USA > New York > New York City > A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 2 > Part 19
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
"If these sentiments should receive the approbation of the Vestry, the Committee beg leave to recommend that a copy of this report, and of the resolution approving it, be transmitted to the Bishop, and another to the Rev. Mr. Jones."
On June 13, 1811, that is, after the consecration of Bishop Hobart it was
" Resolved, That from the circumstances and situation of the Congre- gations associated with Trinity Church it has become expedient that the Connection between Trinity Church and St. George's and St. Paul's Chapels be dissolved, and that the said chapels be endowed and estab- lished as Separate Churches in like manner as Grace Church has been established." 1
The passage of this resolution shows how deeply the Cave Jones controversy had affected the Parish. Mr. Jones enjoyed the support of the congregation of St. Paul's Chapel; and now comes out the surprising fact that the Corporation were ready and desirous to set off
1 Records, liber ii., folio 209.
3 ()
ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL NEW YORK.
Interior of St. Haut's Chapel as first constructed.
223
Recommendations Adopted
1813]
that venerable Chapel, which had served as the Parish Church during the Revolutionary period after the great fire, and to make it a distinct Corporation in order that the people might elect Mr. Cave Jones as its Rector. This startling proposal appears to the writer to indicate a weakness unusual in the Corporation of Trinity Church, and only excusable when we consider the extent of the corrosion produced by the inflammation of the ecclesiastical system. Fortunately, the momentary vertigo passed off, and a more becoming way out of the trouble was found. On September 5, 1811, the Committee on the State of the Church made a full report, taking everything into consid- eration. It will, we think, be considered as a masterly summary of the existing state of the Church, presenting the remedies in each case for the acknowledged evil.
"Ist, In view of the Rector's permanent disability to resume his work, there be allowed him a pension of £500.
"2d, That Dr. Beach having signified his intention of resigning, that there be allowed him a pension of £700 and if he live in town a further sum of £300 to pay for the rent of a house.
"3d, On the subject of additional assistance to the Clergy the Committee report that it would be inexpedient to make any arrange- ment whilst the proposal for the separation of St. George's and St. Paul's remain unanswered.
" 4th, In respect 'to the disorderly State of Trinity Church and its Chapels proceeding from the misbehaviour, before alluded to by the Rev. Mr. Jones, and which became the subject of the early animadver- sion of the Vestry, the Committee are constrained to declare, that in their opinion, the peace of the Church cannot be re-established so long as the Connection between the Vestry and the revª Mr. Jones remains undissolved.' " 1
These recommendations, equitable and appearing to cover the whole field of the controversy, were agreed to. They recognize the infirm condition of the Rector's health and the inexpediency of allowing him to bear any longer
1 Records, liber ii., folio 214.
224
History of Trinity Church
[18II-
the burden of administering the Parish, and they grant him a pension. They relieve Dr. Beach from an anoma- lous position, and clear the way for his retirement with a suitable provision for his support. They state that no further appointment should be made for St. Paul's while an agitation was in progress in the congregation of that Chapel. And, finally, they remand the case of Mr. Jones, the author of all the trouble, to the Bishop of the Diocese for such action as might be considered best, under Canon xxxii. of General Convention.
But Mr. Jones at once protested against the applica- tion of the said Canon to himself, and continued in revolt against the action of the Corporation. They had no choice but to adhere to their proposition, and the case, accordingly, went to the Bishop. It was
"ordered that a copy of the late report of the Committee relating to Mr. Jones be forwarded to the Bishop with the request that he proceed in accordance with the Canons."
The minutes of November 4, 1811, record the notifi- cation from the Bishop that he will be ready on November 5th to proceed with the case of the difference between Mr. Jones and the Vestry of Trinity Church.
On November 6th the minutes record the instrument giving the decision of the Bishop.
" Whereby it is recommended that the reverend Cave Jones one of the Assistant Ministers of this Church do relinquish immediately his title to the said office of Assistant Minister, that this vestry do pay him the balance of his Salary up to the date of the said Retirement and also within the period of thirty days thereafter the sum of One thousand pounds." '
The Vestry agreed to the terms and ordered the Bishop to be notified to that effect.
Mr. Cave Jones, however, still stood his ground, and 1 Records, liber ii., folio 221.
1813]
Matter Left to Arbitration 225
with spirit declined to withdraw. In a letter dated De- cember 12, 1811, he expressed a readiness, obviously tanta- mount to a determination, to continue to perform his official duties as an Assistant Minister of the Parish. When affairs reach the culmination of perplexity, the favor- ite method is to resort to arbitration, as presenting the last chance of escape from a dilemma. This course was now taken, as appears from the Records of March 28th. The Committee on the State of the Church announced to the Vestry that a correspondence had taken place between them and Messrs. Farmer, Farquhar, Mesier, and Munro, as authorized agents of the Reverend Mr. Jones, on the subject of the differences existing between that gentleman and the Vestry ; by which correspondence it appears that a reference to arbitrators, to be selected from the clerical or legal professions, of all matters which could properly be discussed in a court of justice in any suit between Mr. Jones and the Vestry, had been proposed and, subject to the approbation of the Vestry, had been agreed to by the Committee, upon an understanding that the quantum of compensation to be allowed to Mr. Jones should be con- sidered as open for adjustment by the said arbitrators, notwithstanding any decision establishing the validity of the sentence of suspension, and that upon such refer- ence no advantage should be taken of the want of the Corporation seal to the contract between Mr. Jones and the Vestry.
To this proposition the Vestry assented, agreeing to the said reference and declaring that they "will in all matters within their powers carry into effect the Conditions stipu- lated by their Committee." 1
The work of arbitration proceeded slowly ; an exten- sion of time was granted in September to the first day of
1 Records, liber ii., folio 231.
VOL. 11 .- 15
226
History of Trinity Church
[18II-
November next.1 Finally, on October 30, 1813, the terms of the award are given in full.
" Ist We award and adjudge that the said action of the said Cave Jones against the said Rector and Inhabitants cease and be no further prosecuted.
" 2d We award and adjudge that the said Rector and Inhabitants pay to the said Cave Jones on or before the first day of November next the sum of seven thousand five hundred Dollars together with the actual balance due the said Cave Jones on the 5th day of November 1811 for services previously rendered by him to the said Rector and inhabitants.
" 3d We award and adjudge that the said Cave Jones at the same time execute under his hand and seal and deliver to the said Rector and Inhabitants a Release of all actions claims and demands whatsoever in Law or Equity arising or to arise upon any contract matter or thing mentioned or referred to in the recitals contained in the Said Bonds of Submission." 2
On receipt of the terms of award, the Board resolved that the Treasurer be authorized to pay the several sums of money therein awarded to Mr. Jones-and they further resolved that, upon compliance on the part of Mr. Jones with the terms of the award, the Board would unite with him in an application to the Bishop for the removal of Mr. Jones's suspension.
Thus did this troublesome and vexatious controversy come to a conclusion. Mr. Jones withdrew with his large sum of money, the price paid for his retirement from the scene, and the troubled waves subsided. The proceedings of the Corporation were marked throughout by fairness, consideration, and dignity. One relic of the battle re- mains to this day. The ancient proverb runs, " A singed cat dreads the fire." A special resolution was passed to this effect :
" That the Assistant Ministers Employed by this Corporation (other than the Assistant Rector) are considered as holding their offices during the pleasure of the Vestry."
1 Records, liber ii., folio 256.
? Ibid., folio 257. 3 Ibid., folio 223.
227
Tenure of Assistant Clergy
1813]
From that day all appointments of Assistant Ministers in Trinity Parish have been "during the pleasure of the Vestry," words carefully inserted in every call. The object aimed at was to prevent the recurrence of trouble similar to that encountered in the case of Mr. Cave Jones, and to retain in the hands of the Corporation the right to free itself if necessary from the presence of enemies to the peace of the Parish and inciters to disor- der. I recall, in our history, one instance only in which the power referred to has been exercised by the Corpora- tion, and that was in the case of an obscure person, in Deacon's orders only, who had become an element of danger, and whom it was necessary to repress and cast out. The terms of the call, as given, imply no insecurity of the tenure of office of our Clergy ; their positions are, · substantially, life positions ; and, by Ordinance, provision is made for retirement after long and faithful service, with an honorarium to secure from need and anxiety in old age. Places in Trinity Parish are, probably, more permanent than those in almost any other. But prudence, taught by an incident such as has been related in this chapter, dictated that the Clergy,-with the exception of the only two Charter Officers, the Rector and Assistant Rector, --- shall hold office only "during the pleasure of the Vestry."
It only remains to add, that the unfortunate Mr. Jones, upon leaving the Parish, was appointed, by President Monroe, a Chaplain in the Navy, and Principal of the Naval Seminary at Brooklyn, where he died, January 29, 1829.
CHAPTER XX.
CLOSE OF DR. MOORE'S RECTORSHIP.
Rapid Advancement of Dr. Hobart - Elected Secretary to Diocesan Convention - Deputy to General Convention -Secretary to the House of Deputies - Doctor of Divinity- Trustee of Columbia College -Consecrated Bishop-Coadjutor - Circum- stances Attending his Consecration - Resignation of Dr. Beach - Nomination of Dr. Ilobart as Assistant Rector-Terms of Engagement of Assistant Ministers Altered - Election of William Berrian and Benjamin T. Onderdonk - Application for Increase of Salaries from the Clergy - Resolution of the Board -- Voting for Wardens and Vestrymen - Action of Christ Church - Letters from Zion Church and St. Mark's Church - Act to Alter Name of Corporation Passed - Literary Activities of Dr. Hobart - List of Works Published -Controversies with Dr. Linn and Dr. Mason - Edits Churchman's Magazine - Establishes the New York Bible and Prayer Book Society - The Protestant Episcopal Tract Society - Preaches at the Consecration of Trinity Church, Newark -Character of Hobart's Correspondence, 1800-1816 - Precis of the Minutes of the Corporation - Death of Bishop Provoost - Death of Bishop Moore- Resolutions of the Vestry - Character and Appearance of Bishop Moore- Clement C. Moore - Election of Dr. Ilobart as Seventh Rector - Conelusion.
W T E approach the end of Part II. of this History :
a few more pages bring us to the date of the death of Bishop Moore. It has been seen that a reorgani- zation of the ecclesiastical government occurred upon the termination of the controversy of which a full account has been given in the preceding chapter. Meanwhile Dr. Hobart stands forth to view as the most conspicuous figure of that day. His progress since his settlement in the City of New York had been rapid. In 1801 he was elected Secretary to the Diocesan Convention ; he was a Deputy to the General Conventions of 1801, 1804, and 1808, and Secretary of the House of Deputies in 1804. In 1801 he was chosen a Trustee of Columbia (formerly
228
----------
229
[1811-1816] Consecration of Hobart
King's) College, and in 1806 he received the degree of Doctor in Divinity from Union College.
When, in the year 1811, Dr. Hobart was elected Assistant Bishop of New York, the state of affairs in the Church was critical and alarming. There were only six Bishops in America : White of Pennsylvania, Madison of Virginia, Claggett of Maryland, Jarvis of Connecticut, and, in New York, Provoost and Moore. To obtain three of the number for a canonical consecration was difficult. Bishop Madison had abandoned Episcopal functions, con- fining himself exclusively to his duties as President of William and Mary College. Bishop Claggett set out on the journey to New York, but was obliged to return home owing to a severe attack of illness. Bishop Moore was a paralytic, unable to leave his house. Besides Bishops White and Jarvis, only Bishop Provoost was available. He promised, notwithstanding his infirmities, to be present, provided the consecration could be held in New York. To this the other two Bishops consented. Great anxiety was, however, felt as the day appointed for the consecra- tion, May 29, ISI1, drew near.
At the last moment Dr. Provoost had a serious attack of sickness. When therefore the vast congregation as- sembled in Trinity Church to witness the ceremony, it was moved but by one thought,-" Could Provoost attend ?" After moments of almost intolerable sus- pense, the news that the venerable Bishop had arrived and was actually in the vestry room was whispered from one to another. Audible thanksgivings ran through the assemblage : "He's come ! Thank God!" was echoed throughout the sacred edifice. Bishop Provoost remained in the vestry room till the conclusion of Morn- ing Prayer, entering the chancel for the Holy Com- munion Service. He read the Epistle in a low but
230
History of Trinity Church [18II-
distinct voice. Dr. Hobart and Dr. Griswold were con- secrated together.
Several unusual circumstances were noted on this re- markable occasion. Griswold was Hobart's senior, both in Holy Orders and in election ; but Bishop White altered the usual mode, and consecrated Hobart first. The ex- cuse was afterwards given, that Dr. Griswold was junior to Dr. Hobart by date of reception of the Doctorate of Divinity. It was believed, however, that the real reason for giving precedence to Dr. Hobart was the belief that he would better grace the presidential chair of the House of Bishops as a man of more elegant culture and parts, an office, however, which he never lived to fill. Another circumstance marked this service: the singular omission by Bishop White of the words "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" in the act of consecration. Finally, as a matter of antiquarian interest, it may be noted that this was the last public occa- sion on which a Bishop wore a wig-the wig then formed a part of the official costume : Bishop Provoost alone of the three Bishops wore it, and for the last time.
During the incumbency of Dr. Beach, and on his nomi- nation, Mr. William Berrian was elected an Assistant Min- ister of the Parish, December 12, 1811, and on October 30, 1813, Benjamin T. Onderdonk was also appointed an Assistant Minister.
Notwithstanding Dr. Hobart's consecration to the Episcopate, two years elapsed before the recommendation made by the Committee on the State of the Church in its report to the Board regarding the resignation of the Assistant Rector was carried into effect.
The document sent to the Corporation by Dr. Beach was read March 4, 1813, and is transcribed on the minutes of that date.
ـالكبد.وكيف
حممحمد ــ
جـ. سجة
١٠if
Consecrated S bistand Bishop of . You Work . May 29th, 1811 Appointed Stasistant Rector . April 12th, 1812 Became Bishop February 27th. Appointed Rector . March uth 1816 Bord .September 12 th, 1837.
231
Resignation of Dr. Beach
1816]
"In the name of God Amen. I Abraham Beach of the City of New York Doctor of Divinity Assistant Rector in this Corporation called and known by the name of the Rector and Inhabitants of the City of New York in Communion of the Protestant Episcopal ' in the State of New York before you the Church Wardens and vestry men of the said Church for certain just and lawful causes me and my mind moving, resign and give up my said office of Assistant Rector and Minister aforesaid, by whatsoever name the said office may be the most properly known and distinguished.
"In witness whereof I the said Abraham Beach have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and thirteen.
" ABRAHAM BEACH
(L. S.) "?
The resignation of Dr. Beach was accepted ; at the next meeting Bishop Moore nominated Bishop Hobart as the Assistant Rector ; upon the approval of which nomina- tion Dr. Hobart took the chair and for the first time presided at the meetings of the Corporation.3 He did not become Rector till three years afterwards, still he was from this date Rector de facto. Dr. Beach's resignation was one of the direct consequences of the Cave Jones controversy.
The right of voting at the election of Wardens and Vestrymen was brought to the front in 1812. Certain in- dividuals belonging to independent congregations in the City asserted their right to vote at the Easter elections of the Trinity Corporation ; alleging that the title of the Corporation, "The Rector and Inhabitants of the City of New York in Communion of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New York," gave that right to every Churchman who was an inhabitant of the City of New York.
The claim was not made by parishes, as such, but by individuals connected with them. Christ Church addressed
1 Sic. 2 Records, liber ii., folio 249. 3 Ibid., folio 250.
232
History of Trinity Church
[18II-
a letter to the Corporation of Trinity Church repudiating all desire on the part of its members to vote at any election of Wardens and Vestrymen for Trinity Parish. This letter was ordered by the Board to be filed, on May 4, 1812. It says in part,
"We have learnt with regret that some of our Episcopal Brethren assert the claim of a general right in all the Episcopal Churches on this Island to vote at your Elections for Church wardens and Vestrymen. Whatever Color may be given to this claim by any ambiguous words to be found in your charter we sincerely take pleasure in declaring that the Congregation of Christ Church which we represent have no desire to assert the claim, and that we will at any time hereinafter cheerfully unite with your respectable body in an Application to the Legislature if the measure shall be thought expedient for an Act to explain the Charter and conform the right of voting solely to the Congregations of the Churches under your immediate Government." 1
Similar letters were afterwards received from Zion Church, and St .- Mark's-Church-in-the-Bowery.
To remove the ambiguity in the corporate title of the Church, and to settle a question likely to prove trouble- some, the Vestry petitioned the Legislature in 1813, stating the facts of the case, and asking for some appro- priate legislation on the subject. The following extract from their petition correctly states the difficulty :
"Your petitioners beg leave further to show, that in consequence of the rapid and unexampled increase and prosperity of our country since the said Revolution, and the corresponding growth and population of the City of New York, Trinity Church aforesaid, with the churches and chapels belonging to its corporation became insufficient for the accommo- dation of all the inhabitants of the said city who professed themselves members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, or wished to become so ; on which account, and for a variety of other reasons not necessary to be suggested, numerous persons of this description have been induced from time to time to form themselves into distinct corporations each having its own peculiar endowments and places of worship, with 1 Records, liber ii., folio 258.
233
Title of Corporation Changed
1816]
Rectors and other officers of their own choice, totally independent of any control or interference of your petitioners.
" That a number of such religious corporations have accordingly been organized, as the law directs, some with and some without the concur- rence of your petitioners, to all which your petitioners have made liberal donations, and with whose internal concerns your petitioners, or any of the members of Trinity Church, as such, do not claim any right to intermeddle ; nor do the said corporations possess or claim any right for themselves to vote in the elections or regulate the affairs of Trinity Church.
"Nevertheless, a few individuals belonging to such separate corpora- tions have recently pretended to claim that right, and at the last annual election of Church wardens and vestrymen of Trinity Church, held in the month of March in the year 1812, two or three persons being members of incorporated churches, separate and distinct from your petitioners, tendered themselves as voters, but their votes, under an ordinance previously passed by your petitioners, were rejected, and no measures have been yet taken to enforce or establish the right so claimed.
" It must be obvious, however, that attempts of this nature cannot fail to produce strife and litigation, and to foster and keep alive pretensions of the most unreasonable nature, and of the most mischievous tendency."
The petition was presented to the Legislature of New York on the 17th of March, 1813, and an Act passed by the Senate on the 25th of March went to the House of Assembly on the 30th of March, and was ultimately passed on the 25th of January, IS14. This Act of 1814 author- ized the Corporation then known as "The Rector and In- habitants of the City of New York in Communion of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New York " to take and use the name of "The Rector, Church- wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church in the City of New York," and then provided for the qualifications of voters as follows :
"That all male persons of full age, who, for the space of one year preceding any election, shall have been members of the congregation of
234
History of Trinity Church
[18II-
Trinity Church aforesaid, or of any of the chapels belonging to the same, and forming part of the same religious corporation, and who shall hold, occupy, or enjoy a pew or seat in Trinity Church, or in any of the said chapels, or have partaken of the Holy Communion therein within the said year, and no other person shall be entitled to vote at the annual elections for the Churchwardens and Vestrymen of the said corporation."
This act also ratified the separation of St. George's Church.
Since the passage of this act the legal relation between Trinity Church and the other incorporated Episcopal Churches in the City of New York has been that of dis- tinct corporations, each, and the congregation of each, hav- ing no rights over the other.1
As an educator of the people in knowledge of the nature, claims, and mission of the Church, Dr. Hobart holds a high place : his activity on that line was constant and of great value. In 1803 he published a small work entitled A Treatise on the Nature and Constitution of the Christian Church : it was really a republication of Stephens's Treatise, with such alterations as the times required. In 1804 appeared his Companion to the Altar. His doctrinal views are well expressed in the portion of - the preface to the first edition which we transcribe.
"In the following pages the writer has endeavoured to keep in view the principles, which he deems most important and fundamental. These principles are - That we are saved from the guilt and the do- minion of sin by the divine merits and grace of a Crucified Redeemer, and that the merits and the grace of this Redeemer are applied to the soul of the believer in the devout and humane participation of the ordinances of the church, administered by the priest-hood who derive their authority by regular transmission from Christ, the Divine head of the Church, and the source of all power in it -"
1 See Narrative of Events connected with the Bicentennial Celebration of Trinity Church, New York, in May, 1897 ; monograph by Stephen P. Nash, entitled Note on the Use of the Term Chapel, pp. 73-78.
235
Hobart's Publications
1816]
In the following year, 1805, appeared his revision of Nelson's Fasts and Festivals, of which he thus explains the object :
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.