USA > Virginia > A digest of the proceedings of the conventions and councils in the diocese of Virginia > Part 12
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"It deserves to be mentioned, that in addition to the high backs which always concealed the family, and prevented any of them from gazing around when sitting or kneeling, a railing of brass rods with damask curtains was put around the top of the pew, except the part. opposite the pulpit, in order, it is supposed, to prevent the indulgence of curiosity when standing. These remained until a few years since, and parts of them may probably yet be found in the possession of neighbors or relatives.
"In further evidence of the fidelity with which this house was built, I would mention that the pavement of its aisles, which is of large free- stone, is yet solid and smooth, as though it were the work of yesterday. The old walnut communion table also still stands firm and unimpaired, and not a round from the railing of the chancel is gone, or even loose.
"The old marble font, the largest and most beautiful I ever saw, is still there; and, what will scarce be credited, the old cedar dial-post,, with the name of Robin Carter, 1702, and which was only removed a few years since from its station without the door, where it was planted in the ground, is still to be seen in its place of security under the pulpit.
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In such a house, surrounded by such memorials, it was delightful to read the Word of God and the prayers of the Church from the old desk, to pronounce the commandments from the altar near which the two tables of the law, the Creed and Lord's Prayer, are still to be seen in large and legible characters, and there to preach the words of eternal life from the high and lofty pulpit which seemed, as it were, to be hung in the air. Peculiarly delightful it was to raise the voice in such utterances, in a house whose sacred form and beautiful arches seemed to give force and music to the feeblest tongue, beyond any other building in which I ever performed or heard the hallowed ser- vices of the sanctuary. The situation of this Church, though low, and surrounded on two of its sides by wood land, with thick undergrowth, is not without its peculiar interest. A few acres of open land, with some very large trees, chiefly spreading walnuts, furnish ample room for the horses and vehicles of those who attend it. An old decayed brick wall, with a number of graves and tombstones around the house, add no little solemnity to the scene.
"Among the latter, at the east end of the house, within a neat en- closure recently put up, are to be seen the tombs of Robin Carter, the builder of the house, and of his two wives. These are probably the largest, richest, and heaviest tombstones in our land. A long Latin in- scription is to be seen on that of Mr. Carter. While the tomb of the husband is entire, those of the wives appear to have been riven with lightning, and are separating and falling to pieces. Such is the belief and testimony of the neighbors. It is pleasing to know that a con- siderable sum of money has been subscribed for repairing the roof, which requires a new covering, and for improving the interior of this remarkable building, and that a generous portion of it is contributed by some of the descendants of the original builder, or those connected with them, who, though residing at a distance from the spot, possess the land around it, and have given the best assurance to the few remaining families of the Church that it shall ever be continued for its original and sacred purposes.
"The services of the fast day being over, and leave taken of this old and venerable Church, my next appointment was at Lancaster Court- house, where I preached to a crowded house on Saturday, 24th. On Sunday morning I preached at White Chapel to a full and attentive audience, when four persons were confirmed, and the communion ad- ministered. White Chapel may be called a part of one of the old sub- stantial churches, and was originally in the form of a cross. Some years since it was repaired, when the two arms of the cross were cut off, and it is now an oblong building. It is regretted by many that this
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change was made, as the present house is sometimes too small for the congregation which assembles. The old font and tables of the law re- tain their station, and the ancient drapery of the pulpit, though faded and rusty by age, is still entire and good.
"There are a number of large tombstones around this house, and on them, the name most frequently to be seen, is that of Ball, in which the reader will recognize that of the ancestor of Mrs. Washington, the mother of General Washington.
"My next appointment was at Westmoreland Courthouse, where I preached to a small congregation on Tuesday, the 27th, and on the even- ing of that day proceeded to the neighborhood of Oak Grove. * In passing on to this appointment, the road lies immediately by the ruins of one of the old churches, called Pope's Creek Church, a very large square building.
" It was very near this Church that General Washington was born ; it was in this that he was baptized, and here it was he received those early impressions of religion, which, instead of being effaced by age, seemed to grow with his growth and strengthen with his strength. * *
"In passing from Westmoreland to King George county, where the next appointment was made, the traveler may see immediately on the road-side the last vestiges of another old Church, called 'Round Hill Church.' A few broken bricks and a little elevation made by the mouldered ruins are all now left to say -- here once stood a Church of the living God. On Thursday and Friday services were performed in St. Paul's Church, King George county. I preached in the morning of each day, and Mr. Nelson and Mr. Friend in the afternoon. Here I bap- tized three children, and confirmed two persons, administering the com- munion also. About twenty-six years ago, when Mr. Norris and my- self visited this region together, St. Paul's church was in ruins. The roof was ready to fall, and not a window, door, pew or timber re- mained below. Nevertheless, notice was given that we would preach there. A rude temporary pulpit or stand was raised at one corner of the cross, from which we might speak. × * * *
"On the following day, being the Sabbath, we were at Lamb's Creek, church, in the upper end of King George. I preached in the morning and baptized two children, and the Rev. Mr. Friend preached in the afternoon. This is one of the old, well built brick churches, which within a few years, has been well repaired. A disposition was recently manifested to claim it as private property, and an effort made to dis- pose of it as such, but the good sense and correct feeling of the com- munity, and prudent conduct of our friends, prevailed against it. * *
* * * *
"On Friday the service was at old Aquia church, in Stafford county,
*
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where I preached to a very respectable congregation, Mr. Francis M'Guire performing the service. There I baptized five children.
"The church at Aquia is a large and noble building, after the form of the cross, situated on a high and commanding eminence, a few hun- dred yards from the main road. It was built in the year 1761. The date of its erection and the names of the minister and vestry are yet to be seen in large letters on a pannel in the gallery. In the same gal- lery may be seen a large flight of stairs leading up to the top of the house, from which is a most extensive and beautiful view of the Poto- mac river and the country around. * *
"Not many miles from this may be seen the noble walls and decaying roof of old Potomac church, one of the largest in Virginia. It is not known at what time the ministrations of religion ceased in this house. It was occupied by the soldiers during the last war, and has since been used as the habitation of silkworms, though these are now withdrawn, and in all human probability it is henceforth destined to be left to itself and to follow the example of many others whose site can scarcely be recognized. * * * * *
"My next visit was to Pohick church, in the vicinity of Mount Vernon, the seat of General Washington. I designed to perform service there on Saturday as well as Sunday, but through some mistake no notice was given for the former day. The weather, indeed, was such as to prevent the assembling of any but those who prize such occasions so much as to be deterred only by very strong considerations. It was still raining when I approached the house, and found no one there. The wide-opened doors invited me to enter, as they do invite, day and night, through the year, not only the passing traveler, but every beast of the field and fowl of the air. These latter, however, seem to have reverenced the house of God, since few marks of their pollution are to be seen throughout it. The interior of the house having been well built, is still good. The chancel, communion table, and tables of the law, etc., are still there and in good order. The roof only is decaying, and at the time I was there, the rain was dropping on these sacred places and on other parts of the house. On the doors of the pews, in gilt letters, are still to be seen the names of the principal families which once occupied them. How could I, while for at least an hour travers- ing those long aisles, entering the sacred chancel, ascending the lofty pulpit, forbear to ask: And is this the house of God which was built by the Washingtons, the Masons, the McCarties, the Grahams, the Lew- ises, the Fairfaxes-the house in which they used to worship the God of our Fathers according to the venerable forms of the Episcopal Church, and some of whose names are yet to be seen on the doors of those now deserted pews? Is this also destined to moulder piecemeal away, or,
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when some signal is given, to become the prey of spoilers, and to be carried hither and thither, and applied to every purpose under heaven ?
"Surely patriotism or reverence for the greatest of patriots, if not re- ligion, might be effectually appealed to in behalf of this one temple of God. The particular location of it is to be ascribed to the youthful Washington, who, at a very early age, being an active member of the vestry, when it was under consideration and in dispute where it should be placed, carefully surveyed the whole parish, and drawing an accu- rate and handsome map of it with his own hand, showed clearly where the claims of justice and the interests of religion required its erection."
The Episcopal Fund was reported to be $7,265.
The Seminary Trustees reported only twenty-two stu- dents. They suggested several reasons for the decrease of numbers. 1st. The multiplication of Theological Schools. 2d. The small number of young men who devote themselves to the ministry. 3d. The want of a preparatory Institu- tion.
They reported the purchase of a comfortable house and lot; also $3,000 paid or pledged for a library.
They expressed themselves strongly in favor of having at once a High School as a preparatory Institution, and a nursery for the Seminary.
The Bishops presented the following "opinion" upon the subject of agents as an instrumentality for collecting funds for religious Institutions
Bishop Meade read the following opinion :
" To the Clerical and Lay Deputies of the Convention about to be held in the town of Winchester, May 16, 1838 :
"DEAR BRETHREN AND FRIENDS,-By a resolution of the last Con- vention the Bishops of the Church in Virginia were requested to ex- press their sentiments on the subject of agencies for promoting the dif- ferent religious and benevolent institutions in our country. Although this mode of sustaining such institutions has been but little used in the Episcopal Church, especially in a Diocese like our own, consisting chiefly of congregations scattered at long intervals over a large sur- face of country, and therefore cannot be justly subject to much com-
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plaint, yet in compliance with your wishes we will offer the result of our reflections on a subject which is certainly liable to abuse, in the hope that we may suggest something which, duly attended to, may serve as an antidote to the apprehended evil. * * * * *
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"On looking into the Word of God, we find it there enjoined upon the ministers of religion that they be thoroughly furnished unto every good work-be always ready to make full trial of their ministry- that they affirm constantly that such as believe be careful to maintain good works, and especially that they charge those who abound in the goods of this world to be rich in good works and glad to communicate of their store. These things every minister should be prepared and ready to do himself, and not depend upon another to do them for him. If the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom is an object dear to heaven, it ought of course to be dear to the heart of every minister of heaven, and he should most carefully study the best means of effecting the same, regarding it as a most important and interesting part of that work to which he has solemnly devoted himself. If it be required of all Christians to be zealously affected in good things, it is most inexcusable in a man of God, whose duty it is to stir up even the purest minds to a sense of their high obligation, to be himself indifferent and inefficient as to all those important objects which are committed to the special care of agents.
One of the most effectual methods of exciting an ardent zeal in our own bosoms, is to study well the nature and importance of these good objects, in order that we may urge others by the most convincing argu- ments to engage heartily in them, not leaving it to the uncertain and distant visits of comparative strangers, to stimulate ourselves and peo- ple to a becoming zeal. The ministers of religion will best show their own deep sense of the great importance of these objects by constantly affirming that believers should do these good works, not merely at special select meetings, when many are purposely absent, but in the fullest assemblies on the blessed Sabbath, when no collection has been notified, or is to be called for, when all may have an opportunity of learning the true nature of benevolent institutions, and of hearing what the privilege and happiness of giving is.
"They should let their people see and feel how anxious they are to have those committed to their care take an active part in the holy en- terprises of the day, and that they are neither afraid nor ashamed to open their mouths boldly in behalf of them, instead of throwing the odious task upon a passing agent. If ministers were thus conscien- tiously and zealously to perform their duty, no agents would be so
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effective as themselves, and God would support them by his blessing, giving them a favor in the sight of their people, such as few agents are likely to obtain.
"We feel it our duty to add, that in the Episcopal Church, whose congregations and ministers are frequently visited by those superior officers whose duty it is to exhort to all good works, this description of laborers ought to be less necessary than in any other denomination. If the Bishops of the Church would make full trial of their ministry, by earnest appeals to the people and private exhortation to the ministers, there surely ought to be but little necessity for traveling agents for any purpose.
"The lukewarmness, timidity and false delicacy of ministers must, therefore, be the chief reason why so many persons are employed, at great expense, for doing that which might, we think, more effectually be done in some other way. In proportion as the Bishops and paro- chial clergy can be induced to feel and act with becoming zeal on all these great questions now before the Christian world, so will the neces- sity for multiplied agencies diminish. But seeing that so many fail in their duty, we do not undertake to decide how far it may be expedient to make up the deficiency by means of agents, or to interfere with the liberty of each minister, as to the agents whom he may choose to en- courage.
"As, however, the discussion arose on the proposition to recommend the agent of the Bible Society of Virginia, and as that excellent Society has so often received the hearty approbation of the Convention, and has so long honored one of us with its highest office, we must express the hope that every minister will cherish it, either by an annual collec- tion made by himself, or by affording an opportunity to some respect- able agent to present the worthy object to his people.
"As to other institutions more immediately connected with the promotion of religion within our own communion, we hope it is unnecessary to recommend to each minister a regular and systematic effort for our Diocesan Seminary, by such moderate contributions each year as are indispensable to the support of that to which, under God, the Church in Virginia is so much indebted for her present prosperity. Nor should the missionary enterprises of the Church at large be disre- garded by any minister or congregation in the Diocese. Let them be freely patronized by regular collections in the congregations, or by pious associations, so as to render unnecessary the frequent and ex- pensive visits of multiplied agents."
Mr. Edmund I. Lee offered the following:
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Resolved, That the first and third resolutions of the Convention of the 20th of May, 1837, in relation to the permanent fund for the support of the Bishop, passed in May, 1818, be and the same are hereby re- pealed, and that the resolutions of May, 1818, be and shall remain in full force.
And the ayes and noes being required on the passage thereof, it was carried in the negative as follows: ayes 23, noes 43.
The following were adopted:
Resolved, That the Treasurer of the Fund for the Relief of the Widows and Orphans of Deceased Clergymen in the Diocese of Vir- ginia, be and is hereby directed to pay from time to time, to the order of said Society, the annuities that may be due to the widows and or- phans of its deceased members.
It was-
Resolved, That the widow and orphans of the late Rev. William F. Lee be placed upon the footing of annuitants out of the Fund for the Relief of Widows and Orphans of Deceased Clergymen in the Diocese of Virginia, upon the payment of the aforesaid $1.50 for every year he exceeded the age of thirty.
The Rev. William Norwood offered the following resolu- tion, which was adopted :
Resolved, That the recommendation of the Trustees of the Theolo- gical Seminary, respecting the establishment of a High School in con- nection with the Theological Seminary, be approved by this Conven- tion, and that they are hereby requested to adopt such measures as in their judgment may be necessary to effect that object.
It was-
Resolved, That any clergyman failing to attend the Convention, shall send a report in conformity with the form of a parochial report ap- pended to the Journal, accompanied with a written excuse for his absence, and in the event of not sending this written excuse, he shall, in person, render that excuse at the next Convention which he may attend.
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CONVENTION OF 1839.
Convention met in Christ church, Norfolk.
Antrim parish, Halifax county, Walker's parish, Albe- .marle, St. James church, Richmond, were admitted into union with the Convention.
In his address Bishop Moore said:
"Having heard much said on the subject of a late publication in England, distinguished by the name of the Oxford Tracts, it would be improper in me to pass over them in silence, especially as one of the English Bishops and several of the most eminent clergymen of that Church have expressed in most decided terms their disapprobation of some of the principles and views they contain. The Bishop of Chester, alive to the consideration of those dangers resulting from the tracts in question, has thus addressed the clergy of his Diocese: 'Many sub- jects present themselves, toward which I might be tempted to direct your thoughts. One more especially concerns the Church at present, because it is daily assuming a more serious and alarming aspect, and threatens a revival of the worst evils of the Romish system. Under the specious pretence of deference to antiquity, and respect for primi- tive models, the foundations of our Protestant Church are undermined by men who dwell within her walls, and those who sit in the Reformers' seats are traducing the Reformers. It is again,' continues the Bishop, 'becoming matter of question whether the Bible is sufficient to make man wise unto salvation. The main article of our national confession, Justification by Faith, is both openly and covertly assailed, and the stewards of God are instructed to reserve the truths which they have been ordained to dispense, and to hide under a bushel those doctrines which the apostles were commanded to preach to every creature.'
"To be reserved, my brethren, when discoursing on the atonement made by the Lord Jesus Christ, would be a departure from duty of the most unpardonable character, and would subject any clergyman who should attempt it to the charge of a denial of that Being who has bought us with the price of his most precious blood. It was the object of St. Paul to bring forward the Redeemer in bold relief to the view of
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all the Christians to whom his epistles are directed ; for 'God forbid,' said that venerable apostle, 'that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.' Nay, so deeply was his mind impressed with the importance of that principle, that he again declares, ' I am deter- mined to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified.'
"The Tracts are also charged with erroneous views on the subject of the justification of penitent man in the sight of God. Our Church declares in language the most explicit, that 'We are accounted righ- teous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works and deservings,' and the apostle declares that 'our justification is not of works, lest any man should boast.'
"The clergy of this Diocese I have always considered, and do now consider them, decidedly pure and correct on the subject of the atone- ment made on the cross for the sin of the world, and also in their views of the justification of the returning offender in the sight of God; and I trust, my beloved brethren, while we live and are permitted to exer- cise our official duties, we shall keep in view the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, and proclaim to penitent sinners that 'by grace they are saved through faith.'
"It is under the banner of the Redeemer that we have enlisted. It is under his banner that we have succeeded in our ministry, and that our labors have been blessed. It is by preaching the doctrines of the cross that the Church in Virginia has been resuscitated, and that it now holds a conspicuous place in our communion; but should the awful period ever arrive, when we should be reserved on the doctine of the atonement, or teach poor fallen man to trust to his own merits for sal- vation, the blessing of Almighty God would be withdrawn from us- Ichabod would be written on the doors of our sacred temples, and we should be left to grope our way in midnight darkness. Let me entreat you, then, my clerical brethren, to hold fast to the faith once delivered to the saints, and so fully expressed in the articles and liturgy of our holy and apostolic Church. It was on the cross that the covenant of peace and reconciliation with God was made-it was on the cross that the fountain for sin and uncleanness was opened-and it is to that. sacrifice, once made on Calvary, that we are to depend for our present and eternal happiness. To withhold from the view of the believer the principle of the atonement, would be to remove from beneath his feet the foundation upon which he has erected the superstructure of all his hopes-his support in every difficulty-the rock of his dependence in death, his only ark of safety, when the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll, and the elements melt with fervent heat. Be steadfast, then,
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my beloved brethren, I beseech you, in the discharge of your duties- suffer not your minds to be influenced by any novel doctrines which may be presented to your view by restless and speculative men; be im- movable-always abounding in the work of the Lord-forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
A committee was appointed to devise a plan for raising a competent support for the Bishop and assistant Bishop.
Rev. Thomas Atkinson presented the following:
At a meeting of the Faculty of Hampden Sidney College, held in the chapel on Wednesday evening, March 27, 1839: Present, William Max- well, President-R. G. Branch, J. W. Draper, and F. H. Smith, Profes- sors. The following resolution was unanimously adopted :
Resolved, That the trustees be, and they are hereby respectfully re- quested, to provide and ordain that all pious youths in indigent circum- stances who may wish to pursue their studies at this college with a view to prepare themselves for becoming ministers of the gospel in connexion with any Evangelical Church in our State and country, and who shall be recommended accordingly by some proper authority of such Church, shall be privileged to enjoy all the instruction and other advantages of the institution, subject only to the general regulations of the same, with- out any charge for tuition.
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