USA > Virginia > A digest of the proceedings of the conventions and councils in the diocese of Virginia > Part 5
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CONVENTION OF 1797.
The Convention met December 6, 1797. Present twenty- one clergymen and forty laymen.
The Convention was in session two days, and seems to have been especially occupied in considering the questions
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CONVENTION OF 1797.
arising from the efforts made to deprive the Church of its property.
The following resolutions were adopted :
Resolved, That the following are the grounds of the title of the Protestant Episcopal Church to the glebes, churches, and other property in their possession.
I. That the said glebes, churches, &c., were vested, prior to the Revolution, in the then existing Church by public authority or private donations.
2. That the Protestant Episcopal Church is the same in its rights, of property with the Church which existed prior to the Revolution.
3. That these rights cannot be wrested from the Protestant Epis- copal Church upon any principal which will not impair all other rights. of private property which was acquired before the Revolution.
4. That if succor need be drawn to these rights, existing (as they do) independently of the will of the Legislature, they have been solemnly recognized by an act of the General Assembly-made at the session succeeding that which framed the Bill of Rights and Constitu- tion-by the same body which composed the Convention, and became under the Constitution the House of Delegates, and at the instance of those who were opposed to the said Church.
5. That no subsequent act of the General Assembly, relative to the Protestant Episcopal Church ought, or can be so interpreted as to. confer on the General Assembly any authority to assume, confiscate, or appropriate, without the will of the said Church, the whole or any part of the property aforesaid.
6. That the Bill of Rights and Constitution forbid the intrusion of the General Assembly into questions concerning the right of property; and, more especially, when the object of such intrusion is to apply that property to public uses, to which the whole Commonwealth and not a selected and marked portion only of its citizens ought to contribute.
7. That a committee of five persons be appointed by ballot, whose duty it shall be to attend the discussion of the memorial of the Protes- tant Episcopal Church, the consideration whereof was postponed to the present session of the General Assembly, and to make to the General Assembly such other representations, by memorial or other- wise, in behalf of the Protestant Episcopal Church as to them shall seem necessary, and shall be conformable with the spirit of the fore- going resolutions.
8. That from the firm persuasion which this Convention entertains
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CONVENTION OF 1797.
of the validity of the rights of property, asserted in the foregoing resolutions, it be an instruction to the said committee to propose to the General Assembly that the controversy concerning them be sub- mitted to the decision of a proper tribunal of justice.
9. That this Convention will cause to be defrayed all reasonable and necessary expenses in carrying into execution the foregoing resolutions.
Messrs. Robert Andrews, Ludwell Lee, George K. Taylor, John Page, and James Brackenridge were elected the com- mittee of five under resolution seven.
The following opinion was received concerning the Church's title to its property :
RICHMOND, Dec. 5, 1797.
Sir,-We have endeavored to fulfil the request of yourself and the Standing Committee, by the best examination in our power, of the tenure under which the Protestant Episcopal Church claims the glebes, churches, &c. Knowing that you possess every document and fact to which we have access, and that we may be, therefore, permitted to excuse ourselves, by the multiplicity of our late professional labors, from a detail of the reasons which govern us, we shall offer to you the conclusions only which we have formed. These are-
Ist. That the Protestant Episcopal Church is the exclusive owner of those glebes, churches, &c.
2d. That so far is the title of the Protestant Episcopal Church from being impaired (as has been suggested) by our bill of rights, that they do not clash on any sound construction; but that title stands upon the same grounds with the rights of private property which have been recognized and secured by the principles of the Revolution and by the Constitution.
3d. And that any question concerning the right of property in those glebes, churches, &c., being of a judicial nature, must constitutionally be decided by the judiciary, and the judiciary alone.
We have the honor, sir, to be, with great respect,
Your most obedient servants,
BUSHROD WASHINGTON, EDMUND RANDOLPH, JOHN WICKHAM.
THE RIGHT REV. JAMES MADISON,
Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia.
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CONVENTIONS OF 1798 AND 1799.
The thanks of the Convention were unanimously given to these gentlemen for their opinion.
CONVENTION OF 1798.
No Journal discovered-probably none printed.
CONVENTION OF 1799.
The Convention met May 7, 1799. Present sixteen cler- gymen and twenty-one laymen.
With the exception of routine business, such as exam- ining credentials, electing Standing Committee, electing deputies, &c., little was done except to confer with reference to the anticipated spoliation of the Church by the State Legislature.
A resolution was adopted appointing Bishop Madison and Mr. John Ambler a committee to consult gentlemen of emi- nence in the law respecting the method of defending before the judiciary the right of the Church to glebes directed to be sold by act of Assembly.
Bishop Madison delivered "An Address to the Members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia," in which he discussed the following subjects :
"The first subject which solicits your attention is the necessity of a strict observance of the canons or laws which have been enacted for
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CONVENTION OF 1799.
the government of our Church. These laws arise from two sources- the General Convention of the United Episcopal churches in America, and your State Convention-both regularly constituted and authorized by you to enact all necessary laws for the above purpose. * * * * *
"I proceed to another subject. St. Paul, when he visited Athens, observed an altar dedicated to the unknown God. Suppose the holy apostle, descending from the mansions of eternal bliss, should visit our altars and our temples, to whom do you imagine he would think they were dedicated? Not surely to that GOD in whom we live, move, and have our being, and who was made known to us by his messengers, nor even to the unknown God. No; he would consider them as dedicated, or rather devoted, to the demon of ruin; he would read in their de- jected forlorn aspects the fate which threatens them, and in that fate the degeneracy of those who once felt a holy pride in having reared them for the service of the LIVING GOD.
"Let me then, brethren, earnestly exhort you, in every parish to. which the exhortation will apply, and particularly in those parishes where there may not be at present a stated minister, carefully to attend to this important object, and let us evince externally, as well as inter- nally, that we have not forsaken the God who made us, nor lightly esteemed the rock of our salvation.
"This subject calls me to another, very nearly connected with it-I mean the situation of your pastors. That some stipend should be allowed for their support and that of their families is obvious. The truth is acknowledged by the facility with which a subscription is generally obtained; but, unfortunately for the pastor and for religion, the collection too often proves another mortifying truth, which I need not detail. I exhort you, then, adopt in your re- spective parishes some certain mode by which your pastors may be assured of receiving the stipulated support which you may find your- selves able and willing to give. Let it be moderate, but let it be certain.
" It is now no longer admitted to plead disaffection to the clergyman. He is a man of like passions with yourselves. He may prove a recre- ant in the cause of religion and virtue. If such should be the fatal issue; if he should depart from the strictest adherence to those sacred duties which his profession enjoins; if, instead of being a light, he should become a blot upon our Church, the canon passed at our last State Convention points out to you the mode by which we may, as expeditiously as justice will admit, purge off the foul stain."
The address concludes with an earnest and lengthy dis-
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CONVENTION OF 1799.
cussion of the importance of maintaining public worship in order to maintain religion itself, and of asserting that the abandonment of religion is fatal to human happiness. It not only presses most solemn arguments, but suggests modes by which the Church and religion may be revived. It says :
"Let the vestries assemble so soon as it may be convenient, and let it then be proposed to enter into a solemn engagement with each other, to use every exertion to induce a regular attendance at Church, when- ever an opportunity is presented; let them resolve to set the example ; let their attendance, with their families, be as constant and uniform as possible ; and let each, being provided with a prayer-book, join in the service, as our Church has directed. Let them also use all their in- fluence, by reasoning, by persuasion, by such exhortations as may be- thought most proper, to induce their neighbors to adopt and to carry into effect the same resolution. Let them begin, seriously and heartily, to attend to whatever concerns the interests of the Church, and for this purpose to have regular quarterly meetings. If those meetings could be held in Church after divine service, I believe it would often. be found most convenient. Let also every respectable and influential character, who may prefer our Church, whether he be a vestryman or not, resolve to give his assistance; let all join zealously in this good' work, and we should soon see rational religion to revive among us. I do not suppose that any one, who has voluntarily undertaken the office of a vestryman, will object to what has been here proposed, unless he- can suggest a better plan to effect the same purpose; but if any one should, a resignation would be a benefit which he could have no reluc- tance in conferring upon religion and the Church.
"To you, reverend brethren, in particular, a few words only shall be added. This is the season for exertion. You will find, I trust, in every parish many good men who will gladly aid you. Consult with them; exhort and encourage each other; unite your zeal with theirs, and let. not the overflowings of ungodliness deter you from your duty. Extend your care not only to your own parish, but to any neighboring parish which may not have a minister. Make known to all the laws and regu- lations which govern us as a Christian society; excite all to a diligent. observance of them, and be the first to set the example. Be zealous for the glory of our God; walk in all his ordinances blameless, and in everything keep a conscience void of offence. Be ever impressed with this truth, the most important to us and to religion, that to be useful
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CONVENTIONS OF 1800 AND 1803.
we must be respected, and to be respected we must be truly good. Prudence, mildness, benevolence, charity for all men, wisdom and piety, active, zealous, but liberal. Great God ! with these virtues clothe the ministers of thy gospel.
" And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the work of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified."
CONVENTIONS OF 1800 AND 1801.
No Journals of Conventions for these years have been found.
CONVENTION OF 1802.
A Convention was appointed to be held on May 4th, 1802. If it met no Journal was published.
CONVENTION OF 1803.
A Convention was called for the 1st Tuesday in May, 1803. The following record, appended to the Journal of 1805, would show that the Convention met in this year, although no Journal of it has been found :
"A Canon to Amend the Canon Entitled 'A Canon Concerning Conventions.'
[Passed in May, 1803.]
"Fifteen deputies qualified or appointed, agreeably to the Canon Concerning Conventions, shall be a Convention, anything in the said canon concerning Conventions notwithstanding; and there shall be a
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CONVENTIONS OF 1804 AND 1805.
Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this State on the fourth Tuesday of May in every year, instead of the first Tuesday of May, in such place as shall be agreed on by the Convention. Provided always, that for the altering or framing of a canon, twenty-five mem- bers at least shall be necessary."
CONVENTION OF 1804.
No Journal of this year has been found.
CONVENTION OF 1805.
The Convention met May 7, 1805. Present sixteen cler- gymen and twenty-three laymen.
The Bishop delivered an address suitable to the times. It is not published with the Journal.
Resolved, That the Rev. Doctor Cameron, the Rev. Doctor Bu- chanan, the Rev. James Whitehead, the Rev. Daniel McNorton, the Rev. Matthew Murray, the Rev. Hugh Coran Boggs, the Rev. Abner Waugh, Mr. Walker, Mr. Ball, Mr. Ambler, Mr. Greenhow, Mr. Fon- taine, Mr. Broadus, and Mr. Marshall, be appointed a committee to take under consideration the subjects mentioned in the President's address. this day delivered, and also the general business to be laid before the Convention, and report their opinion of the measures necessary to be adopted, and that the President be requested to attend the said com- mittee.
A canon was adopted requiring parochial reports; re- quiring the regular election of vestries; requiring ministers
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CONVENTION OF 1805.
to attend Conventions except in case of sickness or other good reason, which must be satisfactory to the Convention, and providing for the discipline of unworthy communicants.
The following was adopted looking to the further mainte- nance of the Church's right to its glebes which had been confiscated by the Legislature of 1802 :
The committee appointed to take into consideration the subjects mentioned in the President's address, and also the general business to be laid before the Convention, reported that they had, according to order, again taken those subjects into their consideration, and had agreed to several resolutions thereupon, which were delivered in at the secretary's table, which resolutions are in the words following, to wit:
Whereas, the great question of the title to the glebe lands belonging to the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the estimation of this committee, remains yet undecided; and this committee considering the law of this Commonwealth, passed in the year 1802, authorizing the overseers of the poor to expose to sale all vacant glebes to be unconstitutional, as interfering with a title completely vested in the Episcopal Church and subversive of private right; and this committee feeling an ardent desire to defend the rights of the Church, they therefore recommend to the Convention for their adoption the following resolutions:
Resolved, That the Bishop and Standing Committee be authorized and requested to pursue to the end the defence of the rights and property of the churches aforesaid.
Resolved, That this Convention will endeavor, by contribution from the several parishes, or otherwise, to raise a fund for the purpose of defraying any and all expenses which may be incurred in the protection and maintenance of the rights aforesaid.
These resolutions after being read were agreed to.
A resolution from the same committee was delivered in at the secretary's table, and after being read was agreed to in the words following :
Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the visitor of each district in the State to report as soon as practicable to the Bishop and Standing Committee all the parishes within his district, with the name of each parish, what parishes have incumbents, who those are, what parishes are vacant, what glebes have been sold, and what are in a state of liti- gation, and that it be the duty of the Bishop and Standing Committee to report the result to the next Convention.
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CONVENTION OF 1805.
Resolved, That the committee appointed to take into consideration the subjects mentioned in the President's address, and also the general business to be laid before the Convention, be discharged from further proceeding.
Whereas, the Bishop has represented to this Convention that from want of bodily strength and from sundry necessary and official occu- pations, he finds himself unable to discharge the whole of the arduous and important duties annexed to that office,
Resolved, That it is expedient an assistant Bishop be appointed.
Ordered, That the said resolution be committed to a Committee of the Whole on the State of the Church.
The Convention then formed themselves into a Committee of the Whole on the State of the Church, Mr. D. Patteson in the chair, and after some time spent therein the committee rose, and the chairman reported that the committee had, according to order, taken the said resolution under consideration, and had directed him to report the same without amendment.
The Convention then took the report of the Committee of the Whole into consideration, and agreed thereto.
Resolved, That the nomination of an assistant Bishop be postponed until the next Convention.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the clergy, in their respective cures, to embrace every opportunity of visiting their parishioners, accompanying those visits with instructions suitable to their sacred office, insisting on the necessity of religion to the happiness of man, the duty incumbent on all parents to instruct their children in the principles of Christianity, the advantages arising from family worship, and a pointed attendance on the public worship of our Church.
The committee, to whom was referred the resolution concerning itinerant missionaries, reported that they had according to order taken into consideration the subject, and had come to a resolution thereupon, which was delivered in at the secretary's table, and after being twice read was agreed to as follows :
Whereas many parishes in this State are without pastors, so that the members of the Protestant Episcopal Church residing therein have no opportunity of hearing the doctrines of our Church explained and inculcated, and of having its several ordinances administered; and whereas it is believed that the interests of religion will be promoted by the mission of suitable characters, in the several districts within this
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CONVENTIONS OF 1806 TO 1811.
State, for the purpose of explaining and inculcating those doctrines, and of administering such ordinances:
Resolved, That it be recommended to the Bishop and standing committee to select so many suitable characters as they shall deem necessary from time to time for the objects aforesaid; and that, pre- vious to such missions, due notice shall be given, by circular letters or otherwise, to the minister and vestry, or, where there is no vestry, to some respectable member or members of each parish, whose duty it shall be to promote a subscription for the compensation of such travel- ing ministers, and that the several sums so raised be forwarded to the treasurer of the Church, subject to the management and disposal of the Bishop and standing committee.
Resolved, That the Rev. Dr. Buchanan be appointed treasurer of the Church for the ensuing year.
CONVENTION OF 1806.
A meeting was appointed to take place the 1st Tuesday in May, for the election of an Assistant Bishop. If held, no Journal has been found.
CONVENTIONS OF 1807 TO 1811.
A meeting was appointed to take place the 1st Tuesday in May, 1807, and on the 2d Tuesday in May, 1811, but no Journals have been found from 1805 to 1812.
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CONVENTION OF 1812.
CONVENTION OF 1812.
This is the next record discovered. It is entitled, "Jour- nal of a Special Convention of, the Protestant Episcopal Church, held at the Capitol in the City of Richmond, May 13, 1812.
There were present thirteen clergymen and twelve lay- men.
The Diocese was without a Bishop, its revered father, Bishop Madison, having died the 6th day of March, 1812.
Rev. John Bracken, D. D., of Bruton parish, was elected President, and Mr. George Deneale, of Alexandria, was chosen Secretary.
Reports were handed in from Bristol, Lynnhaven, Cum- berland, Manchester, Henrico, Lyttleton, Staunton, St. Mark, Christ Church, Alexandria, St. George, Wicomico, Suffolk, Berkeley, Bruton, and Antrim parishes, according to canon.
A resolution was adopted reaffirming the canon passed in 1805, concerning the system of itinerancy for the vacant parishes.
An amendment was adopted to a canon passed in 1803, entitled "A Canon Concerning Conventions." It required a Convention to be held on the 4th Tuesday of May in each year. Fifteen deputies, canonically appointed, were neces- sary for a quorum. Provided, that for the altering or framing of a canon, twenty-five members at least should be necessary. The numbers for a quorum, &c., agreed upon in 1812, were nine and fifteen, in lieu of fifteen and twenty- five.
On Thursday morning, May 14th, a motion was made
That when the Convention adjourns, it adjourn to the hour of five 5
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CONVENTION OF 1813.
this afternoon, for the purpose of taking into consideration the pro- priety of electing a Bishop for this State; which motion was agreed to.
In the afternoon, according to this resolution, it was
Resolved, That it is expedient that the Convention do now proceed to the choice of a Bishop. The Rev. Mr. Buchanan having nominated the Rev. Dr. Bracken, the members then proceeded to ballot, and the ballots being received, the Rev. Mr. Buchanan and Mr. McRae were appointed a committee to count the same. The said committee hav- ing performed that duty, reported that they found the ballots to be for the Rev. Dr. Bracken 22, and for the Rev. Mr. Boggs 3; and, thereupon, the Rev. John Bracken, D. D., was declared to be duly elected Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this State.
Rev. Messrs. Boggs and Wilmer, clergymen, and Messrs. M'Rae and M'Guire were chosen deputies to the General Convention.
CONVENTION OF 1813.
The Convention met Tuesday, May 25, 1813. No quo- rum was present, until a late hour, on the first day, so that an adjournment until the next day was moved and carried.
On the next morning there were reported present eight clergymen and nine laymen. Another clergyman appeared afterward.
Rev. John Bracken, D. D., was chosen President, and Anthony Crease, Secretary.
Rev. Dr. Bracken resigned the bishopric of the Diocese to which he had been elected at the Convention of the pre- vious year. The resignation was accepted.
The following preamble and resolutions were adopted:
Whereas, from the destitute state of the churches in this State many piously disposed persons, who are attached to the doctrine, worship and discipline of the Protestant Episcopal Church, are deprived of the
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CONVENTION OF 1814.
means of worshipping God according to her venerable forms, to the general unhappiness of themselves as well as to the great detriment of the Church at large,
Resolved, therefore, That it is expedient to raise a fund for the pur- pose of aiding in the support of such clergymen of piety and talents as may be obtained to perform divine service in such districts in the State as may be assigned them by the Convention.
Resolved, That the clergy and vestry, or any influential members of the Church, in the several parishes in this State be, and are hereby, re- quested to use their best endeavors, either by subscriptions or other- wise, to promote this object, and to forward the amount of the sums thus raised to the treasurer at or before the meeting of the next Convention.
Resolved, That the members of this Church generally are hereby -4 most earnestly entreated to consider the necessity of adopting zealous measures for the restoration of religion among us-that they endeavor to manifest their gratitude to Almighty God, and their sense of the awful importance of his blessed revelation-that they consider the unspeakable rewards they will receive from that gracious Master, to whom they belong, whose goodness demands the warmest returns of love, duty, and obedience-and that they will contribute to the utmost in their power to render this most acceptable service to his cause.
Resolved, That the Standing Committee do frame an address on the State of the Church, and that they cause to be printed thereof two hun- dred copies, and to address them in the form of a circular letter, and accompanied by the journal to the minister and vestry of each parish, and to such other persons as may be likely in their judgment to pro- mote the interest of the Church.
These resolutions were adopted again almost verbatim in the Convention of 1814.
CONVENTION OF 1814.
The Convention met Wednesday, May 4, 1814. Present seven clergymen and seventeen laymen.
Rev. William H. Wilmer, President; Samuel Greenhow, Secretary.
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CONVENTION OF 1814.
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