USA > New York > New York City > An historical sketch of Trinity Church, New-York > Part 10
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In 1774, the Rev. John Vardill, God-father of Gen. Laight, now a member of the Vestry, was called as an Assistant Minister of Trinity Church. He was then in England, but in consequence of the trou- bles which were impending over the colonies, he never entered upon the duties of his office. About
* Mr. John P. Groshon, now residing at Yonkers, Westchester.
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the same time the Rev. Benjamin Moore and the Rev. John Bowden were likewise called to the same office. In reference to these several persons, the following action took place in the Vestry :
"Resolved, That if the sum of six hundred and eighty-three pounds, or upwards, can be raised by subscription on such securitys as will be satisfactory to the Rev'd Mr. Benjamin Moore and the Reverend Mr. John Bowden, that in that case the Vestry will call them both as Assistant Ministers in this parish ; that the Reverend Mr. Inglis shall be allowed out of the said subscriptions the sum of two hundred pounds annually ; the Rey. Mr. Vardill fifty pounds annual- ly, and the other two gentlemen, if called, shall divide the residue of the said subscriptions equally between them, and in that case this corporation will also pay to the said Mr. Moore and Mr. Bowden out of the Church funds, the annual sum of fifty pounds each, for which two last mentioned sums only this corpora- tion will be answerable. Ordered, that Mr. Crom- eline, Mr. Kissam, Mr. Vandam, Mr. Renaudet, Mr. Sherbrooke, Mr. Ludlow, Mr. Bache, and Mr. Goe- let, be a committee to solicit subscriptions, and that they take to their assistance such other gentlemen of the Vestry as they shall think proper, and that report be made thereof to this Board in three weeks, when they will proceed to call the said two Assistant Min- isters in case sufficient subscriptions be obtained for both, or otherwise they will call one of them; that the subscription papers shall contain a clause for pay- ing the respective subscriptions during the residence of the respective subscribers in the city, save only that
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in case of death or removal of either of the said four ministers, such proportions of the subscriptions shall be deducted as was requisite for paying his proportion of the subscription money.
" The several subscription rolls were returned, but it being suggested to the Board by some of the com- mittee, that there had not been sufficient time allowed to complete the subscriptions, it was thereupon ordered, that the time for completing the same be enlarged till this day fortnight.
"The committee that was appointed to solicit sub- scriptions towards the support of the Assistant Min- isters, returned the several subscription rolls, which, with other verbal engagements, amounted to the sum of £691 2s. Od. Whereupon it was ordered, that Mr. Desbrosses, Mr. Bache, Mr. Kissam, and Mr. Duane, or any three of them, be a committee to wait on the Reverend Mr. Moore and the Reverend Mr. Bowden, to acquaint them with the state of the said subscriptions and other engagements for their salarys, and to know whether they will accept of a call on these terms.
"The committee that was appointed to wait on the Reverend Mr. Benjamin Moore and the Reverend Mr. John Bowden, reported that they had waited on them according to their appointment, and informed them separately of the state of the subscriptions and other engagements for their support, and desired their answers whether they would engage as Assistant Min- isters of the Church upon those terms, and at the same time acquainted them that such was the state of the funds of this corporation, that they had resolved
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not to be answerable for any deficiency that might happen in collecting the said subscriptions and other sums upon verbal engagements. And that the said Mr. Moore and Mr. Bowden thereupon severally de- clared their consent to accept the office of Assistant Ministers upon the above terms.
"Upon the question being put, it was unanimously resolved, that the Reverend Mr. Benjamin Moore be, and he is hereby, elected and appointed an Assistant Minister to the Rector in his parochial duties, upon . the terms aforesaid, and the terms expressed in the resolution of this Board of the third day of January last. And upon the question being put, it was also unanimously resolved, that the Reverend Mr. John Bowden be, and he is also hereby, elected and ap- pointed an Assistant Minister to the Rector in his parochial duties, upon the like terms."
Soon after this the clergy of the Church of Eng- land fell upon troublous times, which tried to the utmost the firmness of men, and often excruciated the minds of the scrupulous and conscientious. The revolutionary war broke out, threatening an utter dis- ruption of the ties which had so long bound the colonies and the mother country together. The relations of the clergy with the latter, were perhaps of a more close and endearing character than those of almost any other class of men. They were for the most part employed and supported by the Society at home, they were nurtured in sentiments of loyalty, and they could not bring themselves to forsake at once, and forever, the Ruler whom God in his providence
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had placed over them, and whom they had so long implored him to prosper and bless.
Whatever may be politically our view of this great question, in which men equally good so widely dif- fered, we must at least respect the scruples which no worldly considerations could overcome, and which led to the sacrifice of home, comfort, and wealth, for conscience' sake. With these qualifications, I trust that I shall be open to no misconstruction, in the unvarnished narrative I am about to give.
In a letter, dated October 31, 1776, Mr. Inglis assures the Society that all their missionaries, without excepting one, in New-Jersey, New-York, Connec- ticut, and so far as he could learn in the other New- England colonies, had proved themselves faithful, loyal subjects in these trying times, and had to the utmost of their power opposed the spirit of disaffection which had involved this continent in the greatest calamities ; and although their joint endeavours could not prevent the rebellion, yet for some time they had considerably checked it. Amidst all the succeeding disorder and confusion, they went on steadily with their duty in their sermons; confining themselves to the doctrines of the Gospel, without touching on politics, using their influence to allay political heats and cherish a spirit of loyalty among their people. This conduct, however harmless, gave great offence. They were every where threatened, often reviled with the most op- probious language, and sometimes treated with brutal violence. He then goes on with an enumeration of the many instances of insult, outrage, and wrong,
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which had been inflicted on his brethren and friends ; and concludes his account with the remark, that if every case of the kind could be faithfully collected, it is probable that the sufferings of the American clergy might appear in many respects not inferior to those of the same order in the great rebellion of the last cen- tury, and that such a work would be no bad supple- ment to Walker's Sufferings of the Clergy.
The Declaration of Independence increased the embarrassment of the clergy. To officiate publicly, and not pray for the king and royal family, according to the Liturgy, was against their duty and oath, as well as the dictates of their conscience; and to use the prayers, would have drawn on them inevitable destruction. The only course which they could pur- sue to avoid both evils, was to suspend the public exercise of their function, and shut up their churches. This was done, without any concert, throughout the whole extent of the above-mentioned provinces. The venerable Mr. Beach, of Newtown, in Connecticut, is alone to be excepted, who officiated as usual after independency was declared; and upon being warned of his danger, he said with more firmness and spirit than prudence and discretion, that he would do his duty, and pray and preach for the king till they should cut out his tongue. It is a little remarkable, that notwithstanding his contumacy, he was never dis- turbed.
Upon the departure of General Howe from Boston to Halifax, and the taking possession of New-York by the revolutionary army, most of the inhabitants removed into the country, carrying their valuable
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effects with them. Mr. Inglis conveyed his family to a place of safety up Hudson's river. Dr. Auchmuty, the Rector, being much indisposed through the spring and summer, retired with his family to Brunswick, in New-Jersey, and the care of the churches in his absence of course devolved on Mr. Inglis, as the oldest assistant ; a situation truly difficult and trying in such times, especially as the other assistants, though loyal and worthy, were young and inexperienced.
About the middle of April, General Washington came to town with a large reinforcement. Animated by his presence, the revolutionary committees very much harrassed the loyal inhabitants at New-York and Long Island. In the latter, however, the mem- bers of the Church of England were the only suffer- ers, though many members of the Dutch Church were as active in their opposition to the revolution as themselves.
Soon after Washington's arrival, who was himself a member and communicant of the Church of England, he attended the Church ; but on the Sunday morning, before divine service began, one of his generals called at the Rector's house, supposing him to be in town, and not finding him, left word that he came to inform the Rector that General Washington would be at church, and would be glad if the violent prayers for the king and royal family were omitted. The message was brought to Mr. Inglis, but he paid no regard to it.
On seeing that general not long after, he remon- strated against the unreasonableness of his request, which he must have known the clergy could not com-
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ply with ; and further told him that it was in his power to shut up their churches, but by no means in his power to make the clergy depart from their duty. This declaration drew from him an awkward apology for his conduct, which there is reason to believe was not authorized by Washington himself.
On the 17th of May, (the day appointed by the Congress as a day of fasting, prayer, and humiliation throughout the continent, ) at the unanimous request of the members of the Church, he consented to preach. It was exceeding difficult for a loyal clergy- man to avoid danger on the one hand, or a departure from duty on the other. But he endeavoured to shun both, making peace and repentance his subject, and explicitly disclaiming having any thing to do with politics. .
Matters now became critical in the highest degree. He had frequently heard, as he passed the streets, the most indecent epithets applied to him. The most violent threats were also thrown out against him, in case he should pray for the king. Not long after, when he was officiating, and had proceeded some length in the service, a company of about one hundred and fifty armed men marched into the Church, with drums beating and fifes playing, their guns loaded and bayonets fixed, as if going to battle. The congregation was thrown into the utmost terror, several women fainted, and it was generally expected that when the collects for the king and royal family should be read, he would be fired at, as menaces to that purpose had frequently been made. Mr. Inglis, however, went on with the service, and the matter passed over without
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any accident. He was afterwards assured that some- thing hostile and violent was intended, but He who stills the raging of the sea and the madness of the people, overruled their purposes.
But it was at length thought expedient, with the unanimous concurrence of such of the Vestry as were in town, to shut up the churches. Mr. Inglis, how- ever, remained in the city to baptize the children, visit the sick, bury the dead, and afford what support he could to the remains of his poor, dispirited flock.
On the return of the king's troops to New-York in the month of September, one of the churches was again opened, when all the inhabitants gladly attended. Joy was lightened up in every countenance on the restoration of public worship. Each congratulated himself and others on the prospect of returning peace and security ; when on the following Saturday, several persons disaffected, as it was supposed, to the govern- ment, who had secreted themselves for the diabolical purpose, set fire to the city in different places, which raged with the utmost fury until it had consumed about a thousand houses, or a fourth part of the whole. In this conflagration, Trinity Church, the oldest and largest in the parish, with the Rector's house, and the Charity School, were all laid in ashes .*
* A committee was appointed to estimate the damage this corpora- tion had sustained by the late fire, who made a report in writing, in the words following :
Pursuant to an order of the Vestry of the 1st of April last to us directed, to estimate the loss the Corporation of the Rector and Inhab- itants of the city of New-York, in communion of the Church of Eng- land, as by law established, have sustained by the late fire, which
Ja EVERS DEL .
G . & W. ENDICOTT LITH. N YORK.
TRINITY CHURCH DESTROYED BY FIRE.
1776.
.
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St. Paul's Chapel and King's College would have shared the same fate, had not Mr. Inglis been provi- dentially on the spot, who sent a number of people on the roof with water to protect them. Besides the buildings already mentioned, about two hundred houses which stood on the church ground were con- sumed, so that the clergy of this city were the greatest sufferers by the revolution of any on the whole con- tinent.
How thankful should we be to God, that in his wise providence we did not ourselves fall upon these evil times, where from different views of duty, persons equally conscientious differed so widely in what they deemed the performance of it; where the endearing ties of nature and the bonds of faith were rent asun-
happened in the city of New-York on the 21st day of September last, do report-That the said corporation have lost twenty-two thousand two hundred pounds, in the four following buildings, which were con- sumed by the fire :
Trinity Church, including the organ,* - £17,500
Two Charity School-houses and fencings, - -
2,000
Library, - 200
Rector's House,
2,500
£22,200
Besides the loss to the corporation of £536 per annum, the annual rent of 246 lots of ground, the tenants' buildings being all consumed by the fire. In witness whereof, we have signed this report the 13th day of May, 1777.
ELIAS DESBROSSES,
CHARLES SHAW, ANTH. VANDAM, WILLIAM LAIGHT.
* This cost £850 sterling.
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der ; and where those who were formed to esteem and love each other, were separated by the bitterest hatred and the deadliest strife.
Mr. Inglis, in the conclusion of his letter to the Society, apologizes for his laying before them a detail in which he himself was so much concerned, but he claims no merit in doing what he always conceived to be his duty, and with great modesty says that any of his brethren in his situation would have acted as he did, and many of them probably much better. He concludes with observing that the Church of England had as yet lost none of its members, whose departure from it could be deemed a loss. He entertains no doubt but that, with the blessing of Providence, his Majesty's arms will be successful. In that case, if the steps are taken which reason, prudence, and common sense dictate, the Church will indubitably increase, and these confusions will terminate in a large acces- sion to its members. Then he says will be the time to make that provision for the American Church which is necessary, and place it on at least an equal footing with other denominations, by granting it an Episcopate, and thereby allowing it a full toleration. If such an opportunity, he remarks, be let slip, such another will never offer again; if fifty years elapse without it, there will be no occasion for one after- wards, and to fix one then will be as impracticable as useless.
How much reason have we to rejoice in this matter, at the fallibility of the most sagacious in their conjec- tures with respect to the future, and at the mysterious workings of God's providence, in not only disappoint-
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ing these forebodings, but in placing the Church in this land on so firm a foundation, as that we trust it will never be removed.
The Society were also favoured with another letter from their faithful and much esteemed correspondent, the Rev. Dr. Auchmuty, dated New-York, November 20, 1776, in which he acquaints them, that upon his arrival at that once delightful, but now unhappy city, he found every thing in great confusion. Upon searching the rubbish of his late venerable church, and his large and elegant house, he could find only a very few trifles, of little or no value, except the Church plate and his own. Providence having pre- served him two chapels, he begins to have divine service again regularly, after a suspension of near three months, and his people begin to flock in so that they will soon be filled. His wife and daughters are still in the hands of the enemy, and he knows not when he shall be able to obtain their freedom. The losses he hath himself sustained by fire and cruel devasta- tions, amount already to £2,500 sterling; and to the loss sustained by his church to the amount of £25,000 sterling, must be added also that of the quit rents which the tenants, as they are burnt out, are unable to pay.
In the midst of these troubles the Rev. Dr. Auch- muty, the Rector of the Church, was taken to his rest. The following extract from a sermon, preached in the city of New-York, March 9th, 1777, on occasion of his death, by the Rev. Charles Inglis, A. M., after- wards Dr. Inglis, Bishop of Nova Scotia, presents his character in an engaging light :
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"By the death of our worthy and excellent Rector, the public has lost an useful member, you a faithful pastor, and I a sincere friend.
" My intimacy and connection with him for nearly twelve years, enabled me to know him well; and I can truly say, I scarcely ever knew a man possessed of a more humane, compassionate, or benevolent heart. Often have I seen him melt into tears at the sight of distress in others; and the distressed never sought his aid in vain. Liberal and generous in his disposition, he seemed happy when alleviating afflic- tion, or when employed in some office of benevolence or friendship.
" For nearly thirty years you have enjoyed his min- istry ; indeed, ever since he entered that sacred office till the day of his death; and the respect showed to him, and distinction conferred on him, as well as the flourishing state of these congregations when our present troubles broke out, are incontestible proofs of the fidelity and assiduity with which he discharged the duties of his station. Numbers, who I trust are now in glory, and many of you who are still living, will, I hope, be seals of his ministry, his crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus.
" Firmly and conscientiously attached to the doc- trines and discipline of the Church of England, he was indefatigable in promoting her interests.
" Christianity never appears more amiable and winning, than when accompanied by that easy tem- pered cheerfulness, which rectitude and benevolence of heart naturally inspire. In this he greatly excelled. Such a temper and disposition endeared him to his
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intimate acquaintances, and enabled him to shine in the tender connections of social life. He was indeed a sincere, warm friend, a most affectionate husband and father.
" His ill state of health obliged him to reside a con- siderable part of last summer in the country. On his return to the city, he promised himself some repose and satisfaction with his family and his friends. But, alas ! those hopes were soon, too soon, disappointed.
" Only a few months after, in this Church,* which was built under his inspection, which he consecrated to the service of Almighty God, and which so lately received his remains; in this Church, I say, he preached his last sermon two days before the disorder which carried him off, seized him.
" On his death-bed, he behaved with all the forti- tude, patience, and resignation of a Christian ; such as the certain hope of immortal life, and true faith in the Redeemer, naturally inspire. His understanding was clear, and his senses perfect to the last ; and he joined fervently in prayer not many minutes before he expired ; he died without a struggle or a groan.t
On the 6th of October, 1776, Mr. Hildreth also writes to the Society, that from the beginning of the preceding July his scholars had gradually dwindled to a small number ; that himself and most of the friends of government had been obliged to leave New-York to avoid being sent prisoners to New-England, and upon his return a few days after the King's troops
* St. Paul's Chapel.
t He died March 4th, 1777.
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had taken possession of the city, he found it in flames. He was now collecting his poor scholars together, and as the inhabitants were then daily coming in, he expected in a short time to have his usual number.
In the following year the Society were informed by the Rev. Dr. Inglis, of the death of Mr. Hildreth, and of the appointment of Mr. Amos Bull, a person of good character and principles, and in all respects well qualified to succeed him.
He likewise states in another letter, that in addition to the great loss sustained by Trinity Church in the late fire, he had suffered a severe private loss at King- ston, through the instrumentality of his friends. A body of British troops being fired at in going up Hudson's river, and thereby provoked to burn the town, Dr. Inglis lost houses to the value of £1,100.
On the 20th of March, 1777, Mr. Inglis was una- nimously elected as Rector of the parish, in the place of Dr. Auchmuty.
"Mr. Desbrosses acquainted the Board that he, together with several other gentlemen of the Vestry, had a few days since wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, and another to the Bishop of London, informing them of the death of the Reverend Doctor Auchmuty, and of the appointment of the Reverend Mr. Charles Inglis to succeed him as Rector of Trin- ity Church, copys of which he laid before the Board, which being read and approved of, were ordered to be entered in the minutes, and are in the words follow- ing, to wit :
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TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
" REVEREND SIR :
" The freedom of this address we hope the Honorable Society will readily excuse, as it is to dis- charge a duty incumbent on the Church Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church in this city, to inform your Venerable Body of the loss we have sustained by the death of our late worthy Rector, Doctor Auchmuty, a gentleman justly esteemed for his humane, benevo- lent disposition, with many other amiable qualities, which we shall omit to enumerate in the compass of a letter, as this just tribute to his memory is already performed by a more able pen, and inserted in the public prints, which we make no doubt are come to your hands. As soon as decency permitted, the Church Wardens and a majority of the Vestry, agreeable to their charter, from the experience they have had for several years of the merit of the Rev- erend Charles Inglis, unanimously chose him to suc- ceed Doctor Auchmuty, as a clergyman universally esteemed, as well for his exemplary life, as other abilities requisite to fill that public and important sta- tion. We are of opinion, had he not been in the line of succession as Assistant Minister to Doctor Auch- muty, we could not have made a better choice. It will greatly add to our satisfaction, to be informed that it meets with the respectable approbation of your Venerable Society. The presentation was made to his Excellency Gov. Tryon, who readily confirmed our choice by his letters of admission, institution, and mandate for induction, which was performed agree- able to the Canon and Statute Laws. We should be chargeable with ingratitude were we to omit this
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favourable opportunity of returning our thanks to your Honorable Society for your paternal attention to our church, and we humbly pray for a continuance, as we shall be happy to succeed in our filial endeav- ours to merit it.
" We are, with great esteem, Reverend Sir, your most obedient servants.
" NEW-YORK, 27th March, 1777."
The presentation of Mr. Inglis to his Excellency Governor Tryon, the letters of admission, institution, and mandate of induction, were all in the usual form, but there was one singular circumstance attending his induction. After having taken the oaths, and repeated and subscribed the declaration enjoined by law, and also declared his unfeigned assent and consent to the Thirty- nine Articles, and subscribed his name thereunto, Mr. Inglis was conducted to Trinity Church, and inducted into his Church by Elias Desbrosses, Esq., one of the Churchwardens, (and by the Vestrymen of the said Church,) by placing his hand on the wall of the said Church, the same being then a ruin.
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