A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 4, Part 40

Author: Dix, Morgan, 1827-1908, ed. cn; Dix, John Adams, 1880-1945, comp; Lewis, Leicester Crosby, 1887-1949, ed; Bridgeman, Charles Thorley, 1893-1967, comp; Morehouse, Clifford P., ed
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: New York, Putnam
Number of Pages: 1266


USA > New York > New York City > A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 4 > Part 40


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49


On this occasion the choir of Trinity Church appeared for the first time in surplices. The men and boys had been transferred, some years before, from the organ gallery at the east end to the chancel, where they occupied benches, and presented a motley array of secular costume, in frock-coats, jackets, and garments of divers colors and patterns, with variegated neckties. A full set of vestments, presented by a generous layman, had been carefully put away in the sacristy, objection being made by certain in- fluential members of the Parish to their use. When, however, it was known that " His Royal Highness, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales," would visit the church, a self- constituted delegation from the Vestry, consisting of General Dix and one other member of that body, called on the venerable Rector, and conjured him to allow the choir to be " decently habited " on that occasion, lest the Prince and his companions should be provoked to derisive laughter at the sight of the motley crowd of singers, and


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scandal be thereby brought upon the Parish. The Rector gave his consent, just for that once; and the vestments were brought forth with joy. Once on, they were never removed, for the sight of the secular costume could not again be endured by persons who had seen the effect of the proper ecclesiastical habit. And so it fell out that we were indebted to one of the royal family of England for the advantage and enjoyment of our surpliced choir.


Unfortunately, this occasion did not pass without some untoward circumstances. The absence of the Rector was a misfortune. The Assistant Ministers at Trinity Church appear to have taken order, in the exuberance of high spirits and no doubt with the best intentions, for the in- troduction of certain things not contemplated by the Rector and the Vestry. Thus, for instance, ignoring the . preparation of the Prayer-book to which reference has


been already made, they went to the trouble and expense of another, as their private gift to the Prince. It was of pocket size, "richly bound in brown Russia leather, secured with silver clasps adorned with the Royal Arms, and having the edges of the leaves embossed with gold, silver, and ultramarine. On the inside of the cover was the Royal Crown, encircled with the garter bearing the motto : Honi soit qui mal y pense ; and on the gorgeous fly-leaf was the inscription :


" To His Royal Highness THE PRINCE OF WALES, From FRANCIS VINTON, D.D., FREDERIC OGILBY, D.D., As a Memorial of the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity, October 14, 1860."


Thus it will be seen that the distinguished visitor was more than sufficiently provided with Prayer-books. What


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other things the Assistants at Trinity did on their own motion, and without authority from the Rector, deponent saith not. But it is evident, from subsequent proceedings in the Vestry, that they were regretted as having made an impression on the public not gratifying to the Corpora- tion. At the meeting of the Vestry held November 12th, the following report was presented :


" The Committee of Arrangements appointed at an informal meet- ing of the Vestry, in reference to the proposed attendance of His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, at Trinity Church, on the Sunday he was to pass in the city, presented a report detailing the proceedings of the committee and of the Rector in the performance of their duty, and shewing that the arrangements of the Committee and of the Rector which if carried out would have given soberness and dignity to that interesting occasion were so thwarted in many essential respects, in spirit if not in letter, as to lead very naturally to such strictures both in the religious and secular press as ought never to have been pro- voked: affecting not only the parties concerned, but subjecting also this venerable Corporation to misapprehension, popular prejudice, and unmerited abuse, for occurrences in which it had no share, and which with zealous apprehension and prudent forecast it earnestly though vainly endeavoured to prevent.


" Resolved, That the open disregard of the counsel and authority of the Rector and the unanimous wishes of the Committee and Vestry, is viewed by this body with unfeigned regret and decided reprobation.


" Resolved, That as the peace, order, and well-being of the Parish depend in a great measure upon the harmonious working of all its parts and a due submission to its Head, that this Vestry deem it their deter- mination to sustain the Rector in the just exercise of his official rights and in matters pertaining to themselves to protect their own dignity and maintain their self-respect.


" Resolved, That a copy of these Resolutions be transmitted to the Rev. Dr. Vinton."


The schoolhouse for Trinity Chapel was finished and occupied in the fall of 1861.


The death of Dr. Onderdonk, the suspended Bishop of New York, upon April 30, 1861, aroused universal


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sorrow. For sixteen years he had lived in retirement, bowed down under the weight of a sentence by his brother Bishops which was believed by many to be of doubtful validity. The funeral was held from Trinity Church, on Tuesday, May 7th. Although the day was gloomy, clergy and laity came from far and near to pay the last token of respect to one who had been their Bishop and their friend. In the course of the service, the Rev. Dr. Vinton read a statement of his last visit to the Bishop, when lying at the point of death, in which he asserted his innocence of the crimes laid to his charge. The sermon, from the text, " He was a burning and a shining light," was by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Seabury, who for many years was the pastor of the Bishop. The burial was in Trinity Cemetery.


Visitors to Trinity Church still view with admiration the monument of Bishop Onderdonk, in the north sacristy, erected by his devoted friends Mrs. Ludlow and Miss Willink.


It is an altar tomb of Gothic design, with the recum- bent effigy of the Bishop, in episcopal robes. Above, a triplet window of richly painted glass, with portraits of his three predecessors in the Diocese of New York, sheds a softened light upon the memorial of one who did and suffered much for the Church of God.1


The hour drew near when the venerable Rector was to be released from his earthly labors. In April, 1860, Mrs. Berrian died. From that time his health steadily declined. He shut himself up in the Rectory, rarely receiving vis- itors, the oversight and administration of the Parish being left to the Assistant Rector. During the summer of 1862 he failed rapidly, a fall which he had in the previous year


1 For a full account of the funeral, the sermon, a sketch of Bishop Onderdonk, and a consideration of his suspension, see Obsequies of the Rt. Rev. Benjamin T. ' Onderdonk, New York, 1861. A large edition of the sermon was printed by the Cor- poration of Trinity Church.


Now you Have 10. 1834 . My dear clinton,


I'Chasten to communicate. nie prices of in tette. - gence to jours which , all have no doubt, while." be wary , gratifying to gow .


Lift a meeting of own. Kirby, Past orening the many , ' kind can prepping of concern for the health of your husband and of the value of " his services to the Chosed' ato change, a coloration of Thise Linie) Dollar Manto. - tex to him towards the expense of has afunny to the form over to the Showveren of A Luke's "Cheek .. There' was never any things done in Corridasy, quithe med dinlere. Unanimity a crow cordial good feeling, and cl versand and that it was Geenbranly gratifying to gange. That Gos - may restore your husband to you renewed Health, is the lowest Sprayer of ,


Letter from Der Berrian to Mrs W. R. Whittingham.


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aggravating the symptoms of growing weakness. After passing the autumn quietly at home, he contracted a cold, which developed into a serious and fatal attack, to which he succumbed. On the morning of Friday, November 7th, a heavy snowstorm began, the precursor of foul weather, which lasted several days. The night set in wild and dark, with driving snow and hail. That evening, at twenty minutes before 8 o'clock, the soul departed.


The funeral was held in Trinity Church, on Monday, November 10th, at 3 o clock in the afternoon. The church was filled with parishioners, and the clergy of New York and other dioceses.


The burial service was begun by the Rev. Dr. Haight, who said the opening sentences as the procession ad- vanced to the chancel. The pall-bearers were : the Rev. Drs. John McVickar, William A. Muhlenberg, Samuel Seabury, Samuel R. Johnson, Evan M. Johnson, and the Rev. Lot Jones. The anthem was sung by the surpliced choir. The Lesson was read by the Rev. Dr. Higbee. The Committal was pronounced by the Bishop of the Diocese, Dr. Potter, and the prayers were said by the Rev. Dr. Vinton.


The burial was in the family vault in St. Mark's churchyard. The Rev. Dr. Morgan, of St. Thomas' Church, and the Rev. Mr. Weston accompanied the mourners to the grave. Appropriate Collects were said by Dr. Morgan and the Benediction pronounced by Mr. Weston.


Having given facsimiles of the hand-writing of previous Rectors we here reproduce a letter from Dr. Berrian to Mrs. W. R. Whittingham. Her husband, who was after- wards Bishop of Maryland, was at that time Rector of St. Luke's Church, New York.


On the evening of the same day, Monday, Nov. 10th,


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the Vestry of Trinity Church held their stated meeting, and elected the Rev. Morgan Dix as successor to Dr. Berrian in the Rectorship. On the following day the Induc- tion took place in the porch of Trinity Church at 2 o'clock post meridiem, in the presence of a few witnesses. This ancient ceremony, a tradition from Colonial days, is ob- served in our parish only. The small company assembled in the Vestry. The four sextons of the parish, each bearing his mace, passed down the south aisle, immediately fol- lowed by the Senior Warden, escorting the Rector and fol- lowed by the Vestry and the few spectators of the scene. Passing out of the Church by the south porch, they pro- ceeded to the front door, which was locked, the key being in the lock. The Rector having placed his hand upon the key, the Senior Warden read a document giving to the Rector possession of the four churches and the temporal- ities of the Parish. The keys of the several churches were then delivered by him to the sextons, the front door was unlocked, the procession entered, and passed in, and so the ceremony ended.


On Sunday, Nov. 16th, being the Twenty-second after Trinity, Mr. Dix preached a sermon in Trinity Church in memory of the late Rector. The text was Romans xiv., 12 : " So then every one of us must give account of himself to God." From that sermon the following extracts are made :


" The sign of mourning is here, upon the ancient Church; and not here alone, but throughout the Parish. Death has set up the standard of his power; we hear the footsteps of his passage through the midst. The Hand of God has been put forth; the Giver hath taken away, the Sender hath removed; and that, in silence, almost, and in haste. How like a dream appear the scenes through which we have been passing! Those stormy days, in the falling of the leaf. The early and untimely snow, piled on the trees still green. One of those cold 'storms which come, at intervals of many years, too early in the sea-


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son, by far; which bring to our doors, prematurely, and ere we are ready to admit it, the chill of unwelcome Winter. Then, in the midst of the darkened air, and of the drifting snow, and of the night; in the fore-front of such a storm, which it turned into the storm of death; passed the Dread Presence through the midst, the shadow falling sud- denly, the stillness of dissolution beneath the labouring skies. In such a night of storm, the spirit of one with whom we all had to do returned to God Who gave it. Then two days and two nights more of wind and hail, of snow and sleet; and at the end of the third day, the sun- shine again. But yet, the sunshine, slant and low, towards the setting; kindling a glory upon the world far and near; shining through the rubied windows of the Parish Church, resting in the tracery of their painted tops, and falling broad across the chancel, and looking in upon the silent multitude, where, around a bier, and on either side of a coffin there rose and swelled the cadences of the Office for the Dead and the diapasons of the grave.


"Since these scenes are fresh in the mind of all; and as I now ad- dress you for the first time since their enactment, let me bid you to reflection awhile, especially with reference to him who has been called away.


"He was a man, not of this age and generation, but of the past. He had been left behind by the long wave of time. That wave has borne the world and the century onward upon its ample breast; and us with itself; but it left him in its wake. Not as the tide leaves the fragments of a wreck, to the darkness and forgetfulness of an ebbing into everlasting night: but he was left standing like a clear beacon- light on the shore of another period: as a beacon is passed by travel- lers on their rapid course, but still descried by them, shining on them, but less distinctly, as they are hurried away. Such to us, are the good men of the past; and such did he seem to be. A man, not of this age, but of other days. A friend to us, in our times; but latterly not often seen among us. Some of you, indeed, never saw him; many of you remember him but imperfectly; of those to whom he ministered when first he was called to this parish, scarce one is left. He said, from this pulpit, in his sermon preached on the 50th anniversary of his en- trance into this field, " I am a stranger among my own people." Yes, always, to the Eye of God; of late, visibly, to our eyes; a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth. Such is the common lot of man; such there- fore, was his. But yet, what reverence was there about that venerable head! It seemed to grace the old Church well. When we, so much his juniors in years, entered here to minister, it was a wholesome contrast


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to see him come in among us. His white hairs were the sign of old age, set forth in our busy and restless present. His voice was like a call to us from the past, reminding us that our time must also come; a call which we heard more faintly, till it was swallowed up in silence and lost to the ears, which hear it no more.


" Yet, though left behind by the age, his sympathies with it were strong. While he had the strength, in his own time, no worker more laborious, more faithful than he. After bodily infirmity had cut off the old man from active duty, in spirit and in heart he was still young. He felt the deepest interest in all that was occurring around him. He knew whatever was done in his parish. As for that parish, he loved it and gave himself for it. He knew how the Lord's work here was going on. His mind directed; his will determined. His counsels were not wanting; his influence always great, was felt, and powerfully, up to the very moment when for him the curtain fell upon these scenes forever.


"He was jealous, and wisely, of prerogatives. He exercised his office, to the last moment of his ability. He never called on any other to divide the labor; rarely even to lessen it: when assistance was prof- fered, he declined it, in effect, if not in terms. This grew not of that weakness common to old age, which seems to dread admitting the failure of the vital powers. But it was the result of the long habit of Duty. He had been a wonderfully active man; a marvellously industri- ous man. What a weight of care and responsibility did he bear! and how well he bore it! The habits of half a century and more, are not readily thrown off. Place in such hands as his the symbol of office; or the implements of useful labor; and the hands will hold them firm, to the hour, when Death, advancing, lays hold of the fingers, and gently but inexorably disengages the grasp. It was so with him who is gone. He never dreamed of laying down his office; in advancing infirmity, he exercised it; almost to the very last. He died, sitting in his chair. He had such wonderful recuperative power, that he never thought of giving in. He met the Enemy face to face; not even lying down when that Enemy was before him full in view. If he could have stood up, I believe he would have met him so.


Do not lay this to the score of any unwillingness to depart. There was no fear of that, so far as we have heard or suspect. May we all be as ready to die, as was that aged servant of God ! He had set his house in order, long before the appointed time. Six or seven years ago, a friend called to see him. He was found engaged in carefully arranging his papers. He showed that visitor file after file of letters,


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documents, memoranda, and the like, most of them fairly copied out all orderly arranged, and marked for reference. These, he said, were the records of his active, official life. He had, thus early, made ready to go out of the world. He had finished that work. He looked to his departure, as calmly, as a soldier to the striking of the tent ere he marches on. For him, years ago, the earthly house of this tabernacle was seen as if dissolved: but the sight did not affect him, for he knew of that building of God, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. When the order arrived, he was ready. "Arise, let us go hence," said the spirit. And straightway, as in a moment, he had obeyed and was gone.


"He died, of a wild and wintry night, at 20 minutes before 8, or thereabouts, in the evening of Friday, the 7th of November. He de- parted, as it were, in the fore-front of that storm. Not that there was any storm within. His decease was so tranquil, that they who were watching could not discern, precisely, at what moment it occurred. They thought that it was at the hour I have mentioned: but no one could be sure. No one knew which breath was his last, save the min- istering spirits of God. But, when the tempest was rising high through the heavens, his soul was not, for God had called it to Himself. In the Place of Departed Spirits, all is still.


" There shall I bathe my weary soul In seas of heavenly rest; And not a wave of trouble roll Across my peaceful breast."


APPENDIX.


VOL. IV .- 31.


481 - 482


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APPENDIX.


CONTENTS.


PAGE


I .- REMARKS ON THE MONUMENT TO BISHOP HOBART SCULPTURED BY BALL HUGHES .


. 485 II .- RESOLUTIONS ON THE DUTIES AND PRECEDENCE OF ASSISTANT MINISTERS . 488


III .- SKETCH OF THE REV. EDWARD YOUNG HIGBEE, D.D. 492


IV .- SKETCH OF THE REV. HENRY ANTHON, D. D. . 494 V .- LETTER FROM COLONEL GREEN GIVING DETAILS ABOUT THE REV. DR. JOHNSTON .


500 VI .- MEMORIAL TO SET APART THE CONGREGATION OF ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL AS AN INDEPENDENT PARISH . 502


VII .- THE ACT OF 1841 . 509


VIII .- BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE CONTROVERSY AND ATTACK UPON TRINITY CHURCH, 1856-1857, WITH Ex- TRACTS


510


IX .- THE CONSECRATION OF TRINITY CHURCH, A.D. 1846. 517


X .- SKETCH OF THE REV. MARTIN P. PARKS, D.D. 526 · XI .- INSCRIPTIONS ON THE SHIELDS IN ST. CORNELIUS'S CHAPEL . 529


· · . XII .- SKETCH OF THE REV BENJAMIN I. HAIGHT, D.D. . XIII .- THE SERMONS OF THE REV. HENRY BARCLAY, D.D. 532


530


XIV .- THE SOCIETY LIBRARY 533


XV .- THE CATECHETICAL SCHOOL 534 XVI .- THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF A SURPLICED CHOIR IN TRINITY CHURCH . 534


XVII .- STATEMENT OF GRANTS, GIFTS, AND LOANS MADE BY TRINITY CHURCH · 535


XVIII .- THE CLERGY OF TRINITY PARISH, A. D. 1697-A. D. 1905 564 XIX .- WARDENS AND VESTRYMEN OF TRINITY PARISH, A. D. 1697-A.D. 1905 572 .


XX .- LIST OF WORKS REFERRED TO IN PART IV. · INDEX


583


· 591


483 -484


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Glad-1


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I.


REMARKS ON THE MONUMENT TO BISHOP HOBART, SCULPTURED BY BALL HUGHES.


This is a mural structure of about twenty feet in height, executed in white Italian marble, and situated in the recess of the chancel of Trinity Church, New York.


In commenting upon the merits of this work as a specimen of fine art, it will not be necessary to enter into detailed descriptions of the monument. We confine ourselves to such reflections as have resulted from a crucial examination of the sculptured group, consisting of two figures in alto relievo, somewhat larger than life, and which form the principal and most interesting portion of the monument.


The Bishop, which is the most prominent figure, is represented in the last moments of existence. He is seated in a chair in a reclining posture, with his head supported by the left arm of a female figure standing beside him, and said to personify Religion. With her right hand she points to a cross seen floating in the distant sky amidst a pencil of rays, intended, we presume, to represent the Divine light. Such is the general conception of the group, which is copied from the monument erected to Mrs. Howard, in the church at Corby, England, some forty years ago. It is a design of Nollekins, an English sculptor, who, like all his British cotemporaries, never knew how to appreciate, much less to imitate, the style and beauty of Greek compositions. In all his works, and they are numerous, we see nothing of classic purity and antique grace, and it is much to be regretted that the design before us has been transferred to these shores; or that on its new dress, although it is here exhibited as the pure offering of other hands, it should have made such feeble approaches to a chaster and nobler style. On the first view of the monument, after entering the church, the effect is picturesque and imposing, and the whole group imparts a favourable impression. But as we approach the work, and begin to contemplate the author's intention, in its composition and design, we find him failing in his object at every step. Upon the features of the


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dying Prelate there is not a trace or expression that wears the impress of a devout heart. He is pointing to the cross of Jesus as the door of Hope, yet no emotion of the soul is portrayed on the face, lighting it up with a believer's joy, and his inward assurance of resting soon in the realms of peace and everlasting beatitude. No, not a line nor trait is given to the man of God that responds to the uplifted hand of Religion; not even an eyelid of the departing saint is raised heaven- ward, nor the joint of a finger moved. All is dumb, motionless and void of sentiment.


The left arm is too short for the figure; and it hangs withal so tame, so lifeless and perpendicular from the shoulder joint as to render the effect very disagreeable. Both the hands of the Bishop are altogether too fleshy and full-veined for a person in the latest stage of a fatal disease; and the same may be said of the legs, so far as they are uncovered.


The high praise bestowed upon this work by the daily press was certainly unmerited, and calculated grossly to mislead the public mind. The fulsome puffs in the newspapers were truly sickening. Indeed, the copious nonsense and misstatements contained in one of the enco- miastic articles, which were bestowed upon this group, induce us to think that the writer had never seen the monument ; after telling us the height of the monument and figure, he says, " The whole subject is cut out of a solid block of the finest Carrara marble."


But what will the reader think and say when we come to tell him that this same "solid block " consists of many separate pieces, joined and stuccoed together! Both hands of the female figure are reported cut separate and stuck on, and also the left hand of the Bishop. We consider this a very paltry system of working out a group in relief, yet we should never have dissected these unnatural joints had the would-be connoisseurs des beaux arts kept truth in view. However, Mr. Hughes has shown himself to be a faithful student of Nollekins, who was famous for making monumental statues and groups of several pieces of marble. Cunningham, his historian, says, " There is sufficient proof that Nollekins frequently made up his monuments from many small pieces, and that he practised this art with much success in Eng- land." He adds these very appropriate remarks upon the subject: "When time or accident shall have separated monuments from the walls to which they are attached, what will become of those which, instead of being carved from a single block, and thus forming a lasting , and intelligible work, are composed of twenty or thirty bits ! They will look like what they were before about as much as the stones and


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rubbish which formed a palace resemble the original building." But to continue our remarks upon the group, the perversion of good taste and of a due regard to the subject, which is displayed in the disposition of the Bishop's right hand, by being placed with the back of it lying upon the Sacred Page, is too palpable to be passed over unnoticed. The hand thus situated betokens heedlessness, if not impiety; it de- tracts much from the solemnity of the scene, and is not in keeping with a spirit and mind that revered the Written Law of God, a soul that "loved the gates of Zion." The Grecians admitted nothing into their compositions that was not in strict unison with the subject, and purely chaste, and what a noble and divine example have left us in the dying Laocoön and Gladiator, where nothing is permitted to disturb the solemnity and composure of mental triumph.




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