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 47
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
552
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
our struggles, and under the shadow of our infinite grief, we are thankful and hopeful, and, thank God, in 'love, and peace, and unity among ourselves.' "-Parochial Report, May 20th, 1859.
ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE DIOCESE.
St. Mary's Church, Burlington, May 25th, A. D. 1859.
This being the time and place appointed by the Constitution of the Diocese of New Jersey, for. the Annual Convention, the Clergy and Lay Deputies assembled at 10 o'clock.
Morning Prayer was said by the Rev. Messrs. Billopp and Merritt ; the Rev. Messrs. Reid and Weld reading the Lessons. The Rev. Mr. Finch celebrated the Holy Communion, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Williams, the Rev. Dr. Stubbs, and the Rev. E. A. Hoffman. The Rev. John Kelly, rector of St. Paul's Church, Paterson, preached the Convention Sermon from 1 Cor. xiv. 8. For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
The services being concluded, the Secretary announced that a quorum of the Convention was present.
On motion of the Rev. Mr. Dunn, seconded by the Hon. E. B. D. Ogden, the Rev. James A. Williams was unanimously elected President of the Convention.
The Rev. Wm. Croswell Doane was elected Secretary.
The Secretary appointed the Rev. Philander K. Cady his Assistant.
On motion of the Rev. E. A. Hoffman, seconded by Cortlandt Parker, Esq., the following was unanimously adopted :
WHEREAS, This Convention has assembled this day, under circumstances of peculiar solemnity, by reason of the recent decease of its late honored and beloved father in GOD, the Bishop of the Diocese, and cannot proceed to the ordinary business of the session without a tribute of affectionate veneration to his memory ; therefore,
Resolved, Unanimously, at this first opportunity of passing an order, that a committee of five-three clerical and two lay-mem- bers-be appointed to consider and report, what proceedings it is proper for this Convention to take, to testify their sense of the loss which this Diocese has sustained in its sore bereavment, and to do honor to the memory of their late Bishop.
553
IN BURLINGTON.
On motion,
Resolved, That the Rev. President appoint the Committee, of which himself should be the chairman.
On motion of Judge Carpenter the following resolution was adopted :
Resolved, That the election of the Bishop of this Diocese be made the order of the day for to-morrow (Thursday), at 1 P. M., and that a Committee of five, to be named by the Chair, be appointed to report rules of proceeding to be observed in that election.
The report of the Standing Committee was then read, in which are the following :
"Since the Bishop's death, the Standing Committee have held regular weekly meetings, and have endeavored faithfully to dis- charge the new duties imposed upon them as the ecclesiastical authority of the Diocese.
"Their first act, as such, was to assume in behalf of the Diocese, the entire expenses of the Bishop's funeral.
" They have invited the Rev. Dr. Mahan to preach a sermon in St. Mary's Church, Burlington, on the evening of the first day of this Convention, commemorative of the late Bishop of the Diocese, and the invitation has been accepted."
On motion, the Convention adjourned, to attend a memorial service and sermon in St. Mary's Church.
MEMORIAL SERVICE.
At 72 P. M., after Evening Prayer, the Memorial Service was held and sermon preached, which, at the request of the Conven- tion, was afterwards printed. Its title page reads thus :
" The Great-Hearted Shepherd .- The Sermon in memory of the Right Reverend George Washington Doane, D. D., LL. D., late Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey ; preached by request of the Standing Committee, during the session of the Conven- tion of the Diocese, in St. Mary's Church, Burlington, Wednes- day evening, May 25, A. D. 1859, by the Rev. M. Mahan, D. D., S. Mark's-in-the-Bowery, Professor of Ecclesiastical History in the General Theological Seminary."
The text is :
"He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me ? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest
554
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
all things ; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."-ST. JOHN, xxi : 17.
Thursday, May 26, 9 A. M.
Morning prayer was said, by the Rev. Messrs. Jaques and D. Brown, the Rev. Messrs. Goodwin and Arey reading the lessons.
RESOLUTIONS OF THE CONVENTION.
The Committee appointed to consider what proceedings it is proper for this Convention to take, in view of the death of their late Bishop, beg leave respectfully to report the following reso- lutions :
1. Resolved, That as becomes Christian men and members of Christ's Church, we do bow in humble submission under this chastisement of our Heavenly Father's hand; and both as a people and in our individual approaches to the Throne of Grace, do beseech Him to sanctify to us, and to the Church of His love, this His fatherly correction.
2. Resolved, That the remarkable mental and moral charac- teristics of Bishop Doane, his untiring, self-sacrificing and intense devotion of himself, soul, body, and spirit, to the cause to which he consecrated his life, and his eminence as a poet, an orator, and a divine, have identified his name with the history of the Church and the country, and highly distinguished the State of his birth ; and that it is fit that his Diocese should take measures to erect some monument to his memory, worthy to perpetuate his fame.
3. Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed by this Convention, whose duty it shall be, without delay, either solely in behalf of this Convention, or in connection with any who may desire to share the honor, and having due regard to the wishes of his family, to carry out the above resolution.
4. Resolved, That we hereby express to the bereaved family of Bishop Doane, our deep and heartfelt sympathy for their bereavement, and our earnest prayers that God will give them consolation and support here, and in His good time grant to them a blessed re-union with their departed head, where sorrow and sighing shall be no more.
JAMES A. WILLIAMS, EUGENE AUG. HOFFMAN, ROBERT N. MERRITT, E. B. DAYTON OGDEN, CORTLANDT PARKER.
555
IN BURLINGTON.
The following were appointed under the third resolution : the Rev. Messrs. Dunn, E. A. Hoffman, and Merritt, and Messrs. J. C. Garthwaite, and A. Browning.
MODE OF ELECTING A BISHOP.
The Rev. J. W. Shackelford, Chairman of the Committee on the mode of electing a Bishop, offered the following report, which was accepted and adopted :
Resolved, That the election of a Bishop by this body, shall be without nomination or discussion of character, under the follow- ing rules :
I. The vote shall be by ballot, one clergyman and one lay- man being appointed by the Chair, as tellers to receive and count the votes of the clergy, and one layman and one clergyman to receive and count the votes of the laity.
II. The clergy and the laity, during the progress of the elec- tion, shall be seated separately, as may be directed by the Chair, the delegates of each parish being seated together.
III. The clergy and the delegates of the several parishes shall, as called, respectively deposit their votes in the ballot boxes, the name of each clergyman and the name of each parish being distinctly announced at the time of giving the vote, but no one shall be deemed elected, without the concurrence of a majority of the votes of each order present and voting, and that a blank ballot shall be considered a vote.
The Convention then proceeded to the election of officers, and the vote for members of the Standing Committee was taken by order.
The vote of the Rev. Joshua Smith was challenged, but the challenge was not sustained by the Convention, the vote being :
Ayes of the Clergy, 15; nays of the Clergy, 35.
Ayes of the Laity, 25; nays of the Laity, 34.
Divided, 3.
The hour of one having arrived, the order of the day was postponed until the completion of the election of the Standing Committee. The following were elected :
556
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
STANDING COMMITTEE. Of the Clergy. Of the Laity.
Rev. James A. Williams, J. C. Garthwaite,
Alfred Stubbs, D. D., E. B. D. Ogden, E. A. Hoffman, D. Babbitt, M. D.,
R. N. Merritt. A. Browning.
On the completion of this vote, the Convention entered upon the solemnity of designating a Bishop for the Diocese.
ELECTION OF THE THIRD BISHOP OF NEW JERSEY. After singing from the 61st Psalm :
To Thee, O God of hosts, we pray, Thy wonted goodness, Lord, renew ; From Heaven, Thy throne, this vine survey, And her sad state with pity view.
Behold the vineyard made by Thee, Which Thy right hand did guard so long ; And keep that branch from danger free, Which for Thyself Thou mad'st so strong.
Do Thou convert us, Lord, do Thou The lustre of Thy face display ; And all the ills we suffer now, Like scatter'd clouds, shall pass away :
Engaging in' secret prayer, and uniting in selected collects said by the President, the Chairman appointed as tellers :
For the Clerical vote. For the Lay vote. R. Hamilton, Esq., Rev. T. F. Billopp.
Rev. J. Kelly, P. J. Gray, Esq.
The seats for the Clergy and Lay members of the Convention were arranged by the Chair.
The Convention proceeded to ballot for Bishop of the Diocese, in which, with several recesses, it was engaged till 12 M., of May 27th, when the Rev. Dr. Mahan withdrew his name, and the Convention proceeded to the 13th, and final, ballot.
The following table shows the results of the various ballots :
557
BALLOTS.
1st.
2d.
3d.
4th.
5th.
6th
7th.
8th.
9th.
10th.
11th.
12th.
13th.
C.
L.
C.
L.
C. L.
C. L.
C. L.
C. L.
C. L.
C. L.
C. L.
C. L.
C. L.
C. L.
C. L.
Rev. Milo Mahan, D. D.
24 21 23
21 24 22
20 24
17 22 21 29
20,29 23 30
20,30
21:30
17.30
18
6
" Henry J. Morton, D. D.
13
16 15
18.16
18.15
11 1
.
Wm. H. Odenheimer, D. D ...
5 13
6 11
4
10 5 9
2
6 3
5 1 7
7
7
8 14
9 17
16 36
56
" Abram N. Littlejohn, D. D ...
5
2
4
3
4 9 5
20
9
37 23
36 20
34 21
33 20
32 19
31
6 33
3
26 6
4
Eugene A. Hoffman ......
3
6
2
6
1
2
2
2
3
2
2
1
1
2
Andrew B. Paterson, D. D ...
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
" A. Cleveland Coxe, D. D
1
1
1
1
Wm. Herbert Norris ..
2
=
Thos. W. Coit, D. D., LL. D.
1
Divided.
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Blank
2 1
1
2 1
2
3
2
13
..
IN BURLINGTON.
John I. Tucker, D. D.
Morgan Dix.
558
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
At the conclusion of the 13th ballot, the President announced that the Rev. Wm. H. Odenheimer, D. D., having received a majority of the votes of both orders, was elected Bishop. t
On motion of the Rev. Dr. Mahan, seconded by J. C. Garth- waite, Esq., the Convention unanimously declared that the Rev. William Henry Odenheimer, D. D., Rector of St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia, is elected Bishop of New Jersey. On motion of the Rev. E. A. Hoffman, the President appointed a Committee to wait on the Rev. Dr. Odenheimer, and inform him of his election.
The Rev. Mr. Dunn, the senior Presbyter of the Diocese, rose and stated that this was the birthday of our late beloved Bishop, and the day of the month, and almost the hour of the day, on which he entered into his rest, and connecting with this, the unanimity of the election just announced, proposed that the Convention unite in singing the Gloria in Excelsis; after which, the Testimonials required by the Canon, beautifully engrossed on parchment, were brought out and to them were affixed the signatures of sixty-one clergymen, and eighty-nine laymen,- those from Burlington being, of the clergy : the Revs Wm. Croswell Doane, M. F. Hyde, Elvin K. Smith, E. M. Pecke, Chas. Fred. Hoffman, Horatio T. Wells ; and of the laity : J. B. Parker, Thomas Milnor, William A. Rogers, J. Howard Pugh, M. D., Dr. John D. Moore, H. McDowell, Franklin Gauntt, M. D.
THE VACANT RECTORSHIP.
At a meeting of the Vestry of St. Mary's Church, held June 13th, 1859, among other business, Mr. Wm. A. Rogers made a verbal communication from Rev. Charles F. Hoffman, request-
ยก Wm. Henry Odenheimer, son of John W. Odenheimer, was born in Phil- adelphia, Pa., August 11th, 1817; graduated at the University of Pennsyl- vania, (having the Valedictory oration,) July 30th, 1835; also at the General Theological Seminary, New York, June 29th, 1838; was ordained Deacon in St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia, September 2d, 1838, by Bishop H. U. Onder- donk ; became Assistant to the Rev. Dr. DeLancey of St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia, January 10th, 1839, and succeeded to the Rectorship on the consecration of Dr. Delancey to the Episcopate of Western New York ; ordained Priest in St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia, October 3d, 1841, by Bishop H. U. Onderdonk ; received the honorary degree of D. D., from the University of Pennsylvania, July 3d, 1856.
559
IN BURLINGTON.
ing some definite action, on the part of the Vestry, in regard to his continuing in charge of the Church.
On motion, the following resolutions were adopted :
1. Resolved, That it is not expedient to attempt to employ and elect a Rector in the present state of our Church finances.
2. Resolved, That we tender to the Rev. Charles F. Hoffman our thanks for his kindness in consenting to assume, temporarily, (on the sudden decease of our late Rector,) and until further action of the Vestry, the charge of this parish. Our shepherd was truly snatched from us most unexpectedly-but he who had been his associate and Curate, notwithstanding the financial em- barrassments of the Church, did not hesitate to grant us a con- tinuance of his services until we should resolve to adopt some specific action in regard to the future. Under Providence, another Bishop has been elected ; and inasmuch as this parish has enjoyed for many years, the benefit of the counsels and min- istrations of the Bishop of the Diocese, we have also deemed it prudent, and believe it to be in accordance with the wishes of the congregation to forbear making any other engagement until we can have some consultation with the Bishop elect, who will probably adopt this city as the seat of his residence.
3. Resolved, That the Rev. Charles F. Hoffman be tendered the use of the parsonage for the balance of the year.
4. Resolved, That the Wardens request the clergy of this city to conduct the services of the Church, and discharge the duties of the parish.
5. Resolved, That the Secretary be requested to furnish the Rev. Charles F. Hoffman with a copy of these resolutions.
REV. DR. ODENHEIMER ACCEPTS THE EPISCOPATE.
Shortly after the adjournment of the Convention, the Com- mittee, to whom was entrusted the duty of announcing to the Rev. Dr. Odenhiemer his election, placed with the Standing Committee his letter of acceptance.
"Philadelphia, June 24th, 1859.
" Reverend Brethren and Gentlemen :
" Your official communication, announcing to me my election unanimously declared, as Bishop of New Jersey, by the Seventy- Sixth Annual Convention of that Diocese, has received my most serious consideration.
" The contemplation of the awful responsibilities of the Apos- tolic office, joined to the recollection of the manifold labours and
-
560
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
untiring energy of the Prelate whom you have elected me to succeed, fills my soul with unaffected diffidence; nevertheless, believing that it is the call of GOD, and trusting in that great Name wherein alone resides all strength, I accept the nomina- tion.
" Should your choice be ratified and consummated by the General Church, I am prepared, CHRIST helping me, to cease my ministrations at the Altar of my first and only Parish Church of St. Peter's, Philadelphia,-where for nearly twenty-one years I have enjoyed the uninterrupted kindness of the noblest of con- gregations-and share henceforward with the faithful Clergy and Laity of New Jersey in the good work of extending the Gospel and Kingdom of our divine LORD.
With great respect,
" Faithfully and Fraternally yours,
" WILLIAM HENRY ODENHEIMER. " To the Rev. M. Mahan, D. D., Rev. E. A. Hoffman, Rev. Jos. F. Garrison, M. D., Abm. Browning, Esq., R. S. Field, Esq."
CONSECRATION OF THE REV. DR. ODENHEIMER.
"As instructed by the Convention of the Diocese, the Com- mittee forwarded the testimonials of the election of the Rev. Dr. Odenheimer to the Episcopate of this Diocese, to the General Convention, assembled in Richmond, Virginia ; and Thursday, the thirteenth day of October, 1859, was appointed by the pre- siding Bishop for his consecration. Accordingly, on the day named, the solemn service was performed in St. Paul's Church, Richmond, Virginia, in the presence of a vast congregation of clergy and laity.
" The Bishop elect was presented to the Presiding Bishop by the Bishop of Maryland and the Bishop of Pennsylvania. The Rev. Robert B. Croes and the Rev. Wm. C. Doane were present as attending Presbyters, and robed the Bishop elect during the service. It was a touching circumstance that this duty could be performed by sons of the only two Bishops who have hitherto filled the Episcopate of this Diocese. The Rt. Rev. Alfred Lee, D. D., Bishop of Delaware, preached the sermon. The Rt. Rev. Wm. Meade, D. D., of Virginia, Presiding Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Samuel A. McCoskry, D. D., D. C. L., Bishop of Michigan, the Rt. Rev. Wm. R. Whittingham, D. D., Bishop of Mary-
1
Ho . Odauch am
ARTOTYPE, E. BIERSTADT N. Y
1
561
IN BURLINGTON.
land, the Rt. Rev. Carlton Chase, D. D., Bishop of New Hamp- shire, the Rt. Rev. C. S. Hawks, D. D., Bishop of Missouri, the Rt. Rev. Alonzo Potter, D. D., LL. D., Bishop of Pennsylvania, and the Rt. Rev. John Williams, D. D., Assistant Bishop of Connecticut, united in the laying on of hands."-Convention Journal, 1860.
BISHOP ODENHEIMER'S FIRST EPISCOPAL ADDRESS.
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Odenheimer, third Bishop of New Jersey, thus opens his first Episcopal address :
"Brethren beloved in the LORD: It was on the Thursday of the Holy Week of 1859, whilst celebrating the Eucharistic office in my parish church of St. Peter's, Philadelphia, that I was summoned to the bedside of the dying Prelate, who, for nearly twenty-seven years, had presided, as its second Bishop, over the spiritual affairs of this Diocese.
" It was the last time I saw him, until I beheld him at the close of the Easter week as he lay anointed for the burying, with his robes about him, looking in death as all along in life, like a Prince of the Church.
" I am not unacquainted with the history of this Diocese, and with the trials, as well as the labours of the late Bishop; and from the nature of our intercourse I think myself possessed of a knowledge of his character and purposes.
" He was not only unselfish, but at times utterly regardless of self; and the conviction that he was right, led him to withhold explanations and to decline action, which would often have dis- armed opposition, and which the instincts of self preservation, had he cared at all for self, would have prompted.
"In controversy-Theological, Canonical, or Legal-he was an opponent that one would not willingly encounter the second time, and yet he was full of genial impulses, accessible to kind- ness, and never deliberately uttering an unloving word, nor per- sistently doing an ungentle action.
" As combining, in his own person, some of the finest attri- butes of Friend, Scholar, Poet, Patriot, Pastor, and Bishop, he is worthy of a place among the most remarkable Ecclesiastics of
2 N
562
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
this, or of any age; and the future historiographer of the Ameri- can Church, when he shall calmly contemplate the intellectual works which Bishop Doane projected and accomplished, will describe him as the 'myriad minded' Bishop; and if the full evidence of all the physical work which he wrought shall be known, he might add, the myriad handed Bishop.
" On the 27th day of May you elected me to the Episcopate of this Diocese.
"The acceptance of your call, honorable as it was, could be no easy matter for any man, who, in addition to the cares of the Apostolic office, considered the character and career of the dis- tinguished Prelate whom he was to succeed. Had I looked to myself, nothing could have induced me to exchange the grateful repose of Pastoral subordination, for the inherent disquietude of Episcopal responsibility. But believing that it was God's will, and trusting in that great Name wherein alone resides all strength, and relying on the sympathy and co-operation of the generous Churchmen of New Jersey, I accepted your nomination.
" On the 13th of October, at the General Convention held in Richmond, Va., your choice was consummated by my Consecra- tion, and I am here to-day to meet you, for the first time, Brothers Clerical and Lay of the Diocese, to take counsel in our Annual Convention, for the advancement of the faith and Church of our love.
"Thursday, October 13th, 1859 .- My first official act after my Consecration was to write and publish the following Pastoral Letter, a copy of which was duly sent by the Rev. Secretary of this Convention to the authorities of every Parish in the Diocese :
"' Richmond, Va., October 13th, 1859.
""'A PASTORAL LETTER FROM THE BISHOP OF NEW JERSEY.
"' To the Clergy and Laity of the Diocese of New Jersey :
"'BRETHREN BELOVED IN THE LORD-Your choice of a Bishop has been consummated this morning, by my Consecra- tion to the Episcopate of New Jersey ; and I make it my first official act to offer you, one and all, this my salutation and
563
IN BURLINGTON.
blessing. If it please God, I shall be among you as soon as possible after the adjournment of the General Convention, and in the meanwhile I invite such communications from my Reverend Brethren of the Clergy, as may enable me to under- stand their wishes in regard to Episcopal Services.
"'May the blessing of God Almighty-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
" 'Affectionately, your Bishop, "'W. H. ODENHEIMER.'"
BISHOP ODENHEIMER NO STRANGER IN BURLINGTON.
"All Saints' Day, November 1st .- At noon, in the Chapel of the Holy Innocents, Burlington, I celebrated the Holy Com- munion, and addressed the pupils of St. Mary's Hall on the opening of the new term. Although this was my first official act within the walls of this Institution, I was no stranger to the place and its associations. For seven years I had chosen Bur- lington for a summer residence for my family, and I was almost daily welcomed at the Hall by Bishop Doane, officiating at its services, acquainted with the Teachers and Pupils, and watch- ing the growth of this goodly vine planted by the hand, and nourished with the tears and life blood of the great Prelate, whose perpetual monument and praise it will remain, I trust, to the latest generation. *
" Wednesday November 9th .- At Burlington College, Bur- lington, I attended a meeting of the Board of Trustees of that Institution, which under God's blessing and the hearty co-operation of Churchmen may be made, I trust, to fulfil the intention of its founder, my Right Reverend Predecessor.
" Friday, November 25th .- Said the Daily Morning and Evening Prayer in St. Mary's Church, Burlington. I will here
A sacramental knife, with a silver handle in the form of a Latin cross, in use in the parish, has this inscription : "St. Mary's Church, Burlington. Offering of a Priest." A note, in the handwriting of the Rev. Dr. Oden- heimer, of which the following is a transcript, lines the box in which it is kept : "A Thank Offering to the LORD for His mercy in restoring to health, and thus continuing to the Church, the wise counsel and effective labour of His servant, the Bishop of New Jersey ; humbly presented and placed on the Altar of 'The Chapel of the Holy Child JESUS,' by a Priest of the Catholic Church in Penn- sylvania, Christmas Day, 1853."
564
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
state, that I do not consider it necessary to record always my share in the Daily Prayer of the Church, unless an Address, or other special act shall require it. Accustomed for many years to have access to a daily public worship of Almighty God, I must always desire to avail myself, as a Christian man and not simply as a Bishop, of the privilege wherever a House of Prayer may be opened for Divine Service."-Episcopal Address, 1860.
THE DEATH OF MRS. DOANE.
Mrs. Doane entered into rest, Nov. 10th, 1859, at Florence, in Italy, " exactly six months," writes her son, " from the day on which she received the tidings of her bereavement." A corres- pondent of the Church Journal gives the following tribute to her memory :
" A mission of love led Mrs. Doane to Europe in October, 1856, and detained her there, a ministering angel to dear invalids. There, the news of her great affliction reached her. The mother's love was still strong to bear, and kept her for a brief space by the dear one's couch ; but the wife's heart was broken, and very soon the faithful, loving nurse was missed from her accustomed place, for the silver cord was loosening, and in a few short months, her freed spirit rejoiced with his in the Paradise of God.
"Gifted with beauty, wealth, station, the most devoted love of family and friends, she had yet no thought for self. She only lived to minister to others. With equal truth can it be said of her, as of Bishop Doane, she 'went about doing good,' dispens- ing sunshine in every darkened dwelling. Every one who has lived in Burlington since Mrs. Doane became a resident here, knows how freely her wealth flowed out to all who were in need. And, in St. Mary's Parish, who that has ever been in 'trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity,' has not treasured memories of Mrs. Doane's love and. sympathy, and, if need be helping hand ? Was a child kept from Sunday School or Church for want of shoes or suitable clothing? Mrs. Doane supplied them. Did any poor widow dread the approach of Winter, with no fuel in store? It was at her door, and Mrs. Doane sent it. Was there an invalid longing for fresh air, with- out the means of enjoying it? Mrs. Doane had thought of this, and sent a carriage. And every year, what bountiful provision was made, that every poor man's family in the parish should be gladdened with the Christmas feast ? Nor was Mrs. Doane's bounty confined to St. Mary's parish and the little city of Bur-
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.