USA > Rhode Island > Washington County > Narragansett > A history of the Episcopal church in Narragansett, Rhode Island, including a history of other Episcopal churches in the state > Part 36
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In 1746, that part of the county of Bristol, in which the town of Bristol is situated, was set off from Massachusetts to Rhode Island, and from the date it does not appear that the Congregational minis- ter's salary was paid by a general tax on all the inhabitants. The Church of England people becoming respectable in numbers as well as in influence, a better feeling appears to have been manifested be- tween the two societies ; and in 1751, both ministers were entirely exempted from all taxes. The Rev. Mr. Usher was permitted, by a vote of the town, to place a pale fence in front of his house, and his son, John Usher, Jr., Esq., was employed to teach the town school.
The Episcopal clergy, at the commencement of the American revolution, were charged with adhering to the British government,
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and if so, it may not be considered unnatural, from their strong at- tachment to the Established Church, and receiving the most of their support from England ; but there was a collection taken up in the town for the relief of the Boston sufferers, and John Usher's name appears among those of the largest contributors, and although it may be admitted that their imputed partiality for Great Britain was not patriotic, yet when their sympathies were excited, their active be- nevolence was always ready to relieve distress, from whatever source it might have originated.
The church edifice was thoroughly repaired in 1756, and from that time till 1775, the affairs of the church were both spiritually and temporally prosperous, under the untiring exertions and unabat- ing zeal of the Rev. Mr. Usher. At the advanced age of nearly 80 years, he relinquished the charge of his little band in the church militant, and resigned his soul unto the hands of his maker, to join the church triumphant in Heaven, there to meet all the redeemed, who had joined their hearts and voices with him in the public servi- ces of the church below, as in his own unpretending devotions.
Mr. Usher during his ministry baptized seven hundred and thir- teen, performed the marriage ceremony 185 times, and attended 274 funerals.
To eulogise the character of this devoted servant of Christ with justice, requires more space than can be afforded in this brief histo- ry. He made the welfare of the church the whole business of his life. In the early settlement of the town he suffered deprivations, hardships and mortifications, that few of the clergy are called upon to endure at the present day ; but from a faithful discharge of his duties, he now rests from his labors.
The Rev. Mr. Doyle, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, accepted an invitation to officiate here after the death of Mr. Usher, for six months ; but his health failing, he left before the term of his en- gagement had expired, and there were never any more services had in the church from that time,-for, as reads a fragment of the record, 'our parish church, raised by the greatest possible exertions of our forefathers, when but few of them, and they poor, was on the 5th day of May, 1778, burnt to ashes by a band of British ruffians, under the command of Col. Campbell, from Rhode Island.' If any circumstance could palliate an outrage upon religious feelings, so
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wanton, sacriligious and unnecessary, it was, that at the time there was a prevailing opinion, that the soldiers were informed that what appeared to be tombs under the church, were the powder magazines of the town; if they were so advised, this unchristian act will be made known when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed. Here let us pause in this narrative for a moment, and reflect upon the condition of this parish at this eventful period. A strong sectarian opposition to the church, a general prejudice against every thing that was thought to savor of England, the pecuniary embarrassment of the parishioners occasioned by the war, a line of English battle ships ranged the whole length of the harbor ; the place actually invaded by the enemy's soldiers ; the town in flames, and the little temple of their worship in ashes ; the few who had continued faithful, dis- persed with their families in the country for personal safety, their devoted shepherd, who for upwards of half a century had folded this little flock, taken home to his Father in Heaven, and deep distress pervading the length and breadth of the land.
If ever men's hearts can be justified for failing them through fear of final dispersion, or of having a strong faith in the omnipotent arm of the Saviour, this might have been the occasion ; but they believ- ed that those who trust in the Lord shall have their strength re- newed,-and John Usher, Esq., afterwards the second Rev. John Usher, was the man under God, with two or three others, who mani- fested their faith, that this peculiar vine that Christ had planted, and which had been cultivated by the prayers, and watered by so many tears of his people, should yet live, prosper, and bear much fruit to his glory, which the event has tully realized.
Here is a perpetual example to small societies who feel depressed and desponding, and the prospect for continuing their church, dubi- ous ; let them reflect on the condition of this parish at its darkest hour, and it must stimulate them to more active exertions, and se- cure success, for in this country in these prosperous days, " no sor- row can be like her sorrow," no distress like her distress.
Under these disastrous circumstances, when to be called a church- man was considered as synonymous with an enemy to the country, Mr. Usher never omitted to collect the few who were left of the parish on each Easter Monday, and for one or two years secretly, as he says, for reasons hereafter to be made known, and went formally
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through the duties of an Easter Monday meeting, when it is evident that but two or three attended.
He collected the small remaining parish together, after the termi- nation of the war, every Sabbath in the old Court-house, and read to them there till a new church was built in 1786, a neat plain wooden building, sixty feet long by thirty-six wide, where he continued to officiate as Layman till his ordination in 1793.
The congregation had so much diminished from the foregoing causes, that the few who still adhered experienced the greatest diffi- culties in raising means to defray the expense of the building-and when the pews were finished, Mr. Usher solicited the inhabitants to purchase them, offering them their choice at ten dollars a piece. He could hardly have hoped, that the little parish he was at that time resuscitating, would, in little more than forty years, erect a beautiful gothic structure on the site of their humble building, the pews of which would be eagerly sought after, at between three and four hund- red dollars a piece.
Few have persevered as Mr. Usher did, under so many conflicting circumstances, keeping together a parish for eleven years by lay- reading, and at the time when the strongest opposition was exhibited toward the church, from the prevailing mistaken idea, immediately after the conclusion of the revolutionary war, that there was still some connection between the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, and the established Church of England.
During the time of Mr. Usher's reading, the congregation was frequently benefited in the administration of the ordinances, by the clergy from Providence and Newport.
The Rev. Mr. Graves, of Providence, thus officiated from 1780 to 1784 ; and in 1785, the Rev. Mr. Badger administered the ordinan- ces, and the next year the Rev. Mr. Wheeler was present.
In the latter part of this year, the new church was so far com- pleted, that it was opened for public worship, and the Rev. Mr. Graves administered the ordinance of baptism for the first time in the new church. The Rev. Mr. Smith, also, of Newport, frequent- ly attended.
In 1791, twenty-five persons were confirmed by bishop Seabury, and in 1793, Mr. Usher, so long the faithful and devoted friend and reader to this church, received orders, and officiated with success
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till the year 1800, when, at his earnest desire, being now nearly eighty years of age, the Rev. Mr. Clark was settled here, the Rev. Mr. Usher often officiating at the baptisms, marriages, and funerals of, his old and long tried friends.
In 1797, twenty-nine persons were confirmed by Bishop Bass. Difficulties soon arose after the settlement of Mr. Clark, and he con- tinued his labors here but about three years, when, in 1803, the Rev. Alexander Viets Griswold became the rector of the parish.
The same year, the Rev. Mr. Usher, then eighty-two years of age, prepared to render up to his Divine Master, the long account of his labors on earth ; and if any man could render up his account with joy, Mr. Usher could certainly do so. He was the first infant Epis- copally baptized in Bristol, and devoted his long life almost entirely to the interests and welfare of the church, and in circumstances fre- quently the most trying to his faith in God's protecting and sustain- ing care. But at the closing period of his protracted life, a brighter day was dawning upon the church of his love, and he committed his little and beloved flock, and with most heart-felt satisfaction and perfect confidence, to the parochial charge of the Rev. Mr. Griswold, the new rector, and how far he was justified in that confidence, the succeeding prosperity of the church will abundantly prove.
The Rev. Mr. Usher was gathered to his fathers in July 1804, aged eighty-two years, and his remains, with those of his father, are interred under the chancel of the Church.
When the Rev. Mr. Griswold entered upon his duties here, from the advanced age of his predecessor, the difficulties that arose during the Rev. Mr. Clark's term of service, and the prejudices against the church at that time, not having entirely subsided, the whole list of communicants were reduced to the small number of nineteen. From this period however, a visible improvement was apparent, the con- gregation immediately increased and continued to do so, and additions to the communion were received almost every month, and these gradual accessions sustained a healthy condition of the church, and seldom an instance occurred, that a member thus added, did not remain steadfast.
The Rev. Mr. Griswold, in 1810, was elected, and in 1811, con- secrated Bishop of the Eastern Diocese, yet with the additional duties of the Episcopate, he relaxed in no degree his labors for his parish.
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The congregation had so much increased, that it was found necesary this year to enlarge the church edifice, and about twenty-four feet was added to the west end, making the building eighty-four feet long but not proportionably wide, and the old part was thoroughly repaired.
The good seed which the Bishop had been sowing for a number of years, in 1812, sprang up in a glorious harvest, so that in the space of a few months, about one hundred who had confessed the faith of Christ crucified,. presented themselves for Confirmation, and were received among the number of communicants.
The affairs of the church continued so prosperous, and so much increased was the congregation, that in 1821 a plan was suggested for the building of a new church, and at the same time the Rev. Mr. Blaisdall was invited as assistant to the Bishop ; this invitation, how- ever, Mr. Blaisdell declined. The hope of building a new church continued until 1825, when one of the most active and benevolent members of the parish, who had been transacting an immense com- mercial business, was unfortunate, and became bankrupt for nearly a million of dollars, which brought so much pecuniary distress on the whole town, that the project was abandoned for the time, to be again renewed under more favorable circumstances.
Still Bishop Griswold, with unabating efforts, continued his exer- tions for the salvation of his people, and numbers were united to the church by baptism, and to the communion by confirmation. He thus labored for this, his parochial charge, till 1829, when the affairs of the diocese required his continued presence in a more central posi - tion, in consequence of which he removed to Salem in Massachusetts.
It was with deep regret that he parted with such devoted friends, who for a quarter of a century had endeared themselves to him by innumerable acts of kindness, and who would, as St. Paul says, " if it were possible, have plucked out their own eyes and have given them to him." At the time of final separation, unanimous votes of the parish were passed, of their continued affection for him, and of their regret at his leaving them.
The Bishop, as before stated, found but nineteen communicants when he commenced his labors here, and when he concluded them he left about two hundred.
His upright and even conduct, pious conversation and consistent walk in life, had the most beneficial influence, not only on the mem-
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bers of St. Michael's congregation, but upon the inhabitants of the town generally ; when he appeared in the street, the drunkard imme- diately sought a fixed position to steady his reeling motions, profanity and obscenity instantly shut their mouth at his approach, and all assumed a more circumspect conduct, when conscious of his obser- vation. This was not produced by an assumed sanctity or austerity of manners, but by a life, both in private and in public, correspond- ing with the doctrines he taught.
From the commencement of the Bishop's connection with this par- ish, he was in the habit of preaching three sermons each week, and besides his daily parochial visits, he was in the constant practice of meeting more or less of his people on one evening in the week, for the purpose of social worship. His usual method, after offering prayers from the liturgy, which he never omitted, and singing, was to read a chapter from the Bible, and in a plain unostentatious man- ner, to explain its meaning, and apply its instruction to the benefit of his little but attentive audience ; these meetings were rendered still more interesting and instructive, by the people asking the Bishop questions, which they were always at liberty to do, on the chapter read, or any other religious subject, which he always very kindly answered. If there appeared among his congregation more than their accustomed attention to religion, he would meet them oftener, and give them his pious and affectionate advice. The meeting was usually closed, at the request of the Bishop, with a prayer by one of the brethren. These meetings after they were first commenced, were never omitted during the whole time he had the charge of this parish, and the blessed effects resulting from them, will be most gratefully remembered by all who attended them, to their latest breath.
The brethren of the church also met for religious conference and prayer, where the most perfect decorum always prevailed. The female members had also their more private and humble meetings, for prayer and praise. All which are indications of the spiritual condition of the church at this time.
During the Bishop's rectorship, a society was formed by the ladies of the parish under the name of the Female Missionary Society of St. Michael's Church, and these ladies deserve all praise for their benevolence ; for they have never omitted their weekly meetings or
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their annual contributions to the missionary cause, and the sums of money which they have contributed since the commencement of the society, have amounted to several thousand dollars. Their highly commendable zeal to extend the kingdom of the Redeemer over the whole world, appears, at the present time, to be increasing rather than diminishing.
About the time of the formation of this society, the Sunday-school was commenced under the most favorable auspices, the superintend- ant and teachers being pious, devoted and highly respectable persons, and the result has been most salutary and beneficial.
John Bristed, Esq., a gentleman of high literary attainments, who had a few years before, relinquished a lucrative professional busi. ness in the city of New York, to devote the remainder of his life more immediately to the service of his God, retired to the pleasant and quiet village of Bristol, from the noise and bustle of that active city, to prosecute his studies in divinity more effectually, in the vicin- ity and under the service of Bishop Griswold. After his ordination he remained here, and rendered acceptable gratuitous assistance to the Bishop, and supplied his pulpit during his frequent and necessary absences in his Episcopal visitation.
On the Bishop's removal to Salem, the Rev. Mr. Bristed was in- vited to officiate ' for the time being,' and shortly afterward by the unanimous vote of the Vestry, elected the permanent Rector of the parish, and was instituted in March 1834.
Mr. Bristed commenced his new labors with ability and zeal, and the parish continued as flourishing as formerly, and in the winter of 1830-1, large accessions were made to the communion, and a gen- eral and anxious inquiry made after the way of righteousness, and more than one hundred were added to the church, who were soon after confirmed. But it is deeply to be deplored, that after an un- usual awakening, when large accessions are made to the church, in some instances, a whole year has afterwards expired with scarce one new communicant appearing. Whether a church is most bene- fitted, and more persons brought to acknowledge the truth by occa- sional revivals, or by an uniform and continued augmentation, cre- ates probably doubts in the minds of many truly pious persons, that it would be exceedingly desirous to have removed.
Some years before Bishop Griswold left Bristol, efforts had been
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made to establish an Episcopal society in the adjoining and prosper- ous town of Warren, which were cordially seconded by many of its most respectable inhabitants, and Mr. Bristed continued to render most acceptable aid to that new parish, till the time that the Rev. Mr. Hathaway was settled there. He is also entitled to much praise for his services, in assisting to collect and sustain many new par- ishes in this state since his ordination.
In 1833, it was ascertained that the church edifice required very considerable repairs, and that it did not well accommodate all who worshipped within its walls. By the active exertions of Mr. Bris- ted, seconded by most of his congregation, resolutions were adopted to take down the old church, and erect a new one in its place, which was carried into immediate effect, and the next year was completely finished one of the most beautiful and commodious gothic churches in the country, eighty-five feet long, by fifty-four feet wide, covering the long-endeared site on which the two former churches had stood.
The church was consecrated by the Right Rev. Bishop Griswold, on the sixth day of March, 1834, and on the next day a sufficient number of pews were sold to defray the whole cost of the building, (amounting to nineteen thousand dollars) including a basement lec- ture-room fifty feet square, a large organ, and a fine toned bell.
In 1837, Mr. Bristed's general health in a degree failing, he em- ployed the Rev. Francis Peck to assist him for a number of months, but a situation offering Mr. Peck in the city of Baltimore, which might increase his usefulness, he thought advisable to accept it and remove there.
An addition of a number of respectable families was made to the parish in 1838, in consequence of the dissolution of the society of the Reformed Methodist, a large proportion of them uniting with the church.
Mr. Bristed had always been in the habit when his health would admit, of preaching two sermons on the Sabbath, a lecture in the lec- ture room on Sunday evening which have been highly acceptable, and the large room always crowded, and on one other evening in the week, by meeting his congregation for social worship. The brethren also continue their prayer and conference meetings.
Mr. Bristed's health continuing feeble, and not adequate to the parochial duties of the parish, the Rev. Thomas F. Fales has been
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employed as his assistant, and he is now in that capacity acceptably officiating here.
Mr. Bristed, by collections taken at the monthly concert of prayer- meetings, and his own liberality, constantly supports one student for the ministry, at one of the Episcopal Theological Seminaries.
The list of communicants now numbers two hundred and eighty- seven members ; the congregation is respectable, and the largest in the town. Ten poor boys continue to be educated from the Nathan- iel Kay fund ; the Sunday-school is in a most flourishing condition, with thirty-five teachers, and one hundred and seventy-five scholars, and a sufficient library. The services of the sanctuary are ren- dered more perfect by a large and well instructed choir of singers.
Thus this church, which commenced with doubtful prospects of success, when there were but two other Episcopal societies in the province, and they in their infancy, having literally pressed through fiery trials, and experienced oppositions, difficulties and depressions which few of our churches have been called to suffer, is now, A. D. 1840, through the infinite goodness and sustaining care of God, one of the most prosperous parishes in the State.
' For his all protecting and sustaining care, the Lord be praised.' [Christian Witness.
REPORTS
OF THE MISSIONARIES OF RHODE ISLAND TO THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL IN FOREIGN PARTS, TAKEN FROM THE ABSTRACTS OF THEIR ANNIVERSARY PROCEEDINGS.
As the reports of the Missionaries were irregular until the year 1728, we have taken the liberty to precede them by extracting from Humphreys History of the Propagation of the Gospel, the reports from the Rhode Island missionaries up to that time. He says, " The Church-Wardens of Rhode Island, wrote to the Bishop of London, and to the Society, in the year 1702, declaring their early zeal, that though they had not assembled themselves, to worship God after the manner of the Church of England above four years, they had built a handsome church. The society resolved to send a missionary hither, both on account of their being first, and also a numerous people,
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settled on a flourishing island. The Rev. Mr. Honyman was ap- pointed in 1704. He discharged the duties of his mission with great diligence. Though the island was full of persons of many persua- sions, especially Quakers, the Governor himself being such, yet by his prudent behavior, he gave offence to none, and gained many to the church. He continued there till the year 1708, and then came to England upon his own private affairs, but returned soon to his care again. There were three little towns on the continent, Freetown, Tiverton and Little Compton, which had requested a Mis- sionary of the Society. Mr. Honyman was requested to visit them by turns on week days, till they could be supplied by a minister. Mr. Honyman frequently crossed over to them, and preached to them in a meeting house, which he obtained the use of, and which was commodiously situated in the centre of the three towns. He said, the people at first, very ignorant and rude in religious matters, were yet very grave and attentive at divine worship. He per- formed this laborious duty several years. In 1712, a missionary was sent to these towns ; Mr. Honyman began to have a little more leisure, but he was zealous to promote the work he had engaged in, and set up a lecture, and preached once a fortnight at Portsmouth, a town at the farthest end of the island, and soon found very great en- couragement to continue it, without any reward, but an unexpected and surprisingly large audience of people of many persuasions.
About this time he represented also very earnestly to the society the want of a missionary at a town called Providence, about thirty miles distant from Newport, a place very considerable from the num- ber of its inhabitants. Through the want of instruction, the people were become quite rude, and void of all knowledge in religion ; yet they were of a good and teachable disposition. He visited this place, and preached to the greatest number of people that he ever had together since he came to America. He writes thus. "There is a great prospect of settling a church here ; and if the Society will send a Missionary to a people so much in want, and so de- sirous of receiving the gospel, perhaps this might prove one of the greatest acts of charity ever done yet." A little while after, he writes thus : "I have preached there again, and the number of people is so increased, that no house there could hold them, so that I . was obliged to preach in the open fields. The people are now going
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