USA > Virginia > Old churches, ministers and families of Virginia, Vol. I > Part 3
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Ecclesiastes, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven,"-" a time of war and a time of peace," and that, the sermon being over, he laid aside the gown and walked forth the soldier in dress and office. He was esteemed a very upright and patriotic man. I have often in my younger days, and indeed after my entrance upon the ministry, seen a poor old lady at the chapel in Frederick, who sat under his ministry and still lived near his log church. Being twenty miles off from the chapel, she would come on horseback either to Winchester or to the house of my elder sister over night. Her visits were gene- rally on communion-days, and she always partook of it fasting. She spoke well of her minister as one who was faithful to his duty, for he rode twenty miles to preach to a few poor people in one of the poorest parts of the country. My next recollections of the Church are in the person of my teacher, who was educated in General Washington's Free School in Alexandria, and afterward on account of his promising talents sent to William and Mary College. At the end of his literary course he was admitted to Deacons' orders by Bishop Madison. A year or two after this he became teacher to the children of those few families who composed almost the whole of the chapel congregation. He was faithful as a classical teacher, heard us our catechism once a week, and for some time opened the school with prayer. He officiated also for a period at the chapel on those Sundays which Mr. Balmaine gave to Winchester; but, his habits becoming bad, he ceased ever after to exercise the ministerial office, being fully conscious that he had mistaken his calling. He left no posterity to be wounded by this statement, or I should have forborne to make it .* During this
* Although there was no such thing as family prayers at that day, yet was the Catechism taught in many families of the Church; pincushions to the girls and trap-balls to the boys were sometimes given, in the parish of Frederick, by the wife of the old parish clerk, as a reward for accuracy in saying it to the minister. My mother also (as was the case with many others) made her children get and repeat some of the hymns of the Prayer Book, especially Bishop Ken's, for morning and evening, and repeat some short prayer at her bedside. In my father-in-law's family (Mr. Philip Nelson, who has often been seen in our State and General Conventions) the practice of reading the Psalms, as arranged in the Prayer Book, was regularly practised each day by the females, so that my wife, at our marriage, could repeat nearly the whole book of Psalms. Her father used to hear his children the Cate- chism every Sabbath morning before breakfast; and on the one after our marriage she took her accustomed place at the head of six or eight children and performed her part. She was then eighteen years of age. It was doubtless the practice of repeating the Catechism, reading the Psalms and other Scriptures daily, and using
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period of my life I had no other means of gaining a knowledge of the Church and her clergy than from my parents at home. When there was no service at the chapel or we were prevented from going, my father read the service and a sermon; and whenever a death occurred among the servants he performed the burial service himself, and read Blair's Sermon on Death the following Sunday. Of the character and conduct of the old clergy generally I have often heard them speak in terms of strong condemnation. My father, when a young man, was a vestryman in Prince George county, Virginia, but resigned his place rather than consent to retain an unworthy clergyman in the parish. Of two clergymen, however, in King George county,-the Stewarts,-I have heard my mother, who lived for some time under the ministry of one of them, speak in terms of high commendation, as exceptions to the general rule. At the age of seventeen I was sent to Princeton College, where, of course, I had no opportunities of acquiring any knowledge of the Church, as it had no existence there at that time, though it was while there that I formed the determination, at the instance of my mother and elder sister, to enter the Episcopal ministry, as they perceived from my letters the serious turn of my mind. I ought to have stated above that my confirmation took place at a very early period, during the first and only visit of Bishop Madison to this part of Virginia. I have but an indistinct recollection of his having heard some of us the Catechism at church, and, as I sup- pose, laying his hands upon us in confirmation afterward, perceiving that we said our Catechism well. But as to both of them, espe- cially the latter, I have relied more on the testimony of older persons than on my own certain remembrance. At the age of nineteen or a few months sooner my college course was over. Through my beloved relative and faithful friend, Mrs. Custis of Arlington, I heard of the great worth of the Rev. Walter Addison of Maryland and determined to prepare for the ministry at his house and under his direction. In him I became acquainted with one of the best of men and saw one of the purest specimens of the ministerial character. Mr. Addison was of English parentage, and born to large landed possessions on the Maryland side of the
the morning service on Sundays when there was no public worship, which kept alive the knowledge of and attachment to the Church in many families which might otherwise have been lost to it. Such families were found to be most effective auxi- liaries in its resuscitation.
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Potomac opposite to Alexandria. He also inherited a number of servants, whom he emancipated. Through mismanagement his other property wasted away. But the God whom he served never permitted him to want, though he was allowed to end his days in poverty. It required but little to serve him, for he was a man of content and self-denial. At a time when wine, whiskey, rum, and brandy were so commonly and freely drunken by all, especially by many of the clergy of Virginia and Maryland, he made a rule never to drink more than one small glass of very weak toddy at dinner, but this was equal to total abstinence now. Wine he had none. He was faithful and bold in reproving vice from the pulpit and elsewhere, though one of the meekest of men. He told me of some mistakes into which he ran in his earlier days. He was probably one of the first of the Episcopal clergy in the United States who denounced what are called fashionable amusements. Some years before my acquaintance with him he published a small volume against balls, theatres, gambling, and horse-racing, ad- ducing some high authorities from the Church of England. His opposition to duelling and the means he adopted to prevent it made him for a number of years very notorious among the members of our American Congress. Being pastor of the church in Georgetown, though still living in the country at the time, he had the opportunity of exerting himself in the prevention of duels on several occasions. He has often detailed to me the circumstances attending those efforts,-namely, his clothing himself with a civil office, in order the more effectually to arrest the duellists in their attempts to find some favourable place for the combat, his interview with Mr. Jefferson, when he had reason to believe that one of the parties was in the Pre- sident's house, his pursuit after them on horseback, his overtaking them just as the seconds were measuring the ground, their threaten- ing to bind him to a tree in the Arlington forest if he did not desist from the pursuit. These and such like things have I heard from his truthful lips. At the time of the threatened encounter between Mr. John Randolph and Mr. Eppes, he was fully prepared to prevent it, and if necessary deposit one or both of them in a place of confinement. Mr. Randolph was then an attendant at his church in Georgetown. Eleven o'clock on Sunday morning was se- lected for the combat, in order, as was believed, to evade Mr. Addi- son's vigilance, as it was supposed he would then be at his post of duty in the house of God. But he believed that his post of duty on that day was elsewhere, and did not hesitate about disappointing the congregation. For some time preceding the appointed hour he
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was secreted near the hotel where Mr. Randolph boarded, ready to arrest him should he leave the house. But an adjustment of the difference took place about that time. Mr. Stanford, a worthy member from North Carolina, the steady and judicious friend of Randolph, was doubtless engaged in the adjustment. At any rate, he knew what was going on and when the pacification was effected. He knew also where Mr. Addison was and what he was prepared to do. He it was who informed Mr. Addison that he might go with a quiet conscience to his Sabbath duties, as the diffi- culty was settled. This I had from the lips of Mr. Stanford him- self, with whom I had the pleasure to be intimately acquainted for many years. Mr. Addison was equally opposed to strife in the Christian Church. Although he was a true lover of our own and most passionately devoted to her services, yet he was no bigot, but embraced all Christians and Churches in the arms of his wide-ex- tended charity. The unchurching doctrine he utterly rejected. Just before I lived with him an Episcopal paper was commenced in the North in which that position was taken. He either subscribed to it, or it was sent to him; but, on finding that it declared all other ministries invalid and all other churches out of the covenant, he returned the paper or declined to receive it any longer. He loved to see sinners converted, by whatsoever instruments God might employ. There was a certain place in the corner of his large country parish where neither he nor any other Episcopal minister had been able to make any impression. Some Methodists being there and desiring to build a church, he bid them God-speed and furnished some pecuniary or other assistance, hoping that they might do what he had not been able to do. Such was the man of God with whom it was my privilege to spend some happy and I hope not unprofitable months, the period of my stay being abridged by a weakness in the eyes, which altogether prevented study. He lived to a good old age, loving all men and beloved by all who knew him. Many of his last years were spent in darkness, but not of the soul. His eyes became dim, until at length all was night to him. But while only a glimmering of light remained, he rejoiced and thanked God for it far more than those do who enjoy a perfect vision. And when all was gone, he was still the happiest and most grateful of all the happy and grateful ones whom I have ever seen or known. In my visits to the district afterward, I ever felt it to be my sacred duty, as it was my high happiness, to enter his humble dwelling. But this was never done without bursts of feelings and of tears on both sides.
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From this digression, which I am sure the reader will pardon, I return to the more immediate object of this article.
As I am engaged in presenting my recollections of the state of things in the Church of Virginia, I think this a proper time for some notice of the character of the sermons which were preached and the books which were read among the Episcopalians of Vir- ginia. This was the period when the poet Cowper upbraided the clergy of the English Church with substituting morality for reli- gion, saying,-
"How oft, when Paul has served us with a text, Has Plato, Tully, Epictetus preached !"
In the Church of Virginia, with the exception of Mr. Jarrett and perhaps a few others, I fear the preaching had for a long time been almost entirely of the moral kind. The books most in use were Blair's Sermons, Sterne's Works, The Spectator, The Whole Duty of Man, sometimes Tillotson's Sermons, which last were of the highest grade of worth then in use. But Blair's Sermons, on account of their elegant style and great moderation in all things, were most popular. I remember that when either of my sisters would be at all rude or noisy, my mother would threaten them with Blair's Sermon on gentleness. The sickly sensibility of Sterne's Sermons (and especially of his Sentimental Journey) was the favourite style and standard of too many of our clergy. After entering the ministry I heard several of such most faulty exhibi- tions of Christian morality. It is no wonder that the churches were deserted and the meeting-houses filled. But the time had come, both in the English and American Church, for a blessed change. There is something interesting in the history of one of the ways in which it was introduced into the Church of Virginia. The family of Bishop Porteus was Virginian -of Gloucester county-opposite old Yorktown, the residence of General Nelson. It is not certain but that Bishop Porteus himself was born in Vir- ginia and carried over when a child to England with his emigrating parents. Porteus became a tutor in the Eton school, and when General Nelson was sent to England for his education his father placed him under the care of Mr. Porteus. When Porteus was elevated to the rank of a Bishop he did not forget his former pupil and family, but sent them his first work, a volume of sermons, which were a great improvement on the sermons of that day. When Mr. Wilberforce, with whom he was intimate, published his 1
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celebrated evangelical work, "Practical View of Christianity," this was also sent, and afterward I believe the Bishop's Lectures on the Gospel of St. Matthew, which were an improvement on his sermons. A beginning of more evangelical views of Christian doctrine was thus made in one of the best and most influential families of Virginia. By my intimacy with one branch of this family, which led to a matrimonial connection before my ordina- tion, I became acquainted with Wilberforce's "Practical View of Christianity," and I believe Porteus's Lectures. These I read during the time I spent with Mr. Addison, and well remember the impression made upon me by the same. I felt that, if ever per- mitted to preach, I had only to present the views set forth in these books, and my hearers must be converted, though I was soon brought to the experience of Melancthon, "That old Adam was too strong for young Melancthon." These books were, I believe, republished in America about this time, together with some of the writings of Miss Hannah More, and all contributed to elevate and evangelize the style of preaching in our Church. Those who undertook the resuscitation of the Church in Virginia certainly adopted and in their sermons exhibited these views. In this they were greatly encouraged by the sermons of Mr. Jarrett, two edi- tions of which had been published .*
* I will be pardoned, I hope, for placing in a note some facts in relation to the family of General Nelson, inasmuch as they are closely connected with the history of the Church in Virginia. His parents appear to have been pious persons. It is said that the mother was particularly attentive to the religious training of her chil- dren, teaching them to be punctual and conscientious as to their private devotions. If she had reason to fear that either of her sons neglected his morning prayers, instead of tempting him to untruth by asking if he had attended to this duty, she would say, " My son, if you have not said your prayers this morning, you had bet- ter go and do it." The grace of God has been poured out on great numbers of her descendants. General Nelson was blessed in a partner to whom, at his early death, he could confide with safety his large family of children. They inherited but a small portion of his once large estate,-that having been nearly expended in the service of his country, and for which no remuneration was ever received. But they were the adopted children of God, and became active and zealous members of the Church in different parts of the State, bringing up large families in the same way in which themselves had been trained, in the love of the Gospel and the Church. The widow of General Nelson lived to the age of eighty-seven, being blind during the last seventeen years. Having been twice connected in marriage with her grandchildren, I was led, during many of her declining years, to pay an annual visit to her humble abode. On such occasions many of her children and descendants, who before her death had amounted to one hundred and fifty, though not all alive at one time, assembled together at her house, where I always administered the Holy Communion. On one of these occasions, I remember to have counted in her
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I am now brought to the period of my ordination, which intro- duced me to some things, in relation to the Church of Virginia, not without a painful interest to the lovers of true religion. But, before speaking of some circumstances attendant on my ordination, it may be well to allude to a correspondence between Bishop Madi- son and myself, some months before that event. It is the more proper so to do as it will serve to correct some misunderstandings which have gone abroad with respect to us both, and which have had a bearing on the reputation of the Virginia Churchmanship of that day. Passing through Philadelphia a year or more before my ordination, and staying at the house of an Episcopal clergyman, I heard some severe strictures on one or more of the ministers of our Church, in some other diocese or dioceses, for violating the rubrics of the Prayer Book by abridging the service. It was designated by no slighter term than perjury, in the violation of solemn ordi- nation vows. I learned afterward that such charges were made elsewhere. In examining the Canons of the Church I also found one which seemed positively to forbid, under any circumstances, the admission into an Episcopal pulpit of any minister not Episcopally ordained. I was aware that it was impossible to use the whole service in very many of the places where I might be called to offi- ciate, and well knew that ministers of other denominations preached in many of our old Episcopal churches, and, indeed, that it was questioned whether under the law our ministers had the exclusive right to them. I also saw that there was a canon forbidding ser- vile labour to the clergy, while from necessity-for the support of a young family-I was then taking part in the labours of the field, which in Virginia was emphatically servile labour. Wishing to enter the ministry with a good conscience and correct understand- ing of my ordination vows, I wrote a letter of inquiry to Bishop Madison on these several points. To this I received a very sensible reply, nearly all of which, I think, the House of Bishops and the Church generally would now indorse, though there would have been some demurring in former times. On the occasion of my consecration to the office of Bishop it was objected by some that Bishop Madison had ordained me with a dispensation from canoni- cal obedience. Having his letter with me,-which the reader may
room and in the passage leading to it forty-three recipients of that rite, nearly all of whom were her descendents,-children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Four of her descendants are now ministering in the Episcopal Church, and one who did minister in it has gone to his rest.
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see in the note,-the objection was not urged .* In the month of February, 1811, I proceeded on horseback to Williamsburg, about two hundred miles, and on Sunday, the 24th,-a clear, cold morn- ing,-was ordained. My examination took place at the Bishop's, before breakfast,-Dr. Bracken and himself conducting it. It was very brief. It has been asserted that Bishop Madison became an unbeliever in the latter part of his life, and I have often been
* DEAR SIR :- I received your letter by Mr. Bracken, and approve of your con- scientious inquiries respecting certain obligations imposed by the Canons. You know that every society must have general rules, as the guides of conduct for its members; but I believe the Episcopal Church is as liberal in that respect as any other religious society whatever. The subscription required of the candidate is, that he will conform to the discipline and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. At the time of ordination he promises to conform to the Canons. With respect to the Book of Common Prayer, an adherence is re- quired, wherever the situation of the Church will permit: it happens, however, too often that the minister must be left to his own discretion, particularly on occasions when it may be necessary to abridge the service, or when there may be no Clerk, &c. No oath is administered or required, and that adherence to the book only is expected which may tend to further religion and good order in a religious society ; for there can be no doubt of the superiority of forms of prayer for public worship. Before sermon many ministers, I believe, prefer a prayer of their own, and if it be well conceived I suppose no objection would be made. His private prayer, may cer- tainly be determined by himself. With respect to the use of our Church by other Societies, the general rule is often dispensed with, especially if the party wishing the use will assist in the preservation of the building, or the preacher be of known respectable character. Too often, indeed, our churches are now used en- tirely by other sects. The Canon could never intend that a minister should be pre- vented from following any occupation which was creditable. Hence the practice of physic, &c. is not deemed inconsistent with the ministerial profession, nor, I conceive, any other business which is free from a kind of public odium. It would be unfit for a minister to keep a tavern or grogshop, &c., but certainly not to follow any occupation where good may result both to the community and to the individual. The honest discharge of clerical duties, with a life preaching by ex- ample, are, in reality, the principal requisites : when these are manifested, and the piety and good behaviour of the minister cannot be questioned, he need not appre- hend the rigour of Canons, or any other spiritual authority.
I am, sir, yours very respectfully, J. MADISON.
October 10, 1810.
REMARKS .- Some years after my entrance on the ministry, I was conversing on the subject of dispensing with the regular service in preaching to the servants in their quarters, with one of our most eminent ministers, when he maintained, and I doubt not most conscientiously, that I had no right to open my lips in preaching to them, without first using the service according to the rubric. A very great change has recently come over the minds of many of our clergy on this subject, judging from some things seen in our religious papers, in which more latitudinarian views are taken than I ever remember to have heard of formerly.
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asked if it was not so. I am confident that the imputation is unjust. His political principles, which at that day were so iden- tified in the minds of many with those of infidel France, may have subjected him to such suspicion. His secular studies, and occupations as President of the College and Professor of Natural Philosophy, may have led him to philosophize too much on the subject of religion, and of this I thought I saw some evidence in the course of my examination ; but that he, either secretly, or to his most intimate friends, renounced the Christian faith, I do not believe, but am confident of the contrary. To proceed with the ordination. On our way to the old church the Bishop and myself met a number of students with guns on their shoulders and dogs at their sides, attracted by the frosty morning, which was favourable to the chase ; and at the same time one of the citizens was filling his ice-house. On arriving at the church we found it in a wretched condition, with broken windows and a gloomy, comfortless aspect. The congregation which assembled consisted of two ladies and about fifteen gentlemen, nearly all of whom were relatives or ac- quaintances. The morning service being over, the ordination and communion were administered, and then I was put into the pulpit to preach, there being no ordination sermon. The religious con- dition of the College and of the place may easily and justly be inferred from the above. I was informed that not long before this two questions were discussed in a literary society of the College :- First, Whether there be a God? Secondly, Whether the Christian religion had been injurious or beneficial to mankind? Infidelity, indeed, was then rife in the State, and the College of William and Mary was regarded as the hotbed of French politics and religion. I can truly say, that then, and for some years after, in every edu- cated young man of Virginia whom I met, I expected to find a skeptic, if not an avowed unbeliever. I left Williamsburg, as may well be imagined, with sad feelings of discouragement. My next Sabbath was spent in Richmond, where the condition of things was little better. Although there was a church in the older part of the town, it was never used but on communion-days. The place of worship was an apartment in the Capitol, which held a few hun- dred persons at most, and as the Presbyterians had no church at all in Richmond at that time, the use of the room was divided between them and the Episcopalians, each having service every other Sabbath morning, and no oftener. Even two years after this, being in Richmond on a communion-Sunday, I assisted the Rector, Dr. Buchanan, in the old church, when only two gentle-
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