USA > New York > New York City > A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 4 > Part 35
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The preacher then went on to mention the growth of the city northward, the consequent removal of families from the vicinity of the older chapels, and the danger of losing nearly all of the old parishioners, and said :
" To guard against an evil of such magnitude, and to provide for the return of a portion at least of our faithful and long tried friends it was thought expedient to build a new Church at their very door.
"I cannot but personally express the pleasure that gladdens my heart and in which so many before me most deeply sympathize at beholding the object so happily accomplished. I here see the old and familiar faces of many to whom I had ministered in the outset of life and who are endeared to me by the most sacred and tender associations."
He then briefly summarizes "the agency of this Parish in promoting the growth of the Church and the spiritual interests of men " and observes that " unreasonable
1 Dr. Samuel Provoost, Dr. Benjamin Moore, Dr. John Henry Hobart, Dr. Benjamin T. Onderdonk, and Dr. Jonathan M. Wainwright.
2 Dr. William Heathcote DeLancey, Dr. Thomas C. Brownell, Dr. George W. Doane, Dr. George Upfold, Dr. William R. Whittingham.
8 MS. Sermon, No. 473, Berrian MSS.
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expectations on the part of many from the exaggerated opinion of her unbounded resources, and the narrow jeal- ousy of wealth, however usefully and beneficially applied, on the part of more, have made malcontents of some and ingrates of others."
In speaking of the influence of Trinity Church upon the community, the State, and the Church, the preacher said : " It has not only been enlarged by the direct and sea- sonable aid which it has rendered to others but by the silent and wholesome influence which it has exerted in the promotion of sound Church principles in just and harmo- nious connection with true religion and virtue." He pays an affectionate tribute to Bishop Hobart whose " com- manding influence " and " the operation of circumstances" have given to Trinity Church "a marked and decided character which I trust in God may never be changed."
In mentioning members of the Vestry in the early years of the Republic he thus alludes to several men of national reputation :
" Lewis and Livingston, one of whom was a member of the Old Congress and the other Chancellor of the State and Minister to Paris under the Consulate and Empire, and both signers of the Declaration of Independence; Duane and Morris who had held the most honour- able appointments both under the General Government and the State; the pure and honoured Jay who had borne so conspicuous a part both at home and abroad in the settlement of public affairs in those troub- lous times, are found among the Vestry on the return of peace, guard- ing the interests of the Parish, allaying the force of popular prejudice and securing to it its just and lawful rights as we trust forever.
"But, my brethren, carried away by the subject, and scarcely knowing where to stop, I have made a hurried sketch of the past, and have left but a moment for the future. Man's foresight is but folly, and that future is solely in the hands of God, to Whom we cheerfully submit it. But how beautiful and glorious does it nevertheless appear ! A new and important work is yet before us. In the course of things, and in the providence of God, nearly the whole of the lower part of
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Trinity Chapel
1855]
the City has been brought under our spiritual care, and as it has thus become our especial province, so it is a source of grateful reflection that we have it in our power to discharge the duty which is set before us. The condition and character of our congregations have materially changed, but the population has not decreased. The Gospel may still be preached to the poor, for whom our Lord had a peculiar concern; to the strangers who visit our City, and who find it as freely given as it was freely received; to the young men engaged in mercantile or mechanical pursuits, who, in many instances, far from their paternal roof, and the wholesome influences of home, are exposed to temptations in every form, and who therefore stand in special need of pastoral care and tender guidance of the ministers of God; to the casual attendants led thither by curiosity or convenience, who, unaccustomed to our service, and ignorant of our system, are there very often disabused of their prejudices, and receive their first impressions in favour of the Church. With these several classes our churches may once more be filled to overflowing.
" With wisdom and liberality also on the part of the Vestry in establishing Parochial Schools, and in carrying out all needful arrange- ments for the prosecution of this work; with self-denial and patience, with untiring labour, with unconquerable perseverance, and unquench- able zeal on the part of the clergy; with the hearty co-operation of zealous young men and devout and benevolent women in this Mission- ary cause; and above all, with the help of God, without Whom all labour is fruitless, all efforts are vain; it is impossible to conceive, though de- lightful to anticipate, the amount of good which may be done."
The pastoral charge of the congregation of Trinity Chapel and the development of the work to be done there were committed to the Rev. Drs. Higbee and Hobart, under the direction and oversight of the Rector. The two clergymen thus assigned by the Vestry were both of the superior grade of Assistant Ministers, and therefore equal in rank, but Dr. Higbee had the seniority in age, in date of ordination, and in length of service in the Parish. Under those able and devoted men a very large congrega- tion was rapidly gathered, and the chapel soon became a centre of wide influence and a position of great importance in the church and the city.
CHAPTER XX.
RAPID EXTENSION OF PARISH WORK.
Renewal of the Attack upon the Church-Action of the Vestry-Election of Dr. Vin- ton as Assistant Minister-Resignation of Dr. Tuckerman as Organist-Assignment of the Assistant Ministers-Election of the Rev. Dr. Frederick Ogilby, the Rev. John F. Young, and the Rev. Morgan Dix as Assistant Ministers-Organization of Work in the Several Churches-Convention of 1855-Dr. Berrian Publishes Facts Against Fancy- Rapid Extension of Parish Work-Offer of the Rev. Mr. Howland Declined-Resigna- tion of Mr. William H. Harison-St. John's Park ; Proposal to Sell to United States Government-Report of Dr. Berrian on the Condition and Work of the Parish.
D URING the month of April, 1855, the attack on Trinity Church was resumed in the Legislature. At a meeting of the Vestry, held May 14th, a committee of five, consisting of Messrs. William H. Harison, William E. Dunscomb, Richard H. Ogden, Gouverneur M. Ogden, and Samuel T. Skidmore, was appointed, with power to take such measures as might be thought advisable to repel any attempts that might be made to alter the charter of the Church, or any attempted invasion of its rights and privi- leges by or through the Legislature. It seems unnecessary to cumber the pages of this History with the details of the futile and indefensible proceedings on the part of the ene- mies of the Church about that time. They were met, calmly and with dignity, by the officers of the Corporation, and fell through, one after the other. If any one desires further information upon a subject which long ago ceased to have any interest or practical importance, he may consult the records of that period.1
1 See Journal of the Senate, 1855, pp. 67, 121, 687, 688, 797, 798-801, and Min- utes of the Vestry of Trinity Church, vol. iv., p. 214; Report of the Commissioners of the Land Office Made to the House of Assembly. May 12, 1838 ; and Memorial of the Corporation of Trinity Church to the Legislature, March 26, 1853.
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The Parish Clergy
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Several resolutions concerning the appointment of ad- ditional Ministers were adopted at the May meeting, of which the most important was one proposing the election of four clergymen to be under the direction of the Rector. Nominations were made as follows: the Rev. James A. Bolles, D.D., the Rev. Milo Mahan, the Rev. Mr. Hud- son, the Rev. A. N. Littlejohn, the Rev. Gurdon S. Coit, the Rev. I. R. Davenport, the Rev. Dr. McMurray, and the Rev. John I. Tucker.
Subsequently, June 11th, the Vestry proceeded to as- sign by ballot the Rev. Benjamin I. Haight, D.D., to Trinity Church, the Rev. Sullivan H. Weston to St. John's Chapel, and the Rev. Edward Y. Higbee to Trinity Chapel. At the same meeting the Rev. Dr. Francis Vinton, Rector of Grace Church, Brooklyn Heights, was elected an Assistant Minister and assigned to St. Paul's Chapel.
Dr. S. Parker Tuckerman, who had for some months been an organist in the Parish, presented his resignation, on the ground that his position was embarrassing and un- pleasant, it being doubtful whether he was to be organist at Trinity Church or Trinity Chapel.1 Dr. Tuckerman's withdrawal from the Parish was greatly regretted.
In the year 1855, the reorganization of the clerical force in the Parish was completed. This very important matter had been the subject of much discussion in the Vestry and among the parishioners. Special committees had been appointed to consider it ; they had reported in due course of time, and their reports had been carefully weighed. It had been deemed advisable by some to re- turn to the old system of unassigned clergy ; the Vestry by a strong vote had decided not to do so. Embarrass- ment had been felt as to some of the assignments, where clergymen of equal rank as to salary and standing must
1 Records, liber iv., folio 218.
VOL. IV .- 27.
أبو النصر
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be assigned to the same church. Full accounts of these discussions may be found in the Minutes of the Vestry and the Berrian Manuscripts. At last a system was adopted, by which the whole Parish came into good work- ing order. To that end it was found necessary to elect three additional Assistants, of a secondary grade to work under those of the higher grade, under the direction of the Rector. The clergymen so chosen and elected were the Rev. Frederick Ogilby, D. D., the Rev. John F. Young, and the Rev. Morgan Dix.1
The organization as thus completed was as follows :
Trinity Church : the Rev. Benjamin I. Haight, D.D .; the Rev. Frederick Ogilby, D.D.
St. Paul's Chapel : the Rev. Francis Vinton, D.D .; the Rev. Morgan Dix.
St. John's Chapel : the Rev. Sullivan H. Weston, the Rev. John Freeman Young.
Trinity Chapel : the Rev. Edward Y. Higbee, D.D. ; the Rev. John H. Hobart, D.D.
Drs. Higbee and Hobart were assigned to Trinity Chapel by the Vestry, though of the same rank, with the understanding that Dr. Hobart, when not on duty at Trinity Chapel, should perform such duties as the Rector should direct.
These arrangements appear to have been acceptable to the people ; their good results were very soon perceived in the enlargement of the work, and in the spirit of ani- mation and increasing interest which marked its several departments. Particularly was this observed in the lower wards of the city.
Dr. Haight, a man of great administrative ability, mapped out the city in the vicinity of Trinity Church for regular visitation by competent lay visitors. He insti-
1 Records, liber iv., folio 220.
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Church Extension
1855]
tuted a series of service-cards to be placed in the hotels and boarding-houses, inviting strangers to attend Trinity Church. He commenced work for the poor English, Scotch, and Irish immigrants at Castle Garden under the auspices of the Commissioners of Emigration, of which Board an honored Vestryman of the Parish, Mr. Gulian C. Verplanck, was President. Sewing schools and paro- chial schools were also soon formed with prospects of permanent usefulness. A relief bureau and frequent visi- tations of the sick and suffering were among the newer agencies employed in carrying on Christian work at Trinity. Dr. Haight1 was ably seconded by Dr. Ogilby, Second Assistant. At St. Paul's Chapel, Dr. Vinton opened a clergy office, at No. 29 Vesey Street, on St. Paul's church- yard, where the clergy were in daily attendance, and from which temporal relief was dispensed to worthy and needy applicants. A Parochial School was also founded by the Vestry, the first of its kind in the Parish for a great many years. This school, for girls only, was placed under the care of Mr. Dix, who visited it daily and gave it close attention. A Benevolent Society was formed of the women of St. Paul's, under the charge of Miss Sarah W. Thorne, of blessed memory among us to this day, for the aid of the poor, in the various branches of practical charity.
At St. John's Chapel, to which Mr. Young was assigned, Mr. Weston in addition to the ordinary parochial duty, caused a house to house canvass to be made, for the allevia- tion of distress and securing the attendance of parents and children at Church and Sunday-school. An Industrial School which commenced with four little girls in March, 1855, soon increased to nearly eighty, and the results of the experiment were remarkably gratifying; classes in
1 For sketch of Dr. Haight see Appendix.
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sacred music were organized and attractive courses of lectures upon Church doctrine given with success. At Trinity Chapel the work was in the experimental stage, for the pew-holders were largely from the wealthier portion of the community and little more than the stated services, visits, necessary clerical offices, and the gathering of chil- dren into the Sunday-school could be expected. Dr. Hig- bee and Dr. Hobart instituted a thorough canvass of the district in which the chapel was situated. A Charity School conducted by some ladies of the congregation sprang into being, with which the Industrial School already in ex- istence was merged.
The Annual Convention of the Diocese in 1855 was held, as usual, in St. John's Chapel. At that Convention an assault was made upon the venerable Corporation. The demands of the speakers were as unreasonable as their language was violent. The question of the better support of the clergy in the country parishes was brought up, in connection with a report of the Parochial Aid Society, at that time straitened for means to carry on its work; and the ground was taken that the real Sustentation Fund for the whole Diocese consisted of the property of Trinity, which practically belonged to all Churchmen of the State. The report of the Committee on the salary of the Pro- visional Bishop, showing a very small response from the parishes, was the occasion of another demand that the burden of his support should be removed from the Diocese at large, and thrown entirely upon the Corporation of Trinity. With sarcasm and innuendo, and in impassioned speeches, these wild views were ventilated, by most re- spectable and worthy gentlemen, both of the clergy and laity, many of whom in after years deeply regretted what they had said. Over those scenes it is well to draw the veil; they are forgotten ; and it would be unkind to recall
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Diocesan Convention of 1855
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them to a full report of what occurred. They were, how- ever, on the line of an agitation at that time proceeding with ever-increasing acrimony. So sudden and unexpected was this attack that the representatives and friends of the Parish in the Convention made little or no response. Subsequent consideration led to the conclusion that it was premeditated, and that the way had been carefully pre- pared for it by inflammatory articles in a religious journal of the period. Under this impression, the Rector, Dr. Ber- rian, prepared Facts against Fancy, a pamphlet, intended and well adapted to allay suspicion, correct erroneous statements, and demonstrate the impartial liberality, the unfailing generosity, and the spotless integrity with which the affairs of the Corporation had been conducted.1
The scene in the Diocesan Convention stimulated the efforts of those who were seeking legislative interference with the Church, and formed a fitting prelude to the proceed- ings at Albany during the following winter. It was the settled purpose and determination of a large number of persons to attempt once more to obtain control of the property, by reviving the claim that the grant was to "the Inhabitants of the City of New York," and not exclusively to those within the Parish of Trinity Church. Evidently an informal organization was made for that purpose and plans were laid for action.
Meanwhile the new agencies for reaching the neglected and destitute in the lower parts of the city, and extending the influence of the Church were making themselves felt, and justifying their projectors. Grants were made to the
' The literature bearing on this episode is ample, and may be referred to in collec- lections of the pamphlets and journals of that day. See Facts against Fancy, or a True and Just View of Trinity Church, by the Rev. William Berrian, D.D., 1856; The Rector Rectified, in reply to Facts against Fancy, from the Protesant Churchman, 1856; A Letter to Dr. Berrian, by William Jay; and files of the Churchman, Prot- estant Churchman, and Church Journal, passim.
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Assistant Ministers to enable them to provide for unusual and unexpected needs. It was decided to erect a proper building for the accommodation of the Sunday-school of Trinity Chapel which had increased greatly in size.1 That prudence was observed, however, in the extension of the work, is shown by the fact that the Vestry declined, though very reluctantly, to assent to a proposal of the Rev. Robert H. Howland, who generously offered to give $6000 to the Church of the Holy Apostles, and $10,000 to build an edifice for St. Timothy's Church, with an annual stipend of $500 for the salary of a clergyman for the latter church, provided the Corporation would give equal amounts for the same objects. The Standing Committee, to whom the subject had been referred, and before whom Dr. Howland appeared, gave it as their opinion, that " the condition of the affairs of this Corporation and the state of its finances do not justify its granting the assistance applied for in the various generous proposals of the Rev. Mr. Howland." 2
About this time Mr. Harison, Junior Warden, offered his resignation, and the following resolution was unani- mously adopted :
" Resolved, that the Vestry in accepting the resignation of Wm. H. Harison, Esq., as Junior Warden of this Corporation express to him their sincere regret at his separation from the duties and councils of this body, in which he has laboured so many years; that they bear witness to the ability, application, and devotion to the best interests of the Church which he has always manifested and they tender to him their heartfelt thanks for the eminent services which he has rendered to the Corporation and to the sacred interests confided to their charge."
When the lots in the vicinity of St. John's Chapel were sold, the Corporation reserved a plot of ground, which was made into a small but very attractive and beau-
1 Records, liber iv., folio 218.
9 Ibid., folio 248.
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St. John's Park
1856]
tiful park, with shaded walks, and a very large fountain in the centre. Entirely private, like the Gramercy Park of our own day, and free from the intrusion of the general public, it was one of the chief delights of the neighbor- hood, where dignity and fashion held sway around its enclosure. It was known as St. John's Park or as Hudson Square. As the residents in the vicinity moved up-town, the character of the neighborhood changed, and many of the owners of property, no longer resident about the square, indicated their willingness to sell the park, especially as it was thought that the Government desired it for a general post-office. Meetings of the proprietors had been held, government officials had been approached, and the sale at a large price was thought certain, if the Corporation of Trinity Church would give consent, for the property which they held on the square. On June 17th, the Vestry re- solved that it would consent to the sale of the park "to the Government of the United States for government purposes, and to be used for government buildings only, as requested by the owners of more than two thirds of the lots fronting on the same, provided the portion of the consideration money for such conveyance to be paid to this Corporation for their use shall not be less than four hundred thousand dollars," and with the further proviso, that two thirds of the owners of lots fronting the square should give their written consent under their seals. Of this proposal, which had been the result of several con- versations and conferences with property owners on the square, General Dix says in his testimony before the Senate Committee :
"I was not present at the first meeting when that subject was brought up before the Vestry. I was present, I think, at the meeting at which that subject was discussed. My impression is that the Vestry at first refused to entertain the proposition at all; but at the
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earnest solicitation of nearly all the owners around the Park they finally agreed to release their interest if they could receive the sum of four hundred thousand dollars. I never understood this to be con- sidered the value of the property, but rather as the estimate of the damage that would be done to Trinity Church by destroying the Park. That was my own view of the subject, and I considered the interest of Trinity Church so remote and contingent, that I would not have undertaken to put a valuation upon it in money." '
Through this action of the Vestry, the destruction of one of the most beautiful objects in this city was delayed for twelve years. No one was more grateful for this res- pite from the merciless progress of so-called city im- provement than Dr. Berrian. He had lived in his house opposite the lovely Square for the greater part of his life. He contemplated with horror the pending devastation of the place; with pathetic emphasis, he used to beg that the park might not be destroyed until after his death. He could not have borne to see the horrible sight which his successor in the Rectorship beheld; it would have killed the old man. He said, firmly, and again and again, that he would never consent, as long as he lived, to sell the park.
There was a strong desire on the part of the Vestry to know the exact condition of the Parish at that time. The Rector was requested to prepare a full report upon its work, and authorized to call upon the Assistant Minis- ters for such information as they could give.
The report was presented to the Vestry October 15, 1856. It met with their approval, and the Rector was thanked for the manner in which he had carried out their desire ; he was also requested to print it " with such portions of the accompanying documents as he may think best." 2
1 Testimony of the Hon. John A. Dix before the Senate Committee, Monday, February 23, 1857 .- Pp. 119, 130, Testimony before the Committee, Senate Docu- ment No. 95. ? Records, liber iv., folio 270.
The old Rectory from a View taken September 1905.
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The Rector's Report
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The report commences with this expression of sat- isfaction :
" The condition of the Parish, with its present effective force and under its new arrangements, is exceedingly gratifying. Notwithstand- ing so great a number of the parishioners have removed to the upper part of the city, the attendance at Trinity Church still continues to be large; it has materially improved at St. Paul's Chapel, it is well sus- tained at St. John's; and Trinity Chapel is often filled to its utmost capacity." 1
The Rector gives in detail the statistics for the Parish Church and each chapel for the Conventional year end- ing September 24, 1856, showing a total of 33 adult baptisms, 400 infant baptisms, 114 marriages, 751 burials, 176 confirmations, 1100 communicants, and 901 Sunday- school children. The aggregate of the offerings was $16,430.84. There had been a large increase in the num ber of services, the total being "about 2000." The Holy Communion was administered weekly in the Parish by a regular rotation in the several church edifices. The Rector makes this earnest plea for parochial schools :
"In concluding this Report, the Rector begs leave to make some remarks on a subject of deep interest, as he conceives, to this Parish, which should serve as a model for others, and of vital importance to the Church at large. He refers to a plan which is already begun in it, but which it would be well to extend-the firm establishment and liberal support of Parish schools.
"Indeed, this is no new thing in Trinity Church, but one which is . almost coeval with the existence of the Corporation itself, The Charity- school, which was founded nearly a century and half since, though in a great measure sustained, under the Colonial Government, by the bounty of the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, has al- ways been so identified with Trinity Church, as to be regarded as an institution of her own. With what fostering care, with what anxious con- cern, with what affectionate interest, this humble school was regarded by the great and good men who founded it, the annual reports of the
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