A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 26

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From the organization of the Diocese he was a member and Secretary of the Standing Committee, a Trustee of the Virginia Seminary, and Deputy to the General Conventions of 1880, 1883, and 1886.

Firm in faith, active in good works, he had the witness of God's Spirit, and died honored of men and accepted of God.

From the Bishop's address:

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Losses.

During this same period of which I have been speaking, we have had to mourn the loss of many faithful laymen, who did their part nobly and left behind them the fragrance of honored names in the Church of Christ.

And in speaking of these, I am sure that I voice but the common feeling of the Council, when I say that we specially mourn the absence from our midst today, of the late Mr. Nathan S. White, of Charlestown. He was so identified with his parish and with the Diocese, that we can hardly think of either and not have him in mind. Witnessing a good confes- sion before the world, his life was an epistle known and read of all men, and by it he being dead yet speaks to us. The Diocese has lost a trusty counsellor to whom it was always wont to turn. One, who, whether in the Standing Commit- tee, or the Annual Council, or the General Convention, al- ways justified our confidence and won our esteem. His faith in the Kingdom of Christ was steadfast and his interest was unflagging. Taking hold of every good work as he had opportunity, he did with his might what his hands found to do. It was he to whom the Bishop of Virginia especially referred me, when eleven years ago, I was seeking for in- formation and counsel, in regard to the work to which I had been called. There has been no time since that, that I have not felt the value of his counsel and the charm of his friend- ship. Surely in thinking of such an one we may bless God for his good example, and though not for ourselves, yet for him rejoice that he now rests from his labors.

We ought to feel that we are but entering upon the work that was so dear to all these good people, who have gone be- fore us, and resolve, by God's help, to devote ourselves with renewed ardor to its hopeful prosecution. We do not live in the past, but it is helpful sometimes to refer to it, to re- call more distinctly our spiritual descent, and the lines along which we are working, and realizing that we are compassed

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about with so great a cloud of witnesses, we ought to run with greater patience the race set before us.

"Thursday, January 17th. In accordance with the wishes of my brethren so kindly expressed in my Council at Huntington, that I should, for a time, give up all official duties, and in the use of the means which they so liberally provided, I sailed this day from New York for Bermuda, where I remained until nearly the mid- dle of February. I very thoroughly enjoyed the change of air and scene, and the temporary cessation from my work, was, no doubt, in every way beneficial; and I trust I have been all the stronger for it in taking up my duties again. Certainly, dear brethren, I can never forget this trip, as as- sociated in my mind with your thoughtfulness and care for me, and your very generous appreciation of what service I have been able to render the Diocese. It may not be im- proper for me to put on record here, as in my judgment it ought to be recorded somewhere, that I thought it no mis- appropriation of your bounty to apply that which was over and above all expenses of my trip, to the purchase of a new set of Official Robes, which I have worn for the first time during the sessions of this Council. My first set, which were the gift of Memorial Congregation, Baltimore, being well worn in eleven years' service.

During my stay in Bermuda, I officiated in Pembroke, Trinity. Paget, and St. Mary's Churches. It was a real pleas- ure to take part in such hearty services. In the matter of attendance on Divine service, hearty responses, and plain congregational singing, these brethren set us a good exam- ple. What a different thing our service is when the people generally take part in it. How helpful, how inspiring, how edifying! When will we learn to avail ourselves of our great advantages, and in our constant practice, show the people among whom we live, what we can so easily show them, if we would, the beauty and the power of the service of our Prayer Book? The order of the services was everywhere like our

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own here in West Virginia, no craving for novelties, no straining after effect, but manifestly the cordial acceptance and use of that which the Church has by authority pre- scribed.

The Council of 1890. Charleston.

The Thirteenth Annual Council met in St. John's Church, Charleston, Wednesday, June 4th. Present eighteen of the Clergy and thirteen of the Laity.

From the Bishop's address :

Mr. R. J. McCandlish.

Tuesday, February 25th. I took part in the services at the funeral of the late Mr. R. J. McCandlish. In his death our Church, in common with the whole community, sustained no usual loss.

Few men have ever, in the midst of life, given more thought and love and care to the progress of the Kingdom of God in the world, or shown themselves more ready to do with their might what their hands found to do for Christ and His Church. Singularly gentle in his disposition, and modest and unassuming in his whole nature and bearing, yet it was always manifest that he was unfalteringly true to his Master, that his duty to Him was the supreme pur- pose of his life. The very laborious work which for years he has done for this Diocese, in the management of it's var- ious funds, was cheerfully undertaken and faithfully done. No detail was neglected and it was evident to all who were associated with him in such matters, that these duties were not, with him, mere matters of routine, but that his heart was thoroughly in the work. His simple Christian charac- ter made him a tower of strength in the community where he lived, an ornament to the Church he loved, and a living unanswerable evidence of the reality and power of our Holy Religion. Three score and ten years filled up the measure of his honorable, useful, unselfish, Christian life. The Par- ish loses its beacon light, the Diocese misses its ever faith-

ROBERT J. MCCAANDLISH, FIRST TREASURER OF DIOCESE.

LAWRENCE E. SANDS, TREASURER OF DIOCESE.

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ful servant, and the Bishop mourns his trusted friend and wise counsellor. But all these are only human voices which are more or less selfish in their expressions. Standing here in the house of God today, where we learn to know the end of man, we may hear the voice from Heaven that says, "From henceforth, blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; even so saith the spirit; for they rest from their labors; and their works do follow them."

Mr. Jno. M. Panetti.

The Diocese has met with a serious loss in the death of Mr. Jno. M. Panetti, a member of the present senior class at the Seminary. At my instance Mr. Panetti was stationed during the last summer at Ravenswood as Lay Reader, and rendered most efficient and valuable service. We looked forward to his ordination this summer, and had every reason to believe that he would prove a great addition to our work- ing Clerical force. To the great grief of his friends he was taken suddenly away from us on Christmas morning last. The Faculty of the Seminary and his fellow students have all unit- ed in hearty tributes to his memory. We had hoped to have him long among us, as a co-laborer in this part of the Lord's vineyard, but the Master has removed him to the higher ac- tivities of Heaven. May we all, like him, have our loins girded and our lights burning, and be as faithful servants who watch for the coming of their Lord.

The Prayer Book.

The labors of the General Convention have resulted in further changes in the Prayer Book which are now obligatory upon our congregations. It is confidently expected that at the next General Convention this work of revision will be brought to a definite conclusion. I think that what has been done, has been wisely done. The effort has been made, and with success, to make our services more flexible and better adapted to the varied conditions of our work in our widely scattered territory, and as far as possible to the exigencies

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of time and occasion. Now, that in response to what seem- ed a popular and reasonable demand, such changes have been made, and the powers that be have fairly kept "the happy mean between too much stiffness in refusing and too much easiness in admitting variations in things once advisedly established," it would seem that our rubrical law as thus revised ought to have additional authority and obligation.

It is well known that during the last few years various customs, some of them inoffensive and it may be beautiful in themselves, have grown up under the sanction of rectors and congregations. Some of these new customs have been adopted, or at least allowed, and some have failed to secure the recognition sought for, by their advocates. Under these circumstances it may fairly be claimed that the Church has pronounced judgment upon these matters, deliberately grafting some of them into her ritual and as deliberately rejecting or disallowing others. I think then, that more than ever, we have the limits of ritual prescribed in the Prayer Book, and that we are all bound by it, not only as by a law for ourselves, but as by a compact between the clergy and the people that the public services of the church shall be conducted in the manner prescribed and in no other way.

I confess that I feel disposed to be more than ever jealous for this our common law, and I think we make a great mis- take and trespass on the liberty of our people when we take advantage of our official position to bring any kind of pres- sure to bear upon our people, to do or submit to that in our public worship, for which express authority is not found in the Book of Common Prayer. I know of no congregation- al liberty to have any use or custom of ther own, which has not its proper warrants in the common law and written ru- brics of the church.

I freely recognize that there may be special meetings, councils, convocations, missionary and evangelistic meetings, Sunday School gatherings and others of like character, but

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the proper liberty allowed on such occasions does not affect the principle that I insist upon, that for the usual and reg- ular public worship of our congregations, the Book of Com mon Prayer, in its services and ritual directions is that which ought to guide us in what we do, and that to the exclusion of other things however beautiful or appropriate or edifying they may be. The church has undertaken to judge for us what is beautiful and appropriate and edifying for public worship, and she expects us cordially to accept her decision and submit our judgment to her's.

We all have need to think more seriously of the nature and great purpose of the public worship of Almighty God. Good old George Herbert says, "The end of preaching is praying." To this, some one has added that " the end of pub- lic worship is not only spiritual devotion at the time, but holy, living and practical application afterwards." We are to be doers of the word and not hearers only. The worship is not to end in itself as if external homage were all that were required of us. It must have issue in quickened spirit- ual power and practical duty. No barren or unproductive worship is acceptable. The end of worship is to stimulate to obedience. "To hear," in the language of the Old Testa- ment signifies to obey, i. e., to hear with the inner ear. Thought is awakened that it may lead to action. The sense of the Divine presence summons to duty. Obedience is the proper vesture of the thoughts and feelings roused in the sanctuary.

And yet it must be confessed that many are disposed io "measure the benefit gained by the enjoyment they feel," and the entertainment experienced. They expect always in preaching to hear "something new and striking," having no special care for the manifestation of the truth to the heart and conscience; and they desire a service, as they say, "ren- dered with aesthetic taste"-which may be all very well in itself, but which, nevertheless, often sadly diverts and dis- tracts the mind. Certainly our worship must be reverent.

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Bishop Ryle well says that, "Nature, reason and common sense, should teach us that there is a manner and demeanor suitable to mortal man when he draws nigh to his Almighty maker. It is not for nothing that it is written, God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints and to be had in reverence of all them that are about Him.' Evan- gelical religion does not object to handsome churches, good ecclesiastical architecture, a well ordered ceremonial, and a well conducted service." Still, for all these things we must remember that we are not dependent on our own taste or judgment, but have the way marked out for us by competent authority. I am led to make these remarks because I believe, that by reason of the weakness of our mortal nature, we are all in danger of losing sight of the true end of our as- sembling ourselves together, and expecting to be pleased and entertained rather than "brought nearer God and made holier, humbler, better Christians."

Poor human nature easily goes astray. There is an out- ward service and worship that seems devout, and yet has no heart in it. So it was said of those who came to hear Eze- kiel preach. "They come unto thee as the people comethi and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words but they will not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness." It is this tendency in human nature to substitute what some one calls " Religiousness" for "Righteousness", that ought to put us on our guard for our own selves, and make us careful, as far as we have the power, to lead others on to worship the great God who is a Spirit, in spirit and in truth.

I am convinced that some fall into a snare from a desire to make the services of the sanctuary attractive. It is pos- sible for a popular lecturer, who touches upon all the top- ics of the day, to draw crowds of people on the day of rest when there is nothing else to draw them, and to cause them to have a certain familiarity with, and interest in, religious truth. But the triumphs of the Gospel are not achieved by

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popular lecturers. We must expect to find a constant op- position in the natural heart to the doctrines of grace and to the life of religion. but we must still preach the word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all authority.

The word of God's grace to man in Jesus Christ is the great power to move the heart of man and to change the face of the world. Any apparent success achieved, except along these lines of endeavor is delusive, nay worse, for it may lead minister and people to rest in the form of godlı- ness while the true power is wanting. Humbling as it may be to confess it, we cannot deny but that "There is a semi- sensuous delight in religious worship imposingly conducted which may be felt by the least conscientious as well as by those that are sincerely devout. The soul that is devoid of true reverence towards God may be rapt into a spurious elation, while in rich and solemn tones the loud voiced org in peals forth His praise. The heart that never felt one throb of love to Christ, may thrill with an ecstacy of sentimental tenderness while soft voices, now blending, now dividing, in combined or responsive strains, celebrate the glories of re- deeming love."

I feel sure that we all might do more than we now do to further the great ends of public worship, by giving more thought and time to the suitable and orderly rendering of our services along the well defined lines of our authorized ritual, bringing out more fully the richness and variety of the provision the Church has made for her children, both in the Prayer Book and Hymnal; and may I not say especially by exercising a wise discretion in such control of the music as shall tend to the edification of the people.

The Council adopted the following memorial:

In Memoriam. Robert J. McCandlish.

Born in Norfolk, Virginia, January 27th, 1820.

Died in Parkersburg, West Virginia, February 22nd, 1890.

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His early life was passed in Norfolk, Va., where he united with the Church and became interested in its work.

Removing, towards middle life, to the western section of the State, he passed the remainder of his days in Weston and Parkersburg.

In both places his active interest in the church caused his speedy election as Vestryman, in which office he served almost continuously. He represented both parishes in the Council of the Diocese of Virginia, prior to its division. At the time of his death he was, and had been for many years. Senior Warden, of Trinity Parish, Parkersburg.

He was actively instrumental in promoting the erection and organization of the Diocese of West Virginia, and has been generally sent to its Councils as Delegate from Trinity Parish, Parkersburg. He has also, generally represented the Diocese in the General Conventions of the Church.

In addition to these labors and honors, he discharged faithfully and judiciously the responsible duties of Treasurer of the various Funds of the Diocese of West Virginia, from its organization to his death. His wisdom in counsel, his in- tegrity of character, his earnestness of purpose, qualified him in an eminent degree for the trusts reposed in him.

Modest and unassuming in bearing, gentle and loving in disposition, he was honored by all who had dealings with him, and beloved by all who knew him. "Full of days and of honour," he now "rests from his labors, and his works do follow him."

The Council of 1891. Parkersburg.

The Fourteenth Annual Council, met in Trinity Church, Parkersburg, Wednesday, June 3rd. Present eighteen of the Clergy and fifteen of the Laity.

From the Bishop's address:

The Rev. John Ambler.

Wednesday, March 4th. I attended the funeral services of Rev. John Ambler and made a brief address. We have sadly felt the loss of this faithful, earnest man of God. Although

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older than any of his brethren in the Diocese, save one, he was abundant in labors. In addition to serving several places regularly, he was indefatigable in ministering to vacant churches and in hunting up the scattered sheep. In this work he was a kind of general missionary, and was far more useful and efficient than his modest opinion of himself al- lowed him to think.

Mr. Ambler preserved the freshness and vigor of youth in a remarkable degree. He manifested to the last an un- flagging interest in our work, and an earnest purpose to do cheerfully whatever was laid upon him. In the providence of God it was granted to him, no doubt, according to his desire, to die with his harness on. He had no period of in- activity, but was called immediately from his work to the great reward. May we be ever ready, as he was, to obey the summons when it comes, and while we wait for it, follow him as we believe he followed Christ.

The Council adopted the following memorial:

In Memoriam. Rev. John Ambler.

Born in Fauquier county, Virginia, April 3, 1821.

Died in Moundsville, West Virginia, March 3, 1891.

Prior to the war, he was United States Marshal under Judge Brockenborough, Federal Judge of the Western Dis- trict of the State of Virginia. Throughout the war he was engaged in active service in the Confederate Army. He en- tered the Ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church when over 51 years of age, late in life it is true, but was privileged to serve his Master in this calling for eighteen years. About fourteen years of this time were spent in the Diocese of Vir- ginia, and the remainder in the Diocese of West Virginia, where he laid down his life in the service. He was ordained in 1873.

"Mr. Ambler was a conspicuous example of old-fashioned integrity and simplicity of character. With a genuine love of all that was pure and high and noble, he had a genuine scorn of all that was low, mean and small in any way; and

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so he moved in and out among us like a grand old man, as he was-his life an epistle, known and read of all men. In his ministry he was singularly faithful and laborious. Per- sonally he was modest and retiring, always ready to do cheer- fully whatever was assigned to him, and to lend a helping hand wherever it was needed. We thank God for his good example, and we gratefully cherish the fragrant remem- brance of all our associations with him. He has obeyed the summons, 'Come up higher;' he has heard the welcome, 'Well done, good and faithful servant!" May his words of counsel, now that he is absent from the body, come back to all his hearers with fourfold power and produce in them yet, an abundant harvest to God's glory and their salvation. He died a good soldier of the cross, in full possession of his fac- ulties, and with perfect resignation to his Master's will." "The Lord alone did lead him." Deut. 32.12.

The Council of 1892. Martinsburg.

The Fifteenth Annual Council was held in Trinity Church, Martinsburg, Wednesday, June 1st. Present twenty-two of the Clergy and twenty-nine of the Laity.

From the Bishop's address:

Scattered Members.

Sunday, October 4th. A. M., held service in the open air at Dingess, Logan county, and P. M., in the Court House at the County seat. This county is developing rapidly, being made accessible by the extension of the Norfolk and Western Railroad. Monday, 5th. Boone Court House. This trip of about one hundred and fifty miles through the country, gave me opportunity of having the serv- ices of our Church among many people not at all accustomed to, and yet kindly welcoming them. It has been my growing conviction, that, if we mean to take a larger hold upon the people of the State, the clergy must do a good deal of this pioneer work.

Sunday 11th. A. M., Presbyterian Church, Winfield. P.

MAJ. J. C. COVELL.

......

...

RECTORY, ROMNEY.

ΕΡΙPHANY, OKONOKO.

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M., Methodist Church, Frazier's Bottom. P. P. M., Metho- dist Church, Buffalo. These places I thus visited, after quite a long interval. I found seven communicants in the three places, all of them anxious for renewed services. Such fields have large promise for the faithful, patient workman. The results are often far greater in proportion than in the more settled parishes. I give it as my deliberate judgment, after some years of observation and experience, that while the settled churches ought not to be neglected, yet that the general interest of our church throughout the State would be much promoted if more of their many services were be- stowed upon their scattered brethren. In this matter of preaching the Gospel in the regions beyond our own Church organizations, and to the people outside of them, there seems to be need of a new departure, to use substantially the words of another. "Every Church or parish is to be con- sidered as a fort which must be garrisoned and held." It is important to secure and maintain for it a commanding influence in the community where it is located, but this not for its own welfare and aggrandizement, but also that it may be a source of spiritual supplies for others, a base of operations from which to move upon the regions and the people beyond. We must not allow ourselves to be taken up simply with perfecting and enlarging our present church organizations. It is not enough simply to hold the fort. It is not enough that pulpit and choir give forth their accus- tomed tones, Sunday by Sunday, and that hearers occupy the pews in sufficient numbers to maintain the stated services of the church. This is all very well as far as it goes, but it does not go far enough. The Church must march out of the fortified camp into the open field, and it must do this in order to find and meet the people, to whom it has a mes- sage to deliver. To adhere more strictly to the figure. the Church must leave the fort, and march out into the open field in order to find and meet the enemy. No matter how excellent the ammunition and deadly the rifle, the foe will

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not suffer unless they are in range. But in too many cases those who need to be won for Christ keep wholly out of reach of that elegant piece of black walnut furniture, with its plush upholstery, and ponderous gilt-edged copy of God's word, which we call "the pulpit."

Shall we then be satisfied with performing the time hon- ored evolutions, of a religious campaign? God forbid that we should be so.

We must indeed maintain with utmost faithfulness the preaching of a bold strong gospel in every established pul- pit; but we must do more than thus try to hold our present possessions; we must go forth to those that do not come to us. We must, as it were, go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in. We shall find the field for such laborers in the crowded, but neglected parts of our larger towns. We shall find it in the smaller towns. where there are yet many unattached to any Christian Church- apparently, outside of any active Gospel influence-we shall find it too in the rural districts, where oftentimes a month- ly, or less frequent, service, and an annual protracted meet- ing, is the only religious influence that reaches the people from one year's end to another. There is large room, be- lieve me, in such fields, for Christian energy, and zeal, and for consecrated service; the minister who engages in such evangelistic work is stronger for his own home duty, and the congregation that gladly spares him, and bids him Godspeed in his efforts, and helps him with with such personal aid as he requires, will find it true in its own experience, that " it is more blessed to give than to receive." I repeat it, the Church must not be satisfied simply to care for itself. If we have the heart for it, we shall find a vast deal of distinct- ively Christian work to do all around us, which shall be at once the best exercise for our own Christian life, and the most powerful evidence to the world that the Church is of God. So when John the Baptist sent Disciples to our Sav- iour to ask "who art thou?" He said, "go and shew John

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A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 26

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