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 54
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THE DEATH OF MR. EDWARD B. GRUBB.
"September 23, 1867 .- A special meeting of the Vestry was held this evening at the call of the Rector.
" The Committee appointed to prepare Resolutions on the death of Mr. Grubb, reported as follows :
"The Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Mary's Church, Burlington, having learned that GOD has taken out of this world the soul of our deceased brother, Edward B. Grubb-for many years an active member of the Vestry and a faithful steward in the discharge of his duties-
"Resolved, That in the death of Mr. Grubb this body has ex- perienced a loss which it will be hard to supply, and would hereby express their deep sense of his most valuable services to the Parish during his official connection with it. As Treasurer of the Church, and the wise financial counsellor to whom all deferred-his firmness and fidelity to sound principles, his accuracy and promptness, aided greatly in carrying it through a crisis in its history which could scarcely have been successfully passed without his support.
"Resolved, That while they cherish his beloved memory as the judicious friend, the Christian gentlemen, and fellow-member
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with themselves of the Church of Christ; they express their cordial sympathy with the bereaved ones of his family and their full trust that GOD having accepted him 'in the Beloved,' has taken his soul in the sweet resting place of his saints, and refreshed it with the light of his countenance.
"Resolved, That this be entered on the books of the Vestry and a copy sent to the family of Mr. Grubb, and published in the New Jersey Dollar Newspaper and Gospel Messenger."
THE DEATH OF THOMAS MILNOR.
" Treasurer's office, March 17th, 1868 .- A special meeting of the Vestry was held this evening. The Rector stated that the object of calling the meeting was to take action with regard to the death of Thomas Milnor, Senior Warden of this Parish.
" The following was offered and unanimously adopted :
" WHEREAS, This Vestry have learned with deep grief of the death of Thomas Milnor, Esqr., Senior Warden of St. Mary's Church :
" Resolved, That while we bow in submission to the Will of GOD, we wish to express our unfeigned sorrow at the loss of one who for twenty-two years served the Parish faithfully in the office of Warden ; and to offer our heartfelt sympathies to the members of his bereaved household.
" Resolved, That his memory should be ever cherished in St. Mary's Church for the fidelity shown to her best interests ; and especially, when for long years as Treasurer, in times of diffi- culty and danger, his unfailing liberality sustained the Parish, and carried it safely through many emergencies and trials.
" Resolved, That we keep in lasting honor the memory of one, who by his upright walk as a man and a citizen, his courtesy and benevolence, showed the influence of that Christian Faith which was his confidence through life, and his comfort at the hour of death.
" Resolved, That the Vestry as a body attend the funeral of their deceased brother and associate, and that a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family of Mr. Milnor, and published in the Burlington Gazette and Gospel Messenger."
LETTER FROM RICHARD E. BULL.
May 13th .- At a stated meeting of the Vestry of St. Mary's Parish, held this evening, the following from Mr. Richard E. Bull, formerly a member of this Parish, now residing in England, was ordered to be entered upon the minutes :
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" Elverton, York, Feast of the Annunciation,
" March 25, 1868.
" REV'D SIR AND GENTLEMEN-The result of the investiga- tion respecting the Deed was unlooked for, yet withal so grateful to my feelings, that the only regret I feel is that it was not worth $5000.
" The application of the money is, also, most satisfactory ; and I am truly thankful to Almighty GOD, by whose Providential guidance so excellent an arrangement has been made.
" Burlington, both in its spiritual and temporal interests, will command my best wishes for its future prosperity.
" Gentlemen, I thank you for your kind testimonial, which I assure you will ever call forth my grateful remembrance.
" I am, Rev'd Sir and Gentlemen, "Your obliged and ob't servant,
" RICHARD ELLIS BULL.
" To the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Mary's Church, Burlington."
THE BISHOP OF ALBANY.
" January 14th, 1869 .- At a special meeting of the Vestry, Dr. Pugh offered the following, which was unanimously adopted : " In view of the election of our former Rector, the Rev. Wil- liam Croswell Doane, S. T. D., as first Bishop of the Diocese of Albany, we, the representatives of the Parish in which so much of his life was spent, and to the Rectorship of which he was called as the successor of his honoured Father, desire to place on record our gratification at this result ; and to transmit to the Bishop-elect our most cordial congratulations, as well as to ex- press afresh our recognition of his sound learning, eminent abil- ities, and untiring devotion to all the duties of his priestly office, which we believe to be the best qualifications for the work of a Bishop in the Church of GOD."
A MISSIONARY GUILD ORGANIZED.
"A Ladies' society has been organized to work for the cause of Missions, under the title of the 'Church Missionary Guild of St. Mary's Parish.' It has already done a good work, and promises in the future to be useful in many ways."-Parochial Report, 1869.
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SCHOLARSHIPS FOUNDED.
" I report, also, with grateful emotions, the donation from an unknown benefactor, through his Excellency Marcus L. Ward, Governor of New Jersey, of two thousand dollars, to found two Scholarships, one in Burlington College, and one in St. Mary's Hall. These foundations are to be known as the 'Marcus L. Ward Scholarship,' and the 'Archibald Shaw Odenheimer Scholarship.'
" As the generous lady, who has endowed these Scholarships, is unknown, I desire, for myself and the Trustees of the Insti- tutions, to make this public record of our grateful appreciation of her liberality, and of her most acceptable contribution to the cause of Christian education.
" Our thanks are also due to the late Governor of New Jersey, who has forwarded the intentions of the donor, and manifested his interest in the Institutions, of the Trustees of which he is ex officio the President."-Episcopal Address, 1869.
LEGACY FROM MRS. ROBARDET.
" July 30th, 1869 .- At a special meeting of the Vestry, the Rector stated that the object of calling the meeting was to re- ceive the legacy of Mrs. Sarah C. Robardet.} The following was adopted :
" WHEREAS, Mrs. Sarah C. Robardet, of this city, died May 19th, 1868, and by the Codicil to her Will, dated Nov. 20th, 1866, duly proved, and recorded in June, 1868, devised to the Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Mary's Church, $5000, payable in one year after her decease, in trust, towards erecting a Parsonage and furnishing the same, and the executors, John D. Abercrombie and Franklin Woolman, propose to pay the same by assigning to us good mortgages to the amount of $5000, upon receiving the interest due on them to 19 of May, inclusive, and also the government tax on legacies of $300, which has to
+ "May 21st, 1868 .- At a meeting of the Vestry, the Rector offered the following :
"WHEREAS, it has pleased Almighty GOD to take out of this world the soul of our deceased sister, Mrs. Sarah C. Robardet, she having arrived at the age of 93 years, and being the oldest member of the Parish-therefore,
"Resolved, That as a mark of respect, the Vestry attend the funeral in a body."
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be paid by us; and whereas, it is desirable to keep said legacy to the full amount of $5000, on motion it was
" Resolved, That the Treasurer pay out of the funds of the. Church the said government tax of $300, and also the interest due to May 19th, inclusive, on said mortgages, to be repaid back when he receives the interest on the same."
RESIGNATION OF THE REV. WILLIAM ALLEN JOHNSON.
" House of Samuel Rogers, (Senior Warden) March 9th, 1870 .- A stated meeting of the Vestry was held at 8 P. M.
" The Rector retiring, Mr. Rogers took the chair.
" The following, from the Rector, was read :
" Burlington, March 9th, 1870.
" To the Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Mary's Parish :
" GENTLEMEN-I feel it to be a necessity (and a most painful one to me) to come to a decision and put an end to a struggle- which has been agitating my mind for some time past.
" I have been led to believe it to be my duty to retire from the charge of St. Mary's Parish, and think it due to you and to the Parish, to notify you thus in advance in offering my resig- nation, to take effect on the 1st of July next.
" I deeply feel the serious responsibility I incur in voluntarily withdrawing from a field of useful labor for the Master, in which His Providence has placed me.
" The very fact that to take this course is so great a trial to, myself and my family, induces the probabilities of its being a duty.
" Many reasons always concur in leading one to such a decision.
" The more pressing and decisive ones are such as these :
" While not at all ill, nor wishing to assign my health as the reason, doing full clerical duty as I have all along done-I yet feel, after five years' work in this large and laborious Parish, a sense of physical and mental exhaustion, a craving for entire rest and change of life, which is something to be experienced rather than described. These feelings are not transient. They have been steadily growing in power, and I believe I ought to heed them as a voice of Providence, warning me that my system is overtasked here, and must be relieved from the strain.
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"Then my children are constitutionally delicate. The heat of the summer, in all the plain country along the coast, is ex- cessive and debilitating. The happiness and usefulness of all their future lives would probably be influenced by a removal to a more bracing climate in a hilly country, and to a more com- pletely rural life.
"I have endeavored to meet their case by sending them away every summer, for a long period, but this entails great expense and separation of the household, which becomes more undesira- ble as the children advance in age.
" These are the controlling considerations which have led me to this decision. I desire it to be considered final.
" My heart saddens at the word, for I have learned to love the place, and have now lived long enough among you to form strong and warm attachments liere, which will last as long as life endures.
" From the Parish I have all along met with increasing kind- ness. To the best of my knowledge and ability I have honestly labored for its good, and for the spiritual benefit of its members.
" With what forbearance and indulgence my willing but most imperfect services have been received, I appreciate most fully. It is a satisfaction to know that I shall leave it peaceful and united, and although sadly swept of prominent members by the hand of death during my ministry-still in a prosperous con- dition.
" Wherever my lot may be cast, 'St. Mary's, Burlington,' will be a sacred name ; never to be forgotten, in memory, or prayer.
" That the Great Shepherd of the sheep may over-rule all for good, and lead you on in the old paths of faith and order which, in these days of novelties and distraction, alone promise peace and safety to the soul, is the sincere prayer of your attached Rector,
"WM. ALLEN JOHNSON."
LETTER ON THE RESIGNATION OF THE REV. MR. JOHNSON.
" House of Dr. Pugh, (Junior Warden) April 16th, 1870 .- A special meeting of the Vestry was held.
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"The Committee on resignation of the Rector, presented the following letter, which was ordered to be placed on the minutes : " To Rev. Wm. Allen Johnson :
" REV. AND DEAR SIR-In enclosing to you the resolution of the Vestry, accepting your resignation as Rector of St. Mary's Parish, we desire to express to you, on behalf of the Wardens and Vestrymen, the sincere regret and sorrow we feel that such a step is necessary.
" The reasons that have influenced your judgment and in- duced you to take this course, are cogent, and, to a conscientious mind, must be final, so that we feel that any attempt to induce you to change your determination would be neither kind nor successful.
"In accepting your resignation, however, it is due to you to say that your labors in our Parish have been most acceptable, and increasingly so as each year has passed, and that your steady mental growth, your steadily increasing power of presenting truth, betokening more than usual promise, and your consistent Christian life and character, the more and more evident and valued as you have more and more gone in and out among us, in the midst both of our joys and sorrows, have all led us to hope that our relations of Priest and people might be of long continuance. But in the discipline of life and in the order of Providence, it is one of the frequent lessons we all have to learn, that loving and cherished relations are liable to be broken up. So that in parting from you, our beloved Rector, we can but feel that we are all in the hands of GOD, and that he knows what is best, both for you and for us.
" We can but assure you that wherever you may go, you will bear with you the love and prayers of the people of St. Mary's, and the hope that you and yours may be blessed with full health and happiness, and be enabled ere long to fill some other part of the Lord's Vineyard with a love and labor such as we have shared.
" Very faithfully your friends, "SAMUEL ROGERS, " J. HOWARD PUGH, " FRANKLIN GAUNTT,
Committee."
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DEATH OF MISS M'ILVAINE.
" It was my melancholy privilege to officiate, on the 10th of December last, at the funeral of Miss Mary McIlvaine, the sur- vivor of two sisters, whose gift of the peal of bells to St. Mary's Church, and other noble benefactions, have been mentioned in previous reports. She sleeps, the last of the old name in Bur- lington, among her kindred, under the shadow of the ancient Church-' Remember them, O my God, for good, according to all they have done for this people.'
"In closing my ministry in this Parish, I wish once more to express my thanks to the Reverend clergy who have so cordially rendered their assistance in the Sunday services, and other times of need. The pain of the severance of those ties of love which bind the pastor to his flock, is heightened in this case by parting from those who have been, indeed, 'brethren beloved.'"-Paro- chial Report, 1870.
THE CONVOCATION OF BURLINGTON, ORGANIZED.
"Immediately on the adjournment of the last Annual Con- vention," writes Bishop Odenheimer in his Episcopal Address for 1871-"at which a Canon was passed dividing the twenty- one counties of the Diocese into three Convocations, I proceeded to discharge the pleasant duty imposed on me by the Canon, of organizing the Convocations and appointing the respective Deans.
" On the 9th of May, 1870, in St. Mary's Church, Burling- ton, the Burlington Convocation was organized, by the appoint- ment as Dean of the Rev. J. F. Garrison, M. D., Rector of St. Paul's Parish, Camden, and by the election of the Rev. DeW. C. Byllesby, Rector of Trinity Parish, Mount Holly, as Secretary. " The Convocation embraces the' counties of Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Salem, Cumberland, and Cape May, containing a population of 206,341, with 29 Churches."
ST. MARY'S HALL ENLARGED.
"St. Mary's Hall has enlarged her buildings, and is ready to receive more pupils than ever. The elevated character of the training, for body, soul, and spirit, which this Academical
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Home for the Daughters of the Church continues to dispense, is on record in the living examples of the Graduates of St. Mary's Hall, scattered over every State of the Union. The personal devotion of the Principal, Vice-Principal, and other coadjutors to the best interests of the pupils in all departments, is un- wearied and most conscientious.
" Burlington College-the twin institution in the Diocese for Christian education-solicits the interest of all who desire for the sons of the Church a thorough academical training in union with the purity and loving discipline of a cheerful Christian and Church Household."-Episcopal Address, 1870.
A MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT IN BURLINGTON COLLEGE.
"In connection with the subject of Christian education, I ask the attention of the Clergy and Laity of the Diocese to the fol- lowing appeal for the perpetuity of Burlington College :
""'The establishment of Burlington College, upon a firm financial basis, is a duty which has been too long neglected by its friends.
"'It is proposed to devote the 'Bishop Doane Monument Fund' to the endowment of the Professorship of Ancient Lan- guages, and to tender the Chair to the Rev. Professor Marcus F. Hyde, the incumbent since the foundation of the College. By this memorial, the perpetuity of this institution will be guaranteed, its usefulness and influence increased, its standard of scholarship maintained, and an important advance will be made toward the position which it was designed to occupy, and to which it is entitled.
""' The memory of its founder and first President cannot be more affectionately honored, or his influence more appropriately perpetuated, than by thus associating with his name, the first endowment of the College, whose interests were so near his heart, and with which he was so entirely identified.
"' The cordial and practical approval of this project, by those of the Alumni to whom it has already been communicated, warrants confidence in its speedy accomplishment. Your aid and influence are respectfully requested in the attainment of this object.
ST. MARY'S HALL, BURLINGTON, N. J.
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IN BURLINGTON.
"' Contributors to the fund, for the endowment of the Bishop Doane Professorship of Ancient Languages in Burlington Col- lege, can address communications to any one of the undersigned, who were appointed a committee on the organization of the Alumni, at the last meeting of the Board of Trustees :
"'WM. CROSWELL DOANE, "' Class of 1850, Albany, N. Y.
"' GEORGE M. MILLER, "'Class of 1850, 18 Wall St., N. Y.
"' C. WILLING LITTELL, "' Class of 1852, 520 Walnut St., Phila. "' EDWARD B. GRUBB, "' Class of 1860, Burlington, N. J. "'Alumni and Committee of the Trustees.'
" The efforts of the Committee of the Board of Trustees of Burlington College, N. J., to endow the Professorship of An- cient Languages in the Institution, are worthy of the generous co-operation of the Alumni, and of all the other friends of the College and its illustrious founder, Bishop Doane. For what it has done, and, if funds be supplied, it stands pledged to do, in the thorough training of the young, the College is worthy of the proposed endowment. I bespeak a liberal response to the ap- plication of the Committee from all who have enjoyed the benefits of the College; from all who bear good will to the memory of the dead, and who have at heart the promotion of sound Christian education and exact scholarship.
"W. H. ODENHEIMER, " Bishop of New Jersey.
" Burlington, N. J., Sept. 10th, A. D. 1869."
RULES CONCERNING THE BELLS.
" Residence of Samuel Rogers, (Senior Warden,) June 24th, 1870. An adjourned meeting of the Vestry was held this even- ing. The Rector presented the following
" Rules concerning the Bells.
"1. The Rector and Wardens shall constitute a permanent committee on the bells, to whom all disputes and doubtful points are to be referred.
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"2. All ringing and chiming shall be under the direction of a Master of the Chimes, to be elected by the Vestry.
"3. If a company of ringers be formed, they shall establish their own rules or by-laws by which they shall be governed, subject to the approval of the Bell Committee.
" 4. They shall ring a peal on Christmas and New Year's eves at midnight, on Easter morning, on the 4th of July, and on other occasions, with the permission of the Bell Committee.',
"Of the Master of the Chimes.
" 5. It shall be his duty to chime at an early hour on Christ- mas and Easter-Day if there be no pealing, and on the 4th of July and 22d of February, on Sundays at 8 o'clock, and before every service, on all Holy Days and days when the Holy Com- munion is administered, before morning service, and before all special services appointed by the Rector as directed, and at funerals, as hereafter specified.
"When there is a Sermon or Communion, the large bell shall be tolled after chiming, followed by the Priest's Bell. If not, it shall be omitted. If it be desired to have the bells muffled, the Chimer shall be allowed to charge $2 for the extra labor. If it be desired to have them chimed for a wedding, $5 shall be the Chiimer's fee ; if pealed, $10."
"Of the Passing Bell.
"6. The passing bell shall be rung for at least fifteen minutes by the Chimer or Sexton, when the soul of any baptized mem- ber of the Church is passing out of this world, that Christian people may offer up their prayers to GOD in its behalf in the hour of extremity, but only by the express orders of the Rector."
"Of Funerals.
"7. At every funeral in the Church Yard, a bell shall be tolled by the Sexton one hour before, and as the funeral ap- proaches the Church. For all communicants of the Church, three or more bells shall be tolled by the Chimer, but for none others. The Dirge after the funeral, shall be a privilege be- longing only to communicants, and to baptized persons under sixteen years of age. Doubtful cases and apparent exceptions, to be referred to the Bell Committee.
"8. Upon the death of the Bishop of the Diocese, or the Rector of the Parish, the large bell shall be tolled at least one hour. Upon the death of any other officer of the Church, one of the other bells, at least fifteen minutes.
" 9. The bells shall be tolled annually between the hours of 12 and 1 P. M., on the 27th of April, the anniversary of the death of Bishop Doane, to whose memory they are dedicated.
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" 10. The Sexton, under the orders of the Rector and Master of the Chimes, shall ring a change at least fifteen minutes before. each daily service, and strike two bells.
" 11. The use of the bells is to be confined strictly to ecclesi- astical purposes, with the exceptions above noted ; but they may be rung for fires, with the consent of any officer of the Church, but for no political or secular matters, or marriages elsewhere than in Church, unless by a unanimous vote of the Vestry and the consent of the Rector.
"On motion, the rules were adopted by sections, and then adopted as a whole, and a copy of them ordered to be placed in. the Porch of the Church." t
THE RECTOR'S PROPOSAL TO THE DIOCESE ENDORSED.
At the same Vestry-meeting, (June 24th) on motion of G. H. Woolman, it was
Resolved, That this Vestry approve and endorse the amend- ment offered by our Rector, the Rev. W. A. Johnson, at the last meeting of the Diocesan Convention, requiring Deputies to the Convention to be communicants of the Church.
THE REV. GEORGE MORGAN HILLS ELECTED RECTOR OF ST. MARY'S PARISH.
Residence of Samuel Rogers, August 3d, 1870 .- A special meeting of the Vestry was held in the evening at the call of the. Wardens-S. Rogers, in the chair.
On motion of Dr. Gauntt, the Vestry proceeded to the elec- tion of a Rector.
Dr. Pugh nominated the Rev. George Morgan Hills, Rector of St. Paul's Church, Syracuse, in the Diocese of Central New York. A ballot was ordered, whereupon the Rev. George Morgan Hills received the votes of all the Vestry present, and was declared elected Rector of this Parish.
On motion, the Rector's salary was fixed at $2500 per annum, in addition to the use of the Parsonage, and the revenue of the Talbot lots.
Drs. Pugh and Gauntt, and Gen. Grubb, were appointed a committee to notify the Rev. Mr. Hills of his election ; which
t These rules, handsomely engrossed in print, with a vignette of a bell, are- framed, and hanging in the South Porch.
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they did, in person, at the residence of Gen. Grubb, where Mr. Hills was, at that time, visiting; he having preached in St. Mary's and St. Barnabas' Churches the Sunday previous, on the invitation of Bishop Odenheimer.
Mr. Hills accepted the call on the 9th of August, and entered upon the duties of the Rectorship, September 4th, 1870.1
EXAMINING CHAPLAINS.
On the 28th of September, 1870, Bishop Odenheimer ap- pointed the Rev. George Morgan Hills an Examining Chap- lain ; thus completing the six, for the Diocese-those before appointed being the Rev. R. M. Abercrombie, D. D., the Rev. Joseph F. Garrison, M. D., the Rev. Robert N. Merritt, the Rev. George Z. Gray, and the Rev. Christopher W. Knauff. }
On the 7th of November following, this College of Chaplains met at the rectory of St. Paul's Church, Rahway-when the Rev. Dr. Abercrombie was chosen President, and the Rev. Mr. Gray, Secretary. The three departments of ecclesiastical study, canonically required, were apportioned as follows :
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