USA > West Virginia > A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia > Part 13
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Wood county-Trinity Parish, Parkersburg Church, Rov. E. T. Perkins.
Wetzel county-Wetzel Parish, St. Paul's Church, Rev. J. D. MeCabe, D. D.
(From this list the church at Belleville is omitted by mis- take. It was in Wood county, but no name given, nor is men- tion made of the church at Middleway).
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Parochial Reports :
Mt. Zion Church, Hedgesvilic and Calvary Church, Back Creek, Norborne Parish-Rev. D. Francis Sprigg, Rector. Commu- nicants 69; baptisms 2; confirmed 3; contributions $28.00.
Trinity Church, Martinsburg-D. F. Sprigg, Rector. Com- municants 44; baptisms 17; confirmed 5; Sunday school teach- ers 12; scholars 55; contributions $105.
Christ Church, Wellsburg- Rev. S. D. Tompkins, Rector. Communicants 21; baptisms 5; families 8; confirmed 11; con- tributed to Diocesan Missions $7.00.
St. John's Church-Rev. S. D. Tompkins, Rector. Communi- cants 38; confirmed 7; families 14.
Christ Church, Clarksburg-Rev. R. A. Castleman, Rector, Communicants 13; baptisms 10; confirmed 4; families 20.
Grace Church, Ravenswood-Vacant-Communicants 11; Sunday school teachers 7; families 6. Occasional services by the Rev. Mr. Perkins, and also by Rev. Dr. McCabe.
Zion Church, Charlestown- Rev. Charles E. Ambler, Rec- ยท tor. Communicants 98; (of which 4 colored); baptisms 3; confirmed 6; Sunday school teachers 15; scholars 130; contri- butions $598.63.
Norborne Parish-Rev. C. M. Callaway, Rector. Communi- cants 48; baptisms 32; (of which colored infants 12); confirm- ed 15, (of which colored 3); Sunday School teachers 8; schol- ars 35; contributions $103.
. Trinity Church, Shepherdstown-Rev. C. W. Andrews, Rec- tor. Communicants 61; baptisms 12; confirmed 8; Sunday school teachers 7; scholars 50; families 30; contributions $200.
Rev. John Kepler, Missionary, Shepherdstown, reports: In June last, I removed from the Diocese of Maryland, to that of Virginia. From that time until January, I officiated frequently for Rev. Mr. Andrews in Shepherdstown, Va., preaching and reading service. From January last, at the re- quest of the Rector, I consented to act as his assistant, since which time I have officiated in that capacity. In April I took charge of the Episcopal church at Harper's Ferry, Va.,
REV. RICHARD T. DAVIS, D. D., 1855.
REV. CHARLES EDWARD AMBLER, 1853.
REV. ROBERT A. CASTLEMAN, 1853.
REV. EDMUND CHRISTIAN, 1857.
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and likewise at the same time, the church at Sharpsburg, Md., holding services at these places once in two weeks al- ternately.
Rev. W. D. Hanson, Missionary, Kabletown, Jefferson coun- ty, reports: Sunday school teachers 15; scholars 56. The communicants who attend my services at Kabletown and on the Blue Ridge, are embraced in the reports from Zion and Wickliffe Parishes. Contributions $15.
St. John's and St. Luke's Churches, Kanawha Parish-Rev. R. T. Brown, Rector. Communicants 42; baptisms 23; Sun- day school teachers 7; contributions $110.
St. Paul's Church, Weston-Revs. James J. Page and R. A. Castleman-Communicants 21; baptisms 7; confirmed 8; Sunday school teachers 3; scholars 20.
Trinity Parish, Marshall County-Rev. Wm. L. Hyland, Rec- tor. Communicants 9; baptisms 7; confirmed 3.
About $900 have been contributed towards the erection of a church building, and it is hoped that this work will be completed during the present year. 1 take this opportunity to return thanks to our friends in Wheeling and elsewhere, for their generous aid in this undertaking.
St. John's Church, Wheeling .- Rev. James D. MeCabe, Rec- tor. Communicants 63; baptisms 27: confirmed 7. Sunday school teachers 14; scholars 75; families 38; contributions $254.00.
The condition of the parish is encouraging ; the people are devont and energetic, and there can be no doubt but that with the improvement of our city and growth of population, the church will exert an influence commensurate with the increase. We are making an effort to erect a small chapel, in a suburban village, and also a parsonage for the use of the rector of the parish.
St. John's Church, Pleasants County-Rev. E. T. Perkins, Rector. Communicants 10; baptisms 5; confirmed 2; Sunday school teachers 6; scholars 25. Contributions $20.
This parish was admitted into connection with the Diocese
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at the last convention, since which time a neat and substan- tial church edifice has been completed and consecrated, and the prospects of the parish are considered promising.
Trinity Church, Parkersburg-Rev. E. T. Perkins, Rector. Communicants 31; baptisms 6; confirmed 6; Sunday school teachers 5; scholars 25. Contributions $100.
The removals reported above (8) are in consequence of the formation of a separate parish, in Pleasants county, which parish embraces within its limits, these communicants, who were formerly reported as members of Trinity Parish, though not actually embraced within its territorial limits. The Rec- tor of this parish, would remark that he officiates occasion- ally at Belleville and Ravenswood, where churches have been built, and occasionally at Point Pleasant, where there are several members of our communion. These points are great- ly in need of regular ministerial services, and are ready to contribute liberally to the support of any young man who would be willing to labor among them.
Rev. James D. McCabe, officiating St. Paul's Church, Wet- zel Parish, Wetzel county, reports: "This parish, which was received into communion with the convention at the last con- vention, is dependent entirely upon the services given to it gratuitously by Rev. W. L. Hyland and myself; its condition is healthy, and with stated services it would soon become one of the most promising parishes on the Ohio river. There are now several candidates for confirmation, and it is to me a source of profound regret, that it was necessarily omitted in the Bishop's recent visitation in this region. Communi- cants 9; families 9."
Convention of 1854. Lynchburg, Va., May 15.
Bishop Meade presiding.
Present from West Virginia, 4 clergy and 2 laymen.
From Bishop Johns' address: "In reporting the services performed during the past year it is proper to mention those in Wheeling during the convention, and not included in the statement which I then submitted.
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On Thursday, May 19th. At St. Matthew's Church, I admit- ted to Priest's orders the Rev. James J. Page. 21st. In St. John's, I confirmed four persons, and the next day I con- firmed at his own residence, a sick person connected with the same church."
The Diocesan Missionary Committee reported appropria- tions of $1,975.00 to sixteen missionaries (of which $565, to five in West Virginia). Received from nine churches in West Virginia, $323.11.
Contingent fund, received from twelve churches in West Virginia $450. Churches in Martinsburg, Shepherdstown, Leetown, Wellsburg, Brooke county; three churches in Hampshire county, Harper's Ferry, three in Kanawha county, Weston, Point Pleasant, Mercer's Bottom, St. John's Wheel- ing, three in Putnam county, and Parkersburg, reported de- linquent.
Parochial Reports:
Mt. Zion and Calvary Churches, Norborne Parish-Rev. D. Francis Sprigg, Rector. Communicants 62; baptisms 8; Sun- day school teachers 6; scholars 30. Contributions $39.
Trinity Church, Martinsburg -- Rev. D. Francis Sprigg. Rector. Communicants 42; baptisms 9; Sunday school teachers 11; scholars 50. Contributions $114.
My reports for this year indicate a considerable falling off. It would seem, then, that we are going backwards and not forwards. I do not know that things with us are different from what they seem upon the face. We may indeed see only the worst; but I doubt it. The truth, awful as it is, is, we have been going backward. Where it will end I know not. I know my prayer, my prayer continually, is that the Lord would revive His work. I donbt not but that He will in His own time.
Much seed has been sown. Religious truth has been seat- tered throughout the parish, by (it is no figure of speech) myr- iads of pages. That good will come of this, and of the preach- ing of Christ's gospel, I stand in no more doubt than I do of
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my own existence. But, as I have said, during the past year we have cause to mourn."
Christ Church, Wellsburg Parish-Rev. S. D. Tompkins, Rec- tor. Communicants 17; baptisms 1; Sunday school teachers 4; scholars 16; families 9; contingent fund $12, promised, which I will send to the treasurer.
St. John's Church-Rev. S. D. Tompkins, Rector. Communi- cants 44; baptisms 3.
Rer. Wm. McGuire, Rector of Wickliffe Parish, reports-"1 preach in Kabletown, Jefferson county, once a fortnight. A valuable parsonage has been purchased recently by Wick- liffe Parish."
Christ Church, Clarksburg Parish-Rev. R. A. Castleman, Rector. Communicants 16; baptisms 7; Sunday School teach- ers 4; scholars 40; families 20. Contributions $62.55.
"In Fairmont, Marion county, where I preach once a month, the members of our communion have purchased a church and are fitting it up for our services. We have in that place eight or ten members. Since the last convention 1 baptized one adult and admitted one to the communion."
Grace Church, Ravenswood Parish-Communicants 10; bap- tisms 2; Sunday school teachers 7; families 6; contributions to convention fund $10. Services have been celebrated sev- eral times, and the sacrament of baptism and the Holy Com- munion administered during the year, by the Rev. Dr. Mc- Cabe of Wheeling, and the Rev. Mr. Hyland, of Moundsville. We still continue to pray to the Great Head of the Church that He would send us a pastor to dwell in our midst, and to break to us the bread of life. H. Fitzhugh, Sr. W.
Trinity Church, St. Andrew's Parish-Rev. C. W. Andrews, Rector. Communicants 65; baptisms 12; Sunday school teachers 6; scholars 50. Contributions $250.
Rer. J. H. Kepler's Report-Baptisms 2; Sunday school teachers 8; scholars 30. In April, 1853, I took charge of the church at Harper's Ferry, preaching once in two weeks, and continued my services until February, last. Since then the
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church at Harper's Ferry has been without services, being unable to sustain a minister any longer. From January, 1853, to January last, I acted as Rev. Dr. Andrews' assistant in Shepherdstown. The balance of my time I devote to the churches at Sharpsburg and Antietam, Washington county, Maryland.
Zion Church, Charlestown-Rev. Chas. E. AAmbler, Rector. Communicants 101; baptisms 12; Sunday School teachers 18; scholars 130; average attendance 15 and 85; contributions $483.66. During the present spring the sum of $2,000 has been subscribed for the purpose of paying a debt, which has been hanging over the church for several years, since the erection of the present church edifice. In addition to this sum, several hundred dollars have been raised for the pur- pose of completing the building. The temporal condition of the congregation, is therefore better than it has been since the burning of our church several years ago. There is much also in the spiritual condition of the church to encourage the rector and to give him reason to be thankful.
Grace Church, Smithfield, and St. Bartholomew's Church, Nor- borne Parish-Rev. C. M. Callaway, Rector. Communicants 47; (of which 5 colored); baptisms 8; Sunday school teachers 1; scholars 50; contributions $163.02.
St. Paul's Church, Lewis County-Rev. Jas. J. Page, Rector. Communicants 22; baptisms 6; Sunday school teachers 5; scholars 25. I am happy to report that our church is now free from debt. In the eastern cities I collected a sufficient sum to meet claims against the church to the amount of $506. In addition I purchased a fine bell and Communion Service.
Trinity Church, Trinity Parish, Marshall County-Rev. W. L. Hyland, Rector. Communicants 12; baptisms 14: families 8. The church edifice is nearly finished. The children of the parish are instructed, by the rector every Sunday before di- vine service, in accordance with the provisions of the Ru- bries and Canons. There have not been any facilities here- tofore for a regular Sunday school. The condition of the parish it is hoped, is better than at the last convention.
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St. John's Church, Wheeling-Rev. James D. McCabe, Rec- tor. Communicants 74; baptisms 20; confirmed 6; Sunday school teachers 14; scholars 80; contributions $373 31.
The condition of the parish is encouraging, the congrega- tion is active in good works, and liberal in the support of all enterprises for the promotion of the principles of the Gospel in the church. During the present year a parsonage will be erected for the rector, at a cost of between $2,500 and $3,000.
St. Matthew's Parish, Wheeling -- Rev. Wm. Armstrong, Rec- tor. The condition of this parish is encouraging. It has en- joyed since January the efficient and very acceptable services of an assistant, in the person of Rev. E. T. Perkins, late rec- tor of Trinity Church, Parkersburg. Communicants 113; baptisms 24.
Diocesan Summary-Communicants 6,055, of which 17 churches in West Virginia reported 636; confirmed 626, of which in West Virginia 6.
Convention of 1855. Lexington, May 16.
Bishop Meade presiding.
From West Virginia, four of the clergy and two of the laity present.
From Bishop Meade's address: "In October began a visita- tion in Western Virginia. Commencing duty at Fairmont, I consecrated a church, and confirmed five persons. Visited Clarksburg and Weston, in each of which places confirmed five. Thence to Parkersburg, where three were confirmed. At Ravenswood one. Visited Point Pleasant, Mercer's Bot- tom, Buffalo; one confirmed at Buffalo. Thence to Winfield Court House, Coalsmouth, Charleston, and the Salines; one confirmed at the Salines, and seven at Charleston. Recross- ing the whole of Western Virginia by land, I visited the con- gregations at the Northern corner of the State. At Mounds- ville I consecrated a new church and confirmed five persons. At St. John's Church, Wheeling, confirmed ten persons, and at St. Matthew's twenty-two. Spent a day at Wellsburg and
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another at St. John's, seven miles off, confirming five at the latter."
From Bishop Johns' address: "June 10th. I preached at Bunker Hill and confirmed one. 11th. I preached in Trinity Church, Martinsburg, and confirmed two. 12th. I preached at Hedgesville and confirmed two. 14th. I preached in Trinity Church, Shepherdstown and confirmed seven. 15th. I preach- ed in St. Bartholomew's, Leetown. 16th. I preached in Smith- field, and confirmed six. 17th. Was my appointment at Har- per's Ferry, but as that parish was then vacant, and no one took the Southern Churchman, I found the church closed, and was under the necessity of leaving for Charlestown with- out officiating. I am happy to say that the congregation has since been supplied. 18th. I preached at Charlestown and confirmed seven."
Parochial Reports:
Trinity Church, Norborne Parish, Berkeley County-D. H. Conrad, chairman of the vestry, reports: The late Rector, Rev. D. Francis Sprigg, resigned his charge in March last, and has removed out of the Diocese. Since which time, until within a few weeks, there have been services by the subscriber as lay reader, on the usual days for service; but recently the Rev. Charles Howard, of Maryland, at our Bishop's instance, has been officiating in that parish, and at Hedgesville, as well as Leetown, Smithfield and Bunker's Hill, and very faith- fully on his part, and very acceptably to our people, who have already learned to love him : he will labor among us until we are supplied with a minister, which we hope we shall be by July. We have experienced the usual trouble in getting a successor to our late respected pastor (whose health oblig- ed him to relinquish his pastoral charge) but happily we are now in a fair way to procure a pastor, who will keep to- gether and build up our church in Martinsburg, a very ex- cellent field of labor, for a devoted, active clergyman.
To this Mr. Conrad adds: Hedgesville Parish-Communi- cants 3. This is a small chapel belonging to Hedgesville Par-
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ish, which needs attention, but is not at present flourishing.
And also this: Mt. Zion Church, Norborne Parish, This church has been without a rector since Rev. Mr. Spriggs' res- ignation, the subscriber officiated as lay reader on the usual days of service in Mt. Zion church, until the Rev. Charles Howard, of Maryland, came at the request of Bishop Meade, to officiate in this and the adjoining parishes; since which time he has to the great satisfaction of the people preached for them, from time to time.
Rev. D. Francis Sprigg reports: On the first day of March I resigned my rectorship of the parishes in Berkeley county . I was induced to this step simply on account of an affection of my eyes. In the goodness of God, they seem now to be nearly restored and I trust soon to be at work again. I have been assisting the Rev. Dr. Balch, of Christ Church, Balti- more, since the first of April.
Christ Church, Wellsburg Parish- Rev. S. D. Tompkins late rector. Communicants 10; families 5. I resigned the church of this parish the first of April last, and have accepted a call to Grace Church, Ravenswood Parish.
St. John's Church, Brooke Parish-Rev. S. D. Tompkins, late Rector. Communicants 42; baptisms 9; confirmed 5; families 14.
Grace Church, Ravenswood Parish-Rev. S. D. Tompkins, Rec- tor. Communicants 11; baptisms 2; confirmed 1: Sunday school teachers 6; scholars 30; families 7.
Trinity Church, Shepherdstown-Rev. C. W. Andrews, Rec- tor. Communicants 62; baptisms 4; confirmed 7; Sunday school teachers 6; scholars 40; contributions, for church pur- poses within the parish $33. Foreign Missions $55. Evan- gelical Knowledge Society $50. Other objects $200.
Rev. J. H. Kepler, assistant minister, Trinity Church, St. Andrews' Parish, Shepherdstown, reports: As I have no parish in the Diocese of Virginia, I have but little to report to its convention. I hold services regularly every two weeks at Sharpsburg, and at Antietam on the same day. The Sun-
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days in which I am not engaged at the places alluded to. 1 assist Dr. Andrews in the services at Shepherdstown, and likewise officiate for him, whenever he is absent.
Zion Church, Charlestown-Rev. C. E. Ambler, Recor. Communicants 96; baptisms 24; confirmed 7; families 20 (of which 2 colored); Sunday school teachers 16; scholars 103; contributions: Missions, domestic $41; foreign $183.19. Dio- cesan $55. Com. alms $38.75. General contributions $159; total. $476.94.
St. John's Church, Charleston; St. Luke's Church, Malden- Rev. Thompson L. Smith, Rector. Communicants 46; bap- tisms 11; confirmed 9 (of which 2 from St. Mark's); Sunday school teachers 8; scholars 50; contributions. Communion alms $64.11 general $321; total $385.11.
The sum of about $900 has been contributed to the payment of the debt due for the parsonage, which secures a title for the property, to the church, the remainder is in the way of payment, being a small amount.
Trinity Church, Moundsville-Rev. Wm. L. Hyland. Rector. Communicants 14; baptisms 7; confirmed 4. Contributions Communion alms, $27.50; general $40; total $67.50.
This parish being as yet weak, and a beneficiary itself of the Diocesan Missionary Society, no effort has been made to col- lect anything for missionary purposes. The children of the parish have been instructed from time to time in the Cate- chism and the duties of religion by the Rector. This is the only Sunday school connected with the parish. There are but few families, as such, connected with the church, although there are individuals so connected, belonging to families con- nected with other religious denominations.
St. Matthew's Church, St. Matthew's Parish, Wheeling-Rev. E. T. Perkins, Rector. Communicants 154; baptisms 52: con- firmed 21; Sunday school teachers 33; scholars 175; families 115. Contributions: For Missions, domestic, $20: foreign. $125: diocesan $153; Communion alms $18358; general $1,- 841.96; total $2,324.54.
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The ladies of this congregation, have within the past year purchased a large and commodious parsonage at a cost of $3,- 500; $1,100 of which has been paid as the first installment.
St. John's Church, St. John's Parish-Rev. James D. McCabe, Rector. Communicants 93; baptisms 26; confirmed 10; Sun- day school teachers 15; scholars 100; families 60. Contribu- tions, for missions, domestic $65 ($55 of which was contribut- ed by ladies of the parish in money and clothes for Nashotah); foreign $13; Communion alms $73.42; general $384; total $535.42.
Since last convention, the congregation of St. John's have completed a commodious and comfortable parsonage at the cost of about $3,500, which is now occupied by the Rector. The parish is entirely unembarrassed by debt, and in all re- spects in a healthy condition. During the year the Rector has officiated at Ravenswood and New Martinsville, occa- sionally, and every Sunday afternoon he holds a service in the neighboring corporation of South Wheeling.
The Diocesan Missionary Committee reported $890 as paid to six missionaries in West Virginia, and $121.10 contributed by five churches.
Total contingent fund, $5,195.75. To this, twelve West Vir- ginia churches paid $462. In 1854 and 1855, there were forty- two delinquencies.
Seven churches on the roll of this Convention have become extinct:
Calvary, Norborne Parish, Back Creek, Berkeley county; Frankfort, Hampshire, Frankfort, Hampshire county; St. Luke's, Kanawha, Salines, Kanawha county; St. John's, St. John's, Wheeling, Ohio county; Winfield, St. Paul's, Winfield, Putnam county; Teays' Valley, St. Paul's, Teays' Valley, Putnam county; Belleville, Trinity, Belleville, Wood county.
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Convention of 1855. Fredericksburg, May 21.
Bishop Meade presiding.
Present from West Virginia, three of the clergy and three
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of the laity, viz: Dr. A. T. Woods, St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling; Mr. D. H. Conrad, Trinity Church, Martinsburg; Dr. S. Patrick, St. John's Church, Charleston.
From Bishop Meade's address: "In September, I visited the congregations in Berkeley and JJefferson. Beginning at Charlestown I confirmed three persons. My next appoint- ment was at Harper's Ferry, which failed by reason of in- disposition, though my place was supplied by others. At Shepherdstown one was confirmed. Two at Hedges Chapel. Three at Martinsburg. One at Bunker's Hill. Two at Smith- field. I held service also at Leetown.
I should say that the number annually confirmed (in the whole Diocese) since my advancement to the Episcopate (1829) has been about four or five hundred. Sometimes it has gone far beyond this, and once reached a thousand, during a year when God's spirit seemed to have been more largely poured out on our congregations. In estimating the amount of sue- cess attending the labors of our ministers for the last forty- five years, not for the purpose of boasting before men, or comparing it with that of others, but in thankfulness to God for His unmerited grace, we must take into account that Vir- ginia, beyond any other part of our land, has for a long time, been the nursery of the West and Southwest, supplying vast numbers to the Churches and States thereof. It is not won- derful, therefore that our domestic increase in regard to churchmen and citizens, should have been seriously affected by the continual emigration of both. If the character of these colonists should have contributed anything to the im- provement of the places of their settlement, if, in many in- stances they shall have proved the seed of Episcopal congre- gations in the same, we must be thankful for the honor con- ferred on us by the Lord, and rejoice that others increase even if we decrease. Let it be our endeavor to train them in the true principles of the gospel, and of the church of our reforming fathers, that those who leave us, may be blessings to whatever home they may select.
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Let us especially be thankful that God has so highly hon- ored our Diocese, as to rear up in our midst a school of the Prophets, which has long been, and is now more abundantly, a nursery of faithful evangelists to other parts of the land, besides our own, and even missionaries to far distant coun- tries. By comparing our present condition with the past, we have therefore abundant cause for thankfulness and encour . agement though none for pride or boasting. I think ! shall not err from the truth, in saying. that less than fifty years ago, our number of laboring ministers was not more than twelve, and these were almost all old men, faint and discour- aged, soon to cease from the little they were then doing, and with them, the universal expectation was that the church would come to an end, and the old temples and congregations fall into other hands. Some of these twelve, did not probably number more than twelve, as their average congregation, and the whole number of attendants throughout the Diocese could not have amounted to more than a thousand souls, per- haps much less. Compared with this small and most dis- couraging beginning, our present condition of a hundred na- tive elergy and nearly two hundred places of worship, with seven thousand communicants, calls for devout gratitude to our great Head. Of how much greater increase our Zion is capable, until emigration shall roll back again, or at least cease to roll away from us, it is not ours to know. One thing is certain, that nothing but a continuance of the same evan- gelical and zealous, self-denying labors which God hath hith- erto blessed, will avail for our future increase. May God give to us all the grace of faithful perseverence."
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