USA > New York > New York City > A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 4 > Part 8
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" At the same time a proposition by the Editors of the 'Episcopal Watchman ' will also be submitted for the publication of a 'Children's Magazine' under the auspices, and for the benefit of the 'Union.' Be so good Sir as to give the requisite authority to Mr. Whittingham for calling the Committee together.
"From a sence of duty, and a feeling of sincere respect to Mr. Standford, I communicated to him by letter the project of the 'Pro. Epis. Press,' and it gives me the most unfeigned pleasure to say that his answer was worthy of himself, and in perfect keeping with the known generosity of his nature.
" I herewith give you a literal copy.
" 'NEW YORK, Feby. 28th, 1828. "' MR. FLOYD SMITH, " 'DEAR SIR,
"'Your communication of this day apprising me of the intention of several friends of the church to erect an establishment under the title of the " Pro. Epis. Press " has been recd Nothing I assure you would be more gratifying to my feelings than to see such an institu- tion named in our city, and from the bottom of my heart I wish it Godspeed.
"' In reference to myself I beg the gentlemen concerned in this [to] understand that I am ready when the proper moment arrives to sur- render the three agencies I now hold, together of course with the business attached to them, into such hands as may be agreed upon. "'Very truly yours
"' J. N. STANDFORD.' 1
" This manly and honourable declaration has I confess relieved my mind from an oppressive load of anxiety. To sever connections which have long existed is all times a painful thing; but in cases like the 1 So spelt in original.
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Geneva College
1828]
present, where that connection was most intimate and confidential was to my feelings truly distressing and nothing, I am persuaded but a paramount sence of duty to the interests of the Church, as connected with our societies would have induced me to venture upon such a step. " Very sincerely and truly " Your obt. servant " FLOYD SMITH.
" RT. REVD. BISHOP HOBART."
We have already given the letter from the Rev. Jasper Adams accepting the Presidency of Geneva College ; this one communicates to the Bishop his reasons for desiring to leave Geneva and returning to Charleston.
" GENEVA, March 7th 1828.
"RT. REVD. & RESPECTED SIR,
"Circumstances have led me to wish to resign my office as Presi- dent of Geneva college & I have given notice to the trustees of my intention to do so. It becomes, therefore, my duty to make you acquainted with the step which I have taken, as it is necessarily con- nected with a request for a letter dimissory from your Diocess.
" The circumstances which have led me to wish to resign are almost entirely of a domestic nature. We have no relations & no intimate acquaintances in this country, & Mrs. A. would not be likely to be- come contented here, unless all hope of an advantageous return to her native state were cut off. Such a return has been offered me in Charles- ton. The trustees of the college of Charleston are erecting a large & beautiful building for the use of the college & are using vigor- ous means to put their institution on a first rate foundation. The pros- pect of usefulness & personal comfort, therefore, strongly lead me to a return. All the causes which induced me to resign in Charleston are now removed, we prefer to live in Charleston rather than in any other place & under present circumstances my duty appears to me to coincide with my inclination.
"I beg leave, therefore, to request that you will give me a letter dimissory to Dr. Bowen and I embrace the present opportunity to make my respectful acknowledgments to you for the friendly disposi- tion which you have manifested to me since I have been resident in your Diocess.
VOL. IV .-- 5.
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"As a new stage road is opened from this place to Washington, I shall be likely to go that way & not through New York.
" You must have had previous information of the decease of our friend Revd. Dr. Clarke and I am informed that Dr. McDonald & Major Rees have written to you.
"I am with great respect, Rt. Rev. Sir, "Your most obt. st.
" J. ADAMS."
An account of Bishop Hobart's visit to Detroit in the summer of 1827 has already been given in Part III of this History, with the formal invitation from the Rector and Vestry of St. Paul's Church. When the new church ap- proached completion the desire was naturally felt that Bishop Hobart should consecrate it.
" DETROIT MARCH 25th 1828.
" DEAR SIR,
" I have the honour to transmit to you the subjoined resolution of the Vestry of St. Paul's Church in this City and to add to it in behalf of the members of the Vestry individually, their sincere desire that it may comport with your convenience to comply with the invitation con- tained therein.
" With great respect "I am, Sir, your Obed. Servant "C. C. TROWBRIDGE.
" To the RIGHT REVD. BISHOP HOBART.
" New York."
" At a meeting of the Vestry of St. Paul's Church on Monday the 24th March 1828.
Resolved, That, expecting the completion of St. Paul's Church in this City by the first of July next, and unwilling except in a case of necessity to permit its occupation as a place of worship previously to its consecration, the Vestry of said church do hereby respectfully invite the Right Reverend Bishop Hobart to perform that office ; and assign to the Secretary of their Board the charge of communicating to him their wishes on that subject.
"C. C. TROWBRIDGE "Secretary."
At the time of the visit of Bishop Inglis the courtesy
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Thomas Addis Emmet
1828]
was extended to the Bishops of New York and Nova Scotia to be present at the launching of the Fair field.
"Commodore Chauncey presents his respects to Bishop Hobart and takes the liberty to inform him that a Sloop of War will be launched from this Yard on Saturday Morning at 10 o'clock precisely. If Bishop Hobart with his friends Bishop Inglis and Judge Halliburton with any other friends could make it convenient to come over at that early hour Com. Chauncey would be highly gratified to see them. Commodore Chauncey takes the liberty of suggesting Carriages as the most certain and pleasant conveyance to the Yards-Boats shall con- vey the party back if prefered.'
" U. S. NAVY YARD.
" 26th June 1828.
"RIGHT REV. BISHOP HOBART."
The following application of Dr. MacNeven to the Vestry for ground for the erection of a monument to Thomas Addis Emmet was speedily granted, as all the city delighted to do honor to its adopted son.
" TO THE RIGHT REVEREND THE RECTOR, TO THE WARDENS AND VESTRYMEN OF TRINITY CHURCH:
" GENTLEMEN,
" As Chairman of the Committee for erecting a monument to our late fellow citizen, Thoms Addis Emmet, I have the honour of presenting to you our unanimous request that you would be pleased to dispose of a spot of ground to us for that purpose, in the grave yard of St. Paul's Church, inside the railing on the South side and in view of the street.
" We are willing to pay for it, if required.
" As Mr. Emmet died a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and as his family are members of it, his monument would be placed with more propriety in a cemetery of that Church than in one belonging to any other.
1 We are informed, by a communication under date of July 15, 1904, from the Bureau of Construction and Repair, Navy Department, in Washington, that the first- class Sloop of War Fairfield, 20 guns, tonnage 700, was built at the Navy Yard, New York, having been begun in 1826, and was launched June 28, 1828. This is evidently the ship referred to in Commodore Chauncey's letter, since June 28 fell on a Saturday in the year 1828.
ERIE
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" According to the plan of the architect twelve square feet will be requisite for the foundation under ground, & six feet six inches square for the plat-form on the ground.
"Your compliance, Gentlemen, will very much oblige the Com- mittee and more especially,
"Your most humble & devoted Sert,
" Wm J' MACNEVEN
" NEW YORK,
"10th Octob! 1828."
Thomas Addis Emmet was one of the little company of determined men known as " United Irishmen."
He was the son of Dr. Robert Emmet, a well-known physician, and a brother of that Irish patriot, Robert Emmet, executed for high treason in 1803.
He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin ; studied medicine at Edinburgh, and afterward the law, in which he became, even as a young man, famous.
For his part in the "rising of 1798" he was confined in jails in England and Scotland. He served as the representative of the United Irishmen in France in 1803, and in 1804 came to New York with his family. He soon took at the bar of his adopted country a very high rank. His pleas were made in clear-cut sentences with words fitly chosen. His power of argument and method of pleading his cause before a judge or jury are said to have been both thrilling and eloquent, but without the least ad- mixture of false sentiment or melodrama. Personally and socially he was admired and sought after.
He died suddenly, November 14, 1827, while he was defending the title of the trustees of the Sailors' Snug Harbor to the property bequeathed to them by Captain Thomas Randall.
The monument to which this letter of Dr. MacNeven refers was afterward erected. It is a tall granite obelisk, bearing upon its front face a bust in bas-relief of Mr.
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Thomas Addis Emmet
1828]
Emmet, and the harp of Erin; an English inscription, from the pen of the Hon. Gulian C. Verplanck, a Latin inscription from the pen of the Hon. John Duer, and an Irish inscription from the pen of Dr. England, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Charleston, South Carolina. The in- scriptions tell fully the merits of the man.
His associates at the bar erected in the Supreme Court room a bust of Mr. Emmet with a Latin inscrip- tion by Mr. Duer. It is now in the County Court House in one of the rooms used by the Supreme Court.
The following are the inscriptions on the monument in St. Paul's Churchyard :
" In memory of THOMAS ADDIS EMMET who Exemplified in his conduct, And adorned by his Integrity, The policy and principles Of The United Irishmen 'To forward a brotherhood Of affection, A community of rights, An identity of interests And a union of power Among Irishmen Of every religious persuasion As the only means of Ireland's Chief good, An impartial and adequate Representation In an Irish Parliament.' For this (Mysterious fate of virtue !) Exiled from his native land. In America, the land of freedom, He found a second country, Which paid his love By reverencing his genius. Learned in our laws, And in the laws of Europe, In the literature of our times And in that of antiquity,
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All knowledge Seemed subject to his use. An Orator of the first order, Clear, copious, fervid, Alike powerful To kindle the imagination, Touch the affections, And sway the reason and the will. Simple in his tastes, Unassuming in his manner, Frank, generous, kind-hearted, And honourable, His private life was beautiful As his public course was Brilliant.
Anxious to perpetuate The name and example of such a man, Alike illustrious by his Genius, his virtues, and his fate ; Consecrated to their affections By his sacrifices, his perils, And the deeper calamities Of his kindred, In a just and holy cause: His sympathizing countrymen Erected this monument and Cenotaph.
"Born at Cork, 24th of April, 1764 He died in this City, 14th November, 1827 "
" M. S
THOMÆ ADDIS EMMET Qui Ingenio illustri, studiis altioribus Moribus integris, Dignum Se præstabat laudibus illis, Illa reverentia, illo Amore Que semper eum viventem Prosequebantur; Et subita illo erepto, morte Universæ in luctum civitatis Se effuderunt. Quum raro extitit vir
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Thomas Addis Emmet
1828]
Naturæve dotibus, doctrinæve subsidiis Omnibus illo instructior; Tum eloquentia altâ illiâ et verâ Qualem olim mirabantur Roma Athenæque, Præcipue alios anteibat; Gravis, varius, vehemens, fervidus Omnes animi motus sic regere novit, Uti eos qui audirent, quo vellet Et invitos impelleret. Hiberniâ natus, Dilectam sibi patriam diu subjectam Alieno, servis tantum ferendo, jugo, Ad libertatem, ad sua jura vocare Magno est ausus animo; At præclara et consilia et vota Fefellere fata. Tum infelicis littora Iernæ Reliquit, Spe, non animo, dejectus Nobilis exsul: Et hæc Americana libens Respublica Illum excepit, civemque, sibi Gratulans adscivit; Dein hæc civitas illi domus, Hæc Patria fuit, Hæc gloriam illi auxit, hæc Spiritus ultimos Recepit Mærentium civium voluntas Hoc exegit monumentum "
" Do mianni se ardmath Cum tir a breit Do tug se clue es fuit se Mollad a tter a bass "
The translation of the Irish inscription is:
"He contemplated invaluable benefits for the land of his birth. He gave éclat to the land of his death, and received in return her love and admiration."'
1 P. 242, et seq., The Emmet Family, with some incidents relating to Irish History, and a Biographical Sketch of Prof. John Patten Emmet, M.D., and other members. By Thos. Addis Emmet, M.D., LL.D.
Quod potui perfeci.
.' Privately printed, New York, 1898.
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Upon the west side is found inscribed the exact latitude and longitude of the monument :
" 40° 42' 40" 74° 03' 21" 5 W. L. G."
W. L. G. means West Longitude, Greenwich.
It is a pleasant coincidence that a monument to the memory of the writer of this application to the Corpora- tion stands upon the opposite side of the churchyard.
Dr. MacNeven was an intimate friend of Mr. Emmet, and was long known as a skilful physician, and especially for his work among the poor, to whom he often gave his services gratuitously.
The following letter shows how much Trinity Church was looked upon as a standard for the conduct of Divine worship.
" GENESEO, 26th Nov. 1828.
" MY DEAR BISHOP,
"Your letter of 15th inst. was not recd as you have remarked by my hasty line on 24th until the evening of that day. Under the impression that you, ere that, heard from McCarty who promised immediately to write but from what I since learn he did not receive my letter-I did not write which I ought to have done. All I hope will be right, if you receive his letter. Our workmen have been sick wh. has retarded us grievously, but we shall be ready by 15th doubtless As I have on this occasion already troubled your composure-it will be I fear an unfortunate moment to ask a favour, a great one you may be sure. As Rector of Trinity Church, you no doubt have supreme jurisdiction. In this wooden country you know the Church with all her sober beautiful decencies is not much known by the people gener- ally. (I am not agoing to ask for funds). I wish to begin in my new church as I mean to proceed, with everything entire-complete-our ladies are very willing to use their needles, but they want a pattern, in a word, the loan of a real orthodox Trinity Church surplice which I will guarantee shall be restored to your wardrobe when ours is completed. Would my good Bishop incline favourably, to such a a petition ? I trust and hope you will have better roads than the present & better weather. Be so kind as to let me know by return of
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"The Churchman "
1828]
post, whether you will appoint any other day than the one above named or whether you can come at so late a day. It would almost ruin us if you did not come. -
"Ever your devoted fd and Br. " L. P. BAYARD.
" They are very anxious at Avon to have morning service which I cannot give them without serious detriment here. Could not this be made a missionary station and would not Matthews of Belleville answer for it? He intimated to me that he should like to come into this Diocese and I found he was not afraid of being laborious-I could find him also some help from Dansville where I hope to establish the Church-that is 20 miles from Geneseo."
The Homiletic Monthly or Review proposed by Mr. Young, in the following letter, under the title of The Churchman, is not to be confounded with The Church- man's Magazine, which was established in 1804 and ceased to exist in 1826.
" NORWICH, Dec. 15, 1828.
" RT. REV. BISHOP J. H. HOBART " SIR
"At my request, the Rev. Mr. Paddock, of this city, addressed a letter to you some months since, desiring your opinion of a work pro- posed to be published by myself, consisting of Monthly Numbers con- taining Sermons to be furnished by the Rt. Rev. Bishops and Clergy of the P. E. Church. This letter was never answered, as you were ab- sent at the time it was written, and probably overlooked it in the multi- plicity of business. All the Bishops and several other of the Clergy were consulted at same time. Seven of the former have replied, and all the latter; and their answers have induced me to proceed.
" The work to be is called 'The Churchman,' to be of equal size with 'National Preacher,' but exclusively Episcopal. The Rev. Mr. Paddock will have the necessary editorial care of it, which will prob- ably be slight, as the Sermons will undoubtedly come prepared for the Press. But it will nevertheless be expedient, it is thought, to have the supervision of a competent theologian.
"I shall be happy, Sir, to have your approval and recommendation of the plan (if consistent with your feelings) previous to issuing the first number; and should likewise be glad to consider you as a contributor, and receive a Sermon, if convenient, as soon as the middle of January.
.
1
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" The Bishop of this State will furnish the first, and if received it would please me to make yours the second.
" A Prospectus was mailed for you a day or two since. Any suggestions which I may have from you, Sir, relative to this work, and any aid in advancing it, will be very acceptable.
" I am, Sir, very respectfully, " Your obedient servt,
" L. HUNTINGTON YOUNG.
" I have sent 12 copies of Prospectus, and would thank you, if I am not trespassing too much on your time, to hand them to such persons as you may know to be friendly to the Church, and who would probably favor the work. May I desire also that you will pro- pose to such clergymen as you think proper (as you may meet them) to become contributors to this work. I shall send to all as soon as possible; but a request from you may reach them before I write. "Please excuse me for the many requests made, but do not let them put you to any inconvenience."
The vacancy in the rectorship of St. Stephen's Church, New York, by the death in the summer of 1828 of the Rev. Dr. Henry J. Feltus, caused much speculation as to his successor. . The popular Dr. McIlvaine, of St. Ann's Church, Brooklyn, the powerful Dr. Ives, of St. Luke's, and the energetic and nervous Dr. Anthon, of Utica, were dis- cussed and had their advocates. Finally the Rev. John Henry Hopkins, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who had left a large law practice to enter the ministry, and had been very nearly chosen Assistant Bishop of Pennsylvania, was selected. He afterward became Bishop of Vermont and Presiding Bishop of the American Church.
This letter shows his high conscientiousness. A por- tion of Dr. Hopkins' draft is found on p. 120 of his Life, by the Rev. Dr. John Henry Hopkins.
" PITTSBURGH, December 29th, 1828.
" RIGHT REVP & DEAR SIR,
" It is not without pain that I take up my pen in reply to your kind & friendly letter of the 11th inst. recd by Mr. T. H. Hawes, for the
£
M
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Letter from John Henry Hopkins
1828]
purpose of announcing the determination adopted in relation to St. Stephen's. I believe I must remain in my present situation. I have considered the subject as well as I could in all its lights & bearings, & can truly say that the interest which you were pleased to take in the matter was the prominent point with my feelings as well as my judgment during the whole of my debate within myself.
"But inasmuch as I saw the strength of the arguments on either side to be such as to render it impossible for me to form a clear deci- sion, I concluded to leave it to my Vestry & the Bishops of this Diocese, hoping that some guide might be furnished as to the course I ought to pursue. The meeting of my Vestry (at which I of course did not at- tend) was very warmly expressive of their resolution to oppose my leav- ing them.
" All the letters sent to me were laid before them, & the result was an unanimous vote that my departure would dissolve the Congre- gation. My letter to Bp. White received an answer last evening, and in it he states the concurrent opinion of himself & Bp. Onderdonk that New York presented no greater field of usefulness than my present location, as well as the assurance that they should, exceedingly regret my leaving the Diocese.
"Under these circumstances I could not have the clear warrant of my own conscience in going, and favored as I have been here of success far exceeding the common average of ministerial calculation, and on the eve I trust of more usefulness than ever I conceive that it is plainly my duty to continue where I am.
" And now, my Dear Sir, allow me to thank you from my heart for the expression of confidence & esteem conveyed to me by your letter.
"The idea of being near to you, & your family, and being consid- ered one of those whom you felt disposed to admit to an intimate & friendly intercourse with you, did, I frankly acknowledge, incline me powerfully to accept the opportunity afforded to me by this call, for, however warm my attachment to you became while I enjoyed the hos- pitality of your house I yet supposed it not likely that you could toler- ate, as a near friend, any one troubled with so much awkward obstinacy of opinion as then & since, I have manifested on some subjects.
"The magnanimity and kindness with which your letter convinced me that in this respect I had undervalued your character, almost upset all my prudence and well-nigh persuaded me to leave Pittsburgh, on this personal ground alone.
" In reference to the subject of our difference of sentiment at the late Gen' Convention, I recollect nothing said by you which either did
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excite at the time or ought to have excited any unpleasant feelings on my part, save only the impression that my own blunt freedom of opin- ion, had perhaps lost me a highly valued friend. That I was mistaken in this fear I rejoice to discover, and if for no other reason than this, I should prize the circumstances of my call to St. Stephen's as among the most gratifying of my life.
" With the kindest regards to Mrs. H. and your family, " I remain, Right Revd & Dear Sir, - "With the highest respect & affection, " Yours,
"JOHN H. HOPKINS." .
We have in the text of this History already alluded at some length to the attitude the Bishop took in regard to the notice which the Church and her clergy ought to take of civil and political events.1
In accordance with his custom to decline all invitations to attend public functions, Bishop Hobart sent a courte- ous note of regret to the Chairman of "The Friends of Ireland," who had given him the following invitation to a dinner on St. Patrick's Day :
"NEW YORK, March the roth, 1829.
"The friends of Ireland and of civil and religious liberty in New York invite the Right Revd Bishop Hobart to dine with them at Tammany Hall on the 17th inst at 5 o'clock.
" WILLIAM JAS MACNEVEN. "Chairman."
The Bishop's reply was :
"NEW YORK, March 14, 1829. " DR. SIR,
" I have uniformly deemed it expedient to decline invitations to all public dinners which might be regarded as having a party aspect, or as contemplating objects or measures in respect to which there might be in the community a difference of opinion. I have been gov- erned by a paramount regard to my influence and usefulness as a clergyman and as a Diocesan.
" I shall therefore be deprived of the gratification of meeting the 1 Part III., p. 446.
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The Protestant Episcopal Press
1829]
friends of Ireland and of civil and religious liberty at their dinner on the 17th inst. to wh they have done me the honour through you to invite me.
" You have rendered me no more than justice in considering me as the friend of civil & religious liberty,1 the equal enjoyment of which by all descriptions of men & all denominations of Christians whether Roman Catholic or Protest is the proud characteristic of this happy country.
" I beg also to assure you & your respectable associates that I take the liveliest interest in the fate of Ireland; and that my prayers will not cease to be offered that thro' the good Providence of God its long course of trial and suffering may be terminated.
" I am, my dear Sir, " With sincere esteem & respect "Yr very obd fª & Serv' " J. H. HOBART "
In regard to the establishment of the Protestant Epis- copal Press, Mr. Swords writes to the Bishop :
"NEW YORK, 27th April 1829. " RIGHT REVD. AND DEAR SIR,
"You will recollect that on Tuesday last, at Trinity Church, I mentioned to you something about a building for the Protestant Epis- copal Press. In continuation I now take the liberty to present an out- line of my plan to the consideration of yourself and the trustees of the institution, that is to say-
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