USA > New York > New York City > A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 3 > Part 36
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401
Letter to Mr. Southey
1825]
way my services in Am: can be of any importance to you, I shall be proud in your commanding them.
"The Bp. of Penna (D' White) at my instance forwarded to you his Memoirs & on my return I shall not forget yr request to be put in possession of the materials of honoring us by yr public notice of us.
"My stay on the Cont. was so prolonged as to afford me but a few days to remain in Eng: previously to my embarking for Am: on the packet of this day. And I thus lost the high gratification wh I had promised myself of assuring you in person with what sincerity and high respect
" I am your faithful " & obd' fd & Serv' "J. H. HOBART."
The Bishop was accompanied to the ship by a large number of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Dash, who had been his travelling companions during his last visit to the Con- tinent, were also fellow - travellers with him across the ocean.
VOL. III .- 26.
CHAPTER XIV.
PAROCHIAL AND DIOCESAN ACTIVITIES.
Parochial Activities during the Rector's Absence-Coates and Davis' new Book of Chants Purchased-The Report on the Communion Plate of the Parish-Application for Aid from St. Thomas' Church-Grant Made to Geneva College-Loan Authorized by the Corporation-Aid Declined to All Saints', Corlaer's Hook, St. Thomas' Church, and St. Mary's, Manhattanville-Appointment of Mr. Schroeder as Assistant Minister-Rector's Leave of Absence Extended for One Year-Vestry Reply to Claims of Henry R. Teller-Inventory of Communion Plate-Grant Made Towards the Erec- tion of Buildings for the General Theological Seminary-Alterations in Constitution of Society for Promoting Religion and Learning Proposed-Godfrey Coon Legacy- Is Paid Over to the General Theological Seminary-Visit of General Lafayette to the United States-Oratorio in St. Paul's Chapel-Sermon by Mr. Schroeder-The Dio- cesan Convention of 1824 - Address Sent to the Bishop-His Reply - The Bishop's Arrival in New York-Letters of Welcome from Bishop White-Bishop Croes- Bishop Ravenscroft-His First Sermon on his Return-Creates a Sensation-Diverse Opinions on it-His Friends Astonished at his Strictures on England-Dr. Schroeder's Apology-Sermon Published ; Dedicates it to Mr. Joshua Watson-Adverse Reviews of it in English Periodicals-In the Quarterly Theological Review by Mr. Croly- Hugh James Rose Comes to his Defence-American Edition of the Sermon-Diocesan Convention of October, 1825-Description of the Scene by Dr. Schroeder-Resolu- tions Offered by Convention Rejected by the Bishop-His Indignant Speech-New Resolutions Drafted and Passed-Vestry House Erected-Sunday School Building Erected-Grant made to Green Bay Indians-Donation to Mr. Berrian-Alterations Sanctioned in St. Paul's Chapel-Stable for Rector Authorized to be Erected-Grant to Geneva College-New Constitution of Society for Promoting Religion and Learning Adopted-The Chandeliers of St. Paul's Chapel Given to St. Paul's Church, Buffalo- New Bell for St. Paul's Chapel-New York Protestant Episcopal Public School-Aid Granted to St. Philip's Church-Reading Desk and Pulpit of St. John's Chapel Given to All Saints', Corlaer's Hook - Grants Made to St. Thomas' Church, Christ Church, Anthony Street, Christ Church, Ann Street-St. Philip's Church-New Bell for St. Paul's Chapel-Visitations by the Bishop-Donation to the Rector-Grants to All Saints' Church, St. Luke's Church, and St. Mary's, Manhattanville - Resignation of Mr. Richard Harison of his Offices of Warden and Comptroller-Resolutions Passed by Vestry-William Johnson Chosen Comptroller-Visitations by the Bishop in the West-Lays the Corner-stone of St. Paul's, Detroit-Is Unable to Visit Green Bay- Returns to New York.
T T HE correspondence given in the previous chapters will have kept our readers informed on all points of Church interest relating to matters that occurred during the Bishop's absence in Europe.
Churchmen, as we have seen, were much agitated over
402
-
403
Vestry Minutes
1823]
Bishop Chase's mission, and the members of the old Parish were divided in opinion as to the merits of Mr. Schroeder, who had been appointed, September 23, 1823, a temporary Assistant Minister.
These were the burning questions of the day, and little else appears to have interested the Church in New York during those two years.
An examination of the Minutes of the Vestry yields but scanty gleaning.
November 17, 1823,
"Authority was given to purchase Coates and Davis' new book of Chants for each of the three churches."
December 8, 1823, it was
"ordered that Mr. McFarlan be requested to enquire and ascertain what Communion plate belonging to this Corporation had been loaned to other Churches, and that he procure the same and report to the Vestry." 1
January 12, 1824,
"The Assistant Rector and Mr. McFarlan were authorized.to procure such additional Communion plate as might be necessary for the use of Trinity Church and the Chapels." ª
February 9, 1824,
"An Application for aid from a Committee on behalf of a new church lately erected in the City under the name of St. Thomas' Church, was read and referred to the Standing Committee." 3
This was the Church which Mr. Duffie had organized and about which, as we have seen, he wrote to the Bishop.
February 24, 1824, the Board of Trustees of the Prot- estant Episcopal Society for the Promotion of Religion and Learning, on receipt of a petition soliciting a contri- bution for a "proposed Episcopal College at Geneva,"
' Records, liber ii., folio 383.
9 Ibid., folio 384. 3 Ibid., folio 384.
404
History of Trinity Church
[1824
decided that they were willing to make an annual grant of $750 in lieu of the allowance annually made to the Academy at Geneva,
"provided that the sum of Four Thousand Dollars per annum re- quired by the resolution of the Regents of the University of New York to be raised by contribution towards the Endowment of the said Col- lege (including the said sum of 750 dollars per annum) be first secured, and that satisfactory provision be made for securing (in conformity with the intentions and designs of the Founders of this Society) the benefit of gratuitous education in the said College to twelve Students to be nominated by this Board.
"Resolved further, subject to the like appropriation that if the Trustees of the Geneva Theological Seminary of the Protestant Epis- copal Church in the United States shall effect an arrangement with the Professors, Trustees, and others interested in the Branch Theo- logical School established at Geneva under the authority of the said General Seminary, by which all connexion with and claims upon the said General Seminary shall be forever renounced by the said Branch School, that then this Board will advance to the said General Semi- nary or secure to them the annual Interest of such sum not exceeding Eight Thousand Dollars as they may find it necessary to pay in order to effect that object : the said sum to be appropriated to the permanent endowment of the proposed College at Geneva, on the same conditions as the amount appropriated by the Board in the immediately preced- ing resolution and an equivalent for such advance being given to this Society by the said General Seminary in Scholarships."
The above resolutions of the Society having been communicated to the Vestry, that body consented to the appropriations therein referred to,
"it being understood that the means of Theological Instruction re- ferred to in the last resolution be secured within the State of New York in conformity with the original design of the said Society for the Promotion of Religion and Learning."
June 14, 1824, the first annual report of the new Standing Committee was presented, and in pursuance of a suggestion contained therein it was resolved to authorize
.
405
The Communion Plate
1824]
a loan of $100,000 for a term of years; at interest not exceeding five per centum per annum.
June 14, 1824,
"An application for aid in the erection of a new church at Cor- lear's Hook under the name of All Saints' Church was presented and read; having been considered in connection with the application from St. Thomas' Church in Broadway and St. Mary's Church at Manhat- tanville, it was resolved that under the present circumstances of the Corporation the Vestry cannot comply with either of the said applications."
Mr. Schroeder rapidly gaining the good-will and ad- miration of the majority of the members of the Parish, it was suggested within a few months that he should be made a permanent assistant. While some of the older members doubted the propriety of taking action upon such matter during the absence of the Rector, the other mem- bers were urgent for prompt action. On the 14th of June, 1824, the Assistant Rector nominated the Rev. John Frederick Schroeder to be Assistant Minister in Trinity Parish. He was elected by a large majority.1
September 13, 1824, the Rector's leave of absence was extended one year.2
September 13, 1824,
" on reading a letter from Henry R. Teller alledging that the State of New York have a title to part of the Church Estate, it was resolved that the Clerk be directed to inform Mr. Teller that the Vestry have full confidence in their title to all the Land in their possession, and that they do not consider it proper or expedient to negotiate with him on the subject." 3
Under date of October 11, 1824 there is found an In- ventory of the Communion plate.4 The Inventory brought down to date will be found in the Appendix.5
2 Ibid., folio 390. 8 Ibid., folio 390. 4 Ibid., folio 390.
1. Records, liber ii., folio 388.
" See Appendix.
406
History of Trinity Church
[1825
November 8, 1824, a communication from the Stand- ing Committee of the General Theological Seminary was read, asking the Vestry for assistance in the erection of buildings on the land lately deeded by Mr. Clement C. Moore. The Vestry accordingly voted the sum of $1000 to be given for that purpose out of the legacy of the late Godfrey Coon.1
January 10, 1825, a communication was received from the Society for Promoting Religion and Learning within the State of New York representing that various altera- tions were required in the Constitution of that Society in order to the more convenient management of its con- cerns, and requesting the approbation of the Vestry to such alterations; which communication was referred to Mr. Harison, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Robinson to consider and report on the alterations proposed.2
June 13, 1825, there was
" authorized the appropriation of the entire legacy of Godfrey Coon to the General Theological Seminary" ; 3
and on July 11, 1824, the Comptroller reported that in ac- cordance with the resolution of the last meeting he had paid over to the General Theological Seminary $3393. 11.4
We come now to a more interesting subject.
The visit of General Lafayette to the United States in 1824 called forth more enthusiasm throughout the Union than any event since the close of the Revolution. The people remembered him as the friend of Washington, who when only a very young man had gladly given his services and influence to the cause of independence. Brandywine and Yorktown were not forgotten. Every- where he was received as a personal friend, rather than a
1 Records, liber ii., folio 392.
$ Ibid., folio 397.
2 Ibid., folio 393.
Ibid., folio 393.
407
Visit of General Lafayette
1825]
great dignitary. In no city were more elaborate prepara- tions made to welcome him than in New York. From all parts of the State soldiers of the Revolution, the militia companies, and hundreds of the people flocked to the city to see him land at Castle Garden, where he was greeted with an artillery salute, and then escorted by General Jacob Morton and the city troops to lodgings prepared for him. After spending a short time in the city, he went upon a tour of the towns on the Hudson, and to Albany, returning to New York in September.
On Thursday, the 9th of September, at twelve o'clock, he was the guest of honor at a grand oratorio given by the New York Choral Society in St. Paul's Chapel. This organization preceded the Philharmonic Society and did excellent pioneer work in cultivating a taste for good music. Its president was Mr. James H. Swindells and its secretary Mr. Thomas Birch. There was then no suit- able music hall for such a performance, and even Bishop Hobart with his strong conviction of the sacredness of the church building was constrained to allow the use of St. Paul's Chapel. This was for some years the building in which the concerts were given.
The programme for the oratorio was ambitious and elaborate. A contemporary account says :
"As the General entered the Church the choir struck up the fine air of 'See the Conquering Hero Comes'; given as it was with the whole strength of instrumental as well as vocal of the company the effect was grand beyond description-it was electric."
All the singers, it is said, were in good voice, and acquitted themselves in a highly creditable manner. During the oratorio the Marseillaise was sung in full chorus and "by particular request " was repeated before it closed.1
1 For a full account see the New-York Gazette, Friday, September 10, 1824. The programme will be found in the Appendix.
408
History of Trinity Church
[1825
The committee in charge of the entertainment and comfort of the General was desirous that he should attend Divine Service in Trinity Church. According to the routine then in use in the Parish the Rev. Mr. Schroeder was to preach in the morning of Sunday, September 12th. He had arranged an exchange with the Rev. Mr. Cooper of Yonkers. Mr. Hone, afterwards Mayor of the city and a vestryman of the Parish, called upon Mr. Schroeder, in- forming him of the plans of the committee and the wish. of many that he should be the preacher. Mr. Schroeder postponed his exchange, and prepared a special sermon for the occasion. The church was filled; the music was probably more ornate than usual; and the young assist- ant with his grace of manner and command of language preached with power and unction.
The discourse is described in the newspapers of that period as "most interesting," and it was especially ob- served that Mr. Schroeder's "introductory remarks were peculiarly and happily applied to the Nation's guest." A large portion of the sermon was printed in the Baltimore American.
The Diocesan Convention of 1824 received a letter from the Bishop dated " London Sept. 14, 1824," in which he thanked the Convention for the resolution of affection passed in 1823, and announced that while it would give him " high satisfaction " to meet his brethren of the clergy and laity, the state of his health did not justify his expec- tation that he should be able to discharge his duties to his congregations and the Diocese.1
This letter was referred to a committee of three, the Rev. B. T. Onderdonk, the Rev. Dr. John Reed, and the Rev. Dr. Wainwright. The committee reported on the following day, Wednesday, October 20th, assuring the
' Fournal, Diocese of New York, 1824, folio 12.
A View of St. Paul's Church, New York.
409
Letter from Bishop White
1825]
Bishop of their undiminished confidence and attachment, their disappointment at meeting again without his pres- ence, and their hope that prolonged absence might restore his health, and bring him back in safety to his diocese and his family, to continue his labors in promoting the cause of primitive truth. This letter was signed by more than fifty of the clergy attending the Convention and for- warded to the Bishop, who replied to it from Rome, January 15, 1825, in a short, affectionate letter.1
On Bishop Hobart's arrival in New York, October 12, 1825, he received a most enthusiastic greeting from parishioners, clergy, and citizens. Various paragraphs were published in the newspapers, announcing the fact of his return, and adding appreciative words concerning him and his work. From many of the most eminent men of the Church and nation he received letters of congratulation.
Bishop White sent his welcome in the following letter :
" PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 17, 1825.
" RIGHT REV. AND DEAR SIR,
" The bearer, the Rev. Mr. Howell, has called to inform me, that he is starting this morning for New-York. I will not lose the opportu- nity of congratulating you on your safe return, which I should have done by Mr. Montgomery, had not the information of his going early in the morning reached me late on the preceding evening, when I was engaged in company.
" I beg leave to present my congratulations on the occasion to Mrs. Hobart and to all the members of your family, and remain,
" Your affectionate brother, " WILLIAM WHITE.
"P. S. You will easily believe that all the members of my family share in the satisfaction which I feel in the event.
"W. W.""
1 Both the address and the Bishop's reply will be found in the Appendix.
9 Berrian's Memoir, folio 328.
٦
410
History of Trinity Church
[1825
Bishop Croes also wrote :
"NEW-BRUNSWICK, Oct. 14, 1825. " DEAR AND RIGHT REV. SIR,
" Having read in the Evening-Post of yesterday the very agreea- ble intelligence of your arrival from Europe, I avail myself of the earliest opportunity to congratulate you on that happy event, and to express the great pleasure and satisfaction I feel that you are, by the goodness of God, restored to the bosom of your family, to your friends, your diocese, and to the Church generally, after so long and painful an absence. I hope my dear Sir, that your health is entirely restored, and that you may be enabled to resume the duties of your diocese with that vigour, energy and usefulness so peculiarly yours.
" I intend, with Divine permission, to make you a short visit as early as possible, perhaps next week, towards the close of your Con- vention.
" With my best respects, and the respects of my family to Mrs. Hobart and your children, whom we sincerely congratulate on this occasion,
"I am, my dear Sir, your sincere and affectionate " Friend and brother,
" JOHN CROES." 1
From North Carolina, Bishop Ravenscroft sent this cheering letter :
" RALEIGH, Oct. 22, 1825. " RIGHT REV. AND DEAR SIR,
" The public prints having announced that the wishes and prayers of many in your behalf are answered in your safe return to your country and family, I beg leave to present my congratulations on the happy event, and to assure you, that I feel thankful, not only for your safe return, but that it hath pleased God to sanctify the means used for the restoration of your health with full success.
" I cannot, I think, accuse myself of any tendency to enthusiasm, yet I am constrained to view the providences of the great Head of the Church towards you, as a speaking indication of his watchful care over his Church, and of his favour and goodness towards that branch of it planted in this country.
" From past experience we may flatter ourselves that the renewed 1 Berrian's Memoir, folio 327.
1825]
Sermon by Bishop Hobart
41I
health and strength conferred on you, with the watchful care which has preserved you by land and by water, will operate to produce yet more devoted exertions for the extension of that kingdom, which is to progress in its conquests, until the ends of the earth see the salvation of our God, and with one heart and one mouth confess Jesus to be Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
" In this arduous but happy work, permit the youngest of your brethren to offer his most sincere co-operation, and to add his earnest prayer to the supplications of many, that as you are restored, so may you be guided and supported in every endeavour for the advancement of the glory of God, the good of his Church, the safety, honour, and welfare of his people.
"Your affectionate brother in Christ, " JOHN S. RAVENSCROFT."'
Two years of foreign travel had not impaired Bishop Hobart's strong love of his native land. Nothing that he saw in his various journeyings had made him wish to change the political or social character of the United States. A firm Republican, he yet recognized the good in the monarchical system ; a true son of Christ's Church in America, he could still appreciate the excellencies of the Church of England, and the devotion of the members of the Church of Rome.
The United States was then small and compact. The principles of the fathers of the Republic were still operative. The tide of immigration had not set in and New York was still a city of American born inhabitants.
Upon the Sunday after his return the Bishop preached in Trinity Church. His sermon was of "a novel and peculiar character," and was heard with a great diversity of feeling and opinion by the audience.
" He seemed," said the Rev. Dr. Berrian, " to be perfectly aware of the effect which it would produce, but having deliberately made up his mind as to the propriety of the step, with his usual fearlessness he gave himself no trouble about the consequences."
1 Berrian's Memoir, folio 329.
1
412
History of Trinity Church
[1825
The text was :
" How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land ? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy."-Psalm cxxxvii., 4, 5, 6.
" This exclamation of lively and deep affection for the land which was ' blessed of heaven above and of the deep that lieth under,' and for that Zion, where God delighteth to dwell, uttered by the Israelites when captive by the rivers of Babylon, expresses forcibly and patheti- cally the feelings which must often rise in the bosom of him who from motives of health, of business or of pleasure, sojourns a voluntary exile in distant climes, from such a country as that, brethren, of which we may be proud, and such a Zion as that which engages, I trust, our best affections.
" Often, O how often! have these feelings of strong and affectionate preference for the country and Church which he had left, deeply occupied the mind of him, who now wishes to thank the Father of Mercies that he is permitted again to address you in these walls sacred on account of the objects to which they are devoted, and endeared to him as the place where he has mingled with you in supplications and praises to the God of all Grace and Goodness, and delivered with much infirmity indeed-(this is not the place nor the time for the affectation of humility)-in much infirmity indeed, but he can and will say in sincerity, the messages of the Most High and the Words of Salvation."
The Bishop, in continuing this train of thought, makes a brief explanation :
"I have not been accustomed, my brethren, to obtrude on you in this place, my private thoughts and feelings particularly when connected with topics not strictly appropriate to the pulpit. Yet on this occasion I think I shall not trespass upon your indulgence, if I do so. The event that unites after a long separation a pastor with a flock, who through a course of years has been so indulgent to his infirmities, so lenient to his deficiencies and failings and so disposed to overrate his services; who have loaded him and those more immediately dear to him with so many favours; and who now welcome, with those delicate, tender and warm greetings that go to the heart, his return among them
413
Sermon by Bishop Hobart
1825]
is surely one in which the predominence and expression of personal feelings are not only excusable but natural and proper and to be expected.
"Bear with me then, if for a short time I occupy you with some of those reflections which forcibly occurred to me during my absence, and which since my return press themselves upon my thoughts and feelings. I do so with the view of confirming your enlightened and zealous attachment to your country and your Church."
The Bishop considers under the three heads of blessings, physical, literary, and civil, the advantages of the United States over other nations. In its scenery the rounded, cultivated hills are a delight, for here is a charm which Europe does not possess, the dwellings of freemen which stud the hills. In its fertility the soil of the United States yields to no other nation. In its literary institu- tions there are advantages in the greater attention paid to science. But our religious and civil blessings are those for which pre-eminence is claimed. Bishop Hobart acknowledges the debt to England for them. He pays a high encomium to her, calling her "next to our own the freest of nations"; a drawback to England's freedom being the sharp distinction between the higher and lower classes.
He then discusses the value of hereditary privileged orders and applauds the political equality of the United States. In the course of his argument he says :
" I am not advocating the views or the feelings of this or that political party. Happy omen is it for our country (may I not say so ?) that on great national questions parties no longer exist."
For the Bishop the religious freedom of the country is its greatest blessing. He pays a tribute to the Church of England, to which " the American Episcopal Church was indebted for long continued nursing, care and protection,"
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