USA > Ohio > Journals of the annual conventions of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Ohio > Part 9
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4th. It is recommended that the resolution of the House of Bishops, passcd May 27th, 1817, enjoining the solemn duty on the Clergy, to warn with disereet and earnest zeal, the people belonging to their several cures, of the danger of an indulgence in those worldly pleasures, which may tend to withdraw their affcc- tions from spiritual things, be placed again on our minutes. In recommending this last measure, I think it my duty to state, that the same reasons exist here, which seem to have prompted the resolution above named, to the consideration of the Rt. Rev. the Bishops, at the time of its passage. To prove ourselves sin- cere in seeking, and worthy of receiving, the means of grace from others, we must not be wanting in opposing the means of temptation and vice among our- selves. Let but the friends of religion do as much in opposing, as the advocates of licentious practices do in supporting vice, and we need not despair of the divinc blessing.
I have admitted Mr. Rufus Murray and Mr. John Hall, both residing in the northern and eastern part of this State, as candidates for Holy Orders.
To finish this address, already protracted to a much greater length than I ex- pected, there is but one more duty, which, however painful to my feelings, I am bound by the seventh Canon of the last General Convention, in this manner to perform.
The Rev. James Kilbourn, of Worthington, Ohio, having by his letter to me addressed, declared his intention no longer to be a minister of the Church of Christ; I have, agreeably to the aforesaid Canon, displaced him from the minis- try, and before the required testimony recorded the fact.
Commending you to the grace of God, and praying that all your deliberations may tend to His glory, and our salvation, I am, brethren and gentlemen of this Convention, your affectionate Pastor,
PHILANDER CHASE.
Convention adjourned till four o'clock, p. m.
[WEDNESDAY, 4 O'CLOCK, P. M.]
The Convention assembled pursuant to adjournment.
The Rev. Intrepid Morse was, by ballot, elected Secretary of the Convention.
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of the Diocese of Ohio.
1821.]
On motion,
Resolved, That the Rules of Order observed by this house, in their last annual Convention, be now adopted.
The Clergy were called upon for their Parochial Reports, re- quired by the 45th Canon of the General Convention, which were presented and read, and, as required by the said Canon, are inser- ted on the Journals :
The Rev. Roger Searle reports to the Bishop as follows :-
After a protracted and tedious confinement by a fever, with which I was attacked on the 14th of May, 1820, by the mercy of God, I so far recovered as to recommence my ministerial duties in the month of August. And from the first · of September last, to this time, my healtlı has admitted of my holding divine service every Sunday, excepting two. I have continued, as heretofore, to divide my time and labors among all the parishes in the Western Reserve, Ohio. And although it will be impossible for me, consistently with my health, my life, and the paramount duties to my family, much longer to extend my time and minis- trations so remotely from the proper limits of my cure, there have, hitherto, existed the strongest motives to every possible exertion for building up and pro- moting the prosperity of the several parishes in the Northi. Nor have there been wanting evidences of the divine sanction to the united efforts and pious zeal of the friends of Religion, and to the primitive doctrines and pious usages of our Church in these parislies.
Arrangements are now in contemplation for forming in the course of the year, a separate cure in the eastern part of the Reserve. And though their means will be small, it is most fervently hoped they will be able to succeed in at least a par- tial support of a clergyman among them.
Several Sunday Schools of much promise are in operation ; and the increasing attention to the sacred duties of personal devotion to God, together with the ardent and enlightened attachment to the undeviating use of our incomparable Liturgy, are circumstances affording the fairest prospects of permanency and future prosperity.
In the month of January last, I organized a respectable and promising parislı, by the name of St. Paul's Church, in Norwalk, Huron county. Much might be said in high commendation of this very interesting parish. Two of their mcm- bers were appointed delegates to the present Convention; but they have just informed me by letter, that cvents beyond their control will prevent their attendance.
St. Paul's Church, Medina .- Number of families, 24; communicants, 21; com- municants in Stow, 7-28; baptisms, adults, 4; infants, 6-10; marriages, 4; funerals, 2.
St. John's Church, Liverpool .- Number of Families, 14; communicants, 19; baptisms, adult, 1; infants, 3-4; funerals, 3.
Trinity Church, Brooklyn .- Number of families, 13; communicants, 11; bap- tisms, adults, 2; infants, 3-5; funcrals, 2.
St. Peter's Church, Ashtabula .- Number of families, 17; communicants, 23; baptisms, adults, 2; infants, 15-17.
Christ Church, Windsor .- Number of families, 22; communicants, 29; baptisms, infants, 5.
St. James' Church, Boardman .- Number of families, 15; communicants, 25; baptisms, adults. 4; infants, 6-10; funerals, 2.
St. Paul's Church, Norwalk .- Number of families, 13; communicants, 9; bap- tisms, adults, 2; infants, 14-16.
The Rev. Samuel Johnston reports to the Bishop as follows :-
Since the last Convention, through the goodness of Divine Providence, I have been enabled to officiate constantly in my parochial cure.
The congregation, within the past year, has had some accessions, and in all probability will continue to be augmented; but the local situation of Cincinnati is such, as to favor a transient population; and particularly at the present time, in consequence of the pecuniary embarrassments of the place. Thus, a number of families from our Church liave been necessitated to remove, witli tlie view of making their situation more comfortable.
The times have been such as to thwart the designs of some individuals, who have used no little personal exertion to free the congregation from all claims.
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This, however, is to be said in their praise, generally speaking, that they have done what they could. They have had the means provided, through the generous assistance of an individual [Ethan Stone, Esq.], to pay for a neat edifice, whieli opens the way for its consecration at the next Episcopal visitation.
In regard to the number of those who are bent upon seeking the one thing needful, in pure religion and the holy sacraments, I should be happy to state that things wore a brighter aspect. While we have some who regard their spiritual state more than to obtain the world, there are many who would be strenuous to obtain the latter, and apparently indifferent to the former. But while worldly- mindedness and immorality have their votaries, the Lord hath raised up some who live near to him, slewing good works as the fruits of that faith which is the ornament of their profession-being "not conformed to this world, but trans- formed, by the renewing of their minds; proving what is that good and accept- able and perfect will of God."
Among these good people may be ranked the teachers of the Sunday School; who have been indefatigable in their cxertions to train up the minds of the in- teresting children committed to their charge. Heaven will not be unmindful of their labors of love: Their prayers and zealous endeavors will "" come up for a memorial before God."
The pupils have not only been regularly instructed in reading and spelling, but faithfully taught in the principles of Religion, as contained in our excellent Cate- chism. They have also committed to memory a great portion of the Psalms, and the New Testament, with Hymns and Prayers. This institution, with the divine blessing, must rescue many from destruction; who have been as ignorant of the principles of Christianity, as the savage that roams the wilderness. They have learned those precepts, which will follow them through life : and it is hoped they will ever remain invulnerable to any attacks made upon their faith by the enemies of our holy religion.
The Female Benevolent Society belonging to our Church, have for eighteen months past, convened every week, for the kind and charitable purpose of making up garments for the indigent children attached to the school. They have with all the ardor of female piety, gone through the storm and tempest, visited the mcanest hovel and the most weather beaten shed ; in order that these young immortals might be comfortably clad, and made through the humble medium of this school, fit inhabitants for the kingdom of their heavenly Father.
Christ Church, Cincinnati .- Number of families, 71; baptisms, children, 16; communicants, removed, 6; added, 14-43; funerals, 20; Sunday schools scholars, 120.
I should have officiated more frequently in the neighboring parishes than I have done, had not my avocations been so numerous. Services have been per- formed in Covington and Newport, Kentucky. At Lawrenceburgh, in the State of Indiana, I have performed divine service twice. In the Miami country, at Reading, once; Round Bottom, once; Lebanon, once; Xenia, once; Hamilton, once; Dayton, twice. The latter place continues zealously affected towards the primitive customs of our Zion, and the present time is very propitious for build- ing up the Church. They are anxious to procure a Clergyman ; they deserve one; and if possible, they should have one. In the whole State, there is not probably a Church which will do more in proportion to their means for the support of rc- ligion, than the Episcopalians of St. Thomas' parish; and its situation is such as to make it favorable for spreading the Gospel in its vicinity.
On my way to the Convention, I officiated twice in Wilmington; and though the members of our communion there had never before been visited by a clergy- man of the Church, yet such was the solemn attention to the service and attach- ment to the primitive faith, that it will amply justify exertions for missionary aid in their behalf. It is needless for me to state to the Bishop, that at least two missionaries might be usefully employed in the Miami country. The Lord has indeed been gracious unto us; and we cannot doubt but our own exertions, ac- companied with those of missionaries from the east, will cause the Episcopal Church in this region to rise, increase, and flourish, as a vine which the right hand of the Lord hath planted.
O, that such of our young men in the Atlantic States as are now entering into the fold, were within the sound of the bleating of the sheep in the West, that they might hasten, in obedience to the call of the Chief Shepherd and Bishop of souls, and feed them with the bread of life, and give them to drink of the waters of salvation !
The Rev. Intrepid Morse reports to the Bishop as follows :-
That, since the last annual Convention, he has divided his services between St. James' parish, Zanesville, and St. Paul's, Steubenville; and has occasionally visited other places, as time and opportunity admitted.
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The general situation of these parishes is much the same as represented in the report of last year, and the future prospect of their permanency and increase is, on the whole, encouraging; but it would be much more favorable could a minister be settled in cach, in order that they might enjoy more frequent services than is possible at present. Officiating in places so widely separated from each other, the ministerial duty is attended with great personal inconvenience and fatigue; of this, however, he has not complained; yet, for the advantage of the parishes, it is much to be regretted that a minister cannot be stationed immediately in each.
Such a measure is rendered particularly necessary, by the circumstances that several places in the vicinity of these parishes earnestly desire at least the occa- sional services of a clergyman of our Church. Often has their present pastor been compelled to hear frequent and earnest calls, for the ministration of the Word and sacraments, in distant and destitute congregations-calls to which he could pay only a partial attention. Often has he seen fields white unto the harvest, but, alas ! there was none to put in the sickle. Considering Zanesville as the center of a circle whose radius is 60 miles, within which there are hundreds and perhaps thousands of Episcopalians, what can be expected from the labors of only one clergyman, and that but half or a third part of the time, in a region so extensive ? Services thus widely diffused are, in a great measure, ineffectual. Experience proves, that in order to produce any durable impressions, they must not only be regular, but frequent ; and unless this object be obtained, the increase of our congregations cannot, ordinarily, be expected, because the means of grace under such circumstances are, in a great measure, withheld from them. It is a melancholy fact, that except there should be an increased number of laborers in this part of the vineyard, not only new parishes cannot probably be formed. but those which we already have must suffer, in the absence of regular ministrations, and declinc, perhaps, solcly from want of more frequent services.
St. James' Church, Zanesville .- Communicants, (added 2, removed 7, suspended 1) 30.
St. Paul's Church, Steubenville .- Communicants, (added 20, deceased 1,) 40.
Baptisms, in the above and in other parishes, 58 children, and 10 adults-total 68 ; marriages 3, funeral 1.
Mr. M. has officiated on Sundays in the following places, viz : Pittsburgh twice, (by cxchange with the Rev. Mr. M'Elhinney, deacon, in order to administer the communion), St. Clairsville thrce, Morristown one, Seneca township one, Chilli- cothe one, Worthington two, and Delaware one ; and on week days, or evenings, in Wellsburgh, Wheeling, Smithfield, Knoxville, Springfield, Woodsfield, Malaga, Little Beaver, Somerset, Lancaster, Circleville, Columbus, Coshocton, Gnaden- hucten (in the Moravian Church,) New Philadelphia, Jefferson, Perry and Mill- creek townships-in most of them several times. In the last three places, somc steps were taken towards the organization of parishes, there being about fifteen families of our communion in each, who, like many others, have hitherto been scattered as shecp having no shepherd; yet, with the Bible and Prayer-book in their hands, although never before visited by a clergyinan of their order, they liad most of them maintained inviolate attachment to the primitive doctrines, worship and faith taught thercin. With tears they cntreated to be supplied, werc it only at distant intervals, with the services of a missionary, that they might once more be enabled to worship God in the beauty of holiness, and in the Church of their fathers, for which their licarts have long sighed in secret, while no man cared for their souls.
The Rev. Thomas A. Osborne reports to the Bishop, as follows :
Having no parochial cure to superintend, nor any missionary appointment whereby to be directed, it is not to be expected that much, either of interest or peculiar importance, can be contained in the annual report of my circumscribed ministerial labors.
During the summer season succceding the Convention of last year, I regularly officiated in the little congregation of our Church at Hamilton, as often as my collegiate dutics would admit. I have preached for the Rev. Mr. Johnston, when elsewhere engaged, and also once at Xcnia, and twice in Columbus. In regard to the congregation first mentioned, although small in numbers, yet such is their zeal and attachment to the mode of worship in our venerable Church, it has often been a source of regret that the distance at which thicy are placed, and other causes, have hitherto prevented, and must continue to prevent, the performance of more frequent ministrations among them. It is due from mne, to the polite- ness of those not connected with our communion, to mention here the becoming liberality of sentiment which they have manifested, in offering me the Presbyte- rian Church, whenever unoccupied by themselves, which is generally every
8
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Fourth Annual Convention
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second Sunday. The court house, however, as being equally convenient for worship, and always free of access, has been most commonly used. The day seems at length arrived, blessed be God, when bigotry and sectarianism are every where giving place to the more expansive and Christian exercise of charitable feeling. Mankind, as they become better and more enlightened, begin to see the vanity and danger of that emulation which has but too long divided Christian from Christian. Christ Jesus and him crucificd, the God and author of our sal- vation, when held forth and understood, as he is exhibited in the intelligible language of Gospel simplicity, will become " all in all."
From what has come under my observation in this Diocesc, it appears that the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; yet, from the reasonable prospect that opens of seasonable relief, we can proclaim to our suffering bretliren throughout this State, Behold, we bring you glad tidings of great joy ! The day of your deliverance draweth nigh, when you shall no more be suffered to sit moaning by the waters of Babylon, nor your harps remain unstrung upon the boughs of the willows.
The Rev. Philander Chase, Jr., deacon, reports as follows :
That since his ordination, in June, 1820, he has constantly been employed as immediate teacher of the institution in Worthington; and that, owing to his very infirm state of health shortly after his ordination, and the confined nature of his occupation, he has been but little able to perform the services of the Church in the neighboring parishes.
He has, however, supplied the desk in Worthington constantly, during the absence of the Right Rev. Bishop, the Rector, for a great part of the last summer and autumn. He has officiated three times in Columbus, and twice in Delaware; in both of which places, it is his opinion that numbers would be added to the Church, and the present members of the same would be much increased in zeal, could means be devised for the continuance of stated services among them.
During a tour to the eastern part of the State, in the fall vacation of the insti- tution, Mr. C. performed divine service twice at Steubenville, during the absence of the Rev. Mr. Morse; once in St. James' Church, Cross Creek; once, by request of the Rev. Dr. Doddridge, at Wellsburgh; as also in St. John's Church, Brooke county, on the Virginia side of the Ohio river; once, on his return, at Zanesville; and once, to a respectable congregation at Newark.
Baptized by Mr. C., at Worthington and Delaware, during the absence of the Rector, three adults and three infants. Funerals, 7.
On motion,
Resolved, That so much of the Bishop's address as relates to the propagation of the Gospel in the Church of Ohio, and maintaining the piety and purity of its members, be referred to select committees, with directions to report thereon to this house :
Whereupon, the following persons were appointed, viz :
On the subject of organizing a Missionary Society in the Diocese of Ohio, and drafting a Constitution of the same: the Rev. Messrs. Searle, Johnston, and Chase, Jr .; and Messrs. Gardiner, and Wells.
The committee to consider the propriety of an address to our brethren in the Atlantic States, soliciting aid and assistance towards the support of Missionaries in this Diocese: the Rev. Messrs. Searle, Johnston, Morse, and Messrs. Wells and Ham- mond were appointed.
The committee on the preservation of piety and purity in the members of our communion, to consider so much of the before mentioned address as relates to the Resolution of the House of Bishops, adopted 1817, concerning the danger of an indulgence 1
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in those worldly pleasures which may tend to withdraw the affections from spiritual things: the Rev. Messrs. Osborne and Morse ; and Charles Hammond, Esq., were appointed.
The Standing Committee, as recommended by the last Annual Convention, reported a Canon for the trial of Clergymen in this Diocese ; which Canon was read and ordered to lie on the table for consideration.
Resolved, By a majority of the two orders of Clergy and Laity, that the sixth Article of the Constitution of the Church in this Diocese, as amended by the last Annual Convention, be, and the same hereby is adopted. [See Appendix.]
Resolved further, That according to the article referred to above, the Standing Committee for the ensuing year, consist of four clerical and four lay members.
The Convention adjourned till 9 o'clock to-morrow morning.
THURSDAY, JUNE 7TH, 9 O'CLOCK, A. M.
The Convention assembled pursuant to adjournment. Morning Prayer was performed by the Rev. Mr. Osborne.
Henry Brush, Esq., appeared as Lay Delegate from St. Paul's Church, Chillicothe, exhibited the certificate of his appointment, and took his seat.
Mr. Seth Crocker, as delegate from St. Philip's Church, Cir- cleville, appeared and took his seat in this Convention.
The committee on the subject of organizing a Missionary So- ciety for this Diocese, and drafting a Constitution for the same, made report, which was read, considered, and finally adopted as follows :
Resolved, That it is expedient to form and organize a Missionary Society for the Diocese of Ohio.
Resolved, That the following Articles be adopted for the Constitution of the Missionary Society for the Diocese of Ohio.
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE 1. The Society shall be known and called by the name of "The Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society within and for the Diocese of Ohio."
ART. 2. Every person who shall subscribe and pay one dollar annually, shall be a member of said society, and every person who shall subscribe and pay twelve dollars in hand, shall be considered a member of the society for life.
ART. 3. Every person who becomes a member in virtue of annual subscrip- tion hereby binds himself to pay to the Treasurer of the Society for the time being, his annual subscription; and agrees that an action may be sustained against him for the amount thereof, in the name of the Treasurer for the time being, for the use of the society, until notice be given to the President that such person is no longer a member of the society. ‹
ART. 4. So soon as fifteen subscribers have subscribed this Constitution, the society shall proceed to organize itself, and choose its officers. The time and place of such organization, shall be appointed by the Bishop of the Diocese.
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ART. 5. The Bishop of this Diocese shall, ex-officio, be President of the socie- ty, and President of the Board of Managers.
ART. 6. There shall be a Board of Managers to consist of twelve members, who shall be elected annually by ballot, by the members at their anniversary meeting. The Board of Managers shall elect out of their own body, one Vice President, a Treasurer, a corresponding, and a recording Secretary; who shall vote in the Board of Managers as other members. Any five of the Managers with the Presi- dent or Vice President, shall constitute a board to transact business.
ART. 7. There shall be an annual meeting of the society in every year, at the place where the State Convention shall meet, on the day next succeeding the day of meeting of the Convention, and the President shall appoint some proper clergyman to deliver a sermon before the society, at such anniversary meeting.
ART. 8. The Board of Managers shall meet twice in every year, at such time and place as the President shall appoint; and as many times oftener as the Presi- dent and five of the managers shall deem necessary. The President shall cause the recording Secretary to notify the managers of the time and place of such meeting, at least thirty days before the time appointed for it to take place.
ART. 9. If, from any cause, the President shall be absent or unable to act, or, if the Episcopate shall be vacant, the Vice President shall officiate as President of said society.
ART. 10. The funds of the society shall be solely appropriated to the support of Missionaries, within the Diocese of Ohio. The ecclesiastical authorities of the Diocese shall employ and direct the service of such Missionaries, who shall in all cases be subject to the Constitutions, Canons, and Rubrics of the Protest- ant Episcopal Church, in force in the Diocese of Ohio.
ART. 11. All sums paid by subscribers, made by voluntary donation, or col- lected by Agents under the direction of the Society, shall be paid into the Treasury; and only paid out by the Treasurer, upon order of the President, or Vice President acting as President. The Treasurer shall exhibit an account of the receipts and expenditures at every meeting of the Board of Managers; and also, at the anniversary meeting of the Society. His accounts shall be audited and settled once in every year, by a committee of the Board of Managers, to be appointed by the Board.
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