USA > Virginia > A digest of the proceedings of the conventions and councils in the diocese of Virginia > Part 24
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"The particulars of his illness, and his dying testimony to his breth- ren and country, I have communicated in the address delivered at the funeral. That testimony will be long and religiously preserved as a precious legacy of a Christian patriot to the Church and people, whose prosperity were so dear to his breast both in life and in death. May our devoted love for our departed father in God, and our sympathy in sorrow under our sore bereavement, be so sanctified as to unite us in closer Christian affection, and animate us to greater zeal and diligence in the cause of our Lord and Master, that we 'lose not those things which have been wrought,' but may behold his pleasure still prospering in our hands."
The following resolution was offered by the Rev. D. F. Sprigg, and unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That the Treasurer of this Convention be required to pay the funeral expenses of the Right Rev. William Meade, D. D., out of any money in his hands not otherwise appropriated.
The committee appointed at the last Annual Convention
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CONVENTION OF 1862.
to act in connection with representatives of other Southern Dioceses in any Convention that might be held, reported that they had attended a Convention at Columbia, S. C., on October 16, 1861, and that with great unanimity the said Convention had agreed upon a proposed Constitution for the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Confederate States of America.
On motion of the Rev. Dr. Woodbridge, the Convention proceeded to the consideration of the "Constitution proposed . for the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Confederate States of America," which, after being read by the Secre- tary, and some discussion,
On motion of the Rev. Mr. Dashiell, the vote was taken on its adoption, and it was unanimously carried.
The Constitution and canons of the Diocese were changed by striking out the word "Convention," wherever it oc- curred, and substituting the word "Council."
The following delegates were elected to a General Council of the Dioceses in the Confederate States, to be held at Augusta, Georgia, on the second Wednesday in November, 1862 : Of the clergy-Rev. Dr. Sparrow, Rev. Dr. Peterkin, Rev. George H. Norton; alternates: Rev. Dr. Woodbridge, Rev. Dr. Andrews, Rev. Dr. Pendleton. Of the laity-Mr. Philip Williams, Mr. N. H. Massie, Mr. Richard Cunning- ham ; alternates: Judge Gholson, Mr. J. L. Bacon, Colonel E. T. Tayloe.
The delegates to the General Council were instructed to urge that the Constitution adopted by the Dioceses be amended so as to bring the article in reference to the sub- division of Dioceses into conformity with the Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States.
The following preamble and resolutions were presented by the committee appointed for the purpose :
The committee charged to inquire into the mode of testifying the re-
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CONVENTION OF 1862.
spect and affection of the Convention for the memory of the late Right. Rev. Wm. Meade, D. D., report-That the death of our venerable Dio- cesan, the revered President of this Convention, who, in that relation, as in all others which brought him into communication with his fellow- men, inspired all those who approached him with affection and rev- erence, deserves an enduring memorial of the veneration and esteem in which he was held. Most fit is it, that we, his clergy and the representa- tives of the people for whom he lived and labored, and who, for so many years enjoyed his instructive services and parental care, should bear witness to the graces which adorned his life, and the strength of character, which secured him his extraordinary influence and eminent usefulness. Conscientious, intrepid, learned; clear in the perceptions. of truth and duty; opposed to every form of compliance or compromise at variance with the strictest sincerity and plainness, and alive to the dignity and elevation of his sacred office, he fulfilled, by example and by precept, the mission of an evangelist. Any degree of labor or re- sponsibility to which duty summoned him served only to strengthen his. determination to be faithful; nor cared he for his own repose or safety, if by toil or self-denial he might advance the cause of truth and holiness .. Yet, inexorable as he was on questions involving principle, in matters. which permitted sympathy or friendship, the indulgence of home affec- tions or the charities which subdue by kindness, he was invariably in- dulgent, persuasive and benignant. Such was his prominence and weight, so fitted to lead by his energy, wisdom and grace, that the growth and development of his own Diocese, the history of the Church at large, and the progress of religion in his day constitute his best and only faithful eulogy ; and upon that we must rely, when it shall be writ- ten, to honor him as he deserves. The committee recommend the adoption of the following resolutions :
I. Resolved, That we will cherish with affectionate reverence the memory of our beloved Bishop, the Right Rev. Wm. Meade, D. D., and we tender our unfeigned sympathy, in their bereavement, to his family.
2. That his personal worth and abundant services entitle him to a permanent memorial, and that this Convention will cause to be erected over his remains an appropriate monument.
3. That the Rectors and Vestries of our churches in Richmond be, and are hereby commissioned to execute the preceding resolutions.
It was also, on motion,
Resolved unanimously, That there is cause for devout thankfulness, and for His goodness therein we humbly praise God, that the suc-
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cessor of our lamented and beloved Bishop-the Right Rev. John Johns, D. D.,-is the tried and revered friend, who, as the faithful and valued assistant of our late venerated Diocesan through twenty years of harmonious labor, has proved himself eminently worthy of the con- fidence and affection of the Diocese and of the Church.
Resolved, That the sympathy of the Diocese is extended to him in his deep affliction at the loss of his revered friend and senior; and at his accession to the undivided duties of his sacred office at this time of peculiar trials and dangers, he is welcomed, with the assurance of our unfeigned attachment, deference and reverence for him.
There were reported 132 confirmations, 2,355 communi- cants, and contributions amounting in all to $21,143.35.
The Committee on the State of the Church said :
We are in the midst of a Revolution, ecclesiastical as well as civil, and therefore in the experience of all the concomitants of such a state of things. The first movement of the Federal army, in the invasion of Virginia, placed in their hands the Seminary and High School build- ings, dispersing from their homes the families of the Bishop and of the Professors, and breaking up the four or five congregations in the neighborhood. Subsequent movements have greatly increased our calamities ; in some cases confining our clergy and laity within the enemy's lines, so as to prevent them from being with us in our present meeting; in others, again to the driving of pastors from their charges and homes; in others, to the appropriation of churches as barracks and hospitals ; in others, to their shameful abuse and desecration, and to the dispersion and exile of those who worshipped in them. The simple facts that we have reports from only twenty-five parishes; that the Pro- fessors of our Seminary, after resuming their duties in October, have been again compelled to suspend; that the High School, during the whole of the past year, has been, and is now, in a state of like suspen- sion; that our Diocesan paper has been changed as to its place of pub- lication, and is now issued to the extent of little over one-third of its former circulation; these simple facts of themselves make manifest some of the painful peculiarities in the state of the Church at the present moment. * * *
To one or two points, however, of especial interest, involved in these general statements, your committee would now desire to call attention.
One of these is the fact; unexampled in our day in Protestant coun- tries, in conflict alike with the organic law of the Federal as of our own government; the fact of interference with the rights of conscience,
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CONVENTION OF 1862.
both of ministers and congregations, in the attempt made to compel them in public worship to acknowledge the authority, and take sides with one of the parties in the conflict now going on, that of the Federal government. Church after church has been shut up, and in some cases abused and desecrated; minister after minister has been compelled to leave his home and charge, sometimes to flee for his life; congregation after congregation has been broken up and dispersed, denied the privi- leges of public worship and the ordinances of religion, not for any pos- itive act, but because they would not lie to God, and in public worship pray for the success of those whom they regarded as the murderers of their kinsmen and countrymen, and in so doing express approval of their course. In most of the cases the parties were willing-as non- combatants, and as prisoners within the Federal lines-to omit all allu- sion to the existing conflict. But this was not allowed them, and they have been compelled to elect between the public utterance of a false- hood, and one which does violence alike to their most sacred affections. and strongest convictions; or dispersion or exile. Of course, in times like these, of excitement and bitterness, there will be cases of individ- ual violence, against which no official influence can altogether provide ; and were the cases in question of this character, they would not, as they do now, demand such special notice. That which constitutes their peculiar enormity, and which makes it our duty to call attention to them, is the fact that they have taken place under official sanction. The very worst case of flagrant outrage in this respect, occurred within ten miles of Washington, was brought in a formal manner to the notice of the highest civil and military officials there; and, so far as any public intimation has been given, was allowed to pass unrebuked and un- punished-was virtually sanctioned, and the church in which the outrage was perpetrated, was, within the next few weeks, still further desecrated, and then appropriated to military purposes. And since then the same course has been pursued by the commanding officers of the Federal forces in our sister Dioceses of Tennessee and North Caro- lina. * * * * * *
Intimately connected with these illegalities of a civil, may be men- tioned others of an ecclesiastical character, no less remarkable. Some of the churches, the owners and pastors of which have been forcibly dispossessed, are now occupied by Federal chaplains, clergymen of the Episcopal Church, and therefore in disregard and violation of their own as of our canonical regulations. * * *
Turning from these topics to others of a more grateful character, your committee would direct your notice to some of the modes in which, during even these troublous times, effort may be made for the welfare
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COUNCIL OF 1863.
of souls and the extension of Christ's kingdom. A new field of labor in this respect, both for the souls and the bodies of our soldiers, has been opened to us in the army. The report of the committee of the Diocesan Missionary Society brings before us a matter of special and pressing importance. There is need of missionary effort among our soldiers, particularly in cities and large towns, where many of the sick and wounded are located. Our whole missionary fund, of ordi- nary times, might be employed in this one form of effort, and would not meet the existing demand.
The Convention adjourned on Thursday evening, after a session of two days.
COUNCIL OF 1863.
Council met in St. Paul's church, Richmond, May 20th. Present Bishop Johns, forty-nine clergy and thirty-five laity.
There was, as will be seen, a larger representation than last year. It was due in part to the number of clergy and laity who were refugees in and near to Richmond.
Rev. T. G. Dashiell was elected Secretary.
The Diocesan Missionary Society said in its report :
The condition of the country has materially affected the operations of the Society. On one hand, by the temporary occupation of the enemy, our area has been curtailed, and the number of parishes, here- tofore dependent for aid upon the Society, diminished. But on the other hand, the hospitals which have filled the land, and especially the city of Richmond, and the large armies which the Confederate States were obliged to call into the field, and occupy on the soil of Virginia, have opened to the missionary activity of the Church, a new, a vast, and most interesting field of usefulness.
* * * * * *
* *
To meet the demands for ministerial services in our hospitals, two missionaries have been appointed and supported during the last year,
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COUNCIL OF 1863.
and their monthly reports laid before the committee at their stated meetings. The missionaries thus employed are the Rev. Messrs. Withers and Perkins, of whom the first has recently been transferred to the hospitals in Petersburg, in consequence of the increased demand for such services in that city, and in conformity with the wishes of its clergy.
During the time that the hospitals in Richmond were filled with from 10,000 to 14,000 sick and wounded, Rev: Messrs. Kepler and Sprigg were also assigned to this work. Whenever and wherever such need exists, the committee are prepared to co-operate with the local pastors, and ready to receive their communications.
* * * * * * *
In connection with these labors the committee have felt the impor- tance of providing a suitable literature for our soldiers-Bibles, Testa- ments, Tracts and Prayer-Books. The publication and distribution of Tracts has been continued, and a brief liturgy for the use of the camps, has been prepared and printed. It is hoped, that a new and better edition may soon be brought out. This whole department has been newly organized, so as to concentrate the efforts of the Diocese upon this interesting work.
Measures were adopted looking to an increase of publish- ing work by the Society.
The Convention approved the following amendment to Article II of the Constitution: "And no person shall be entitled to a seat until he has been canonically connected with the Diocese for six calendar months."
In his address the Bishop said :
"November 10th .- Accompanied by the clerical and lay deputies from this Diocese to the first General Council, I left Richmond for Augusta, Ga. The Council continued in session ten days. Its chief business consisted in the ratification of our Book of Common Prayer, with only the substitution of 'Confederate' for 'United,' and of 'Council' for 'Convention,' where such alteration was required to adopt the Liturgy to our use; reserving, for future consideration, any other changes or amendments not affecting any essential point of doctrine, discipline or worship, which might be deemed expedient; and in addition to this, in the adoption of a Digest of revised canons for the government of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Confederate States of America. This will be found to differ but little from our old Code-the only varia-
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COUNCIL OF 1863.
tions being such as experience had suggested, and perspicuousness and consistency required. The whole business of the Council was conducted in a spirit of fraternal confidence and with a Christian courtesy which made the association most agreeable in itself and afforded a good hope of continued unity of spirit and generous cooperation.
* * *
"The last Convention entrusted to a committee consisting of the Rectors and Vestries of the churches in Richmond and its vicinity, the arrangement for the permanent interment of our late Rt. Rev. Father in God. The wish of the sons of the deceased having been ascertained, a lot was selected in Hollywood Cemetery.
"On the 4th of March, at 2 P. M., the Rev. R. K. Meade and children, accompanied by clergy and laity of the city and its vicinity, repaired to the cemetery and reverently removed the venerated remains from the vault in which they had been temporarily laid, to the spot chosen for permanent interment, where, with appropriate religious services, we committed the body to the ground-looking for the general resurrection and the life of the world to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
"The proposed monument and enclosure are postponed till they can be more satisfactorily accomplished than under existing circumstances. Meanwile, as no member of the Church in Virginia should be deprived of the privilege of participating in this memorial, it may be proper for this Council to appoint a receiver of contributions, with such directions as will afford the opportunity to all who desire to aid in its erection.
* * *
"During a brief visit to Charles Bruce, Esq., of Charlotte county, in July last, he requested me to receive and use for the Diocese the muni- ficent legacy of his excellent mother, for the benefit of our destitute churches in Virginia, to which, during her life, she had been in the habit of contributing most liberally. The bequest of the testator was also an honorable boon from the heirs at law, who though under no legal obligation to comply with this provision of the will, promptly, and of their own accord, executed it as really valid. At my suggestion Mr. Bruce associated Mr. John L. Bacon with me in the trust, and we received and hold the amount paid by the executor under a written agreement carefully prepared by Wm. H. Macfarland, Esq., so as to secure the fund, as far as possible from loss or perversion. On the 9th of August, 1862, I received Mr. C. Bruce's check on the Farmer's Bank of Virginia, for $13,031, which I forwarded to Mr. John L. Bacon, by whom it was invested in railroad bonds, of the value of $14,000, which with some further payment, the amount of which is not yet ascertained, will form the permanent fund for which the Church is indebted to its deceased
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COUNCIL OF 1864.
benefactress. I speak of the fund as permanent, because, with the approval of Mr. C. Bruce, the principal is to be preserved intact, the annual interest only to be distributed as specified in the will."
During the business session on Thursday (21st), the Council resolved itself into a meeting for prayer and sup- plication to Almighty God for his blessing upon the South- ern Confederacy and our armies in the field.
It was resolved to meet for prayer for the same objects next morning at 62 o'clock.
Emmanuel church, Washington county, was admitted into union with the Council.
It was resolved that until our army should be fully sup- plied with chaplains, that the Bishop be requested to call upon clergy without parochial cures to render such services, in such way and for such time as he might designate; and the clerical members of the Council tendered him their services for the work.
Messages of love and greeting were sent to those clergy and laity who were cut off from the Council by the move- ments of the hostile armies.
Council adjourned Friday evening.
COUNCIL OF 1864.
Council met in St. Paul's church, Richmond, May 18th. Present the Bishop, twenty-six clergy and fourteen laity.
It is worth while to record here, whilst it is not men- tioned in the minutes, that on the first day of the session, after the roll-call of the clergy, there was not a quorum of lay delegates present. The organization of the Council
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COUNCIL OF 1864.
was delayed about an hour, until several lay delegates known to be in the city, could be summoned.
The amendment to Article II, proposed and approved at the last Council, was adopted.
Emmanuel church, Greenwood parish, was admitted into the Council.
The Bishop's salary was increased to $10,000.
In his address the Bishop introduced the following cor- respondence :
" WASHINGTON CITY, January 27, 1864. "Rt. REV. J. JOHNS, D. D .:
" My Dear Bishop,-It is very important to the interest of St. Mat- thew's parish, (Wheeling,) that we should have an Episcopal visitation, and inasmuch as you, our own beloved Bishop are kept from us, and may be kept from us for years by the war, we are constrained to beg that you will give your consent to our inviting a Bishop to officiate in your stead. Will you not give to us a discretionary power as to the selection of a Bishop? We shall conform as nearly as practicable to. your know wishes on the subject.
" Affectionately your humble servant,
"THOS. G. ADDISON."
[Answer.]
"RICHMOND, February 13, 1864.
" Rev. and Dear Brother,-Your letter by flag of truce has just reached me, and I hasten to assure you that I fully reciprocate the kind- ness which it expresses, and that I retain an unabated interest for the good people of your charge. It is truly gratifying to know that the un- happy disturbances of the times have left unimpaired our higher rela- tions and the Christian feeling which they involve. It is now nearly three years since I visited Wheeling. It may be long before the country will be sufficiently settled to enable me to officiate there again. Whilst I trust I shall ever be unwilling to obtrude myself where I have no right to appear, or where my services are not desired, I am ready to discharge my duty as far as possible to the whole Diocese. If, therefore, those who have the power with you, will, on my parole of honor, furnish me with a safe conduct, you will soon receive such official services as you may require. I say this on the presumption, that those in authority here will not object to the arrangement, and with the distinct under-
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COUNCIL OF 1864.
standing, that whilst its conditions will be sacredly observed by me, they are not to conflict with my obligations to the government under which I live.
"I make this overture in good faith, and leave the result to His dis- posal, who orders all things well. If it is regarded favorably, you will, of course, apprise me. If otherwise, I shall at least have the satisfaction of knowing that it is from no remissness on my part that a portion of my cure is deprived of Episcopal services.
"Yours truly,
"J. JOHNS, &C. "Rev. Thos. G. Addison."
"I know that the answer reached its destination, and was well re- ceived by my correspondent and others. It has, however, so far as I am informed, led to no further action on their part. We must wait patiently and hopefully till the good Providence of God opens the way for the renewal of services, which I am ready to render."
At the close of his address the Bishop said :
"In closing this statement of the affairs of the Diocese, since the meeting of the last Council, it behooves me to remark what the report itself discloses-that though we are under discipline, our God has not forsaken us. His chastisements have been mingled with many mer- cies, both temporal and spiritual. Whilst he has marvellously re- strained the raging violence of our enemies, who proclaim their pur- pose of exterminating our people, and possessing themselves of our country, he has graciously visited our parishes with his salvation, and our camps with the regenerating influences of his gospel, 'and I therein do rejoice-yea, and will rejoice.' But let us not so be engrossed by the accompanying mercies as to fail to 'hear the rod, and who hath appointed it.' And let not the injustice and inhumanity of our foes lead us to indulge the malevolence and execration and revenge to which such deeds so powerfully excite. Rather let us remember how it is written, 'Vengeance is mine-I will repay saith the Lord.' Let us not be overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good, and God will in- vigorate and guide us in the conflict, and give us victory with his blessing.'"
It was-
Resolved, That when this Council adjourns it will adjourn to meet at such place as the Bishop may designate, and that in case the state of public affairs should render a meeting at the usual time inexpedient, the Bishop shall, at his discretion, appoint the time of meeting.
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COUNCIL OF 1865.
Only twenty-eight parochial reports were received. They reported 2,322 communicants, 442 confirmations, and con- tributions amounting to $61,153.45, in Confederate cur- rency.
Nothing else was done except routine business, and the Council adjourned on Thursday evening.
COUNCIL OF 1865.
The war between the Northern and Southern sections of the country terminated in April of this year. The lack of transportation facilities, the destruction of all kinds of pro- perty and the consequent poverty and confusion throughout Virginia, prevented a meeting of the Council in May:
Pursuant to the call of the Bishop, the Council met in St. Paul's church, Richmond, September 20th. Present Bishop Johns, sixty-six clergy and forty-seven laity.
In his address the Bishop referred at length to the rela- tions of the Southern Dioceses, and more especially of our own, to the General Convention of the United States. He gave a history of the course pursued by such Dioceses as had taken action in the premises, and urged that the Coun- cil should resume its connection with the General Con- vention. He said :
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