USA > New York > New York City > A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 3 > Part 16
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"your obedt Humble Serv
"H. T. McGEORGE jun"
" RIGHT REVD J. H. HOBART "
1819 .- The following drafts of the appeals and notices to be read in the churches within Trinity Parish are note- worthy, showing the Bishop's deep interest in his Indian missions, and especially that of Mr. Eleazer Williams to the Oneida Indians. These drafts are by Bishop Hobart and are dated New York, February 20, 1819.
" We beg leave to present to the serious consideration of the public & particularly of the members of our respective congregations the case of Abraham Le Fort Commissary. He is the son of the Head Warrior of the Onondagas who was killed in the American service at the bat- tle of Chippewa, & is qualified as far as respects natural good parts & pious & amiable dispositions, for acting as the religious Instructor of his countrymen. To fit him for this important work, it is necessary he should receive an education-but he is destitute of pecuniary means ;
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Appeal on Behalf of Indians
1819]
to supply them this appeal is made to the humane & benevolent. Sev- eral denominations of Christians display much zeal & munificence in educating young men of various nations to act as Missionaries. It will be much to be lamented, if the only case of the kind presented to Episcopalians should not meet with their patronage.
"All sums subscribed shall be faithfully applied to the above pious & benevolent purpose."
" The unfortunate condition of the Indian tribes is justly lamented by the humane & benevolent, & various measures are prosecuting for introducing among them the arts of civilised life & the blessings of re- ligion. It must be obvious that no persons are so well calculated for this purpose as native Indians, who acquainted with the language, & dispositions of their countrymen, & enjoying their confidence, will be able to exert a beneficial influence over them in relation both to their temporal & spiritual concerns. Mr. Eleazar Williams who is of Indian extraction & who has for some time successfully la- bored in the religious instruction of the Oneidas is now in this city with a young Indian chief who is desirous of rec'g an education for the purpose of acting as Religious instructor among his countrymen.
"He is the son of the Head warrior of the Onondagas, who was in the American service during the late war, & was killed at the battle of Chippewa .. According to the usage of the Indians, he succeeds to the station of his Father, & thus as one of the Chiefs of the nation will possess considerable authority among them. He was instructed in the truths of Christianity in early life by Abraham Brandt, a Christian of the Mohawk nation, & more recently Mr. Eleazar Williams has superintended his instruction, & his earnest desire is to receive an education which may qualify for exercising the ministry among his countrymen, for which he is fitted by his habits & by his pious & amiable disposition. As he is only very imperfectly acquainted with the English language, his education will require some time & he is entirely destitute of the funds for defraying the necessary expenses. He is therefore compelled to make an appeal to the benevolence of the public, in the hope that those who commiserate the benighted & degraded state of his countrymen, will aid him in qualifying himself to extend among them the comforts of civilised life, & the unspeakable blessings of the Gospel of Christ.
" His interesting situation as the son of an Indian Chieftain who was killed in the service of the country at the head of the warriors of the six nations, gives him a still further claim to public patronage.
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" Benefactions for this pious & benevolent purpose will be rec'd by the Rt Rev Bishop Hobart No 22 Vesey Street, or by Garrit H. Van Wagenen, Esq., No. Gold Street."
Here is the draft of the letter the Bishop wrote to Mr. Williams :
" NEW YORK, May 11, 1819. " DEAR SIR,
" I have reason to believe that by your visiting the Seneca In- dians you may be instrumental in promoting their temporal welfare & their religious & moral improvement. In reference to those im- portant objects it is my desire that you should visit them, & remain with them as long as you may deem your stay with them useful & as may be compatible with the paramount duties which you owe to the Oneidas with whom you are immediately connected. Express to the Oneidas my best wishes & prayers for them. I expect to visit them in August next & to consecrate their Church. Sometime previously it will be necessary that you should return to them from your mission to the West.
"I am " Sincerely yrs " J. H. HOBART " MR. ELEAZAR WILLIAMS.'
The work of the Church upon the extreme western border of the State had been done with much energy by the Rev. Samuel Johnston, the Rev. William A. Clark, and the Rev. Deodatus Babcock.
Mr. Clark's letter shows the progress that had been made in less than two years :
" BUFFALO, June Ist, 1819.
" RT. REVd & D' SIR,
" Having an opportunity by Mr. Ogden I embrace it to write you concerning the state of the Church and of my own proceedings,-the Sunday after I left N. York I reached Batavia, and performed Divine service, but I found the Church even more depressed than I could have anticipated. The Vestry are in debt for what they have ex- pended upon the building, about $1000, considerable of this to Mr. Ellicott's clerks who have commenced prosecutions, probably with a
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Letter from Richard F. Cadle
1819]
design and by his instigation to sell the Church on judgment and thus place it at his disposal,-and there is not enough of spirit and love of Episcopacy in Batavia to save the Church from this ignomin- ious degradation, the people in this situation not being real Episcopal- ians are perfectly indifferent about the services of the Church, and now, Sir, after this sad account please give me your advice what I shall do, whether I shall continue to devote a part of my services to that place or direct them to some other where there may be more hope of success. Since my return I have performed service once every Sunday at the Rock and twice in Buffalo. Everything seems promis- ing in each place, were it not for the embarrassment of the inhabitants. We are preparing to commence the building of a Chch and shall prob- ably have it in a situation to meet in by Christmas.
" Mrs. Hobart will recollect the extraordinary nutts I mentioned to her brought from Sandusky. I have procured some for your plan- tation and if Mr. Ogden cannot take them shall send them by the next conveyance. Please make my respects to Mrs. H. and the rest of your good family.
" Yours &c., " WILLIAM A. CLARK. " RT. REVP. J. H. HOBART."
The Revd. Richard F. Cadle was another of the Bishop's disciples. A pioneer missionary of the Church, he laid enduring foundations in what was then the new West. The vexed question of a marriage with a deceased wife's sister troubled him early in his ministry.
" GOSHEN, June 9th 1819.
" RIGHT REV. & DEAR SIR
" It would give me much satisfaction to receive, as often as it is convenient for you to give, your direction & counsel. The duties of the ministry I find to be arduous as the office is responsible-I feel my insufficiency, my need of instruction-I think sometimes if others were in my situation they would be more useful, which makes me con- cerned for myself & this congregation-but though little success has attended me so far, I know God has promised-the truth shall be blessed-& the seed now sown may at some future day spring up & bear abundant fruit.
" We have lately formed a Female Episcopal Missy Society agree-
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ably to the recommendation of the New York Episcopal Missy Society. The sum raised by this society cannot but be small, but it will aid in promoting the interests of religion & our church.
"Would you please to give me your opinion on the question-is the marriage of a deceased wife's sister unlawful? I have enquired the opinion of some, who considered it as strictly lawful, & I have seen a pamphlet designed to prove it incestuous, some of the reasons of which seem to me to have considerable weight. I wish to be settled on this subject, as, in case I should be called upon to marry any under these circumstances, I would not know what course to take.
"I remain " Your's " with respect & affection " RICH" F. CADLE
"RIGHT REV BISHOP HOBART
" Would you please also mention what books are most necessary & proper for me to study in my preparation for priest's orders ?"
The following is the letter of the Bishop to the Rev. Seth Hart which we have already alluded to, referring to the curious statement of Mr. Clowes that no public notifi- cation had been made of his deposition :
"NEW-YORK, June 14, 1819. " REV & DEAR SIR,
"I have understood from you that several persons belonging to the congregation of Hempstead were desirous of knowing the causes of Mr. Clowes suspension. The same intimations have been made to me from various other quarters. I have therefore concluded to have the sen- tence of his suspension which is a public document printed for the information of those concerned, and I send to you some copies thereof.
"I have also been informed that the Rev Mr Clowes has ex- pressed his surprise that the sentence of his suspension & the record of his trial were not made generally known. I must therefore request you to deliver some of the copies to Mr Clowes, & to inform him that he can procure more at the office of the Messrs Swords. You will also please to inform him that when any arrangements are made by
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Appeals from Southern States
1819]
him or by others for printing the record of his trial, which would form a large volume, the original record shall be furnished by me for that purpose.
"I am " Yrs very sincerely " J. H. HOBART
"THE REV: MR. HART-"
The Rev. Henry U. Onderdonk, Rector of St. John's Church, Canandaigua, wrote to the Bishop of the financial embarrassment of that parish owing to certain failures and to the stringency of money. An execution in the hands of the sheriff had only been kept from publication by his vigorous efforts. He appealed to the Bishop for aid from Trinity Church. The manner in which relief came is told in this letter of Mr. Ogden, written in 1819, which proves what has often been said, that the Church in Western New York could not have prospered had it not been for the timely aid of this Corporation :
" MY DEAR SIR,
"I have written a letter to Mr. Harison containing a distinct and strong expression of my sentiments on the subject of the Church at Canandaigua.
" Happening to learn from Mr. W. D. Blackwell that he had $1500 which he was desirous to lend to T. C .- I proposed to Mr. H. that the gentlemen give their bond for this sum to Mr. Blackwell, and that the Church should guarantee it, to which Mr. B. consents. He wants, however, an immediate answer as his money is unemployed.
" Remember me in your prayers for those who travel by land & water & believe me ever and everywhere,
" Yours, "T. L. OGDEN. " 26 June " Bp. HOBART."
The discussion of the missionary work in the vari- ous parts of the United States, the appeals from Ken- tucky, Louisiana, and other Southwestern States, and the
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History of Trinity Church
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trumpet call of Bishop Chase for the far West had made a deep impression. It was left to Philadelphia to take the first steps for an organization which was approved by the General Convention of 1820, and named the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episco- pal Church.
" PHILADELPHIA, August 26, 1819. " RT, REVD SIR,
" The propriety of establishing a general missionary society in the United States under the direction of the Protestant Episcopal Church has for some time past occupied the attention of the Managers of the Missionary Society of Pennia.
" Several circumstances have occurred to convince them, that such a measure would be attended with much benefit, & they cannot believe that any difficulties would present themselves which might not be overcome by zealous co-operation.
" A Committee has been appointed to lay the subject before the Rt. Revª, the Bishops of the different Churches in the Union, and if approved to adopt such measures as seem best calculated to effect the design.
" We ask your opinion, & shall be glad to find that you approve the object. Any observation which you will have the goodness to make touching the subject, & any advice you may give will be thankfully received.
" GEO. BOYD, " Chairman of the Committee. " Names of the Committee:
" REVª JACKSON KEMPER,
" WILLIAM A. MUHLENBERG,
" JOHN B. WALLACE,
" JAMES MIXEN, "GEORGE BOYD."
The Thanksgiving Proclamation for the year 1819 came very near not being issued on account of the Epi- demic in New York. The virulence of the disease some- what abating, the Governor finally decided to issue the ordinary Proclamation, and wrote accordingly to the Bishop :
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Church in Connecticut
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" ALBANY, 28 October 1819.
" RIGHT REVEREND SIR
" In consequence of the existence of malignant fever in New York, I thought proper to postpone issuing a recommendation for a thanks- giving. This, however, I propose to do in a few days, and probably the beginning of next week. The day I contemplate is Wednesday the 22ª day of December
" I have the honour to be " With the highest respect " Your most Obed! Servt. " DEWITT CLINTON
" THE RIGHT REVEREND BISHOP HOBART "
This letter from the Rev. Dr. Harry Croswell, Rector of Trinity Church, New Haven, refers to the sermon preached by Bishop White at the consecration of Dr. Brownell, and the address of a Special Committee of the Convention to Bishop Hobart., It shows the warm appre- ciation of the work done in Connecticut by Dr. Hobart, and the generous manner in which he gave his services.
" NEW HAVEN, Dec. 3, 1819.
" RIGHT REV. & DEAR SIR,
"I have the pleasure to forward agreeably to your request two dozen copies of Bishop White's sermon with the addresses. As a part of the edition is published for gratuitous distribution, you will not con- sider yourself indebted to any body for them. With regard to sentence in the address of which you speak, I have taken the liberty to retain it with a very slight alteration-you certainly undertook to discharge : the Episcopal duties of this Diocess, without any view to pecuniary com- pensation-nor do I think that the comparatively small sum presented by the Trustees could be termed a compensation; for it was nothing more than a fair remuneration for your expenses. However, to remove all possible objection, I have substituted the word interest :- you had no view to any pecuniary interest, nor has any such interest been sub- served. As to the address at large, you will believe me when I say, that it contains but a feeble expression of the high sense which I enter- tain of your personal character as well as of your public ministrations.
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I hope it is all correctly printed, but amid the pressure of duty errors may have escaped me.
" Bishop Brownell has commenced the Episcopal visitation, of the success I think we have little reason to doubt. He will visit New Haven next week when I will attend to the suggestion communicated by Mr. Jacocks. Mr. Gilbert has gone by Bishop Bowen's invitation to South Carolina. I am convinced that it is altogether best. He is a fine young man, but his wife would never suffer him to be happy in a northern climate.
" Pardon this hasty scrawl, and believe me to be, " With sentiments of the most cordial esteem, " Your friend & ob servt,
" H. CROSWELL.
" RT. REV. BP. HOBART.
" Dec. 11th. "P. S.
"Since writing the foregoing, which I postponed sending on account of a few days delay in publishing the pamphlet, I have recd yours of the 7th, and will inquire after some young man for the place you men- tion, though I am apprehensive that I shall not be able to find one. Bishop Brownell is now with me. His visitations thus far have been attended with favourable effects, and there is little doubt that he will fulfil our best anticipations. On all Church points he takes high and decided ground and seems to rejoice at the unanimity of the clergy and laity on the subject."
1820 .- A draft of the notice to be read in the Parish Church and its Chapels on Sunday Morning, January 16, 1820, is among the Hobart MSS. It was an appeal for funds to purchase books of instruction for the children of the Sunday-schools. In it the Bishop says :
" The utility of Sunday Schools is in many respects apparent, particularly in bringing to public worship, on Sundays, children who would otherwise remain idle at home, or be wandering the streets; and in giving them religious instruction; and forming them to orderly and decent habits."
This letter, one of several from the second Bishop of Maryland, reveals the orderly methods of Bishop Kemp
.
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Letter from Bishop Kemp
1820]
and the impulsive, careless methods of Bishop Hobart. It deals frankly with several matters of interest and shows the intimacy between the two Bishops.
"BALTO Jan'y 13, 1820.
"RT. REVP & DEAR SIR,
"I am so much pleased to have a letter from you, that I do not mean to wait the return of Mr. Cox to New York to carry an answer. Without saying anything about what has passed we will return to the same affectionate and useful intercourse, that for many years existed between us. God knows we have enemies and opponents enough, & of course we ought to comfort and strengthen one another. As to the manuscript it is so long since I saw it that I have entirely forgotten the terms in which the conversion of Mr. Barnwell is described. The cast of enthusiasm given to the matter may well be ascribed to Mr. Campbell, and any change in the mode of expression might be quite allowable. I think I should not like the part reproducing my letters to be published unconnected with the rest, and if such alteration can- not be made to render the whole fit for the public eye, I would wish you to return the Letter & I will barely show it to some of my most confidential friends.
" I feel greatly indebted to you for your instrumentality in the late affair of settling a Bp. in Connecticut. It is of great consequence to keep the Episcopate correct & pure. And hitherto it stands as well as we could expect. In Virginia, indeed, there are few if any correct churchmen among the clergy, but the laity are a good deal disposed to grumble; and I believe our good friend Bp. Moore is very much worn out in Richmond. The congregation is composed of very different materials from those of the congregation of St. Stephen's in New York.
" Mr. H.' is trying hard to raise a party here, but I think he has mistaken his sphere of action, particularly with the laity.
"They may occasionally give a vote at a Convention, but whenever any great matter occurs in which the character of the Church is impli- cated great reliance I think may be placed upon the laymen of Mary- land. Our vicinity, however, to Virginia is no advantage. You have no doubt seen a Letter addressed to Ricardus, D.D., Bp. of Vignan by Sopater of Berea.
" The clergy of Virginia are very angry about this Letter but the laity think it will do good.
1 N .?
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"Before I close this letter, I must say to you that you offend your friends & occasion great trouble for yourself from want of method in the management of your papers, your correspondence & your manu- scripts. Let me beg of you to put your study in order & assign a place for every description of Papers. Set apart also a particular time for answering Letters & you will do more business & to much more satisfaction.
" Your affec Brother, " JAS KEMP."
As showing the variety of appeals made to him for his opinion and approval, there is a letter from Messrs. A. and J. W. Picket, January 18, 1820, soliciting the Bishop's ap- probation of The Juvenile Spelling and Expositor.
Mr. Floyd Smith wrote to the Bishop, July 20, asking his opinion as to the advisability of having collections in all the Churches in New York for the Bible and Common Prayer Book Society. This good man says :
"The demand for Books is undiminished. Our hands are fettered, and the high hopes entertained of the usefullness of the Society nearly blasted. The solemn enquiry what can be done ? has weighed heavily on the minds of many of us, and we think we cannot stand acquitted at the Bar of our own conscience, nor at that of a higher Tribunal, If we fail to make an effort to revive and reanimate our Society that shall be proportionate to its necessity.
" This, among other Experiments has suggested itself to the Board, and in obedience to the. Apostolick Injunction, 'Do nothing without the Bishop,' they have Instructed me to ascertain your Sentiments on the Subject. Will you therefore have the goodness to take It into con- sideration, and give me the result thereof ? "
The earliest effort to Christianize the west coast of Africa was by the Rev. Thomas Thompson, who, in 1750, resigned the mission of Christ Church, Monmouth, New Jersey, to become a missionary to the negroes. He was fairly successful and through negroes educated by him, particularly Philip Quague, an excellent work was done for
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West Africa Missions
1820]
many years. The design of sending negroes from Amer- ica to the land of their fathers to form there a colony, and carry with them civilization and Christianity was enter- tained by many before the Revolution, notably Dr. Ezra Stiles and Dr. Samuel Hopkins.
Sierra Leone had been established in 1791 by Granville Sharp, William Wilberforce, and other benevolent gentle- men of England as a home for negroes from all parts of the world, but especially those in America who had re- mained loyal to the British Crown.
The Rev. Robert Finley, D.D., of New Jersey, and Mr. Ezra B. Caldwell, of Washington, were the prime movers in founding a Society for the colonisation upon the West Coast of Africa of a colony of free negroes who might wish to return to the land of their fathers.
Many men prominent in political and social life became members, among them Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, John Randolph, Bushrod Washington, Bishop Meade, Francis S. Key. The Society was organized in Washington on December 21, 1816. Mr. Samuel J. Mills, the suggester of the American Board of Foreign Missions, and Mr. Ebenezer Burgess were sent on an exploring tour to determine a suitable site. They sailed in November, 1817, and their report, upon which the Society founded Liberia, was made in the summer of 1818. Mr. Mills literally gave his life for this work, as he died on the homeward voyage. It was not until 1820 that the Society found itself in funds to commence operations.
The Government of the United States appropriated one hundred thousand dollars for the deportation to Africa of recaptured slaves. President Monroe in 1819 determined to send a ship with suitable agents, men and supplies, to establish a colony in Africa. With this move- ment the Colonisation Society combined its efforts. The VOL. III .- 11.
الح الأنا الرسم
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History of Trinity Church
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bark Elizabeth of three hundred tons was chartered by the United States, who appointed as its agents the Rev. Samuel Bacon and Mr. John P. Bankson. With them the Society associated Dr. Samuel A. Crozer. Goods and stores were provided by both the Society and the Govern- ment for the purchase of land and the use of the emigrants. It was while the Elizabeth was waiting to receive cargo at the foot of Rector Street that Mr. Bacon made his application to Bishop Hobart. The bark sailed Febru- ary 6, 1820, with eighty-nine emigrants and a large quan- tity of tools, supplies, and stores, convoyed by the United States sloop-of-war Cyane. It reached Sierra Leone in March. The first settlement was made on the island of Sherbro which Mr. Burgess had recommended. This location proved very unhealthy, and within a few weeks the three agents and many of the colonists died. Others went to Fourah Bay and Sierra Leone. The disheartened remainder were finally rescued from their unpleasant sur- roundings by. Captain Robert F. Stockton, of the United States armed schooner Alligator in 1821.
" NEW YORK, 20 Jan. 1820.
' RIGHT REV. SIR,
" Being now in such a state of readiness as to be able to say we shall doubtless sail in 6 or 8 days, & being desirous to carry with us a supply of prayer Books both for the use of the Church we have a prospect of forming amongst ourselves, & for those who may be re- claimed from heathen idolatry (for which purpose we pray God to bless our labours) I take the liberty of requesting the Prayer Book Society through you, to make us a donation of 150 or if convenient 200 Prayer Books. There are about 12 native Chiefs, Kings or Headmen on that part of the coast of Africa to which our attention is directed, whose friendship we wish to conciliate & for whose religious instruction we shall feel anxious, two or three of whom were educated in England & can read & speak & I believe write the English language, to all of whom I wish it to be in my power to present prayer books. If there- fore it be possible, I beg you to procure from that Society about one
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