St. Mary's Hall-the Rev. Dr. EATON, and Mrs. EATON, his wife. Of the HOUSEHOLD which is thus consti- tuted, teachers and scholars will alike be members. They will dwell under the same roof. They will gather round the same table. They will kneel at the same altar. Last
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of all places to be left without ' the care of souls,' is a seat of female education. * * The father of the family will, therefore, also be the shepherd of the lambs. *
Upon our Christian household, for its growth in grace, and in the knowledge and love of God, it is our purpose to bring to bear, to the fullest extent, the institutions, the ordinances, and the influences of the THE CHURCH. It will enjoy the benefit of constant and immediate Episcopal supervision. Its worship, whether in the Chapel, or in the parish Church, will be of kindred character ; and divine service will be attended, not only on the Lord's day, but on all the festivals and fasts of the Christian year. 'The doctrines, constitution, and liturgy of the Church' will be subjects of constant and diligent instruction. Preparation for the apostolic ordinance of confirmation, as indeed for the due reception of both the sacraments, will be kept con- stantly in view ; and, in short, nothing will be left undone to imbue every mind with the principles, and every heart with the piety, of the primitive ages of the Church ; and to render St. Mary's Hall, a nursery of pure and undefiled religion. It is thought best to state distinctly this characteristic of the Institu- tion, that there may be no disappointment and no dissatisfaction. The doors will be open for all. All who desire instruction will be welcome, whatever be their religious birthright, or the pro- fession of their parents. But all who come will be instructed in the same principles, accustomed to the same worship, and trained to the same discipline. There will thus be no division of interest, and no collision of feeling. THE BEST TEACHERS IN every department of SCIENCE, LITERATURE, and THE FINE ARTS, proper to such an institution, shall be pro- cured, and every possible facility shall be afforded, that its pupils, duly improving their opportunities, may become well-instructed and accomplished Christian ladies. As soon as may be, after the organization is complete, a plan of study, suited to this end, to occupy at least three years, after the necessary elements are acquired, will be marked out and adopted, as the regular course of the Institution ; and though scholars will be received for shorter periods, not less than a year, and entered according to
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their proficiency, the preference will always be given to such as will comply with its full requirements. In directing the edu- cation of young ladies, it is a nice matter to distribute in their just proportion, the useful and the ornamental. It will be our aim to make the useful, ornamental, and the ornamental, useful. The hardest woods receive the highest polish. The elegant accomplishment of the sex are never seen to such advantage, as when they crown and grace a well cultivated, a well stored, and a well balanced mind. It is not the time to state, in full detail, the system of instruction. However easy such a sketch might be, and however attractive, it will be far safer and more useful in the retrospect, than it could be in prospective. Suffice it to say, for the general subject, that development, rather than mere acquirement, is regarded as the end-that to be thorough and accurate, will always be required in every undertaking-and that, in all departments, the chief reference will always be to the practical purposes of life. The administration of the busi- ness of instruction, will be committed to A PRINCIPAL TEACHER, a well-educated, experienced and accomplished Christian lady, with assistant teachers in the several branches. All the teachers and officers, will be constantly responsible to the Bishop of the diocese as Patron, and Principal of the establishment. *
All expenditures for the use of the pupils, must be made under the direction of the Head of the family ; with whom all moneys must be lodged. A proper economy will be strictly enjoined on all. Constant attention will be paid to the health, and phys- ical vigour of the pupils ; in furtherance of which a suitable course of exercise will be systematically pursued. In each of the dormitories, an assistant teacher will be constantly present with the scholars, who will all occupy single beds. Every scholar will be expected to attend to all the varieties of plain sewing, and to the various branches of domestic economy, under the direction of the Matron, or other suitable person. The cul- tivation of sacred music, both vocal and instrumental, will be rendered, as nearly as may be, universal. A choir for the Chapel will be selected, of those most competent ; and it will be an object to qualify as many of the pupils as possible, to
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preside at the organ, and to take part in the psalmody of the Church. As an important means of improving the literary taste, and confirming the moral and religious principles, of the scholars, a library of suitable books, in the various departments, will be formed ; to which, additions will, from time to time, be made, under the direction of the Bishop ; and, no other books, besides the school books, and books of devotion, will be allowed within the walls of the Institution. As a grateful acknowledgment to Him who put it into the hearts of men to project and to establish this Institution, for the Christian educa- tion of females, provision is made, and will be continued, for the entirely gratuitous support and instruction of one scholar in every ten, making application as the daughter of a clergyman of the Church, deceased ; or, if living, in necessitous circumstances. Such application to be made known only to the Head of the family, and to the Bishop ; on whose approval it shall be granted.
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