USA > New York > New York City > An historical sketch of Trinity Church, New-York > Part 16
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contained such charges as were calculated to gratify the malevolent curiosity of some, to create temporary prejudices in others of a more generous cast, and to produce in a few who had no previous good-will to- wards Dr. Hobart, a groundless and lasting dislike. The Church was therefore thrown into a ferment. Parties were formed in behalf of the assailant and the assailed ; and many, doubtless, defended the one, or vindicated the other, with more warmth and violence than became the gospel of peace and good will. An- other class, who were of a quiet and pacific temper, without a due consideration of the merits of the case, condemned them both. But the overwhelming sense of the community was in favour of the accused. Dr. Hobart, for years, was not aware of the unfriendly feelings of Mr. Jones, nor was he fully apprized of the extent of his injurious opinions, and his deep-rooted hostility, until the appearance of his 'Solemn Appeal.' The subjects of complaint, which, in some cases arose out of misapprehension, or which, when fairly under- stood, were of the most trifling nature, may, for the most part, be traced to the different temper and char- acter of the parties themselves; they were not of con- genial feelings, dispositions, and habits, those elements of harmony and love.
"It has seldom happened that two persons have been brought into so close a relation to each other, who were more entirely unlike, than Mr. Jones and Dr. Hobart. The first was cold, formal, and stately in his manners ; the last, all freedom, cordiality, and warmth. The one was sensitive, suspicious, and reserved; the other communicative, frank, and confiding. The one
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nurtured resentment-kept a record of hasty sallies of feeling and unguarded sayings, and magnified infirmi- ties into glaring faults; the other never received an offence without seeking at once to have it explained, in order that it might be over and forgotten, and never gave it without making a prompt and ample atonement. It is not surprising, then, that there should have been occasional misunderstandings between them; and these divisions were not easily healed, for the concili- atory spirit of the one was not always met with a cor- responding temper in the other, but the manner was so unkind, and the exactions so rigorous, as to leave nothing to the generous impulses of his own nature."*
Shortly after the appearance of this pamphlet, a Committee was appointed to take it into considera- tion, and to make their report at the next meeting of the Vestry. The report, which was an admirable one, was in the following words :-
"The Committee to whom it was referred to take into consideration a late publication of the Rev. Mr. Jones, entitled a 'Solemn Appeal to the Church,' have maturely reflected thereon.
"The publication in question appearing to relate to matters, the cognizance and decision of which exclu- sively belong to regular tribunals established by the canons of the Church, the Committee deem it improp- er to present those matters to the Vestry, in any shape by which their merits may elsewhere be made the subject of discussion. Nevertheless, in the relation
* Memoir of the Life of the Right Rev. John Henry Hobart, D. D., by myself, pp. 128, 129, 130.
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which subsists between this Corporation and the jun- ior Assistant Ministers employed by it, the Committee deem it the right and duty of the Vestry to notice, and as occasion may require, to animadvert upon such of the public acts of those ministers, as may be calculated to affect the peace and welfare of the religious com- munity with which they are united.
"The Committee, having in this view considered the subject referred to them, are of opinion, that the pam- phlet lately published by the Rev. Mr. Jones, calls for the serious attention of this Board.
" The evident tendency of appeals to the public, on the subject of private differences between ministers of the Gospel, must, in all cases, be to weaken the rev- erence and respect justly due to the clerical office; to destroy its influence ; impair the discipline and go- vernment of the Church; and to bring reproach upon the cause of religion.
" In the case of an associated ministry, like that of Trinity Church, evils more immediate and pernicious are to be apprehended, inasmuch as the people will naturally take part in the disputes of their pastors; their own passions and prejudices will be brought into the contest; and these must soon banish from the mind that peace and good-will which can alone dispose it to the reception of religious instruction.
" That a course obviously involving consequences of such deep importance to the character and welfare of the Church, should have been resorted to by one of her ministers, in the first instance, without even an experiment of the efficacy of that sanctioned and pre- scribed by her canons, adds to the grief which every
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reflecting mind must feel on this occasion, and leaves less room for extenuation than might exist under other circumstances.
"If these sentiments should receive the approbation of the Vestry, the Committee beg leave to recommend that a copy of this report, and of the resolution approv- ing it, be transmitted to the Bishop, and another to the Rev. Mr. Jones.
"(Signed,) " RUFUS KING, " RICHARD HARISON, "T. L. OGDEN, " PETER AUGUSTUS JAY, "E. W. LAIGHT.
"13th May, 1811."
Which report being read and considered, it was thereupon
" Resolved, unanimously, That the same be accept- ed and approved, and that a copy thereof, and of this resolution, be transmitted to the Right Reverend Bish- op Moore, and also to the Reverend Mr. Cave Jones."
After this forcible and solemn expression of the opinions of the Vestry, it was soon found to be abso- lutely necessary to come to some decided action on the subject. Their proceedings in relation to it are thus recorded in the minutes :-
"In respect to the disorderly state of Trinity Church, and its Chapels, proceeding from the misbe- haviour before alluded to, of the Rev. Mr. Jones, and which became the subject of the early animadversion of the Vestry, the Committee are constrained to de- clare, that, in their opinion, the peace of the Church cannot be re-established, so long as the connection
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1
between the Vestry and the Rev. Mr. Jones remains undissolved.
"Two modes by which the connection may be dis- solved, have occurred to the Committee :
"First. From the nature and terms of the engage- ment, between the Vestry and the Rev. Mr. Jones, there can be little doubt that the same may, for suffi- cient cause, at any time be dissolved by either party, it being presumed that the canons of the Church do not affect contracts which had been previously made.
"Second. The thirty-second canon of the General Convention, of the year 1808, relates to disagreements between ministers and their congregations or vestries, and provides for the dissolution of the connection be- tween them.
" As the Committee have expressed their opinion, that the connection with Mr. Jones ought to be dis- solved, it remains for the Vestry solemnly to consider and determine, whether a due regard for the peace and prosperity of the Church, does not require of them, without delay, to have recourse to the means provided by the canons to effect this dissolution.
"(Signed,)
"RUFUS KING, " RICH. HARISON,
" DAVID M. CLARKSON, " AND. RAYMOND."
Which report being read, the Vestry came to the following resolutions :-
" Whereas, differences and controversies exist be- tween the Rev. Mr. Cave Jones, one of the Assistant Ministers of this Church, and this Vestry, arising out of the publication entitled 'A Solemn Appeal to the
ยท
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Church,' which are of such a nature as cannot be settled between them,-
" Resolved, therefore, That application, represent- ing the same, be made, on the part of this Board, to the Bishop of the Diocese, pursuant to the 32d canon of the General Convention.
" Thereupon, Resolved, further, That the Rt. Rev. the Bishop of the Diocese be, and he hereby is, hum- bly requested to take into immediate consideration the subject matter of the foregoing resolution; and, with the assistance of his Presbyters, to proceed thereon, according to the directions of the said canon.
" Resolved, 'That the Clerk be directed to transmit a copy of the foregoing resolutions to the Right Rev. Bishop Moore."
At a subsequent meeting, the Assistant Rector hav- ing communicated to the Vestry a paper, subscribed by the Rev. Cave Jones, protesting against the applica- tion of the 32d canon of the Church to the differences alleged to exist between him and this Vestry, it was thereupon resolved, that the Clerk be directed to de- liver to the Right Rev. Bishop Moore, a copy of that part of the late report of the Committee on the state of the Church which relates to those differences, and to request that he would be pleased to proceed there- upon, according to the directions of the canon above referred to.
At the next meeting of the Board, the following letter, addressed to the Clerk, was received from the Right Rev. Dr. Moore, and which was followed soon after by another on the same subject.
"The Vestry of Trinity Church, in the city of New-
.
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TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
York, are hereby informed, that I shall meet with my Presbyters on Tuesday, November the 5th, at No. 20 Robinson-street, in said city, at 12 o'clock, to proceed in the case of difference between them and the Rev. Cave Jones, one of the Assistant Ministers of said Church, agreeably to the requisitions of the 32d canon of the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church ; at which time and place the Vestry may be heard by deputation, in relation to the said case and the proceedings thereon, I having sent a notification to the same effect to the Rev. Cave Jones.
" (Signed,)
" BENJAMIN MOORE.
" By his Son,
"CLEMENT C. MOORE.
" To Thomas L. Ogden, Esquire,
" Clerk of the Vestry of Trinity Church."
" Thereupon, Resolved, That Rufus King and Richard Harison, Esquires, be a Committee to attend the Rt. Rev. Bishop Moore and his Presbyters, and to represent this Vestry at the meeting referred to in the said letter."
An instrument was subsequently presented to the Board, under the hands of the Right Rev. Benjamin Moore, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese, and his Presbyters, dated the 5th of November instant, whereby it is re- commended that the Rev. Cave Jones, one of the As- sistant Ministers of this Church, do relinquish immedi- ately his title to the said office of Assistant Minister ; that this body do pay to him the balance of his salary, up to the date of the said instrument ; and also, within the period of thirty days thereafter, the sum of one thousand pounds. Which instrument being read, and duly considered, it was thereupon resolved as follows :
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"Resolved, That this Vestry do agree to the said terms, and will do every thing necessary on their part to carry the same into execution.
" Resolved, That a copy of the said resolutions be forthwith delivered to the said Bishop and Presbyters.
"Resolved, Further, That the Treasurer of this Corporation be authorized, previously to the next meet- ing of the Vestry, to pay to the Rev. Cave Jones the arrears of his salary, as an Assistant Minister of this Church, including a gratuity, at the rate of one thou- sand dollars per annum; such salary and gratuity to be computed to the time of payment or tender. Also, to offer to pay him the said sum of one thousand pounds, upon his relinquishing his title to the office of an As- sistant Minister of this Church; and if he shall make such relinquishment, to pay to him the said sum, ac- cording to the terms of the instrument above recited.
"Resolved, That the Clerk of this Corporation make out a proper power for the purposes expressed in the resolution last above written, and that he affix the seal of this Corporation to the same, and deliver it without delay to the Treasurer."
The proposition of the Vestry not having been ac- cepted, and the matter having been thrown into the civil courts, it was ordered that the Clerk of this Board should be the Attorney of the Corporation, to defend the suit commenced by the Rev. Cave Jones, and that Mr. Riggs, Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Wells, and Mr. David B. Ogden be employed as counsel. The course about to be pursued being earnestly deprecated by the Ves- try, Messrs. David M. Clarkson, William Bayard, Pe- ter A. Jay, and Thomas L. Ogden were appointed a
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committee on the State of the Church, with authority to confer with Messrs. Thomas Farmar, James Far- quhar, Peter Mesier, and Peter J. Munro, on the sub- ject of their letter to the Vestry, and that they should report to the Board at their next meeting. The com- mittee on the State of the Church shortly after reported to the Vestry a correspondence which had taken place between them and Messrs. Farmar, Farquhar, Mesier, and Munro, as the authorized agents of the Rev. Mr. Jones, on the subject of the differences existing be- tween that gentleman and the Vestry; by which cor- respondence it appears, that a reference to arbitrators, to be selected from the clerical or legal professions, of all matters which could properly be discussed in a court of justice, in any suit between Mr. Jones and the Vestry, had been proposed, and, subject to the ap- probation of the Vestry, had been agreed to by the committee, upon an understanding that the quantum of compensation to be allowed to Mr. Jones should be considered as open for adjustment by the said arbitra- tors, notwithstanding any decision establishing the va- lidity of the sentence of suspension; and that upon such reference, no advantage should be taken of the want of the corporate seal to the contract between Mr. Jones and the Vestry.
" Thereupon, Resolved, That this Board agree to the said reference, and will, in all matters within their power, carry into effect the conditions stipulated by their committee.
" Resolved, Further, That the said committee take measures for the appointment of suitable referees, and for the drawing of such papers as may be necessary to
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carry into effect the said reference, subject to the ap- probation of this Board."
The Honourable James Kent, Smith Thompson, Ambrose Spencer, William W. Van Ness, and Joseph C. Yates were appointed the arbitrators in the case, and Robert Troup, Esq., was appointed to attend them; and he was likewise authorized to take the necessary measures preparatory to the hearing, which was about to take place before them. On the 30th of October, 1813, the award of the arbitrators on the matters in difference between this Corporation and the Rev. Cave Jones was produced to the Board, and read, in the words following :
"To all to whom these presents shall come or may concern: Whereas, Cave Jones, of the city of New- York, Clerk, hath commenced an action in the Su- preme Court, against the Rector and Inhabitants of the city of New-York, in communion of the Protest- ant Episcopal Church in the State of New-York, to recover his salary and compensation as an Assistant Minister, in the employ and service of the said Rector and Inhabitants. And whereas the said Rector and Inhabitants, and the said Cave Jones, did agree to submit the said action, and all other matters which could properly be discussed in a court of justice, in any suit or action between them the said parties, to the award, arbitrament, and determination of James Kent, Smith Thompson, Ambrose Spencer, William W. Van Ness, and Joseph C. Yates, or any three of them, arbitrators indifferently elected, chosen and named as well by, and on the part and behalf of the said Rector and Inhabitants, as of the said Cave Jones,
3
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TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
as by the bonds of submission mutually executed and interchanged by the said parties, and bearing date the 14th day of July, in the year of our Lord one thou- sand eight hundred and twelve, reference being there- unto had, will more fully and at large appear. And whereas, the time mentioned in the said bonds for making the said award, was afterwards by the said parties enlarged to the first day of November next. Now, therefore, know ye, that we, the above named arbitrators, having taken upon ourselves the burthen of the said arbitrament, and having heard the allega- tions and proofs of the said parties, do by these pre- sents award and adjudge as follows, to wit:
"Ist. We award and adjudge, that the said ac- tion of the said Jones against the said Rector and In- habitants cease, and be no further prosecuted.
"2d. We award and adjudge, that the said Rector . and Inhabitants pay to the said Cave Jones, on or be- fore the first day of November next, the sum of seven thousand five hundred dollars, together with the actual balance due the said Cave Jones on the fifth day of November, 1811, for services previously rendered by him to the said Rector and Inhabitants.
"3d. We award and adjudge, that the said Cave Jones, at the same time execute, under his hand and seal, and deliver to the said Rector and Inhabitants, a release of all actions, claims, and demands whatsoever, in law or equity, arising, or to arise upon any contract, matter, or thing, mentioned or referred to in the reci- tal contained in the said bonds of submission.
"In witness whereof the said arbitrators have here-
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unto set their hands and seals, this twenty-fifth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and thirteen.
" JAMES KENT, [L. s.]
"SMITH THOMPSON, [L. S.] " AMBROSE SPENCER, [L. S.]
"W. W. VAN NESS, [L. S.]
" JOSEPH C. YATES. [L. s. ]"
Which award having been considered, the following resolutions were adopted :
" Resolved, That this Corporation will execute the said award in every thing to be performed on their . part; that the Treasurer be authorized to pay to the Rev. Cave Jones the several sums of money mention- ed in the said award, according to the directions there- of, and that the Clerk affix the seal of the Corporation to a proper power of attorney, authorizing him to ten- der and pay the same.
"Resolved, Further, That a compliance with the said award on the part of the Rev. Cave Jones, will be considered by this Board as a compliance in effect with the recommendation of Bishop Moore and his Presby- ters, made on the 5th day of November, 1811; and that upon such compliance the Clerk of this Board unite with Mr. Jones, in a proper application to the Bishop, or his Assistant, for the removal of Mr. Jones' suspension, and affix thereto the seal of this Corporation."
At the next meeting the Treasurer and Clerk re- ported to the Vestry that they had complied with the directions of the Board relative to the Rev. Cave Jones, and that Mr. Jones had on his part executed a general release to this Corporation, pursuant to the
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award of the arbitrators. The total expense of this vexatious question, directly and incidentally, amounted to $12,960 14-100.
The general features of the controversy between Mr. Jones and Dr. Hobart having now been present- ed, and the harassing circumstances with which it was attended to the Vestry having been thus fully stated, I shall dismiss the further consideration of this painful subject.
On the 12th of December, 1811, the Assistant Rec- tor having nominated me as an Assistant Minister of this Church, and the nomination having been approved, I was elected accordingly. The communication of the fact was made to me by Thomas L. Ogden, Esq., who had then been a Vestryman for several years, who afterwards continued to be the Clerk of this Board for thirty-three years more, and who, during the whole period of his connection with it, was one of the most useful and honored members which it had ever had, throughout the whole period of its existence.
I entered upon the discharge of my duties in the parish on the Ist of January, 1812. In the month of October it was ordered by the Vestry, that notice of my election should be given to the Bishop, to the end that I might be instituted pursuant to the canon. This was accordingly done a short time after, and the ser- mon on the occasion was preached by the Assistant Rector, the Rev. Dr. Beach.
With the exception of a short connection with Christ Church, Belleville, New-Jersey, which many circumstances conspired to render very pleasant and
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agreeable to me, this is the only settlement I have ever had.
In the autumn of 1811, circumstances seeming to have made it expedient that St. George's Chapel should be separated from Trinity Church, committees were appointed on the part of both, with a view to a friendly conference on the subject. A number of que- ries were proposed by the former, in order to ascer- tain and settle the future relations which should exist between the two parishes, the advantages and privileges which should be allowed to St. George's, and the extent to which, both at the time and prospectively, under certain contingencies, the Church should be endowed. The answers by the Committee of Trinity Church having been perfectly liberal and satisfactory, all the legal and necessary measures were forthwith adopted to effect the object, and a short time after the separa- tion took place. The kind feeling and lingering affec- tion then existing between them, are very strikingly shown in the following enquiries :-
3. " Are the Congregation of St. George's Chapel to look upon themselves as a branch of the Family of Trinity Church ? and in case their funds should be found to be inadequate to defraying the yearly expenses, keeping the Church in repair, or rebuilding their pro- perty, if injured or destroyed by fire, will the Vestry of Trinity Church continue to view said Chapel as the eldest child of the Family, entitled to every needful assistance ?
4. " Will the Vestry of St. George's Chapel, in the event of a separation taking place, be entitled to fre- quent and unqualified conferences with the Vestry of
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Trinity Church, in all things relative to their mutual interest and support ?"
In a corresponding spirit of kindness and good-will, the Committee of this Corporation made the following replies :-
To the 3d question-
" Trinity Church will cherish the recollection of their union with St. George's, and will be always dis- posed, according to their abilities, to assist St. George's in their necessities."
And to the 4th question-
"In every matter affecting their mutual harmony and prosperity, Trinity Church will freely and sincere- ly confer with St. George's, it being their opinion, that these conferences should be conducted by committees of the respective vestries."
On the 12th of March, 1812, the Committee of leases having made their report for the endowment of St. George's Church, it was approved by the Vestry, and the following lots were ordered to be conveyed accordingly, subject to the usual conditions on grants to other churches :-
4 on Greenwich-street,
1 on Barclay 66
4 on Murray 66
4 on Warren
6 on Chambers
5 on Reade 66
-
24 lots in all-yielding at the time a rent of $3000 per annum for the first 21 years, and $3200 for the second term of 21 years. 16
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In the month of October, a communication was received from the Vestry of St. George's Church, respecting the increase of their endowment, which was referred to the Committee of leases.
Upon the report and recommendation of this Com- mittee, at a meeting of the Vestry, held on the 12th of April, 1813, relative to the further execution of the arrangement between this Corporation and St. George's, it was resolved by this Board, to pay, or assume the payment, of $3125 to Cornelius J. Bogert, Esq., being the consideration for a lot of ground adja- cent to the church-yard of St. George's, and which the Vestry of that Church were desirous to purchase, in order to the enlargement of their church-yard.
And they also increased the endowment of the same, by a grant of the following lots :-
3 on Reade and Church streets,
2 on Murray-street,
3 on Chambers "
-
Total, 8 lots-yielding at the time an annual rent of $1020, which, with the yearly rent of those already bestowed, $3000, made an aggregate of $4020 per annum. These 8, with the 1 just granted, and the 24 which were given before, made in all 33 lots, the pres- ent value of which, at a very moderate computation, cannot be less than $170,000.
Shortly after, another application was received from St. George's Church, praying for a further increase of their endowment, to which there appears to be no answer on the minutes.
A service of Communion plate, however, was given
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TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
to it by Trinity about this time, the cost of which, with the expense of an iron railing, and some repairs to the Church, was $5104 62-100.
In 1814, the very next year after all things had been arranged so liberally by Trinity Church, and so happily for St. George's, a sad calamity occurred which called for a new exercise of the bounty of this Corporation.
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