USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > Annals of Trinity church, Newport, Rhode Island, 1821-1892 > Part 12
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My purpose in addressing to you this note, is to give due notice of my intention to resign, so that the Wardens and Ves- try may take any action which may seem to them expedient.
Yours very truly,
D. R. BREWER.
M. C. Slocum, Esq., Senior Warden.
The Corporation took no action on the above, and adjourned. April 9, 1855. Annual Meeting; thirty Corporators being present. Dr. David King in the chair.
Minutes of the last Annual Meeting read.
The committee on printing the Charter and Sketch of the History of the Church reported, that documents from England were wanted, and the committee were authorized to obtain them, and draw on the Treasurer.
The following communication from Rev. D. R. Brewer was read, received and ordered to be recorded:
Mrs. Berry's death was not only a great loss to the Church, but also to the whole community; for her life was given to good works-the care of the needy and the clothing of the destitute. She was one of the most effi- cient members of the Dorcas Society, and probably no one person was more widely known by the benevolent, who often made her their almoner, and by those who stood in need of her thoughtful care.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
To the Corporation of Trinity Church;
Gentlemen:
It has been already made known to you that it was my intention to resign the charge of Trinity Church, on Easter Monday. I now beg leave to carry this resolution into effect, by tendering to you my resignation.
My reasons, briefly stated, are as follows. In the first place I feel constrained by a sense of duty to take the charge of the Missionary Church, known as Emmanuel Church, in the south part of the city. This Church owes its origin to the charitable labors of several ladies of Trinity Church, and has been thus far supported chiefly by members of the same Parish. It has already accomplished great good among a portion of our popu- lation, who, before, were poorly supplied with religious privi- leges. When the Minister, who for three years past, has had charge of this mission, felt obliged to withdraw, I made some unsuccessful efforts to procure another. The smallness and uncertainty of the compensation formed a serious difficulty. It appeared to me that either I must undertake the work myself, or it must be utterly abandoned. I could not long hesitate, which of these two to choose. I had taken a deep interest in this mission from its beginning. I could not willingly see it die, for want of a pastor. I thought myself a fit person to take that office, by reason of my thorough knowledge of the nature of the work, and my hearty interest in it. In this opinion I was confirmed by the judgment of those who are most anxious for the success of this work, and have done the most for it. The vacancy can easily be supplied; but it is not easy to find a suitable minister for the mission to the poor.
In the second place, I have been moved to resign my present position, as Minister of Trinity Church, by the conviction that I am unable to properly fill it. I do not feel myself equal to it, either in body or mind. The amount of pastoral duty is so great, the necessity of hard study, in preparation for the pulpit, is so constant, the congregation, especially during the summer, is so large, and is made up of such a variety of character and taste, that my strength is often exhausted without meeting their wishes, or reaching my own standard of duty. The tour in
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Europe, which, through your kindness, I was permitted to make last year, was of great service in recruiting my health. But I fear that under the continual pressure of so much care and labor, I shall gradually lose all that I then gained. It is my belief that a smaller and more humble sphere will be better suited to my capacity and constitution.
These are the principal causes that have induced me to send in my resignation. But though I retire, under a conviction of duty, it is also with feelings of sadness and regret. After more than eight years of pastoral connection with you, after so many hours passed with you in the House of Prayer, so many visits at your homes, so many seasons of sorrow when I have been called to minister to you the consolations of the Gospel-after all the sympathy you have shown me in my own affliction, and all your forbearance towards my manifold imperfections, I can- not without deep emotion now sever the bond that has joined us together.
It is my hearty desire and prayer to God that you may be guided by Him in the choice of my successor, and that you may be blessed with a pastor who shall be more devoted, able and successful, than I can claim to have been. May you all walk in the way of truth and peace, and at last be numbered with the Saints in glory everlasting.
I remain very truly your friend, D. R. BREWER.
Newport, April 9th, 1855.
The following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved: that we, the Corporation of Trinity Church, receive the letter of resignation from our Rector, the Reverend D. R. Brewer, with deep and sincere feelings of regret ..
Resolved: that his religious example, his pure and upright course of life, his uniform kindness to his parishioners, his steady devotion to his high calling, and his able ministration to us, during a period of eight years, will ever recur to our minds with grateful recollections.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH
Resolved: that in separating from him, in the relation of Rector, we find some solace in the fact that he intends to re- main in our community, and by assuming the charge of a new parish, to advance the true interest of the Church in this city.
Resolved: that in making this sacrifice for the well being of the Church, he has our best sympathies, and will not fail of our sincere prayers for his success in so noble a work.
Resolved: that these resolutions be recorded, and that a copy of them be transmitted to the Reverend Mr. Brewer, signed by the President and Secretary of this meeting.
David King, Duncan C. Pell and M. C. Slocum were appointed a committee to tender the above resolutions to Rev. Mr. Brewer; also to supply the pulpit, and to take such measures as they may deem proper to obtain a Minister for the Parish, and draw on the Treasurer for the expenses incurred.
Benjamin Finch, Henry Bull and Thomas R. Hunter were appointed a committee to re-value the pews, and report to the Corporation.
The following officers were elected :
George C. Mason, Senior Warden.
John H. Cozzens, Junior Warden.
Benjamin Finch, Thomas R. Hunter, David King, R. P. Berry, Henry Bull, William Gardner, Charles Hunter, Moses Norman, Duncan C. Pell, John N. Potter, Samuel Engs, Ves- trymen.
John N. Potter, Treasurer. 1
Francis Breese, Secretary.
Delegates to the State Convention: David King, Samuel Pow- el, Marshall C. Slocum, Duncan C. Pell.
Substitutes: Edward King, George Hall, John H. Cozzens and Moses Norman.
The Treasurer was to pay $51, the Church's proportion of
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the Bishop's salary; $15 for blowing the organ, and $50 was to be added to the Poor Fund.
Voted: that a collection be taken up once in two weeks, during the summer, for Emmanuel Church; and that notice be given that it was for the support of that mission.
Appropriated for singing, $250, under direction of Samuel Engs and Thomas R. Hunter.
Moses Norman to be a committee to examine the floor of the Church, and report at the next meeting.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
CHAPTER VI.
1855-1860.
May 10, 1855. At a special meeting of the Corporation, it was unanimously voted: that the Rev. A. G. Mercer be called as Rector of this Parish, at a salary of $1500 per annum.
The committee on supplying the pulpit were requested to communicate the above resolution to Rev. Mr. Mercer.
M. C. Slocum, George C. Mason and William G. Bailey were to be a committee to consider the expediency of heating the Church with furnaces, and to ascertain if it was practicable to drain the cellar under the Church.
The committee to examine the Church floor reported that it needed but little attention to put it in good order.
May 14, 1855. At a Vestry meeting, the committee on Church property was to ascertain what was the line between the Church and the Crandall estate; and the committee on drainage was to confer with the Street Commissioner on that subject.
The following communication was read, received and ordered to be recorded.
Newport, May 14th, 1855.
To the Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church;
Gentlemen: Please accept my acknowledgments for your kindness in granting me the site for the monument to my child; with the understanding that the same may be removed to another
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suitable location whenever the space it occupies may be needed for a tablet, or monument, to Bishop Berkeley, or any other ecclesiastic.
With great respect, Your obedient servant, DUNCAN C. PELL.
May 23, 1855. The committee on drainage reported that the cellar could be drained at a small expense; but to carry the drain to a depth that would admit of the use of furnaces would cost at least $1000.
The Wardens were to use their discretion and taste in paint- ing the interior of the Church.
June 25, 1855. The petition of Mrs. Oliver H. Perry, 36 to be allowed to erect a monument over her pew was granted; and the Treasurer was directed to pay over to Rev. D. R. Brewer all money collected for Emmanuel Church.
July 12, 1855. A communication having been read from the Wardens of St. Luke's Church, Dixon, Illinois, asking that a collection be taken up in Trinity Church for the benefit of that Church: the Senior Warden was instructed to reply, that as Trinity Church is now engaged in supporting and erecting a mission church in this city, it has need for all the funds that may be collected here.
Voted: that Moses Norman, J. H. Cozzens and Dr. King be
36 MRS. ELIZABETH CHAMPLIN PERRY was the only daughter of Dr. Benja- min Mason and Margaret Champlin, his wife. She was married May 5, 18II, to Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, then a young lieutenant, full of prom- ise and burning for fame. How well he realized the expectations of those who knew him is a matter of history. Mrs. Perry caused the marble tablet to his memory, to be placed over the family pew in the Church, in 1855. It closes with these words: "As a mark of her continued respect for his memory."
Mrs. Perry died February 11, 1858, and was laid at rest in the Perry burial lot, Island Cemetery, by the remains of her husband, and two of her sons.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
a committee to raise the sounding board, and that if such eleva- tion does not remove the difficulty in speaking from the pulpit, they are authorized to remove the same; and if such removal does not effect the object, then they are to return it to its place. *
September 14, 1855. Voted: that Dr. King, Thomas R. Hunter and M. C. Slocum be a committee to confer with the Rev. Mr. Mercer, and ascertain his views in regard to having an assistant minister, and also as to the propriety of holding Divine services in the Chapel, instead of the Church, during the coming winter; to report at a Vestry meeting to be held the following night.
No action was taken on the above, at the meeting held the next evening: but a vote was passed calling a Corporation meet- ing, to hear a report on the revaluation of pews.
September 19, 1855. A report read at a special meeting of the Corporation, fixed the valuation of the pews on the lower floor of the Church at $32,200, leaving the gallery pews as be- fore. The tax on the lower floor was fixed at 7 per cent. on the new valuation.
It was unanimously resolved, that from the first of October, the salary of the Rector of this Parish be at the rate of $2000 per annum, in order that he may engage an assistant, should he think proper to do so.
Dr. King and Mr. Finch were a committee to remit taxes, where it was thought they bore heavily on the owners and occu- pants of pews.
Mr. Finch was to ascertain on what terms the Crandall estate, just west of the Church, could be had.
* THE sounding board was removed at the request of Dr. Mercer, who thought it had a depressing effect; but finding no relief, it was restored to its old place, to the great satisfaction of the people.
REV. ALEXANDER G. MERGER, D. D.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
The following letter was addressed to Rev. Mr. Mercer, by the Senior Warden:
Newport, September 24th, 1855.
Reverend and Dear Sir:
At a meeting of the Corporation of Trinity Church, holden at the School House on Thursday evening, 20th inst., the fol- lowing resolution was offered and unanimously adopted.
"Resolved: that from the First of October, the salary of the Rector of this Parish be at the rate of $2000 per annum, in order that he may engage an assistant, should he think proper to do so."
And in communicating to you this vote of the Corporation, allow me, my dear Sir, individually, and as one of their num- ber, to express a lively hope that the invigorating air of Newport will in time restore you to perfect health; and that the ties, which already bind us so closely, may draw us nearer to our God and His Holy Church.
May God Almighty bless you, and prosper you in all your ways; may He fill your heart with His divine love; and may the seeds of righteousness sown through your ministry, grow and ripen into perfect fruit.
GEO. C. MASON, Chairman pro tem.
To Revd. A. G. Mercer,
Rector of Trinity Church.
Newport, Tuesday, Sept. 24th, 1855.
My dear Mr. Mason:
I have just received your note containing the resolution of the Corporation. With sincere gratitude do I acknowledge and accept their goodness; and feel with all my heart the kind- ness with which you have conveyed it. I send back to you, and to those you represent, the fervent "God bless you" you have sent me. I assure you I cannot think of anything more grateful (to any man at all right minded) than such a note as you have sent me.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH
Earnestly hoping for the good you speak of, and with every affectionate greeting to you and to all my friends, I am, A. G. MERCER.
To Geo. C. Mason, Esq., Chairman, &c.
November 2, 1855. At a Vestry meeting the following com- munication was read :
To the Vestry of Trinity Church, Newport;
Gentlemen: The undersigned, ladies attending the above Church, respectfully represent that they experience very great inconvenience from the stove heating of the Church, and to such an extent that many are compelled to absent themselves from Church during the winter months.
With great deference they suggest that such mode of venti- lation be adopted as may seem expedient to you.
Signed by Mrs. E. N. Cox, Mrs. Lawrence, Mrs. Gardner, Mrs. Thomas Breese, Mrs. Birckhead, Mrs. W. B. Lawrence, Mrs. G. H. Thorndike, Mrs. M. L. Hunter, Mrs. De Jongh, Mrs. William C. Gibbs, Mrs. Marin, Mrs. Calvert, Mrs. Stock- ton, Mrs. D. C. Pell.
Voted: that Mr. Pell and Mr. Norman be a committee to ascertain the best method of ventilating the Church, and to cause such ventilation to be carried out.
March 24, 1856. Annual Meeting; twenty-five Corporators being present.
Voted: that a committee, comprising the Wardens, call upon Rev. A. G. Mercer, to ascertain when he will be instituted as Rector of this Church, and to report at the next meeting of the Vestry.
Voted: that a collection be taken up once in two weeks dur- ing the summer, to pay the salary of the Rector of Emmanuel Church.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Voted: that the tax be at the rate of 9 per cent. on the re- cent valuation of the pews; and if the taxes are not paid within thirty days of the time when due, 2.5 per cent. will be added for every month that they remain unpaid.
March 25, 1856. The committee appointed to wait upon Rev. A. G. Mercer, to ascertain when he would be instituted, re- ported to the Vestry, that he begged to take time to consider the matter.
June 23, 1856. The Wardens were asked to draw up a cir- cular, requesting the owners of carriages to keep them away from the neighborhood of the Church, during the hours of pub- lic service, and to have a printed copy placed in every pew in the Church.
December 9, 1856. Francis Breese, who had changed his residence, to another city, resigned as Secretary. Job T. Lang- ley was elected to fill his place.
February 20, 1857. Voted : that a committee, comprising David King, M. C. Slocum, George C. Mason, Duncan C. Pell, Samuel Engs and John H. Cozzens, take into consideration the altering of the pews on the lower floor of the Church into slips, and to report at the next meeting of the Vestry.
April 7, 1857. The following communication from the Rec- tor was read by Duncan C. Pell:
Tuesday, April 7th, 1857.
To the Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, Newport ; Gentlemen:
I have written to New York for a pair of Goblets, for the Communion Service, in the hope of first using them on Easter Sunday. Be pleased to accept this gift for and in behalf of Trinity Church, and believe me to be,
Respectfully and affectionately,
A. G. MERCER.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Voted: that the Wardens be a committee to tender the Rev. A. G. Mercer the thanks of the Vestry.
April 13, 1857. Annual Meeting; twenty-eight Corporators being present, and the Senior Warden in the chair.
The following communication was read by the chairman:
Newport, April 12th, 1857.
My dear Sir:
I write to return my hearty thanks to the Corporation of Trinity Church, for all they have done towards the support of the parish which is under my charge. We feel indebted to them for a long continuance of nursing care and protection. We pray that they may be abundantly rewarded by the great Head of the Church, and experience the truth of the promise: "He that watereth shall be watered also himself." At the same time we beg leave to say that we do not ask, nor expect, any further assistance, in the way of public collections. We have good reason to believe that the weekly offerings in our own Church, together with other donations, sent in from time to time, will hereafter be sufficient to meet our necessary expenses; and whether this should prove to be the fact or not, we think it is time to try the experiment of self support.
By laying this communication, or the substance of it, before the Corporation, at the Easter meeting, you will confer a favor on,
Yours very truly, D. R. BREWER, Rector of Emmanuel Church.
Geo. C. Mason, Esq.,
Senior Warden, Trinity Church.
April 19, 1858. The committee having reported on the ex- pediency of having gas brought into the Church edifice, it was voted to allow the committee to pipe the Church properly, if it could be done without expense to the Corporation.
A complaint having been brought against Samuel Gladding,
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Sexton, by Mrs. Daniel Goff, the matter was investigated by the Vestry, and an opportunity was given Gladding to resign; this he declined to do, whereupon he was informed that his services would not be required after the above date.
April 29, 1858. The question of the building a new Church edifice having been brought up, a committee was appointed to draw up a circular, stating the need of a new building, and to send copies of it to members of the Corporation. Dr. D. King and George C. Mason to be that committee.
Dr. King, M. C. Slocum and S. Engs were to be a commit- tee to call on the Corporators, and ascertain their views on the subject of the circular.
May 3, 1858. The committee appointed to draft a circular on the subject of a new Church edifice, reported as follows:
"It is well known that for the last few years Trinity Church has been steadily increasing. The Church has arrived at that period of progress when the present Church building does not furnish room adequate to accommodate the number of those who would worship within its walls. This fact of the want of sufficient accommodation, must be acknowledged to be a great evil to an advancing Church; and, if from indifference in the present Corporators, allowed to exist, it is calculated to exert a chilling effect on its growth and prosperity. This evil can only be obviated, either by an enlargement of the present building, or by the erection of a new Church edifice. The enlargement of the present building would be attended by almost insurmount- able obstacles; and if it could be effected, would involve an expense disproportionate to the advantage accruing from it. The erection of a new building, therefore, forces itself upon us as a matter of necessity. There are obvious reasons why the Church should be built of stone, and after the model of the old English Parochial churches, as best adapted to Episcopal wor- ship. With regard to the site of the Church, there are many
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reasons why the new building should rise from the old conse- crated spot, surrounded by the graves of those who have wor- shiped there for a century and a half. It must be borne in mind, however, that the erection of a new edifice, with suitable accommodations, on the present site, would, necessarily, occasion much disturbance and injury of graves and tombs; and that during the period of building-perhaps a long period -the con- gregation would be deprived of a place of worship. These last considerations, together with some prospective views of the pub- lic convenience, may, perhaps, induce the Corporation to select a new site for the new Church.
"The Vestry of Trinity Church respectfully call your serious attention to the subject; requesting you to give due considera- tion to all the circumstances that bear upon the question. 37
"It is desirable to have the enclosed form filled up.
37 Gentlemen of the Vestry:
Tuesday, May 4th, 1858.
At the earliest moment after my return, permit me to address you a few words as to the design which I learn is before you, of building a new church. One of the propositions is, as I understand, to remove the present structure and rebuild upon its site. That I earnestly hope, and on every account, you will not conclude to do. And as silence on my part might be construed either into acquiescence with such a purpose, or indifference as to it, I am compelled, greatly against my wish, to express a clear and decided opinion against it. It is a venerable relic, which it is a sort of virtue to preserve; and to destroy it would do violence to many hearts. On all other points respecting this matter, I am content and glad to remain where your delicate consideration has placed me-removed from all con- nection or interference with the movement.
I cannot, however, avoid expressing to you my profound satisfaction at the affectionate and harmonious spirit which I see is at work among you: keeping you "one in heart" amidst differences well fitted to disturb and rend.
I am, Gentlemen of the Vestry, most affectionately Your friend and Pastor,
A. G MERCER.
To the Vestry of Trinity Church,
Newport, R. I.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
"In a few days a Committee of the Vestry will call on you to ascertain your views with regard to the erection of a new Church edifice. Should the report of the Committee make it expedient, a meeting of the Corporation will hereafter be called by the Vestry, for final action on the subject.
"Questions addressed to the Corporators of Trinity Church, who are required by the Vestry to fill out the blanks, and have them ready for the Committee when they call.
"I. Do you favor the erection of a new Church ? " Answer.
"2. Are you in favor of erecting the building on the old site, and, if so, will you relinquish your pew?
" Answer.
"3. Are you in favor of a new location, and, if so, will you become the purchaser of a pew?
" Answer.
"4. Will you contribute towards the erection of a new Church?
" Answer.
Voted: that the circular be received, and that a copy of the same be presented to each Corporator.
The response was anything but favorable to the project.
July 30, 1858. At a Vestry meeting the chairman presented . the following petition:
To the Vestry of Trinity Church,
We, the undersigned, ladies of Trinity Church, hearing with alarm that our much respected Rector has received a call to a Church of much greater influence and importance than our own, and fearing that he may be induced to leave us, we would most humbly request the Vestry to take some immediate meas- ures, to insure if possible his remaining among us.
We think it unnecessary to dwell upon the great good which he has done in this Parish, and the unusual amount of affection
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and respect which he has secured to himself from all classes. Therefore we hope that only a suggestion is necessary to induce the gentlemen to act with promptness.
As we are told, and have every reason to believe, that Mr. Mercer preaches in Trinity Church with great personal discom- fort, and, indeed, injury to himself, during the summer months, we would suggest that he be requested by the Vestry to preach in his Chapel, if more agreeable to himself, he supplying Trinity Church pulpit during the summer months, until such time as the Corporation think fit to build a new Church.
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