USA > Virginia > A digest of the proceedings of the conventions and councils in the diocese of Virginia > Part 7
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The resolutions offered by Rev. Benjamin Allen, concern- ing the Prayer Book Society, were amended as follows and adopted :
Resolved, That it be recommended that an Auxillary Common Prayer Book and Tract Society be established in each parish, one-half of whose funds shall be thrown into the treasury of the Diocesan Society, the re- mainder to be applied as its managers may determine.
Resolved, That in those parishes where there are a minister and ves- try, the minister and church-wardens be the managers of the auxiliary society ; in those parishes where there is no minister or vestry, the sub- scribers shall elect their own managers, not exceeding three in number.
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CONVENTION OF 1818.
The Bishop reported the following ordinations to the diaconate: Rev. Mr. Low, Mr. Steel, Mr. Allen, Mr. Ravens- croft, Mr. Bryan.
To the priesthood-Rev. Samuel Low, John S. Ravens- croft.
The canons on lay discipline as amended are as follows:
CANON V.
The members of this Church shall attend the public worship of God as regularly and as constantly as, from their age, infirmities and circumstances in life may be reasonably expected; and shall neglect the performance of this important duty for no cause whatever, but such as they might plead at the bar of God in the day of judgment.
CANON VI.
Be it ordained, That any member of the Church, being a communi- cant thereof, conducting himself in a manner unworthy of a Christian, may and ought to be admonished or suspended by the minister of the parish or congregation, according to the rubric.
Adjourned to meet in Winchester the third Tuesday in May, 1818.
CONVENTION OF 1818.
Tuesday, May 19, 1818. The Convention met. The Bishop and many of the clergy not having arrived, it ad- journed over until Wednesday, the 20th.
Wednesday, 20th. Convention met. Rev. William H. Wilmer called to the chair.
The Bishop arrived and took the chair after recess for divine service.
Present during the session seventeen clergy and twenty- six laity.
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CONVENTION OF 1818.
Twenty-eight clergy reported in the Diocese, including the Bishop.
In order to insure episcopal visitations throughout the Diocese, it was --
Resolved, That whenever it shall be necessary for the Bishop to visit any part of this Diocese, he shall be authorized to call a clergy- man from any part of the Diocese to supply his place in the duties of his parochial charge for not more than two Sundays.
Resolved, That for the payment of [the travelling expenses of such clergyman the sum of five dollars shall be required from each parish.
In order to obtain the assistance of missionaries to visit destitute parishes-
"It is recommended and enjoined upon such of the clergy as are settled, to receive young men into their families for the purpose of assisting them in their studies; which young persons, when properly qualified, may be licensed by the Bishop as lay readers, by which means the clergy would be occasionally enabled to make excursions into distant and vacant parishes without leaving their own charge en- tirely unprovided for, and would have this further advantage, that these students would join practice with theory."
Steps were taken to establish a permanent Episcopal Fund. Contributions to the same were ordered by the Con- vention to be invested, under the direction of the Standing Committee, in the names of George Deneale and John Muncaster, wardens of Christ Church, Alexandria.
The following was offered by Mr. Edmund J. Lee :
Whereas differences of opinion prevail as to certain fashionable amusements, and it appears desirable to many that the sense of the Convention should be expressed concerning them, the Convention does hereby declare its opinion that gaming, attending on theatres, public balls and horse-racing, should be relinquished by all communi- cants of this Church, as having the bad effects of staining the purity of Christian character; of giving offence to their pious brethren, and of endangering their own salvation by their rushing voluntarily into those temptations against which they implore the protection of their Heav- enly Father; and this Convention cherishes the hope that this expres- 6
.
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CONVENTION OF 1818.
sion of its opinion will be sufficient to produce conformity of conduct and uniformity of opinion among all members of our communion.
A motion by Mr. Powell to postpone this to next session, was lost-ayes, 12; noes, 28.
A motion by Mr. Powell to adopt as a substitute a decla- ration, very similar in terms, made by the House of Bishops, was lost.
The following substitute was then offered by Mr. Charles F. Mercer :
Whereas differences of opinion have at all times existed in Christian communities as to the criminal tendency of certain customs or amuse- ments, springing from affections of the heart, which, innocent in them- selves, lose that character through excessive indulgence; and legisla- tures, civil as well as ecclesiastical, have, by abstaining from the enac- tion of positive laws to regulate or punish them, admitted the difficulty of distinguishing between their use and abuse, except where the conse- quences of such abuse left no doubt of their guilt or impropriety :
To prescribe, by practicable legal rules, the proper boundary of ex- pense in dress, furniture, or equipage, or of any other indulgence of taste; to mark the exact limit beyond which the desire of wealth be- comes avarice or extortion, would be as difficult as to regulate and enforce the rights and obligations of hospitality or friendship. It is for God to judge the heart of man.
It is the province of this Convention to legislate for the government of the Church of this Diocese subject to the ordinances or canons of the American Protestant Episcopal Church.
Its legislation is not by recommendations, but laws. It is the province and duty of the clergy not only to enforce the sanction of those laws, but to add to recommendations, persuasions and entreaties-to dis- countenance vice and irreligion by the denunciations and threats-to encourage virtue and piety by the invitations, the hopes and the re- wards of that gospel which they are commissioned to preach.
The great rule of moral action is prescribed to both clergy and laity by the unchangeable word of God.
But although this Convention deems any expression of its mere opin- ion upon any subject as a departure from its peculiar and appropriate duties, a necessity is at present urged upon it, by a regard to its own character, to counteract the tendency of misrepresentation to pervert its real motives in relation to certain decisions of its late sessions on a subject which has interested the Church of this Diocese.
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CONVENTION OF 1818.
It has been again called upon, by some of its members, to discoun- tenance certain fashionable amusements; and it has been said that its reluctance, on a former occasion, to depart from its proper province amounted to a tacit recognition of their innocence.
With respect to gaming, by which it is understood play for money or other valuable thing, whatever form it may assume, it is undoubtedly a practice repugnant alike to Divine and to human law.
No canon of this Church ought to be regarded as necessary, nor any expression required of the opinion of this Convention, to discounte- nance a practice so iniquitous, both in its immediate effects and its remote consequences, if, indeed, it exists among the members of this Church.
That the theatre has, in every country in which it has existed, led to the corruption of morals, might be inferred from the general character of the dramas which it exhibits, if the dangerous circumstances attend- ing the exhibition itself, the numerous temptations to extravagance and vice to which it exposes its actors and its audience, left any room to doubt its pernicious tendency.
It will be the proper time to distinguish between the use and the abuse of this fascinating amusement, when the stage shall have been so regulated as to realize the hopes of those who would regard it as a school of Christian morality.
That dancing, a natural exercise among all nations, civilized or savage, blended sometimes (as its sister art, music, has often been) in their religious ceremonies, has been, frequently is, and always may, be innocently and usefully conducted, those only will question whose entire inexperience of the world has left them in ignorance of its effects on the heart and manners.
That crowded and promiscuous public assemblies, where no security exists for the moral character of those who compose them, except what arises from the possession of the means of purchasing admission; where both gaming and drunkenness are either licensed or tolerated; where amusement reels into debauchery, and time and fortune and health pay the price of a fleeting and feverish gratification of the love of pleasure- that all such assemblies are hostile to the spirit of Christianity, those who have most frequently witnessed their contagious influence must be ever ready to acknowledge.
Yet this Convention will not undertake to say that individuals have not entered innocently these dangerous scenes of pleasure, or passed through them unhurt.
Still less is it about to denounce and repel by its canons, from the bosom of the Church, those who, to its regret, may sometimes appear to countenance them.
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CONVENTION OF 1819.
The Church warns its members of impending danger, but, in cases: of doubt, leaves their innocence or guilt to the judgment of an all-see- ing God, to the conscience of man, his vicegerent on earth.
Having said so much to the laity, this Convention would conclude the expression, which it has reluctantly made of these opinions, with affectionately urging upon the ministers of religion, while they enforce the necessary discipline of their respective churches in conformity with the Rubric and canons, to unite tenderness with authority.
In the pastoral language of an earlier age of the Church, "it is not enough that ye are the fathers, be ye also the mothers of your flock."
The substitute was lost.
Upon Mr. Lee's motion the clergy voted unanimously in the affirmative. Seventeen of the lay delegates voted aye, nine voted no. So the resolution was agreed to.
The Bishop reported Mr. John Bryan and Mr. Keith ordained deacons; Mr. William Steel ordained priest.
The following delegates were elected to the General Con- vention : Revs. W. H. Wilmer, John S. Ravenscroft, Wil- liam Meads, George Lemon ; Messrs. Hugh Nelson, Edmund J. Lee, Philip Nelson, Charles F. Mercer.
For a portion of the session on Saturday the chair was occupied by Mr. Charles F. Mercer.
The Convention adjourned to meet next year in Char- lottesville.
CONVENTION OF 1819.
The Convention met in Petersburg, May 13, 1819. Pres- ent, the Bishop, thirteen clerical and nineteen lay delegates.
The Episcopal fund reported $408 invested, and $551.85 cash in hand.
A donation of $100 to the same fund, by the widow of the late Devereux Jarratt, was acknowledged.
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CONVENTION OF 1819.
Revs. John S. Ravenscroft, William H. Wilmer, William Meade and George Lemon, and Messrs. Bushrod Washing- ton, Edmund J. Lee, Charles F. Mercer and Philip Nelson were elected to the General Convention.
The Bishop reported the Rev. Mr. Shaw admitted to the order of deacons.
It was-
Resolved, That it be recommended to the friends of the Church immediately to organize themselves into a missionary society for the benefit of vacant parishes, of which the Bishop of the Diocese shall be ex officio President.
The Convention considered an amendment to the Consti- tution of the Diocese proposing to change the time of meet- ing from May to June. It was not approved. .
An amendment to the Constitution by the General Con- vention, giving to the Dioceses a representation based upon the number of ministers and congregations in each, was not approved.
An amendment to the same Constitution, changing the time of meeting from May to October, was approved.
The Right Rev. Bishop Moore delivered to the Convention his address, from which the following is quoted:
"Brethren,-To effect great and important objects, great and con- tinued exertion is required. Difficulties must not be permitted to paralyze our efforts, nor to unnerve our arm. The mind, fixed upon a legitimate point, must put forth all its energies in the attainment of the contemplated design. To press forward towards the mark, and to per- severe with firmness, can alone secure to us success, and effect the completion of that hallowed object in which we have engaged-the resuscitation of the Church of our Fathers. * * *
"When the ruins of our desolated temples meet my eye, and the re- ligious privations of the people are presented to my view, my soul is overwhelmed with those reflections peculiar to the case. Considering the enemy of mankind as the origin of the desolation and distress which I behold, a new impetus is communicated to my mind! The cross of the Lord Jesus Christ is presented to my view, and 'lo! I am
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CONVENTION OF 1819.
with you always,' revives my heart, and impels me to renewed exer- tion. To labor in the vineyard of the crucified Saviour, has formed my chief delight for the last thirty-two years of my life; and though the power of doing good is, in a degree, abridged by an increase of years, still my inclination is as great as it has ever been ; and if I can add one stone to the sacred edifice, and see the Church of my Fathers placed upon that height to which the apostolic purity of her doctrines entitles. her, I shall commit my head to the pillow of death with satisfaction, and leave my blessings to those who shall survive me.
"Were I to say, brethren, that I entertain the least doubt of our ulti- mate success, I should speak a language foreign to my heart. We are not, it is to be remembered, entering within the enclosures of other denominations and interfering with them. We are absolutely seeking the lost sheep of our own fold. We are in pursuit of those who have been baptized at the altars we are appointed to guard, and who are destitute of spiritual food. * * * *
"Brethren, animated with the disposition of doing good, let us. renew this day to God and his Church our vows of fidelity. We have pledged ourselves to exert every nerve in the prosecution of the cause in which we have embarked, and let us redeem that pledge by an indefatigable attention to our duty. Let us continne to love one another. Let us pray for our mutual success. Let us speak the same things, and proclaim the same truths. Peace will then be within our walls, and the blessing of the Almighty will rest upon our labors. Going forth in the strength of the Lord God, and making men- tion of his righteousness, and his only, the powers of darkness must yield to the force of Divine truth. The gospel will triumph over all its enemies. The kingdom of the Messiah must and will prevail, until the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of God, as the waters cover the sea. To assist in the accomplishment of the Divine promises, we have been called to labor. Attired in the armor of the gospel, God will be on our side, and will render our efforts successful. The mem- bers of our churches will hold up our hands, and pray for the advance- ment of the hallowed cause. 'Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?' Brethren of the clergy and laity, you carry with you my warmest prayers and benediction. May Jehovah be- your portion, and underneath you may he place the everlasting arms of his love."
An address to the Hon. Bushrod Washington, President of the American Colonization Society, expressing approval and sympathy, was read and approved.
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CONVENTION OF 1820.
Adjourned to meet in Alexandria the Thursday preced- ing the third Tuesday in May next.
CONVENTION OF 1820.
Convention met Thursday, May 11, 1820, in Alexandria. Present, the Bishop, nineteen clerical and twenty-six lay delegates.
No resolutions of importance were adopted until Satur- day, when the following, proposed by the Committee on the State of the Church, were agreed to:
Whereas nothing is more important, under the blessing of God, than a pious and well educated ministry, it is-
Resolved, That the Convention will ardently cherish and endeavor to promote this object.
Resolved, That as the College of William and Mary will probably soon employ a clerical professor in that Institution, who will take charge of such theological students as may be committed to his care; as the professors of the College have also made liberal offers of assist- ance to such students of all denominations; and as an excellent theo- logical library belongs to the College, it is-
Resolved, That the favor and benefit of these circumstances are duly appreciated, and are worthy the attention of the members of the Church.
The Right Rev. Bishop Moore delivered his pastoral ad- dress on The State of the Church, from which the following is quoted :
" Brethren,-Every Convention, as it presents itself to view, affords us the greatest encouragement. The information we receive from the dif- ferent sections of the Diocese is calculated to inspire our minds with hope, and to stimulate us to renewed and increased exertion. The parishes which have been filled continue to prosper, and many parts of
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CONVENTION OF 1820.
our Zion, which, for years, have been buried in ruin, are calling for help and entreating our assistance. % * *
"The success which has attended the labors of the clergy, and the warm and animated interest which the laity have taken in the restora- tion of the Church, prove to a demonstration that the work is God's, and that the set time for the Lord to have mercy upon Zion has come. Yes, brethren, the machine has been set in motion by an Omnipotent arm ; it is Divine grace, which, in the first instance, directed our atten- tion to the hallowed object, and it is Divine grace which hath in- fluenced us to persevere in the important work. Had we not been actuated by principles such as heaven could indulgently approve, and had we not been sustained by his grace, we must have fainted by the way. It is to Jehovah that we are indebted for the success with which we have been favored. 'Not unto us, O! Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name, be the praise, for thy honor and for thy truth's sake.'
"The same means which have been so signally blessed will, if per- severed in, produce still greater effects. While the ministers of the altar continue to preach the gospel, and to live agreeably to its pre- cepts, they may rest satisfied that the Almighty will own their labors. ' Lo, I am with you always,' is the Redeemer's promise to the faithful heralds of the Cross. Let us, my Reverend Brethren, be determined to ' take heed to ourselves and to our doctrine ;' to 'make full proof of our ministry ;' to proclaim the Lord Jesus as 'the way and the truth and the life ;' to adorn the gospel of God, our Saviour, in all things; to 'follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.' "
The Bishop reported Rev. Mr. Aisquith, Rev. Mr. Rey- nolds and Rev. Norman Nash admitted to the order of deacons, and Rev. Samuel Wydown admitted to the priest- hood.
Revs. William H. Wilmer, John S. Ravenscroft, William Meade and George Lemon; and Messrs. William Mayo, Philip Nelson, Charles F. Mercer and John Nelson, Jr., were elected to the General Convention.
Rev. Messrs. Ravenscroft and Wilmer were appointed to inquire into the state of the "Widows' Fund." (See Jour- nal 1792.)
Adjourned to meet in Norfolk in May next.
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CONVENTION OF 1821.
CONVENTION OF 1821.
Convention met in Norfolk, May 17, 1821. Present, the Bishop, seventeen clergy and twenty-four laymen.
The Presbyterian and Baptist congregations offered the use of their churches for divine services. Thanks were unanimously returned to those "Christian brethren for the kindness thus manifested," and the offer was "gratefully accepted."
A committee on the "Widows' Fund" reported through the Rev. J. S. Ravenscroft, recommending the acceptance of the resignation of Dr. Buchanan, who wished to retire because of age and infirmity; also that John Hooff, of Alexandria, be appointed treasurer; also that measures be taken to increase the fund, and that at each Convention a sermon be preached and a collection made in its behalf. Agreed to.
The following resolutions as amended were approved:
The committee to whom were referred the resolutions upon the sub- ject of the permanent fund for the support of the episcopate have, ac- cording to order, had the same under consideration, and have agreed upon the following resolutions, which they beg leave to report :
I. Resolved, That the vestries or trustees of each congregation, in the respective parishes of this Diocese, do cause each adult person, profes- sing themselves to belong to or to be friendly to the Church, to be called on, and requested each to pay the sum of not less than one dollar, to be applied to the said fund.
2. Resolved, That the money which shall be received by the vestries or trustees, in pursuance of the preceding resolutions, be forthwith re- mitted to the President of the Standing Committee of the Church, for that committee to invest it as heretofore directed.
3. Resolved, That on or before the first day of January next, and from time to time thereafter, reports be made to the Standing Committee of the proceedings under these resolutions.
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CONVENTION OF 1821.
4. Resolved, That an appropriate address from the Convention on this subject be adopted and circulated with the preceding resolutions among the members of the Church.
On motion of Mr. Ravenscroft, the following additional resolution being twice read was, on the question put there- upon, agreed to by the Convention, viz :
5. Resolved, That in those parts of the Diocese where there are no vestries or trustees the friends of the Church be requested to give their aid in effecting the object of these resolutions.
The Committee on the State of the Church recommended the establishment of a theological school at Williamsburg ; also that Bishop Moore, Rev. Messrs. Ravenscroft, W. H. Wilmer, William Meade, Reuel Keith and Dr. Augustine Smith, Hon. Burwell Bassett, Hon. Bushrod Washington, Colonel Hugh Mercer and William Mayo, Esq., be appointed a Board of Trustees, to adopt the most efficient means for establishing the same by raising funds and selecting one or more professors; three to constitute a quorum, and their proceedings to be subject to the decision of the next Con- vention.
They also recommended a correspondence with the Stand- ing Committees of Maryland and North Carolina, to ascer- tain whether cooperation could be secured between the three Dioceses in this important measure.
They also recommended that Mr. John Nelson, Jr., be appointed to solicit subscriptions throughout the Diocese for the above purpose. All of which was agreed to.
The Bishop reported the Rev. Mr. Marshall admitted to the holy order of priesthood.
Revs. William H. Wilmer, John S. Ravenscroft, William Meade and Simon Wilmer, and Messrs. Philip Nelson, William Mayo, Hugh Mercer and Edmund J. Lee were elected to the General Convention.
Adjourned to meet in Charlottesville in May next.
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CONVENTION OF 1822.
CONVENTION OF 1822.
Convention met in Charlottesville, May 16th. Present, the Bishop, twenty-one clergy and twenty-two laity.
Mr. Edward Colston, Secretary pro tem.
Episcopal Fund reported to be $2,850 invested; $5.16 cash on hand.
Mr. John Nelson, Jr., reported subscriptions to the Theo- logical School amounting to $10,268.23.
The Board of Trustees reported the following "Constitu- tion of the Theological School of the Diocese of Virginia":
I. The Board of Trustees of the Theological School of the Diocese of Virginia shall consist of the Bishop of the Diocese and thirteen members to be chosen by the Convention of the Church, who shall continue in office during good behavior.
2. The Bishop of the Diocese shall be, ex officio, President of the Board.
3. The Board shall appoint its own Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary.
4. It shall be the duty of the Board to take proper steps to collect the money already subscribed, and to obtain additional funds in aid of the Institution.
5. There shall be an annual meeting of the Board of Trustees on the day previous to the meeting of the Convention, and at the place appointed for the same.
6. Special meetings of the Board shall be called by the Bishop, on. the application of any three trustees, at such places as the Bishop shall appoint, due notice of which shall be given.
7. At all meetings of the Board, whether general or special, eight members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum.
8. A majority of the trustees present shall be necessary to determine any measure, question or business before them.
9. Vacancies occurring in the Board shall be supplied by the vote of the Convention at their annual meetings.
IO. The funds of the Theological School shall be under the manage-
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CONVENTION OF 1822.
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