USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > Annals of Trinity church, Newport, Rhode Island, 1821-1892 > Part 9
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
make application to the Town Council, for liberty to place chains in Church street to prevent the noise of carriages during services.
August 21, 1845. Special meeting of the Corporation to fill vacancies. The Rector in the chair.
Voted: that John H. Gilliat be Senior Warden.
Dr. Christopher G. Perry then resigned as Junior Warden.
Voted: that Dr. Perry's resignation be accepted.
Voted: that Walter Nichols be the Junior Warden.
Moses Norman and Thomas W. Brown were elected to fill vacancies in the Vestry.
Voted: that in case the application to Mr. Erben, relative to the organ, be not complied with within one month from this time, that the Senior Warden and George Jones be a committee to have it put in order.
January 13, 1846. Voted: that the vote of this Vestry, Octo- ber 3, 1843, authorizing the sale of those pews on which the taxes were unpaid, continue in full force, and that the Junior Warden govern himself accordingly.
April 13, 1846. Annual Meeting of the Corporation.
The following officers were elected:
John H. Gilliat, Senior Warden.
Walter Nichols, Junior Warden.
Messrs. Moses Norman, Benjamin Finch, Thomas W. Brown and Christopher G. Perry filled vacancies in the Vestry.
The following communication from the Rector was read:
To the Corporation of Trinity Church;
Gentlemen: As I am unhappily prevented by indisposition from attending your meeting today, I take the present method of communicating to you some suggestions, deemed by me of importance to the best interests of the Parish, which I affection- ately commend to your favorable consideration.
These suggestions respect the simplification and increased
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
efficiency of our offertory system. Since the introduction of the primitive and apostolic plan of collections, we have had great reason to be gratified with its operation. Its general in- fluence has been salutary and the results as satisfactory as was anticipated. But the present arrangement devolves a very con- siderable responsibility on your Committee, who are charged with the distribution of the funds collected. By their report, it will appear that they have proceeded in appropriating to objects for the most part such as have heretofore received the charities of the people. Necessarily, however, the result of their action can only be known at long intervals to the contributors. As a natural consequence, therefore, it may be expected that the stream of benevolence will not flow as copiously or regularly, as when some definite and tangible object is announced before- hand; and each contributor is precisely informed of the destina- tion of his money. Objects of a domestic character ever appeal more promptly to our sympathies, and when our charities are applied within our view, we have the advantage of all the en- couragement arising from their good effect, and are stimulated to more cheerful and enlarged action.
It has occurred to me, that it will be well to try the experi- ment of concentrating our efforts for the ensuing year upon home objects, with the hope of enlisting each one of us in the noble work of charity, and in a manner satisfactory to all; and surely there is enough to be done around us, to excite our energies, and to reward our best efforts.
The want of Church accommodations for the poor has been felt by me to be an evil, from my earliest connection with the Parish, and is, I believe, universally allowed to be such. The impression seems to prevail with this class of our fellow citizens, that there is neither room for them, nor are they welcome in Trinity Church; at least, that we are at no pains to furnish them with the requisite facilities for worship. I am sure this impression is unfounded, so far as your disposition is concerned, and however unreasonable it may be, we can only regret that it exists. It appears to me that we can do a noble work, in taking away all seeming occasion for such a reproach, and benefit
1
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
ourselves while blessing others. I propose, therefore, the fol- lowing plan, as simple and feasible, by which we may meet the necessities of those who may be disposed to worship with us, and also a numerous class who must be deprived of the holy ordinances of the Church, unless they are carried to their very doors. I have learned that the south gallery of the Church has been filled with pews by a Committee who hold them until they are reimbursed for their expenditure, by sales and rents, when the pews undisposed of become the property of the Corporation. I would suggest, therefore, that the requisite sum be appropri- ated from the offertory, to rent this gallery from the Committee and occupants, and to open it as free to all who choose to avail themselves of this privilege. In this way we may furnish nearly a hundred sittings; and while we do a work of charity to others, we shall gradually extinguish an obligation of the Corporation to the Committee referred to, and hasten the time when they shall revert to that body.
I propose this as an experiment; not doubting, however, that many will avail themselves of this privilege; at any rate, deem- ing it of no small consequence, that we should honestly do what lies in our power to wipe out the unjust prejudice which, in the popular mind, adheres to us, as to the Church at large, of being exclusive, and the Church of the rich rather than of the poor. A sum not larger than one hundred dollars will probably be required for the accomplishment of this design. But there is still a larger class of our community who will need to be reached by the blessed influence of the Gospel and the Church, in a more direct way. They need to be searched out, and to have all the privileges brought to their hearths. I refer, es- pecially, to residents on the "Point," so called, where I am credibly informed, and am assured by observations likewise, that large numbers of families live without the means of grace; and that many more, if they receive any religious instruction, are at least deprived of the superior advantages of our own venerable and Apostolic Church. I am exceedingly desirous that a remedy should be provided for this necessity, and I can think of no better way than to establish in the midst of this
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
population a chapel of our own, or a missionary under the direc- tion of your Rector. To accomplish this will require one-half of the whole amount of the offertory for the present year; and with this sum I have no doubt that regular services may be maintained, and all the benefits which our religion bestows may be presented to that people, to the promotion of morality, of temporal relief and the salvation of the soul. Should a suitable man be procured, under the blessing of God, results will follow which will greatly gladden our own hearts, as well as to cause many to arise and call us blessed. By the adoption of any prosecution of plans like these, your influence as a parish will be greatly increased in the community; we shall be fulfilling our mission as the friends and benefactors of those who have none to help them, and act consistently with the dignity of one of the most venerable and ancient congregations of the American Church. From the remainder of the collections we can, as now, appropriate $50, for the payment of the Bishop's salary; $75, to the improvement and support of music, fulfil our obligation already incurred in a mission to the West, give a gratuity to the Sunday School, besides retaining a sufficient sum for the poor of our own communion.
I have thus, Gentlemen, sketched to you an outline of a plan for the distribution of our collections, which I trust will commend itself to you, as it does to me, as free from most of the objections which embarrass all charitable operations: and which possesses the singular advantage of an exclusive domestic character. Whatever you do in accordance with this recom- mendation, you do for yourselves as well as others. You relieve the Corporation of an obligation, assist in the payment of your own necessary expenses, pursue measures which tend to the augmentation of the dignity and reputation of the Parish, assume a new aspect before the community, to the honor of the Church at large, and not only set an example worthy of being followed, but become the instrument of conferring blessings upon the poor and needy, which can only be appreciated in eternity.
For myself I can only say, that the present design has been long a favorite theme of serious deliberation, and that your approbation of it will be a source of the highest satisfaction.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
I commend it, and you, to the patronage and favor of the Great Head of the Church, and with hearty prayers for the highest prosperity of the Parish.
I am affectionately, Your Rector and friend, R. B. HALL.
Easter Monday, 1846.
Voted: that this Corporation cordially unite in the recom- mendation made by the Rector, in his letter of this date, and trust that he will make arrangements to put the plan into im- mediate execution.
Voted: that John H. Gilliat, John Sterne, Christopher G. Perry and Walter Nichols, be delegates to the Diocesan Con- vention.
Voted: that the Junior Warden confer with the committee on pews in the South Gallery, and report to the Rector.
April 28, 1846. Voted: that the Senior Warden settle with Mr. Taylor [the organist] for the use of his piano while the organ was down.
July 7, 1846. The Junior Warden made the following report in relation to the sale of pews:
"On the 9th of May I sold at auction, agreeable to the pro- visions of the Charter, and the vote of the Vestry, pews No. 81 and 83 on the lower floor, and No. 10 in the North Gallery. No. 81 was bought by Capt. William [V.] Taylor. No. 83 was bid in for the Corporation, as also was No. ro in the gallery. By a subsequent arrangement with the Vestry, the owner of the last named pew was allowed to retain it, and it will be in his possession after the present term for which it was let has expired."
The report was received and ordered to be recorded.
Voted: that the Treasurer pay the proportion of expenses of the State Convention due from this Church.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Voted: that the Treasurer ascertain what was the whole cost of fitting the pews in the South Gallery, what amount has been received, what dues there are and from whom, for rents, &c., and what amount would be required to settle the claims of the committee, and bring them into the possession of the Church.
September 1, 1846. Voted: that the wall pew, No. 17, be given up by the Corporation, for the purpose of erecting a fount.
October 29, 1846. Special meeting of the Corporation, when the following letter from the Rector was read:
To the Corporation of Trinity Church, Newport;
Gentlemen :
In the Providence of God, I have been elected Rector of St. James Church, in the city of Roxbury, in the Diocese of Massachusetts, and their call has been presented to me under such circumstances that I deem it my duty to accept it.
This invitation, entirely unsolicited on my part, comes to me as the expression of the unanimous voice of that Vestry and Parish; and this fact, together with a location in a climate more congenial with my constitution, joined with other favorable pros- pects of usefulness, induces me to accede to their request.
I find myself consequently prepared to tender to you my resignation of office as Rector of Trinity Church; and I respect- fully request you to accept the same, to take effect on the 22d Sunday after Trinity, Novr. 8th.
In taking this step, I but anticipate the accomplishment of a resolution, taken some time since, in view of the state of my health, which has been so disastrously affected during my resi- dence here, and which would render a longer continuance in my present station irreconcilable with my convictions of duty as regards myself, my family, and the Church of God.
You will believe me to be duly sensible of the sacredness of the relation, which I now ask you to sever, and I should not venture to propose such an act, were I not fully convinced of its propriety, in the light of the reasons now assigned. But under the circumstances I am persuaded that you will unite with
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
me in the opinion of the expediency of dissolving the connection which has existed between us, and I earnestly hope that the event will result in the honor of God, and promote the prosperity of the Kingdom of the Redeemer.
Allow me, Gentlemen, to assure you, individually and collec- tively, of my deep and abiding interest in your present and fu- ture welfare, and to subscribe myself,
Your friend and Rector,
ROBT. B. HALL.
Newport, October 29th, 1846.
Voted: that this Corporation accede to the wishes of the Rector.
Voted: that the Junior Warden call a special meeting of the Corporation, on Thursday next, at 3 o'clock p. m.
Voted: that a committee, Dr. King and W. C. Gibbs, be ap- pointed to reply to the letter of the Rector, and inform him of the vote of this meeting.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
CHAPTER V.
1846-1855.
November 5, 1846. Special meeting of the Corporation; Gov- ernor Gibbs in the chair.
Voted: that the salary of the Minister of this Church shall be fixed at $1000.
A communication from John H. Gilliat was received, resigning his office as Senior Warden, and his resignation was accepted. Mr. Edward King was elected Senior Warden till Easter next.
Voted: that all money collected at the offertory, not other- wise appropriated by the Corporation, or by those individuals who contributed to it, and also all balances left from taxes on pews, be placed in charge of the Treasurer of said Trinity Church, who is hereby authorized to invest the same as a permanent fund until it amounts to $5000, for the sole purpose of defray- ing the expenses which will necessarily occur in repairing said Church.
Voted: that the Senior Warden fill the pulpit during the va- cancy; and that he pay any sum not exceeding $20 each Sun- day, for services of ministers officiating.
Voted: that the meeting now proceed to elect a Minister for this Church.
Rev. Mr. [Darius R.] Brewer was nominated. The first bal- lot: yeas, 14; nays, I. A second ballot was taken: Rev. D. R. Brewer, 15; Rev. Mr. Nichols, I; blanks, 4.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
The Junior Warden and Mr. Benjamin Finch were appointed a committee to inform Mr. Brewer of his election.
November 19, 1846. Adjourned meeting of the Corporation.
Voted: that the call from this Corporation to Mr. Brewer be considered unanimous.
Voted: that the communication from this Corporation to Rev. R. B. Hall be entered on the journal.
A letter from Rev. D. R. Brewer, accepting the call of the Corporation, was read.
Voted: that the correspondence of the committee with Rev. D. R. Brewer, be recorded.
Newport, Oct. 30th, 1846.
Rev. Robert B. Hall;
Reverend Sir:
As a Committee appointed by the Corporation of Trinity Church, at their meeting, 29th Oct., it is our painful duty to reply to your letter of resignation of the office of Rector. While we sincerely and deeply regret that the consideration of our ungenial climate, and other circumstances, should have caused the necessity of your separation from us, we take pleasure in expressing to you our grateful feelings for your diligent labors in our behalf, for your eloquent and masterly expositions of religious truth, and for the kindness and sympathy which you have extended to the members of your Parish. It has been your lot during a portion of your sojourn with us, to have been afflicted with a severe attack of illness. During that period it was the pleasure of some of your Congregation to visit and to sympathize with you, and to mark the unwavering faith which enabled you to sustain the extreme suffering incident to your disease. The important truths which you have enforced from the pulpit, have been amply illustrated by your holiness of life. The impressions you have made on the minds of many will con- tinue to exert a salutary influence, though they shall cease to hear your voice, or to be inspired by your presence. You have left behind you words and thoughts destined to exert a trans-
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
forming power over the characters and hearts of those to whom, while you were here, you were bound by the strongest attach- ments. You have exercised nobly the duties of your noble office; by consoling those who were weighted down by sorrow, by extending your benevolence to the poor and forgotten, by awakening in your congregation a sense of their privileges and duties, and withdrawing their attention from the realities of life to the fact of other and higher spheres of existence.
This retrospect, of the great and eminent services, rendered to us in the course of your ministry here, cannot fail to awaken in us the deepest gratitude and affection. Be assured, that in leaving us, you carry with you the kindest sympathies of our hearts, that you are accompanied with our sincere wishes and prayers, that God may deal kindly with you and yours.
With feelings of esteem and affection,
DAVID KING, W. C. GIBBS.
Newport, Nov. 6th, 1846.
Revd. D. R. Brewer,
Revd. and dear Sir:
A special meeting of the Corporation of Trinity Church, was held on Thursday, Novr. 5th, at which time it was voted that said Corporation proceed to elect a Minister for said Church. The only person who received a nomination was yourself, and on the first ballot you were elected; but owing to a misappre- hension on the part of some, and for the satisfaction of all, a second vote was taken, with the following result: Rev. D. R. Brewer, 15; Rev. Mr. Nichols, I, and 4 blank votes were cast. The whole number present was 23. The salary was fixed before going into an election, at $1000. It may be proper to state, that those who cast blank votes declared themselves friendly to you, but wished to postpone the decision of the question for a few days.
It was made the duty of the undersigned to invite you, in accordance with the wishes of this Corporation, as above ex- pressed, to accept the office of Minister of this Church; and while we assure you that you have the kindest feelings of all
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
who compose our Body, and that they would at a former period have made the same selection, had you allowed them to consider you a candidate, we hope that you will, after due reflection, conclude to accept the call which we now make; as we are individually satisfied that your ministry will be acceptable to all, and by God's help, may greatly tend to the prosperity of this branch of the visible Church.
Our meeting stands adjourned to Thursday, Nov. 19th, and if possible you will please answer this before that time, and accept our individual and united assurance of respect and friend- ship.
BENJ. FINCH, WALTER NICHOLS, Committee for the Corporation.
Concord, N. H., Nov. 11th, 1846.
Messrs. Benj. Finch and Walter Nichols,
Committee for Corporation of Trinity Church; Gentlemen :
The request with which the Corporation of Trinity Church in Newport has seen fit to honor me, to become the Rector of that venerable Parish, has received a careful, and, I may add, an anxious consideration. On some accounts it has seemed doubtful whether I ought to leave my present station for the purpose of occupying another, where I may not prove a useful and successful laborer. But with much fear and dis- trust (not of your Parish, whose charitable judgment and deeds I have before experienced, but of my own abilities), I have decided to make the attempt, and accept your call. May He, without whom nothing is strong or profitable, bless this under- taking, to the advancement of His glory and the prosperity of the Church.
I shall not be able to commence my labors in Newport be- fore the first Sunday in December; if that time should be agree- able to yourselves, I shall then be happy, God being my helper, to enter upon the work of the ministry in your Parish.
With true regard,
DARIUS RICHMOND BREWER.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
December 8, 1846. Voted, at a Vestry meeting: that the Junior Warden make, or employ some person to make, a cata- logue of books in the Rector's library, and that said catalogue be recorded on the journal.
April 5, 1847. Annual Meeting of the Corporation; 19 Cor- porators being present. William Hunter in the chair.
The following officers were elected:
Edward King, Senior Warden.
Walter Nichols, Junior Warden.
Benjamin Finch, John Sterne, William V. Taylor, David King, Henry Bull, Thomas W. Brown, Edward Stanhope, Moses Norman, Samuel Engs, Benjamin A. Mason, M. C. Slocum, Vestrymen.
Benjamin A. Mason, Treasurer.
William Cornell, Secretary.
Samuel Gladding, Sexton.
The election of organist and the whole direction of the music was left with the Vestry.
Delegates to the Diocesan Convention: John H. Gilliat, John Sterne, Walter Nichols and Edward King.
Voted: that the vote of November 5, 1846, relating to the offertory, be repealed.
Voted: that the weekly offertory be hereafter appropriated according to the recommendation of the Bishop, in his Pastoral letter; and that the Minister and Wardens be a committee for that purpose.
Voted: that the Rev. Mr. Brewer be requested to appoint an early day for his institution as Rector, according to the 6th section of our Charter.
Voted: that the Wardens be a committee to wait upon Mr. Brewer, and inform him of the passage of this resolution, and to make the necessary arrangements to carry the same into effect.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Voted: that the Vestry be authorized to take the best means of heating the Church, and to draw on the Treasurer for any expenditure that may thereby be incurred.
Voted: that a committee of three, Benjamin Finch, Edward King and Samuel Engs, be appointed to assess $800 upon indi- viduals in the Corporation, in addition to the tax upon pews, to meet any deficiency that may arise in the current receipts of the year.
April 8, 1847. Voted: that this Vestry decline letting this room [the Church school-house] for a day school.
Voted: that Henry Bull, Benjamin Finch and M. C. Slocum be a committee to obtain information relating to heating the Church by furnaces, and report at a future meeting.
April 13, 1847. George Taylor was appointed organist, with a salary of $150, and Isaac Silsbee was engaged as Chorister, at a salary of $100.
June 22, 1847. Meeting of the Corporation.
Voted: that the pew tax be so increased as to raise an addi- tional sum of $800 for the present year, and that a committee, John Sterne, M. C. Slocum and Edward King, apportion this tax, by a valuation of the pews in the Church.
Voted: that a committee, William Hunter, William C. Gibbs and M. C. Slocum, ascertain whether the Permanent Fund can be applied to the repairs of the Church building, what repairs are necessary, together with the cost of the same, and the most proper time for such repairs; to report at a future meeting.
Voted: that the Town's Committee have leave to withdraw their application for the use of the Church on July 3.
The request of the Redwood Library Company, for the use of the Church on their approaching anniversary, was also denied.
June 24, 1847. Adjourned meeting of the Corporation; Gov- ernor Gibbs in the chair.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
The committee appointed to amend the 5th section of the Charter, made the following report, which was read and adopted: "An Act in amendment of the Charter of Trinity Church, Newport, R. I.
"Section Ist. It is enacted by the General Assembly as fol- lows: That each owner of a pew in Trinity Church, Newport, who professes to worship in the Protestant Episcopal Church, shall be a member of said Corporation, and shall be entitled to vote, either in person or by proxy, in all Corporation meetings; and that in all such meetings not less than fifteen members shall form a quorum for the transaction of any business.
"Section 2d. That all special meetings of said Corporation shall be called by reading in said Church public notice thereof, on the Sunday next before any such meeting, and not less than four days previous thereto, which notice shall state generally the business to be transacted.
"Section 3d. That the 5th Section of said Charter, and all in alteration or amendment thereof be, and the same are hereby, repealed."
Voted: that Mr. Edward King be a committee to get an Act passed by the Legislature of this State, in accordance with the provisions of this report.
The committee to value the pews and apportion the sum of $800 made report of their doings, which report was received and adopted.
Voted: that one half of the assessment now levied be col- lected July Ist and the remainder on the Ist of the following January.
June 30, 1847. The resignation of Isaac Silsbee as chorister was received by the Vestry, and it was voted that he be paid $25 for his past services.
Voted: that the Treasurer hire $200 on the credit of this
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
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