USA > Virginia > A digest of the proceedings of the conventions and councils in the diocese of Virginia > Part 14
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"My chief reason for adverting to this, is the desire to do away the impression which the publication referred to is calculated to make- that on the part of the clergy of Western Virginia there was a want of
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due consideration for the Episcopal office in not conferring with me on the subject. Even if it were wrong to consider such a matter without the previous consent of the Bishop (which I am far from maintaining), in this case the worthy brother, who begs to be considered as alone responsible among the clergy of Western Virginia for what was medi- tated, resolved that nothing should be wanting in the way of due regard to myself and office."
A committee of four clergy and four laity were appointed to report to the Convention "some appropriate mode of expressing its sense of the loss which the Church has sus- tained in the death of its late venerable and beloved Dio- cesan, and also of testifying its respect for his memory."
They reported a series of affectionate resolutions, which were entered upon the Journal.
Trinity church, Franklin county, St. John's church, City Point, and Cedar Run parish, Fauquier, were admitted into union with the Convention.
The following was offered:
Whereas, the extent of territory and the number of churches in this: Diocese is so great as to deprive it of the advantages of frequent Epis- copal visitation, and thereby impedes the growth and prosperity of the. Church, be it, therefore,
Resolved, That it is the sense of this Convention that the division of this Diocese would greatly promote the interests of the Church therein.
Resolved, That a committee consisting of five clergymen and three laymen be appointed to bring in a bill which shall divide the Diocese and designate the line of division, and also which portion of the Dio- cese shall be denominated the new one, and to report the same to this. Convention, if practicable, if not, to the next.
Laid on the table.
The Bishop then made to the Convention the following communication :
" BRETHREN AND FRIENDS: Since the decease of our beloved father, Bishop Moore, my thoughts have been led to a subject which I now wish to propose for your consideration. I mean the appointment of an assist- ant Bishop, to aid me in the arduous duties of this extensive Diocese. 11
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CONVENTION OF 1842.
During the last twelve years I have, with the exception of a very few places, performed the whole of the itinerant duties of the Diocese. It has required, on an average, at least eight months in each year, of suc- cessive services from day to day, to render what has still appeared to me very inefficient supervision of the Diocese. The effect of this in- cessant labor of mind and body has been so injurious to me already, especially to my voice, which is often insufficient for duty, and the at- tempt to continue the same, so likely to result in entire disability, that I feel it a duty to ask, according to the provisions of the Constitution of the Church, that I may have an assistant, who may divide with me the labors of a Diocese, which from its extent, and other circumstances, is much more difficult to be served than any other in our country. I do this under the advice of many friends, and also of physicians, who are competent to judge of my infirmities. Hoping that you will accede to my request, and that God may guide you in the choice of a suitable person,
" I remain your faithful friend and brother in Christ,
"WILLIAM MEADE."
Colonel F. H. Smith thereupon offered the following, which was subsequently withdrawn:
Resolved, That yielding to the necessity presented by the Bishop of this Diocese for aid in the discharge of his Episcopal duties, this Con- vention do adopt the recommendation of the Bishop, and will proceed to-morrow, at 8 o'clock, to the election of an assistant Bishop of this Diocese.
After some discussion, and in order to obtain the sense of the Convention on both the foregoing subjects, the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge offered the following, which was adopted:
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to report on the commu- nication of the Bishop to the Convention, in relation to the election of an assistant Bishop, or the division of the Diocese, to consist of four clergymen and four laymen, and to report at 4 o'clock this afternoon.
The committee appointed on said resolution consisted of the Rev. Messrs. Woodbridge, Grammer, J. P. M'Guire and Adie, and Messrs. Lewis, Burwell, Carter Harrison and Fontaine.
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The Rev. Mr. Woodbridge, from this committee, presented the following :
The committee appointed to take into consideration the communica- tion of the Bishop to this Convention, relating to the election of an assistant Bishop, and also the proposition for a division of the Diocese, have discharged the duty assigned them, and beg leave respectfully to report, that it is inexpedient to divide the Diocese at this time, for the following reasons :
Ist. The impossibility of fixing upon any geographical limits, or other well defined boundaries, either by counties or parishes, on either side of which there should be the requisite canonical number of pres- byters, the whole number being only about sixty.
2d. The difficulty of dividing the funds of the Diocese and establish- ing any regulations for the control and support of the Theological Seminary and High School.
3d. The impolicy of separating the Church in this Diocese, which hitherto has been so harmonious and conduced so much to the binding together and consolidating the different sections of the State.
4th. The fact that an associate would have to be appointed to the present Bishop, whichsoever of the two divisions he might select.
5th. This plan would postpone the relief of the Bishop for at least three years, a period when relief might no longer be availing, and moreover the Convention, at either of its two succeeding sessions, might act upon this subject in time for the General Convention.
Your committee, therefore, deem it inexpedient at this time to take any action upon the subject of a division of the Diocese.
With respect to the election of an assistant Bishop, the only remain- ing subject submitted to their consideration, your committee deem it highly expedient that it should be done at once. The Bishop's health imperatively demands repose. If he attempt to discharge the duties which will devolve upon him during the present season, unaided by an assistant, the most serious consequences are to be apprehended. His physicians prescribe repose as absolutely necessary to the continuance of even his present health. They, therefore, respectfully recommend to this Convention the election of an assistant Bishop.
The report was adopted.
The Convention resolved that at 9 A. M., next day, it proceed to the election of an assistant Bishop.
The Convention met agreeably to adjournment at 9 A. M., Saturday, May 21.
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Bishop Meade opened the meeting with prayer.
On motion of the Rev. Mr. Slaughter, and agreeably to adjournment, the Convention proceeded to the election of an assistant Bishop.
After some appropriate remarks by the Bishop, in refer- ence to the importance of the work they were now about to be engaged in, the clergy and laity, with all present, were called upon, as usual on such occasions, to devote a few moments in silent prayer to Almighty God, for the aid and guidance of his Holy Spirit.
In compliance with the 5th article of the Constitution, the Convention was then organized into two deliberative and elective bodies.
Rev. Messrs. Atkinson and Grammer were appointed tel- lers on part of the clergy.
Rev. Mr. Atkinson rose and said that, although aware the name of no individual had been formally announced to the Convention as a candidate for the high trust about to be bestowed, it was known to many of the friends of the Rev. Mr. Cobbs, that that gentleman's name had been mentioned in connection with the office of assistant Bishop. He would therefore state to the friends of Mr. Cobbs, and at his par- ticular request, the desire that his name might not be used ; and further, that he had deposited with him (Mr. A.) his ballot for Dr. Johns, of Maryland.
General Lewis, in a few remarks addressed to the laity, stated (in corroboration, if necessary, of what had been said) that a similar request was made through him, of the Rev. Mr. Cobbs.
Whereupon, the clergy proceeded to cast their votes, and on the first ballot it appeared that the whole number of votes taken were 49; of which number the Rev. John Johns, D. D., of Maryland, received 43.
The Rev. Dr. Johns was thereupon nominated by the
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clergy to the laity as a suitable person for the office of assistant Bishop of Virginia.
Mr. John Nelson, and Mr. Cassius F. Lee were appointed tellers.
The votes of the laity were then received, and on the first ballot announced to be as follows: Whole number of votes given, 33; of which the Rev. John Johns, D. D., of Maryland, obtained 25.
The Rev. Dr. Johns was then declared by the President to be canonically elected assistant Bishop of Virginia.
The Society for the Promotion of Christianity reported :
The committee to whom were referred the accounts of the Treasurer of the Protestant Episcopal Association for the Promotion of Chris- tianity in the Diocese of Virginia beg leave to report that they * * find that the receipts of the society have considerably increased since its new organization, but they think that yet they are greatly below what ought to be contributed to such an object by a Diocese like that of Virginia.
In the Southwestern part of this Diocese there is a region of country larger, it is believed, than the whole of Massachusetts, or even Mary- land, in which region, however, there is not a single Episcopal Church or minister. In many parts of it the gospel is preached very imper- fectly, and with not a few corrupt additions. In some parts it is hardly preached at all. * * * * *
We have similar wastes, though not so extensive, in the Northwest in the Southeast, and in other parts of this Diocese. * *
The General Missionary Society will do nothing for them, because they belong to our Diocese, which is supposed to be able and willing to do the missionary work in its own limits. But how are we doing it? In all this wide field, embracing hundreds of thousands of souls, we have five missionaries, laboring at an expense of $600 or $700 a year. * * * * *
* * *
The subject is recommended to the attention of the Convention, although no definite action is asked for at this time.
In their report the Trustees of the Seminary say :
The Church will perceive with sorrow that there is no report from the Rev. Dr. Keith, and must deplore the event which has deprived this in- stitution of his able and efficient services. But while we mourn most
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sincerely over this affliction, we still look forward with hope to the con- tinued usefulness of the institution. It is each year acquiring more sys- tem, more completeness, increased facilities, and more prominence
* * * before the Church. * *
The permanent funds of the Seminary now amount to $27,500, and are all invested, it is believed, in good stocks and bonds. Balance of cash now in the hands of the treasurer $350.
The High School, which is entrusted to the care of this Board, is be- lieved to be faithfully conducted according to the principles upon which it was established, and to be well deserving the confidence and patronage of the Church and community. We hope and trust that it will be cordially and efficiently sustained, and that it will fully accom- plish the objects for which it was instituted. *
Rev. Mr. Atkinson, from the committee appointed to fix the salary for the support of the assistant Bishop, presented the following :
The committee to whom was referred the subject of fixing the salary of the assistant Bishop, and designating the source from which it was to be raised, have had the same under consideration, and beg leave to report, that they are of opinion that the sum of $1,500 a year is an adequate provision for that object, while they are well assured that, or a larger sum, if necessary, would be readily contributed by the Church In Virginia. They know of no more equal or convenient mode of rais- ing it than increasing the assessment already levied on the parishes for the purpose of meeting the expenses of the Diocese. By an addition of half a dollar to the rate already paid for each communicant, a sum will be raised sufficient for the salary of the Bishop elect, and his traveling expenses, and leaving perhaps a small surplus. They there- fore recommend the adoption of the following resolutions :
Ist. Resolved, That the Bishop of the Diocese, in communicating to Dr. Johns the fact of his being elected assistant Bishop, be authorized to offer him a salary of $1,500 besides his traveling expenses.
2nd. Resolved, That the vestries of the different parishes in the Diocese be required to send to the next Convention their respective quotas towards the payment of the expenses of the Diocese, assessed at the rate of one dollar for each communicant.
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CONVENTION OF 1843.
Convention met in the Monumental Church, Richmond, May 17th.
The Society for Promotion of Christianity reported hav- ing paid out $1,400 the past year, and asked for $2,500 for the year ensuing. The name was changed at this session to "Diocesan Missionary Society."
Grace Church, Petersburg, and Grace Church, Genito parish, Powhatan county, were admitted into union with the Convention.
On motion of Rev. Thomas Atkinson,
Resolved, That the second resolution, making provision for the sal- ary of the assistant Bishop, passed at the last Convention, be amended by inserting the word "white " before "communicant" so that the said resolution will hereafter read as follows :
Resolved, That the vestries of the different parishes in the Diocese be required to send to the next Convention their respective quotas towards the payment of the expenses of the Diocese, assessed at the rate of one dollar for each white communicant.
The Right Rev. Bishop Meade presented his annual ad- dress, from which is quoted as follows:
"It will be observed that during the past year, as well as that pre- ceding it, the additions to the communion have been large beyond all former years. This is to be ascribed to the sovereign grace of God, working by the means of Divine appointment, on the more dili- gent use of which the more abundant blessing is usually bestowed. In no previous years have the labors of our ministry, in preaching the word and offering up prayers, not only in the large and conse- crated temples of religion, but from house to house, and in other places, been so abundant; in none have the ministers associated to- gether so much in preaching the word, line upon line, and precept upon precept, for several successive days and nights. While the suc- cess attending such diligent use of means encourages us to perse-
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verance, in the hope of the continuance of great grace from above, we should not be unmindful of attendant dangers. Among the dangers belonging to such a season of great effort and proportionable success, is that of a too" hasty admission to full communion with the Church, of those who, it is hoped, will be saved. * * Old and experienced ministers have declared, that while they had often cause to regret giving encouragement to hasty professions of religion, they had never repented of advising a little delay in order to more thorough examination and preparation. The relative positions of the different denominations of Christians in our land, and the anxiety to add to their numbers, together with the desire of each individual minister to increase his own body of communicants, tends much to promote this evil. In times of unusual interest, when the cry from many hearts is, "What must I do to be saved?" there is the temptation strongest to say too speedily, partake of the ordinance of God's Church, and to add-come and partake of them with us, and join with us in the ever- lasting covenant, and we will do you good. This fear of losing and desire of gaining new converts who are undecided as to the choice of a communion, has probably contributed no little to betray ministers into the error of removing scruples, which, in some cases, had better been encouraged for a time, and to lead some to be more ingenious to persuade the awakened that they are already Christians, than faithful to declare what it is to be truly Christian.
"Against yielding to such temptations I would affectionately warn my brethren.
* * * * *
* *
"While at no previous period of time has there been such a number of students, so at none has there been so much of the regular observ- ance of all the rules established for the good order of the Seminary, and of diligent attention to all the studies and exercises thereof.
"While, however, we thus, with thankfulness to God, speak of its prosperity in these respects, it becomes us faithfully to set before the Church the duty resting upon all its friends, to furnish the pecuniary means, which from year to year, are needful for its due support.
"Our vested capital being utterly insufficient for the support even of the professors, we depend in a great measure, for them as well as for the beneficiaries, on annual contributions. * *
"This statement brings me to a subject, which, after much delibera- tion and consultation, I have determined to present to the considera- tion of the Convention.
"Although the earth is the Lord's, and all that therein is, yet has he been pleased to allow this his property to be divided among the in-
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habitants of this world in different proportions, and to be regarded, in one sense, as their own; with an express understanding, however, that for the use of it they must be accountable to him. In compliance with the plain directions of his word many feel themselves solemnly bound to expend a portion thereof in promoting the welfare of his kingdom upon earth. Some, unable to do what they desire during life, resolve to do it at their death, and their bequests, under certain regula- tions, have ever been held sacred.
" It has long been a matter of grief and complaint that so little favor has been shown to this right by the Legislature of our State. At dif- ferent times applications have been made by the Trustees of benevo- lent, religious and literary Institutions, or of particular congregations belonging to the different denominations of Christians, asking of the Legislature some protection for property given during life, or be- queathed at death, by friends to these several Institutions. These applications have, for the most part, been unsuccessful, and the chief reason assigned has been the fear of seeming partiality to the denomi- nation making the request; but the sentiment has been often expressed, that if all the Christian societies in the State would unite in a petition for some general act in behalf of all literary, religious, and benevolent Institutions, the Legislature would not refuse so reasonable a claim. We are encouraged to hope that such would be the case from the fact that, in the session before the last, an act was passed securing to every congregation which might choose to avail itself of the benefit, a por- tion of ground for a church and parsonage. If it could be shown to any future Legislature, that an extension of this protecting act to useful institutions is most needful to their well being, we may surely expect a favorable answer to a petition for such.
. My thoughts have been especially called to this subject by the fact that since our last meeting the institutions to which I have called your attention have sustained considerable losses through the want of that legal security which is pleaded for. Bequests to the amount of several thousand dollars have been declared to be null and void, only because there was no legislative act empowering our institutions to receive the same. Nor are these the only instances which have occurred. Within the last ten years I am confident we have in this way been deprived of as many thousand dollars, which the benevolence and piety of friends designed for the benefit of institutions which they loved. Such being the complaint, we believe, of all Christian societies in our State, may we not hope that they will concur in presenting to the Legislature a respectful request that this subject receive its impartial consideration."
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At the close of his address Bishop Johns said :
" So far, my brethren, as my visitations have extended, I have been strongly impressed with the conviction that there is yet much, very much, for us to do in this Diocese. Prejudices with which the Church once had to contend are rapidly giving away, and a decidedly favorable feeling is beginning to prevail. A wide and effectual door is opening to us under God. I ascribe this largely to the meekness and moder- ation which have marked the policy of the Bishops and clergy, to the plainness, simplicity and affection with which the gospel has been preached, and to the consequent and evident increase of piety on the part of those who confess and call themselves Christians. The silent but steady effect of this has been to disabuse the minds of many who were alienated from us, and to dispose them to appreciate what we regard as the distinctive excellences of our Zion. No furious zeal, or controversial strife, or disdainful sharpness of wit, could have accom- plished like results. If we only persevere, as you have hitherto pro- ceeded, I confidently believe that our sphere of usefulness will be limited only by the number of ministers we can procure, and the amount of our means to sustain them in their work. With men-and I trust of the right stamp-our promising Seminary we may hope will furnish an increasing supply. Let us then fervently pray the Lord of the harvest that from this and other similar sources he would send forth more laborers. And as for the means, I am persuaded, from the experiment which I have made, that if we appeal intelligently and confidingly to our people, they will not suffer the missionary operations to be straitened for want of resources. They love their own spiritual privileges too dearly not to sympathise with the destitute, and if need be make sacri- fices to provide for their supply."
The salary of the assistant Bishop was fixed at $2,000. The belief was expressed that in addition to this the churches in Richmond would grant him a house.
The following report, submitted by Mr. Philip Williams, and, as subsequently considered and amended, was adopted:
The committee to whom was referred so much of the address of the Right Reverend Bishop Meade as relates to the propriety of requesting some legislative enactment in relation to property given or bequeathed to religious, benevolent and literary institutions was referred, respect- fully report, that it is expedient to ask the Legislature to pass some
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law authorizing religious, benevolent and literary institutions to take property which may be given, or devised, or bequeathed to them, and that a committee of nine, with power to increase its numbers, be ap- pointed to prepare and present a memorial to the General Assembly upon the subject; and that this committee be authorized to solicit the cooperation of other religious denominations in the way best calculated to secure the object proposed.
The Seminary Trustees reported forty-six students.
The Bishop reported thirty-one candidates for orders, and that more than 1,000 persons had been confirmed by him and Bishop Johns.
Contingent Fund, $3,780.22.
CONVENTION OF 1844.
Convention met in St. Paul's church, Lynchburg, May 15th.
St. Paul's church, Richmond, St. David's church, King William, St. Peter's parish, New Kent, St. John's church, King George county, and St. Paul's parish, Hanover, were admitted into union with the Convention.
In his address Bishop Meade said :
"The removals of so many of our brethren, and of some of them from very important positions, has, of course, led to other removals; and these again to more in order to supply the vacancies created, so that our Diocese during the past year has been the subject of more ministerial changes by far than I have ever known it to be. Al- though I grant that changes are sometimes beneficial, yet I cannot but take this opportunity of warning both my brethren of the clergy and the congregations against their too easy and frequent occurrence. * * * * * * *
"While thus warning and remonstrating against a disposition to hasty changes, and stating the increased number of removals in this
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Diocese during the past year, I must not omit to mention with thankful- ness that valuable source of ministerial supply which we have in our Theological Seminary. In the time of our greatest need it seems to promise us greater help than at any previous period, if not in the present yet in the coming year. Its number of students, coming from all parts of our country, but particularly from Virginia, exceeds that of any previous year, and promises to be yet larger during the next term. While this must be a subject of rejoicing and thankfulness to all its friends, it becomes me to state most emphatically that it should be the occasion of something else-I mean of increased zeal and liberality, in order to meet increased expenses in doing our part towards preparing for the work of the ministry those whom God's Spirit has called to it. *
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