USA > Ohio > Journals of the annual conventions of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Ohio > Part 22
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Some time ago I had heard of the scattered remnants of the Oneida and Mo- hawk Tribes who still retained the use of our Liturgy, once taught them by the British Missionaries when they resided under that government. And it was my most anxious wish to see and converse with them. This wish it pleased God most graciously to gratify. I paid them a visit, setting off from Mr. Woodward's after divine service and a sermon. We lodged at Mr. Cowles', the last house in the white settlements.
18th. The morning of the 18th of August. 1825, gave some hopes of a fair and pleasant day, but it proved otherwise. The sky was soon overcast, and a dark gloom hung over the forests, already dark and gloomy by the thickness of the deep green foliage. Our way was nearly west, towards the Sandusky River, and lay through a pathless desert, with hardly a trace to guide our steps ; but confident in the goodness of our cause and the protection and blessing of the common Father of men and nations, we set forward. The beauty of an open oakland scenery for a time cheered us ; but it soon changed to a thick dark under- leafed forest, in which, having missed our path, we traveled in the rain, it was judged, five and twenty miles, before we reached the huts of the Indians we were seeking. To us, wet, hungry and waysore, these little shelters from the storm appeared like the abodes of comfort. Some aged men and women of the Mo- hawks, fit emblems of their tribe, once vigorous, now in decay, met us at their lowly cabin doors. My worthy friend and guide, the Rev. Mr. Coe, who had seen and known these interesting people before, now told them my name and errand. I passed around their little settlement, and the evening and the morning were spent in trying to do them good. I found them not like heathens. They had known Jesus their Creator and Saviour, from their youth, and the liturgy and formularies of the Church of England, with part of the book of Genesis, and the Gospel of St. Mark, translated into their own language, A. D. 1787, had been the blessed means by which this faith had been taught and handed down from their forefathers. . What a comment this, on the great utility of accompanying the translation of the scriptures, with the formularies of primitive devotion ! And what an overpowering refutation is this of the ungodly objections, made to the Christianizing of the heathen, by diffusing the light of the Holy Bible among them ! From this instance of God's blessing on the means, let Christians take courage. Their bread being cast by faith on the waters of God's providence, shall return blessed after many days; and though now through much persecu- tion, from the hosts of infidelity, they go on their way weeping, yet if they per- severe. the whole world will, like a ripe field of corn, come to the Christian faith with joy, and bring their sheaves of holy fruits with them.
19th. Divine service was performed with these Indians, on the morning of this day ; though it rained incessantly. they came in goodly numbers, and seemed with one heart and voice to join in the responses, as the prayers were read by
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myself, and repeated by an elderly person in their language. By their apparent simplicity and godly sincerity, I was reminded of the accounts given us of the Apostolic worship.
I could not part from these most engaging people, without giving them some hopes of being benefited by the school, which had been committed to our care, through the bounty of their former benefactors. I promised to take several of their young men and boys, board and educate them, looking to God for means and ability to support nie in so great expense. And here I cannot resist the de- sire, to connect the sequel with the beginning of their history, though it destroy the order of my narrative.
Soon after my visit to the Mohawks, on Sandusky River, I mentioned the sub- ject casually, in a letter to the Secretary of State, and he most kindly mentioned it to the Secretary at War, at whose judicious disposal is committed a small fund, for benefiting the natives. Through these means God was pleased to bless the object I had in view. After performing my tour, I went again from my home, in the month of November, in my own carriage, for the promised Indian lads. The distance from my residence to their dwellings in the woods, is 100 miles. The weather was cold, and the road a part of the way very bad. Yet God ena- bled me to bear the fatigue, and crowned my errand with success. Six of the Mohawks came with me, four of whom I have seen proper to retain at the school as lads of great promise. Since that. one of another tribe has, by a private gen- tleman. been placed at the school.
The goodness of God appeared especially, when, on my arrival at my dwelling with my interesting charge, I found on iny table assurances from the Secretary at War, that I should be indemnified, for their maintenance and education. Gov- ernment will allow me $100 per annum a piece for six. Before quitting the sub- ject I cannot but add, for the benefit of the friends of this part of the human family, that the youths above mentioned, viz : John Heron, John Buckingham, Joseph Heron and John White, have behaved themselves with great propriety, have improved much in their learning, and attended to every duty with great cheerfulness : particularly have they seemed to take delight in reading and com- mitting to memory, the words of Holy Scripture, and to join with great devotion in the exercises of daily worship. How they will bear temptation, when once more thrown into the corrupt company of the baser part of our own color, who prowl around our frontiers to destroy them, I know not. They need the prayers of all, that God would convert their hearts, and cause their morality to grow on the only legitimate stock, true faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In a direct line it is 15 miles from the Mohawk dwellings to Mr. Woodward's, to whose house I rode after preaching to the Indians, and by whom I was most hospitably entertained.
20th. Rode by way of Norwalk to Milan, where I preached and performed divine service.
21st. Sunday morning, 5 o'clock, I visited a sick family, read prayers and baptized one child, on my way to Norwalk, where I preached twice, performed the morning and evening prayer, confirmed thirteen, and administered the Holy Sacrament to fourteen persons.
22d. Monday, 5 o'clock, baptized one child, and proceeded by the way of the Lake Erie road, to Cleveland, and was most hospitably entertained at Judge Brown's, in Brownhelm.
23d. Rode to Brooklyn.
21tlı. Preached and performed divine service in Cleveland.
25itlı. Went to Liverpool, and same evening preached and read prayers at Mr. Worden's.
26th. Same duty at the same place. Also administered the Holy Supper of the Lord to a few. This parish has been much neglected. Some despairing of gotlly ministrations, have left the communion of the Episcopal Church, to feed in strange pastures. Of the pain it gave me to see the prostration of the church, in this place, I can give no adequate account. Same evening rode to Mr. War- ner's.
27th. Proceeded to Medina court house, where I read prayers and preached, and the same evening rode to the center of the township.
2Sth. Sunday. In the parish of St. Paul's Church, Medina. I performed di- vine service, preached a sermon and administered the rite of confirmation to 14, and the Supper of the Lord to sixteen persons. The connection between the Rev. Mr. Searle and his parish is dissolved. And it is our most earnest prayer, that God will raise up some pious and faithful minister, to supply the spiritual needs of those who depend on his grace, and be the means of converting those who have no adequate sense of their sins. Same evening I rode to Brunswick.
. 29th. Returned to Brooklyn, where same day I preached and performed divine service, administered confirmation to five persons and performed the office of the visitation to the sick.
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30th. Again visited the sick man, the son of Col. Barber, and administered the Lord's Supper to thirteen persons. Same day, rode 15 miles to Mr. Jolin Clark's, and in the evening performed service and preached in the school house. 31st. Rode to Unionville, Ashtabula county.
Sept. 1. Performed divine service and preached, and confirmed two persons. IIere I was met by the Rev. Mr. Hall.
2d. Rode to Ashtabula and prcached same evening at the school house.
3d. Went to the southern part of the township, performed divine service and preached, and same day returned to the village.
4th. Sunday, I preached twice, confirmed cleven persons, and administered the holy communion to thirty-eight persons. God's blessing, evident upon the ministrations of the pious and zealous pastor of his flock in Astabula, leaves no room for human commendation. If such were multiplied, the church would flourish cven in the woods.
5th. This day I rode to Mr. Crowel's in Rome, and performed divine service, and preached in the evening.
6th. Proceeded to Windsor, where I administered the holy communion to twenty-seven, and confirmed four persons. The Rev. Mr. Hall preached, and thence returned to his parish.
7th. I rode to Batavia, preached and performed divine service, confirmed five persons, and administered the holy communion to twelve.
8th. Rode to Warren, and in the evening prcached and performed divine ser- vice, in the court house. The audience was very large and attentive.
9th. Proceeded to Youngstown. Here also in the midst of a respectable con- gregation, the same duties were performed.
10th. At Poland, in addition to the evening service, and a sermon, I baptized two children.
11th. Sunday, rode to Boardman, where I officiated morning and evening, ad- ministered the communion to twenty-six, and confirmed three persons, baptized four adults and four children. The congregation, though so crowded as scarcely to admit of the administration of the ordinances, was most attentive and rever- ential, during the great length of the services, and two sermons. In the inter- mission I administered the communion to a sick woman.
12th. Monday, rode to Canfield, performed divine service and preached, and baptized one child, and visited a sick personl.
13tlı. At New Lisbon, my horse being injured, a friend, Mr. Blocksome, kindly provided me with a wagon, in which I rode with great comparative case, to Steu- benville,
15th. Where I preached and performed divine service.
16th. Rev. Mr. Morse read prayers, and myself preached.
17th. The same duties were performed. The Rev. Mr. Morse having prepared all things for the presentation of the persons for confirmation, and the adminis- tration of the holy communion in Steubenville, went to Cross Creek, and there officiated on the 18th. while on the same day, in Steubenville, I performed morn- ing and evening prayer, preached twice, administered the communion to about sixty, confirmed thirty-two persons, and baptized one adult.
19th. Rev. J. Armstrong joined me at Steubenville, and accompanied me to Cross Creek. Here, assisted by my two Rev. Brethren, I performed the holy office of consccrating St. James' Church. It is a neat wood building environed entirely by a deep oaken forest. And when I saw it crowded and surrounded by some hundreds of immortal souls, anxious to benefit by the approaching solemnitics, the pleasure I felt seemed a full reward for many of my past troubles. I blessed God and took courage. The prayers were read by the Rev. Mr. Armstrong, and the sermon delivered by myself. Fifty persons were confirmed, and seventy-three received the communion. The day is worthy of fond remembrance, for it was a day of much joy and comfort in the Holy Ghost. The Rev. Mr. Morse and my- self, returned the same day to Steubenville.
20th. The Rev. Mr. Morse agreeing to fulfill my appointments in Ohio till the next Sunday ; I thought it my duty to pay a visit to the owner of the lands in Knox Co., which had struck my mind so forcibly, on account of their healthy and central situation, and other excellences. This gentleman residing in Browns- ville, Pensylvania, the whole of four days was necessarily consumed in going and coming (about 100 miles) and in transacting the intended business. Tliis was getting from Mr. Hogg, the owner of the lands alluded to, a proposition to sell them at a reduced price, as a site for our Seminary and College. This was accomplished in company witlı Bezaleel Wells, Esq. of Steubenville, whose kind advice and assistance in this business, I hereby most gratefully acknowledge.
23d. I preached and performed service in Wheeling, Va., on my return.
24th. I was again in Ohio. At St. Clairsville I again met the Rev. Mr. Arm- strong, who performed the evening service in the church, and myself preached.
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25th. I preached and performed service both morning and evening, and admin- istered the communion to thirty. No confirmations. The Rev. Mr. Armstrong assisted at the communion, and preached in the evening. Mr. A. having ceased the regular performance of his duties in this parish, they are left in a most des- titute state, and I fear, if not soon supplied, will lose entirely their onee flourish- ing condition. But this remark is so common to most of our parishes, that to apply it here seems to need an apology.
26th. Rode to Morristown, where I performed the morning service, adminis- tered the communion to four persons, confirmed two, and baptized one adult and one child, and then rode to Barnesville, 8 miles.
27th. Procceded to Little Beaver, and the same evening performed service and preached.
28th. Wednesday, the congregation assembled in the woods. The morning prayer was read, a sermon preached, one adult baptized, seventeen confirmed, and eigliteen received the sacrament of the Lord's Supper ; after which I rode to Mr. Bryan's.
29th. Rode to Lexington, in Monroe Co., preached and performed service at Mr. Orsborne's. Same evening rode three miles and baptized three children.
30th. Went back to Mr. Orsborne's, where morning service was again per- formed, and the cominunion administered to nine persons. Here measures were duly taken to organize a parish of Episcopalians, which has since been completed according to law. The same day I rode to Duck Creek, and the next day,
Oct. 1st. I arrived at Zanesville.
2d. Sunday. Morning and evening prayers, and a sermon. The sacrament was administered to eighteen persons.
3d. Proceeded thirty-one miles, and next day,
4th. Was again in the parish of St. Matthew's, Coshocton Co. Here I again visited the good Mr. Wilson, and with him performed holy offices, and baptized his grandchild.
Being now about 11 miles from the lands proposed by Mr Hogg, as the site of our future Seminary, according to a previous appointment with a friend, I went again to see them ; and on a re-examination, found them to exceed my former estimation. This was done on
5th and 6tlı. In company with Messrs. Trimble, Rawden and Melick.
7th and 8th. I returned to my residence in Worthington, where, and at Dela- ware, Columbus and Berkshire, I continued to officiate till, returning from the latter place, after performing divine service on Sunday, December 4th, my horse stumbled and threw me on the frozen ground, with great violence. By the effects of this injury on my hip joint I was confined till Christmas day, when I officiated, though on crutches, in Worthington, and administered the holy communion to about fifty.
An account of the remainder of my clerical duties will be here deferred, till I shall have said something of our Seminary, and of my endeavors to fulfill my duties in relation to it.
Having obtained the means to complete the education of young men for the reception of degrees, in the arts and sciences, it seemed no more than reasonable and just, that the President and Professors, by whom they were educated, should have the power of conferring these degrees. Accordingly I thought it my duty to petition the civil government for such a privilege ; and I am most happy to state to this Convention that the prayer was granted with unusual unanimity and cheerfulness. The name and style under which they are empowered to confer degrees is that of "The President and Professors of Kenyon College in the State of Ohio,"-thus expressing our respect, and perpetuating our gratitude to one of our principal benefactors in England, and through him to all in that coun - try, who have done us good, or taken an interest in our welfare.
Soon after the commencement of the session of Congress I preferred a petition to our national legislature, for the remissions of duties on donations made by our friends in England to our Theological Seminary ; but hearing that it was likely to meet with some difficulty, and greatly desirous of obtaining the grant of some lands, to aid our endeavors to cherishi a College for general learning, I thought it my duty to proceed immediately to Washington City. I had other motives also for leaving the Diocese. They were those arising from an anxious desire to obtain a few faithful ministers, to keep our church alive in Ohio. I had written much and often : I wished to see if a personal interview with some of the Atlantic clergy would not effeet something. In trying to accomplish these several objects, I have to acknowledge the kindness of all with whom I had intercourse in our national district, and to bless God that I became so extensively acquainted with the worthies of our nation. I had assurances from the committee of the Senate to whom my petition was referred, that the duties on our presents from England would be remitted. The petition for a donation of lands to our College is deferred till another year.
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Our hopes of obtaining the assistance of some faithful ministers, to aid in the great work of sustaining the church in Ohio, are not lost. God grant that the sympathetic expressions which every where met my car from our dear brethren at the East, end not in the cold comfort of words only !
But the great and crowning blessing which by God's mercy resulted from my late journey to the East, was the reduction made by Mr. William Hogg, in the price of his lands in Knox Co. and the favorable and additional extent in the time of payment. The price agreed on last summer, was the original cost and charges, nearly $24,000 for 8,000 acres. From this, Mr. Hogg, considering the magnitude and usefulness of the object to which the lands were to be applied, most munificently agreed to deduct 6,000 dollars, putting the land at $2 25 per acre, though they are of the finest quality, and rising of 700 acres are under cul- tivation. This quantity is from actual survey and measurement. In my circu- lar, I stated from the assurances of those deemed well informed judges that it was 1000 acres.
This placed Mr. Hogg's proposition in such a favorable point of view, that I thoughit it my duty to make it public by a circular notice, which, with the advice of some of the standing committee, I issued at Portsmouth, on the 23d March last. The object of this circular was, to give all an opportunity of examining the land, and of coming, as I trust you have done to this Convention, with minds prepared to give a righteous judgment. Such has been the general approbation of the plan, and such the just liberal support with which it has inet, that we all have great reason to be fervently grateful, for the divine blessing which has attended . our feeble endeavors for his glory. Mr. Hogg's proposition, together with the subscriptions in aid of the plan it empraces, will be laid before you.
On my way to the eastward I preached once in Granville and Newark, twice in Zanesville, and once at St. Clairsville, in Ohio. Out of the Diocese, four times in Washington City, thrice in Georgetown, thrice in Alexandria, in the District of Columbia, and twice in Wheeling ; on my return, I again visited Steubenville, and preached twice. Passing down the Ohio river, at Marietta I officiated four times, at Portsmouth thrice, baptized five children, confirmed five persons, and admin- istered both in public and to a sick person in private, the Supper of the Lord.
Hearing here of the sickness of my family, I hastened home, where I arrived on the last day of March, 1826, having traveled since I left home, rising of 1000 miles.
Since this time, God has enabled me to do duty a number of Sundays in the neighboring parishes, and to perform a journey of 310 miles, through the coun- ties of Delaware, Licking, Coshocton, Holmes, Wayne. Richland, and Knox ; in all which I preached and performed divine service twenty -four times, and bap- tized twelve children. In the town of Newark, Licking County, I organized, ac- cording to the usages of the Church, and the statutes of the State, a new parish, by the name of the "Parish of Trinity Church, Newark." And while I mention this it may not be irrelevant to state, that three other parishes have been organ- ized, during the past year. St. Luke's Church in Marietta, St. John's in Spring- field township, Jefferson County, and St. Mark's in Columbia, Lorain County. St. John's effected entirely through the instrumentality of the Rev. Mr. Morse, St. Luke's through that of our pious and excellent lay-brother, A. Nye, Esq., and St. Mark's by the zealous exertions of Mr. C. P. Bronson, a candidate for Orders.
Concerning the distribution of Lady Rosse's bounty, for encouraging the im- mediate erection of churches in small parishes, I state that I have promised to St. Peter's, Delaware, nearly completed, $100; St. Matthew's, Perry, roofed and floored, $100 ; St. Mark's, Mill creek, to be roofed and floored the present summer, $100; Christ Church, Beaver, commencing, $100; St. Peter's, Morristown, $44,- 41-$414,44.
Of the 52 Sundays in a year, 19 have been spent in the parishes nearest my present residence, viz : 2 in ministrations at Berkshire ; 4 at Columbus ; 5 at Delaware ; 8 at Worthington : 4 were spent out of the Diocese ; 2 on a bed of suffering ; 27 in visiting the scattered parishes ; though as yet they have not all been visited ; particularly those in the northwest and western parts of the State.
In Worthington, I have done all the extra duty in my power, though often I have lamented, that the great benefit of parochial visits could not, under the great pressure of my extensive correspondence be rendered to them. If the few moments which I have enjoyed at home, have been dedicated to writing by night and by day, to the cares of a family of forty in number, and to overseeing the destinies of our Seminary and College; my deficiencies in the pleasing work of parochial and social visitations, must and will be pardoned. Let those who make complaints of this nature, spend their breath rather in prayer, that God would, into his almost deserted field, send forth laborers, able as well as willing to do their duty.
During the last year I have baptized 63. Confirmed 177, and omitted in last
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year's report 30-207. Administered the Holy Communion, 22 times. Held ser- vice and preached within the Diocese 144, without Diocese 12-156. The number of miles I have traveled, including my journey to Washington, 2403.
I have consecrated one church, and solemnized several funerals and marriages. In the discharge of all which duties I do hereby acknowledge and confess iny own unworthiness, and would proclaim, if I had language, the deep sense I have of the directing and supporting hand of our Almighty and most merciful Saviour Jesus Christ.
To this crowded summary of public duty, and dry account of the state of our poor Church in the State of Ohio, I have room to add but little concerning our in- fant Seminary. This continnes to increase in friends, both at home and abroad. Having been placed as it was designed from the beginning, under the ultimate control of the House of Bishops and General Convention, no danger is apprehen- ded. So long as the fathers of our Church walk in the ways of truth and godli- ness, so long must this Seminary follow in their steps. In this light our institu- tion is viewed, I am most happy to state, by the father of our present House of Bishops, the venerable Bishop of Philadelphia. In his letter to me of May the 6th, he is pleased to speak in these most friendly terms :
" It gratifies me to find from various publications, that your College is in successful progress. Unquestionably, our source of supply of ministers for the Western states, must be the education of natives of those regions. That under the blessing of heaven your exertions towards this work may be effectual, is the wish and prayer of your affectionate Brother, WM. WHITE.
I have thought it my duty to make the above quotation, verbatim, to vindicate the character of this venerable prelate from the slander which some have sought to cast upon it by representing him as opposed to our plans for the establish- ment of a Theological Seminary and College in Ohio.
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