USA > Virginia > A digest of the proceedings of the conventions and councils in the diocese of Virginia > Part 3
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"From the Holy Scriptures themselves, rather than from the com- ments of men, must we learn the terms of salvation. Creeds, there- fore, ought to be simple, and we are not anxious to retain any other than that which is commonly called the Apostles' Creed.
"Should a change in the Liturgy be proposed, let it be made with caution; and in that case let the alterations be few, and the style of prayer continue, as agreeable as may be, to the essential characteristics of our persuasion.
"We will not now decide what ceremonies ought to be retained, we wish, however, that those which exist may be estimated according to their utility; and that such as may appear fit to be laid aside, may no longer be appendages to our Church.
"We need only add that we shall expect a report of your proceed- ings to be made to those whom we shall vest with authority to call a General Convention.
"Done in Convention this 22d day of May, in the year of our Lord 1785."
The Rev. David Griffith, Rev. Samuel S. M'Croskey, John Page, Esq., and William Lee, Esq., were elected deputies.
The following address to the members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia was reported by the com- mittee appointed to prepare it, and was approved by the Convention :
"The Address of the Convention to the Members "of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia :
"For more than eight years our Church hath languished under neg- lect. We will not, however, believe that her friends have revolted, and therefore trust that a knowledge of her present condition will rekindle their former affections.
"Religion does not invite by inducements from eternal interest alone; society feels her benignity in remedying the defects of laws.
* *
* *
*
"From the earliest day, and in every clime, has the efficacy of religion been acknowledged. Under various forms have her benefits been solicited, and we have enlisted ourselves under the banners of
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THE FIRST CONVENTION AFTER THE REVOLUTION.
the Protestant Episcopal Church. Let us not, then, desert this object of our choice, but conscious of her scriptural authority, devote our- selves to her relief.
"Of what is the Church now possessed? Nothing but the glebes and your affections. Since the year 1776, she hath been even without regular government, and her ministers have received but little compen- sation for their services. Their numbers are diminished by death and other causes, and we have as yet no resource within ourselves for a succession of ministers. Churches stand in need of repair, and there is no fund equal to the smallest want.
"By the favour of Providence, indeed, the Protestant Episcopal Church is incorporated by law, and under this sanction are we now assembled. We have accepted the invitation of a Convention, lately holden at New York, to send deputies to another to be holden at Phila- delphia in the fall. We shall not enter into a revision of doctrine and worship, until their return and report of the sentiments of those of our communion with whom they may be associated. We have, how- ever, organized the government of the Church.
"But whither must our labours tend without your assistance ? To contempt, they cannot ; for we have the consciousness of aiming at our common welfare alone. To almost everything under the sun belongs a crisis, which, if embraced, stamps our endeavours with success-if lost, with ruin. In this situation does our Church now stand: and why do you hesitate ? Are the doctrines of our Church less excellent than at any former period? Have you embraced the persuasion of that Church, to abandon it in the hour of difficulty? Common justice requires that those who profess themselves to be members of a society, should unite in cherishing it; and let us not be the only example of a religious association withering from the want of support from its own members.
* * * * * *
"We therefore entreat you in the most solemn manner, we conjure you by all the ties of religion, to cooperate fervently in the cause of our Church. Should these our earnest efforts be abortive, we shall always with truth call the Searcher of hearts to witness, that the down- fall of the Protestant Episcopal Church is not to be named among our offences, and to this admonition shall we ever appeal."
The following were adopted :
" Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Convention that the Canons of the Church of England have no obligations on the Protestant Epis- copal Church in this commonwealth.
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THE FIRST CONVENTION AFTER THE REVOLUTION.
" Resolved, That until the further order of the Convention the Lit- urgy of the Church of England be used in the several churches throughout this commonwealth with such alterations as the American Revolution has rendered necessary."
The Committee on "Rules for the Order, Government and Discipline of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Vir- ginia," made a lengthy report. It consisted of forty-three sections, followed by seven resolutions. It was a compre- hensive summary, for the most part, of our present Consti- tution, Canons, Rules of Order and Rubrics. There were a few points touched upon that may be worthy of special notice.
SEC. II. "As we conceive the office of a bishop, according to the true apostolic institution, differs in nothing from that of other ministers of God's Word, except in the power of ordination and confirmation, and the rights of superintending the conduct of the clergy, and of precedency in ecclesiastical assemblies, that office shall accordingly be so exercised in this Church; and every bishop, after his promotion to the Episcopal order, shall continue to hold a parish and to do the duty of a parish minister except when he is necessarily employed in the discharge of his episcopal office."
SEC. 34. * "The salary accruing during the suspension of a min- * ister or deacon, who is afterward found guilty, shall go to the Vestry for the use of the Church."
SEC. 39. Enacts that a minister shall at no time leave his parish "for more than one month without the consent of the Vestry."
SEC. 41. "Ministers and deacons shall wear a surplice during the time of prayer at public worship, in places where they are provided ; shall wear gowns when they preach, where they conveniently can; and shall at all times wear apparel suited to the gravity of their pro- fession-such as may distinguish them from laymen."
His Excellency the Governor, the members of the Coun- cil and the judges of the Supreme Court, were invited to seats with the Convention.
The Convention adjourned on Wednesday, May 25, 1785, having been in session one week. 3
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CONVENTION OF 1786.
CONVENTION OF 1786.
The Convention met in the Public Buildings in Rich- mond, Wednesday, May 24, 1786. No quorum the first day. Afterwards there were sixteen clergymen and forty- seven laymen.
Rev. James Madison, D. D., was President, Rev. John Bracken, Secretary.
The General Constitution, recommended by the General Convention of the Church, was approved.
The Governor of the State, members of the Council and judges of the Supreme Court were admitted to honorary seats.
A committee was appointed to prepare a petition, praying that the act incorporating the Protestant Episcopal Church be not repealed. Hon. John Blair, chairman of the com- mittee.
The State was laid off into twenty-four districts "for as- sembling the ministers annually in Presbytery, and for several other purposes."
The following was adopted :
" Resolved, That the Book of Common Prayer, as recommended by the late General Convention, be approved, ratified and used, except the rubric, before the communion service, and such alterations of the Articles as are referred to the consideration of the next General Con- vention, and that the Psalms be used as heretofore until a sufficient number of the new books can be procured."
The following instructions were given to the deputies to the next General Convention:
"Gentlemen,-You are instructed to move for such alterations in the . Book of Common Prayer and Articles of Religion as shall be agreed to by this Convention as fit to be proposed to the General Convention.
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CONVENTION OF 1786.
"We consider the Protestant Episcopal Church in America as an incorporate society, and therefore unity in doctrine and worship its characteristic : Conformably to this, you will not carp at expression, nor carry your objections to unessential points; guarding against schisms by all possible means, and giving our Church every benefit and strength it can acquire from union.
"It is superfluous to observe to you, that the sooner our Church can have the benefit of episcopal superintendence, the nearer it will ap- proach to perfection ; and to recommend to your attention the aid of this necessary character."
The following was adopted concerning the powers to be given to the Standing Committee:
" Resolved, That the Standing Committee appointed by this Conven- tion shall have power to correspond with the Protestant archbishops and bishops in Europe, and with any society or societies of the Pro- testant Episcopal Church in these United States, on any matters re- lating to the Church; to call a meeting of the Convention whensoever it shall to them seem necessary; to receive complaints against the clergy, and to direct Courts of Examination pursuant to the rules for the government of the Church; to grant testimonials to all persons, candidates for parishes, and not citizens of this State, who may apply for the same; to make such representations on behalf of the Church as may from time to time be expedient; to give advice on difficulties propounded to them concerning the Church during the recess of Con- vention; and to do all other things recommended by the Convention, and not by them assigned to others to execute; and to report their proceedings to every succeeding Convention.
Three committees, corresponding to three districts into which the State was laid off, were appointed to grant testi- monials to candidates for parishes. I. District from James river to the North Carolina line, extending westward to our limits. II. Between James river and the Rappahannock, extending westward to our limits and including the two Eastern Shore counties. III. The Northern Neck and all the territory not included in the other two districts.
Plans were adopted for the support of a bishop and to pay the expenses of consecration.
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CONVENTION OF 1787.
The Convention, on the last day of its session, May 31st, proceeded to elect a bishop. Forty-nine votes were cast, of which the Rev. David Griffith received 32 votes; the Rev. John Bracken, 10; Rev. Samuel Shield, 7.
The Rev. David Griffith was declared to be the choice of the Convention, and was therefore "recommended as a proper person to be consecrated bishop for this State."
The Rev. David Griffith and Mr. Cyrus Griffin were elected deputies to the General Convention.
CONVENTION OF 1787.
The Convention met in the Public Buildings in Rich- mond, on Wednesday, May 16, 1787.
Rev. David Griffith, President; Rev. John Bracken, Sec- retary.
Fifteen clergy and thirty lay delegates were present.
On motion it was-
" Resolved, That a committee be appointed to frame such rules and regulations for the government of the Church, as the repeal of the act of incorporation has rendered necessary, and to revise the canons formerly made, and prepare such alterations in them as the present situation of the Church requires.
"And a committee was appointed of the Rev. Mr. Madison, the Rev. Mr. Bracken, the Rev. Mr. Shield, the Rev. Mr. Taylor, the Rev. Mr. Cameron, the Rev. Mr. Craig, the Honourable James Wood, Mr. Under- wood, Mr. Baker, Mr. Andrews, Mr. Pendleton and Mr. Nelson.
" On a motion-
" Resolved, That a committee be appointed to take into considera- tion the proceedings of the General Convention held in Philadelphia in June, 1786, the proceedings of another General Convention held in
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CONVENTION OF 1787.
Wilmington in October, 1786, and the other papers laid before this Con- vention by the Standing Committee, and that they report thereon.
"And a committee was appointed of the Rev. Mr. Dick, Rev. Mr. Buchanan, Rev. Mr. Ryan, Rev. Mr. Fairfax, Rev. Mr. Leland, Major Saunders, Mr. Baylor, Mr. Shore, and Mr. T. Lewis."
* * * * *
"The Rev. Mr. Dick, from the committee appointed to take under consideration the proceedings of a General Convention held in Phila- delphia in June, 1786, the proceedings of another General Convention held in Wilmington in October, 1786, and the other papers laid before this Convention by the Standing Committee, reported, That they had, according to order, gone through the business to them referred, and had come to several resolutions thereon, which were read, and when amended, agreed to, as follows:
"I. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee, that the recom- mendation to the churches therein represented, not to receive to the pastoral charge, within their respective limits, clergymen professing canonical subjection to any bishop, in any State or country, other than those bishops who may be duly settled in the States represented in the said General Convention, ought to be acceeded to.
"II. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee, that the Ist, 2d, 3d, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th and IIth articles of the General Constitu- tion be acceded to, and that the 4th and 9th articles be also acceded to, but as articles of a temporary nature, and not as forming a part of the General Constitution.
"III. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee, that the recommendation from the General Convention not to admit any per- son as a minister within this Church who should receive ordination from any bishop residing in America, during the application pending to the English bishops for episcopal consecration, cannot be complied with.
"IV. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee, that the deputies to be appointed to attend the next General Convention, be instructed to move the General Convention to expunge the words, "He descended into hell," inserted in the Apostles' Creed by the Gen- eral Convention held at Wilmington, and also whatever relates to the restoration of the Nicene Creed.
"V. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee that the alter- ation made in the form of subscription prescribed in the Ioth article of the General Constitution, is not necessary, the object of it appearing to us to be provided for by what are called the 4th, 9th, and Ioth articles of the General Constitution.
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CONVENTION OF 1787.
"VI. Resolved, That the recommendation from the General Conven- tion to the Convention of the several States, to authorize and empower their deputies to the next General Convention, after a bishop or bish- ops shall be obtained in the Church, to confirm and ratify a General Constitution respecting both the doctrine and discipline of the Protest- ant Episcopal Church of the United States of America, ought to be complied with."
An ordinance was adopted concerning the election of the vestries and trustees, and for other purposes. It is in part a brief summary of our present canon. It gave the minis- ter "a vote equal to and not greater than a vestryman in all questions except for the demise of the glebe lands as- signed for his residence or use, in which he shall have a negative."
It allowed each parish only one clerical and one lay dele- gate-twenty-five delegates thus appointed to constitute a quorum.
An address was published, to the Church in the Diocese, in which the members were especially urged to attend to the duty of supporting their pastors with "a moderate but adequate provision."
Mr. Andrews and Rev. David Griffith were elected depu- ties to the General Convention.
The Rev. Messrs. Madison, Bracken and Shield, with Messrs. Blair, Page of Rosewell, and Andrews, were ap- pointed a Standing Committee to exercise the functions usually belonging to standing committees of a Diocese.
This committee was instructed to apply without delay to Bishops White and Provost, or to either of them, to admit the Rev. Dr. Griffith to consecration.
The parishes were urged to raise funds for the purpose of getting together such an amount as would be needed to pay the expenses of obtaining consecration for a bishop.
The parishes were also exhorted to provide funds for the education of two youths from their early years, in such a
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CONVENTIONS OF 1788 AND 1789.
manner as to be properly qualified for discharging the im- portant duties of the ministry in this Church; the money to be subject to the disposal of the Bishop and the Stand- ing Committee, who should conjointly have the direction of the education of the two youths.
CONVENTION OF 1788.
No Journal was printed.
CONVENTION OF 1789.
Met in Richmond, May 6, 1789. Ten clergymen and twenty-three laymen present.
Rev. John Bracken, President; Mr. Robert Andrews, Secretary. No quorum was present on the first day.
Rev. David Griffith relinquished the appointment of bishop, to which office he was elected in May, 1787.
An address was prepared and issued, earnestly appealing to the parishes to collect the money necessary to pay the expenses connected with the consecration of a bishop.
It is understood that Dr. Griffith's resignation was sent in because the condition of the Church was such that the funds necessary to send him to Europe for consecration could not be raised.
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CONVENTION OF 1790.
CONVENTION OF 1790.
Met in Richmond, May 5, 1790. Twenty-seven clergy- men and twenty-nine laymen present.
Rev. James Madison, D. D., President; Rev. Thomas Davis, Secretary.
On Thursday, May 6th, the Convention resolved to pro- ceed to the election of a bishop, and accordingly the next day, by a formal ballot, it was declared that the Rev. James Madison, D. D., having received a majority of the votes cast, was so elected. Dr. Madison received 46 votes, Dr. Shield, 9.
The following action was taken by the Convention con- cerning the Church's title to its glebes, church edifices, and other property :
"Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Convention, that the Pro- testant Episcopal Church is the exclusive owner of the glebes, churches, and other property held by the Church of England in Virginia, at the commencement of the Revolution.
"Resolved, That the principles upon which the said property is held are those only by which the rights of property are regulated.
"Resolved, That the interference of the Legislature in the sale of that property, or in the disposal of it to any other purpose than that for which it is now held, would be a violation of the Constitution.
"Resolved, That the several documents now referred to the Conven- tion be referred to the Standing Committee, and that they be instructed to adopt such measures, and to make such publications or representa- tions, as to them shall seem advisable on the premises."
"On motion of the Rev. John Bracken-
"Ordered, That the Treasurer of this Convention advance to the Rev. Dr. James Madison such a sum of money as may be directed by the Standing Committee, for the purpose of defraying his expenses in obtaining consecration, provided such sum does not exceed {200; and that it be advanced out of the money in the bishops' fund."
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CONVENTION OF 1791.
CONVENTION OF 1791.
The Convention met in Richmond, May, 3, 1791. Present twenty-nine clergymen and thirty-four laymen.
The presiding officer was Bishop Madison, who had been consecrated at Lambeth, on the 19th of September, 1790, by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishops of London and Rochester. Mr. Robert Andrews was Secretary. The same gentleman held the office of Secretary until and in- cluding the Convention of 1796.
The bishop, on taking the chair, delivered a most effect- ive address, which is published in full in the Journal, and which said, amongst other things, as follows :
"Brethren,-The office to which it hath pleased the Church, by the permission of Providence, to call me, is attended with duties of a very serious and interesting nature. * *
* *
"Permit me, in entering upon my episcopacy, to request your atten- tion to such observations as the present occasion seems to require. * And since Providence hath permitted me to be placed in a station so responsible to God and man, and hath associated you with me as fellow-laborers in my ministry, let us go to the source of our misfortunes, and try to discover the necessary remedies.
"Were we then, in the first place, to investigate the causes which have operated in reducing our Church to its present situation, perhaps we should find that too many of them have originated from ourselves.
* The coldness, the indifference of the laity, of which we so much complain, from whence hath it arisen? Hath the sacred fire committed to our trust been everywhere and at all times cherished by us with that watchful and zealous attention which so holy a deposite required? Had it been thus cherished, might not, my brethren, that ancient flame, which once animated and enlightened the members of our Church, still have diffused its warmth, and thus have banished far that coldness which threatens an approaching torpor fatal to religion? or, instead of indifference to our Church, might we not now have be- held many of those members who have forsaken her, still ardent and
.
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CONVENTION OF 1791.
zealous in her support? In an inquiry which so nearly concerns every minister of the Church, who shall not be found wanting ?
* * * * * *
"Every minister of the gospel will readily agree that his first duty is to adapt his discourses to those important purposes for which he is called to the ministry. As an ambassador of Christ he must continue the mission of his Lord. His discourses must have for their constant aim the salvation of souls; he must keep alive a just sense of God, the beneficent Creator and preserver of the universe; he must make known the gospel of Christ, and the manner of our redemption ; he must convince men of the certainty of a future judgment; he must keep their consciences awake to the dangers of sin; he must show that religion is the rock upon which our happiness, both temporal and eternal, must be founded ; he must, in short, enforce all the truths of our religion, in order to persuade men to be virtuous and good. *
" In whatever point of view we consider this important part of the min- isterial functions, it must be acknowledged that every sermon should be a persuasive oration. Let, then, the situation of the Church, and in par- ticular the glorious fruits which spring up at the voice of the persuasive preacher, excite within us an ardent desire to render our discourses truly persuasive. It is then, my brethren, we shall in such a manner reason of righteousness, of temperance, and a judgment to come, that every sinner shall tremble, and with new-born fervor ac- knowledge, thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
"What I have taken the liberty to recommend appears to be well worthy of the attention of every pastor; but to the minister who has just entered upon the career of his labors, it is certainly of the utmost importance. He must unite the two great character-
* * istics of the pulpit orator, gravity and warmth.
"The truth is, we have lost too many members of the Church by the cold method of reading sermons, and not by preaching in a manner suf- ficiently evangelical; nor shall we either recover them, or prevent a continued diminution of our numbers, until we accustom ourselves to declare with zeal, with force and with spirit, all the counsel of God. Let it be declared in a manner adapted to the comprehension of the lowest as well as of the highest. *
" It will not be inferred, I hope, from what has been said, that I am an advocate for that manner which is termed theatrical; on the con- trary, I consider it as most improper in the Christian orator, or for those noisy declamations with which Christian congregations are some- times addressed. No; such declamations are as unworthy of compari- son with the harmony of that eloquence which allures the soul to
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CONVENTION OF 1791.
heaven, as the noise of cranes with the delightful symphonies of the organ.
"Much also of our attention should be turned to the manner in which the other parts of divine service ought to be performed. We boast, and certainly with the greatest reason, of the excellency of our Lit- urgy. Let us then study to deliver it in a manner worthy of such a com- position ; let us study the art of reading. Let us study to read distinctly, emphatically, fervently; we should no longer behold congregations inattentive; on the contrary, we should have the satisfaction of expe- riencing that the service, read or delivered with devotion, with force and propriety, would infuse the spirit of devotion, and excite an ardent love for so excellent, so rational a form of public worship.
* * ** *
* *
"In the next place, let me exhort you, my brethren, earnestly to impress upon parents not only the duty of infant baptism, but also the farther duty of having them instructed, as early as possible, in the prin- ciples of Christianity, and thus prepared for the ancient, apostolic rite of confirmation. I trust the ministers of each parish will consider the instruction of children, in the principles and duties of Christianity, as an important part of their functions, and that for this purpose, they will, at regular stated periods, examine and instruct them in their cate- chism, as our Church directs. * * *
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