USA > Ohio > Journals of the annual conventions of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Ohio > Part 8
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Same day rode through Barnesville, to Mr. Taylor's, in the neighborhood of Morristown; and as his family had not been baptized, I spent the evening in discoursing on the nature and necessity of that holy sacrament. August 15th, Tuesday afternoon, performed divine service in Morristown; the Rev. Mr. Morse preached. At candle-lighting, the service was again performed by Mr. Morse, the scrmon by myself; and four adults and seven children were baptized. August 16th, the Rev. Mr. Morse read prayers, and myself preached, explained the lit- urgy, and administered confirmation to six persons. There having, througli mistake, been a neglect in preparing the elements, the Lord's supper was not administered. The same day we rode to St. Clairsville. On Friday, divine service was performed, a sermon preached, and one child baptized, by myself. Saturday morning, prayer was celebrated, and Mr. Morse preached a sermon. Same day, evening prayer, and a sermon by myself. This day, also, were bap- tized four adults and four children. On Sunday, August 20th, divine service was performed, confirmation administered to fourteen persons, and the sacrament of the Lord's supper to eighteen persons ;- a discourse was delivered by myself, on the obligation and efficacy of Christian ordinances. Afternoon of the same day, evening prayer, and a sermon preached by myself. At early candle-lighting, a third service, and the Rev. Mr. Morse preached.
In all our services at St. Clairsville I felt, sensibly, the blessings of divine grace, in disposing the hearts of the large congregations who attended, to apparent scriousness, and great decorum of behavior. Surely, thought I, the Lord is in this place, and will bless the ministration of his word and sacraments. It is to
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be noted, that the Rev. Mr. Morse had paid this parisli, and that of Morristown, several visits, after the Rev. Dr. Doddridge had ceased regularly to officiate among them; and much, under God, is due to these gentlemen, for their disinterested zeal.
From St. Clairsville we proceeded, through Harrisville, to Mr Finley's-the old man of whom I spake to you with so much interest, in a former communication. We found him yet alive in spirit, in faith and good works; though, in body, by reason of the palsy, almost a tenant of the grave. To attempt a full description of this second visitation to this venerable man and his numerous and affectionate family, would resemble romance rather than a grave discourse of useful facts; I cannot, therefore, indulge myself in it.
·
Though it was late in the day when we arrived, yet the family, and neighbors to a considerable distance, were quickly informed, and as quickly assembled. Divine service was performed, and a sermon and exhortation given, the same evening. It must be recollected that thesc pious families are situated in the woods, ten miles from St. James' Church, to which they belong. This distance almost precludes a great portion of them from attending divine services at St. James', were even those regularly and constantly performed there; but when it is remembered that this church is open but a small portion of the year, the neigh- borhood of the Finleys may be considered as almost destitute. In their ardent desires for the means of grace, how lamentable that they cannot be supplied ! How much good could a pious minister do here! But they lack the means, at present, of his support; consequently their case is almost hopeless. Twenty communicants received the blessed sacrament of the Lord's supper, on this day, the 22d, in Mr. Finley's cabin ;- an address was made on Christian duties by my- self; and the morning prayers were read, and a child baptized, by the Rev. Mr. Morse. How interesting these duties liere, amid such a family! The venerable man, like Jacob, surrounded by his offspring, praying for blessings on their heads, exhorting to good works, and leading the way to the kingdom of glory. Craving the Episcopal blessing, and, with tears, wishing prosperity to the Church of God, tlie good man bade us farewell.
Three o'clock, same day, prayers were read and a sermon delivered, in the vil- lage of Smithfield, a few miles from Mr. Finley's, by the Rev. Mr. Morse. An exhortation, on Christian duties, was delivered by myself. On Wednesday, tlie 23d of August, we ministered in the little church of St. James, built in the woods, in the township of Cross Creek, through the instrumentality of the Rev. Dr. Dod- dridge-who, though residing in Virginia, by letters missionary from the Bishop of Ohio, officiates some part of the time in this interesting parish. The congre- gation was large, and devout in their deportment. Mr. Morse read the prayers; the sermon and address, on Christian duties, were delivered by myself. Thirty- seven received the Lord's supper, and eighteen were confirmed. The Rev. Dr. Doddridge informed me that the communicants in this church were nearly double this number, but many of them living at a great distance, could not attend. For their united zeal in the service of Christ, may the Lord remember this parish for good; may the means of grace be more abundantly afforded them, and they themselves edified in piety and true godliness.
On the morning of the 24th, Thursday, we rode to Steubenville, one of the stated parishes of the Rev. Mr. Morse. In the evening, divine service was held; Mr. Morse read prayers, and myself delivered the sermon. Friday and Saturday, the 25th and 26th of August, the same duties were performed, and one adult bap- tized. The congregations were large and devout.
Sunday, August 27tlı, 1820. The day being uncommonly fine, a large congre- gation collected; prayers were read by the Rev. Mr. Morse, and the sermon by myself. The apostolie rite of confirmation was administered to thirty-four, and the holy sacrament of the Lord's supper to forty-five. In the afternoon, divine service and a sermon; the former by Mr. M., and the latter was delivered, though with much difficulty, by myself. At candle-lighting, the duties were performed by the Rev. Mr. Morse, my own voice having, to a painful degree, failed me.
Much is to be said in favor of this congregation of our Church in Steubenville. Considering the recent date of their first formation, few parishes have done so well. They support their clergyman for nearly one-half his time, and lively expectations are entertained that they will soon build a church.
Ôn Monday, leaving Mr. Morse in Steubenville, I rode to New Lisbon, on my way to the New Connectieut Reserve. Here, next day, I baptized one child, and rode to Canfield. Same evening performed divine service, and delivered a sermon on the doctrines and duties of Christianity.
Wednesday, the 30th of August, in Boardman, morning prayer was celebrated, one person was confirmed, and the holy sacrament of the Lord's supper was administered to twenty-one persons.
In Poland, on the 31st, I officiated, by reading the evening service and preach-
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ing a sermon to a large congregation. Two children were baptized. Owing to the ill health of the Rev. Mr. Scarle, who devotes a small part of his services in these three last mentioned places, they had been, during the last year, almost destitute. How deeply it is to be regretted that more ministers cannot be pro- cured to supply the wants of this widely extended country! To extend one minister's labors so far, is little less than, by attenuation, to destroy the force of his otherwise useful labors.
My duties made me hasten through Warren to Windsor-where, on the 2d of September, I met with the Rev. Mr. Scarle, and with him held divine service the same evening ; and the next day, Sunday, 3d of September, morning and evening services were performed, and six persons received confirmation. Through some difficulty in obtaining the elements, the Lord's supper was, with great regret, omitted. On Monday, the congregation again assembled: divine service was performed and a sermon delivered. The people seemed impressed, and disposed to act, in future, with unanimity and zeal in the eause of religion. Witli many wishes for the prosperity of this little flock, I bade them adieu; and on Tuesday, tlic 5th of September, held divine service in Rome, a settlement about twelve miles from Windsor. The Rev. Mr. Searle read prayers, and myself delivered the ser- mon. There are only two members of our communion in this place.
On the 6thi we rode to Ashtabula, and were treated with great kindness. After visiting several families, divine service was performed and a discourse delivered, on the 7th, in a convenient building erected for the useful purpose of a school liouse on week days, and a place of worship on Sundays, by the members of the Church in the eastern part of this township. The congregation was large, and gave many proofs of their attachment to the canse of primitive Christianity, in their correct and pious behavior during my stay among thiem.
On the 9th, divine service was held, on the ridge road, in Ashtabula township, where a considerable congregation attended. This, as it is proposed, will con- stitute a part of the same parish with the place last mentioned : services to be performed alternately in cach.
Ashtabula township, Ridge road, Sunday, September 10th. This day, morning and evening prayers were read, and several children baptized, by the Rev. Mr. Searle. Two sermons were preached, and confirmation administered to nine per- sons. The saerament of the Lord's supper was administered; the whole number of communicants amounting to twenty-three. In reviewing the affairs of this parish, I cannot suppress my pleasure at the cheering prospects which they exhibit. A spirit of inquiry after the truth, overcoming prejudice, and the many avocations arising out of the difficulties, troubles, and deprivations of a new country, seemed to pervade a considerable portion of this neighborhood. And wherever this disposition is cherished by piety, most beneficial are the results. We now turned our course "up lake," towards the south and west.
Near tlie village of Chagrin, at the house of J. Clarke, divine service was per- formed, on the evening of the 12th. The Rev. Mr. Searle read prayers, and the congregation, consisting of a few neighbors hastily assembled, were addressed by myself. Same duty was performed next day, in the meeting-house in Euclid. The congregation large and attentive.
Thursday, the 14th of September, confirmation was administered to twelve persons, in the parish of Trinity Church, Brooklyn, opposite Cleveland, and the holy communion to the same number. The same day I visited a sick person, and held much religious conversation with the people of this interesting parish. The Rev. Mr. Searle having proceeded on to Medina, I held, on the 15th, divine ser- vice, and preached a funeral sermon in Brooklyn; and, before I leave speaking of the small flock in this place, I must express my heartfelt approbation of their pious and correet zeal, and my ardent prayers that it may be crowned with success.
16thi of September I was at Medina, and held divine serviee in the court-room -the Rev. Mr. Scarle reading prayers. The congregation was small. Sunday, 17th of September, at the centre of the township of Medina, the holy rite of con- firmnation was administered to six persons. The whole number of communicants is twenty-one. The other services as usual, morning and evening. From Medina I went to Liverpool, a settlement on Rocky river, to the north-west. Here I found the neighborhood in great distress, by reason of recent deaths and present alarm- ing sickness. Some persons who, last year, were in good healthi, and manifested great zeal for the church and kindness to me, were now no more. I visited and prayed with the sick, and endeavored to comfort thie mourners, on the evening of the 18th and morning of the 19th of September. At 11 o'clock of the 19th, the Rev. Mr. Searle having again joined me, divine serviee was performed, and tlic holy communion was administered to as many as, in duty to the sick, could attend; and four persons were confirmed.
My duties at home imperiously demanding my presence, and having already
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spent more time than was allotted, I was obliged this day, immediately after divine service, to sct my face towards the soutli, and ride fifteen miles through an entire wilderness, to the first house. Next day I rode forty-two miles, to Mans- field; thence, the next day, about the same distance, through Frederick, to Kings- ton; and the day following, twenty miles, to my residence in Worthington.
Having traveled, on horseback, in this tour, 875 miles, and overcome so many difficulties, I felt an impression of religious gratitude to Him who spareth in mercy, directeth our path, and helpeth our infirmities, too deep and exquisite to be expressed.
From the 22d of September to the 15th of November, 1820, I spent my time at Worthington, in domestie and parochial duties-visiting Columbus, Delaware, and Berkshire, parts of my eure, each once. The same is to be said of these parishes, in relation to myself, as of those on the Reserve, in relation to the Rev. Mr. Searle. Divine services are necessarily too seldom among them to be of much essential service; and unless some assistance can be afforded, much of our labor, how[ever] indefatigable and painful it may be, will prove useless.
Having detained you so long, the account of my journey to the south and west must be more laconie. I began it on the 15th of November, and finished it on the 19th of December, having traveled 404 miles. Through the inclemency of the season, the roads were unusually bad ; but God's protecting goodness and mercy were with me. My course was from this to Springfield, Dayton, Hamilton, Cincinnati; thence across to Williamsburgh and Portsmouth; thence up the Scioto, home. My routine of duties was as constant, and the manner of per- forming them the same, as in my eastern and northern journey.
At Springfield there are many friends to the Church, earnestly desiring to unite with some other place in the support of a clergyman. If a missionary of the Church could be established there, he would have a wide field and a good soil for his ministerial labors.
At Dayton, the friends of our communion have already formed themselves into a regular parish, respectable both as to numbers and character; and they manifest their piety by their holding service every Sunday, as permitted in case of Lay Reading. Most earnestly have they expressed their desire to obtain a regular pastor, but, as yet, they have not been successful. With great cheerful- ness they would support one for half the time, even now, but none are to be liad; and, as to the other half, there is nothing, as yet, so far certain, as to induce the clergy of our Church to come many hundred miles to see them. What is to be done? The Lord help both us and them! I officiated many times in this place, and was treated with great kindness.
In Hamilton there are some pious members of the Church, who, with thou- sands of others in this expansive country, like the children of God in captivity, are sighing for the prosperity of Jerusalem, and once more to sing the songs of Zion. What will become of their children? They of necessity will soon speak the language of Babel.
I found the parish of Christ Church, Cincinnati, in a very flourishing state- giving evidence of piety worthy of the eause in which they are engaged. Meas- ures were taking, which I am since told have been effectual, to pay off the debt contracted for their church. This is much to the credit of those gentlemen who have liberally contributed to so desirable an end. May the Lord reward them in his abundant blessings, both spiritual and temporal! With the aid of the Rev. Mr. Johnston and Mr. Osborne, divine services were performed many times during my stay at Cincinnati.
On Sunday, the 2d of December, fifteen persons were confirmed, and the holy communion administered.
While at Cincinnati I rode, in company with the Rev. Mr. Johnston, to Law- renceburgh, State of Indiana, and performed divine service.
The Rev. Joab Cooper, of Cincinnati, having made, in writing, the declaration mentioned in the seventh Canon of the General Convention of 1820, it became my duty to suspend him from the exercise of the duties of the Christian minis- try, and in this manner to publish the fact.
Leaving Cincinnati, I performed the evening service and preached to a large and attentive congregation, in Williamsburgh, on the 5th of December.
Having mentioned Portsmouth, a flourishing place at the junction of the Scioto with the Ohio river, I should not obtrude any additional observations concerning it, were it not for the increased interest which that place excited, by a second visit during this last year. An unusual spirit of religious inquiry, as to the apos- tolic means of salvation, seems here to lead to very happy results. It needs but the divine blessing on the performance of our primitive services among them, even but a portion of the time, to insure great success to the Church in this place. On this second visitation, my services were almost incessant. On Sunday, the 10th of December, four adults and three children were baptized, eight persons
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were confirmed, and the holy communion was administered to an increased num- ber. Amidst many inquiries, "when will you come again to see us? and when are we to have the stated means of grace ?" I left this infant socicty, with many prayers in their behalf.
Having officiated at Piketon, on my way, I spent several days in Chillicothe. On the 13th, 14th, and 17th, divine services were performed. The holy commu- nion was administered, and two children were baptized. The members of the parish of St. Paul's Church, in this place, deserve credit for their exertions in building, even in these very difficult times, a church. The walls were up, and the building covered, when I was there; and, though its dimensions are not large, yet may it be the means of the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom!
At Circleville I performed service on the 18th, and on the 19th arrived at my dwelling, in this place. In all this year I have traveled (on horseback) 1279 miles, confirmed 174 persons, baptized many adults and infants, and, with the assist- ance of the Rev. gentlemen before mentioned, have performed divine service and preached 82 times.
In performing this almost continual and very fatiguing duty, I have found my constitution much impaired, and my voice, as you may now witness, almost gone.
With this picture before us, of the Church in this Diocese, which has been, with studied simplicity, and accompanied with plain facts, delineated, what must be our impressions, what our feelings, in relation to the great object of founding and maintaining primitive Christianity in these western regions? If the few, who have commenced this work, find it too much for them, where is the unreasonable- ness of our looking, under God, to others for aid? We see none; and accordingly turn our eyes towards the bishops, the clergy, and laity of our Church, in thic Atlantic States; and, while we pray God to incline their hearts, we beseech them not to turn a deaf ear to our entreaties that missionaries may be sent to us, assur- ed, at least, of a partial support while doing the duties of evangelists and pastors of our infant flocks. If, in the minds of some of them, the time has not yet come for so great a blessing ; if it be asserted that the laborers are not yet quite pre- pared to come into the field; we answer that, as the field is already white unto the harvest, the time will soon come when it will be too late to send them. The professors of religion and the friends of our primitive Church, dismembered and isolated as they are, in this wilderness, will very soon have fallen, like ripe wheat, to the earth, leaving nothing but the weeds of ignorance, infidelity and sin, to supply their place. And how bitter will be the reflection, a few years hence, in the bosom of every sincere and pious Episcopalian throughout the American Church, on being told that the golden opportunity of promoting the establish- mens of primitive Christianity "beyond the mountains," has been lost-lost perhaps forever.
What would the Episcopal Church, now so flourishing in these United States, have been without the aid, which once she so gratefully received, from her friends beyond the seas? The same, we answer, as there is reason to believe we soon shall be, should she not extend to us, and that speedily, what she once received from others-the benefit of able and pious missionaries. That this observation is as just as it is alarming, may be seen by alluding to a few facts. The Diocese of Ohio includes a greater area than all the inhabited parts of New England. In this wide extent of country there are between forty and fifty places where there are members and friends of our Church who have either already formed, or, had they any hopes of regular ministrations, are ready to form, themselves into regu- lar parishes. To supply these, there are only five parochial clergymen, including the Bishop and the Rev. Dr. Doddridge; the latter of whom, from his residing in Virginia, and having parishes there, can devote but a part of his time, as a missionary, in this State. And what are all these, among so many ? Are we supplied with clergymen? Is the vineyard of our Lord supplied with laborers ? What would our brethren in the Atlantic States say to such questions as these, had they clergymen to average but one for each State, and of course obliged to travel some hundreds of miles to perform his parochial duty? This is literally true of us; and its being so prompts the observation, as melancholy as it is true, that the present laborers, if they have no assistance from abroad, in endeavoring to do so much, may soon find their strength brought down in their journey, and their day shortened. And will the pastors and friends of the Church of God, in other parts of our country, see this with indifference? We hope not; we believe not. We have but to make our NECESSITIES KNOWN, and we shall obtain relief.
If, from any statements of congratulation, on the extension of the Church to the west, the idca has obtained, in the cast, that the filling of the Episcopate of Ohio secured the education of clergymen, and their maintenance in our infant parishes, the statement of facts throughout this address will prove this idea, of all others, the most delusive and detrimental to our prosperity. It prevents, and it is feared has already prevented that aid, which we might otherwise have re-
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ceived, to keep us from premature extinction. Our Church, in this Diocese, has no funds ; the Episcopate has no funds; our little school, now under our foster- ing, anxious care, has none, not even to a penny's amount, in paying the teachers, who rely solely on a very limited tuition for subsistence; and our parishes are poor and scattered. What, therefore, is there, short of a miracle of grace from above, which can save us, should this unhappy idca prevail, that we are now competent to the work of spreading the knowledge and practice of primitive Christianity throughout this new world of the west ?
BRETHREN AND GENTLEMEN OF THIS CONVENTION :- If from the subject now laid before you, there should be a conviction in your minds, as there is in mine, that the Church cannot prosper and hardly exist west of the mountains, and particularly in this State, without the aid of more laborers than we can either prepare, send forth, or support; the way and means to obtain relief, are the proper subjects of our consideration. For this purpose I recommend :
1st. The formation of a Diocesan Missionary Society among ourselves; that the hands of all may be joined in doing what we can.
2d. That an address stating the urgency of the case be framed, and by a per- son duly authorized be presented personally to the Right Rev. the Bishops, praying not only for ministers, but for liberty to solicit the several congregations and individuals, throughout their respective Dioceses, for means to support them.
3d. That you do join in recommending the appointment of a day of humilia- tion, fasting and prayer, in which all the members of our communion throughout this Diocese, may, as in duty bound, assemble themselves together in their respec- tive places of worship, confess their sins, implore mercy and forgiveness of Almighty God, our Heavenly Father; and entreat his grace, to amend their lives according to His Holy Word. In which also, they may more particularly bescech the Great Head of the Church. to take pity on that part of his mystical body. which he has begun to rear in this western country; that he would guard and protect it from the power of the Enemy; that he would not leave it comfortless, to perish for the lack of heavenly food; but send forth, and maintain faithful ministers, to guide, foster, and feed it, lest it become even now in its infant state, extinct, and be no morc seen.
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