A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 3, Part 2

Author: Dix, Morgan, 1827-1908, ed. cn; Dix, John Adams, 1880-1945, comp; Lewis, Leicester Crosby, 1887-1949, ed; Bridgeman, Charles Thorley, 1893-1967, comp; Morehouse, Clifford P., ed
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: New York, Putnam
Number of Pages: 1162


USA > New York > New York City > A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 3 > Part 2


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 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47


CHAPTER XV.


BISHOP HOBART AND PUBLIC MATTERS


435


Diocesan Convention of 1827-The Bishop's Charge-Alterations Pro- posed by General Convention in the Prayer Book Considered-Reasons Given in Detail for the Changes Proposed-Consecration of Henry U. Onderdonk as Assistant Bishop of Pennsylvania - Sermon by Bishop Hobart-Position of the Church Defined-Its Faith-Its Worship-Its Discipline-Sermon Published-Controversy Aroused-Comments by Professor Doane-Attitude of Dr. Hobart to Politics-Declines Attend- ing Public Dinners-Death of De Witt Clinton-The Bishop Requested by the Common Council to Notice the Occasion in the Churches in Trinity Parish-Is Urged to Do so by Dr. Feltus-He Declines-And Gives Reasons Therefor-His Attitude Followed by his Successor in 1837 and 1852-Generosity of Vestry to the Rev. Benjamin T. Onder- donk-Aid to Mr. Berrian-House Rent Granted to Assistant Minis- ter-Further Donation Made to the Rector-Grant Made to Church of the Ascension-And to St. Stephen's Church-Legacy from John G. Leake for the Protestant Episcopal Public School-Repairs to Trinity Church Ordered.


CHAPTER XVI.


THE BISHOP AND HIS CLERGY


· Lectures Instituted by the Rector-Are Well Attended-Eleventh Anniversary of Sunday-School Society in St. Paul's Chapel, 1828- Western Visitation of 1828-Its Extent-The Bishop's Account to Diocesan Convention-He Organizes the Protestant Episcopal Press- Visit of the Bishop of Nova Scotia to New York-Bishop Hobart's Tribute to Dr. Abraham Beach-The Bishop's Attitude to Prayer Meet- ings or Clerical Associations - The Formation of the "Protestant Episcopal Clerical Association of the City of New York "-Its Objects


453


xvi


Contents


PAGE


Opposed by the Bishop-He Summons the Rev. Drs. Wainwright and Milnor to a Conference-Despite the Bishop's Protest the Association is Formed - Its Original Members - Its Constitution - The Bishop's Pastoral Condemning all Such Associations-Summary of Pastoral- Reasons for the Bishop's Condemnation Given in Detail-Perplexity of Members of the Association-Remarks by Dr. Turner-The Rev. Dr. Wainwright Announces his Withdrawal in Deference to the Wishes of the Bishop-The Association Issue a Pamphlet in Reply-A " Vindica- tion " of the Bishop's Pastoral is Issued-The " Account " Appears in Counter-reply-Followed by " A Brief Notice " Siding with the Bishop -Controversy Closed-Effects.


CHAPTER XVII.


CLOSING DAYS . . Diocesan Duties in the Spring of 1829-Confirmation in Trinity Church -Consecration of Ascension Church-Ordination of Five Members of the General Theological Seminary-Precedent Set by their Separate Ordination-Visit of the Bishop to Rev. William A. Muhlenberg at Flushing-And his Comments-Visitation Made in Central New York -To the Oneida Indians-Account of this Visit-Address of the Bishop to the Indians-The Bishop Attends Council of Chiefs-His Descrip- tion of it-Corner-Stone of St. Andrew's Church, Harlem, Laid-Meet- ing of the General Convention of 1829-Changes in the Prayer Book Considered - And Deemed Inexpedient - Consecration of St. Paul's Church, Albany-Second Visit to the Oneidas-And Ordination of Two Priests-Address of the Chiefs to the Bishop-Significant Ceremonies -The Chain of Friendship-The Reply of the Bishop-Diocesan Con- vention of 1829-His Charge on the Doctrine of the Trinity-Pastoral Setting Forth Two Thanksgiving-Day Prayers - New Course of Lectures Instituted at Columbia College-Consecration of St. Andrew's Church, Harlem-Form for Laying a Corner-Stone Set Forth by Bishop Hobart-His Last Ordination in Trinity Church-His Last Consecration of a Church, that of Zion Church, Little Neck-His Institution of the Rector at Rochester-His Last Public Utterance.


467


11111


Contents


xvii - Xviii


APPENDIX.


PAGE


I .- INDEX OF THE HOBART MANUSCRIPTS IN THE CUSTODY OF


THE REGISTRAR OF THE GENERAL CONVENTION . · 487


II .- REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF BOARD OF HEALTH ON PREVEN- -


TION OF SMALL-POX . ·


· 497


III .- LETTER FROM AN EPISCOPALIAN


.


·


499


IV .- PAMPHLETS IN THE HOBART-CHASE CONTROVERSY


·


·


5º3


V .- AN INVENTORY OF THE CHURCH PLATE BELONGING TO THE


PARISH OF TRINITY CHURCH, IN THE CITY OF NEW


YORK, ON JANUARY I, A. D. 1905 . 503


VI .- ORATORIO IN ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL ON THE OCCASION OF GENERAL LAFAYETTE'S VISIT TO NEW YORK, 1824 .


VII .- ADDRESS BY THE CLERGY TO BISHOP HOBART AND HIS REPLY 521


VIII .- PERSONS IN ATTENDANCE ON LECTURE IN ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL, MARCH 13, 1828 .. . · 524


IX .- LIST OF WORKS REFERRED TO IN PART III.


.


·


.


526


INDEX


.


. 531


The List of Churches and Parishes aided by Trinity Church will be given in Part IV.


4


ILLUSTRATIONS.


PAGE


THE RT. REV. JOHN HENRY HOBART, D.D. . Frontispiece VIEW OF ST. JOHN'S CHAPEL FROM THE PARK . 58 LETTER OF HOBART TO HIS SISTER. SEPTEMBER 3, 1797 · 92


LETTER OF BISHOP PROVOOST TO BISHOP WHITE, RESIGNING HIS JURISDICTION. SEPTEMBER 7, 1800 (two parts) · 94 .


VIEW OF THE GENERAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. 1832 . 272


PASSPORT FROM THE MAYOR OF NEW YORK TO BISHOP HOBART.


SEPTEMBER 22, 1823 . 292 LETTER FROM ROBERT SOUTHEY TO BISHOP HOBART. AUGUST 24, 1824 . . 358 BISHOP HOBART'S ANSWER TO LETTER FROM ROBERT SOUTHEY. 360


A VIEW OF ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL. 1789 . 0 · 408 AN EAST VIEW OF TRINITY CHURCH. 1789 .


. 452


VIEW OF COLUMBIA COLLEGE IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. 1789 .


. 480


THE QUEEN ANNE COMMUNION PLATE


· 502


INSCRIPTION ON THE ELLISTON ALMS BASON. 1747 .


· 504


The portrait of Bishop Hobart which forms the frontispiece to this volume is copied from the portrait in possession of Trinity College, Hartford, and by permission of the President, the Rev. Flavel S. Luther, LL.D. It represents the Bishop with his hair slightly powdered.


The Letters and Passport are reproduced by permission of the Rev. Samuel Hart, D.D., Registrar of the General Convention.


The views of Trinity Church, St. Paul's Church, and Columbia College are copied from original copper plates in the New York Maga- zine of 1789, in the possession of William L. Andrews, Esq., and by his permission.


The illustration of the Queen Anne communion plate is used by kind permission of Messrs. The Gorham Mfg. Co.


--


xix


INTRODUCTORY.


F OUR years have passed since the publication of the second volume of this history. When I brought that volume to a close, I thought that one more would complete the work. That expectation has not been jus- tified by the event; a fourth volume will be required. Part III. is devoted to the narrative of the administration of Bishop Hobart ; while Part IV. will contain an account of the closing scenes in his life, with the record of the Rectorship of my immediate predecessor, Dr. Berrian.


The long delay to which I have referred was due partly to difficulties encountered in the collection of material, and partly to discoveries in the course of that process. The Provoost correspondence has entirely disappeared. As a compensation for this loss, the Hobart correspond- ence has been found; it consists of a very large mass of letters, thousands in number, written by or to the Bishop, and now in the possession of the General Convention and in the custody of the Rev. Samuel Hart, D.D., Secretary of the House of Bishops and Keeper of the Records. By his kind permission, an examination of these papers was made, which disclosed much of interest and importance. A selection from them, arranged chronologically, forms several chapters of this volume ; of these the greater part are now for the first time given to the public. For this valuable find I am indebted to the Rev. Arthur Lowndes, D.D., as well as for their collation and arrangement for : publication ; my obligations to him, already acknowledged


xxi


xxii


Introductory


in the Preface to Part II., have been greatly increased by his indefatigable services in connection with the story of the Hobart period. It gives me great pleasure to put on record this expression of my appreciation of the time which he devoted to this part of the work, and the great amount of research expended in its preparation. To him it is due that I am enabled to give to the reader a great deal of new matter, illustrative of the character of one of the foremost prelates of our communion, and valuable for its bearing on the history of the Church in his day.


The second volume of this work concluded with the death of Bishop Moore, February 27, 1816, and the elec- tion of Bishop Hobart as his successor. When, on the 12th of September, 1830, Bishop Hobart rested from his labours, Dr. Berrian came into the Rectorship, and held it until the day of his death, November 7, 1862. This third installment of the history may then be styled the Hobart Volume. Of the great power and influence of John Henry Hobart, and the debt of the Church in the Diocese of New York and throughout the United States to him, it is unnecessary to speak ; they are well known to us, in our household of faith. It is a reasonable conviction, that he must have been raised up by Divine Providence for that special work to which he consecrated his powers, and for which it may be said that he laid down his life. His was the eye which saw clearly the course to be taken by a Church with a mission not merely to a small constituency of its own members, but to all the people of the land, and the obstacles to be overcome in its conscientious fulfil- ment. His was the hand which firmly grasped the helm, and guided the Navicella through treacherous currents and troubled and angry seas. Indomitable was his cour- age, indefatigable his perseverance, in that work ; even the faults of his character, now and then startlingly ex-


xxiii


Introductory


hibited, seem to have helped toward final success ; and certainly his work has followed him. Its results may be seen in the general quality of New York churchmanship, which bears to this day the signs of his influence. Nay, still more may be said in his praise; for when in July, 1888, that notable Conference of Anglican Bishops and others in communion with the archiepiscopal see of Can- terbury, assembling from all quarters of the Christian world, put into their platform the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds as the symbols and sufficient statement of the faith of the Gospel, and the Historic Episcopate as the vital organ and condition to the continuity and stability of the Holy Catholic Church, they were but echoing, though unconscious of the fact, a formula well known among us for many years before that day, and coupling together, as one and inseparable, the device associated with Hobart's name, "Evangelical Truth and Apostolic Order." Furthermore, it comes out clearly, from the records now in our possession, that the principles under- lying the "Oxford Movement," in its first and best days, were held by our great leader during the whole of his ministry, and long before the publication of the first edition of Keble's Christian Year, in 1827. Whatever concerns that man is of interest to the members of the Church which he championed as a leader in the Army Militant, and adorned by the example of his devoted and holy life.


The story of the administration of his kinsman and successor in the headship of the Parish, will be given in a fourth and last volume of this History. I must ex- press my thanks for the aid rendered by the Rev. Joseph Hooper in the examination of documents and for work in connection with the records of Dr. Berrian's administra- tion of the Parish The Correspondence shows that Dr.


M


xxiv


Introductory


Berrian was a man of the same convictions as his chief, and equally loyal to Church Principles, as illustrated in the Holy Scriptures, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Canon Law of our Communion. He also followed his course in faith, and, in due time, brought his record to an end, not without much trial and trouble, in perils of rob- bers, in perils among his own people, in perils in the City and the State, in perils among false brethren, as will here- after appear. Through those two good and faithful serv- ants of Christ and the Church, a trust has come to our hands ; pray God it suffer no detriment while in our pos- session ; and that we, having the trials and triumphs of other days in remembrance, may finish our course with joy, and transmit the treasure now in our keeping to wise and well-instructed guardians of the heritage of our fathers.


Unto God be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.


TRINITY RECTORY,


November 12, 1904.


A HISTORY OF THE PARISH OF TRINITY CHURCH


CHAPTER I.


EARLY DAYS OF DR. HOBART'S RECTORSHIP.


His Induction-Pleads for the New York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society- Formation of the American Bible Society-Warns Churchmen to Support their own Society-Misconstructions Placed on the Bishop's Address-Elected Bishop-in-Charge of Diocese of Connecticut - His Confirmation Tours - His Impression on Con- necticut Church People-Sunday-Schools in the City of New York-Hobart Com- piles the New York Catechism-Organization of Sunday-Schools in Trinity Parish- Formation of the New York Protestant Episcopal Sunday-School Society-General Convention of 1817-Address by Bishop Griswold-Resolutions Approving Formation of a General Theological Seminary Passed-Convention of Connecticut-Address by Bishop Hobart-Second Charge on "The Corruptions of Rome and the Errors of Protestantism."


THE `HE Right Rev. Benjamin Moore, Bishop of New


York and Rector of Trinity Church, after a term of permanent disability, was released from the cares of his office and the burden of this life, February 27, 1816. On the 18th day of March following, Dr. Hobart was unanimously elected to the vacant Rectorship. His duties were but slightly increased, as the care of the parish had devolved on him for some time previous to the decease of his predecessor.


Bishop Hobart seems to have been called of God to a special work necessary at that time. The Church was in a state of depression, from which that strong will and VOL. III .- 1.


I


2


History of Trinity Church


[1816-


stout heart were to lift her. The danger of being ab- sorbed by the religious bodies around her was imminent. To set her on her own base, and strengthen her in the principles of distinctive churchmanship, at the risk of misunderstanding and misrepresentation, appeared to Bishop Hobart the duty of the hour. His cast of mind and his policy as an ecclesiastical leader are evident from his attitude towards some of the popular movements of the day.


The formation of the British and Foreign Bible Society in England in 1803, with an imposing list of offi- cers and patrons, suggested to many devout and earnest men in this country the idea of organizing similar agencies for the distribution of the Holy Scriptures without note or comment. Appreciating the motive underlying this move- ment, Bishop Hobart questioned its utility, and deemed it unwise for the Church to join in it, where Presbyterianism, Congregationalism, and other variant forms of departure from Catholic tradition and primitive custom were popu- lar and prevalent. He believed that the Bible should be studied with the help of a commentary, and that the best commentary was the Book of Common Prayer. Accord- ingly, in a pastoral letter addressed to the Laity of the Diocese in 1815, he urged the formation in every parish of Bible and Common Prayer Book Societies, auxiliary to the general society already formed in New York under that name. On this point his views were decidedly ex- pressed. Admitting the duty of diffusing the knowledge of God's revealed will by the gratuitous distribution of the sacred volume which contained it, he gave his reasons for circulating the Prayer Book with it.


Churchmen had greater need of Prayer Books than of Bibles : the connection between the two volumes was a natural and judicious one, for


3


Bible Societies


1816]


"both these volumes exhibit divine truth, the one as the original code, which contains the various commands of the Most High, and which alone as the law and testimony speaks with supreme authority ; the other as the invaluable digest, in which the truths and precepts of the sacred volume are arrayed in lucid order, set forth with simplicity, embellished with the graces of diction, and animated by the purest fervours of devotion."


After giving other reasons for the course which he thought it wise to pursue, he examined the proposition that it is the duty of churchmen to associate themselves for joint action with Christians of other names, because their differences are only on "subordinate and non-essen- tial points." This contention he traversed, alleging that questions of doctrine and discipline of great importance were involved, and that churchmen should hold themselves aloof from associations which might lead to the practical denial of their distinctive principles.1


At the Anniversary Service of the Auxiliary New York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society held in Trinity Church on Friday, March 8, 1816, the Bishop recurred to and enlarged upon the same theme, and gave again his reasons for joining the Bible and the Prayer Book in one for circulation and common use. Such union, he says, is agreeable to the spiritual and apostolical plan, to common sense, and to the natural course of things. The errors, superstitions, and corruptions which deform a great part of the Christian world may be overcome by the circulation of a manual of devotion and doctrine which is both primitive and pure. In closing, he thus addresses the society :


"Go on, then, meritorious young men ; our wishes, our prayers shall go with you. The Bible and the Book of Common Prayer-let this be your sacred motto. The distribution of these by God's blessing


1 A full abstract of this Pastoral will be found in Berrian's " Memoir," in Posthu- mous Works, i., pp. 162-175.


الـ


4


History of Trinity Church


[1816-


will be the means of shedding celestial light on a world dark and ignorant, and of bringing to a world, disconsolate and dreary, the comforts of heaven. The distribution of these may be the means of removing from the Christian Church the errors, corruptions, and divi- sions that deface and disturb her, and of restoring her to purity, order, and peace. Thus, also, will you be instrumental in the more imme- diate good of diffusing in your own church and country the means of religious knowledge, grace, and salvation, and of saving that country from the curse of irreligion, profligacy, and vice. To these objects devote your time ; according to your ability, devote your wealth. Time and wealth employed in the cause of God and the souls of, men will be returned to you an hundred fold in the approbation of your own hearts and in the blessings of eternity." 1


The measures taken for the formation of a national society, to be known as " The American Bible Society," drew from Bishop Hobart another strong warning to all " Episcopalians " in the shape of a Pastoral, dated New York, May 11, 1816. He questioned the necessity of another society in New York, where there were four already. He argued strongly against the enrolment of churchmen in a society to be avowedly under Presbyterian auspices, maintaining that their patronage, wealth, and in- fluence were needed in their own communion. Referring again to the New York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society, organized during the administration of his pre- decessor, Bishop Moore, and the policy, deliberately adopted, of uniting for general use the Liturgy and the Holy Scriptures (a policy which had been the result of much serious reflection and consultation with the clergy and others), he said that he deemed it an act of duty to pursue the course adopted by his venerable predecessor. And, finally, he decided it to be the opinion of the clergy


1 P. 3. An Address Delivered before the Auxiliary New York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society in Trinity Church, in the City of New York, on Friday, the 8th day of March, A.D. 1816, by John Henry Hobart, D.D., Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New York. New York : Printed by T. & J. Sword, No. 160 Pearl St., 1816. 8vo., pp. 36.


.


5


Bible and Prayer Book Society


1816]


of the Diocese in general, and of many respectable laymen, that Episcopalians, by managing their religious concerns by themselves, would be in no danger of unpleasant col- lisions with others,1 of compromising their position, or of relaxing in any measure a spirit of attachment to the dis- tinctive principles of their own Church. "This attach- ment," continued the Bishop, " may exist in perfect charity for others, and with due respect for their rights ; and when it operates with zeal, firmness, and perseverance, experi- ence proves that the Church will flourish ; in proportion as this attachment sinks into that 'indolent indifference which some men dignify with the name of moderation,' will the Church decline."'


In conclusion, he says :


"My brethren of the laity, when I commenced writing this ad- dress to you it was my intention that it should be anonymous. But I deem it more consistent with honourable frankness to annex my name. " I am aware that I may be exposed to unworthy imputations. But if I am charged with an illiberal or uncharitable spirit, he who knows my heart knows, I trust, that the charge is unfounded. I think I am doing my duty, and my duty 'through good report and evil re- port,' I ought not to fear to perform. I think I am doing my duty to my Master, to the Church, a portion of which in his Providence is en- trusted to me, and whose interest I would most solicitously guard in the firm persuasion that she is a pure branch of his mystical body, which is finally to convey the blessings of grace and redemption to every quarter of the world."


The address was generally received by the laity with satisfaction, and a readiness to be guided by wise coun- sels. But, of course, there were those who objected, showing their impatience of Episcopal control, and their "liberality," and "freedom from sectarian predudice." To such, the champion of the Church seems to have


' In consequence of a collision of this kind, Bishop Dehon and the Episcopal clergy and laity of Charleston, S. C., had lately withdrawn from the Bible Society of that city.


' Address, pp. 7, 8. ./


1


6


History of Trinity Church


[1816-


given little or no heed ; even though the adversary took occasion to represent him as opposed to the circulation of the Bible. This, and similar accusations, all grossly unjust and untrue, may have worked temporary detriment to the influence of the Bishop in the city and State, but time has justified his course. The episode, if so it may be called, of the Bible Society, though to-day of small practi- cal importance, illustrates the history of the time, when laxity in the head of the Diocese would have meant lethargy and decline; it also interprets, in its practical working, the prelate's devotion to his favorite twin guiding stars, "Evangelical Truth and Apostolic Order." Well was it for the Church in the Diocese of New York that a man of that calibre and such convictions was at the helm.1


Since the death of Bishop Jarvis, in May, 1813, the Diocese of Connecticut had been without an episcopal head. The lack of an adequate fund for the support of a Bishop, and some differences of opinion as to the most suitable person to succeed Dr. Jarvis, had caused the postponement of an election until June, 1815, when the Rev. Dr. Croes, of New Jersey, was elected. As he was soon after elected to the episcopate in his native State, he declined the honor.


Dr. Hobart had been for some years on terms of friendly intimacy with many of the clergymen and lay- men of Connecticut. In February, 1816, he had visited Connecticut at the request of the Standing Committee, and consecrated Trinity Church, New Haven, on Wed- nesday, February 21st .?


' This subject is fully treated in a valuable work entitled, The Professional Years of Dr. John Henry Hobart, D.D., being a sequel to his Early Years, by John McVickar, D.D. New York : Protestant Episcopal Press. 1836. See chap. xiv., PP. 304-329.


' The sermon preached by Bishop Hobart was published under the title The Moral Efficacy and Positive Benefits of the Ordinances of the Gospel, &c. Svo., pp. 29. New Haven : Printed by Oliver Steele, 1816.


7


Oversight of Connecticut


1816]


On the following day, February 22d, he instituted the Rev. Harry Croswell as its Rector, and on February 23d confirmed one hundred and seven persons. During the same visit he administered Confirmation, at Cheshire, to one hundred and thirty, and at Bridgeport to fifty persons.


The charm of his manner, the dignity and devotion shown in the services, the good sense and eloquence of his sermons, won the hearts of the Connecticut church- men. At the annual convention of the Diocese, which was held on June 5, 1816, in Trinity Church, New Haven, the Diocese was placed under the charge of the Bishop of New York according to the terms of Canon XX. of the General Convention.1 The Rev. Ashbel Baldwin, the Rev. Harry Croswell, the Hon. Samuel W. Johnson, and Burrage Beach, Esq'., were appointed a committee to inform Bishop Hobart of this action and to arrange with him " a meet compensation for his services." 2




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.