A digest of the proceedings of the conventions and councils in the diocese of Virginia, Part 13

Author: Dashiell, Thomas Grayson, 1830-1893
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Richmond : W.E. Jones
Number of Pages: 454


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Ordered, That the clerk of the Faculty communicate the foregoing resolution to the next meeting of the Board of Trustees, and also to the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, which is about to meet in Norfolk, Virginia.


Rev. Thomas Atkinson presented the following, among other resolutions connected with the same subject:


Be it Resolved, That a committee of five persons (two of them to be the Bishop and the assistant Bishop of this Diocese) be appointed to inquire into the practicability of obtaining, on satisfactory terms, the ownership of the Southern Churchman.


2. Resolved, If it can be purchased for a sum not exceeding $2,000, and they who shall sell their interest in it will be willing to look for payment of the purchase money to the profits of said paper, that then said committee be authorized to purchase it in their own names, and hold it in trust for this Convention.


3. Resolved, That it shall be the duty of said committee, in case they


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make the purchase, to provide for conducting the paper, either by the voluntary services of some of the clergy, or by procuring an editor who shall serve for such time and on such terms as may be agreed on between him and them, and shall be in all respects responsible to them.


They were postponed to the next Convention.


The Seminary Trustees announced the determination to have a High School established, to be under the charge of the Rev. William N. Pendleton, then a professor in Newark College, Delaware.


The following were offered and approved :


Whereas, from the destitute condition of the Protestant Episcopal Church in many parishes and counties in this State its members and friends are prevented from worshiping God in their public assemblies. according to its venerable forms, and also from enjoying the regular instructions of its ministers, therefore, be it


Resolved, That this Convention do affectionately recommend to all the candidates for the ministry in this Diocese to turn their attention to such destitute parishes, and take seriously into consideration whether they are not called to supply their wants.


Resolved, That the Diocesan Missionary Society be so reorganized as to contribute towards the comfortable support of any clergyman who will labor in such destitute places.


Resolved, That the above object be recommended to all the churches, in this Diocese as one every way worthy of their support.


They were referred to a committee, upon whose recom- mendation it was resolved that the Missionary Society be reorganized, and its name changed to that of the "Protest- ant Episcopal Association for the Promotion of Christianity in Virginia." Its Executive Committee was required to gain all needed information concerning destitute parishes and counties, and to make full report of their work at each Convention. If there should be a deficiency of funds the churches should be appealed to. If a surplus, the Execu- tive Committee to have power to give the same to the


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Foreign and Domestic Missionary Society of the Church, for Domestic Missions.


In closing their report, the Committee on the State of the Church said:


The subject of Diocesan Missions, and the supplying of our destitute parishes with efficient aid, are matters of deep importance. The time has come when the attention of the Church should be fully turned to these points; and your committee rejoice that the subject has been brought before Convention.


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Lastly, in reference to the excellent address of our Diocesan referred to us, we remark that we deem well-timed the effort made therein to place the members of our Church on their guard against the influence. of error. To "resist the first beginnings of evil"-to espy temptations at a distance, in order the better to guard against them-and to give warning of approaching danger, are common duties of God's ministers and people. And he knows little of the weakness and depravity of our nature who thinks either that the orthodoxy of all the members of our Church is proof against heresy, or that the holy wisdom of our people is superior to all the wiles of the arch-adversary. As to those who pub- lish such works in our country, without most amply exposing the poison, and placing the antidote close by its side, they are engaged in a work of very questionable morality and expediency. And those whom God has placed on the watchtowers of Zion cannot without guilt see the enemy coming, and neglect to give warning. Should the press introduce and facilitate the progress of this enemy over the country, may the provi- dence, the spirit and the people of God "lift up their standards" against him.


Mr. S. H. Lewis, from the committee appointed to devise means for raising a fund for the support of the Bishop and assistant Bishop, submitted the following report, which was adopted :


The committee to whom was referred the consideration of the reso- lution to inquire into and report to the Convention a plan for raising a competent support for the Bishop and the assistant Bishop of the Dio- cese, have, according to order, performed that duty, and beg leave to recommend the adoption of the following :


Resolved, That it would be expedient to raise annually in each parish in the Diocese a sum equal to a contribution of fifty cents by


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each communicant therein-that the ministers be requested particularly to call, annually, the attention of their respective parishes to the im- portance of a punctual compliance with this requirement, and that the several vestries take order for the collection of their respective quotas, and transmit the same, annually, to the Convention. * * * *


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Provided, that nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to interfere with or repeal any existing resolution or canon in relation to the Contingent Fund.


On motion of Rev. Mr. Atkinson,


I. Resolved, That this Convention recognize with great pleasure the liberal spirit which has induced the Faculty of Hampden Sidney Col- lege to make the offer contained in the resolutions presented yesterday to the Convention, and thankfully accept the same for such young men of our communion as may be so situated as to avail themselves thereof.


2. Resolved, That this resolution be spread on the minutes of this body, and the secretary be directed to forward a copy thereof to the Faculty of Hampden Sidney College.


CONVENTION OF 1840.


Convention met in Christ church, Charlottesville, May 20th.


Meade parish, Loudoun, and Woodville parish, Botetourt, were admitted into union with the Convention.


A committee was appointed consisting of twelve clergy- men, representing different sections of the State, whose duty it would be to give information to the Missionary Society concerning the condition and wants of the State.


Episcopal Fund, $7,686.


The following preamble and resolutions were adopted:


Whereas, the religious instruction of our colored population must


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manifestly appear a subject of the most serious importance; and, whereas, it is firmly believed every minister, and master, and mistress, will be called upon to render an account of their stewardship touching this solemn duty, at that day when God, who is no respector of per- sons, will judge the world in righteousness ; and whereas, it is believed this subject has not hitherto received that full attention and interest which it merits and most urgently demands; therefore,


Resolved, That a Special Committee, of seven, to be composed of the Bishop, assistant Bishop and two others of the clergy, and three of the laity, be appointed to report to the next Convention the most efficient system of oral religious instruction, both public and private.


Resolved also, That if deemed necessary, they report who amongst the colored people are to be considered the proper subjects of baptism, both infant and adult.


A committee of five was appointed to publish in the Southern Churchman a catalogue of such doctrinal and practical works as they may deem most important and proper to be read by the laity.


The following report was accepted :


" The committee to whom were referred certain resolutions, offered at the last Convention, touching the propriety of obtaining for this body the ownership of the newspaper called the Southern Churchman, beg leave respectfully to report, that as they understood their duty, the first object required to be attended to by them was to ascertain the terms on which the said paper could be obtained. For it seemed to be agreed that the Convention ought not to incur any debt in making the purchase which the profits of the paper would not probably pay. It was thought that if twenty shares were gratuitously bestowed on the Convention the remainder might be bought without any danger of financial embar- rassment. Applications were made by letter and otherwise to the dif- ferent proprietors, of whom it was thought proper to make such a re- quest. But although several very readily expressed their willingness to further the object by the gratuitous surrender of their interests, yet the number of such was not sufficient to warrant the hope that the re- mainder might be purchased safely and prudently. They, therefore, recommend the adoption of the following resolution:


Resolved, That the committee to whom was referred the inquiry into the expediency of purchasing the Southern Churchman be discharged from the further consideration of that subject.


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The Seminary Trustees reported an invested fund of $27,500, the interest of which was supplemented by contri- butions, so as to furnish means to pay the professors' sala- ries. They also say :


The trustees would report with thankfulness to God that the High School near Alexandria has gone into operation with the most flattering prospects. God has evidently smiled upon this effort to promote the cause of Christian education; and there is good reason to hope that the High School will prove to be a blessing not only to the Church but to the whole State of Virginia. During the past year the spirit of God's grace has been poured out on the school, and the hearts of parents and teachers have been gladdened by seeing a goodly number of the youth of the school consecrating themselves to the service of God. The trustees would earnestly recommend this school to the prayers and patronage of the Church.


Mr. S. H. Lewis then presented the report of the Commit- tee of Finance:


The Committee on the Finances of the Church having performed the duty assigned them, beg leave 'respectfully to report, that they find by reference to the Journal of the last Convention, (pages 21, 22,) that it was made the duty of the vestries of the several parishes "to take order for the collection" of a sum " equal to fifty cents for each communicant, to be forwarded to the Convention;" and whilst they take pleasure in stating that most of the parishes have complied with that duty with becoming promptness, they regret to report that some of them have failed to do so, causing a deficit in our treasury. We feel it to be our duty to present to the Convention a list of those who have not paid their quotas, that they may be admonished of their delinquency. The committee think that the obligation which rests on the vestries to col- lect the moderate amount required by the Convention should not be less imperative, because there is no power to coerce its payment : with Christian men it should be sufficient to insure a cheerful contribu- tion of the sum assessed, to know that it is wanted in the economical administration of the financial business of the Church.


The committee take great pleasure in stating that our Right Rever- end and beloved Diocesan, as soon as he ascertained that the Monu- mental church was deficit to a considerable amount, promptly assumed its payment, proposing to deduct that sum from the $300 now due him for 1839, and they trust that his generous example will be followed by


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all the delinquent vestries. Assurances have also been given by the lay delegate from Christ church, Norfolk, that what is lacking there will shortly be paid in.


The Society for the Promotion of Christianity reported having expended $525 in aiding five missionaries, laboring respectively in Wellsburg, Point Pleasant-including Galli- polis and Mercer's Bottom-Charlotte and Campbell, Coals- mouth and Rappahannock.


CONVENTION OF 1841.


Convention met in Christ church, Alexandria, May 19th. Mr. William Williams was elected Treasurer of the Dio- cesan Missionary Society.


Holston parish, Washington county, and St. James church, Culpeper, were admitted into union with the Convention.


The Committee upon the Religious Instruction of the Colored People, were continued.


The Seminary Trustees presented a very encouraging. report. They said :


The Trustees of the Episcopal Theological Seminary and High School in Virginia report, that through the good providence of God the institutions under their direction are in a condition so prosperous as to call for the devout thankfulness of the Church in Virginia. Though still needing the liberal benefactions of the Church for their full com- pletion, they are unincumbered by debt, and are admirably fulfilling the holy and exalted purposes for which they were founded. The blessing of God has most evidently rested upon them, and they give the happy promise of not only being the nurseries of our Church, but of extend- ing its influence and blessings to every part of the State of Virginia. Already are decayed and waste places revived, renewed and improved by heralds of the Cross instructed and prepared at one of these insti-


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tutions, and even beyond the limits of the Diocese the sons of this school of the prophets are filling high stations in the Church, and also proclaiming the truths of the glorious gospel of the grace of God upon the shores of foreign and distant lands. The great missionary enter- prises, undertaken by many of those whom the Church in Virginia has nursed and educated, has thus by her been most nobly sustained, and we trust her love and zeal will in these respects as in others abound yet more and more.


The Theological Seminary, as will be seen by the annexed reports of Faculty and Professors, has a large increase in the number of its stu- dents. It will also there be seen that the students have pursued their prescribed studies with commendable diligence and progress. They have now the additional assistance of the Rev. Dr. Sparrow, whose valuable services the trustees have succeeded in obtaining, and have elected him to fill the Professorship of Ecclesiastical History. The trus- tees knowing the gentleman they have selected to be eminently quali- fied for his duties, consider his appointment as an important accession to the Seminary, and believe it will conduce to its increased success. The Theological Seminary of Virginia having now four well qualified professors, and presenting ample means for acquiring a thorough edu- cation for the ministry of the gospel, at an expense not so great as some, and lower than any others, possessing the same advantages, stands upon an equal footing with any other institution of the kind belonging to the American Protestant Episcopal Church, and it should continue to claim the deep interest and earnest prayers of the Diocese of Virginia.


In their report respecting the High School, the Trustees have great cause to recommend sincere gratitude to the giver of every good and perfect gift.


When this school was last presented to the notice of the Convention, the experiment was just begun, the number of its pupils was small, and its buildings and accommodations were imperfect and contracted. Now the Trustees, having the experience of another year, can with confidence report that the experiment works well. They have been enabled, without incurring any debt, to add a large and commodious building to those originally purchased, and to provide them with every necessary convenience. The number of scholars is now as large as they have provided for, or have contemplated receiving-it is one hun- dred and one. Of the whole number that has been received, twenty have been confirmed, and seven more are candidates for that apostolic rite.


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* The Trustees conclude their report with a brief and general state-


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ment of the funds of the Theological Seminary. They are all invested in good stocks and bonds, and amount to $28,620. Balance of cash on hand with the Treasurer, $146.64.


Missionaries were reported at work in seven fields, in- cluding Danville and Abingdon, and $475 paid in stipends by the Society for the Promotion of Christianity in the Diocese of Virginia.


The Committee on the State of the Church said in their report:


The general condition of the Diocese remaining substantially the same as when last reported, your committee find on that point but little that it falls legitimately within their province to notice. For that the Divine blessing is still vouchsafed us, that the Church is gradually ex- tending herself, and that religion in its outward forms, and as we think in its ameliorating and sanctifying influence, is still, to a large extent, winning its way through the State, is quite evident from the cheering intelligence contained in the parochial reports and the statements of our Right Rev. Fathers who preside over the Diocese.


In this connection, however, three facts appear to us to deserve es- pecial notice, and we bring them out prominently to view in hope that the consideration of them may lead to profitable results. * * *


One of the facts to which we refer is, that in several parishes parson- ages have been erected for the benefit of the Rector. This augurs well for the cause of religion among us, and we invoke the attention of the Diocese to this point, for a well-settled clergy will do away the com- plaint of a "clergy perpetually on the wing," and when we consider the small revenues, and the often large families of our ministers gen- erally, parsonages will appear a truly valuable perquisite. The above fact evidences too, as far as it goes, a healthful state of feeling on the part of the friends of the Church. Prudence and benevolent and en- lightened piety unite therefore in saying, "Go and do thou likewise."


The second fact to which your committee advert with much pleasure is the effort that has been made in several instances to secure regular religious instruction to a portion of our colored race, and the pleasing prospect thereby afforded of ameliorating the spiritual condition of that part of our population. * *


Lastly, that "in the midst of judgment God remembers mercy," your committee think sufficiently evinced by the fact that, though as a pun- ishment for her religious declension, and a warning to "repent and do her first. works," he has seen fit to permit the spirit of error and popery,


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under the guise of suitable "tracts for the times," to array itself against the Church, yet he has been graciously pleased to save the Church of Virginia from the infection of this plague. For though a few may have been in doubt as to the dangerous tendency of Oxfordism, it has now, by the good providence of our God, been so fully developed, that the ignorant and unguarded are no longer in much danger of being caught in the enemy's snare.


In this we cannot but see the hand of heaven, and the distinguishing goodness of God to our Zion, and this calls upon us for gratitude, while it warns us to exercise increased vigilance against the wiles of the adversary. And as some around us may look for our "halting," and stand ready to reproach us with secret leanings towards popery, and with having departed from the genuine principles of the Protestant faith, your committee think it proper in self-defence, and due to the cause of Protestant truth, and real godliness, to say distinctly that the Church in Virginia, disclaims all sympathy with the Oxford Tract sys- tem, and denounces it as containing some of the worst doctrinal errors of popery-we are obviously called upon, too, with increased zeal and fidelity to rally around our standards, to study more thoroughly the principles of the glorious reformation, to exercise redoubled vigilance against the prevailing errors of the age, and to make ourselves more fully acquainted with the hydra heresies, superstitions and abomina- tions of that corrupt Church, from which we have been happily deliv- ered, and with whose worse than "beggarly elements," some who call themselves Protestants have recently become so much enamored.


Your committee also cannot but invoke the attention of the members of the Convention, and through them the attention of all the friends and members of the Church in the Diocese, to the subject of Diocesan Missions. * * * * *


If we do not wish to incur God's own censure upon those who pro- vide not for the members of their own household, we must now direct the course of our charities to the wants of our own Diocese. Nor can we fail to do so in the judgment of your committee without neglecting a most important duty. Our "Protestant Episcopal Association for the promotion of Christianity in Virginia" is loudly crying out for help. God put it into the hearts of our people liberally and immediately to fly to the rescue.


The report from the Committee on the State of the Church being under consideration, it was moved and seconded to recommit said report, with instructions to strike out so much thereof as relates to the Oxford Tracts. This motion pro-


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duced an animated discussion which lasted until near night, when the question to recommit was taken and determined in the negative by a very large majority.


On the 11th day of November, in this year, the venerable Bishop Moore died.


CONVENTION OF 1842.


Convention met in Trinity church, Staunton, May 18th. In his address, Bishop Meade said:


" DEAR BRETHREN IN CHRIST : Through the good providence of God we are permitted to meet once more in consultation for the wel- fare of that portion of his Church with which it is our high privilege to be connected. May that gracious presence which has hitherto been vouchsafed us be now more abundantly afforded according to our present need.


" The Great Head of the Church, who for a long time has continued to the Diocese of Virginia the counsel and superintendence of a very beloved father, has, since our last meeting, been pleased very suddenly to take him away. I hope it will only make us look the more humbly and steadily to him, from whom all good counsels come, that the in- terests of true religion may not suffer in our hands. If there be any of you, my friends, who deeply feel the absence of our beloved father (and which of you does not), how much more must I, who for so many years had been unitedly and harmoniously laboring at his side, as a son with his father, and who had begun seriously to think that my auxiliary services might probably be over before he should be called to his rest. God has otherwise determined, and permitted to devolve on one illy able, either in body or mind, to sustain it, the undivided respon- sibility of superintending this Diocese.


"It is not my intention to undertake either an eulogy or biography of our departed father ; that having been already done, and often and well done, by others, both from the pulpit and the press. And indeed there was something so peculiarly amiable in his character, and so corres- pondingly interesting and venerable in his form and countenance and manner, that it were worse than useless to attempt a delineation of one


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who has been so recently among us, and who can be so much better remembered than described. May God rather give us grace to imitate those traits which endeared him to the heart. For myself, who of necessity must now take his place, and enter more entirely upon all the anxieties and responsibilities of the Episcopal office, I must ask of you, my brethren, both of the clergy and laity, not only great indulgence for infirmities and unfitness, of which I am daily more and more sensi- sible, but a very large share in your most earnest entreaties at a throne of grace, that the cause you have entrusted to me may not suffer. This I ask not in feigned humility; but, as God knows, from the very depth of a heart which feels more of its deficiencies than can be known to any human being.


The Bishop then gave solemn exhortations to the clergy and laity, following them up with accounts of visitations to various parts of the Diocese, concluding as follows:


" Having concluded my notices of Western Virginia, I feel it to be an act of justice to my brethren, the clergy, of that portion of the Diocese,. to notice a circumstance which has obtained publicity through some of our religious papers in such a way as to make a false impression as to their participation in the same. I allude to the proposition for the formation of a new Diocese out of parts of Pennsylvania and Vir- ginia, and for which it has been stated the clergy of Western Virginia are particularly desirous. The fact, as stated to me by the worthy brother who first made the suggestion, is simply this: on meeting with a presbyter of Pennsylvania, during the last summer, he mentioned the subject, not having consulted with any one of the other four who com- pose the clergy of Western Virginia. The suggestion being well re- ceived, a time was proposed for a meeting of the clergy, to take the matter into consideration; when it was insisted upon by the brethren of Virginia that it should be held at a time when I was expected at Wheeling, so that the consultation might be in my presence. At a sub- sequent time it was also proposed by the same that the laity should be invited to attend. Only two others of the clergy of Western Virginia had ever heard of the proposition, until they saw it announced in the public papers. All of these are, however, now well satisfied that any plan which would disjoin Western from Eastern Virginia, would be highly injurious to the former.




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