USA > New York > New York City > A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 3 > Part 28
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"You will recollect that the matter appeared thus to Mr. Spry who in his letter to you deprecated any connection between Bishop C. and that party, in the persuasion that he would draw largely on their funds. In proportion as I may differ partly from them on certain points, & toto cælo, as to Bible Societies, it is of importance that, simply to
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prevent so far as depends on me their liberality towards our American Church from being exerted in a way which I deem highly inexpedient, I should vindicate myself from the charge of indifference to the funda- mental truths of religion and of attachment to mere externals. I am satisfied I can do this completely, by publishing not sermons disingen- uously accommodated to this purpose, but those which in the course of my parochial duties I have preached to my congregations. But it may be said to me,-You will be too late. Before your sermons are published those whom you expect to influence will have taken their ground. Admitting this, I shall have done what is in my power to prevent in future, any attempts to enlist this party in favor of measures injurious to our Church, from a misapprehension of my character and principles. I did suppose, however, that by hurrying the press the sermons might be issued very shortly, & the publishing of a prospectus immediately with the titles of the sermons, would in some degree indicate their character. It certainly never occurred to me that this means on my part would be deemed exceptionable.
" Publishing sermons is so much a matter of course, that I never thought an enquiry would be made, why I published. There would be something, to say the least, rather ludicrous in my leaving my diocese, my parish, my family and encountering the trouble and expense of a voyage to, and a residence in England, solely for the purpose of pub- lishing 2 volumes of sermons, and I really should hope that I should not be in serious danger of this imputation from those whose opinions you think worth having. But suppose (which, however, is not the true state of the case) that while my principal object was gratification and the restoration of my health, I had designed as an incidental one, the publication of sermons, to what imputation would I be justly exposed ? To that vanity, or presumption, merely from the fact of publication, then every author is vain, or presumptuous. Do neither my age nor station authorise the measure? Would the vanity or the presumption be inferred from the circumstance of my being an American ? Why so ? for all that we have valuable in Divinity, certainly for all that I have, I am indebted to English Divines. Can reflected lustre, even granting it makes any such pretension, be supposed to vie with the original beam? Would it be so extraordinary that one coming with other views, from a country where literature and theology are from unavoid- able circumstances feebly patronised to one where they are duly honored, should be led to cast his mite into that treasury which is pouring forth its riches to preserve and to extend the influence of Gospel truth, or would it be so extraordinary that he should be desir-
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Letter to Mr. Norris
1823]
ous of doing something not merely with a view of conciliating preju- dices but with the aim and desire, so natural and ingenuous of proving that he is not undeserving of the too favorable opinion which his friends may have formed of him. But all this is wide of the fact.
" I brought sermons with me, not, however, with the most distant idea of publishing, but merely because with us at least Clergymen always travel with them, since if asked to preach it would be con- sidered as churlish and singular to decline on the plea of having no sermons.
" And the publication of some of these sermons was subsequently contemplated with a view to the vindication of my fidelity as a preacher of the Gospel, and this not from personal but from official considera- tions, in reference to the cause with which my name is publicly con- nected, and to objects of high importance on which from accidental circumstances it may have some influence.
"The party may be contemned, and yet much as I lament certain things in the principles of some of them, and the policy of all, I can- not but admire their zeal, their laborious devotion to advance what they consider the great interests of the Gospel and their fidelity in proclaiming the distinguishing truths, apart, I fear, from what may be a Calvinistic bias of some of them ; and surely both you and I will hesitate in condemning every individual in so numerous and from a worldly view so respectable a body of men as wholly unprincipled and under the mask of a zeal for religion concealing the views of a fanati- cal and desperate faction.
" But I may be told you are courting these people. Not so. I merely do my duty by seeking in a candid and honorable manner to prevent them through unfounded prejudices against me from patron- ising measures which I think are injudicious and inexpedient in respect to the American Church.
"Are they not numerous and influential, are they not very liberal with their money ? Facts prove this; are they not disposed, in one way or another, to assist the American Church ? I am satisfied that they are. Will not their weight thrown into the scale of a certain party in that Church have a powerful influence ? And entirely apart from personal considerations is it not a duty which I owe to my Church, and to the cause which I espouse to use all honorable means without comprom- ising my principles to prevent them thro' the influence of unfounded prejudices against me from aiding either now or hereafter measures which may prove injurious to the real interests of this Church ? So it seems plainly to me. If I fail, I have at least done my duty. And
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certainly there is no opinion which would and ought indeed, if current, to operate more strongly against me than that which has so long and by so many means been assiduously propagated, that I am a high Church bigot, insisting only on the externals of religion
" There are other reasons which come in aid of that which I have stated, but the principal one is the vindication of my principles and of my fidelity as a preacher of the Gospel, not to personal considerations, but from those connected with the interests of that Church to which, if I know myself I am supremely and ardently attached.
" But does not all this argue vanity on my part, as if myself and my opinions are of great consequence ? Of no more than circum- stances have made them. Providence has placed me in a certain station in the Church; in that station I have advocated certain principles and measures which have been obnoxious to some persons and which have induced them to misrepresent and assail my official conduct.
" And just as you say that their good opinion is not worth having as far as I am personally concerned, still it may be of value in refer- ence to the good or the harm which their zeal and liberality exerted towards the American Church may affect and then the only questions are :- But what if the sermons should not sell? Very well. The publication of them will at least furnish me with the means by circu- lating them of accomplishing my object. Even here I have thought that so much has been said of me one way or another in praise or dis- praise that there may be some curiosity to know from my sermons what kind of a creature I am.
"I have thus stated the reasons on which I determined to publish. They appeared to me perfectly conclusive and still appear so, but I may be wrong, and I will certainly take no further step till I hear from you. As this matter may have been the subject of conver- sation in the circle of invaluable friends with whom you think and act, will you put them in possession of my views. I think I owe the same to Mr. Gilbert with whom I talked freely on this business.
"And now, my dear Sir, I must beg you to excuse my pressing so much on the time which you employ so carefully by this prolix epistle. Attribute it to a most earnest and solicitous desire in me to stand well with you in all respects, for believe me I am most truly
"Your obliged and affectionate friend,
" J. H. HOBART.
" The Rev: H. H. NORRIS."
315
Letter from Rev. J. Skinner
1823]
As soon as the Bishops of Scotland heard of the arri- val of their American brother Bishop they were anxious to show him all the hospitality and courtesy in their power. The Rev. J. Skinner, brother to the Bishop of Aberdeen wrote him immediately :
" INCHGARTH NEAR FORFAR, " Dec! 19th 1823.
" RIGHT REV" AND DEAR SIR,-
" I cannot express the mingled Emotions of Surprise & delight, with which, by a Letter from Abd", I learn that you are actually among us ! and that you mean to gratify the Clergy of the North of Scotland with a visit, as you are now gratifying our Fathers & Brethren, in the South !
"That my humble Roof may be honoured by such a distinguished guest is the purpose of the present address; and anxiously shall I ex- pect a favourable answer, to my earnest entreaty, that you will honour me & my family, with your company for at least one full & entire day -the nomination of which Mrs. Skinner and I will be glad to obtain- in order that nothing, which can be prevented from interfering, may in- terfere to deprive us of a pleasure so truly gratifying-and in order also that I may summon, to my humble, ( tho' on such an occasion joyous ) Board, two Co-presbyters of mine, in this neighbourhood, who are equal admirers, with myself, of Bishop Hobart's great exertions for the maintenance of 'the Truth as it is in Jesus.'
" Forfar, I reckon to be half way exactly between Edin! & Abd" whither it would be to me matter of sincere satisfaction to accompany you, my Dear Sir, if indispensable duty does not interfere. My Brother in his Letter received, by this day's post, kindly invites me to be your Guide Northward and God is my witness that on no similar journey, did I ever travel, or contemplate travelling, with such unfeigned self-gratulation.
" He doubts not, when he hears the time, when he may expect the happiness of saluting you, but he will prevail upon his Colleagues, the Bishops Jolly & Torry (whose distance from Abd" amounts not to more than 40 miles) to meet you there. To me this recalls sensations of a nature not to be described ! but which you will completely participate with me-when I tell you-that I am old enough to remember Bishop Seabury's Consecration-and to be (my mother's Grand mother excepted) the first to receive his Blessing !
"With Sentiments of the most filial Reverence, Love &
" Esteem, I have the Honour to remain, my beloved Bishop, " Your truly faithful &c., &c.,
" J. SKINNER."
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Of Bishop Hobart the Bishop of Moray wrote to Dr. Walker, of Edinburgh, in the following strain :
" FRASERBURGH, Dec. 22, 1823. " MY DEAREST REV. BROTHER,
" Your truly surprising letter gives such a transporting diversion to my thoughts, as more resembles a pleasing dream than the expectation of a reality. To meet the most amiable and most excellent Bishop Hobart, (for such is the idea which his highly valued writings have impressed of him upon my mind,) I would go to Edinburgh even at this day of the year; and to make the journey to Aberdeen, could I find no vehicle, I would set forward on foot, although it should cost me the six days to accomplish the walk.
"This will impart to you how I am affected and inclined upon the occasion, as if I expected to meet Bishop Seabury revived, a name I never mention but with the highest veneration." 1
The Bishop of Ross and Argyle immediately that he heard of Bishop Hobart's arrival in Scotland wrote him this friendly letter :
" PRIORY, PITTENWEEM, Dec. 30, 1823.
" RIGHT REV: AND DEAR SIR,
"I congratulate myself on your happy arrival in Scotland, and on my expectation of having the honour of a personal interview before your departure. Our friend, Mr. Walker, of Edinburgh, mentions your motions northward, and your intended return south by St. An- drew's, where I purpose, please God, to meet you, and after viewing the curiosities, the antiquities, and the melancholy remains of the departed grandeur of that once famed archi-episcopal city, to accompany you to Cambo, the seat of the venerable Earl of Kellie, whom you will find a nobleman of easy and primitive manners, and a staunch friend of the Church.
" From other friends I have applications also for the pleasure of your society, but on that head I shall at present only say, that the more of your time you can spare the greater will be the compliment and the gratification to us all.
. " If you leave Aberdeen on Monday, the fifth, it may be the after- noon of Tuesday, or the morning of Wednesday after, before you can
1 P. 282, Berrian's Memoir.
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The Codean System
1823]
meet me; but that I may have some certain knowledge of your motions, and of the time you can afford to us in Fife, I take the liberty to re- quest that you would write a note by the return of post, addressed to me at Dr. Melville's, St. Andrew's.
"I beg the favour of you to make my best remembrance to all my brethren whom you have gone to meet at Aberdeen, and requesting your prayers (as you have mine) for the speedy complete and perma- nent re-establishment of your health, I have the honour to remain, with sincere esteem and regard,
" Right Rev. and dear Sir, " Your very faithful "And very affectionate servant, " DAVID LOW, "Bishop of Ross and Argyle." 1
Sir John Sinclair had acquired some reputation through his "Codean System " and accordingly wrote to the Bishop on the subject :
" DEAR BISHOP,
" I have undertaken a most laborious undertaking, that of con- densing several of the most important branches of useful Knowledge into ' Codes,' to which I have given the name of 'The Codean System.' I have already completed, the 'Code of Agriculture,' and the ' Code of Health & Longevity'; and I have made some progress in the Codes of Political Economy, and of Religion.
"That you may judge of the plan I herewith send you a copy of my Code of Health, of which I request your acceptance ; and the com- mencement of the Code of Religion, on which I should be glad to be favoured with your remarks ?
"It has occurred to me, that these works would be highly service- able in the United States, as they would give the citizens of that Em- pire, a condensed view of the information possessed by this Country, regarding such important branches of inquiry; and I should be glad to be favoured with your opinion, as to mode of getting 'The Codean System' established in America ? The Code of Agriculture, is already re-printed there; and the Code of Health is probably known, as I have carried on a correspondence, upon that subject with Dr. Rush and Dr. Waterhouse.
"When you have had leisure to consider this subject fully, I shall 1 Berrian's Memoir, p. 283.
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be glad to have the pleasure of a conversation with you upon it, and I remain,
" With much Esteem, " Dear Bishop, "your faithful " & obedient Servant, " JOHN SINCLAIR.
"133, GEORGE STREET, " EDINBURGH, "31st Dec' 1823."
Dr. Berrian in his Memoir gives the Bishop's reply to this letter,
"DEC. 31, 1823.
" DEAR SIR,
"I had left Edinburgh the day before that on which you and Lady Sinclair honoured me with a note of invitation to dinner, and you fa- voured me with a letter and an accompanying pamphlet, and the valua- ble present of your "Code of Health "; all which I found on my return to this place last evening. This explanation will account to you for my apparent neglect of your favour.
"I had possessed myself of your " Code of Agriculture," which had been re-printed in the United States ; and shall value highly the "Code of Health," which evidently contains a condensed summary of very important information on this subject. With respect to the proposed " Code of Natural and Revealed Religion," were I competent to sug- gest any remarks worthy of your attention, the importance of the sub- ject would require more time than I can command, as I resume my journey next Thursday. But it occurs to me to suggest, what doubt- less has received your consideration, whether there be such a system as natural religion, strictly so called, that is, a system of divine truth actually discovered by human reason. The fact that there was at first a revelation of the being and attributes of God, which has been handed down and dispersed by written records and by tradition, one would think would decide this question in the negative. The arguments à priori, and à posteriori, in proof of the being and attributes of God, so ably discussed by Clark and others in the sermons at Boyle's lectures, serve to confirm the truths originally revealed; but it is questionable whether men would have attained a knowledge of the Supreme Being, such as natural religion now presents, by any process of their intel-
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Scottish Friendliness
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lectual powers, if this knowledge had not been originally revealed. There is much ingenious observation and reasoning on this point, in a treatise by an Irish writer, entitled "The Knowledge of Divine and Spiritual Things from Revelation, not from Reason or Nature."
"With my thanks for your kind attentions, and with my best com- pliments to Lady Sinclair and the family, I have the honour to be,
"Very respectfully,
" Your most obedient friend and servant, "J. H. HOBART." 1
If the Church of England, owing to parliamentary statutes, which, however, she had not yet had the courage to insist upon being repealed, could not permit the Bishop of New York to preach in her churches, Scotland made ample amends for this lack of inter-union. A lack which England has not yet remedied, since even now no Ameri- can priest, no matter his standing, can legally preach in the humblest church in England without the previously obtained special sanction of the Archbishop of that Pro- vince in which the church is situate, and it is doubtful whether an American Bishop can legally officiate at all.
From all quarters in Scotland came invitations to the Bishop to preach, and the Scottish Church again proved her true brotherliness to the American Church.
The following correspondence, though undated, evi- dently took place about this period, probably referring to Wednesday, December 31, 1823 :
" RIGHT REV! & DEAR SIR
" Kindness & willingness to oblige is, I fear, even in danger of being encroached upon too much, & you will probably think so when I am going to venture upon another request for your good offices on Wednesday. If you have any kind of engagement or plan for that day, I beg you will not let this application stand in the smallest degree in the way, but if you have nothing else in view, it will be considered by me as a great favour & I am sure will be highly valued by the
I Pp. 287, 288, Berrian's Memoir.
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congregation of our chapel, if you will again preach for me on Wednesday Morning.
" I regret exceedingly that the state of Mrs. Morehead's health is such at present as to prevent me from requesting the honour of your company in my House, but I trust on your return in Summer, I may look forward to that pleasure.
"You will I trust forgive this new liberty, & if it is quite convenient for yourself, that you will give it a favourable reply.
" With great respect, " I have the honour to be, " Right Rev! & Dear Sir, " Your faithful & obliged Serv! " ROBT. MOREHEAD.
"HILL STREET. Sunday Ev!"
" REV & DR SIR,
"I am entirely disposed to act in reference to your request as I should wish you to do in similar, circumstances towards me, and therefore having no particular engagement for the day am ready to preach for you on Wednesday next as you request.
" Believe me that I fully appreciate your kind intentions of civility towards me & lament the cause which at present opposes an obstacle to them & that I am
" with great truth " very faithfully yrs " J. H. HOBART.
" Monday evng."
His friend and publisher, Mr. Thomas N. Stanford, wrote him regularly by every packet giving him all the ecclesiastical gossip, both parochial and diocesan. Out of this voluminous correspondence we select the following letter as a typical one :
"NEW YORK, Jany 8th 1824
" RT. REV & DR. SIR
" I have to acknowledge with many thanks your kind letter dated Nov 22; To all the requests therein communicated I will pay the most particular attention. Mr. Oakley begs me to assure you that he saw & felt nothing on board the Steam Boat but the most affectionate notice of himself & the rest of his associates.
:
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Letter from Mr. Stanford
1824]
" Need I assure you, Rt. Rev & Dr Sir of the eagerness & anxiety of all our people for information concerning your health & prospects abroad; and of the regret we all felt in hearing that your health had not been completely restored. We are all apprehension respecting the conduct of Bp. Chace. From accounts which have reached us we be- lieve he is playing a disingenous & to our church a dangerous game. His friends in Ohio have issued a pamphlet which is calculated to do mischief when the merits of the case are not known. I have found out that many copies have been sent to England. Immediately upon discovering this fact I made an arrangement with Mr. Onderdonk to procure from the Bishops whose letters were suppressed by Bishop Chace copies of their communications to him, to be published, with the reasons at large for so doing. This measure became the more necessary from a review of Chace's pamphlet in the Wash Repertory, which was precisely such an one as might be expected from those church radicals; It was demanded as an act of justice to our absent Father; & also to furnish the friends of the church with a true view of the subject. The moment it is done' I will forward 100 to 150 Copies to your friends in London, to be made use of as circumstances may require.
"Our warmest thanks are due to the excellent Mr. Norris for his kindness & attention to you. Believe me I will make the best use of the information which you have furnished, with a view to silencing the slanders of Nitchie & others, who, upon the authority of Capt. Sabine have propagated reports to his prejudice. They have also published an edition of Schoolfield in which your name has been unceremoni- ously coupled with his as slanderers of the Bible Society. I had de- termined to publish the reply of Mr. Norris, but was overruled.
"I lament that you have met with so much to trouble you in a land to which you had gone to avoid all the cares & anxieties attendant upon your official station. Not only is your own peace & quiet dis- turbed by this ecclesiastic but we feel here that the dignity & honour of the episcopate have suffered by his conduct.
" The affairs of the Aux. B & C P Bk Socty are flourishing, & our report this year will breath a happier strain of joy & thankfulness than our best wishes led us to hope. Mr. Duffie (who rises daily in public estimation) is to deliver the annual Address in Grace or Trinity. The Missionary Society is also in most excellent condition. Collec- tions for the Theo: Seminary have been dull, owing in a great degree to the numerous calls upon our people of late. Yesterday arrived a committee of 4 or 5 from Geneva College to scour the city. They VOL. III .- 21.
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want $20,000 from the citizens. I wonder what the people will think. This is certainly the very worst season for besides our own local calls we are burning up with Greek fire !
" Mr. Duffie's people have organized by the name of St. Thomas' & a most efficient & respectable vestry have been chosen. I attend his Sunday evening lectures with great pleasure & proffit. He is a most beautiful & accomplished writer.
"A church has also been chartered at Manhattanville through the exertions of Thornton Groshon, by the name of St. Mary's church, & a building is to be erected in the Spring. The old project at Corlear's Hook is revived, & the people talk strongly of building a church. The only changes I know of in our vicinity are the removal of Mr. Clark of Canandaigua to North Hempstead, & of Mr. Thompson of Pittsburgh to Rye. Mr. Cadle officiates as a missionary in New Jersey. Robt. Croes starts this day on a Southern tour to collect funds for the Seminary. I have furnished & procured for him as many letters of introduction as will be useful to him. His success in our own State has been good when we take into consideration the recent applications for the Geneva College.
" By a Statement in my possession it appears that the interest of the funded property pays all the present expenses of the institution. The Concert for Coates' benefit yielded a proffit of about $250, and we have obtained from his unsatisfied creditors an extension of time. Your new dwelling is enclosed, & the carpenters are employed in their part of the work. We hope by the time you are restored to us to have it finished & furnished. I paid a New Year's visit to Mrs. Nichols, your oldest communicant, who is now 93 years of age. She is going fast to her rest, & in all probability will not live to meet you again in this world. You will most assuredly meet her in Heaven. The hearts of all the church pensioners were made glad by a considerable addition to their stipend, which was produced by the increased contributions at Christmas. In the three churches nearly $400 were collected. This was in consequence of an affecting representation made by Mr. Ber- rian & which was read in all the churches.
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