USA > New York > Putnam County > Garrison > History of St. Philip's church in the Highlands, Garrison, New York, including, up to 1840, St. Peter's church on the manor of Cortlandt > Part 7
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In those days the growth of the Episcopal Church was
THE REV. ANDREW FOWLER, M. A. RECTOR, 1792-1794
The Rectors of St. Peter's and St. Philip's 89
not regarded with favor by the Puritans. It is a matter of public record that during the Revolution the Presby- terians attempted to take the church on the Manor of Cortlandt by force. Mr. Fowler seems, however, to have maintained cordial relations with his ecclesiastical neighbors, as witness the following correspondence with Rev. Silas Constant, a militant Presbyterian minister of Yorktown.
Reverend Sir,
It is a rule in the Church to which I belong, that no minister not even one of our own Denomination, shall preach at any time in our Churches without liberty is first obtained of the Rector-Nearly the same rule I suppose is observed among the Presbyterians or Con- gregationalists, and as I feel an inclination to preach a sermon in Crown Pond1 within a short time, I therefore beg the favor of your Meeting House when it does not interfere with your own appointments for that pur- pose. A line in answer to this will oblige,
(Your) friend and honorable servant,
ANDREW FOWLER.
to which courteous request Mr. Constant replied :
Reverend Sir,
I received yours intimating your willingness to preach in this neighborhood, and I shall note your direction and give notice to the congregation. The Meeting House will be opened without objection, and hope your appointment will be when I can attend, if week day, if on Sabbath it must be when I preach at Peekskill,
Yours in sincerity,
SILAS CONSTANT.
1 Crompond.
90 The History of St. Philip's Church
Andrew Fowler was born at Guilford, Connecticut, on June 10th, 1760. He was the son of Andrew Fowler by his wife, Martha Stone, and a descendant of John Fowler, one of the founders of Guilford in 1639.1 At the age of nineteen he entered Yale, a convinced Presby- terian, graduating in 1783, and receiving his Master of Arts degree ten years later.2
In the latter half of the Eighteenth century the burning question in religious circles in America was the nature and organization of the Church, and the point around which controversy raged most fiercely was the necessity, or otherwise, of the Episcopate. The fight waxed ex- ceeding bitter, and it produced an endless array of books and pamphlets.
So serious a question could scarcely escape the atten- tion of the young student preparing for the ministry, and he had not far to seek for materials. In the year 1711 an agent of the colony of Connecticut in London sent over eight hundred books, among which were the works of strong Anglican writers like Hooker, Chillingworth and Usher. These were in the Yale Library, and they at- tracted the attention of Andrew Fowler, who promptly sought permission of the President to read them.
The request unwittingly revived memories of the dark- est day in the annals of New England Puritanism. Fifty- seven years before a little group of Yale professors and ministers, including Timothy Cutler, then President of the College, had studied those same books. Their studies convinced them that "they were usurpers in the house of God," and they announced their intention
1 Smith, History of Guildford, Ct., p. 18.
2 Fowler, MS. Biographical Sketches of the Clergy.
The Rectors of St. Peter's and St. Philip's 91
of applying for Holy Orders in the Church of England.1 Little wonder that the President, with such memories, promptly refused the request on the ground that the books in question were "dangerous." Possibly the refusal stimulated the young student's desire; at any rate they were obtained elsewhere, and as a result of their perusal, Andrew Fowler joined the Church. For seven years he was a devoted lay reader. In the Autumn of 1779 he became a churchman, and almost immediately "commenced reading prayers and sermons under the direction of the Rev. Bela Hubbard at West Haven, three Sundays in five; and at New Haven in 1782 he read prayers and sermons for the same Reverend gentleman two Sundays in five. These circumstances commonly took place in the same manner till he grad- uated, though at sometimes he read prayers elsewhere in his native State, he having the President's leave todoso."2
After his graduation he removed to New Rochelle where, he says, "I was principally engaged with a school." He found the Church in a distressed position, the churches in Yonkers, Peekskill, Rye and Westchester were closed, and some of them had been converted into military hospitals. Nor did the clergy escape. The Rev. Luke Babcock, Rev. Epenetus Townsend and Rev. Samuel Seabury were imprisoned, and the Rev. Ephraim Avery, of Rye, lost his life. The clergy were scattered; the churches closed and the flock of God were as sheep without a shepherd. England ceased to send out missionaries, there were no American Bishops, and
1 Perry, History of the American Episcopal Church, Vol. I, p. 247 ff.
2 Fowler, MS. Biographical Sketches of the Clergy.
92
The History of St. Philip's Church
consequently no ordinations. To Andrew Fowler the Church's extremity was his missionary opportunity, and he set out to gather the sheep again into the fold.
He writes in his Journal: "At the close of the War I collected the congregation at Rye and at White Plains Began at Rye the first Sunday in April, 1784, and at White Plains the Sunday after." In 1786 he ex- tended his efforts to Yonkers, of which he writes: "The congregation had been broken up by the War, and was for sometime destitute of a regular pastor. The Rev. Mr. Babcock died sometime before the peace took place. I read sermons and prayers there with great pleasure, and never saw any other conduct there than that which was truly christian and pious. I could go there but occasionally, as I was then principally engaged as a lay- reader at New Rochelle."1 In 1785 he was lay represen- tative of Trinity parish to the Diocesan Convention.2 From New Rochelle he removed to Long Island and served as lay reader at Brookhaven, Oyster Bay and Huntington.3
He was ordered Deacon by Bishop Provoost in St. Andrew's Church, Staten Island in 1789, and was ad- vanced to the Priesthood by the same Bishop in St. Paul's Church, Eastchester, one year later. His first parish was Christ Church, Oyster Bay. His rectorship of St. Peter's and St. Philip's terminated in the Fall of 1794, and he removed to Bedford, N. Y., where he min- istered for one year. Removing to New Jersey, he labored at Shrewsbury, Middletown and Spottswood.
1 Fowler, MS. Journal.
2 N. Y. Convention Journal, 1785.
3 Marvin, The Church in Suffolk County, p. 8.
The Rectors of St. Peter's and St. Philip's 93
A list of the New Jersey Clergy in 1798 shows him as "Minister of St. Mary's Church, Coles Town, on con- tract for one year only."1 Philadelphia was the scene of his work for one year, and his last charge in the North was S. Michael's, Bloomingdale, then a country place on the far outskirts of the city of New York.
In 1806 Mr. Fowler removed to Charleston, S. C., where the real work of his life was done. Writing under date of February 15th, 1807, to John Henry Hobart, then assistant minister of Trinity Church, New York, he says, "After I left New York the first place I went to was Wilmington, N. C. At this place I met with a Clergyman by the name of Walling, who is one of the most pleasant and agreeable men in the world." At Wilmington he was detained five weeks awaiting a ship to Charleston.
We who live in the Twentieth Century, when the Church has reaped all the finer fruits of the Oxford Movement, have little idea of the laxity of faith and effort which characterized the Church in America in the earlier years of the Nineteenth Century. When Andrew Fowler went South he wrote to the Rev. John Henry Hobart: "I conversed with Mr. Walling upon the state of the Church, which he tells me is deplorable. I find that the idea of Episcopacy is but little esteemed among either the Clergy or the people. They think it no matter what religion a man is of, provided he be honest."2
The attitude was typical of the times. The era of aggression had not begun. The missionary motive was yet unborn, and the Bishops were content with small
1 General Convention MSS.
2 Hobart MSS.
94 The History of St. Philip's Church
achievement. The Church was apologetic. But "there was the sound of the wind in the tops of the mulberry trees." In the city of New York there lived and labored a man to whom the American Church was to owe a new life. John Henry Hobart-not yet a Bishop-was dreaming dreams and seeing visions of a Church alive to her splendid heritage. He was the apostle of a new catholicity which blazoned upon its banner the motto, "Evangelical Truth and Apostolic Order;" the able and intrepid champion of the Church of God. Under the inspiration of his leadership apology gave place to aggression. Wise before his time, Hobart foresaw the tremendous power of the printing press and used it to the full in the circulation of books and tracts expounding and defending the nature and organization of the Church. Andrew Fowler was in the fullest sympathy with Hobart's purposes and methods. In season and out of season he sought to open men's eyes to the glories of the Catholic Church, and he was shrewd enough to see that the most effective method was the circulation of Church- ly literature.
His five weeks' enforced stay in Wilmington was used to extend the influence of the Church. He writes to Hobart: "I was invited to dine out every day while I was at Wilmington; it gave me a great opportunity of advocating the Church, and my friend Walling told me that I had been of great service to him among his own people."
He adds, "I find that there is nothing wanting to make the Church flourish in this State but half a dozen good Clergymen and a few small tracts on Episcopacy, Bap- tism and the Lord's Supper."
The Rectors of St. Peter's and St. Philip's 95
The few books he had with him were quickly exhaust- ed; "I had a copy of your Companion, one copy of your treatise on The Festivals and Fasts these I was obliged to give away as some of my friends were so desirous to have them; it was a pity that I had not had many more. I wish, friend Hobart, that you would send me on a copy of the Canons of the Church, and some other small tracts which you may have it in your power to send gratis." How the literature was welcomed and used is seen in a further letter :- "Part of the pam- phlets I have this day forwarded to Dr. Walling, and the remainder I shall distribute among the members of my own parish as they stand much in need of them. The life of Dr. Johnson1 I have had six days, and it has been read through by nine persons already."
When he arrived at Charleston he found that the parishes had already made their arrangements for the year, but under the date of January, 1807, he writes: "I am elected Rector of S. Bartholomew's Church, Edisto Island, the property of which I am to be put in possession of next Winter. The living consists of a plantation with sixteen negroes; the pew rents are not less than four hundred dollars, and it is the general opinion that the whole, including what will be raised by subscriptions, cannot amount to less than two thousand dollars."2
A later letter sheds interesting light on climatic con- ditions: "It is a great misfortune that the inhabitants
1 The Life of Samuel Johnson, D. D., the first President of King's College, in New York, by Thomas Bradbury Chandler, D. D., 1805. 2 Hobart MSS.
96 The History of St. Philip's Church
are obliged to leave here, and move off to some consider- able distance during the sickly months. As the heat increases, the country is filled with noxious vapors, and it will be ten o'clock in the morning before you can see the Sun for the fog." He adds, "I have never enjoyed my health better: I have eleven Communicants, and have baptized eight children."
With Charleston for a center he was in "labors oft" for forty years. In 1811 he resigned the rectorship of S. Bartholomew's parish and became an itinerant mission- ary for the rest of his life. For some time he labored at Columbia, S. C., where he "collected a considerable congregation of the best and most respectable citizens who attended public worship with great devotion."1 To him also belongs the distinguished honor of presenting the first class of candidates for the Apostolic rite of Con- firmation in the diocese of South Carolina on March 30th, 1813.2
In July, 1821, Florida was ceded to the United States by Spain. The churchmen of Charleston immediately took steps to send a minister to St. Augustine in order to establish church services. In an interesting and valuable historical pamphlet3 Mr. Fowler writes: "On Saturday, the 22nd of September, 1821, the Rev. Dr. Gadsen appli- ed to me, on behalf of the Protestant Episcopal Society, composed of young men and others, to go as their
1 Dalcho, Historical Account of the Church in South Carolina.
2 Southern Churchman, February 11th, 1869.
3 A Short Account of the Rise and Progress of the Protestant Epis- copal Church in the city of St. Augustine, East Florida, by Andrew Fowler, A. M., Charleston, 1835.
The Rectors of St. Peter's and St. Philip's 97 missionary to St. Augustine in East Florida, for the space of two months, in order if possible, to collect and organize a Congregation in that place."
Although the position had already been refused by several of the clergy, Mr. Fowler readily consented, and in less than a week was on his way armed with a Circular Letter of Introduction to Christians in particular and to the Community in general. He arrived at St. Augustine on October 2nd, only to find the city in the grip of malignant yellow fever, and the inhabitants panic- stricken. He was strongly urged not to land, but no personal danger daunted him. Without a moment's delay he commenced his devoted and untiring ministra- tions to the sick and dying. In the course of five weeks he officiated at eighteen funerals and baptized eight children.
On Saturday, October 6th, he issued an address in the Florida Gazette: "The Subscriber takes this method to announce to the Public his intention to perform divine service, God willing, in this city on the morrow, at the old Government House. Service will commence precise- ly at 10 o'clock in the morning." The service was duly held, and the preacher "had a numerous, respectable and attentive audience." He returned to Charleston on November 9th.
Amid his manifold missionary labors Mr. Fowler found time to make some notable contributions to religious literature. He was the author of An Ex- position of the Book of Common Prayer: A Catechism of the Church and An Exposition of the XXXIX Arti-
98 The History of St. Philip's Church
cles. A The estimate in which these works were held may be gathered from the address of Bishop Moore to the Diocese of New York, in which he says, "October 14th, 1807. Two hundred copies of Fowler's Exposition of the Liturgy of the Church, purchased by Trinity Church, to be distributed throughout this diocese."1
A. The other known publications of Mr. Fowler were :-
1. A Short Introduction to Christian Knowledge, designed particularly for the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church at East-Woods, Oysterbay. New York, 1792.
2. Hymns. New York, 1793.
3. A Sketch of the Life and death of Mrs. Hannah Dyckman, King's Ferry. Danbury, 1795.
4. The Lessons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America; with an explanation of all the Sundays and the principal Holy-Days throughout the year. New Brunswick, N. J., 1798. Second Edition, Charleston, 1838.
5. A Form of Morning and Evening Prayer. of an Academy. New York, 1802.
Compiled for the use
6. Short Instructions for those who are preparing for Confirmation. Charleston, 1813.
7. A Sermon, upon the word Amen, Revelation XXII, 21. Delivered in S. Michael's Church, Charleston, Feb. 7th, 1813. Charleston, 1835.
8. A Short Account of the Rise and Progress of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the City of S. Augustine, East Florida.
Charleston, 1835.
1 New York Convention Journal, 1807.
99
AN EXPOSITION
OF THE
BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER,
AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE
SACRAMENTS
AND OTHER
RITES AND CEREMONIES OF THE CHURCH, &c.
ACCORDING TO THE USE OF THE
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH
IN THE
UNITED STATES of AMERICA.
BY ANDREW FOWLER, A. M.
RECTOR OF CHRIST-CHURCH SHREWSBURY, AND CHRIST-CHURCH MIDDLETOWN, NEW-JERSEY.
BURLINGTON, N. JERSEY, PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, BY S. C. USTICK. = 1805.
[COPY-RIGHT SECURED.]
1
100 The History of St. Philip's Church
Andrew Fowler made a notable contribution to the History of the Church in America.
Scattered in parishes throughout the land are materials of priceless value to the ecclesiastical historian of the future, and to that material Mr. Fowler added permanent value. At the instigation of Bishop Seabury he gathered materials for Biographical Sketches of the Clergy, 1 and twice walked from Charleston to Connecticut in search of ma- terials. Writing to the Rev. Edmund Rutledge, a pro- fessor in the University of Pennsylvania, he says: "I have long since wished to see some Memoirs published of our Clergy, who are now dead and gone, and such indeed was my desire for it, that I actually made a considerable number of sketches for that purpose. On this occasion I applied to my brethren throughout these States, and to many other members of our Church, but with little success."
Those persons who have been so ready to believe that the early clergy were men of loose morals would do well to weigh the testimony of this investigator: "I found the names of more than one thousand ministers of our Communion before 1820, the most of whom are now dead, and have left behind them a good character. In- deed I found less bad characters than I had been led to expect."
In the same letter he adds: "I have often thought, and still do think, that a weekly paper, consisting of one sheet, and an octavo form, might be made most useful and pleasing to our people, containing historical nar- ratives, wherein the origin of our parish churches and
1 A few of these sketches were published in the Calendar at Hartford between June, 1854, and January, 1855.
The Rectors of St. Peter's and St. Philip's 101
other circumstances relating to them, with sketches of the Clergy might be given in order to enable the historian to furnish a correct view of our ecclesiastical state in this country."1
He lived to a great age. On the feast of S. Thomas, 1850, he reverently received the Holy Communion and died the Sunday after Christmas aged ninety years and seven months. An obituary notice says of him:
It may be truly said of the departed that he was a great missionary. In five or more of our Dioceses he officiated for more or less time; but the greater part of his ministerial life, that is about forty years, was passed in South Carolina. He was first missionary of our "Advancement Society," and first missionary of "the Society for Missions of Young Men and others," instituted in Charleston, which was intended to act out of the diocese, and which continued until the "General Missionary Society" superseded the use of it. The Churches now flourishing in Columbia, Choran, S. Augustine and Wadesborough were planted by him. The old parishes of S. Bartholomew's, Edisto Island and Christ Church, each of them for several years found the benefit of his ministration. Few more industrious men, physically, mentally and socially have ever lived. "These hands," he could truly say, "have ministered to my necessities and those who were with me." Into the garden, the field, the orchard, the vineyard and the forest, he went-not for recreation, or to gain wealth, but to supply the deficiency of an inadequate salary; for he coveted no man's silver or gold, or apparel. More contentment, with the allot- ments of Divine Providence; more confidence in God, as respected himself and his family; more meekness
1 Letter in Hobart MSS. dated July 25th, 1830.
102 The History of St. Philip's Church
in his intercourse with men; more resignation in sick- ness, sightlessness, adversity, bereavement and the last conflict, I have not witnessed. He had a son in- tended for Holy Orders; much care was bestowed and expense (involving serious self-denial) on his educa- tion. It was finished with credit at one of our chief colleges. The youth was now competent to provide for himself, and was just about to become a candidate for the ministry, but he died. It was a trial, met by his aged father in the temper of faithful Abraham, and with the resignation of holy Job.1
Mr. Fowler was succeeded in the Rectorship of St. Peter's and St. Philip's on the 15th of December, 1794, by the Rev. Samuel Haskell, who was in Deacon's Orders. The Minute reads:
We, the Wardens and Vestrymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church at Peeks Kill and in the Highlands do hereby respectfully notify the Rt. Rev. Samuel Provoost of the State of New York, that on the 15th day of December last we did unanimously and delib- erately make choice of and engage the Rev. Samuel Haskell to take the rectorship of the aforesaid Churches-We would further observe that by the prudent and faithful discharge of his office he has recommended himself to the good opinion of all ranks, and denominations of people in this place. We re- joice in the happy prospect we now have, that our Churches will soon be raised to hold a rank with the Church of Christ in this land. By our desire, and the desires of the respective members of our Churches, the Rev. Mr. Haskell goes to New York to obtain from the Rev. Bishop the Orders of Priest, that he may be enabled to minister to us the Holy Eucharist
1 Charleston Gospel Messenger, March 1st, 1851.
The Rectors of St. Peter's and St. Philip's 103
on the next Easter-with the greatest respect we subscribe ourselves
the Bishop's Most Obedient Humble Servants,
Silvanus Haight, Caleb Morgan, Jr, James Spock, Jarvis Dusenbury, Joshua Lancaster,
Elijah Morgan, Henry Romer, John Gee.
The above is a true copy of a letter sent to the Rev. Samuel Provoost, Bishop of the State of New York.
Duly ordained, on the 23rd day of February, 1795, the Wardens and Vestry thus addressed Mr. Haskell:
We the Wardens and Vestrymen of the Protestant Episcopal Churches at Peekskill and the Highlands, having voluntarily and deliberately made choice of the Rev. Saml Haskell to minister in holy things in the aforesaid Churches, do now and hereby assign and consign to him the Rectorship of the same, in testi- mony whereof we hereby deliver to you Rev'd Sir, the keys of the same, trusting that, through the Grace of God, you will be enabled to discharge the office as a good and faithful Minister of Christ.
The high hopes for prosperity were not fully realized. Subscriptions fell off, and early in 1797 the Vestry, "after taking into consideration the state of the respec- tive Churches, are of the opinion that the annual salary of the Rev. Mr. Haskell cannot be raised the ensuing year, and that an address be presented to him, informing him, that the Vestry thro inability of raising the money by subscription, cannot think themselves bound to him
104 The History of St. Philip's Church
any longer than the 1st of February next." Sylvanus Haight, Ebenezer Burling and James Douglass were appointed a committee to draft the address, "which being drafted is in the following words"
Sir, The Wardens and Vestrymen of S. Peter's and S. Philips Churches, having viewed with deep concern for some months past, the rapid decline of religious worship whereby the continuation of your annual support is rendered impossible, have thought it their indispensable duty to inform you thereof. Be pleased, Sir, to accept of our best wishes for the zeal you have always manifested in endeavoring to pro- mote virtue and true godliness among the people, and of enforcing your heavenly Father's Doctrine with the energy so truly becoming the christian's char- acter, and when your labours are finished here below, may you meet with that reward, the best of all Blessings-"Well done, thou good and faithful servant enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." January 31st, 1797.
That there had been some friction between the Rector and the Vestry is evident from this recorded resolution: "Resolved, that all disputes and controversies heretofore had between the Rev. Mr. Haskell and the Wardens and Vestry should finally cease."
The Rector was requested to vacate the glebe by the first of April, with the promise that "your salary will be collected as quick as possible." Permission was also granted him "to preach in either of the two Churches," his compensation to be "what collections may be made during the service of the day." In May of the same year the Vestry "resolved and agreed to continue the said
The Rectors of St. Peter's and St. Philip's 105
Mr. Haskell as Rector of the said Churches until the 10th day of December next-at which time Mr. Haskell does promise to relinquish his rectorship of said Churches, and to remove from the parsonage by the first day of April in the year 1798-and the said Mr. Haskell agrees to accept for this present years salary of what money can, by proper exertions on the part of Wardens and Vestry, be raised by subscription from the inhabitants in case there should be a deficiency of forty pounds in each Church-the said Wardens and Vestry do promise to pay each of them the sum of twenty shillings beside their subscription. The said Mr. Haskell is at liberty to absent himself occasionally, not to exceed two weeks at a time."
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