USA > New York > Westchester County > History of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the county of Westchester, from its foundation, 1693, to 1853 > Part 17
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most of their timber upon the place and about 14 days hence the masons will begin to work ; that I hope with God's assistance we shall against Winter have it so forward as to preach in. I hope it won't be long ere we shall see Mr. Cleator, whom we want very much, and would be of infinite use in the thorough settle- ment of the Church in this Parish. We are in dayly expecta- tion of the mast fleet, by whose return you shall, God willing, have a very long letter from me. So with my most humble duty to the Society, begging their pardon for my brevity at this time, I remain,
Sir, Your affectionate, humble Servant, CALEB HEATHCOTE." a
MR. MUIRSON TO THE SECRETARY.
HONOR'D SIR,
" Please to give me leave to present by you, my most humble duty and respect to the Honourable Society, with an assurance that I always shall from time to time give 'em an account (accord- ing to their desire) of the condition of the church, where I am concerned ; and that having written so lately, I have nothing new at present to offer, only, that since that time I have baptized several, both old and young, that the number of communicants in- creases daily, and the people frequent the Church duly on Sun- days. They seem to like the ways of the Church very well, but, (as in all other places,) there are some stubborn, ill natured persons among 'em, yet I'm encouraged to hope that in time, (by God's blessing upon my endeavours) I shall bring over even those to have a good opinion of our Constitutions. The stone-work of our Church is finished and covered, but the winter approaching and the people being extremely poor and having exhausted what lit- tle money they had, on what is done already, we cannot proceed any further this fall, but hope next year to finish all, with a steeple,
· New-York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 80-91. (Hawks'.)
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which when completed will make a large and beautiful Building. Expositions on the Church Catechisms and Common Prayer Book's are much wanted-Please to communicate to your Society that I have lately been in Connecticut Colony, and found some persons well disposed towards the Church. I preached in Strat- ford to a very numerous congregation both forenoon and afternoon. I baptized about twenty four persons ye same day-I intend another journey thither again quickly, being invited to baptize their children, and hope (by the Divine aid) to make a fair be- ginning for the Establishment of the Church in a considerable part of that Government .- There are I'm informed, some thou- sands of persons in that Colony unbaptized, and the reason is this, most of their ministers refuse to admit any children into Christ's Church by Baptism, but those whose Parents are in full communion with them-The Independents threaten me and all those that are Instrumental in bringing me thither, with Prison and hard usage .- They are very much incensed to see that the Church (Rome's Sister as they ignorantly call her) is like to gain ground among 'em, and use all the stratagems they can invent to defeat my enterprises. a But however, since I hope my superiors approve of my undertaking, I shall not fail to visit, as often as the affairs of my Parish will permit ; neither shall all they can do or say discourage from prosecuting (to the utmost of my ability) so good a design. I shall be glad to receive the instructions of your Honourable Corporation by the next opportunity, which I shall always think myself happy in obeying. In the meantime shall continue to proceed in this method till I receive further orders. The Hon. Col. Heathcote (who always studies and en- deavours the good of the Church) has been very diligent and industrious in carrying on this great work ; the eminency of his
" The spirit of the Puritans at Stratford, (says Dr. Chapin,) may be inferred from a single fact. Not long after the death of the Rev. Mr. Muirson, Isaac Nell, one of the Churchwardens there-a man of unblameable conversation-also died, where- upon some doggrel verses were written and circulated there, having these lines, :
"Isaac Nell is gone to hell To tell Mr Muirson that his Church is well."
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station, and with all his favouring and countenancing my at- tempts of this nature, is of so great consequence among the peo- ple, that truly what success I have hitherto had, either at home or abroad, is more owing to his prudent conduct, than the best of my weak labours. He honours me with his good company in all such progresses, and exerts his utmost endeavours to settle the Church wherever he goes, which will recommend him the esteem and regard of all good men, but especially (I'me persua- ded) of your worthy members. Let me entreat you to send the books the Society promised me. Shall rejoice often to receive your commands. I earnestly beg your Prayers that my labours may be blessed with that happy success that God's glory may be advanced, and his people's good, farthered ; and that God, of his infinite goodness, may bless and direct your Honourable body in so glorious and laudable design, and at last reward you all with eternal bliss, is the frequent Prayer of
' Honor'd Sir,
Your most faithful,
humble Servant, GEORGE MUIRSON.
Rye, October 2d, 1706. Directions are
To JNO. CHAMBERLAYNE, Esq." a
The following extract is taken from the MSS. of the Vener- able Society, for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts :-
COL. HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY. .
SIR,
" After I had finished my other letter by the bearer, Mr. Evans, he resolving to tarry a month or six weeks longer than he first proposed, gives me the opportunity to send you what new mat-
Conn. MSS. from Archives at Fulham, p. 5. (Hawks'.)
·
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ter hath since occurred. And to begin with Connecticut : about fourteen days ago, Mr. Muirson paid his congregation in those parts a visit, and had the happiness to be accompanied with Mr. Evans, who out of his zeal to serve the Church, though of a weakly constitution, undertook that troublesome journey ; that being an eye witness to those affairs, he might be the more able to give a satisfactory account concerning the state of the Church there, to whom I shall make bold, in a great measure, to refer you. I bless God for it, every thing has almost outgone my first hopes, and I am very much of opinion, that if that matter is pushed on with care, a wonderful deal of service may be done the Church in that government. The people having been kept in perfect blindness, as many of them now declare, and as I told you in mine by the Jamaica Fleet, it cannot be a greater act of charity to undeceive the Indians, than those blinded people, and where there are such vast numbers debarred from the benefit of God's holy ordinance, concerning which I was so full in the let- ter before mentioned, that it will be needless to enlarge on that head.
I did, in my two last letters, acquaint you that there was a very ingenious minister in that colony who showed great incli. nations to come over to the Church, and that I was of opinion he would be well worthy the recovery ; I also told you that his affections for the Church had created him so many enemies ; that he had undergone a sort of persecution on that account ; but now his enemies have done their worst to him, having turned him out of his living, as Mr. Evans can more fully inform you -- he having seen and discoursed with him-that as I really be- lieve it will conduce very much to the service of the Church- and also in justice to the poor gentleman, who has a large family of small children, who must come to ruin and misery, and be- come a sacrifice in the cause of the Church, which would be a great dishonour not to be relieved by us. I did, therefore, make bold to assure bim of the Society's favors; and that upon his going to England, and making a solemn declaration that he will receive orders from the Bishop of London, so soon as he can with
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conveniency do it ; that to enable him to maintain his family during his absence, I would pass my word that he should be en- titled to the usual missionary's allowance of 50l. a year from the time of his going off ; and that in order thereunto, I would give him my best recommendations to the Society. So it is my humble request they would be pleased to allow it if he comes ; or in case they do not think proper to settle a salary upon him before such time as he is actually in orders, that it may be considered him under some other name ; because my promise to him is such; and I am not under the least doubt but he will merit it by his services to the Church.
This sudden turn concerning Mr. Reed, has put upon me new thoughts, which are to have Mr. Muirson removed from this parish, and that his mission be for Connecticut colony in general, the place of his residence being at Stratford, or at such town as he shall judge to be most for the service of the Church. This will, in my opinion, not only be the most effectnal way for carry- ing on that great work, but the Society will be put to no diffi- culty in getting a proper person ; in which, if the least mistake should happen as to the qualification of a minister, the whole mission would be endangered by it; and as experience hath fully satisfied us how fitting Mr. Muirson is for that undertaking, by what he hath already done, I am humbly of opinion, for that reason, it would not be prudent to put that matter to a new risk ; and, in the next place, it will be of absolute necessity not only to have a very good man in this place, being on the frontiers of that government, but also one who will be zealously assisting to Mr. Muirson, in which none will be more proper than Mr. Reed. And in case there is a removal according to the advice given herewith, it is my desire it may be so; and then as to Mr. Muirson, if he goes on that mission, he cannot have less allowed him than 100 pounds sterling a year, because, at the first set- ting out, nothing must be expected from them, nor indeed any offers made toward it, and as his mission will be four times as large as any other, so he must consequently be in a perpetual motion, which will be chargeable and troublesome. I have not
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had much talk with him about it; but I doubt not in the least, if my Lord of London, and the Society direct his removal, I can persuade him to be easy under it.
I have, since writing my other letters, taken some pains to inquire concerning the character and behaviour of the bearer, Mr. Evans, and upon the whole, find him to be an extraordinary good man, and one that hath done very great service to the Church, not only in Philadelphia, but in other neighbouring towns ; that I am very much concerned that there should be any misunderstanding betwixt him and any of his parish ; as he re- presents things, and being a very honest, good man, I can't help givingcredit to it. The Church and he have had hard usage of- fered them ; though I am past a doubt upon making out those things to my Lord of London, he will find means to settle and complete their differences, and return him to his Parish ; and so far as it may be proper for the Society to concern themselves in that matter, I could wish they would give their assistance therein ; because, whilst they are in that broken condition, the Church can't but receive many wounds by it. I can't think of anything further of moment at this time; so remain, sir, your obedient servant.
CALEB HEATHCOTE.
New-York, April 14th, 1707.
To JNO. CHAMBERLAYNE, Esq., etc."a
The following letter shews, that : "Mr. Muirson, besides his salary of £50 from the Society, was entitled to £50 currency, as settled by Act of Assembly on Rye parish ; but as his people were poor, and for the most part recent converts, he considera- bly forbore to press his legal claim, and during the first two years of his ministry, had only received about ten or twenty · pounds currency ; thus plainly showing that he sought not theirs, but them."b
a Church Record, Vol. I. 317-18. (Hawks'.)
৳ Hawkins Hist. Notices, 279.
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AND CHURCH OF RYE.
MR. MUIRSON TO THE SECRETARY.
[EXTRACT.]
MUCH HONOR'D SIR,
" I received your's dated May 2d, 1706. The Instructions you sent along with it I'm informed, are at York, which will come to my hands quickly. I understand by yours, that the Society expects an account of all the subscriptions and contributions, I receive from the Government or Inhabitants, of which this is an exact ; that there is £50 New-York money settled by act of Assembly upon Rye parish, but the people being very poor, I've received only about 10 or £12 since I've been their minister. Its true I could compell 'em by Law to pay the whole, but such proceedings I'm well assured would have been very hurtful to the Interest of the Church, in a place especially surrounded with Dissenters from all sorts ; and therefore I thought it better to have patience with 'em till they are more able, than that our Glo- rious work should anyways suffer. They are all new Converts, and so I must be with 'em in many things, tho' to my present disadvantage, but I hope when our Church is finished, they will consider my circumstances and make my life more comfortable, than hitherto it has been.
As to the present circumstance of my Parish, I've nothing new to offer, only since my last, I've Baptized several Persons ; that the number of Communicants increases, that the people duly frequent the Church, excepting a few Quaker and Anabaptist Families. There is a considerable number of growing Persons not yet Baptized, but I intend to admit 'em after they are instructed into the principles of that Religion, of which their Baptism makes them members, for I think it necessary that the adult be first taught what they are to promise and perform in that covenant.
It would be of great service if the Society wou'd be pleased to send over Common Prayer Books, and some small treatises in defence of the Church, for our adversaries have mustered up all the scandalous and reviling pamphlets they can get, and have dispersed them among the people in order to prejudice 'em against us. I want Books very much for my own use, having only a few I bought before I came from London, but I hope the
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Society have been pleased to consider my request before this time.
I humbly beg your Prayers, that all my endeavours may an- swer the glorious end of my mission, and the advancement of God's Glory in the due edyfying of his people.
That Almighty God may be pleased (out of the immense treasury of his riches) so to increase your stock, and bless all your laudable designs, that you may, for the further good of his Church and people, send forth more labourers into his harvest shall ever be ye fervent prayer of
Honored Sir, Your most faithful friend, And very humble servant, GEORGE MUIRSON." a
Rye, 4th April, 1707.
COL. HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY. Manor of Scarsdale, June 18, 1707.
WORTHY SIR,
" I received yours of the 5th June last, by Mr. Cleator. I am very thankful to the Society for the books sent by him which shall, with a more than common care, be disposed of for the service of the Church. As for the Common Prayer Books, I shall not give or send 'em to any but such as give me an assu- rance of their making a right use of them, and I question not, by the blessing of God, with the help of these Prayer Books that we shall be the most regular parish in the Province, except New-York, as to the people making responses ; as to which in most other places, they are generally too defective. I was truly very much surprised at Mr. Cleator's arrival, for not having had a line from him for two years past, could not believe he was alive, though he hath since satisfyed me that it was not his fault, but the miscarriage of his letters. He has entered upon his school teaching and with all the success which can be de-
New-York, MSS from Archives at Fulham, p. 8. 10. (Hawks'.)
AND CHURCH OF RYE. 177
sired. for the people, being exceedingly fond of him, most wil- lingly commit their children to his care to be trained up by him according to the discipline of our church, which, with the as- sistance of Almighty God, will be established on a lasting foun- dation in this parish ; and besides the care of his school, which trust he discharges with the utmost faithfulness when Mr. Muir- son is absent from the town of Rye, either to the extreme parts of his parish, or otherwise for the service of the church ; the people being called together after the usual manner, he reads the prayers of the church to them, and a lecture morning and evening, and the people come very readily to hear him. I take notice that the Society are not willing to send any minister nor ministers into Connecticut, unless they have a formal applica- tion ; which having been done to my Lord of London, and sent by Mr. Evance, shall wait till I know their result therein. I did, in my former letters, very earnestly move the Society that directions might be given to the missionaries of this county and Queens county, which are contiguous, to appoint Quarterly Assemblies amongst them, and gave them my reasons of how great use that would be for the service of the church, and should be glad they had taken that matter into consideration, and to know their result therein. I am the more earnest on this head, because I am of opinion it will be of greater service to the church than can at first sight be imagined. I desire my most hearty thanks may be presented to the Society for their favours to Mr. Cleator, and will be very careful that the charge they are at concerning him shall be faithfully applied for the service of the church. I have wrote unto you so lately and fully by Mr. Evance, who I hope is ere this arrived, that I shall not now en- large, but remain,
Worthy Sir, Your most obed't serv't, CALEB HEATHCOTE."a
* New-York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 165, 166. (Hawks'.)
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HISTORY OF THE PARISH
Col. Lewis Morris, in a letter to the Secretary of the Ven. So- ciety, " concerning the state of the Church in New-York and the Jersey's, supposed to be writ about the end of the year 1707, or beginning of 1708," speaks in the following flattering terms of Mr. Muirson :-
COL. MORRIS TO THE SECRETARY.
SIR,
" The ministers they (the Society) have sent, have gained some ground, especially the Rev. Mr. Muirson ; he is placed on the borders of Connecticut, and among a people labouring under the greatest prejudices to our Holy Church. He has among these made many converts, and persuaded the building of a very fine church of stone in the town of Rye. His cure is not con- fined to his parish, but he sometimes sallys into Connecticut, and has made a very great harvest there ; and in my humble opinion, deserves the thanks of the Society and what encour- agement they can give him."a
The following extract is taken from Col. Heathcote's letter to the Secretary, dated :
Manor of Scarsdale, 18th Dec., 1707.
WORTHY SIR,
" As to what you mention of the people of our parish, I hope we shall, besides their zeal in building the church, with time, pre- vail with them to do every thing that is proper towards the en- dowing of it ; though I must acquaint you that 'tis only the town of Rye, and not the parish which hath built it; and I hope in · some years (if I live) to have another church, if not more, in the bounds of this parish."b
Besides the above, Col. Heathcote addressed the following let- ter to the same :-
· New-York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 93-94. (Hawks'.)
[New-York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 168, 169. (Hawks'.)
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AND CHURCH OF RYE. COL. HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY.
Manor of Scarsdale, 24th Dec., 1707.
WORTHY SIR,
"I do herewith make bold to beg your care in delivering of the inclosed to his Grace, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and to make my apology for taking that freedom. The contents whereof are in the first place, to prevail with his Grace to use his utmost endeavours and interest, that my Lord Cornbury may be succeeded in this Government by one of whom there is all the moral assurance that can be had, that he will be a true pro- moter of religion and virtue, and will not be wanting in best en- deavours to forward that glorious design the Society are labour -! ing for. In the second place, that he would give us his best as- sistance in the speedy dispatch of a Bishop, the great need and want thereof appears more and more. The usage of the two Mis- sionaries, Mr. Moore and Brooks, is an unanswerable argu- ment on that account ; and unless there is a speedy relief to our clergy, in having one to head and quiet them, we may expect more examples of that nature. I am so well assured of your temper and zeal for promoting that great and good work the Society are labouring for, that I need not multipty arguments. So begging pardon for this freedom, I beg leave to remain un- alterably, &c., &c.,
CALEB HEATHCOTE.
P. S. I should be glad you would obtain his Grace's assist- ance in that affair I wrote to you about by Mr. Brooks, as either that he would be pleased to ask the Queen for it in his own name, the Society's, or both."a
In his last communication to the secretary, Mr. Muirson men- tions that they had completed the house of God at Rye, and gives some account of the Indians.
· New-York MSS. from Archives at Fulham, vol. i. 169. 170. (Hawks'.)
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HISTORY OF THE PARISH MR. MUIRSON TO THE SECRETARY.
EXTRACT.]
HONOR'D SIR,
" You desire me to give an account of all those persons that contribute to my support in these parts. That I can easily do ; they are but few, for since I came into the country, I have not received in all above 18l., tho' there is a salary of £50 per annum, New-York money, established by act of Assembly upon the minister of this parish : but the people being very poor, and the building of our church having cost a great deal, I thought it more proper to bear with them, than to exact by force what is due; and so suffer rather in my own condition, than that the house of God should not be finished-which now, to my great comfort, is completed, and a stately fabric it is indeed. It was built by the inhabitants of the town of Rye, without the help of the rest of the parish. And as for subscriptions from other parts of the government, we have had none; but I expect some at York, for making the pulpit, communion table, and finishing the seats.
You direct me to bring to the church the negroes and Indians of this parish, and to consult with Mr. Neau about the most proper means for their instruction. Mr. Neau is a good, religious man ; his conversation is desirable and edifying. I always have, and ever shall esteem it my happiness to keep a settled corres- pondence with him : for I know he will joyfully do anything that may contribute to the conversion of infidels to Christianity. But there are only a few negroes in this parish, save what are in Colonel Heathcote's family, where I think there are more than in all the parish besides. However, so many as we have, I shall not be wanting to use my endeavours for their good.
As to the Indians, the natives of the country, they are a de- caying people. We have not now in all this parish twenty fam- ilies ; whereas, not many years ago, there were several hundreds. I have frequently conversed with some of them, and been at their great meetings, of powowing, as they call it. I have taken
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some pains to teach some of them, but to no purpose ; for they seem regardless of instruction ; and when. I have told them of the evil consequences of their hard drinking, etc., they replied that Englishmen do the same : and that it is not so great a sin in an Indian as in an Englishman ; because the Englishman's religion forbids it, but an Indian's does not. They further say they will not be Christians, nor do they see the necessity for so being, because we do not live according to the precepts of our religion. In such ways do most of the Indians that I have con- versed with, either here or elsewhere, express themselves. I am heartily sorry that we should give them such a bad example, and fill their mouths with such objections against our blessed re- ligion. But to prevent this, as likewise many disorders that there are amongst us, I know of no better way, than that the honorable Society would be pleased to recommend to our Gover- nour, my Lord Cornbury, or if he is called home, to his successor, to make some acts of Assembly against the many vices and im- moralities that are too common in most places of this government, or to take care that the wholesome laws of our realm be put in execution against the offenders. Swearing, and drinking, and Sabbath breaking, are chiefly predominant, which are all owing to the evil example and great neglect of our magistrates; and that, again, is owing to the neglect and indifferency of our su- perior officers, who mind but little whether our justices discharge their duty in that affair or not.
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