USA > New York > New York City > A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 3 > Part 8
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History of Trinity Church
[1819-
In June, 1819, the Rev. Dr. Brownell, who, as we have seen, had been an Assistant Minister in this Parish, was chosen as Bishop of Connecticut. His consecration took place in Trinity Church, New Haven, October 27, 1819, the Rt. Rev. Dr. White presiding, assisted by Bishop Hobart and Bishop Griswold.
Bishop Hobart immediately after the Consecration de- livered to the assembled Convention this address :
" BRETHREN OF THE CONVENTION, CLERGY AND LAITY-
" My charge of this Diocese now ceases, in consequence of an event which gives to the important and respectable Church in this State, by the hands of our venerable Father and presiding Bishop, a resident Diocesan. I shall furnish to your Secretary, for insertion on the Journals a statement of my proceedings since my address to you at the Convention in 1817.
"My connection with this Diocese has afforded me abundant evidence of the fidelity of the Clergy, in the discharge of their re- sponsible duties ; and of their attachment, and that of the Laity, to the pure and primitive doctrines and institutions of our Church. In numerous acts of attention and hospitality, I have received expressions of your liberal and kind feelings, which ought to be acknowledged, and can never be forgotten.
" A connection thus consecrated and endeared, I cannot consider as now dissolved, without emotion. But I should be selfish indeed, if I did not check the feelings of regret, by those of congratulation, at the auspicious event which this day places over you a Bishop, who, in the fidelity and the talents that have distinguished him in the stations which he has hitherto filled, has inspired our sanguine expectations of his great usefulness, in the important relation which he will now sus- tain to you.
"My newly Consecrated brother in the Episcopacy, who as a Presbyter of my immediate Diocese, and a minister of the Church of which I have the parochial charge, has enjoyed that confidence and affection which his virtues and talents merit, will accept my earnest prayers that the blessing of that divine Master who has this day re- ceived his vows, may attend him in the arduous sphere of duty on which he now enters.
"And in bidding you, in my official character, brethren of the
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Address from Diocese of Connecticut
1819]
Clergy and Laity, farewell, you will, I trust, permit me, in the fulness of a heart deeply solicitous for the prosperity of our Church and for your individual welfare, to implore for you the benediction of the Almighty." 1
The following affectionate address was made to Dr. Hobart in token of the respect and esteem which he had won from the Churchmen of Connecticut :
"TO BISHOP HOBART.
" RIGHT REV. AND DEAR SIR:
" We have the honour to tender you the thanks of the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Connecticut, for those temporary services which are this day terminated by the conse- cration of the Rev. Dr. Brownell to the Episcopate of this Diocese.
"In performing this duty you will permit us to express the high sense entertained by the Convention, by ourselves, and by the Church generally, of the distinguished benefits which have resulted from your provisional connection with the Diocese. When we reflect on the sacrifices which you made, and the labours which you incurred, in adding the care of the Church in this State to the arduous duties which devolve on you, in the large and extensive Diocese of New York; when we consider that the sacrifice was made and those labours un- dertaken, without any view to pecuniary compensation; and when we call to mind the eminent services which you have rendered, the new impulse which your visitations have given to our zeal, and the general success which has attended the exercise of your Episcopal functions, we feel bound to offer to the great Head of the Church and supreme Disposer of all things, our sincere and heartfelt acknowledgment of the distinguished blessings which he has been pleased to confer upon us, through the medium of your services. We shall ever cherish a grateful recollection of these services. And although we are no longer connected by official ties, we indulge a hope that there may be no diminution of the friendship and affection which have grown out of your occasional visitations among us.
"Accept, Right Rev. and dear Sir, from ourselves personally, and from the body in whose behalf we address you, the assurances of our
1 Pp. 135, 136, Reprint, Journals, Diocese of Connecticut, 1792-1820. New Haven : Stanley & Chapin. 1842. 1
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History of Trinity Church [1822-
high respect; and permit us to add, that it is with sentiments of the most cordial esteem that we bid you an affectionate farewell.
" HARRY CROSWELL,
" NATHAN SMITH,
"S. W. JOHNSON." 1
In his address to the Convention of 1822 Bishop Hobart thus defines his attitude in regard to Bible Societies :
" A strict adherence to these principles and views, stated with so much interest, must indeed be considered as 'required by the exigen- cies, and even the existence of our Church.' The spirit of them seems to me applicable to all associations for religious purposes where Epis- copalians unite with those ' severed from them by diversity of worship, discipline, or contrariety in points of doctrine.' We ought indeed to 'treat every denomination in their character as a body with respect, and the individuals composing it with degrees of respect or esteem, or of affection, in proportion to the ideas entertained of their respective merits.' But a due regard both to principle and sound policy, and even Christian harmony, requires, in the judgment of him who addresses you, that we avoid intermixture with them in efforts for religious purposes ; and that for the propagation of the Christian faith, by what- soever particular mode, we associate only among ourselves; and act ex- clusively under the guardianship and authority of our own Church.
" The views founded on this opinion, the propriety of which seems to me so obvious, which originally influenced me with re- spect to the union of Episcopalians with other denominations in Bible societies, have gained strength by subsequent reflection and observation. These societies seem to me erroneous in the principle on which, in order to secure general co-operation, they are founded-the separation of the Church from the word of God-of the sacred volume from the ministry, the worship, and the ordinances which it enjoins as of divine institution, and the instruments of the propagation and preserva- tion of gospel truth.
"As it respects Churchmen, the tendency of these societies has ap- peared to me not less injurious than the principle on which they are
1 Pp. 136, 137, Reprint, Journals, Diocese of Connecticut, 1792-1820, and pp. 506, 507, Early Life and Professional Years of Bishop Hobart. By John McVickar. Oxford : D. A. Talboys, 1838.
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Diocesan Convention
1822]
founded is erroneous. They inculcate that general liberality which considers the differences among Christians as non-essentials; and they thus tend to weaken the zeal of Episcopalians in favour of those dis- tinguishing principles of their Church which eminently entitle her to the appellation of apostolical and primitive.
"The success of institutions which are erroneous in the principle on which they are founded, or in the measures which they adopt, can- not vindicate them, except on the maxim, that 'the end justifies the means.' Nor is this success to be considered as evidence of the favour of heaven, for then divine sanction would be obtained for many heretical and schismatical sects, which, at various times, have obtained great popularity, and corrupted and rent the Christian Church.
" It is a satisfaction to me, that in withholding my support from Bible societies, I act with those in the highest stations in the Church from which we are descended, and with the great body of its clergy. But it is a source of painful regret to find myself differing on this subject from many of the clergy and members of our own com- munion whom I greatly esteem and respect. I would wish to guard against the supposition of any design on my part to censure those Episcopalians who deem these societies worthy of their support, and the proper channels of their pious munificence. Among the Episcopa- lians of this description, I recognise, in the president and acting vice- president of the American Bible Society, individuals who are not for a moment to be suspected of acting from any other principle than a sense of duty, and whose pure and elevated characters adorn the Church of which they are members. My object is not to censure others, but in the discharge of my official duty, to state and defend the principles on which I think Churchmen should act in their efforts for the propagation of the Gospel; and to ask for those who do act on these principles, the credit of adherence to the dictates of conscience, and an exemption from the imputation of being un- · friendly to the distribution of the oracles of truth. No imputation can be more unjust, injurious, or unkind. It is not to the distribution of the Bible but to the mode of distribution, that our objections ap- ply. We deem ourselves not warranted in sanctioning what appears to us a departure from the apostolic mode of propagating Christianity -in the separation of the sacred volume from the ministry, the ordinances, and the worship of that mystical body which its Divine Founder has constituted the mean and the pledge of salvation to the world. And we think that Episcopalians will best preserve their
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History of Trinity Church
[1823-
attachment to the distinctive principles of their Apostolic Church, and thus best advance the cause of primitive Christianity, and most effectually avoid all collision with their fellow Christians who differ from them, by associating for all religious purposes only among themselves." 1
The constant labors of the Bishop had so exhausted him that a journey to Canada was deemed desirable. Dr. Berrian, his companion in travel, has left an interesting account of some of the incidents of the tour :
"Towards the close of the summer Bishop Hobart, feeling the need of relaxation, proposed to make an excursion to Quebec and wished me to accompany him. The weather was remarkably fine, the scenery throughout a great part of the route, though familiar to us both, was too varied and beautiful to be reviewed with indifference, and the latter part of the journey had all the freshness and charm of novelty. The Bishop, disencumbered for a while of his ordinary cares, was placid and cheerful, and disposed to derive enjoyment from all the ob- jects around him. He was peculiarly interested when, on crossing our own border, we got at once among a people differing in language, costume, and habits, from our own, who appeared to be not only con- tented and happy, but to have all the characteristic vivacity and gaiety of the nation from which they had descended. I was perhaps still more interested, as everything around me awakened the recollections of France, through which I had travelled a few years before with so much pleasure and delight. The passage from Montreal down the St. Lawrence was particularly pleasant, for though the banks are for the most part neither bold nor romantic, yet the rich verdure of the fields, the constant succession of bright and cheerful villages, the varied form of the spires and towers of the churches, with which they were all adorned, and the neat and often spacious rectory which usually ad- joined them, made the whole a very novel and enlivening scene. The sight of these churches, in which all worshipped by the same rit- ual, professed the same faith, and were of one heart and one mind, made a very pleasing impression upon the Bishop, notwithstanding he regarded this unity in many respects as merely an agreement in error. It had been the earnest endeavor of his life, and the prevailing passion of his soul, to promote unity in the truth. He was led into a train of
1 Dr. Berrian's Memoir, pp. 262-263.
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Bishop Hobart's Visit to Canada
1823]
beautiful reflections upon this subject, the substance of which, even after the lapse of so many years, I distinctly remember, though the ex- pressions are forgotten.
"The antique and foreign aspect of the city of Quebec, so dif- ferent from the appearance of our own cities, where all is so new and fresh, and forever changing, is a source of amusement to every one who has not been abroad ; and the magnificent views which it com- mands from its heights, can be seen by none who are fond of nature in her grandeur, without admiration and delight. We visited in com- pany with Mr. M'Ilvaine, of Philadelphia, Colonel Biddle, of the United States Army, and Colonel Hunter, of the Royal Horse-Guards, the Falls of Chaudière and the Falls of Montmorency, and enjoyed in a high degree both the romantic beauties of these striking scenes, and the agreeable and intellectual society into which it was our happiness to be thrown. Colonel Hunter, who had served under Lord Wel- lington throughout the Peninsular war, had just made an extensive tour through our own country. With taste and refinement, and with a mind enlarged by foreign travel, he had noticed every thing amongst us with such a spirit of liberality and kindness, as was calculated at once to flatter our national pride, and to make our brief intercourse . with him an occasion of sincere regret at our parting.
"The Bishop received very kind and respectful attentions from the most distinguished persons in Quebec, in which, as the companion of his journey, I of course participated. During the short time which we spent there, we dined with Lord Dalhousie, the Bishop of Que- bec, and Chief Justice Sewell ; breakfasted with Colonel Hunter, near the plains of Abraham, and spent a most agreeable day at the country seat of Dr. Mills, the Chaplain of the forces. We saw less than we wished of the estimable Archdeacon, Dr. Mountain, who, by a serious accident which happened just at that time, was confined to his house and his bed. The Bishop was requested to preach at the cathedral in the morning of the only Sunday on which we were there, and myself in the afternoon. .
"But the pleasure of the first part of our excursion was a singular contrast with the pain and suffering of our return. We set out by land, and before the close of the first day the Bishop was seized with a most violent bilious attack, which filled me with anxiety and alarm. We travelled in wretched cabriolets, which were sufficiently uneasy vehicles for those who are well, but which were agonizing to one who was deadly sick. We had to stop frequently on the road ; but, upon the slightest intermission of suffering, the Bishop was
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History of Trinity Church
[1823-
impatient to proceed. Five hundred miles were before us, and each one seemed intolerable. At Three Rivers, I think, we got into the steam- boat, which, for its greater ease and speed, was a sensible relief. Still there was a considerable distance to be travelled by land. At White- hall the Bishop was so unwell that he was unable to sit in a carriage, and a mattress was placed in it, on which he laid till we came to Albany. I rendered him every attention which sympathy and friend- ship could suggest ; but when I considered the value of his health and life, I was almost overwhelmed with the responsibility of my temporary charge. It was this attack, from which he did not entirely recover after his return, that suggested the thought of his visit to Europe." 1
The trip through Canada did not materially benefit Dr. Hobart's health. As a last resort a long sea voyage with the accompanying rest, and a sojourn in Southern Europe, were prescribed.
As we have already seen, leave of absence was granted him by the Vestry together with an ample allowance for expenses. Dr. Berrian was elected Rector's assistant and put in charge of the Parish, and on September 24, 1823, Bishop Hobart sailed for Europe by the packet-ship Meteor.
We are indebted to Dr. Schroeder for the following interesting particulars.
" The simple fact of his departure would have produced a general sensation in the Church, but the painful cause by which it was induced awakened everywhere the most anxious solicitude. At the hour of his embarkation, he received abundant testimonies that his painful absence would be sincerely mourned. It was not his family alone, nor his immediate friends, who then gave proof of their affection and confidence. He shared a general sympathy. Numerous clergy- men and laymen accompanied him to the ship. The Episcopal clergy gave him a written pledge of their attachment to his person, and of their sincere desire to prevent the Church's 'declining from that unity, prosperity, and purity, to which your administration,' said
1 Dr. Berrian's Memoir, pp. 257-260.
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Bishop Hobart Sails for Europe
1823]
they, 'has, through the Divine blessing been so largely instrumental in raising it.' Delegates appointed by the Auxiliary New-York Bible and Common Prayer-Book Society, united in the expression of simi- lar sentiments. The trustees of the Jewish congregation 'Shearith Israel,' in testimony of their kind regard, furnished a letter of intro- duction to the Rev. Dr. Solomon Herschel, of London, a Grand Rabbi of the Jews. Every demonstration of esteem was offered, that could give utterance to the prevailing sentiment."1
The contemporary account taken from the Evening Post, of September 26th, is worth transcribing :
" Rarely has the departure of an individual from our shores for the old world been attended with circumstances of a more interesting nature than those connected with the embarkation on board the .
packet ship Meteor, on Wednesday, of the Right Reverend Bishop Hobart. His acknowledged talents, exalted character, benevolence of heart, and amiable manners, have justly gained for him the re- spect, affection, and confidence of the community at large; while these emotions were peculiarly apparent in the members of the particular religious community in which, for many years, he has been so ex- tensively and usefully engaged in the pious labours of the ministry; over which he has presided so honourably to himself, and so much to its advantage; and whose interests he has on all occasions, and under all circumstances, so faithfully and zealously guarded .- As was, therefore, to be expected a general solicitude upon the sub- ject has been manifested, ever since it was known that his declining health had rendered necessary a determination to visit Europe. At the appointed hour, the wharf from which the steam-boat was to take the passengers on board the packet, was thronged with a large number of our most respectable citizens, who had come to take leave of this distinguished prelate. The clergy generally, who were among the number, including all the Episcopal clergy of the city who were not prevented from attending and several laymen, accompanied him in the boat to the ship; where having partaken of refreshments provided by the polite attention of Captain Gardiner, they bid their friend and · father a heartfelt farewell, commending him to the protection of the Eternal God who alone spreadeth out the heavens, and ruleth the raging of the sea.
1 P. Ixxvii., Dr. Schroeder's Memoir.
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History of Trinity Church
[1823-
"Many blessings and prayers follow him. May they be favour- ably answered in his perfect restoration to health, his happy return to his family, his church, and his friends, and the renewal and long continuance of his faithful, pious labours! Seldom has an individual gone abroad under more favourable circumstances for extensive obser- vation, and for a generally useful and interesting tour."
Dr. William Harris, on behalf of the Diocese of New York, presented the Bishop with an address bidding him Godspeed and expressing their affection and loyalty.
"The subscribers, clergymen of your diocese, in accompanying you to the ship to bid you farewell on your departure for Europe, are called upon by the feelings excited by the occasion, to express to you in this way, the emotions of respect and affection with which they part from you. Our warmest prayers are offered to the Father of mercies, through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, that he will be pleased to have you in his holy keeping -- to conduct you in safety to the haven where you would be-to defend you from all dangers to which you may be exposed-to restore you to health-and again to bless your diocese with your wonted, active, zealous, and faithful labours.
"We pray for the church over which you preside, and for our- selves, and all who shall be associated with us in the management of its concerns-that we may have grace to preserve it from declining from that degree of unity, prosperity, and purity, to which your ad- ministration has, through the divine blessing, been so largely instru- mental in raising it: and we beg to assure you, that our exertions shall not be wanting to this effect; but, as in your presence, so in your absence, we shall deem it our happiness to be co-workers with you in building up the kingdom of our Redeemer.
"Our prayers also, Right Rev. Sir, shall not be wanting in behalf of your family-that they may be preserved in health and safety, and again, and long, enjoy the blessing of your union with them.
" Finally, Right Rev. Father, farewell ! The Lord of heaven and earth bless you and keep you, and favourably regard the prayers we offer that we may meet you again, long to enjoy the blessings of your counsels in our labours in the church on earth ; and that we may be united with you in the everlasting services of the church in heaven.
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Farewell Addresses
1823]
"We are, Right Reverend Sir, with great respect, your affectionate sons in the gospel,
1
" WM. HARRIS, H. PÉNEVEYRE,
THOS. BREINTNALL,
GEO. W. DOANE,
BENJ. T. ONDERDONK,
GEO. UPFOLD,
J. M. WAINWRIGHT,
SAMUEL H. TURNER,
HENRY U. ONDERDONK,
MANTON EASTBURN,
HENRY J. FELTUS,
RICHARD F. CADLE,
WM. BERRIAN,
CORNELIUS R. DUFFIE,
WM. CREIGHTON.
LEWIS P. BAYARD. "
To which was added the following postscript :
" The subscribers, clergymen of other dioceses, being present on the above mentioned occasion, beg leave to express their hearty con- currence in the sentiments of respectful and affectionate regard con- tained in the preceding address.
"JOHN C. RUDD, of New Jersey. WM. THOMPSON, of Pennsylvania. JAMES MONTGOMERY, of Pennsylvania. WILLIAM BARLOW, of South Carolina. HENRY P. POWERS, of New Jersey. WILLIAM L. JOHNSON, of New Jersey."
The Auxiliary New York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society showed their appreciation of the labors of their founder by another loving address.
The Evening Post continues its notice :
"Among the numerous tokens of regard received by the Bishop previously to his departure, the following very gratifying one, and so creditable to the respectable body by whom it was paid, deserves to be especially noticed. 'The Trustees of the congregation Shearith Israel have the pleasure to enclose to Bishop Hobart, a letter of intro- duction to the Rev. Dr. Solomon Herschel, grand rabbi of the Jews in London ; and they tender to the Bishop their best wishes for the restoration of his health, and his speedy return to his family and friends.'
VOL. 111 .- 6.
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History of Trinity Church
[1823]
" The introductory letter referred to above, states that the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart, by his 'learning, and the liberality of sentiment towards the chosen people, which has distinguished his ecclesiastical career, obtained a high claim to the respect and friendly consideration of our brethren of the House of Israel ; and we have great pleasure in recommending him to your kind and friendly attention' and con- cludes with their 'best wishes and prayers for the prosperity and wel- fare of all Israel confided to your care.'"
The Bishop returned the following answer :
"NEW YORK, Sept. 24, 1823.
" GENTLEMEN :
" I have scarcely time, at the very moment of my departure for Europe, to beg you to accept for yourselves and the respectable con- gregation whom you represent, my acknowledgments for your atten- tion ; the more distinguished and gratifying, because unsolicited and unexpected. Be assured you have not estimated too highly my senti- ments of respectful and kind liberality towards the brethren of 'the House of Israel'; and with my best wishes and prayers for your and their happiness here and when they shall be gathered to their fathers, I remain, gentlemen, your sincere and faithful friend and servant,
"J: H. HOBART.
"Rev. Mr. Peixotto, and Messrs N. Phillips, M. L. Moses, M. M. Noah, Committee, &c., &c., &c."
CHAPTER VI.
HOBART'S CORRESPONDENCE.
PART I .- PRIOR TO HIS CONSECRATION.
1795-1811.
The Value of the Hobart Correspondence-Bishop Hobart's Unique Position-His Great Influence-His Unceasing Activity-Character of the Hobart MSS .- Vast Va- riety of Matters Alluded to-Unbusinesslike Habits of the Bishop-A Poor Corre- spondent-Patience of his Friends-Correspondence Selected Begins with September, 1795-Letter of Abraham Skinner, Senior-Of John J. Sayrs-To his Sister on the Death of his Friend, Forsyth-Sophia Duche, and Hobart's Attachment to her- Original Draft of Bishop Provoost's Letter of Resignation-Its Value-Hobart's Let- ter Declining Call to St. Mark's Church in the Bowerie-Bishop Moore's Letter to the Rev. Davenport Phelps on his Ministry among the Indians-Letter from Levi Hollings- worth Offering the Rectorship of St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia-Hobart's Reply- Letters on the Churchman's Magazine from William Smith-And the Rev. James Dewar Simons - And Messrs. Steele & Co .- First Letter from Thomas Swords - First Letter from the Hon. and Rev. Charles Stewart-Letter from Anna Hoffman -Donation of Books from the British and Foreign Bible Society-Bishop Meade's Book of Devotions-Letter from Rev. William Smith in Regard to Criticisms on his Book.
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