USA > New York > New York City > A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 2 > Part 17
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But in the closing years of Dr. Moore's administration,
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the careful reader of the minutes perceives the signs of coming change. The policy of Dr. Provoost was well adapted to a period of transition ; careful and conserva- tive, it had regard to the protection of the trust, the pru- dent management of the finances, and the building and endowment of churches. Out of the storm of the Revo- lution, the Anglican Establishment came, much battered and damaged throughout the country. Its enemies pre- dicted its early disappearance from the scene, and among its friends were some who avowed their fears that it must decline from little to less and finally become extinct. A power was needed, especially at the central point of Church life, to meet the emergency, and save an institution, which, though of divine origin, needed just then some reinforce- ment of vitality. The beginning of the change was first felt in the Diocese of New York ; the weather forecasts are plainly read in the old Parish, from which new voices were soon to go forth like trumpet-calls on the eve of battle. An era of aggression was about to dawn ; a time of war- fare in assertion and defence of what was afterwards summed up in the descriptive phrase, " Evangelical Truth and Apostolic Order." An educational and spiritual upbuild- ing, on the old foundation, was about to be begun. A figure was to enter on the stage of events which should make it- self the centre of observation, near and far.
"There's a new foot on the floor, my friend, And a new face at the door, my friend, A new face at the door."
Let us halt a while, in the course of our narrative, to look into the early life of the man for whose coming to New York Dr. Provoost was only waiting to resign the Rectorship of Trinity.
Ample material is at hand for a biography of John
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Henry Hobart. Much of his correspondence has been preserved, and is now in the office of the Registrar to the General Convention. References to, and quotations from, his letters and correspondence will be made at first hand from this collection, which for convenience' sake we will term the Hobart MSS.
John Henry Hobart was the second son of Enoch and Hannah Hobart of Philadelphia,-persons of moderate means and circumstances ; his father was a seafaring man and captain in the merchant marine. On his father's side, he was a descendant in the fourth generation from Ed- mund Hobart, who, emigrating from Hingham, Norfolk, England, settled in Massachusetts, calling the name of his settlement after the town he came from, Hingham, which place he represented in the Colonial Legislature for many years. As Norfolk contributed largely to the Puritan cause, it is probable that Edmund Hobart belonged to that body ; and this is rendered the more likely from the fact that his two sons, Joshua and Peter, were Congregation- alists or Presbyterians. Joshua was a man of some note in the new settlement of Hingham ; Peter had been a Presbyterian Minister in the old country, and on his re- moval to Hingham became its Minister, and discharged the duties of that office for forty-three years. Four of his sons followed in his steps and after studying at Harvard entered the Ministry.
A grandson of Edmund, John, after visiting the South- ern Colonies, settled in the suburbs of Philadelphia, on a. spot now called Kensington, and married into a Swedish family. Though hitherto a strict Congregationalist he became after his marriage an Episcopalian.
His son, Enoch Hobart, was the father of John Henry, who was born in Philadelphia, September 14, 1775. His. father, dying the following year, left his son to the care of
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his widow, who by means of rigid economy was able to give him the education which fitted him for his career in life.
He was sent to a school kept by a Mr. Leslie, a teacher of repute in Philadelphia, which he left when nine years of age to go to the Episcopal Academy, Philadelphia, where he commenced his classical studies under the Rev. Dr. Andrews, afterwards Provost of the University of Pennsylvania. He was confirmed by Bishop White, at the age of fifteen. In the autumn of 1791 he entered Prince- ton, taking his B.A. in 1793. After his graduation he en- tered the counting-house of his brother-in-law, Mr. Robert Smith, in Philadelphia, where he remained till the close of 1795. In 1796 he went into residence as tutor at
Princeton. Remaining at Princeton two years, and study- ing assiduously for the Ministry, he was ordained Deacon on the 3d of June, 1798. At Bishop White's request he took charge of Trinity Church, Oxford, and All Saints', Perkiomen, both between ten and thirteen miles from Philadelphia. Very shortly after, the Rector and Vestry of St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia, offered him an appoint- ment as Assistant Minister, which he declined. In May, 1799, he accepted the charge of Christ Church, New Bruns- wick, where, however, he remained only twelve months, removing thence in May, 1800, to Hempstead, Long Island, from which place, as we have already seen, he was called as one of the Assistants in Trinity Parish. In the spring of that year he was married to Mary Goodin Chandler, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Chandler, formerly Rector of St. John's Church, Elizabeth-Town. He moved to New York in December, ISoo. His letter of acceptance to the Vestry will be found on a preceding page.
Such in brief outline are the events in Dr. Hobart's life prior to his settlement in New York. A reference to
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the Hobart MSS. will give color to this outline, and en- able us to form some opinion as to the character of the man who as Rector of Trinity Parish and Bishop of New York was to do a work of vast importance to the Church in this country and to awaken a dormant power to full and strenuous life.
The earliest letter of Hobart's is without date, written in a boyish hand, and evidently while at school. It is addressed to his mother.
" If my Dear Mama," he says, "recollects, I bought some time ago Elegant Extracts in Prose ; I have, since I came to town, taken Ele- gant Extracts in Verse out of the Library, I find that it abounds with so many pieces proper for speaking, that I cannot but avoid asking my dear Mama's permission to buy it. I cannot get it out of the Library again, as it is a book which is so much sought after, that if I had not gone to the Library on the first day of its opening, I should not have got it. Even if I could it would be necessary for me to take it to school, where it would perhaps meet with abuse : and as the extracts which I now have are not so valuable without the other, I hope you will consent to my buying it. Sister Becky can give testimony to its merit."
His love for declaiming is alluded to by Mr. William Meredith :
" He was ever anxious to have his quarrel just ; and in our little squabbles on the play-ground, and more serious rencounters, we often heard him maintaining its justice by impassioned harangues, which, in vehemence, might well have suited one of Homer's heroes." 1
In his MSS. we find a transcription in Hobart's hand- writing of the impassioned dialogue between Appius and Claudius on the former's love for Virginia. There are also copies, in his writing, of the Gratulatory Verses on the Progress of Science, by William Smith, D.D., which Hobart delivered at the College in Philadelphia in 1790. We have also two orations delivered at Nassau Hall, Princeton, in 1792 and 1793; the first, on the evening
1 Berrian's Memoir of the Life of Bishop Hobart, vol. i., p. 12.
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preceding the annual Commencement, entitled, Oration on the Past Blessings and Future Prospects of America ; the second, on the Cause of Freedom, was delivered on the morning of July 4, 1793. Both effusions are written in a florid style.
From a bundle of receipts covering his stay at Prince- ton, we learn that the cost of "Tuition, Room-rent, Library and Damage money " was then £5 12s. od. for the session from May to September, 1792, in the Junior class,-and for the same period his "Diet" cost him £10 os. od. Young Hobart developed somewhat æsthetic tastes while at Princeton, for we find a bill
To painting A room, Studdies, & writeing desk blue, with £3. 15. 0. Mahogany dores & fire place brown.
6. To high stool
£4. I. 1
While at Princeton he formed several warm friend- ships, notably with Abraham Skinner, John C. Otto, and Joseph Warren Scott. Letters from these young men are written in the most extravagant terms of affection. Otto writes, "Formality has nothing to do with a glow of the heart, there is no connection between them."
Scott's letters are full of complaints at Hobart's not writing, or not writing as fully as he ought. In one of them he says :
"My Dear Friend, I must really ask you why you neglect to write to me ; you know nothing gives me more pleasure, when I cannot see you, and why then will you voluntarily rob me of so much happiness." 3
Skinner's letters are still more extravagant in their terms of endearment. He thus writes to Hobart :
1 Hobart MSS. Bill of James Hamilton, November 15, 1796.
9 Ibid., Letter from John C. Otto on October 21, 1795.
3 Ibid., Letter from Joseph Warren Scott on November 17, 1794.
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" If it were possible for language to paint my love for my Dear Hobart you would in this letter see the image of my heart. . I am glad to hear that you are going to ride about the Country a little and amuse yourself. It only gives me unhappiness that I am not with you ; but still My Dear Hobart I am upheld by the hope of living with you." ' and again :
" Yours of the 9th Inst. I received yesterday. I find it replete with that affection which has already afforded me the greatest part of the happiness I have enjoyed since we saw each other. I find the senti- ments purely from your heart, and the language is really the language of Love. Consider then what pleasure I derive from reading your Letters. Dear John it is one of the noblest kind, and consists of more reality than the pleasure derived from any other source. Continue then my Love, to promote my happiness by writing to me, and let us revive with ardor a languishing correspondence."?
Hobart was then only nineteen years of age. When a lad can draw from other men such tender expressions of regard and affection there must be something in his character peculiarly inviting and attractive. His influ- ence was already felt; there are letters from parents and brothers commending to his care and consideration, their children or relatives who were going to Princeton and requesting him to acquaint them as to their behavior and conduct.
In his college days Hobart was, according to the description of his contemporaries, social and cheerful in his relations with his fellow-students, though often im- petuous and quick-tempered. As a student he was assid- uous and industrious, and, while ambitious of distinction, remarkably free from envy or jealousy.
Young Skinner died in September, 1795, and in a sad, pathetic letter to his friend, the father writes :
" A few minutes before his Exit (sensible Calm and Serene) he gave
1 Hobart MSS. Letter from Abraham Skinner, Jr., on October 19, 1793.
2 Ibid., August 14, 1794.
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me proof of his willingness to depart, and his last accents breathed sub- mission to the will of heaven. The confines of a sick Room, and the picture of him in his last moments, it is now impossible for me to draw, let me therefore postpone it till our first interview in N. York, I will then tell you more than I can write." 1
Mrs. Hobart had a hard struggle to eke out sufficient from her small income to pay for her son's schooling and college education. Yet when he was at Princeton she good-naturedly chides him for prepaying his letters, say- ing that no matter what the circumstances were she would always be ready to pay for having a letter from him.
With few exceptions this collection of fifty or more letters contains but little of general interest.
Those from his mother cover the period from 1797 to 1800, that is, from his last year at Princeton to his accept- ance of the call to Trinity Parish. They are wise and motherly, filled with counsels on money matters, and prudent advice as to conduct.
From one dated January 2, 1797, it appears that her son had been offered a charge at Lancaster.
"I received my dear John's two letters with one enclosed to Doctor White which I sent to him-from the reason you assign I think you were right in declining the proposed settlement at Lancaster, particu- larly as the salary was so far below what you ought to expect-but feel sorry you concluded-that when you were better prepared to take charge of a congregation you would not consider it as an objection that the salary is small or even inadequate to the purpose of maintenance. I fear my dear John in that case however well prepared you might be to enter on the duties of your profession, you would soon find that with- out a comfortable support you could not long persevere in them with that freedom from care which would be necessary to keep your mind unembarrassed."
In reference to some proposal from Bishop White that Hobart should officiate in Philadelphia on Sundays, while
1 Hobart MSS. Letter from Abraham Skinner on October 14, 1795.
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retaining his tutorship at Princeton, his mother, after coun- selling him not to intimate his desire to take the duty without some suitable remuneration, adds :
"I shall be pleased when it may be consistent with your happiness to gratify Dr. White's wishes which I believe has always been meant for your good-indeed he has seemed from your childhood to interest him- self for you with almost a fatherly attention when an opportunity has presented and I shall always feel gratitude to him for it." 1
She probably referred to the duty at Oxford and Perkiomen, which Hobart at Bishop White's earnest re- quest subsequently accepted. There is no allusion in her letters to his call to St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia, as an Assistant in that parish, and scanty references to his stay in New Brunswick ; but they indicate a restless disposi- tion : no sooner was he settled in one place than he was impatient to leave it.
When it was thought probable that the son would receive a call to the parish of Hempstead on Long Island Mrs. Hobart wrote :
"From what I can judge, it appears that it may be advisable for you to accept the church at Hempstead if it is offered to you-particularly as it seems desirable to you, and is the best that offers at the time."?
On April 23, 1800, Hobart wrote to his mother announcing his engagement to Miss Mary Goodin Chandler. The letter begins abruptly :
" My head seems turned almost topsy turvy for some time past. I expected to have seen my dear Mama again before the business was settled at Elizabeth, but I have been prevented. I shall set off to- morrow for Hempstead, and on Tuesday next I expect to be made a happy man, and in the following week to present to my dear Mama one who will I trust feel the obligations which I am under for the most anxious solicitude and unremitted attentions which you have exercised towards your children."
' Hobart MSS. Letter from Mrs. Hobart, November 17, 1797.
2 Ibid., July 9, 1799.
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Mrs. Hobart responded with affectionate congratula- tions. At the bottom of this letter is a note in Hobart's hand : "The union alluded to in the above did not take place till 6th May." That day the loving mother pens a few lines expressive of her earnest wishes for the happi- ness of the young couple.
Hobart had hardly settled in Hempstead when he became discontented. His mother says :
"I am very sorry my dear John to find that the prospects at Hempstead do not appear likely to prove so agreeable as we had flattered ourselves they would. I most sincerely wish some more eligible situation was in your choice." 1
In subsequent letters Mrs. Hobart continually expresses her hopes that matters at Hempstead may improve. In the spring of the year 1800, the mother warns her son against incurring unnecessary expenses at Hempstead :
"I don't pretend to prescribe to my dear John but will only just hint, that as it is possible Hempstead may not be your permanent resi- dence whether it may not be adviseable not to go to more expense than you can't avoid at first setting out, particularly considering the state of our finances."?
From this date on until his settlement in New York Hobart seems to have been straitened for money. Al- most every letter from Mrs. Hobart contains regrets at her either being unable to send him any money, or not as much as he asks. She advises her son to part with one of his horses, as he cannot possibly have use for both of them.3
On August 27, 1800, she writes in acknowledgment of a letter of his :
"From it I conclude our dear Goodin ' and yourself have health - and that you have had a partial supply of a necessary article. I am
' Hobart MSS. Letter from Mrs. Hobart, November 10, 1799.
2 Ibid., March 26, 1800.
3 Ibid., June 29, 1800.
4 His wife-her name was Mary Goodin.
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1800]
sorry it has not been more compleat. I wish I knew of any practica- ble plan that would raise a sufficiency-if you do I hope you will let me know, and as far as in my power my concurrence shall not be wanting." 1
On October 19, 1800, Mrs. Hobart writes :
"From Mr. Mercer's and Mr. Robertson's information we have the delightful satisfaction my dear John of hearing that you have accepted the invitation from the vestry of Trinity Church New York, a situation which I hope will ensure to you not only a comfortable but a happy settlement for life and opens to us a prospect of a more convenient and more frequent intercourse than we would have where you are."
Among the Hobart MSS. there is the rough draft of a letter, evidently from Dr. Moore, enclosing the formal resolutions of the Vestry in regard to his election as Assistant Minister. The writer hopes that the appre- hensions as to Dr. Hobart's health are groundless, and expresses his confidence that he will be a valuable acces- sion to the clerical society, and in particular to himself, the clergy, and congregation of Trinity Church.
That Mr. Hobart possessed the confidence of Bishop Provoost is evidenced by the fact that he only waited to hear of his young assistant's readiness to come to the city, to resign his office as Rector.
As soon as he was notified that Mr. Hobart had com- pleted his arrangements for settling in New York, the aged Bishop tendered his resignation to the Board.
This sketch of the early years of John Henry Hobart is brief; full details may be found in histories of him written by Drs. McVickar and Berrian. Its object is merely to outline the character and disposition of the man who wielded so powerful an influence on the Church in this land. .
Eager, impetuous, longing not so much for personal
1 Hobart MSS. Letter from Mrs. Hobart, August 27, 1800.
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distinction as for the joy of seeing the Church recognized and acknowledged in the fulness of her character and claims, young Hobart addressed himself to the work as her champion, vindicator, and defender. By nature a combatant, he yet had a lovable disposition that drew men to him by the closest bands of affection ; in him were united a keen intellect and a warm heart.
In personal appearance he gave the impression of vigor and agility. Below the average stature, his figure was well knit and muscular, his head large, his voice strong and flexible. Near-sighted from his youth, he al- ways wore spectacles of more than ordinary power ; these in his portraits inevitably attract attention by their size and their great tortoise-shell rims. In consequence of his defective sight, he dispensed as much as possible with manuscript, committing his sermons to memory, and preaching with rapidity and energy. Like most men of lively temperament, he had intervals of depression ; but generally it was said of him that his presence in a room was like a ray of sunshine. This was the man who in the month of December, 1800, took his place in Trinity Parish as an Assistant. His influence in shaping a new policy can be distinctly traced, even in the passionless minutes of the Corporation, as the Rectorship of Dr. Moore drew slowly to an end.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE CAVE JONES CONTROVERSY.
Bishop Moore asks for a Coadjutor-Mr. Cave Jones Issues His Solemn Appeal- Character of Mr. Jones-Estimation of by Trinity Corporation-Title of Appeal- Apologies from Dr. Hobart-Disagreement between Dr. Hobart and Mr. Jones-In Regard to Duties of Standing Committee-Publication of Books-Reeoneiliation be- tween Them-Fresh Disagreements -- Smallness of Charges Made in the Appeal-Mr. Cave Jones Debarred from Holy Communion-Just Summary of Controversy in A Word in Season-Succession of Pamphlets-Blame on Both Sides-Aetion of the Corporation- - Their Resolutions-Matter Left to Arbitration-Report of Committee on State of Church-Its Reeommendations-Terms of Award-Agreed to by Both Sides-Appointment by the President of Mr. Jones as Chaplain-His Death.
HAVE in my library a stout octavo volume of more than six hundred pages, of which the title-page runs as follows :
" Report of the Case between the Rev. Cave Jones and the Rector and Inhabitants of the City of New York in communion of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New York. As the same was argued before the five Judges of the Supreme Court of the State of New York - Arbitrators to whom the difference between the parties were referred by a rule of the said Court. By Matthew L. Davis. New York : Printed by William A. Davis. 1813."
This book contains so great a mass of matter relating to its subject as to show that the affair agitated the Church and the City to an extraordinary degree, and even carried the waves of strife and dissension to many parts of the State far beyond the city limits. Although con- troversies of this class, involving little of principle and turning mainly on personal questions, might very well be allowed to drop out of the memory of man, yet, in this VOL. 11 .- 14
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instance, considering the high position of the combatants, their relations to the Parish and Diocese, and the enforced participation of the Vestry in the strife, it seems expe- dient to give a brief account of the affair, which, after all, comes in as part of the history of the Parish, and led to certain conclusions of importance in the subsequent policy of the Corporation. The Cave Jones Controversy will therefore form the subject of this chapter.
Repeated attacks of paralysis had forced Dr. Moore to live in retirement, and so shattered his health that he was unable to attend to matters of business. On the 13th of March, 1811, as we have already seen, Dr. Beach was ap- pointed Assistant Rector. The duties and cares of Dr. Moore as Rector of Trinity Parish were, however, but the half of his responsibilities, and the easier half ; if unable to attend to them, he was still less able to visit his exten- sive Diocese, or continue the oversight thereof. Accord- ingly, soon after his nomination of Dr. Beach as Assistant Rector, came a further request for the election of an Assistant Bishop. This letter, addressed to the Secretary of the Convention, was spread on the minutes on the 9th of May, and, together with the action thereon in compli- ance with the Bishop's request, reads as follows :
"To the Rev. Dr. Beach-
"Whereas the Right Rev. Benjamin Moore, D.D., Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New-York, hath caused a letter to be addressed to the secretary of the Convention of the said Church, which letter is in the words following :
"' Rev. Sir :
"'The severe affliction with which it hath pleased Almighty God to visit me, has affected my state of health in such a manner, that it will be impossible for me, without assistance, to perform the duties of the Episcopal office. I am therefore anxious that a special Convention should be called, for the purpose of deliberating on the propriety of appointing an Assistant Bishop in this Diocese. A variety of consider-
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1813]
ations, affecting the most important interest of our holy Church, appear to me to render that measure indispensable. And it is, I think, very desirable that the appointment should be made without delay, so that the consecration may take place at the ensuing general Convention. You will therefore be so good as to take the necessary steps for calling a special convention of the Church in this Diocese, to meet, in the city of New-York - on the second Tuesday of May next.
"'Praying sincerely that all our undertakings may, by Divine Prov- idence, be guided in such a way as may best conduce to the glory of God, and the good of this Church, I remain, with affection and esteem, Rev. Sir, your friend and father in the Lord,
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