A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 17

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Trinity Church, Trinity Parish, Wood County-Rev. W. L. Hyland, Rector. Baptisms 3; communicants 57; confirmed 10; Sunday school teachers 8; scholars 49; contributions $1,- 414.50 (of which $167.05 for repairs on church, and $1,140.92 for Parsonage fund). Six communicants not reported above, were actually residing within the bounds of this parish at the last Convention and had, most likely been reported to the convention by the first two rectors of the Parish. They have never attended the services of the church, in this place, since I became Rector of it, and are not likely to do so in the future, in consequence of the remoteness of their resi- dence from Parkersburg. One of them attends occasionally at the church on Cow Creek, in Pleasants county, and was reported last year as a communicant of St. John's Parish in. that county.

One thousand dollars of the sum above reported, as contrib- uted to the Parsonage Fund was given by Judge Rathbone, one of the oldest communicants of the Parish, as a thank- offering for the abundance of wealth of which he has become possessed, in consequence of the recent discovery of large quantities of coal oil on his farm near this town. This gener- ous donation, has greatly stimulated the ladies in their ef- forts to procure a suitable home for their minister, and it is. expected, that their work will be accomplished this season. It will be done, God favoring the undertaking, unless the un-

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settled condition of our distracted and unhappy country should prevent it.

Convention of 1862. St. Paul's, Richmond, Va.

Bishop Johns presided. Bishop Meade died March 9, 1862. Present 25 clergy and 15 laity. None from West Virginia.

Only 28 Parishes reported-none from West Virginia. Con- firmed 132. Communicants 2,355. Contributions $21,143.35. The Diocesan Missionary Society reports as from Trinity Church, Shepherdstown $10; Zion Church, Charlestown, $15; Mr. J. Rogers, Morgantown, $20.

The treasurer reports $3.00 from Zion Church, Charlestown for contingent fund.

In his address under date of June 22, 1862, Bishop Johns says: "The battles in front of Richmond, which had now be- gun, left me in no doubt as to the place of duty. Suspending all other services, I hastened to the city, to unite with my brethren of the clergy, in such ministrations as might be needed by the wounded and the dying. The signal successes, with which it pleased Almighty God to crown our arms, ef- fectually relieved our beleaguered metropolis, and the men- acing hosts were driven into a position, where from the demoralization of defeat and the fatal malaria of the region, their remaining numbers were so reduced, that their formal withdrawal was hardly noticeable. In the midst of our joy and gratitude, there was great cause for lamentation. Many noble men, had fallen in our defense, and more wounded were conveyed to the hospitals in and around Richmond.

The scenes of suffering, which resulted from these con- flicts, verified the saying of one of the greatest generals, that 'next to the sorrow of losing a battle, is the sorrow of gain- ing one.' Yet, these sufferings furnished occasion for the manifestation of some of the finest phases of character, in the uncomplaining spirit, with which they were borne, and the grateful, tender and efficient sympathy and care which they promptly received.

Our own Diocesan Society has enlarged its operations both

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by increasing the number of its hospital missionaries, and by the purchase and publication of books and tracts for the benefit of our soldiers.

November 10. Accompanied by the clerical and lay depu- ties from this Diocese to the first General Council, I left Richmond for Augusta, Georgia. The Council continued in session ten days. Its chief business consisted in the ratifica- tion of our Book of Common Prayer, with only the substitu- tion of "Confederate" for "United" and of "Council" for "Convention," where such alteration was required; reserving for future consideration, any other changes or amendments, not affecting any essential point of doctrine, discipline or worship, which might be deemed expedient; and in addition to this, in the adoption of a Digest of Revised Canons, &c. This will be found to differ but little from our old code. The only variations being such as experience had suggested and prespicuousness and consistency required.

Before closing this report I must again exhort to certain special services of Christian sympathy and love, to which we are called by the great and eventful conflict, in which our country is engaged. In those sections of our State, which have been invaded and devastated by the enemy, parishes and con- gregations previously flourishing and efficient, have been sad- ly impoverished and disabled. If they are to continue to enjoy those ministrations of the Church, to which they have been accustomed, and which they dearly prize, they must be generously aided by their brethren, who have not been sub- jected to such spoilations. These devastated parishes are now, in a measure missionary ground, and rendered so by a painful dispensation, which must endear them exceedingly to their more favored brethren. For this cause I ask your fer- vent prayers, and increased pecuniary support, for our Dio- cesan Missionary Society."

On motion of Rev: Mr. Murdough, it was resolved that the clergy and laity, present in this Council, mark with regret the absence of loved brethren, with whom it has long been their privilege to gather in annual meeting, and in the name

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of the church, in the Diocese of Virginia, send messages of love and greeting, in Christ, to ministers and brethren from whom God's Providence is now separating them, with prayers for a speedy restoration of our full communion.

In his address, 1862, Bishop John's says: "I concluded to suspend the regular routine of visitation, and wait the indi- cations of Providence as to the action which the interests of the Diocese might require. With this view, after the ad- journment of the last Convention, I returned immediately to my late residence, hoping also that by being there, I might counsel and cooperate with the Professors of the Seminary, and the Principal of the High School, for the protection of the valuable property, in that vicinity. This arrangement was of brief duration.

On Friday morning, May 24th, (1861), at an early hour the Federal forces took possession of Alexandria. It was now evident that I could no longer remain there, unless I was prepared to be separated from the Diocese and restricted in my official duties. In two hours, after the invasion, I was on the road with those of my family who had not previously re- moved. We went forth not knowing whither, but satisfied that we should find shelter and service where God had ap- pointed. The first night, we passed with our friends at Chan- tilly. Saturday brought us to Warrenton, already crowded with refugees.

July 14. During this week I visited the camp at Manassas, and united with the Rev. Mr. Barten in conducting religious services for the soldiers. The meeting was at night in front of one of their tents. There were many present. The solem- nity with which many gave attention to the addresses, the effect of their voices in open air as they joined in singing the appropriate hymns, the place, the hour, all combined to ren- der the scene peculiarly impressive. It was the last service in which some of them were privileged to unite. But one day intervened, between it and the engagement, and four be- tween it and the great battle of Manassas, where they fell in defense of their country. July 21. I preached in St. James'

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Church, Warrenton, within hearing of the cannon, and with- in sight of the clouds of smoke and dust of the eventful con- flict which has rendered that day memorable. At night I officiated for the servants in the Lecture Room, but the ex- ercises were often interrupted by the intense excitement pro- duced by tidings from the battle ground, tidings of sorrow indeed for the slain, but of gratitude and joy for the signal success with which God had crowned our arms.

July 23. I delivered a funeral address to a large concourse of citizens, in the Court house yard, in Warrenton, who had assembled to render their tribute of respect to the mortal remains of four of the soldiers who had fallen at Manassas. One of them, the worthy officer, on whose arm I had leaned, just one week before, in passing through the encampment to the religious service which I have mentioned. Many hearts were severely afflicted by this bereavement, and, deeply felt that the miseries of war are inseparable from its most bril- liant victories.

October 14 and 15. Were occupied in reaching Columbia, South Carolina, the place designated for the meeting of the Provisional Convention, for framing a Constitution, for the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Confederate States.

Since the first of December, my residence has been in Rich- mond. This has enabled me to devote the afternoon of every Sunday to St. Philips' Church, which has been erected for the use of servants, by the contributions of a few liberal mem- bers of our congregations in this city. It has also, afforded me an opportunity of visiting the sick soldiers in our hospit- als, ministering from cot to cot, and assembling the conva- lescent for social worship. In these services I engaged daily and with increasing interest.

On Friday the 14th of March, (1862), at 7 a. m., it pleased Almighty God, to remove from us our venerable and beloved Bishop, whom He had chosen to cherish our Church in Vir- ginia, during its infancy, to aid in bringing it up in the nur- ture and admonition of the Lord, and long honored and blest as its chief pastor. The habit which forms by duration, and

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the love which excellence and usefulness inspire and invig- orate, had so bound and endeared him to us all, that the thought of being without him was not seriously entertained, and we were ill prepared for the afflictive separation. Per- haps we ought to have been more discerning, and gathered premonitions from the significant service, with which our last Convention was opened. When the Bishop under a solemn sense of appropriateness and duty, officiating as preacher delivered his semi-centenary discourse, spoke of the experi- ence of his long and eventful life, with the deep humility of a sage-that the benefit of his carefully acquired knowledge might accrue to us-there was impressively evident 'a ripe- ness and perfectness of age in Christ,' which might have ad- vised us, that his maturity for Heaven was attained, and 'the time of his departure at hand.' For many years his bodily infirmities, though they did not abate his intellectual labors, or suspend the use of his pen, but only rendered them more abundant and beneficial, yet they did deprive us of his impressive services in the pulpit. His capability for these, however, was recently restored, and in that memorable dis- course, there was an unction of piety, and a rich melody of religious thought, in which our ears have recognized the dy- ing notes of our aged apostle. He has since finished his course in peace and hope, and adding to his wholesome ex- ample and salutory instructions of his self-denying and labo- rious life, the solemn zeal of a fearless death. It was my priv- ilege to minister to him during his sickness, receive his dying testimony, watch his waning strength, catch his expiring breath, and then close those eyes, which in an intimate as- sociation of twenty years, had never been turned on mine and men's, but in true friendship and tender love.

The particulars of his illness, and his dying testimony to his brethren and country, I have communicated in the ad- dress delivered at the funeral. That testimony will be long and religiously preserved as a precious legacy of a christian patriot to the church and people whose prosperity was so dear to his breast, both in life and in death. May our devo-

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ted love for our departed Father in God, and our sympathy in sorrow under our sore bereavement, be so sanctified, as to unite us in closer Christian affection, and animate us to great- er zeal and diligence in the cause of our Lord and Master, that we 'lose not those things that have been wrought,' but may behold his pleasure still prospering in our hands.

In closing this statement, it becomes me, to express my gratitude for the kind Providence which has directed and sus- tained me amidst the disturbances and trials of the year, and given me opportunity and strength for the services reported.

We miss from our Convention this morning, some of our brethren of the clergy and laity, whose attendance in years past has been so regular, that we may be assured, nothing but circumstances beyond their control would detain them now. Though we lose the comfort of their presence and the bene- fit of their counsel, we know that they are still with us in heart, and striving together with us in prayer, that God would remove the existing hindrances to the advancement of his church, and grant that "the course of this world may be so ordered by His governance that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety may be established among us for all generations.'

How long the eventful struggle in which we are engaged is to continue or to what sacrifice and suffering it may expose us in its progress, it is for God, in His wise and merciful prov- idence to determine. It is our part and place, to be at His feet in sincere humiliation for our sins, with filial trust in His mercy, and persevering prayer for His protection and deliverance. Thus committing our country and ourselves in- to the hands of our covenant God, we may hopefully abide the issue."

Convention of 1863. St. Paul's, Richmond, May 20.

Bishop Johns presiding.

Forty-nine clergy and thirty laity present. None from West Virginia.

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Sixty-five reports showing 4,578 communicants and $83,- 312.40 contributed.

Contributions reported from West Virginia: For Dioce- san missions, Mrs. M. Harrison, Salt Sulphur, $5.00; Rev. Dr. Andrews, Shepherdstown, $25; Mrs. H. B. Caperton, $10.

Convention of 1864. St. Paul's, Richmond, May 18.

Bishop Johns presided.

Present: Twenty-six clergy and fourteen laity. None from West Virginia.

Twenty-eight Parochial reports received: Communicants 2,322; confirmed 442; contributions $61,153.45 in Confederate currency. The Bishops salary was increased to $10,000.

The Treasurer, Mr. John Stewart, reports as received for the contingent fund, Jefferson, Zion Church, from an officer C. S. A. Navy in full for 1863 and all past arrears, through Mrs. R. C. Jones, $125.00.

Jefferson (Rev. Dr. Andrews) Shepherdstown, through the Rev. Dr. Minningerode, including $10 in bank notes, $200.00; received premium on above $10 from broker $20.

Bishop John's in his address, says: "It may be proper in this connection to introduce a letter received by flag of truce, a few weeks since, from a clergyman officiating in one of our congregations within the lines of the enemy. It will explain itself, and my reply contains the only answer I felt at liberty to return.

Washington City, Jan. 27, 1864. Rt. Rev. John Johns, D. D.

My Dear Bishop :- It is very important to the interest of St. Matthews Parish, (Wheeling) that we should have an Episcopal visitation, and inasmuch as you, our own beloved Bishop are kept from us, and may be kept from us for years by the war, we are constrained to beg that you will give your consent, to our inviting a Bishop to officiate in your stead. Will you not give us a discretionary power, as to the selec-

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tion of a Bishop? We shall conform as nearly as practica- ble to your known wishes on the subject.

Affectionately your humble servant,

THOS. G. ADDISON.

Answer.

Richmond, Feb. 13, 1864.

Rev. and Dear Brother :- Your letter, by flag of truce, has just reached me, and I hasten to assure you, that I fully re- ciprocate the kindness which it expresses, and that I retain an unabated interest for the good people of your charge. It is truly gratifying to know that the unhappy disturbances of the times have left unimpaired our higher relations and the Christian feeling which they involve. It is now nearly three years since I visited Wheeling. It may be long before the country is sufficiently settled to enable me to officiate there again. Whilst I trust I shall ever be unwilling to obtrude myself, where I have no right to appear, or where my services are not desired, I am ready to discharge my duty as for as possible to the whole Diocese. If therefore those who have the power with you, will, on my parole of honor, furnish me a safe conduct, you will soon receive such official services as you may require. I say this on the presumption, that those in authority here will not object to the arrangement, and with the distinct understanding, that whilst its conditions will be sacredly observed by me, they are not to conflict with my obligations to the government under which I live. I

make this overture in good faith, and leave the result to His disposal, who orders all things well. If it is regarded fa- vorably, you will of course apprise me. If otherwise, I shall at least have the satisfaction of knowing that it is from no remissness on my part, that a portion of my cure is de- prived of Episcopal services.

Yours truly, J. JOHNS, &c.

Rev. Thos. G. Addison.

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I know that the answer reached its destination, and was well received by my correspondent and others. It has, how- ever, so far as I am informed, led to no further action on their part. We must wait patiently and hopefully, till the good Providence of God opens the way for the renewal of services, which I am ready to render.

Some of the usual forms of religious activity and usefulness, have as you are aware, been embarrassed by the disturbances of the country. The closing of the ports of the Confederate States, deprives us of the privilege of participating in the support of those Foreign Missions, in the establishment of which our good people gladly aided, both by furnishing labor- ers and contributing means for their maintenance. For the present, we can only give ourselves to more earnest prayer, 'that we lose not those things which we have wrought,' and that a great and effectual door may be early opened to us, for renewing our efforts in the holy enterprise of preaching the Gospel to every creature. We may thus preserve and invig- orate the true spirit of Evangelization, and be the better pre- pared for productive service, when it is the will of the Great Head of the church that we may be again thus employed. Thanks be to God the domestic field is open to us, and within our own Diocesan limits, affords ample scope for all our Christian energies, and most worthy occasion for every ex- penditure which our means will allow. By position and by the appointment of Providence, the breast work of the Con- federacy is on the soil of Virginia. Here the great army of our defence is stationed. Its various encampments are thronged by the patriot sors of sister states, cheerfully en- during the hardships, inseparable from their service. and ready for any further sacrifice which their country needs. God has favored them with encouraging success, blessed them with an extraordinary desire for the knowledge and ministrations of the gospel, beyond what the Chaplains in commission can supply. This extensive field at our very doors, is white for the harvest and the laborers comparative-

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ly how few. Every pious heart, I am persuaded, must swell with solicitude, to share in the honor of gathering in its yield in the garners of the Lord.

I take pleasure in calling attention to the good service ren- dered by the Missionary Society of the Diocese, not only through the agency of such missionaries to the camps and hospitals, as its funds will allow, but also by the circulation of its books and tracts, and more especially by preparing and publishing a very large edition of the Army and Navy Prayer Book, in form and size suited to the use of those for whom it is especially designed, capable of being carried in the side pocket of the soldier, and constituting his valuable, rade me- cum, on every march.

An esteemed Professor of Theology has not intermitted his important services. Residing in Staunton, he has gathered around him a few students, not embraced by the conscription act, and instructed them, not only in the branches pertaining to his own department, but in those also, which belong to the vacant chair, and to the other, the worthy incumbent of which, has been providentialy detained from his duties. The Rev. Dr. Sparrow, is thus performing the work of three Pro- fessors, and is entitled to our grateful recognition of these voluntary and laborious services.

In closing this statement of the affairs of the Diocese, since the meeting of the last Council, it behooves me to remark what the report itself discloses; that though we are under discipline, our God has not forsaken us. His chastisements have been mingled with many mercies, both temporal and spiritual. Whilst He has marvellously restrained the raging violence of our enemies, who proclaim their purpose of exter- minating our people, and possessing themselves of our coun- try, He has graciously visited our parishes with His salva- tion, and our camps with the regenerating influence of His gospel, 'and I therein do rejoice, yea and will rejoice.'

But let us not be so engrossed by the accompanying mer- cies, as to fail to 'hear the rod and who hath appointed it.' And let not the injustice and inhumanity of our foes, lead

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us to indulge the malevolence and execration and revenge, which such deeds so powerfully excite. Rather let us re- member how it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the Lord.' Let us not be overcome of evil, but over- come evil with good, and God will invigorate and guide us in the conflict, and give us victory, with His blessing."

Convention of 1865. St. Paul's Church, Richmond.

Bishop Johns, presiding.

Clergy in West Virginia: xRev. T. G. Addison, St. Mat- thews, Wheeling; xRev. C. E. Ambler, Zion Church, Charles Town; xRev. C. W. Andrews, D. D., Trinity Church, Shep- herdstown; Rev. J. F. Curtis, Moundsville; Rev. Isaac Gibson, assistant, Zion, Charles Town; Rev. W. D. Hanson, Trinity Church, Martinsburg; xRev. W. L. Hyland Trinity Church, Parkersburg; xRev. W. F. M. Jacobs, St. John's Church, Charleston; Rev. W. T. Leavell, Wickliffe Parish, Kabletown; xRev. T. B. Maury, Missionary, Ravenswood; Rev. J. J. Page, Christ Church, Clarksburg; Rev. J. F. Woods, Moundsville. Those marked x present.

Lay Delegates present : Augustine J. Smith, Trinity Church, Jefferson county.

Bishop Johns in his address says: "During the past year my visitations were frequently interfered with by interrup- tions of the lines of travel, and other causes connected with the war. All of my appointments for May 1864, were thus frustrated, and my services were necessarily confined to the servants of the plantation on which I resided, and others in the vicinity. Aug. 6th the Rev. Mr. Jones accompanied me for a few days. It was our intention to visit Charles Town; but as we approached we learned that the Federal forces were then entering the town; we therefore passed on to Mid- dleway. Here we were kindly received by Dr. Nelson, at whose residence I had in the evening, the privilege of uniting in social worship, with some of the congregation who as- sembled there, on hearing of my arrival. This Parish had, for more than a year been without a minister. The next

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morning (Sunday) we made an early start, and proceeded through a desolated and apparently deserted country 10 Shepherdstown, into which as we could obtain no information by the way, we entered with some anxiety, uncertain by which army it was occupied. We found it in possession of a few Confederates, but as the Union troops in large numbers were known to be only a few miles distant, and their advance expected, it was suggested that we might be interrupted in our proposed services, and subjected to inconvenient deten- tion. We concluded, however, to venture upon the experi- ment. The bell was rung and the congregation assembled. The Rev. Mr. Jones read prayers. Whilst I was preaching, a note was handed to the Rector, informing him that the Fed- eral forces were approaching the town. I was unwilling to leave the church without confirming those who were desir- ous to ratify their baptismal vows. Descending to the chan- cel and calling them around me, I administered the Apostolic rite to ten persons. The service was of peculiar interest and I am sure will not soon be forgotten. To return to Smith- field, as we intended was now deemed impracticable, and we made our way around by Bunker Hill to Winchester. In passing through Bunker Hill, I was pained to see that the neat little church, in which on former visitations, I had offici- ated, had, like many others been damaged by occupancy for military purposes.

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 17

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