A digest of the proceedings of the conventions and councils in the diocese of Virginia, Part 23

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


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A revised canon on the trial of a clergyman was pro- posed, and postponed to the next Convention.


On motion, it was-


Resolved, That a Special Committee be appointed to ascertain from the parishes, and report to the next Convention, whether any, and if any, what provision is made for the instruction of the colored popula- tion of their limits.


The Disabled Clergy Fund reported $4,207.13.


The Society for the Relief of the Widows and Orphans of Deceased Clergymen presented a paper to the Convention containing among others the following:


Resolved, That, in the view of the members present, this Society ought, under certain principles and arrangements, to be dissolved.


Resolved, That the contributions made by any member now sur- viving be refunded to him with legal interest thereupon.


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CONVENTION OF 1858.


Resolved, That the amount then remaining be tendered to the Con- vention of this Diocese as a fund to be most sacredly kept by that ยท body, under such regulations as it may deem wise, for the exclusive benefit of all the widows and orphans of the clergy of this Diocese, including the present annuitants of this Society, so long as their claims under its Constitution may extend.


Resolved, That on the assent of two-thirds of the members of the Society, including those now present, on the one side, and the assent of the Convention on the other, this arrangement shall be considered as consummated.


Resolved, That the President, Secretary and Treasurer, together with the Rev. J. Peterkin, be appointed a committee to make all needful calculations and adjustments towards the end in view, and when this committee shall have ascertained that two-thirds of all the members concur, they shall be empowered to distribute the fund to the members, and to transfer the remainder to the officers who may be appointed by the Convention to receive it.


All were agreed to by the Convention. The Committee on the State of the Church said:


Looking at the internal wants and arrangements of our parishes, it has been thought expedient by your committee to notice a particular or two. One is what has been elsewhere more formally set forth before the Convention, the vital importance of providing comfortable rectories for the clergy and their families. Everywhere desirable, it is specially important in our smaller towns and our rural districts. This topic is mentioned the more unhesitatingly, because few things make so great a demand on the liberality of our people, or are taken in hand more cheerfully by them. The want of a comfortable home is something understood and felt by all persons. The female members of our con- gregations especially have a just appreciation of this need, and of the importance of supplying it; and are ever ready, when vestries go for- ward in such matters, to lend their utmost aid. The want of such rec- tories has been, in many cases, a serious impediment to the prosperity of our parishes.


Your committee would add, what may seem a small matter in one view, but in its consequences is often really important; that is, the dis- position made of the office of treasurer of the vestry. No officer has more to do with the comfort and efficiency of the minister and the prac- tical justice and punctuality of the people towards him than the parish treasurer. If he is slack, they are apt to be so; if he is energetic, he


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CONVENTION OF 1859.


infuses life and regularity into all their financial concerns, to the great comfort of their minister, and to the discharge of the parochial con- ' science. The office your committee would suggest should always be in the most efficient hands; and in few ways can a genuine self-denial for the good of the Church be better exhibited than by the acceptance of this office by the right man.


Grace church, Richmond, and Emmanuel church, Camden parish, Pittsylvania, were admitted into union with the Convention.


CONVENTION OF 1859.


Convention met in Christ church, Norfolk, May 18th.


A proposition to amend Canon X so as to provide for vestrymen in colored congregations, was referred to a Spe- cial Committee.


A proposition to amend Canon IX, so as to allow only "males" to vote at vestry elections, was laid upon the table.


Resolutions were offered and referred, looking to the maintenance of missionary services with the slaves, and building houses of worship for them.


The following report was made :


"I would respectfully represent to the Convention that, in adjusting and paying the contributions of the members of this Society, simple in- terest only was returned them-whereas, their funds were invested semi-annually, and yielded interest and dividends accordingly. It seems to me that it would be only a simple act of justice that the Con- vention order the correction of this oversight by authorizing the treas- urer to pay the members out of any moneys in his hands, the difference between the simple interest and the semi-annual compound interest.


"J. L. BACON."


The suggestion therein made was approved.


The Disabled Clergy Fund reported $5,894.63.


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CONVENTION OF 1859.


A committee was appointed to consider and report upon the expediency of consolidating the Widows' and Orphans' Fund with the Fund for Disabled Clergy.


The report upon proposed amendments to the Constitu- tion of the General Church, made at the last Convention, was concurred in.


During several Conventions there was an effort by Bruton parish church, Williamsburg, to get possession of a piece of plate in the library at the Seminary. This Convention granted their request.


Emmanuel church, Henrico county, and St. Paul's church, Culpeper, were admitted into union with the Convention.


Privilege was granted to certain members of the Church, in Lynchburg, to organize a new parish-also to friends of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Montgomery county, to organize a new parish.


The revised canon on the trial of a clergyman, which was referred to this Convention by the last, was recommitted, with additions, to the committee.


The Executive Committee of the Diocesan Missionary Society in their report urged the appointment of an evan- gelist, which was approved. They said :


It is lamentable to look over our Diocese and see how many parishes are vacant, how many posts unoccupied, whilst the cry is coming up from all sides with increasing earnestness for more ministers and their labors. The needy state of the Diocese, especially in some portions, has directed the attention of the committee to the proposition, which has been made repeatedly, and which was sanctioned and emphatically recommended at the Convention at Fredericksburg (in 1856) of ap- pointing an Evangelist, whose duty it shall be to visit the different parishes of the Diocese, and hold such services as are calculated to promote religious interest, and especially to preach in its destitute portions, and supply as much as possible the wants of the many friends of our Church, who, scattered all over the State, are entirely deprived of those services and ordinances which they so much value; and many of whom are deprived of religious services altogether. The committee


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CONVENTION OF 1860.


are prepared to carry out this resolution of the Convention by the ap- pointment of a suitable Evangelist; and they engage to do so without an undue draft upon the ordinary means of the Society, the necessary funds being supplied by especial efforts and appropriations. The com- mittee pledge themselves to supply at least three-fourths of the expense necessitated by this new enterprise from new and extraneous sources.


CONVENTION OF 1860.


Convention met in Christ church Charlottesville, May 17th.


Present seventy-four clergy and seventy-nine lay dele- gates, besides the Bishop and assistant Bishop.


[The attendance is reported as it was the last Convention before the troubles which resulted in war between the Northern and Southern sections of our country.]


St. Paul's parish, Culpeper was admitted into union with the Convention. (A similar action was taken in 1859.)


Rev. H. S. Kepler resigned as Secretary, and Mr. J. Wilder Atkinson was elected.


The Disabled Clergy Fund reported cash $299.84, and investments amounting to $7,387.50.


The Episcopal Fund reported investments amounting to $21,741.


The Convention refused to consolidate the Widows' and Orphans' Fund with that for the Relief of Disabled Clergy.


A resolution was offered to amend Article II of the Con- stitution so as to admit the Rector of the Virginia Female Institute to a seat in the Convention.


A carefully prepared report was made, turning over to the


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CONVENTION OF 1860.


Convention the funds of the late Widows' and Orphans' So- ciety. The following is quoted from it:


No appropriation from the proceeds of this fund shall be made to the family of any deceased clergymen who shall not have been for three full years, immediately preceding his death, canonically resident and officiating in this Diocese, in subjection to the ecclesiastical authority thereof, unless he shall have become disabled, by age or infirmity, while residing and officiating in the Diocese; nor shall any appropriation be made to the family of any clergyman who died previously to July, 1858, the period at which the greater part of this fund was transferred to this Convention, except in the case of those who were at that period annuitants upon this fund.


No appropriation, or order for the payment of any money, shall be made except at a duly convened meeting, at which a majority of the members of the Board shall be present; nor shall any appropriation be made in any case to any family of a deceased clergyman, except by the votes of a majority of all the members of the Board.


An elaborate report was made upon the subject of the religious instruction of the colored people. It closed with the following outlines of a plan for their benefit :


I. The formation of the people of color into a separate and distinct congregation.


2. The provision of a suitable place for their worship. The property to be held by trustees chosen by the contributors and appointed by the court, as the law provides.


3. A certain number to be taken from the communicants, to assist the minister in the affairs of the congregation, with a special reference to the admission, supervision and discipline of Church members. These assistants to be, in the first instance, appointed by the minister, and in case of vacancies, to be chosen by the communicants, subject to the approval of the minister.


4. The minister always to be a clergyman of the Diocese of Virginia, and either rector of the church, or one of the churches within the bounds of which the congregation has been formed, or otherwise to be appointed by the Executive Committee of the Diocesan Missionary Society, with the approval of the Bishop. 4


A committee was appointed to consider the importance of


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CONVENTION OF 1861.


more generally procuring baptism for the children of slaves of members of this Church.


Our present canon was adopted on the trial of a clergyman.


There were reported 688 confirmations, 7,876 commu- nicants, and contributions, exclusive of current expenses, $113,510.57, the largest amount reported to any Convention up to this time.


CONVENTION OF 1861.


The Convention that met in 1860, moved that the next session be held in Alexandria, in May, 1861. Meantime the unsettled condition of the country, upon the eve of war, induced the Bishop to change the place of meeting to Rich- mond. Pursuant to this action of the Bishop the Con- vention met in St. Paul's church, Richmond, May 16th. Present Bishop Meade and Bishop Johns, fifty-six clergy and thirty-nine laity.


The Episcopal Fund reported $23,400 invested.


In his address Bishop Meade gave expression to his views upon the subject of the war just beginning between the Northern and Southern sections of our country. He said:


" Having thus presented a statement of those things pertaining to our Diocese which the canon requires of me, I now ask your attention to a few remarks concerning the present unhappy condition of our State and country.


"My brethren and friends will bear me witness how carefully I have ever avoided, in all my communications, the least reference to anything partaking of a political character, and how I have earnestly warned my younger brethren against the danger of injuring the effect of their sacred ministry, by engaging in discussions which are so apt to disturb the peace of society. But in the present circumstances of our country


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CONVENTION OF 1861.


the cause of religion is so deeply involved, that I feel not only justified, but constrained to offer a few remarks for your consideration.


"It has pleased God to permit a great calamity to come upon us. Our whole country is preparing for war. Our own State, after failing in her earnest effort for the promotion of peace, is, perhaps, more actively engaged in all needful measures for maintaining the position which she has, after much consideration, deliberately assumed, than any portion of the land.


"A deeper and more honest conviction that if war should actually come upon us, it will be on our part one of self-defence, and, therefore, justifiable before God, seldom, if ever, animated the breasts of those who appealed to arms. From this consideration, and from my knowl- edge of the character of our people, I believe that the object sought for will be most perseveringly pursued, whatever sacrifice of life and com- fort and treasure may be required. Nor do I entertain any doubt as to the final result, though I shudder at the thought of what may intervene before that result is secured. May God, in great mercy and with His mighty power, interpose and grant us speedy peace, instead of pro- tracted war! But can it be, that at this period of the world, when so many prayers are offered up for the establishment of Christ's kingdom in all the earth, and such high hopes are entertained that the zealous efforts put forth will be successful, and our country be one of the most effective and honored instruments for producing the same, that the great work shall be arrested by such a fratricidal war as that which is now so seriously threatened ? Is there not room enough for us all to dwell to- gether in peace in this widely extended country, so large a portion of which is yet unsettled, and may not be until the world that now is shall be no more ? The families or nations which sprung from two venerable patriarchs of old, could find room enough in the little pent-up land of Judea to live in peace, by going the one to one hand and the other to the opposite. At a later period, when Israel and Judah separated, and the latter having the city and temple in possession, and the supremacy, ac- cording to prophecy, was preparing to go up against the former and reduce the people to submission, and bring them back to union, the Lord himself came down and forbade it, saying : 'Thou shalt not go up, nor fight against your brethren, the children of Israel. Return every man to his house, for this thing is of me.' And they hearkened unto the Lord, and ever after the history of the two kingdoms is written in the same sacred volume, in which are also recorded the evidences of God's favor to both, and though sometimes at controversy, yet how often were they found side by side defending the ancient boundaries of Judea against surrounding nations. God grant that our country may


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CONVENTION OF 1861.


learn a lesson from this sacred narrative. Let none think that I am unmindful of law and order, and of the blessings of Union. I was trained in a different school. I have clung with tenacity to the hope of preserving the Union to the last moment. If I know my own heart, could the sacrifice of the poor remnant of my life have contributed in any degree to its maintenance, such sacrifice would have been cheer- fully made. But the developments of public feeling and the course of our rulers have brought me slowly, reluctantly, sorrowfully, yet most decidedly, to the painful conviction, that notwithstanding attendant dangers and evils, we shall consult the welfare and happiness of the whole land by separation. And who can desire to retain a Union which has now become so hateful, and by the application of armed force, which, if successful, would make it ten times more hateful, and soon lead to the repetition of the same bloody contests?


"I trust, therefore, that the present actual separation of so many and such important portions of our country may take place without further collision, which might greatly hinder the establishment of the most friendly and intimate relations which can consist with separate estab- lishments. I trust that our friends at a distance, and now in opposition to us, will most seriously review their judgment, and inquire whether the evils resulting from a war to sustain their wishes and opinions as to a single Confederacy, will not far exceed those apprehended from the establishment of a second-an event far more certain than the result of the American Revolution at the time of its occurrence.


"In connection with this civil and geographical separation in our country, and almost necessarily resulting from it, the subject of some change of the ecclesiastical relations of our Diocese must come under consideration. There is a general and strong desire, I believe, to re- tain as much as possible of our past and present happy intercourse with those from whom we shall be in other matters more divided. A meeting is already proposed for this purpose in one of the seceded States, whose plans, so far as developed, I will submit to the consider- ation of this body at its present session.


"I cannot conclude without expressing the earnest desire that the ministers and members of our Church, and all the citizens of our State, who are so deeply interested in the present contest, may conduct it in the most elevated and Christian spirit, rising above uncharitable and indiscriminate imputations on all who are opposed. Many there are equally sincere on both sides, as there ever have been in all the wars and controversies that have been waged upon earth, though it does not follow that all have the same grounds of justice and truth on which to base their warfare.


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CONVENTION OF 1861.


" It was the maxim of an ancient sage, that we should always treat our friends as those who might one day be our enemies, and to treat our enemies as those who may one day be our friends. While abhor- ring, as I am sure we all do, the former part of this cold-hearted maxim, let us cherish and adopt the latter, so congenial with the spirit of our holy religion. The thought of even a partial separation from those who have long been so dear to me is anguish to my soul. But there is a union of heart in our common faith and hope which can never be broken. The Church in Virginia has more dear friends and gener- ous patrons amongst those who are on the opposite side of this painful controversy than any other, and feels most deeply the unhappy position in which we are placed.


"As our State has, to its high praise, endeavored to avert the evils now threatened, so may our Church, and all the others in Virginia, by prayer and the exercise of true charity, endeavor to diminish that large amount of prejudice and ill-will which so unhappily abounds in our land.


"Let me, in conclusion, commend to your special prayers all those who have now devoted themselves to the defence of our State. From personal knowledge of many of them, and from the information of others, there is already, I believe, a large portion of religious principle and genuine piety to be found among them. I rejoice to learn that in many companies not only are the services of chaplains and other minis- ters earnestly sought for, but social prayer meetings held among them- selves. Our own Church has a very large proportion of communicants among the officers of our army, and not a few among the soldiers. Let us pray that grace may be given them to be faithful soldiers of the Cross, as well as valiant and successful defenders of the State.


"If all of us do our part faithfully, and according to the principles of our holy religion, we may confidently leave the issue to God, who will overrule all for good."


The Right Reverend the assistant Bishop read to the Con- vention that portion of the proceedings of the Diocesan Con- vention of Texas which had reference to the ecclesiastical and political condition of the country, which, on motion of Rev. Dr. Wilmer, was referred to a Special Committee upon the Bishop's address.


Bishop Meade's views were formally approved by the Con- vention in adopting the following :


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CONVENTION OF 1861.


The Special Committee to whom so much of the Bishop's address as relates "to the present political and ecclesiastical condition of our affairs" was referred, unanimously report the following resolutions for adoption by the Convention :


I. Resolved, That this Convention, having heard with deep interest the true and timely statements of our venerable Diocesan, in reference to the present political and ecclesiastical condition of our affairs, cor- dially concur in the views presented, and sympathize fully in the kind and Christian spirit in which they are so wisely declared.


2. Resolved, That a committee, consisting of the two Bishops, three other clergymen and three laymen, be appointed as a Provisional Com- mittee, to act during the recess of the Convention in all matters con- nected with our relations to other Dioceses, and that the clerical and lay members of the committee shall serve as delegates in any Conven- tion which may be agreed upon by other similarly situated Dioceses. All the proceedings of this committee to be reported for the approval of the Convention of the Diocese of Virginia.


On motion of the Rev. John Grammer, the following reso- lution was adopted:


Resolved, That the Convention now proceed to elect three clerical and three lay members, who, together with the two Bishops, shall con- stitute the above committee.


The following gentlemen were duly elected : Rev. Dr. R. H. Wilmer, Rev. Dr. Sparrow, Rev. Dr. Peterkin, Judge Thomas S. Gholson, Mr. Philip Williams, Mr. Richard H. Cunningham.


The report of the Committee on the Baptism of Colored Children was recommitted until next Convention.


Article II of the Constitution was amended so as to entitle the Rector of the Virginia Female Institute to a seat in the Convention.


The Convention adjourned on Thursday, the second day of its session.


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CONVENTION OF 1862.


CONVENTION OF 1862.


Convention met in St. Paul's church, Richmond, May 21st. Present Bishop Johns, 25 clergy and 15 laity.


Mr. E. S. Pegram was elected Secretary pro tem.


Bishop Johns, in his address, referred to the circum- stances of Bishop Meade's decease, which occurred on Fri- day, March 9th, 1862, in Richmond. We quote as follows:


"March 6th .- I preached in St. Paul's church, Richmond, at the con- secration of the Rev. Richard H. Wilmer, as Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Alabama. The evidence of his election by the Convention of that Diocese-the testimony from its mem- bers recommending him for consecration-the evidence of the consent to his consecration by a majority of the standing committees and Bishops in the Confederate States, having been produced and read- the consecration was performed by the Right Rev. Wm. Meade, D. D., who presided, and the Right Rev. Stephen Elliot, D. D., and myself, who united in the imposition of hands.


"We parted with our beloved brother with sorrow of heart that his. stated services with us were to cease, yet with thankfulness that he was entering upon a field of usefulness so important and interesting- and with many prayers that God would preserve and prosper him in his ministrations, and give him grace to fulfil his course with fidelity and success, 'that when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, he may receive the never-fading crown of glory.'


"March 9th .- I preached in St. John's, Richmond. This, dear breth- ren, was the week of our bereavement. On Friday, the 14th, at 7 A. M., it pleased Almighty God to remove from us our venerable and beloved Bishop, whom He had chosen to cherish our Church in Virginia during its infancy-to aid in bringing it up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord-and long honored and blessed as its chief pastor. The habit which forms by duration, and the love which excellence and usefulness inspire and invigorate, had so bound and endeared him to us all, that the thought of being without him was not seriously entertained, and we were ill prepared for the afflictive separation. Perhaps we ought to have been more discerning, and gathered premonitions from the sig-


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CONVENTION OF 1862.


nificant service with which our last Convention was opened. When the Bishop, under a solemn sense of appropriateness and duty, officiating as the preacher, delivered his semi-centinary discourse, spake of the experience of his long and eventful life, with the deep humility of a sage-that the benefit of his carefully acquired knowledge might accrue to us-there was impressively evident 'a ripeness and perfectness of age in Christ,' which might have advised us that his maturity for Heaven was attained, and 'the time of his departure at hand.' For many years his bodily infirmities, though they did not abate his intellectual labors or suspend the use of his pen, but only rendered them more abundant and beneficial, yet they did deprive us of his impressive services in the pulpit. His capability for these, however, was recently restored, and in that memorable discourse there was an unction of piety and a rich melody of religious thought in which our ears have recognized the dying notes of our aged Apostle. He has since finished his course in peace and hope, and adding to his wholesome example and salutary instructions of his self-denying and laborious life the solemn seal of a fearless death. It was my privilege to minister to him during his sick- ness-receive his dying testimony-watch his waning strength-catch his expiring breath, and then close those eyes, which, in an intimate association of twenty years, had never been turned on mine and me but in true friendship and tender love.




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