USA > Ohio > Journals of the annual conventions of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Ohio > Part 13
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TO THE
RIGHT REVEREND THE BISHOPS OF THE
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH
IN THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA :
Their friend and Brother, the Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio, sendeth Greeting :
RIGHT REVEREND AND DEAR BRETHREN : - I address you on a subject of no common interest ; it is that of the prosperity, and, perhaps, the existence of our Church in the State of Ohio, and in the country generally west of the Alleghany Mountains.
That it is now my duty so to address you, I am persuaded by a consideration of my pastoral vows, and by referring to the recommendatory resolution of the last Convention of the Diocese over which Divine Providence has placed me. The latter is in the words following :
" Whereas, there are many vacant congregations of the Church in this State which are unable to support ministers, and numerous members of our commun- ion scattered over an extensive country, destitute of the ministrations of the word and sacraments ; therefore
" Resolved, by this Convention, That the Right Reverend the Bishop be requested to prepare and transmit to the Bishops of the respective Dioceses of the United States, an Address setting forth the great necessities of the Church within the Diocese of Ohio, and soliciting their aid and assistance in procuring Missionaries to reside therein.
" Resolved, further, That should a Missionary Society be organized upon the plan proposed by this Convention, the Bishop is respectfully requested to com- municate the fact and object of such society to the several Bishops of the United States, and request their aid in furthering and promoting the object thereof, in such manner as shall be deemed most expedient."
In compliance with the latter of the above resolutions, I beg leave to state, that the Missionary Society therein named was formed by the members of our Con- vention, during their last session, and that it meets with the hearty approbation and best endeavors of all the Diocese, so far as we have as yet been able to learn. The object of this society, as may be seen by perusing their Constitution, inserted on the Journals of the Convention, is to concentrate the means of our own scat- tered people in one united effort; thereby manifesting that we are not wanting in our own exertions, however feeble, to found and build up the Church of God among us.
It is also the object of the society, by constituting a Treasury, under the guar- dianship of the good faith of the whole Diocese, to give a pledge that the dona- tions made from abroad will be applied in the best manner possible, and that by persons on the spot, who know the necessities of our people, and the means of effecting the most good.
To fulfill the former of these resolutions, I have now, Right Reverend Brethren, to lay before you our condition, our necessities, our fears, our hopes, and our prayers.
The map of Ohio will show you the extent of our charge. Our extreme par- ishes, as those of Cincinnati and Ashtabula, are distant, each from the other,
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Fifth Annual Convention
[JUNE,
rising of three hundred miles. In other directions, their distance is not much less. On this vast surface our settlements are thinly scattered; and among these settlements are mingled the members of our primitive Church. Having emigrated from places where the pleasant things of our Zion were freely and in abundance ministered, they remember their past enjoyments, as hungry persons think on their former feasts of plenty. They are, both from reading and experi- ence, too well informed to enjoy the crude things of modern date, which are offered them in place of their former delights; and they are too pious not to hope, trust and believe that they shall have the good things of the Gospel Kingdom extended to them. In this situation they sit, like the captive Israelites by the muddy waters of Euphrates' stream, waiting, with sighs and tears, for redemption to the Church of God ; for that blessed time when the word and sac- raments can, with anything like constancy, be ministered among them. Besides innumerable individuals dispersed throughout our State, there are forty-eight places containing our little flocks, mostly in circumstances similar to the above. These I have hitherto visited once a year. I have witnessed their joy at meeting, and their grief at parting. Their passionate inquiries, prompted by their love of Zion, and especially by the danger of the rising generation's being enticed every day from her order and beauty into the paths of sin, schism and infidelity; their passionate inquiries for some prospects of relief in the enjoyment of faithful missionaries, almost every where repeated, have sunk deep into my heart, and caused my tears to mingle with theirs. "While all others," say they, "enjoy these blessings, why are we deprived of them ? Has that Church, which we deem emphatically primitive, no zeal to assist their distressed brethren in the wilder- ness, while all others of modern date compass sea and land to make proselytes?"
Our parishes and places of holding divine service are mostly distant from each other from fifteen to sixty miles, and the amount of parochial services is hardly so much as of five clergymen to supply them all. Though these are faithful, I fear beyond their strength, yet what are they among so many congregations, and at such distances ? To keep from ecclesiastical extinction the little flocks already formed, they have in many instances encompassed so great a field of duty, that, before they have finished their circuit, their former labors are no more seen ; their fences against error are thrown down, the weeds of sin are grown, and their whole ground is laid waste. Too often have I witnessed this with mine own eyes ; too often have I seen the lambs of the fold devoured, be- cause a shepherd was too far distant to hear their cries. What must be my feelings under such circumstances, the beatings of your own bosoms, as you read this, can best express.
In doing the duty above alluded to, I have found the labors of a missionary inseparable from those of the Episcopate, and, to a person of my age, this assem- blage of fatigue is more than can be borne. Incessant speaking, in private as well as in public; in teaching the rudiments of Christianity to the young; in explaining and defending the first principles of our religion to the ignorant op- poser, have already much impaired my voice and my general health; and should this state of things continue, to all human view, my strength will soon be brought down in my journey, and my days will be shortened.
So circumstanced, where can I, under Divine Providence, look for aid in the arduous work assigned me but to you, my brethren in the Lord ? Think not, I entreat you, that I do this without due consideration. By what is in print, I am apprised of your wants among your own flocks. I see the need you have to apply your own resources at home. But wants, as well as riches, are relative ; they are small or great only by comparison. A family may be in want, and charity should begin at home; but if a neighbor be dying for want of relief, who can refuse that relief and be innocent ?
This, in the eyes of all reflecting persons, is our case. Our parishes and people are too dismembered and too poor to maintain qualified ministers of the word and sacraments. They have made their efforts, according to their utmost ability, and they find all is insufficient. Should they be suffered to fail in this Diocese, what will remain of the Church in the west ? They will soon disperse. No funds -no clergy-and soon no people. Thus, even should prosperous days return, there will be no foundation on which to build a future superstructure.
Seeing so little hopes of fostering our little flocks which we had formed in the wilderness, even the clergy we had, some of them, began to think of removing to more flourishing regions, and leaving the rest to mourn out their days in useless efforts and hopeless solicitude. But the Lord, hitherto, hath helped. Their faith in the expected relief, which this instrument implores, has as yet borne up their spirits. "We will make this last effort, say we, and God of his mercy will smile upon us. This shall occupy our nightly dream and daily prayer. The Fathers of our common Church, the chief laborers in Christ's vineyard, will not suffer this rose in the west, which God's own right hand hath planted, to be blasted in
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1822.]
its bud, its beauty to fade thus untimely, and its fragrance to cease from us forever. They will, under God, send forth laborers, faithful ministers; they will incite their people to give liberally of their abundance, and we yet shall see the pros- perity of our beloved Zion."
RIGHT REVEREND BRETHREN,-I have now, surrounded by my manifold cares, finished my address to you on this, of all others dwelt upon through my whole life, the most important and momentous subject; and thus, according to my weak ability, have done my duty. With prayers the most sineere, I commit the event of it to the wisdom, the goodness and merey of Him who, to found and erect a kingdom here on earth, shed his precious blood for us. Whatever this event may be, whether prosperous or adverse, I humbly implore his divine grace to make me submissive to his holy will and pleasure.
The person who is the bearer of this to your hands is my son, the Rev. Philan- der Chase, Jun., in the holy order of Deacons; the same, as by his papers he will show, is duly authorized to confer with you on the subject of this address, to receive your directions, and, if permitted, to collect and be the bearer of eharita- ble contributions to the Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Ohio.
PHILANDER CHASE,
Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Ohio. WORTHINGTON, OHIO, September 21, 1821.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY
JUNE 6th, 1822.
This being the day appointed by the Convention, for the anniversary meeting of the "Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society, within and for the Diocese of Ohio," the members thereof assembled in the College edifice at Worthington, during the recess of the Convention. Public service was performed, and a ser- mon preached, by the Rev. Philander Chase, jr., after which, a quorum being present, the society proceeded to business. The Rev. Philander Chase, jr., was called on for his report of services performed, in a journey to the eastward; which report was read, and is as follows :
Philander Chase, junior, reports to the P. E. Missionary Society, of the Diocese of Ohio, as follows :-
I left Worthington, Sept. 21, 1821, and proceeded to New York, where I arrived during the session of the Diocesan Convention. The address to the Bishops, of which I was the bearer, was gratuitously printed by Messrs. Swords, and a copy presented to Bishop Hobart, who gave the object proposed thereby his warm encouragement and approbation. Circumstances, however, preventing an im- mediate application in New York, I proceeded to New Haven, Conn., having first obtained permission and encouragement from Bishop Brownell, to apply to the churches in his Diocese. I passed through Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport and Stratford, and arrived at New Haven Oct. 25th; thenee I went to Middletown the 30th, and to Hartford the 1st November. From Hartford I proceeded to Provi- dence, R. I., when I found that the Rev. Mr. Crocker was absent; which occa- sioned me some delay. In the meantime, I went to Bristol, and having obtained the approbation of Bishop Griswold, preached in Providence, Nov. 11th; thenee to Boston, where, after tarrying some time, being hospitably entertained and kindly assisted, I preached, Nov. 25th, and proceeded to Salem, 27th; thence to Newburyport, 29th, and to Portsmouth, 30th. Leaving Portsmouth, 3d Dee., my objeet was to pass over to Troy, N. York. I could not, however, but seize upon this opportunity of visiting a brother and other near relatives, in Vermont and New Hampshire, so that I did not arrive at Troy till Dee. 16th. I preached in Troy, 23d December-in Albany same day; thence to Poughkeepsie, 26th, tarry- ing during the holy season of Christmas with a relative in Kingston. Preached in Poughkeepsie, 30th December-in Hyde Park same day : arrived in New York, 31st December.
After licaring the very favorable result of the application kindly made by the clergy of that city in our behalf, I proceeded to New Brunswick, N. J., where I received the warm encouragement of Bishop Croes; and, after an application through Rev. Mr. Powers, at Newark, preached in New Brunswick, Jan. 13th; thenee proceeded to Trenton-where, however, I was prevented from an imme- diate application, which has since been made ; I went on to Burlington-preached there, Jan. 16th, and next day arrived in Philadelphia. The General Missionary 11
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Fifth Annual Convention
[JUNE,
Society being about to make their application in this city, it was deemed proper, by Bishop White and the clergy, that the application which I went thither to make should be merged in that-it being thought that the object and interests of cach were the same-so that, under the implied assurance that the wants of this Diocese, so highly prominent, and for which so much sympathy has been felt and expressed by our brethren, would have an carly remembrance in the dispo- sition of the General Society's funds, I proceeded to Baltimore, where I arrived, Jan. 25th. I had the satisfaction to find my object highly approved by Bishop Kemp ;- the assistance afforded by the churches in this city was by individual donation, the attendance upon which required a greater length of time than else- where, so that I did not arrive in Washington till 15th February, 1822. I was prevented from making immediate application to the churches of this place and Georgetown; I received, however, promise that such should be made as soon as practicable. It had been my intention to have proceeded to South Carolina, on this mission; but a letter from Bishop Moore, of Virginia, to whom I had writ- ten-though hospitably inviting me thither-informing me that my solicitations would interfere with a general and large application, already going on his Diocese, I decmed it most advisable to give up the prosecution of my journey any further; particularly as the visit to South Carolina would much increase the expense of my journey, unless by greater success on my way than I had a right to expect. Earnestly commending, then, the object to Bishops Moore and Bowen, by letters, I returned homeward. From Bishop Bowen, I have since learned that application will soon me made in his Diocese, the success of which I am still anxious to learn. Passing through Fredericktown, Md., I received the same assurances which had been made at Georgetown, from the Rev. Mr. Johns. Leaving Salem, I arrived home 12th March. Letters, during the course of my journey, were transmitted to those parishes and places where I had prospect of any sucecss-from some of whom I received encouragement to hope for future assistance.
It becomes me here to state generally, what I should have done in the course of this report, with respect to individual places and people, had I not fearcd too frequent repetition, my feelings of lively gratitude for the great hospitality shewn me, at every place I have visited, by the ministers and members of our Church; and also for the great interest expressed, often by substantial deeds as well as words, in the prosperity of our western Zion. And here, too, I must acknowledge the great valuc of that kind assistance, rendered me at every place, by all our brethren.
Annexed is the amount of receipts in the several places visited :
1821. At New Haven, Conn. collection, $86.60; of individuals, $11.75, $98 35
Oct. 28.
31. At Middletown, collection, $15; of one individual, $10, - 25 00
Nov. 4. Hartford, collection, $41.75; individual donations, $138, 179 75
11. Providence, R. I., collection, 22 22
25. Trinity Church, Boston, Mass., 157 65
St. Paul's Church, 66 141 78 Christ Church, 50 00
28. Of Rev. Mr. Carlile, Salem, in behalf of a lady, 10 00
30. Collection in Church, at Newburyport, Mass.,
29 00
Dec. 2. Collection in Portsmouthı, N. H., 48 00 5. Of Baruch Chase & Bloiggin, in Hopkinton, N. H., 25 00
23. Troy, New York, collection,
157 34
30. St. Peter's, Albany,
36 60
Additional from St. Peter's, there have been received 142 Prayer-books, 50 Bibles, and about 700 Tracts for the benefit of the Society.
26. Of a Lady in Kingston, New York, 3 00
30. Collection in Hyde Park, New York, 19 00
30. Collection in Poughkeepsie, - 23 00
30.
Of Judge C. Verplanck, by Rev. Mr. Thomas Fishkill, - 7 00 1822.
June 9.
Of Grace Church, New York, - 342 81
Of Trinity Church, including St. Paul's and St. John's, - 423 25
Of St. George's, 133 95
Of Thomas Gibbons, Esq., 100 00
13. Collection in Church, N. Brunswick, New Jersey, 45 37
Additional, afterward received, -
2 00
19. Collection, Burlington, New Jersey, 19 30
Additional, from two individuals, 15 00 Received by letter from Newark, N. J., by the Rev. Mr. Powers, 32 00
Do. from Rev. Mr. Carter, Trenton, - 25 00
83
of the Diocese of Ohio.
1822.]
Fcb. Received of Churches in Baltimore, Md., by individual donation, 555 50
Do. a seal, valued at - 5 00
March. Received of Jacob Morris, Otsego county, N. Y., through Rt. Rcv. P. Chase, - 50 00
Of Rev. Philo Shelton, of Bridgeport, Conn., 20 00
Of Rev. Mr. Onderdonk, Brooklyn, L. Island, a certificate of deposit, - 43 22
Total received, - - $2,911 09
Whereupon, said report was referred to a committee of the Managers-viz: Messrs. E. Griswold and J. Hall-whose report thereon, accepting and allowing the accounts therein contained, was adopted. The following addition to the 11th article of the Constitution of this Society was read, and adopted by two-thirds of the members present, and subsequently approved by the Convention: " And the Treasurer, previous to entering on the duties of his office, shall give bond, with two or more sufficient securities, in the sum of five thousand dollars, pay- able to the person acting as President, conditioned that he shall account for and pay over all moneys belonging to the Society, which may come into his hands, to the order of the President, or Vice President acting as President, respectively, at such times as he shall be thereunto required; and discharge all other duties enjoined upon him by the Constitution, laws and resolutions of the Society. And in case either of the offices of Vice President, Treasurer, Corresponding or Record- ing Sceretary, shall become vacant, by death or otherwisc, it shall be lawful for the President to fill such vacancy; and the person so elected shall continue in office until a successor is duly elected."
The following resolutions were then proposed and adopted :
Resolved, That the minister of every parish, and the president or presiding officer of every auxiliary society, and every person procuring subscribers to thic parent Missionary Society of this Diocese, be requested, annually, at the anni- versary meeting, to furnish the Recording Seerctary thereof with the names of all persons belonging to the parent society, and the constitutions of all auxiliary societies, and names of persons belonging to them, over which they preside or which they procure subscribers.
Resolved, That the Recording Secretary be authorized to require from the Treas- urer the names of all delinquent subscribers, and to proceed to inform them of such delinquency, and request payment to the Treasurer.
The Society then proceeded to the election of Managers for the year ensuing; whereupon the following persons were chosen : Rev. Roger Searle, Rev. S. John- ston, Rev. I. Morse, Rev. E. B. Kellog, Rev. P. Chase, Jr., J. C. Wright, Esq., Wm. Little, Esq., C. Hammond, Esq., Ezra Griswold, Esq., John Hall, Rufus Murray, and Chester Griswold.
When the Society adjourned sine die.
The Board of Managers convened same day and place, by request of the Presi- dent. Present-Rt. Rev. P. Chase, President; Rev. Messrs. Searle, Jolinston, Morse, Kellog, and Chase, Jr .; William Little, Ezra Griswold, John Hall, Rufus Murray, and C. Griswold.
The following persons were chosen officers of the Board, viz : Rev. Roger Searle, Vice President; Rev. Samuel Johnston, Corresponding Secretary ; Rev. P. Chasc, Jr., Recording Secretary; and William Little, Esq., of Delaware, Treasurer.
Jolın Hall and William Little were chosen a committee to confer with the Rev. P. Chase, Jr., upon his compensation for ageney and services at the eastward, according to stipulation last year; who made the following report :
GENTLEMEN OF THE MISSIONARY BOARD : Your committee having taken into consideration the laborious and very important services performed by Rev. P. Chase, Jr., in collecting funds for the use of the Society, are of opinion that he ouglit to receive for said services $150-his own proposition for a less sum to the contrary notwitlistanding. (Signed) JOHN HALL,
WM. LITTLE, Committee.
Read and adopted.
T'lic Rev. R. Scarle, I. Morse, and E. B. Kellog, were authorized to sell, or cause to be sold and distributed for the benefit of the Soeicty, the bibles, prayer books, and tracts, reecived from Albany, now at Steubenville.
Adjourned till next day.
Junc 7th. Met according to adjournment. Present as yesterday, with excep- tion of the Recording Secretary; who being absent, Rev. E. B. Kellog aeted as Secretary.
The following resolutions were adopted :
Resolved, As the sense of this Board, that an itinerant missionary ought to be employed in this Diocese; and that he shall receive, as a compensation, a sum not exceeding $400.
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Fifth Annual Convention. JUNE.
Resolved, That the compensation of the stationary missionaries shall not ex- ceed $150.
Adjourned sine die. (Signed) E. B. KELLOG, Sec. pro tem.
P. CHASE, Jr., Recording Secretary.
Amount of Cash received for Printing, 1821.
June, 1821. From All Saints', Portsmouth, by Mr. Gunn, - $2 00
St. Peter's, Delaware, Mr. Little, 2 00
Grace, Berkshire, Capt. Prince, 2 00
St. Peter's, Morristown, Mr. Prince, 2 00
St. James', Zanesville, by Mr. Morse, 4 00
St. Paul's, Steubenville, by do., 5 00
St. James', Cross Creek, by do., 2 00
Christ Church, Cincinnati, Mr. Johnston, 5 00
St. Peter's, Ashtabula, Mr. Hall, -
2 00
$24 00
To cash paid Griswold & Spencer, by Bishop Chase, for paper, as per their receipt of Sept. 8, 1821, $12 75
To do. paid Mr. Howard by do., June 6, 1822, - 9 25
To do. paid do. for printing, by Mr. Morse, 2 00
$24 00
Due for printing the Journals of 1820, as per unsettled account: Printer's bill, - $18 00
Due for printing Journals of 1821, 15 12
$33 12
Cash received for printing Journals, 1822-
June 6. From St. Peter's, Morristown, by Mr. Ayres,
- $2 00
St. James', Zanesville, Mr. Morse, - 4 00
St. Paul's, Steubenville, by do. 5 00
St. James', Cross Creek, by do.
2 00
St. Peter's Delaware, Mr. Little,
2 00
St. Philip's, Circleville, Mr. Doan, -
2 00
St. Paul's, Chillicothe, Mr. Kellogg,
5 00
St. Peter's, Ashtabula, Mr. Hall, 2 00
St. James', Boardman, Mr. Turner,
2 00
Christ Church, Cincinnati, -
5 00
$31 00
WORTHINGTON, June 7, 1822.
Paid Ezra Griswold, one of the committee of Publication, (by resolution of Convention,) thirty-one dollars towards printing the Journals of the present year. INT. MORSE.
Paid Griswold & Howard, in advance, for printing Journals of 1822, thirty-one dollars, and took receipt; also for St. John's Church, Worthington, for printing Journals of 1821 and 1822, ten dollars. EZRA GRISWOLD.
Printer's Bill, 1822.
Composition 541/2 thousand, at 3712 cts., is $20 44
10 tokens press-work, do. do.
3 75
Two reams paper, 8 00
Folding, stitching, &c.,
3 50
Cr. $35 69
Cash received of Ezra Griswold, Esq., as per receipt, 31 00
Balance due,
-
GRISWOLD & HOWARD. $ 4 69
NOTE BY THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION.
On Sunday, the 9th inst., at Worthington, Mr. John Hall and Mr. Rufus Mur- ray were admitted to the holy order of Deacons, by the Right Rev. Bishop Chase. Morning prayer was conducted by the Rev. Mr. Searle, and a sermon delivered by the Rev. Mr. Morse, from John v. 35: " He was a burning and a shining light." The holy rite of Confirmation was also administered to twelve persons.
1823.
JOURNAL
OF THE
SIXTH ANNUAL CONVENTION,
HELD AT WORTHINGTON, JUNE 4TH AND 5TH, 1823 .*
LIST of the Clergy and Lay Delegates who attended the Convention.
CLERGY.
The Right Rev. PHILANDER CHASE, D.D., Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Ohio, and President of the Convention.
The Rev. ROGER SEARLE, Minister elect of St. Paul's Church, Medina; St. John's Church, Liverpool; and Trinity Church, Brooklyn.
The Rev. SAMUEL JOHNSTON, Minister of Christ Church, Cincinnati.
The Rev. INTREPID MORSE, Minister of St. Paul's Church, Steubenville, and St. James', Cross Creek.
The Rev. PHILANDER CHASE, Jr., Deacon, Minister of St. James' Church, Zanesvillc.
The Rev. EZRA B. KELLOGG, Minister of St. Paul's Church, Chillicothe.
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