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 40
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"Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Benjamin Davis Winslow, A. M., assistant to the Rector of St. Mary's Church, who died Nov. 21, MDCCCXXXIX, in the twenty-fifth year of his age, ' looking unto Jesus.' The Bishop of New Jersey, to whom he was as a son, thus sorrows for him, as a father ; but not as they who have no hope; since them who sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him." t
DEATH OF A STUDENT IN THEOLOGY.
About the middle of the north side, of St. Mary's Church- yard, there is a horizontal slab, on which we read : "Beneath
+ In the stained glass window, on the South side of the choir, in the chancel of the new St. Mary's Church, we read :
IN MEMORIAM Rev.
Hujus Ecclesice Rectorem adju
Benjamin Davis Winslow, A. M. vantis, A. D. MDCCCXXXIX.
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this stone rest the mortal remains of JAMES C. HULME, whose- redeemed spirit entered into glory February 29th, 1840. He- was born in Burlington, N. J., Septr. 30th, 1809. Being born again through the grace of God, he devoted himself to the Min- istry of the Gospel in the Protestant Episcopal Church. In his- education for this purpose he was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and a student in the Theological Seminary of Virginia ; but before his preparation for an earthly ministry was finished, God called him to minister in the Church above. Meekness and gentleness, the fruits of spiritual piety, combined. to render him attractive to the many friends, whose love encom- passed him on earth, and to evince his meetness for the king- dom of God, whither he has gone. His hope rested upon the. perfect obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom being jus- tified by faith he had peace with God. 'Thou wilt keep him. in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he- trusteth in thee.' Isaiah xxvi., 3."
BISHOP DOANE ACCEPTS AN INVITATION TO VISIT ENGLAND.
" When the act of the British parliament was passed, in 1786,, authorizing the Archbishop of Canterbury to consecrate Bishops for the United States of America, without the usual oaths of supremacy and obedience, it was expressly provided that no per- sons receiving consecration by virtue of that Act, or receiving. consecration or ordination from those consecrated under it, should be permitted to officiate within the jurisdiction of the Church of England. Whatever had been the original occasion for any such restriction had, in the judgment of all, long since ceased to exist ; and those whose office or whose relations made them familiar with its operation in the prevention of catholic intercourse, and in the seeming disparagement of the Orders of a sister Church, had long desired its removal. It was not until the last year that this result, chiefly through the agency of the present venerable Primate, f was happily accomplished.
"The first moment of the repeal of these disabilities was embraced by the author's kind and zealous friend, the Vicar of
t The Most Reverend William Howley, D. D., Lord Archbishop of Canter- bury.
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Leeds, to urge his visiting his brethren of the Church of Eng- land ; and the approaching consecration of the magnificent par- ish Church, which, chiefly through his exertions, has the just repute of being the noblest sacred structure reared in modern times, in England, was eloquently pressed upon him as the fit occasion. Objectionable as the Act must be regarded in some of its details, it seemed a Catholic duty to accept a Catholic overture in a Catholic spirit; and the decision to accept the invitation of the Vicar of Leeds, t cordially approved as it was by his most excellent Diocesan, was sent to him by the return of mail."-Introduction to Bp. Doane's Sermons, London, 1842.
ACTION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE BISHOP'S PROPOSED ABSENCE.
At the annual Convention, held in St. Mary's, Burlington, May 26th and 27th, 1841, during the proceedings of the second day, the Bishop having called the Rev. Dr. Barry to the Chair, retired, when the following resolutions relative to the departure of the Bishop of the diocese on a visit to Europe, were presented by Charles King, Esq., and unanimously adopted :
" Resolved,-That this Convention have heard with mingled feelings of gratification and regret, that the Bishop of this diocese is about to separate himself from it by a brief absence ; gratification, that the intercourse between the Church in Eng- land and that in America, so long interrupted by restrictions of state policy, will be renewed, by his visit, in strict accordance with Catholic principles and ancient usage; regret, that even in such a cause, and with such an object, the Diocese is to be deprived for a time of his labours and example-labours and example directed by a mind so enlightened, a heart so sound, and a zeal and an ability so pre-eminent and successful.
" Resolved,-That we humbly and confidently trust that the renewal of friendly intercourse between the branches of the Church Catholic in England and America, under auspices like the present, will contribute by the Divine blessing, to extend and strengthen the holy influence of 'Evangelical Truth and Apostolic Order' in their purity and integrity ; and to revive that spirit in both Churches, which, in by-gone days, made our venerable Mother the glory of Christendom, the 'bulwark of the Reformation.'
+ The Rev. Walter Farquhar Hook.
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" Resolved,-That we hereby assure our Right Reverend Father in God, of our affectionate interest in his safety and wel- fare during his proposed voyage and visit ; and that our prayers shall ascend to Him, in whose hands are all the corners of the earth, that He will be pleased to guide and guard him in his absence, and to restore him speedily to the flock over which the Chief Shepherd hath set him, to the comfort and joy of us all."
BISHOP DOANE'S WELCOME IN ENGLAND.
" The present writer, from the moment that he set his foot with the dear friend f who bore him company, upon the shore of England, has never ceased to rejoice in this determination : and while his heart shall own a pulse, it cannot cease to swell, in grateful recollection of the love, which welcomed him to every altar, and to every hearth, as an own brother, of the blood, and in the faith. Every where, his office of a Bishop was the passport to all hearts. Every where, the kindred of the blood and of the faith, which binds the nations and the Churches both in one, was owned and marked by tearful eyes and quivering lips. Every where, the noble sentiment of the Archbishop of Canterbury, ¿ that ' the surest pledge of perpetual peace between the countries was to be found in their community of faith, and in the closeness of their ecclesiastical intercourse,' was cheered, with an enthusiasm which proved, beyond the power of words, how deeply and intensely to the English heart still clings the love of brethren and of kindred. Nothing ever so acceptable to Englishmen, as the assurance, always received with acclama- tions which bore with them the whole fervent spirit, that the desire for peace and closest intercourse between the countries was perfectly reciprocal; and that the true American, in its affections as in its descent, was still an English heart.
" Where all, Archbishops and Bishops, Clergy and Laity, vied with each other in expressions of affection and respect,
¡ The Rev. Benjamin I. Haight, Rector of All Saints' Church, New York, who accompanied the Author, at his request, was the constant partaker and promoter of his joy.
į At the public distribution of prizes at King's College, London, by his Grace; in reference to the Author's presence on that occasion, most kindly noticed by the Bishop of London.
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enumeration and discrimination were alike impracticable. The single measure of the offering was its opportunity ; and the sole regret, that the Author's dutiful necessity to be present at the General Convention of his Church, laid on such blessed opportunity so strait and strict a limit.
" Happier hours than the Author has thus passed, before the sacred altars, and beside the happy hearths, of this, his Father- land-and most especially in that dear Christian home from which these lines are dated-are not permitted to man. Blessed be God for the proof which they afford, that the one heart-bond which neither time nor distance can affect, is Catholic truth maintained in Catholic love !"-Bp. Doane, at Battersea Rise, August 30th, 1841.
THE BISHOP'S ADDRESS TO HIS CONVENTION, AFTER HIS RETURN.
" My Brethren of the Clergy and Laity :
" The act in which you last engaged, was one of which my heart can never lose the record. At the call of catholic love, and for the testimony of catholic truth, I was about to visit the altars, where our fathers' faith was nourished, and to worship in her temples, whom their grateful hearts acknowledged, as THE MOTHER CHURCH. Unsolicited, and without the slightest ex- pectation on my part, your generous action made the case your own. You poured the feelings of your hearts out, in such words of manly tenderness, as melted mine. You caught, as at a glance, the aspect of my errand ; and in the fittest words gave it its true expression. You offered me the assurance of your affectionate interest and prayers. Under the protection of your faithful prayers, I went. In answer to them, met with every favour that heart could wish, or hand could give. And, by the blessing which they brought, am here with you again, to take 'sweet counsel together,' and to walk 'in the house of God, as friends.' Fervently, for these His mercies, to me, the least worthy of his servants, do I pour out my thanks to Him. Earnestly do I beseech Him, that this His goodness may in- spire me with a better purpose to do all His will, and with the
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needful grace ; kindle my heart with holy love, to be a whole burnt offering on His altar, and accept, for Jesus' sake, the worthless sacrifice !
" Time would fail me, did I undertake to speak to you of the satisfactions of my catholic pilgrimage. There is the less occa- sion for it, as its chief results are made accessible in other ways. Suffice it to say, that in nothing was I disappointed. High as my thoughts had been of England, and the Church of England, they were more than realized. Whether our national or our ec- clesiastical descent be thought of, the daughter has good reason to thank God for such a mother. And for the sympathy, the kindness, the heart-love, which everywhere was lavished on me, as a brother of the blood, and Bishop of the Church, which makes us one, in nature, and in grace, no words of mine can tell them, as no change or chance can weaken their remem- brance. From the day when I first waited as in duty bound, upon the venerable Primate, and put into his hands the resolu- tions which afforded him so much delight ; until the day but one before my embarkation, when, with exulting heart, I stood before that mighty congregation,t and rehearsed your words of love, one theme fired every tongue, one thought filled every heart : the daughter land, the sister Church ; peace with the one, all blessings upon both ! Let us reciprocate the feeling. Let us return the prayer. The Apostolic Church of England, the bulwark of the Reformation, the glory of all lands, the nursing-mother of our own-' peace be within ' her 'walls,' ' prosperity within ' her ' palaces !'-Episcopal Address, May 26th, 1842.
DAILY MORNING SERVICE.
" There has been daily morning service in this Church, with evening service also on all the holy days, since Ash Wednesday. The offertory is made on every Lord's Day, and the public cat- echising is on the afternoon of the first in every month. The demand for additional accommodations has led to the appoint-
; At the consecration of the Parish Church, at Leeds.
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ment of a Committee of the Vestry to report a plan for the far- ther enlargement of the Church. In the month of November last, the Rev. Frederick Ogilby retired from the office of Assist- ant Minister of this Church, to enter on the Rectorship of the Church of the Ascension, in the city of Philadelphia. He had greatly endeared himself to the parishioners in his brief inter- course with them, and carries with him their sincere affection and respect. His removal is a loss to the diocese, and to me a severe bereavement. Happily, the Catholic Church is one ; so that the loss to one member of it becomes the gain to another. Wherever he may be, he has my blessing with him."+-Episcopal Address, June 1st, 1843.
EXTRAORDINARY RESOLUTIONS OF THE VESTRY.
At a meeting of the Vestry held at their Vestry Room, on Thursday, 21st September, A. D. 1843, at 7 o'clock P. M., pur- suant to notice.
"PRESENT-Wardens, Messrs. Kinsey and Milnor. Vestry- men, Messrs. Wilson, Shedaker, Hall, McCoy, C. Larzelere, Hulme, and J. Larzelere, junior. The Rector being absent, Chas. Kinsey, Senior Warden, presided.
"Two Accounts from James Horn for his daily attendance at the Church, the one for 118 days at 25 cts. pr day, to July 19th, 1843, $29.50 ; the other 10 weeks and 2 days, twice a day, at 50 cents pr day, $31, amounting to $60.50, were presented before the Vestry for payment, whereupon, on motion of Mr. Wilson, it was
"1. Resolved, That as the said daily service at the Church was unauthorized by the Vestry, and the daily attendance of the sexton was not required by them, the Vestry therefore refuse
+ The Rev. Frederick Ogilby, and wife, in September, 1840, passed a week with the Rev. Dr. Hook, Vicar of Leeds, in England. During this visit, at the request of Dr. Hook, he preached in the old parish Church of that place. It was the first time that a clergyman in American orders preached in Eng- land after the enabling act of July, 1840. A member of Parliament, walking home from Church with Mrs. Ogilby, remarked to her, that he was " agreeably disappointed in the sermon, as he expected, perhaps, to hear something of the Sam Slick order" (!) This service occurred a year before the consecration of the new Church at Leeds, which took place September 2d, 1841, when Bishop Doane preached.
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to pay the said Accounts or any part thereof, and that they will not pay to the sexton, for his attendance and services at the Church, any further compensation than the annual salary agreed to be paid to him.
" 2. Resolved, That the Ringing of the Church Bell be dis- pensed with and omitted, excepting on Holy and Fast days.
"3. Resolved, That a copy of these Resolutions, certified by the Secretary, be delivered to the Rector, and Sexton."
BISHOP DOANE'S PROPOSED RESIGNATION OF THE RECTOR- SHIP. "Riverside, 9 Oct. 1843.
" MY DEAR SIR,-I readily comply with your request to fur- nish you a statement of the facts connected with my notice of resignation of the Rectorship of St. Mary's Church; with a view to laying the matter before Mr. Binney. He is particu- larly well qualified to advise you in the premises.
"On my return home, on the 29th day of September, after an absence most undesirably prolonged, I found waiting for me the Resolutions of the Vestry, which are herewith enclosed ; a copy of which, I understand had in like manner been served upon the Sexton. The circumstances connected with this action of the Vestry, are briefly these : During the season of Lent, which was also the Confirmation season, in this parish, there had been daily morning prayer, with occasional evening services. The attendance had been so good, the interest so lively, and the influence apparently so beneficial, that, at the close of that sea- son when I was setting out on my Spring Visitation, I felt reluctant to announce their discontinuance. The Rev. Dr. Lyons kindly offering to perform the duty in my absence, I was enabled to continue the service as before; never engaging for more however than from week to week. The service was con- tinued to the time of my leaving here, July 15th, and about that time the daily evening service was added. The bell had always been rung without any direction from me, in accordance with the printed regulation of the Vestry which directs that it shall be at every appointed service. I was of course, not igno-
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IN BURLINGTON.
rant that the duties of the Sexton were thus increased ; and intended at a proper time, to see that he was properly remun- erated. I could not but feel that the action of the Vestry on the subject in my absence and without consultation with me was- hasty, and to be regretted. I was sorry to find that, for a week the services had been intermitted ; the Rev. Mr. Germain and the Rev. Dr. Lyons being unwilling, in my absence, to go on, under the circumstances. On my return I announced the daily services as usual. I was obliged to leave home again on Mon- day ; and am informed since I came back, that the bell was not rung, I refer on this subject, not only to the By-Laws accom- panying the Charter, but to the printed directions to the Sexton which are suspended in the Vestry room.
" On Saturday evening, 30th September, I had an interview, by their appointment with the Wardens. They informed me, that at each of two Vestry meetings, during my absence, of which I had not been notified ; (see Section 2 of Article 2 of the By-Laws,) Resolutions had been proposed instructing or requesting the Rector, or whoever should officiate in his absence, to wear the gown in delivering the Sermon and to deliver it from the Pulpit; and they assured me that such Resolutions would have been passed, had they not pledged themselves to see. me, on my return and state the facts to me. In reply to my remark, that the Vestry surely would not pass Resolutions that were beyond their province, (see Pastoral Letter on the Duties. of Wardens and Vestrymen, setting forth the law of the Diocese on this subject since 1804,) and which they had not the power. to enforce; it was claimed, as to the first point, to be their. province to direct the Rector as to the postures, places and vest- ments to be used in public worship ; and, as to the second, that they had the power to carry their resolutions into effect. In reply to my inquiry, how ? it was alledged, that they might reduce the salary of the Rector ; or, that they might avail them- selves of the provision, in Section 11 of the Charter, to 'dis- charge' the minister. I contented myself with denying the validity of the Charter of 1793, as superseded by the action of the parishioners in 1835, in placing themselves under the 'Act
1
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to incorporate religious Societies worshipping according to the customs and usages of the Protestant Episcopal Church.' Both the charter and the act accompany this letter.
"It is proper to state that my interview with the Wardens was altogether friendly in its terms and tenour ; that I did not understand them as defending or disavowing for themselves the views of the Vestry ; and that I regarded their action in staying the passage of the Resolution till my return as done in kindness and respect to me. The interview was terminated by my saying that I could not admit the right of the Vestry to instruct or in any way attempt to influence the course of the Rector, in the discharge of his spiritual duties ; and could yield no compliance to their wishes ; and that I did not doubt that on reflection they would see the propriety of my course, and take no farther measures. That if they did-though I would not hold myself bound to make the trial-the parishioners would doubtless find some way to make their wishes known ; and that by their will my course would be regulated. If they concurred with the Ves- try, I could no longer hold the office of Rector. If they did not, the Vestry would govern themselves accordingly.
" On Sunday, 1st October, I pursued my usual course. In regard to the point in hand, it may be well to say, that I have for years been of opinion that the prevailing arrangements of our Churches were unfavourable, both to the true idea of wor- ship, and to the true uses of instruction. It is a very long time, I believe, as much as three years since, I have gone into the pulpit, or worn the gown, in my familiar exposition of the Holy Scriptures, in the afternoon; feeling that the opposite course was inconsistent with that familiarity, which I regard as one of its most desirable characteristics. No intimation ever reached me that it was unpleasant to any member of the congregation. When at a subsequent period, the Rector of Trinity Church, Princeton, asked my approval of his use of the surplice only, in the public services of the Church, I gave it, with my reasons. In my address at the following Convention, I recorded and de- clared that approval. Consistency dictated its adoption. In the same manner, as will be seen in my last address to the Con-
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vention, I declared and recorded my settled conviction, as to the elevation of the preacher above his hearers. I did not hesitate, after that, to do, in the morning, as I had before done in the afternoon ; to bring the delivery of the written sermon to the level of the more familiar exposition of the word of God; and to do it in the same vesture. This was on the first Sunday in June. Until the 29th day of September it was never intimated to me that it was unacceptable; and then in the way described above.
" Leaving home on Monday morning, and returning on Sat- urday, I had time to consider the case. I was assured by the Wardens, that a meeting of the Vestry would be speedily de- sired, and that resolutions such as are spoken of above, would be passed. It would then remain for me to comply, or to appeal to the parishioners against the Vestry. The first I could not do, as it would be an admission of a wrong of unlimited and indefinable extent ; since the Vestry might go on to pass their judgment on the substitution of frequent administration of the Communion for its quarterly administration, on the public catechising of the children, on the observance of holy days, and other more frequent services, on the use of the offertory, &c., &c., all of which had been introduced since my Rectorship. The second I would not do ; since it would put me at once in direct collision with some of my parishioners. In either case the ex- ample would be injurious to my Diocese and the Church. I therefore deliberately resolved to withdraw from the Rector- ship, and thus prevent the possibility of a controversy, in which I should be a party.
"I beg to be understood, that in doing so I feel not the slightest ill will towards any individual. I have taken no offence, and make no complaint. The ground of my action is briefly this : I was induced to accept, and have continued to hold, the Rectorship of St. Mary's Church, that I might illus- trate, for the instruction of my clergy, the pastoral office in its practical detail. I have done so successfully. In this way the offerings of the Church, the public catechising, &c., &c., have been more effectually introduced into the Diocese. But this
2 H
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motive could only hold while I should be free to act as Rector, under the responsibility proper to my office. The moment my action should be interfered with the example would become injurious.
" It amounts to this, then. If in the judgment of those whom I have sought to serve, as God enabled me for ten years, my age and office with the accompanying responsibilities and experi- ence, do not entitle me to their entire and cordial confidence, to judge and act for myself, subject to Canonical restraint and to the restraints of public opinion, it becomes me to retire. Other than that, I am theirs to live and die with them.
" Only one thing farther. If the Charter of 1793 is of bind- ing force, so far as the provision to 'discharge' the minister extends, I shall feel bound to advise no clergyman to accept the Rectorship. It is inconsistent with the legislation of the Church, (see Canon 33 of the General Convention of 1832,) and with the very essence of the office. I owe it to myself to say, that when I accepted the Rectorship, I did not know of its existence ; and that I have always supposed, and still do, that it was super- seded by the action of 1835. If Mr. Binney's opinion is asked, as I hope it may be, on this point, he should be made acquainted with the action of the Parish in 1835, a record of which is in the Vestry book, which is now in the possession of Charles Kinsey, Esq.
" I have thus furnished you as you desire, with a complete statement of the facts and circumstances connected with my determination to resign the Rectorship of St. Mary's Church, and am with sincere regard, your faithful friend and servant.
"G. W. DOANE."
A COMMUNICATION REJECTED AND RETURNED.
" At a meeting of the vestry of St. Mary's Church, held at their Vestry Room, on Tuesday, the 10th October, 1843, at 7 o'clock P. M. pursuant to adjournment ;
Present, The Rector.
Wardens, Messrs. Kinsey & Milnor.
Vestrymen, Messrs. Shedaker, Hall, Hulme and McCoy.
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