USA > New York > New York City > A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 3 > Part 21
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' Pp. 104-108, Dr. Berrian's Memoir.
' Autobiography of the Rev. Samuel H. Turner, D.D. New York : A. D. F. Randolph, 1863.
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Hobart's Interest in Education
1808]
Hobart. What was said by the young men was supple- mented by the presiding clergyman. In this way a more perfect knowledge was attained, differences of opinion reconciled, and practical and evangelical views of disputed doctrines formed. The spiritual aspect of the ministry was not neglected, for the meetings were opened with an office of devotion prepared by Dr. Hobart.1 After this discussions took place and sermons were read and criti- cised. Treatises upon the Evidences of Christianity, the Constitution of the Christian Church, and the Doctrines of the Gospel were read in course and commented upon.
The Society was gratefully remembered by those who were privileged to belong to it, and it effected its purpose.
"Many," says Dr. Berrian, "look back with gratitude to the helps and advantages which it afforded to them; and some, perhaps, may number these among the means by which they have been raised in the Church to usefulness, respectability and honour." ?
It seems clear from the testimony of those who were intimate with Dr. Hobart, that he had even then the plan of a Theological Seminary in his mind. This was proba- bly the reason for his purchase in 1808 of a pleasantly wooded estate near Springfield, New Jersey, which he named Short Hills. It was near the City of New York, which could be plainly seen on clear days from the eleva- tion on which he built his country house.
When he communicated his wish to some prominent New York Churchmen, he found that there was no gen- eral desire for such an institution, and that the money necessary for even a small building and the payment of salaries to the professors could not be obtained. Others, however, were also taking to heart the danger of an
1 For the "Office," see pp. 114-118, Dr. Berrian's Memoir ; also p. 174, Dr. McVickar's Professional Years.
' P. 118, Dr. Berrian's Memoir.
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unlearned ministry. In 1810 Dr. Richard Channing Moore preached a sermon in St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia, in which he spoke forcibly of the necessity of theological education and the usefulness of a divinity school.1 The Rev. Dr. Christopher E. Gadsden, of St. Michael's Church, South Carolina, had long deplored the meagre opportu- nity which aspirants for the ministry had for study. De- siring to remedy this deplorable condition, he introduced into the Convention of that Diocese, in February, 1814, a resolution which, as adopted, ran thus :
" Resolved, unanimously on motion of the Rev. Mr. Gadsden, that the representatives of this Church in the General Convention, be re- quested to use their endeavours that there be established in some central situation, under the auspices of the Church in general a theological seminary, in which young men of genius and piety may be trained for the sacred office." ?
In the meantime Dr. Hobart, having been consecrated as Assistant Bishop, had constantly kept his friends in- formed of his desire for a theological seminary, and noted with very great satisfaction that the idea was slowly acquir- ing strength and penetrating to the hearts and consciences of Churchmen throughout the country. He found in 1813 that the discussion of his original plan had been so general that he could formally present it to the consideration of the Diocese.
In his address before the Convention, which was held in Trinity Church, October 5th and 6th, he thus alluded to this subject :
" The importance of an establishment for the instruction, for the religious and moral discipline, and in some cases, for the support of young men designed, for Holy Orders has always appeared to me essen-
1 P. 80, Dr. Turner's Autobiography.
9 P. 13, Journal, Convention of South Carolina, 1814.
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Hobart's Plans.
1814]
tial to the prosperity of our Church; nor were exertions and arrange- ments wanting on my part, when in a private station, to carry this object in some degree into effect. As the responsibility of the admis- sion of persons to Holy Orders ultimately rests on the Bishop; and as from the nature of his office and the provisions of the canons, it is his duty to exercise a general direction, and superintendence of their pre- vious studies, the necessity of a theological school presses with great force upon my mind in the station, which I now occupy. It is an auspicious circumstance that the attention of the clergy and of Episco- palians generally, appears to be wakening to the importance of this object. And I trust it will not be long before a theological school is established, the object of which shall be to train up young men for the ministry, not only in literary and theological knowledge, but in evangelical piety, and prudent but fervent zeal for the advancement of the King- dom of CHRIST. It is of the utmost importance that the plan and situation of this institution should meet the wants and wishes not merely of the Church in this Diocese, but of our Church at large, and thus contribute to advance and preserve those invaluable objects, the purity and unity of the Protestant Episcopal Church in these United States." 1
These forcible utterances had their effect, and many who had been indifferent became warm advocates of Bishop Hobart's proposition.
While no formal action could be taken until the Gen- eral Convention met in the following spring, Bishop Hobart matured his plans and issued, on the 9th of May, 1814, a prospectus for a Grammar School and Theological Seminary.2
In it he proposed to institute a Grammar School when thirty pupils were secured. There was to be one in- structor for each fifteen pupils, and the school was to open "as soon as thirty scholars shall offer." For that number there were to be two principal instructors and a subordinate
1 Pp. 257, 258, Journal, Convention of New York, 1813. Reprint, H. M. Onderdonk, 1844.
' Grammar School and Theological Seminary, by John Henry Hobart.
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instructor. The scholars were to live in the family of one of the principal instructors.
"In the erection of buildings, large rooms or halls shall be pro- vided; around the sides of these halls there shall be compartments, one of which shall be assigned to every student for the purpose of lodging and private study; the compartments to be so arranged that they will be open at one end to the halls or rooms, in which during the hours of private study there shall be constantly one of the principal instructors or ushers, who will thus be able to superintend with great advantage their studies; having the pupils constantly under his eye and inspection. In these rooms or halls, one of the ushers shall con- stantly lodge. It is conceived that this arrangement is peculiarly calculated to advance the objects of the institution, which shall be to form correct and thorough scholars; and early to discipline the mind to habits of close thought, attention and study."
The tuition fees were to be three hundred dollars, for each pupil, which the Bishop thought
"are not placed too high when it is considered further that the avails of the fees of the students, after the expenses of the institution are defrayed shall be appropriated to the support and endowment of a Theological Seminary, for the education of young men designed for Holy Orders in the Protestant Episcopal Church." 1
The principles upon which it was to be established were :
I. That instruction should be according to the Canons of the Church and the prescribed course of study.
2. It was to be under the patronage of the General Convention and the immediate care of a Board of Trustees who were to report to the Convention.
3. The Bishops were to be ex-officiis members of the Board. When the institution came into existence they were to name the Trustees, who were to be an equal number of clergymen and laymen.
4. The acting Bishop of New York and the acting 1 Pp. 1, 2, Grammar School, &c.
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Prospectus of Seminary
1814]
Bishop of New Jersey 1 were to be ex-officiis the Superin- tendents of the Seminary ; "the former in the capacity of President and the latter of Vice President." They were to see that the course of instruction was properly carried out "agreeably to the Canons and prescription of the Church."
5. The chief object of the Seminary was :
" to establish the young men designed for Holy Orders in the spirit of Evangelical piety, in habits of close thinking, and accurate research, in Theological attainments, in the proper mode of celebrating holy offices, in pulpit eloquence, and in the important practical qualifi- cations, which constitute a faithful, laborious, and zealous parish minister." ?
To this end there was to be ample theological in- struction, with recitations in Theology; and exercises in the composition of sermons, and in reading and speaking.
6. Due care was to be taken regarding the mental, moral, and spiritual fitness of each applicant for admission.
7. The officers of the institution were, not merely in exercises of devotion but by frequent practical addresses and by all other means in their power, to cherish these dispositions and qualifications in the young men designed for Holy Orders.
8. Students as respects their reception as Candidates, examinations, and final admission to the ministry were to be subject to the Canons of the Church. They were to be free to select the dioceses in which they were to become Candidates and be ordained.
9. Theological scholarships were to be established by gifts of congregations or individuals, with the right of nomination.
1 It is to be remembered that the Bishop of New York was practically in charge of the Diocese of New Jersey until the consecration of Dr. Croes on November 18, 1815. 2 P. 3, Grammar School, &c.
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IO. These gifts were to be recorded in a Book of Benefactors ; and the registers of the institution.1
The Bishop then considers the proper location of the school, which, as it was to attract students from all parts of the United States, should be, he thought, in one of the Middle States. It was not to be remote from a large city,
"in order that it may enjoy the influence and patronage of the clergy and church in that city. But he considered it of the utmost importance that it should be retired ; for the self-denying, devoted and zealous spirit of the ministry, is not nourished amidst the ease and the enjoy- ments of a city life. Nor as a general remark are its social, and even its literary pleasures and still less the literary vanity which those pleasures tend to cherish in the youthful mind, favourable to those modest and humble tempers which are the ornaments of the Christian and the peculiar grace of the Christian minister. These circles are not the schools in which is to be acquired and cherished that apostolic spirit which only will carry a minister, where the herald of the Protestant Episcopal Church must be prepared to go, among the poor and humble in the wilderness of Zion, and amidst desolate places to seek, to revive, and to bring into the fold, Christ's wandering sheep. The spirit of the ministry such as was in the primitive times, and such as the Church now requires, must be formed in retirement, by study, meditation, and prayer."
As it was essential that the institutions should be in a retired place, he stated that he had secured a plot of ten acres of land at Springfield, New Jersey, only eighteen miles from New York City.
The Bishop then alludes to the deep impression made upon him at an early period of his ministry
" that institutions similar to those which he now proposed to establish are essential to the prosperity of the Protestant Episcopal Church; and he resolved to devote to these objects as soon as a favourable oppor- tunity should offer, whatever talents or zeal he might possess.
1 Pp. 3-6, Grammar School, &c.
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Advantages of a Seminary
1814]
"A general and faithful superintendence of these institutions," he considers, "and an occasional participation in the instruction and discipline will not be incompatible with his other duties."
In thus urging the claims of theological education,
"his heart acquits him of all selfish views. The plan which he pro- poses is one of obvious, of general, and of the highest utility. It in- vites, as he conceives, general patronage, by extending generally and impartially its benefits. It regulates the Theological instruction by the directions and rules of the Church and places this department under the control of the authorities of the Church."
It was his intention to accept no compensation direct- ly or indirectly from the institutions for whatever time, attention, and labor he might give to them. Even his own property at Springfield was not benefited, for he in- tended to locate them at such a distance from the property held by him, that its value could " be but little increased by the location." He deprecates the charge of presumption, or officiousness, in his proposal, since his very office and the large number of candidates in the Diocese of New York have caused him to see the absolute necessity of a Seminary which is to be established
" on principles strictly conformable to the Canons of the Church respectful to its authorities and promising extensive benefit to it. He does not vainly imagine that the unassisted efforts of any individual could accomplish these things on an extensive scale.
"But he trusts that the plan he has outlined is of a nature to secure the approbation, to awaken the interest, and to command the beneficence of every friend to the Protestant Episcopal Church."
He briefly enumerates some advantages of a Seminary :
" By collecting young men in a Theological Seminary, their ardor and diligence are excited; they enjoy the advantages of libraries, and of frequent and minute instructions ; they are subject to a religious dis- cipline, and called to engage in devotional exercises which guard and
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exalt their piety, increase their affection for the ministry, and fit them practically for its duties. And the provision which in such a Semin- ary may be most advantageously made for the education of young men for the ministry, who are destitute of pecuniary means, is of itself an advantage which must decide the utility of these institutions. The pressing and increasing calls for ministers in the Protestant Episcopal Church, can be effectually answered only by an establishment of the nature contemplated."
But "the difficulties of the time " (for the second war between the United States and England was then in progress) and the financial condition of the country, far from encouraging, precluded any idea of an immediate establishment of the institutions. Bishop Hobart, how- 'ever, thought and hoped that eventually,
" on a small scale, 'they' might be originated in the way that has been proposed." '
The General Convention met in St. James's Church, Philadelphia, eight days after this "Plan " had been is- sued. Evidently it was discussed by the Deputies and Bishops, although other important matters occupied their attention, notably the revival of the Church in Virginia and the consecration of Dr. Richard Channing Moore as its Bishop. At the consecration on Wednesday, May 18th, Bishop Hobart preached the sermon upon the condition and prospects of the Church in the United States.
On the fourth day of the session, Friday, May 20th, the Rev. Dr. Gadsden introduced this resolution :
" Resolved, That with the consent of the House of Bishops a joint Committee of both houses, be appointed to take into consideration the institution of a theological seminary, and if they should deem the same expedient, to report a plan for the raising of funds and generally for the accomplishment of the object." ?
1 See pp. 9, 10, Grammar School, &c.
' Pp. 8, 9, Journal, General Convention, 1814.
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Address to Convention
1814]
This resolution was laid upon the table for further consideration. It was called up on Monday, May 23d, and discussed ; but finally defeated on a vote by States. The States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, and South Carolina voted in favor; Connecticut, New York, New Jersey (clergy-no, laity-aye), Pennsyl- vania, Delaware, and Maryland against it.1
This was a disappointment to Dr. Gadsden and others. The subject, however, was taken up in the House of Bishops which, on Tuesday, May 24th, passed this resolution, in which the House of Clerical and Lay Depu- ties concurred :
"Resolved, That it be referred to the Bishops, and in those Dioceses in which there are no Bishops, to the Standing Committees, therein, to inquire in the respective Dioceses or States, and to consider for themselves, concerning the expediency of establishing a Theological Seminary, to be conducted under the general authority of this Church; and to report to the next General Convention."?
The disposition made by the Bishops of a plan which had been very favorably received by Churchmen in gen- eral is thus explained by Bishop Hobart in his Conven- tion address for 1814 :
"It is proper also that on the subject of the proceedings of the Gen- eral Convention I should remark, that the opposition from the deputation of the Church in New York to the establishment of a general Theo- logical Seminary, by an act of that body, did not arise from disaffection to a measure of vital importance to the Church, but from an opinion that the same object could be accomplished on the most correct and enlarged principles and views, by private concert and co-operation by the friends of the Church in various parts of the Union, without en- countering many difficulties to which the measure would be liable if taken up under present circumstances by the General Convention, at
1 Pp. 17 18, Journal, General Convention, 1814.
' Pp. 315, 316, Bioren's Reprint of Journals. For concurrence of Lower House, see p. 307.
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the next meeting of that body they will doubtless be in possession of such facts as will enable them to come to a decision on this important subject." 1
The "hard times " then prevalent and the strong opin- ion of Bishop Hobart that private effort would ultimately establish a theological school, delayed the carrying out of his original project. The Bishop of South Carolina, Dr. Gadsden, and others of that Diocese, both clergymen and laymen, were unwilling to abandon their cherished de- sign. It is said that at the Convention which met in St. Michael's Church, Charleston, Tuesday, February 21, 1815, the sermon by the Rev. Hugh Fraser, Rector of All Saints', Waccamaw, was largely upon theological edu- cation and the foundation of a Seminary.
The Rev. Dr. Gadsden reported on behalf of the Depu- ties to the General Convention that
"they had acted in conformity to their instructions, but that the Gen- eral Convention had postponed the consideration thereof to the next meeting." .
Dr. Gadsden then offered this resolution, which was unanimously adopted :
"That this Convention still entertain the opinion that the welfare of the Church, imperiously demands the institution of a Theological Seminary and that the Delegates from this Diocese be instructed to persevere in their endeavours to obtain so necessary an object."
Bishop Hobart further explains the reason why he could not favor at that time action by the General Con- vention establishing the theological school.
He was doubtful of the expediency of
" committing a power so vital to the Church as the control of the edu- cation of its candidates to a body so fluctuating and irresponsible as
1 P. 274, Journal, Diocese of New York, 1814, Onderdonk's Reprint. Also, PP. 442, 443, Churchman's Magazine, 1814.
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Plans of Governor Tompkins
1817]
the General Convention, at least in the House of Delegates, and of the operation of which the Church had not at that time sufficient experi- ence to justify so high a trust." 1
The Hon. Daniel D. Tompkins, sometime Vice-Presi- dent of the United States and Governor of the State of New York, was a resident of Staten Island. After Bishop Hobart had proposed his grammar school and college at the "Short Hills," Governor Tompkins thought a more eligible site for a third college would be upon Staten Island. Many sites were looked at and rejected. Finally a tract adjoining St. Andrew's Glebe was bought by Gov- ernor Tompkins and given to that parish with the inten- tion that it should be used for a college. .
In 1817 the plans had so far progressed that petitions were drawn up, printed, and circulated, asking the Regents to grant a charter for a college to be located on Staten Island and naming the Trustees.
The affairs of Columbia College at this time were some- what involved, and the original plan of a new college was abandoned and it was proposed to transfer Columbia College with the consent of the Trustees and of Trinity Church to Staten Island.
Upon January 25, 1817, Governor Tompkins wrote a long letter to Bishop Hobart upon the subject, unfolding his plan and enclosing a copy of the printed petition. He says, referring to a full and free conversation he recently had with Mr. Harrison, then in Albany, on the subject :
"He seems to be perfectly satisfied that the arrangement I pro- pose is beneficial to the Church and thinks there will be no difficulty in procuring the assent of Trinity Church to it. He is also of the opinion that a College on Staten Island will be equally convenient and
1 Quoted from an unidentified utterance of Bishop Hobart in a sketch of the General Theological Seminary, by the Very Rev. Eugene Augustus Hoffman, D.D., D.C.L., Dean, on p. 508, vol. ii., of Perry's History of the American Church, Boston,
. 1885.
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economical as Columbia College for the citizens of New York even, and clearly preferable as respects health, endowment and numberless other advantages."
The Governor requests the Bishop to use his influence with the Episcopal members of the Legislature. The new college was to be styled "Washington University," and those of the Regents to whom Mr. Tompkins had mentioned his plan were very favorably inclined.
In a second letter, under date of January 28, 1817, Governor Tompkins mentioned that a conditional charter had been obtained from the Regents for a college on Staten Island to be called "Washington College." He suggests the propriety of consulting the Vestry of Trinity Church and the Trustees of Columbia College. In con- nection with the college a theological seminary was to be established there and those Trustees of Columbia College who were not named for the new college would be trustees of the seminary. A steamboat to run twelve times a day would convey New York students back and forth " for the trifling sum of Twenty Dollars a year." " The passage across the Bay will contribute to the health more than would twenty dollars applied in any other mode of exer- cise or travelling, and a separate apartment shall be pro- vided for them in this boat if required."
There seems to have been no extensive negotiations with either the church or college, although in private con- versation the plan was discussed, and "Washington Col- lege, Staten Island," never came into actual existence.
The letters given in a previous chapter show the course of procedure in this endeavor to combine three institu- tions of learning whose proper home was New York City.
At the time appointed for the meeting of the General Convention of 1817, in New York, many expressions of opinion by Churchmen in the various dioceses had been
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Establishment of Seminary Urged
1817]
made known to the Bishop. The sentiment appeared to be almost unanimously in favor of a Seminary, the only difference of opinion being as to the best method of es- tablishing it. Bishop Hobart had already secured pro- visional pledges of money and land for buildings ; funds for scholarships were also promised, and suitable persons selected as professors; little more was required than to authorize the formation of a general institution, under the direct supervision of the General Convention. While no details can be found of gifts, or the names of those who were to be professors, there are statements either by Bishop Hobart or by some one speaking with authority for him, in articles in the numbers of the Christian Journal, that justify the assertion.1
Bishop Dehon and Dr. Gadsden were extremely solici- tous that the institution should be at once established. At the Convention of South Carolina, held on February 18th and 20th, in St. Michael's Church, Charleston, the Bishop said
"that the measures proposed in 1814 would come up again on the re- ports from the several Bishops and Standing Committees, and that he knew of no way so sure and convenient for ascertaining the opinion of the Church in his Diocese, upon the subject referred to him, as by taking it in this Convention; and he therefore requested that this im- portant business might be taken into consideration by the Convention and their opinion be given him in such a way as they should deem best upon the practicability and expediency of establishing for the benefit of the Church in the United States such a Seminary as had been described." 2
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