A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 23

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > West Virginia > A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia > Part 23

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

272

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

a rule the strengthening of present Parishes, rather than the forming a multitude of new and feeble ones; the develop- ment from existing centres, rather than the multiplication of Missions sometimes worked to little profit and supported with very great difficulty.

The Brotherhood.

In December last I sent out a circular to the churches ask- ing for a contribution toward the formation of a fund for the relief of disabled Clergy, and while the responses to that circular were not such as could have been desired, yet a be- ginning has been made.

Every one must feel the importance of having such a fund. At the present time we have no Clergy who ean properly be called disabled; but we cannot tell how long in the providence of God we may be in that happy condition. It is not only the part of wisdom, but also a high and sacred duty, while we have opportunity, to make provision for a necessity which may soon arise. No sight can be more sad, or more dishon- oring to the Church that suffers it, than to see faithful men who have spent their strength, and often their scanty means, in the sacred ministry of the Word, on the approach of age turned adrift upon the cold charity of the world; may our Church in West Virginia be spared any such humiliating spectacle.

It is proper also, in this connection, to call your attention to the benefits which may accrue to our Church in West Virginia, from the formation of a Brotherhood like that which for some years past has been in successful operation in the Diocese of Virginia.

The objects of that Brotherhood are too well known to require mention here. I may remind you, however, of its successful working, organized at the Council in Wheeling, in May, 1870. It has during the nine years of its existence been called upon to make eighteen payments to the families of deceased Clergymen. The average amount paid to each family has been over $1,200, and to accomplish this the an-

REV. JOHN F. WOODS.

GRACE CHURCH, CRESAPS.

ST. JOHN'S, WILLOW ISLAND.

CHURCH AT ST. MARY'S.

273

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

nual tax upon each member of the Brotherhood has been a trifle over $4. It would be hard to devise another plan, which, with so little effort, would confer so great benefits as the Brotherhood has done. It is earnestly recommended to the Laity of our Church to see whether they cannot inau- gurate a Brotherhood among us here in West Virginia, hav- ing, it may be, the essential features of that in the parent Diocese, but modified where necessary to meet our altered circumstances.

It is possible that the same organization might have in trust any funds that might accumulate for the relief of the widows and orphans of deceased Clergymen. What organ- ization could better claim the name of a Brotherhood than one which sought to discharge such high trusts, the members of which, in the hour of supreme distress, should gladly come forward with their cheerful offerings to help lighten the load of sorrowing hearts, and contribute to the support of a iamily whose head has spent his life for the welfare of the Church of Christ in this Diocese.

I am informed that before the organization of our Dio- vese there were one hundred and thirty members of the Brotherhood in West Virginia. Might we not expect. now we are in an independent and more responsible position, a very large increase of membership?

We, who in God's providence are permitted to labor in the earlier years of this new Diocese, owe it to ourselves and to the Church, which will remain when we have passed away, to inaugurate such measures as will prove a help and a bless- ing for all time.

Legacies.

In regard to these objects of which we have been speak- ing, and others which, like them, seem to require, beyond stated contributions, some permanent fund which should be administered in their interest, the question may well be asked, Why are they not more frequently remembered in

274

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

that final disposition of the estate which we commonly make in prospect of another world?

The fact that superstition has sometimes thought to atone for the selfish use of means during life by the gift of those means to the Church when they could not any longer be en- joyed, this should not make us act as if we supposed our- selves, any the less responsible stewards in the final dispo- sition of our estates at death than we are in their regular ad- ministration during life. Would it not sanctify every be- quest and cause it to carry with it a blessing beyond its in- trinsic value if, in the solemn hour when we make our last will and testament, in devout recognition of Him who giveth us power to get wealth, we thought of His kingdom in the world and recognized its claims?

Where large bequests cannot be made, we know it is often the custom, even for those of very limited means, to leave certain small sums to dependents and to friends out of the family, as a last testimonial of esteem and affection. There seems to be no good reason why at least so much thoughtful- ness should not be shown in regard to church institutions, for which we earnestly labor in life, and in regard, also, to church funds whose maintenance and increase, as must ap- pear to us all, are so important for the progress and welfare of the Diocese. And perhaps it may be in the power of some, by a wise and large liberality, to make such provision for the temporal needs of their own churches, or of the Diocese at large that many who come after them shall rise up and call them blessed.

Legacies have often been lost to the Church because of le- gal difficulties. To obviate these it may be expedient to con- sider the advisability of applying for the incorporation of a society or self-perpetuating committee to hold funds in trust for church purposes. In the meantime it is believed that where bequests are judiciously made, so that there be no feeling of wrong on the part of the family or other lawful heirs, in most cases the full amount would be promptly paid.

At all events, it seems clear that legacies would have a

275

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

more prominent place in our holy treasuries if we more fre- quently, in accordance with the Rubric in the visitation for the sick, earnestly 'moved men to be liberal to the poor,' or, in other words, since, as some one well says, by such words as 'the poor,' in the wide sense of Holy Scripture, we include every ageney of charity to body and soul, legacies would more frequently come to aid us in our Church work, . through the last bequests of our people. If we Ministers- as faithful men, mindful not only of the duty which a man owes to his reputation and his executors and his family in the just settlement of his estate, but mindful also of his duty to that kingdom of God to build up which in the world must always be, even to life's latest hour, next to his own salvation, his chief care and joy --- would in our dealings with our parishioners, especially in prospect of the account of their stewardship to be given to God, move them to a rea- sonable and holy disposition of what God has enabled them to lay up in store.

The Council of 1880. Parkersburg.

The Third Annual Council met in Trinity Church, Parkers- burg, on Wednesday, June 2d. The Bishop presided. The Rev. J. P. Hubbard preached the sermon. There were pres- ent sixteen Clergymen and twenty-three Laymen.

The Rev R. A. Cobbs was elected Secretary, vice Rev. T. H. Lacy, resigned.

The Brotherhood was organized.

Deputies to the General Convention, Clerical, Rev. W. H. Meade, Rev. R. A. Cobbs, Rev. R. A. Gibson, Rev. J. P. Hub- bard. Lay, Mr. N. S. White, Hon. Geo. W. Thompson, Maj. Thos. L. Broun, Gen'l. Wm. P. Craighill.

The Council of 1881. Shepherdstown.

The Fourth Annual Council met in Trinity Church, Shep- herdstown, on Wednesday, June Ist. The Bishop presided. . The Rev. Jno. W. Lea preached the sermon. There were present sixteen Clergymen and eleven Laymen.

St. Luke's Parish, Wheeling, was admitted into union with the Council. Metes and bounds, Wheeling Island.

276

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The Diocese consented to unite as a party in, and to, the Constitution of the Church Institutions at Gambier in the Diocese of Ohio.

Rev. R. A. Gibson and Dr. E. A. Hildreth were elected Trustees for a period of three years.

The Council of 1882. Point Pleasant.

The Fifth Annual Council met in Christ Church, Point Pleasant, on Wednesday, June 7th. The Bishop presided. The Rev. Dr. Lacy preached the sermon. The Church was consecrated. There were present eighteen Clergymen and fourteen Laymen.

It was determined to build in Parkersburg an Episcopal residence.

Mr. Cruger W. Smith was appointed Registrar, and Judge J. P. Rogers, Chancellor of the Diocese.

From the Bishop's address: "The work of building both Churches and Parsonages goes steadily forward. I have laid the Corner-stones of two Churches, and consecrated three others, during the year, and four other Churches will be ready for consecration in the next two or three months. One Parsonage has been finished, and two fairly begun.

The Clergy, also, more than ever, are trying to occupy our whole territory, and to make the smallest flocks, in the most distant parts of the Diocese, realize that they are not for- gotten. In this connection, I would call attention to one difficulty connected with our peculiar and enforced methods of work, which we must try, as far as we can, to remedy. When Service is held in a Church, or at a Station regularly, Sunday after Sunday, it is a comparatively easy thing to keep up a Sunday School; but when there is no such regular Service, but only one less frequent, it may be twice a month, or even only once; then the Sunday School is apt to suffer, or be abandoned altogether, and there is a consequent loss to the Church. As far as our own children are concerned, they can be taught, and ought to be taught, at home, though I am afraid it is not always so; but we suffer positive loss

277

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

in our failure to reach and impress those other children, who are attracted to our Church, and those who find no Christian teaching or example in their own homes. We see that every now and then some earnest Christian woman solves this problem, as it presents itself to her. When she cannot have a school, she has a class. She gathers all who come to her in the quiet of her own room, and although they may miss the accessories of a more public worship, yet the children are really taught, and often better than they would be in many Sunday schools, the things that concern the Kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Why should not we have these little Bible-classes all over the country? Why should not all the children, however scattered they may be, be thus taught, Sunday by Sunday, the Catechism which the Church has put forth for their instruction, the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, and all other things which a Christian ought to know and believe to his Soul's health? And why should not every Christian home be a cen- ter of influence, and a power for good? It cannot be doubted that just so far as Christian people fail thus to do this good that it is in the power of their hand to do, that they come short of their duty, and their privilege.

Temperance.

The question of Temperance still claims our anxious con- sideration. The evils resulting from the drinking usages of society are so great and so far reaching in their consequences, as to call for the most earnest effort for reform on the part of all good citizens and good Christians.

It is useless to disguise the fact that this question is com- passed with very great practical difficulties. We believe that the Church of England has inaugurated a true Temperance movement, which gives the largest promise of blessing to their whole land. It becomes us seriously to consider how far we can adopt the plan that works so successfully in Eng- land, and what modifications of that plan are required by our peculiar surroundings and situation in this country.

278

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The organization effected at the last Council has, I believe, not accomplished much, save the distribution of a few docu- ments. I have requested Mr. Graham, the representative of the American Church Temperance Society, to be present during our session, and to give us such counsel as may make our Organization more efficient. Our territory is so exten- sive, and our Churches and Missions so scattered that in this work we shall have to depend upon local societies more than upon a General Organization.

The Council of 1883. Wheeling.

The Sixth Annual Council met in St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling, on Wednesday, June 6th. The Bishop presided. The Rev. W. T. Leavell preached the sermon. The Rev. Fran- cis K. Leavell was ordered Priest. There were present twen- ty Clergymen and twenty-three Laymen. St. Luke's Church, Wheeling Island, was consecrated on Sunday, the 10th.

Greenbrier Parish was admitted into union with the Coun- cil. Metes and bounds, the county of Greenbrier (exclusive of the White Sulphur Springs Mission), and also the town of Alderson, in Monroe county.

Deputies to the General Convention: Rev. R. A. Gibson, Rev. R. A. Cobbs, Rev. W. T. Leavell, Rev. L. R. Mason; Messrs. N. S. White, Maj. T. L. Broun, R. J. McCandlish, J. P. Rogers.

Alternates: Rev. T. H. Lacy, Rev. Jno. W. Lea, Rev. C. C. Pearson, Rev. Joshua Cowpland; Col. W. P. Craighill, Mr. B. M. Ambler, Mr. E. I. Lee, Col. W. H. Hogeman.

From the Bishop's address:

Care of those Confirmed.

Among the many difficulties connected with our scattered work not the least is the proper care of those who are brought to confirmation. Infrequent services, little pas- toral intercourse, imperfect acquaintance with the Church and her services and the want of suitable books to put into the hands of the people, these are some of the things we can- not but see and lament in our widely extended field of labor.

279

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

This is a most serious matter and calls for anxious thought and earnest effort. Our work is but begun when we gather into congregations, here and there, little bands of faithful people. We must have a care lest they afterward be scat- tered abroad as sheep having no Shepherd.

Shall not the Clergy give their earnest thought to this most important part of their work; and shall not the lay- people, godly men and women everywhere lend a helping hand? Shall not Parents and Guardians be more careful to teach the children the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments and all other things which a Christian ought to know and believe to his soul's health, so that every home may be as the Home of God and as the gate of Heaven? And shall there not on every side be a mutual care one for an- other that those who have little strength and knowledge may be guided and encouraged and led on in the way they ought to go? The Commission of the Risen Saviour to His Disci- ples was not only to go and baptize all nations but also to teach them all commanded things. Must we not have regard for this? And may it not be possible that sometimes in our zeal for the extension of Christ's Kingdom, we may lose sight of the less inspiring and exciting, but no less important work of caring for the Christian people already in the Church, and leading them on in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?

I desire to take this opportunity to call your attention to two great evils, which seriously threaten the well-being of society; against which, therefore, Christian people should be ready ever to lift up a warning voice, and combat by every means properly in their power. I refer to Intemperance and a disregard of the Lord's Day.

Intemperance and the Lord's Day.

In regard to Intemperance, the public mind has been great- ly awakened of late years, both in Church and State. Leg- islation is often sought and secured, to check this monster cvil, and with varying success. . There is much diversity of opinion as to what form, precisely, legislation on this sub-

280

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

ject should take, but without describing that here, I am fully convinced that one of our very first duties as Christian men and loyal citizens, is to try more earnestly to have the existing excellent laws on the subject enforced. If our var- ious Temperance Societies in Church and State would put forth more efforts in this direction, as our Church Temper- ance Society in New York is now doing, much could be ac- complished.

There is often the widest possible difference in the condi- tion of towns in which the same law is nominally in force. It has come under my personal observation, that the existing law does prove efficient in some places to suppress as far as we can see the evil of Intemperance, while in other places the very same law appears to be of no avail. We have need to remember that laws do not execute themselves, and there seems to be no good reason why the judicious laws we have upon our Statute books, as to the regulation of the sale of intoxicating drinks, should be suffered to be disregarded any more than other laws which have the order and well being of society in view.

I do not say that nothing more in the way of legislation ought to be attempted, but I do say that the existing laws faithfully executed would greatly diminish, and in many cases break up the vice whose prevalence we all so much la- ment.

The second great evil of which I desire to speak is Disre- gard of the Lord's Day. I need not enter into any argument here to uphold the perpetual obligation of this Holy Day. It was made for man, to meet the moral and religious and phys- ical needs of his nature; and it is recognized among us not only as a religious, but also as a civil Institution.

There is room for honest difference of opinion as to many practical details in regard to the observance of this Day, but I think all must acknowledge a growing tendency on the part of society, altogether to disregard its sacred obligations, and sacrifice any sanctity it may possess to the desire for pleas- ure or money. We hear much of what some are pleased to

REV. C. N. SPALDING.

ST. LUKE'S, PARISH HOUSE.

REV. HENRY HOBART MORRELL, D. D.

REV. J. GIBSON GANNT.

281

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

call the necessities of our modern life, but can you bring under such head Sunday theaters, Sunday excursion and freight trains, Sunday mails and Sunday papers, and the many forms of amusement, dissipation and traffic, with which, in some parts of the country, the people are only too fa- miliar?

In the mad haste to be rich on the part of individuals and of corporations, demoralizing labor is often, on this Day, im- posed on multitudes of practically helpless employees, popu- lar respect for the Day is undermined, and in many cases it is believed, the Law of the Land is broken. Not only the in- terest of our holy religion, which rest upon this day, as on a great bulwark, but our duty as loyal citizens, having the highest good of the community at heart, must prompt us to promote, as far as we can, among all men a true under- standing of the value of this sacred day to themselves, their families and to the state, and to lead them to resist whatever tends to deprive them of it, and do away with the just laws which now protect their Sunday privileges and rights. It has been well said that the cause of Sunday is at once the cause of the individual, the family, the parish, the people, the Kingdom of God; and that while we would not dictate as to how men should keep this Day, yet that the freedom of the individual must find its limits in the welfare of the commu- nity. I desire earnestly to call the attention of the Council to this important subject.

The Council of 1884. Martinsburg.

The Seventh Annual Council met in Trinity Church, Mar- tinsburg, on Wednesday, June 4th. The Bishop presided. The Rev. Mr. Swope preached the sermon. Mr. R. G. No- land was ordered Deacon. In the absence of Rev. Mr. Cobbs, the Rev. F. K. Leavell was elected Secretary pro tem. There were present eighteen Clergymen and sixteen Laymen.

The Bishop reported $3,819.06 received from various sources in aid of churches injured by the great flood of Feb- ruary.

282

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

A committee was appointed to participate in the Centen- nial of the Diocese of Virginia, May, 1885.

There was an appropriation made of $8,000 from the Per- manent Fund to the Episcopal residence. The Bishop's sal- ary was increased to $2,500.

From the Bishop's address:

Rev. John W. Lea.

On the 15th of May, the Rev. John W. Lea, of St. Albans, was called to his rest. Apparently in robust health at the Convocation which met on the 23rd of April, there were com- plications resulting from a virulent carbuncle on the back of his neck, and in a little more than two weeks he was dead. At our meeting here in Martinsburg six years ago, the Missions Committee determined to offer their first original enterprise, the Kanawha Valley Mission, to Mr. Lea. Thie charge was accepted, and since October 1878, he has been la- boring faithfully in that part of the Diocese, with residence at Coalburgh and afterwards at St. Albans. His labors were much blest and he was permitted to see and enjoy the fruits of them.

Of an ardent temperament, Mr. Lea undertook his work with enthusiasm and carried it on with vigor. He had a hearty, genuine sympathy for his fellow man, whether he met him in the drawing room or in the mine, and this was, no doubt, one great secret of his success as a minister. His heart was full of love of the Saviour, and he was ready al- ways to speak words of warning and counsel to others.

He showed in his ministry the effect of his military train- ing; the gallant soldier became the earnest and brave Mis- sionary, outspoken and impetuous, but thoroughly loyal and as ready to follow those in authority as to lead others. Cut off in the midst of years and usefulness he leaves a large and dependent family. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.

The Flood of February, 1884.

In February, of this year the Ohio Valley was visited by a disastrous flood. Much of our Church property was dam-

283

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

aged and many of our Church people lost very heavily. In the "Church News" of February 28th, 1884, a statement was made in regard to the matter, and it is all so fresh in our minds that there is no need that I should speak particularly of it again. But it is eminently proper that I should put on record here an expression of our profound gratitude to the friends who have so generously come forward to our re- lief in a time of so much distress; many of them are not known to us in the flesh, but we shall gratefully remember their kindness and pray for God's blessing upon them.

The total amount received from the various funds Churches, and individuals has been $3819.06; of this sum, $526.00 has been placed at my discretion, as might seem best in the general work of the Church. This has been for safe keeping covered into the Treasury of the Diocesan Mis- sionary Committee, to be disbursed as occasion may require, and with their advice, the balance of $3293.06, designed es- pecially for the repairs of Churches and Parsonages, and the relief of the destitute has been disbursed, chiefly through the Ministers, resident, or in charge, as follows: Wellsburg, $525; Wheeling, $1,100, (of which the Island received $825); Moundsville, $95; New Martinsville, $245; Ravenswood, $50; Willow Island, $50; Parkersburg, $220; Huntington, $50; Hartford City, Mason, West Columbia, and Pt. Pleasant, $748.34, a total of $3083.34, leaving a balance unexpended of $209.72, which will no doubt soon find its proper destination.

The Council of 1885. Lewisburg.

The Eighth Annual Council met in St. James' Church. Lew- isburg, on Wednesday, June 3d. The Bishop presided. The Rev. R. D. Roller preached the sermon. Mr. J. B. Fitzpat- rick was ordered Deacon, and Rev. R. G. Noland Priest. There were present nineteen Clergymen and twelve Laymen.

A committee of nine was appointed to consider proposed changes in the Prayer Book.

Places for the annual meetings of the Council were fixed in order.

284

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The Rev. R. A. Gibson, Chairman of the Committee ap- pointed to represent this Diocese at the Centennial Celebra- tion of the Diocese of Virginia, then read the annexed re- port:

" Your Committee, appointed to attend the Centennial Cel- ebration of the Diocese of Virginia, beg leave respectfully to report that on Friday, May 22d, 1885, they presented them- selves in the Council of Virginia. They were headed by the Bishop, and consisted of Revs. R. A. Gibson, T. H. Lacy. D. D., F. K. Leavell, R. D. Roller, Col. W. P. Craighill, Hon. Geo. W. Thompson, Messrs. Edmund I. Lee and Benjamin Hurx- thall. Bishop Whittle welcomed the visitors and invited them to seats. Bishop Peterkin said in reply, that not to occupy too much of the time of the Council he had requested Rev. R. A. Gibson to prepare a paper which he would read.

Mr. Gibson then addressed the Council as follows:

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 23

Author: Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: