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 55
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The Books of Holy Scripture, Hebrew, \ Rev. Robert N. Merritt, Greek, and Latin, Rev. George Z. Gray.
The Evidences of Christianity, and Sys- \ Rev. R. M. Abercrombie, D. D., tematic Divinity, Rev. Christopher W. Knauff.
Church History, Ecclesiastical Polity, Rev. J. F. Garrison, M. D., The Book of Common Prayer, and the Rev. George Morgan Hills.
Constitution and Canons of the Church,
THE DIVINITY DEPARTMENT OF BURLINGTON COLLEGE.
On Thanksgiving day, November 24th, 1870, the service ap- pointed for the festival having been said in St. Mary's Church
+ George Morgan Hills, the second son of Horace Hills, was born in the village (now city) of Auburn, N. Y., October 10th, 1825; graduated at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., August 5th, 1847; proceeded M. A., after three years' study in Divinity ; was ordered Deacon in Trinity Church, Buffalo, N. Y., September 22d, 1850, by Bishop DeLancey, and took charge of Grace Church, Lyons, N. Y .; was advanced to the Priesthood in Trinity Church, Geneva, N. Y., September 21st, 1851, by Bishop DeLancey ; was Rector of Trinity Church, Watertown, N. Y., from July 17th, 1853, until May 1st, 1857 ; and, from that date, of St. Paul's, Syracuse, N. Y., until he entered upon the Rectorship of St. Mary's Parish, Burlington.
¿ This was a year before the Canon creating the office of Examining Chap- lains, was enacted by the General Convention.
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-at which the Rector preached, and the Bishop celebrated the Holy Communion-Bishop Odenheimer invited the Clergy to Riverside ; and, after conference, arranged, for the revival of the Divinity Department of Burlington College, as follows : The Rt. Rev. Wm. H. Odenheimer, D. D., Lecturer on Chris- tian Ethics and Canon Law ; the Rev. Charles T. Kellogg, In- structor in Ecclesiatical History and Liturgics ; the Rev. Elvin K. Smith, Instructor in Dogmatic Theology ; the Rev. Marcus F. Hyde, D. D., Instructor in Sacred Criticism and Patristics ; the Rev. William S. Walker, D. D., Lecturer on Oriental and Biblical Literature; the Rev. George Morgan Hills, Lecturer on Homiletics and Pastoral Theology. t
INSTITUTION OF THE RECTOR.
On the second Sunday in Advent, December 4th, 1870, the Bishop of New Jersey instituted the Rev. Geo. Morgan Hills into the Rectorship of St. Mary's Parish.
The day was fair and balmy, one of those Indian-summer days which yet linger with us, and cause us to fancy ourselves still in October. A fresh blown rose, growing in the open air, was plucked on the way to Church.
The chimes were playing the old tune of St. Michael's as we entered the sacred edifice, and one could almost hear the words so long wedded to that tune, "O praise ye the Lord, prepare your glad voice."
Besides the Bishop and Rector-elect, the Clergy present were, the Rev. Thomas F. Davies, Rector of St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia ; the Rev. Elvin K. Smith, principal of St. Mary's Hall; the Rev. Charles T. Kellogg, Rector of Burlington Col-
+ "As we have a Theological Department of Burlington College, which, in past days as now, has done, and is doing, good service to the Church, in the training of fit men for the sacred ministry, I wish that specific collections for the education of Candidates for Orders might be made and applied to found and maintain Theological Scholarships in Burlington College. There is one scholarship already existing that bears the honored name of 'Wallace,' the pious gift of a faithful daughter of the Church, who now rests from her labors. Many young men now in the ministry have been aided by this faithful be- quest; and if I had larger sums at command, the work of Christian Church Theological training would be enlarged, to the great benefit of the Church in this Diocese."-Episcopal Address, 1871.
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lege; and the Rev. Marcus F. Hyde, D. D., professor of Ancient Languages, in the same.
The Wardens, Mr. Samuel Rogers, and J. Howard Pugh, M. D., were stationed on the right and left of the Rector-elect, at the foot of the choir-steps ; the Senior Warden presenting the keys of the Church to the new incumbent.
The Bishop preached on the text, " There was war in Heaven," etc., Rev. xii 7. Before entering upon the subject proper, the preacher addressed the newly instituted rector and his flock in these words :
" I congratulate you, my reverend brother, in taking spiritual charge of a congregation, who, having enjoyed the ministry of a succession of able and devoted pastors have been well trained in the principles of respect for the sacred ministry, and who will manifest their training by following with a ready mind your official instructions, and by continually increasing in their prac- tical exhibition of love for yourself and your family. I con- gratulate you, the congregation of St. Mary's Parish, in having secured for your priest and rector, a minister of God whose success in the pastoral work is known to the Church at large ; and who comes with all the experience of his pastoral life to devote himself, body, soul, and spirit, to the spiritual edification of yourselves and your children. And I may be allowed to add that as the Bishop of this Diocese, I may be congratulated on securing for my clerical family one who, years ago, when he was a member of the Diocese of the first Bishop of Western New York-that model of a Christain prelate, the now sainted DeLancey-won my respect and love. It seems to me but a few days ago that I went to Western New York to make a visitation of some of the parishes, f in obedience to the wish of the Bishop, whose health was failing, and for whom my work of love seemed but the 'coming beforehand to anoint his body to the burying.' { As I passed through the churches, confirm- ing and preaching, I came to a parish where I was received with generous hearted hospitality by the rector and his house- hold, and where the signs of prosperity, temporal and spiritual, abounding in the parish, made me feel that I was in a centre of vigorous Church life and work. In the Providence of God, the
+ In September, 1864.
# Bishop DeLancey died April 5th, 1865.
-
THE REV. GEORGE MORGAN HILLS, D. D.
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good priest of that parish is this day your instituted rector, } and one of the clergy of New Jersey. This is indeed an aus- picious day for all of us; and whilst I bless you all, and bid you God-speed, I heartily pray that the Holy Spirit may bind all hearts together as the heart of one man, in unity, peace, and charity, and fill us with godly zeal for the edification of the Faith and Kingdom of Jesus Christ our Lord, the Good Shep- herd and Bishop of our souls."
The large congregation, including the teachers and pupils of St. Mary's Hall and Burlington College, remained, after the Holy Communion was concluded, to add their bidding of "God- speed," to that of the Wardens and Vestrymen.
At 4 P. M., the Church was again filled, when the Rector read Evening Prayer, and a sermon was preached by the Rev. Thomas F. Davies ; the Rt. Rev. the Bishop pronouncing the Absolution, and giving the Blessing of Peace.
AN ALMS CHEST.
On the 21st of March, 1871, an alms chest, of handsome design and finish, was affixed on the right side, within the door of entrance # to the south transept of the Church. So far as can be ascertained, no such article had ever been, either in the old Church, or the new, although there had long been one at St. Barnabas'.
AN ALTAR CROSS.
On Easter Even, April 8th, 1871, there was placed upon the altar of St. Mary's Church, a foliated altar-cross, (valued at $100,) of Italian statuary marble-three feet and a-half in height, including its base-the gift of Mrs. Elizabeth A. Ellis, wife of Charles Ellis, M. D., in memory of a departed relative, a com- municant of the parish. With great good taste, there is no inscription on this sacred ornament.
+ On Monday in Whitsun-week, May 29th, 1871, " after Divine Service" was " Ended in the fforenoon," in compliance with the conditions of the deed of John Talbot, made July 13th, 1724, (see page 183,) the rector "publickly before the Congregation read the thirty-nine Articles in the Book of Common prayer."
ţ II Kings, xii 9.
2 T
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THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE PARISH.
" The Parish is entirely free from debt, and its finances are conducted with an efficiency and promptness worthy of the highest commendation."-Parochial Report, May, 1871. '
CLOSE OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH ACADEMIC YEAR.
On Tuesday, the 11th of July, 1871, the closing exercises of the 25th academic year were held in Burlington College. After Divine Service in the new chapel-a room much larger and better furnished than the one formerly used for this purpose- the examinations took place, lasting from 8.30 A. M. until 2 P. M.
At 22 P. M. the announcement of Standing, and Form promo- tions, was made by the Rector. Heads of Forms were declared as follows : primi ; Masters John Dows Hills, Eugene Jeffrey Babcock, Henry George Wilson, George Sumner Chipman, Thomas Kingsbury Benton, George Heathcote Hills.
The candidates for advancement were then called forward and presented by the Rector to the Rt. Rev. President, who addressed them briefly ; and, with his blessing, admitted them to their advanced positions.
Handsome copies of Freund's Leverett's Latin Lexicon, were presented to Masters John Dows Hills and Eugene Jeffrey Bab- cock, for the highest general rank, cum honore.
On withdrawing to the refectory, three long tables were filled with students and invited guests ; and after dinner, at the call of the Bishop, speeches were made by the Rev. James W. Bradin, and the Rev. Hobart Chetwood, ex-rectors of the Col- lege ; and the Rev. George Morgan Hills, rector of St. Mary's Parish.
At the alumni meeting, resolutions were adopted looking to the endowment of Professorships. The Rev. Geo. Morgan Hills and Mr. Geo. McClellan Fisk, headmaster of the Col- lege, were elected honorary members of the Associate Alumni.
In the evening, an oration of great force and beauty was
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pronounced before the alumni by C. Willing Littell, Esq., of Philadelphia +
THE RECTOR RECEIVES THE HONORARY DOCTORATE.
The Rev. Dr. Jackson to the Rev. Dr. Hills. " Trinity College, July 14th, 1871. " Rev. George Morgan Hills, D. D.,
" Burlington, N. J.
" MY DEAR DOCTOR-It gives me sincere pleasure to be able to inform you officially, that Trinity College, yesterday, at its commencement, conferred on you the honorary degree of DOCTOR OF DIVINITY. I tried to accomplish this at Hobart ; } but, now, I am much better satisfied that you should receive it from your Alma Mater.
"I. remain, my dear Doctor, " Faithfully yours, " A. JACKSON, "President of Trinity College."
COMMENCEMENT AT ST. MARY'S HALL.
The commencements at St. Mary's Hall have been growing in interest, annually, from the foundation of the Institution to the present time.
During the three days next preceding, the annual examina- tions are held under the careful attention of the Rt. Rev. the Bishop of New Jersey ; and in the presence of the entire corps of teachers, and a goodly attendance of patrons and friends.
+ Son of the gentleman, who many years before presented that full-length, life-size portrait of Bishop Doane, which attracts the attention of every visitor to the College. On the foot of its massive gilt frame is this inscription :
" COLLEGIO. BURLINGTONIENSI. ALMAE. DUORUM. SUORUM. FILIORUM. MATRI
HANC. PRIMI. PRAESIDIS. G. W. DOANE. NEO-CAES. EPISC. EFFIGIEM. GRATI. ANIMI. MONIMENTUM D. D. D. JOHANNES STOCKTON LITTELL III KAL. OCT. ANNO. SACRO MDCCCLIII."
į The Rev. Dr. Jackson was President of Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y., from April, 1858, to July, 1867.
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Early on Thursday (Commencement day) the number of visitors increases to a throng, who come from all quarters to wit- ness scenes, " whose like," as a reporter from Philadelphia once expressed it, "are known on no other day, and in no other place, but Burlington."
The ample grounds-familiarly known as "the circle ; " the spacious buildings ; the art gallery, decorated on all sides with specimens of the proficiency of the pupils, with crayon, and pencil, and colors ; and, crowning attraction of all, the Chapel of the Holy Innocents, are each visited in order.
At 10 A. M. the visitors gather in the study hall, and while awaiting the hour for the exercises, interest themselves in view- ing the emblems and mottoes, of former classes, which adorn the walls. For many years, each class has chosen an emblem, and a text from Holy Scripture-those for the class of 1871 being LILIES OF THE VALLEY, and the words, In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.
On the wall, just over the platform, was a bold crayon-sketch, representing the porch to an abbey, having on its arch the motto of the class, while near the base of one of the columns support- ing this arch, was a cluster of these flowers, twenty-eight in number, one for each of the graduating class, the largest class ever graduated.
But-there is a perceptible hush in the assemblage ; and, all arise and stand. The procession approaches. First, comes the Bishop of New Jersey, in academic gown, Oxford cap, and scarlet hood ; then, the Principal of the Hall, then the class of young women to be graduated, "not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array," but attired in white, with no ornament except a leaf of ivy from the Chapel walls. Following these, come the matron, and vice-principal, the rector of the parish, the rector of the college, the visiting clergy, and the trustees, for whom places are provided on the platform. All kneel in silent prayer. Then, the reading of compositions, from the graduating class begins. These are in French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Latin, as well as English, with such diversity of subject, thought, and style, as shows the characteristics of each
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writer. "The awarding of testimonials" follows; a simple, though much admired, feature, of the day. An engraved card, with the signatures of the Bishop and the Principal, certifies that the recipient has attained for a given period, the maximum for conduct and scholarship.
From the school room, the procession returns to the library ; while the audience-parents, and relatives holding blue tickets, having reserved seats-enter the Chapel. When all are seated -and every inch of room is always occupied-the sweet strains of the processional float towards them from a distance :
"Hark! hark, my soul! Angelic songs are swelling."
" The singers go before." And, what a blending of melodi- ous voices ; voices trained, in tune, and time, by daily practice in hymnody ! The music gains in volume. The procession of choristers in cottas, and white-clad damsels, and vested clergy, reaches the middle of the nave, and the organ adds its notes. The line, in the last stanza, seems literal :
"Sing us sweet fragments of the songs above."
The "Amen" has hardly ended, when the Bidding Prayer and Litany are read; followed, always, with the metrical version of Psalm cxxxi :
" LORD, forever at Thy side, Let my place and portion be."
Each member of the class is then called, and each comes forward to the altar-rails, and receives from the Rt. Rev. Presi- dent, the diploma of the Hall-with its repesentation of " the handmaid of the Lord."
The Bishop then addresses them on "The Christian Woman's Mission"-an anthem follows, and they kneel for the Episcopal benediction.
While, in double rows, these white-clad maidens are bending on the lowest steps of the altar, they seem like their chosen emblems, " lilies of the valley."
At 4 P. M. a musical rehearsal takes places in the school-room. Solos, duos, quartettes, and choruses, interspersed with brilliant instrumental music, occupy two hours. Finally, the twenty- eight graduates appear once more together, on the platform, and sing their " Parting Song."
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THE PLEDGE SYSTEM FOR DIOCESAN MISSIONS.
" The pledge and envelope system," for Diocesan Missions, was introduced into the parish, October 29th, 1871, (see p. 439,). resulting in a six fold increase of offerings for that object. }
BISHOP SELWYN VISITS BURLINGTON.
" On Thursday, November 9th, 1871, the Rt. Rev. George. Augustus Selwyn, D. D., D. C. L., Lord Bishop of Lichfield, England, visited Burlington, as the guest of the Bishop of the Diocese. His lordship, accompanied by two of his clergy and by Bishop Odenheimer, arrived in Burlington from Philadelphia at 3 P. M., and was met at the station by the Bishop of Albany and the Rector of St. Mary's, and driven immediately to St. Mary's Church, where divers other clergy were in waiting. The Church was completely filled, and the chimes rang out joyfully.
" The three bishops and three priests, on alighting. went at once to the grave of Bishop Doane, where they all stood, un- covered, and in silence. It was a time, and an occasion, for the artist, the poet, and the orator. Bishop Selwyn at the tomb of Bishop Doane !
"Shortly afterwards, the procession, headed by the masters and students of Burlington College, the former in caps and gowns, and the latter in their neat uniform, passed from the sacristy around the north transept, by the tomb of Bishop. Doane, to the west door of the nave, where the students opened ranks, and the Bishops and Clergy passed up the nave to the chancel. In the procession were the Bishop of New Jersey, the the Lord Bishop of Lichfield, the Bishop of Albany, the Rev. Dr. Hills, rector of St. Mary's parish, the Rev. Mr. Kellogg, rector of Burlington College; the Rev. Mr. Smith, principal of St. Mary's Hall ; the Rev. John R. Selwyn, son of the bishop,. and vicar of St. George's, Wolverhampton ; the Rev. John H. Iles, prebendary of Lichfield Cathedral ; the Rev. Drs. Hyde, Walker and Weld, and the Rev. Messrs. Pettit, Goldsborough, Perkins, Cathell and Shaver, of New Jersey.
+ In the Parochial Report for 1875, the amount for this object is given a3 $703.83.
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"The episcopal throne was occupied by the Bishop of the Diocese, and the chairs on either side of the altar by his lord- ship the Bishop of Lichfield, and the Bishop of Albany. Even- ing Prayer was said by the Rev. Messrs. Selwyn and Iles, the Absolution being pronounced by the lord Bishop. At its close, Bishop Odenheimer advanced to the choir steps, and in a few words of sonorous eloquence, welcomed his lordship as one of the towers and bulwarks of the Sion of God, greeting him in the name of the dead as well as of the living, and referring to the intimacy between Bishops Selwyn and Doane. As his lordship came forward and ascended the pulpit, the congregation rose. Bishop Selwyn then delivered a most touching address. He alluded to the flowers which he saw on the tomb of Bishop Doane, and hailed them as tokens of never-dying affection. Recounting his first meeting with Bishop Doane at Eton Col- lege, and the subsequent sympathy and affection between them, he proceeded to speak of the sublimity of Bishop Doane's his- toric position as a Christian educator, and the worth and en- during fame of his work, as shown by the scholarly men and women sent out from Burlington College and St. Mary's Hall, whom he had met in various parts of the world. He had known the trials and discouragements under which Bishop Doane laid these noble foundations. He begged the pardon of his au- dience if, there at the grave of his friend and brother prelate, whose living monument he saw before him in the students of Bur- lington College, he addressed himself more particularly to the young, and sought to impress upon their minds, in this feverish age and country, the lesson of Bishop Doane's life, viz. : patience in the work and race of life. Taking this as a theme, his lord- ship's speech breathed throughout the holiest spirit of the ripe Christian culture of England's ancient Church and school. At the conclusion of his lordship's address, the Prayer for the Queen and several collects were offered, and the benediction was pro- nounced by the Bishop of Albany.
"The party then drove to the college, where they were re- ceived by the students in front of the main entrance. His lord- ship passed around the semi-circle in which the sixty students
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were arranged, shaking hands with, and speaking some kind word to, each one. According to English usage, the Lord Bishop asked a holiday for the students, and put it to vote, and it is needless to say there was an unanimous silence when con- trary minds were asked for !
" A short service was held in the Chapel of the Holy Child Jesus. 'Jerusalem, the golden,' was sung on entering. After prayer by the Rev. Rector, the Lord Bishop was formally intro- duced by the Rt. Rev. President, and made a very thoughtful address. He was followed by the Bishop of Albany, who spoke with great feeling. He expressed himself as having taken new heart from what he had seen of the college that day, with its numerous and increasing body of students, and the zeal of its efficient rector. The benediction was pronounced by Bishop Selwyn, and the assemblage retired.
" The students gathered in the general study-hall, where his lordship introduced his son to them, as an old Eton boy. The Rev. Mr. Selwyn then made a very clever, and characteristically English speech, which elicited loud cheers.
" In the evening, his lordship attended prayers at St. Mary's Hall, where he made an address full of pathos and beauty, and was followed by the Rev. Mr. Iles. His lordship asked the favor of a holiday for the girls. Bishop Odenheimer made a conclud- ing address of great beauty and tenderness, founded on II Kings xx : 14-15: [Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men ? and from whence came they unto thee ? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon. And he said, What have they seen in thine house ? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen : there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them,] and reviewing the events of the day in Parish, College, Hall and Home. From 9 to 11 P. M. a levee was held at 'Riverside,' where Mrs. Odenheimer received, with her usual grace, the many friends who called to pay their respects to her distinguished guests, and partake of her elegant hospitality.
"To no parish in this new country could an English clergy- man and scholar come and find older and more classic Church
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associations than to this venerable parish of ' sweet St. Mary's.' Especially is this true of Bishop Selwyn. The similarity of thought between himself and Bishop Doane-both possessing the same spirit of heroism and self-sacrifice in the cause of Christ-endeared them strongly to each other. Like most origi- nators, they lived too soon. Thirty years ago these two grand men, Selwyn in the Anglican, and Doane in the American, Church, came before the world, enunciating and setting in mo- tion very positive ideas in regard to what their far-seeing minds, perceived to be the two most important fields of the Church's work, viz., Missions and Christian Education. The Church then was disposed to regard these ideas as impracticabilities, and their authors as visionaries. To-day the Church stands where they did then, and thus acknowledges the greatness of their foresight."-The Churchman.
THE REV. DR. JOHNSON TO THE REV. DR. HILLS. " Bainbridge, Chenango C'y, N. Y. "March 23, 1872. "Rev. George Morgan Hills, D. D.
" REV. AND DEAR BROTHER-I received this afternoon your note of request for information concerning the Church in Bur- lington. I have but little personal knowledge on the subject, often as I have officiated in St. Mary's and in St. Barnabas'.
" The history of the Chime of Bells deserves a record. The Bells were first officially used on Easter Day, 1866, the first of April ; and on that morning our beloved Bishop Odenheimer first appeared in Church after a long three or four months pain- ful absence ; f he confirmed, addressed the class, and celebrated
+ "It pleased God," writes Bishop Odenheimer, in his Episcopal Address of 1866, "to take me from the midst of my Episcopal duties, and to confine me to my house for nearly four months. On the afternoon of the second Sunday in Advent (December 10th) after officiating at the Missionary Chapel of the Holy Trinity, Roundabout, and in the act of leaving the chancel, I made a misstep and fell to the nave, fracturing the patella of my left knee. Through the kindness of the Rector and parishioners of Roundabout and South Amboy, and the generous action of the Camden and Amboy Railroad Company in furnishing me a special car, I was enabled to reach Riverside without delay ; and by God's blessing on the skill of my surgeon, and other faithful helpers, a measure of my former strength has been restored to me. Although I was
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the Holy Eucharist. I preached the sermon, bringing in our wel- come to the Bells, our congratulations at the Bishop's recovery and presence, not omitting a pleasant reference to the April Day. The text was 2 Pet. i, 16: ' For we have not followed cunningly devised fables,' etc. I wrote it for the occasion.
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