USA > Ohio > Journals of the annual conventions of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Ohio > Part 6
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But after all, there is another way of giving support to the ministers of Christ, more noble, more effectual in itself, and more dear to them, than the offering of all your treasure. And what may this be? It is that of giving your hearts to God, and your lives to his service. This will be more than meat and drink to tlicm; this will cheer and animate their hearts, in the gloomiest hours of worldly depression ; this will sustain them in all their labors, and comfort them in all their sorrows. Yes, my beloved Brethren of the Laity. I may boldly say that I speak the united voice of all worthy Clergymen, when I repeat to you, that it is not yours, but you, they seek.
Offer unto God but a broken spirit, and a contrite heart; know and feel the power of religion on your souls, and practice its holy precepts in your lives ; and your worldly substance shall not be so much as named to you. A stable for the birth place of our children, and a manger for their cradle, are no worse than our adored Lord was treated withal ; and why should his ministers complain? Clothe us with "sheep skins and goat skins;" let us wander among you, having not where to lay our heads, but on the cold ground; with the wild wood and the canopy of Heaven for our covering ; let our drink be water, and our only food the coarsest bread ; let us but see you and your children seek first the kingdom of Heaven, and its righteousness, and all other things. in respect of ourselves, shall be as nothing : a crown of glory, laid up for us in the eternal world, will outweigh them all.
My discourse to the Clergy and Laity, is now finished. It remains to give a statement of my official duties, since we last met in Convention, with some re- flections on the state of the Diocese.
Before commencing an account of my episcopal duties, I will give a bricf statement of the parishes which are more immediately under my charge. - These are those of Worthington, Columbus, Delaware and Berkshire: in superin- tending and ministering to which, I employ all my time, except that which is devoted to diocesan duties; the duties, which I owe to the school, committed to ny care, as president of Worthington College; and the duties, whichi I owe to my family. The number of communicants, who usually attend at the altar, in Worthington, has increased to upwards of ninety, and the deportment of the congregation is rubrical and devout, in no common degree. The baptisms liave been numerous. The other three parislies, which, of necessity, can have but a small portion of my time, have, nevertheless, increased in numbers, respectabil- ity, and prospects of perinaneney. The number of communicants in each, is about twelve. The observation will apply to all, when I say, that, although, by reason of the peculiar embarrassments of the times, they have been so depressed in their pecuniary concerns as to afford me but a partial support, yet their kind- ness and good will towards me have been unvaried : and the same is now acknowledged, with gratitude.
On the 6th day of June, 1819, I administered the Holy rite of Confirmation, in Worthington, to seventy-nine persons: and soon after took my journey to the South.
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At Circleville, I held divine service ; and at Chillicothe spent the Sunday.
Having passed on to Portsmouth, at the junction of the Scioto with the Ohio river, I organized a parish, and confirmed six persons. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered to twelve persons, and a number, both adults and infants, were baptized.
At Chillicothe, on my return, I held divine service several times ; and on the 26th of June, I administered Confirmation to fourteen persons. Most deeply is it regretted that the respectable parish in this city have not, hitherto, been success- ful in their endeavors to obtain a Clergyman. Lay reading, though it may serve for a time to cherish the flame of piety, and preserve a taste for the beauty of our primitive service, yet, if it be relied on for a permanency, or be conducted by persons who, however excellent in other respects, are not dedicated to tlie service of the Church, nor can be supposed thoroughly acquainted with her Rubrics, Canons, and established usages; a habit of coldness ensues, in regard to the Sac- raments and Apostolic Ordinances, much to be lamented.
Taking Zanesville in my way liome, I spent the Sunday with the Rev. Mr. Morse, and with him attended divine service on the 4th day of July.
I performed duties, in my Episcopal character, at Delaware and Berkshire. In the former, on the 18th of August, I confirmed seventeen, and in the latter, on the 5th of September, thirteen persons.
In Columbus, on the 12th of September, I confirmed ten persons ; and soon after this, took my journey to the north and west part of the state.
It would be tiresome to you, and perhaps ostentatious in myself, were I to go into the particulars of this tour; a tour of more than five hundred miles, before I again visited the place of my residence. It was undertaken, with no prospects of earthly reward ; but, to do my duty, and perform the service of our heavenly Master. The consciousness of this truth, supported me through all my fatigues; made trivial the frowns and scoffs of the proud; heightened the greetings of my friends ; made my hours, by day, glide sweetly on; and filled my night dreams with pleasant images.
I took my course towards the Rocky River; which I reached in safcty. After having visited and performed divine service, at Columbia, I administered the Holy Sacrament to a number, and confirmed ten persons at Liverpool : this took place on the 25th of September.
The same day, at evening, I performed divine service at Medina county seat; and the next, being Sunday, I rode to the dwelling place of the Rev. Mr. Searle. Although, both himself, and Mrs. Searle, were in ill health, (a circumstance which precluded him from attending me that part of my tour,) yet he was able to attend the Sacrament. He also presented for confirmation nine persons. This was on Sunday, the 26th of September last.
At Cleveland, on the 27th, I performed divine service; and, the next day, Tuesday, 28tlı, I confirmed ten, and administered the Holy Communion to several persons.
I was at Ashtabula on Wednesday night; visited a number of families; and performed divine service on Thursday, and on Friday, the first of October, administered the rite of Confirmation to eight persons.
Wine, for the Holy Communion, being not to be had, that Sacrament was omitted. The same day, I rode to the township of Rome; on Saturday, reached Windsor; and in the afternoon, performed divine service. The day following, Sunday, the 3d of October, thirty-four persons were confirmed; and the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was well attended. On my way to Canfield, I performed divine service in Warren and Boardman. In Canfield, on the evening of the 6th of October, I also performed divine service; and on the 7th, adminis- tered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and confirmed sixteen.
In the evening of the same day, divine service was again attended, in the samc place. During the two following days, I rode to Steubenville; and on Sunday, the 10th of October, I held morning and evening service in that place.
Being joined by the Rev. Mr. Morse, at Cadiz, and in the evening, attending divine worship with him at that village; we came together, the next day, to Zanesville; wliere, on Thursday, I performed the public services of the Church; and, the two following days, I arrived at my dwelling, in this place.
I have put the events of my northern tour together, not that they were desti - tute of interesting matter for many observations; but, that I might not, unnecessarily, fatigue you, who have so patiently listened to me, in the discharge of my duty, thus far. I could tell you of the hospitality and kindness shown to me in every place : I could tell you how firmly many are attached to primitive truth, as it is set forth in our Church; and low ardently others are seeking after it. But, of all these, I forbear. The effect of the whole, on my mind, has been cheering ; and prompteth the oblation of my grateful heart, to the Great Head of the Church, who hath not left us comfortless. Yet, I cannot repress my dcep
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of the Diocese of Ohio.
1820.]
regrets at seeing such a dearth of Clergymen, when there are so many to feed. " The harvest is plentcous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into the harvest."
In the latter part of October last, I visited Cincinnati, and tarried there two Sundays. During which period, the services of our Church, by the assistance of the Rev. Mr. Johnston, were performed as often as practicable. Every kindness was shown me, which a grateful heart could name. I pray the Lord to bless them, and to stir up their hearts, and awaken them to do his service. Bless him, O God! bless thy servant, who ministers among them. Make thy word, by his mouth, powerful; that the harvest of his labors may be abundant. On the 31st of October, cight persons were confirmed. The Communion was administercd at the same time : the congregation was large, and their deportment solemn and devout.
While at Cincinnati, I visited a neighborhood on the banks of the Little Miami; and performed service at the house of Col. Biggs. On my way to and from Cincinnati, I performed divine service several times at Dayton; where they have since taken measures to become a parish, and a legal body corporate. It seems, though young, a society of much promise.
The Rev. Joseph Doddridge, who resides on the Virginia side of the Ohio, still continues kindly to extend his pious labors to this State. I have thought fit, therefore, at his request, and that of my council of advice, to give him letters missionary, to entitle him, according to our Diocesan Constitution, to a seat in our Convention.
The Rev. Thomas Osborne, Presbyter, is appointed Professor in the College at Cincinnati. His letters dimissory, from the Rt. Rev. Bishop Bowen, of South Carolina, assure me of his regular standing in the Church, and of his ability, under God, to do much good.
I have admitted Philander Chase, Junr. as a candidate for Holy Orders, on letters dimissory, accompanied with certificates of his good character, from tlie Rt. Rev. Bishop Griswold, of the Eastern Diocesc.
I have deferred to mention another event, which took place since we last met, because of its solemn nature and most afflicting sequel.
On the 6th day of Junc, 1819, the Sunday following the adjournment of this Convention, I admitted to the Holy Order of Deacons the Rev. Benjamin Birge, of Lexington, Kentucky. We have lately received the painful intelligence of his deceasc.
Had he been a member of this Diocese, it were proper, in this place, for the benefit of religion, to mention his pious example, and drop a tear over his un- timely grave. As it is, we cannot refrain from giving vent to our feelings in a few words. From his recommendations to the ecclesiastical authority of this Diocese, as well as from the universal report of his amiable and pious manners, joined to his respectable examination on the subjects of theology, and his cor- rect deportment while among us, we had reason to esteem and love him. The church at large, and especially that portion of our primitive Zion this side the mountains, had good cause to rejoice, in the mild influence which his example and correct principles would shed o'er her prospects. The morn of his life was clear, and the sky serenc; and we did hope to see its meridian splendid, and full of good fruits : but the shades of night, the night of the grave, liavc intervened; he is taken from our view and sleeps with his fathers. Fond memory, however, does not so soon leave him ; we mark his youthful footsteps ; recall to our minds his words ; and linger on the places where he gave evidence of a renewed heart and Christian zeal. From all these, we learn our present loss and his gain : that while we mourn, he rejoices : and that, though our infant Church in the West feels the loss of this excellent young man, yet we have sufficient proof of his present blessedness, to make us dry our tears, and stifle every wish that he had continued longer among us. Besides this, our faith lays our resignation on the broad principle of the infinite wisdom and goodness of God; that, though "his way is in the waters and his footsteps are not known," yet, whatever he doetli is just, right, and good; and, if improved aright, all his dispensations shall turn out for the good of those who love and obey himn.
The Convention adjourned till four o'clock.
[WEDNESDAY, 4 O'CLOCK, P. M.]
The Convention assembled, agreeably to adjournment.
The Rev. Samuel Johnston, was, by ballot, elected Secretary of the Convention.
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On motion,
Resolved, That the rules observed by this house, at their last Convention, be now adopted.
The Clergy were called on for their Reports, required by the 45th Canon of the General Convention, which were presented and read, and, as required by the said Canon, inserted on the Journals :
The following is an extract from the Report of the Rev. Joseph Doddridge, M.D., Missionary, to the Bishop :--
Since the Convention, held at this place, two years past, I have regularly at- tended the congregations of St. Thomas', in St. Clairsville, and St. James', in Jefferson county, until last fall : the congregation of St. Peter's, at Morristown, and that of Seneca. in Monroe county, occasionally. Considering the small amount of clerical services which these places receive, the good work appears to be going on well.
The Parish of St. James' Church, Cross Creek, is, for this country, numerous. The communicants are about fifty.
It is with great regret, I announce the necessity of lessening the extent of my clerical labors. Age is fast approaching, and I am not wealthy. It is my duty to provide something for my family, and I am sorry to say that, in the present state of our affairs, this duty cannot be discharged by the means of the emolu- ments of the ministry. I shall, however, do all I can, for the interest of our spiritual Zion, while, at the same time, I place my principal reliance on my Medical profession, as means of support for myself and family.
The Rev. Thomas A. Osborne, Professor of Languages in the Cincinnati College, reports to the Bishop as follows :-
Since my arrival in Cincinnati, from the Diocese of South Carolina, in Decem- ber last, I have preached eighteen times, in different parts of the State; viz: in Cincinnati six times. for the Rev. Mr. Johnston, whilst engaged on a missionary tour, through the adjacent parishes ; in Dayton three times; in Xcnia once; in Round Bottom once ; at Walnut Hills once; and at Hamilton six times. I would bcg leave to observe, that the distance of some of the above places from the City, is such as will render it impossible for me to visit them often, in the winter; nor yet as frequently as I could wish, in the summer season ; especially, when it is considered, that, in the performance of my professional duties, my attendance is required in the College chapcl, every second Sabbath. In Hamilton, however, I have made an engagement to officiate one Sunday in the month, as long as circumstances will admit.
As to the prospects of our Church within the limits described, and the progress of Christian zeal in the maintenance of true Christian principles, what I could say is more fully and satisfactorily given in the report of the Rev. Mr. Johnston, whose opportunities and means of observation have been more extensive than mine.
The calling of the laborer, in the cultivation of the spiritual vineyard of our blessed Saviour, should be diligent and persevering; whether the same be to plant, or to water, the increase must be of God alone, who will bless, in his own appointed time, the means he has instituted for accomplishing his own purposes. And we humbly trust, that he will, of his infinite mercy, command his blessing to descend, as the refreshing dew of heaven, to cherish and adorn the tender vine, which his own right hand hath planted in this western region.
The Rev. Samuel Johnston reports to the Bishop as follows :--
The state of the congregation, under my Parochial cure, is nearly the same as given in a former report. It gradually increases in numbers, and, we trust, in piety. We hope the divine blessing will eventually smile on the means of grace that are used for the increase of spiritual knowledge and practical holiness. I observe an increasing attachment to the doctrines, worship and government of our Apostolie Church.
Could we see more zeal in the cause of Christian truth. more engagedness in the concerns of eternity, increasing the number of the professors of religion, it would give cause of gratitude to God, and be a happy era to our infant Zion.
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of the Diocese of Ohio.
1820.]
The congregation last fall were gratified by witnessing the solemnities of the holy rite of Confirmation. The effects of this ordinance were useful, and must leave lasting impressions on all serious persons, especially the young.
The number of communicants has increased some, within the last year; but not so much as might reasonably be expected.
It is with pleasure that I notice many of our people observe the festivals and fasts of the Church. They never can be celebrated, without the most salutary effects of reverence towards God for his wonderful dispensations, and humility under a sense of our unworthiness.
The Sunday School, under the instruction of some young gentlemen and ladics of the Parish, is in the highest state of prosperity and affords sufficient cause of gratitude to God, that their voluntary labors are so abundantly erowned with success. The prayers. the eatechisms, the scriptural lessons and pious counsels, that their tender pupils learn, are of so useful and important a nature, that incal- culable blessings must flow to the Church, and to the community at large. One hundred and fifty interesting children are punctual in their attendance at Church, are faithful to their tasks, and unite in solemn worship to tlie God of their fathers.
Families, 75; marriage, 1; baptisms-adults, 2; infants, 16-18; communicants -last year, 20; removals, 6; additions, 21; present number, 35.
I have performed, as often as has been in my power, third services, on Sun- days; and weekly lectures, in the towns in this vicinity.
In the State of Kentucky, services have been held in Newport, at Petersburg, and at the United States Arsenal.
In Indiana, I have preached twice at Lawrenceburgh; where, in time, I trust a parislı may be formed.
In Chillicothe, services were performed one Sunday.
In the Miami country, I have performed divine service at Elizabethtown once; at the North Bend once; one Sunday at Milford ; Millcreek township once; Frank- lin once; one Sunday at Newtown.
Hamilton I have visited three times, and preached to an attentive and serious congregation. There are several regular Episcopal families in the place, and tlie Church must ultimately be established.
Lebanon I have visited four times, and performed the worship of our Church. They only want the occasional services of a clergyman, to have a promising con- gregation. The Presbyterians and Methodists were very kind in allowing us the usc of their houses of worship.
Xenia has been visited once; and some Episcopalians were found, who would be lappy to see the Church planted among them.
Dayton I have visited twice, and was treated with much urbanity and hospi- tality. The Cliureh here is respectable, and establislied on a firm footing. Its members manifest a zeal that would do credit to our older and more populous congregations. Seldom can there be discovered a more correct knowledge of tlic Church, or a more inquisitive disposition to be acquainted with its principles. There are some individuals in it who are zealously affected in a good cause, and spare no pains that the Church shall rise in the splendor of her primitive services, and cominand the admiration of Christians.
Springfield was visited, on my way to the Convention ; and more Episcopalians were found in it than is usual in towns of its size. I preached to them four times, baptized one child, and articles for a parish association were drawn up and signed.
At Urbana public worship was attended twice, and two children were baptized. Could a clergyman be settled in the Miami country, making Dayton a central point, lie would have a pleasant circuit, and would find no part of the Diocese wlicre, with the divine blessing, he could be more useful.
It is with pleasure that I acknowledge the services of my worthy friend, the Rev. Mr. Osborne, who has officiated for me several times, and is instrumental in building up the Church in the adjacent country.
Could the members of our communion in the Atlantic States realize our desti- tute situation, missionaries would no longer be wanting, nor funds for their sup- port. We have sanguine hopes that the Philadelphia Missionary Society, which lias already donc great good, will adopt somc plan, with the General Convention, for this all-important object of searching for the poor and wandering sheep in the wilderness, that they inay imitate their blessed Master, in secking to save that which was lost.
While we lament the dearth of clergymen in our own State, we cannot but sympathize with our Episcopal brethren, in their deserted condition, in Indiana, Tennessee, Illinois, and Mississippi, who are without one clergyman of the church of their fathers. Wlien we consider that all other denominations are zealous in the propagation of tlicir principles, is it not singular that we, who profess to be the purest Church in Christendom, possessing suchi abundant mneans, should be so far deficient in the important duty of sending missionaries where they are so 6
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much wanted? May the zeal, now enkindling in the hearts of our brethren in the eastern States, extend its animating and comfortable influence to the discon- solate members of our Church scattered abroad in this western world, as sheep having no shepherd.
The Rev. Intrepid Morse reports to the Bishop as follows :
During the year past, and since the last Convention, his services have been chiefly devoted to the parish of St. James, Zanesville, and St. Paul's, Steubenville : in the former, he has officiated one-half of the time, and in the latter, about one- fourth. In each of these parishes there has been an accession to the number of communicants at the altar; and, it is hoped, an increase of piety as well as of numbers. At Zanesville there are now thirty-six communicants, and at Steuben- ville twenty.
Both of these congregations, considering their infant state, are well instructed in the doctrines and discipline of the Church; and the services are performed with apparent zeal, propriety, and devotion. The distance between them is so great (nearly one hundred miles) as to prevent the ministrations of a clergyman alternately, except at considerable intervals ; but public worship, according to the liturgy, is regularly performed at Zanesville, by a lay reader ; and it is contem- plated to introduce the like practice at Steubenville, so soon as circumstances will admit, and render it expedient. The importance of such a regulation must be obvious. While our congregations are distant and small, and the services of a clergyman necessarily divided among many, under the blessing of God nothing can have a better effect towards removing prejudice, making others acquainted with the forms of the liturgy, and nourishing our own members in the ways of piety and godliness, than frequently assembling together for public worship, and, unitedly, offering up the prayers and praises of the Church with becoming fervor, spirit, and devotion.
In addition to the services already mentioned, Mr. Morse passed five Sundays at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in exchange with the Rev. Mr. Richmond ; also, one in Wheeling, Virginia; three in St. Clairsville; one in Morristown; one in Seneca parish; one in St. James' Church, Cross Creek; and two at Chillicothe.
In all these places the ministration of Episcopal clergymen is earnestly desired; and could it be obtained oftener, much good might result, as the consequence of their labors. But, in order to produce any durable impression, it is advisable that a minister reside constantly among them. The parishes in Wheeling, St. Clairs- ville, and Morristown, would form a cure convenient in point of contiguity. They have the ability and the desire to support a clergyman of the Church, who should reside among them, and officiate alternately in each; but hitherto none could be procured. It is hoped, however, they will not long remain destitute.
Mr. Morse has occasionally performed divine service and preached, on week days, in the following places, viz: Zanesville, Steubenville, and Pittsburgh; St. John's, Brooke county ; Wellsburgh and Wheeling, Virginia ; St. James', Smith- field ; Cadiz, St. Clairsville, Morristown, Barnesville, Seneca, Centre, Malaga, Somerset, (Monroe county,) Little Beaver, Cambridge, Coshocton, Granville, Somerset, Lancaster, Circleville, and Portsmouth. He has also generally cate- chized the children on Sundays; has baptized sixty children and three adults, and attended five funerals.
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