A history and record of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of West Virginia, Part 64

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 64

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).

Rev. Mr. Woods reports services at Mannington and Graf- ton. Rev. Mr. Callaway reports prospect of building a chapel in North Charleston, and Rev. Mr. Latane gives encourag- ing report of work on Wheeling Island.

Clarksburg, April 9, 1874.

Services were reported as follows: By Rev. Mr. Tompkins at Cairo and Eaton Station.

By Rev. Mr. Lacy at West Columbia and other points.

By Rev. Mr. Page at Cottageville and Sandyville ...

By Rev. Mr. Tompkins at Williamstown.

Ravenswood, November 5, 1874.

Rev. R. H. Mason reported services at Huntersville and Union.

Rev. T. H. Lacy reported services at West Columbia, Ma- son City and Clifton.

Rev. Mr. Page reported services at Ripley and at Whittle Mission, near Leroy.

Rev. Mr. Tompkins reported services at Oak Grove.

Point Pleasant, November 10, 1875.

The chief question up for discussion was the languishing condition of the Church in West Virginia, and the causes of it. Resolutions were adopted which assigned as the chief difficulty, the lack of Episcopal supervision. These were tinal- ly laid on the table.

April 20, 1876.

The question of a division of the Diocese was again up for discussion. Some favoring a missionary jurisdiction, which was finally agreed upon; aves 4 clergy, 4 laity; noes 3 clergy.

798

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

It was afterwards determined to express preference for a Diocese if possible.

Revs. R. H. Mason and R. A. Cobbs were appointed to hold an association at Hinton.

At all these meetings of convocation, the different mem- bers made detailed reports of mission work. In the abstract no mention is made of these reports except when some new name occurs.

Christ Church, Fairmont, April 11, 1877.

Rev. R. H. Mason reports services at the White Sulphur Springs, and at Dry Creek.

Here the record closes.

799

IN WEST VIRGINIA,

APPENDIX VI. Letter from Bishop Meade appointing Lay readers for Parkers- burg-1834.

Marietta, June 9, 1834.

To the Members and Friends of the Episcopal Church in Parkersburg:

Whereas, it has been found conducive to the prosperity of the Church in places where no minister resides or reg- ularly officiates each Sabbath, that the service and a sermon should be read by some pious layman on those days when the minister is absent, and whereas such is the condition of the Church in Parkersburg, therefore, I, William Meade, As- sistant Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia, do hereby appoint Mr. J. J. Jackson and in his absence, Mr. John Taylor as Lay Readers, and do advise and request our good friends in Parkersburg to meet them at such times and places as shall seem most convenient, to offer up their united prayers to the Throne of Grace in the holy and venerable forms set forth in The Book of Common Prayer, to listen devoutly to the lessons appointed to be read out of the Holy Scriptures and also to such pious homilies or sermons as the above men- tioned persons may select. And I do most earnestly pray that the great Head of the Church may be ever with them to bless them in this good undertaking and make it a means of holy edification to them and their beloved children.

WM. MEADE, D. D ..

Assistant Bishop of Virginia.

800

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

APPENDIX VII. Address of Bishop Meade to the Episcopalians of Western Vir- ginia on a Proposition to Divide the Diocese-185 1.

Address.

DEAR BRETHREN AND FRIENDS :

You are aware that the clergy of Western Virginia, amounting to seven in number, have formed themselves into a convocation, for their own edification, and that of the peo- ple committed to their charge. During the last summer one of its meetings was appointed to be held at Ravenswood. Only three out of the seven were present. The sub- ject of dividing the diocese was considered, and the same recommended. A committee was appointed to inquire into the ability of that portion of Virginia lying west of the Alleghany to support a bishop, and the expediency of apply- ing for a division of the same, to report to the next convo- cation, which was to be held at Charleston, Kenawha, and which was held on the 1st of November, at the time of my re- cent visitation.

The Rev. Mr. Armstrong, the Rev. Mr. McCabe, and Mr. Tallant were appointed the committee. The Rev. Mr. Arm- strong, of Wheeling, declined acting, being opposed to the measure. The laity from all parts of Western Virginia were, by a resolution of the convocation, invited to meet on the sub- jeet, at the time and place above mentioned. The resolutions were sent to the Bishops, and concluded with "an earnest de- sire to be guided by their council and advice." Bishop Johns referred the matter, as being a very grave one, to myself. In my reply I stated that there were sundry difficulties in the way of the object in view, and that as one of them was in- superable, I need only mention that, viz: that whereas the

801

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

constitution of the church required thirty presbyters in order to a division, there were only seven in Western Virginia. I reserved all further communications until we should meet in the fall, should they be required. I had reason to believe that all four of the other ministers were opposed to the proposi- tion. On my way to Kenawha, in October, I was confirmed in this belief by personal intercourse with them. I was satis- fied, also, from conversation I had with some of the laity, that it would find little favor with the great body of them. Three out of four of the dissenting clergy did not attend the meet- ing at Charleston, believing, as they said to me, that the measure would not be brought forward again, or if it were, would be referred to a full meeting of all the clergy and many of the laity, at the time of my visit to Wheeling, immediate- ly after, when a very interesting subject, the decision of the location of a literary institution, was to be considered. I had myself often expressed the conviction that those who proposed the measure would not renew its consideration, be- ing satisfied of their mistake. On reaching Charleston I heard not a word of it; nothing of lay delegates coming from a distance to advocate it, (though it seems one did come;) nothing of the advice expected from me on the occasion. I was, indeed, invited to attend the convocation, but its first meeting was held at a time when I was otherwise engaged, and I remarked that there was nothing to be done at it re- quiring my presence; to which remark, made to one who took a leading part, no reply correcting my mistake was made. The second meeting was held at the close of evening services, but no intimation was given me that the subject was under consideration. It was not until the next day (the Sabbath) that I learned to my surprise that the resolutions passed at Ravenswood were adopted, with some modification. But it was not until some days after that I learned the character and length of the accompanying report. I endeavored to obtain a copy of it, and arrest its publication, until we should all meet in Wheeling, when I hoped to persuade to the re- consideration and reversal of what was done at Charleston.

802

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

In this, however, I was, but should not have been, unsuccess- ful; and the first sight I had of the resolutions was in a sec- ular paper in Wheeling. They are now in another form in circulation amongst those to whom I am addressing myself. I state the above because it is necessary to justify myself for this mode of declaring my sentiments on the subject. As I am known to have been in Charleston where the convocation met for the declared purpose of having my advice, silence in me could not be otherwise than construed into consent and approbation. As I conceive the report which has been put forth is calculated to mislead, by false reasonings and too sanguine calculations, it is my duty to endeavor to guard you against them. Should I permit you to involve yourselves, and those coming after you, in serious difficulties and embar- rassments for want of that information which my age, ex- perience and station enable me to give, you might justly con- demn me for it.

I proceed, therefore, to point out what seems to me errors in the report now circulating amongst you. I have said that the resolutions finally adopted were modified from those first put forth at Ravenswood. Whereas they looked to immediate action, seemingly unaware that thirty presbyters must be settled in Western Virginia in order to a division, these post- pone action until there shall be thirty presbyters, or until the General Convention shall remove such restriction, which, it is confidently believed by the reporters, will be done two years hence, as a proposition to that effect is before the church. It is surely unnecessary to say that personal consid- erations could not influence the Bishops of Virginia against the proposed division. Were they to consult their own com- fort and convenience of body; were they desirous to relieve their minds from a painful weight of responsibility; to free themselves from the suspicion of partiality to a particular portion of the State, they would, though unwilling to part with many kind friends in Western Virginia, gladly avail themselves of the earliest opportunity of diminishing their labors and responsibilities. That portion of the State which

803

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

would be left to them, even now almost entirely and most abundantly supplies all their wants. The funds and the min- isters, also now liberally divided with their western friends, are all inadequate to meet the pressing demands of Eastern Virginia; but, at the solemn hour of our consecration, we gave ourselves to the service of the whole State of Virginia, and until it can be made manifest that a portion of it can be better served than by our imperfect labors, we shall, as in duty bound, be willing to undergo whatever toil of body or anxiety of mind may be required of us.

1st. The first objectionable feature in the transaction, as set forth in the report, is the fact, that only three out of the seven clergymen of Western Virginia sustained the resolu- tions in favor of division .* One of the four present being against it, and the three absent, as I have said, opposed. As to the laity, although they were by the previous action of the convocation invited to attend from all parts of Western Virginia, only one came, except those on the spot, who be- longed to Charleston and the Salines. Six parishes. however, were represented; three of them by proxies. Now, accord- ing to the report, there are thirteen organized parishes, be- sides nine or ten congregations, in Western Virginia. To these may be added two or three others, not recorded by the committee, making about 25 congregations, the most of them very small, which are tended with more or less care by the Bishops and other ministers. That there should have been none to represent three-fourths of all these does not show a strong desire for the measure. It should be stated that al- most all the unrepresented places are, either entirely or par- tially under the care of the four ministers who were opposed to the measure. It is as probable that these congregations would side with their ministers as the others side with those in favor of it.

It was an error, we think, that such a minority should have gone so far in agitating this serious matter, without the ex-

* These having been but a short time in Western Virginia were more liable to err in the estimate of its condition, prospects, and capabilities.

804

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

pressed or well ascertained consent of the majority. If there be 500 communicants in Western Virginia I will venture the opinion that the ministers favoring this measure did not have under their care more than one-third of them; and that but very few even of these had considered the subject with such knowledge of facts as to make them competent judges; and, indeed, but few who have expressed or formed any opinion at all.

2nd. The second objection I have to make is to that part of the report which speaks of the cause and cure of the great want of ministers to meet the large demands of those who are said not only to be anxious for them, but able and willing to support them. After stating the population of Western Virginia to be nearly four hundred thousand souls, who have "only seven ministers to break to them the bread of life,"* it says, "that there must be some cause producing this state of things is obvious; the sooner it is discovered the better."

* This expression, "and yet there are in all this region but seven ministers to give to this multitude of nearly 400,000 souls the bread of life," taken in connex- ion with other passsges, and with the fact that there is no recognition of any bread of life being given to any portion of these 400,000 souls by other than these seven ministers, deserves a passing notice; for although the authors of the report disclaimed any intention of denying that there were other ministers who preached the gospel in Western Virginia, those who read the whole report will be apt to understan it, especially when taken in connexion with other passage a being in the highest degree exclusive, and confining the gospel ministrations to thes seven Episcopal ministers, none other deserving the name except these. Let me introduce here a few quotations from the Pastoral Letters of the House of Bish- ops, showing how differently they speak on the subject. In the Pastoral of 1808, they urge Episcopalians to take "their share of the work of extending Christianity to the western brethren, especially to those of our communoin," speaking of it as a work deeply interesting to us "as members of the Episcopal Church, and of the Catholic Church at large." In the Pastoral of 1823, they exhort us, while care- fully attending to our peculiarities, "to put the most favorable construction on the acts of other denominations, to rejoice in any good resulting from them, and scrupulously to avoid whatever may have a tendency to excite angry passions both in them and in ourselves." The Pastoral of 1832, exhorts to peace with other denominations in order to oppose the common foe of infidelity, and on that account also, it says, of the good effected by others, we are warranted to rejoice by that saying of St. Paul, "notwithstanding, every way Christ is preached, and herein I do rejoice, yea, and wiil rejoice." I would have my brethren and friends 11 Western Virginia, while actively endeavoring to build up Episcopal congrega- tions, thus to regard those of other denominations, who in greater numbers have here entered before us on the field of Western Virginia, and without whose efforts thousands would have been in a far moredeplorable condition than they now are

805

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

That cause is supposed to be the want of a separate diocese and resident bishop, which it is said was felt thirty years ago by myself and others, when we proposed a similar measure in the Valley of Virginia .* The report falls into an error, often done by those who are accounting for some evil, or recommending some remedy, viz., ascribing the evil to a wrong cause, or to one cause where there are many, and ex- pecting either an entire or very great cure from some favor- ite prescription, whereas many things must contribute to the same. Those who would see the main causes of the fee- ble condition of the Episcopal church in Western Virginia, and of the difficulties in the way of its speedy progress, un- der any helps that can be brought to bear upon it, must con- sider the history of Western Virginia, and the peculiarity of her condition, by comparison with other portions of our land, similar as to soil and position. Take, for instance, Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, lying on two sides of Western Virginia. While the latter, Western Virginia, is more hilly

* The transaction here alluded to was as follows: In the year 1822 I was, in the service of the Colonization society, collecting funds and selecting the first col- onists. During one of my long absences the plan of proposing a division of the Dio- cese was conceived. Several of the clergy and laity living in the Valley met together on the subject in Winchester, a report having been previously prepared in favor of division. I returned home, perhaps only the day before the meeting. not having heard of it, I think, before. On going to the meeting I expressed doubts and difficulties on the subject, having indeed some years before opposed a measure somewhat of the same kind. 1 however consented to the report on one condition, viz: that Bishop Moore be consulted, and nothing done without his approbation. This was agreed to, and his approbation being withheld, nothing more was done. The second meeting which was appointed never took place. There was, however, a great difference between that case and the one now before us, although the latter is said in the report to be stronger in favor of division. There was then but one Bishop in the Diocese, and he much confined to a congregation in Richmond, from which he derived his support. He had never crossed the Allegany mountains, and never intended to do it, and but seldom the Blue Ridge. Moreover, the contemplated division included the Valley as well as Western Virginia, and also some counties east of the Blue Ridge, at least one half of the State, and fully half of the clergy then in Virginia. Let any one compare the present proposition with that, and a great difference will be seen between them I have to complan that, after having made this explanation to the authors of the report now examined, when they introduced it into their first resolution, they should have again brought it forward, and evidently to show that if I objected to their proposition I should now oppose as Bishop what I then advocated as Presby- ter, whereas my conduct as to both is perfectly consistent.

806

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

and mountainous, and less attractive on that account to the emigrant, she has also had other obstacles to settlement and improvement, which have left her far behind the former two. In the first place, the unsettled condition of her land titles continues to this day to present most serious difficulties in the way of sale to those who would form such materials as might be moulded into Episcopal congregations. Another obstacle to the settlement of Western Virginia is the fact of its being part of a slaveholding State. This has prevent- ed immense numbers from the north from choosing this as their home; while, on the other hand, the fact of the contig- uity of Western Virginia to the free States, furnishing a fa- cility for the escape of slaves, has prevented Eastern Virgin- ians from settling there. Episcopal families for a long period of time have in great numbers been passing by or through Western Virginia, and have formed the basis of churches in the south or southwest. Comparatively few have settled in Western Virginia. These few are indeed the chief materials out of which our churches are composed. The causes above mentioned have mainly produced the immense difference be- tween the present condition of Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and Western Virginia. While the two former have their for- ests cleared, their lands well cultivated and covered with comfortable dwellings and farm houses, while they abound in flourishing villages and even large towns, and churches, and schools, and colleges, it is quite otherwise with the latter. A large proportion of her high hills and mountains are still covered with dense forests. Her villages and towns are few and small-some not increasing at all, other but slowly. Im- mense bodies of her lands are owned by non-residents, being only inhabited by those who have no inducements to improve them, and who only seek to gain, during their uncertain res- idence, just what is necessary for the sustenance of life. On my recent visit, I passed through four tracts of 50,000 acres each, owned by four different individuals, who were non-res- idents. These, I am told, are only a few of many large unim- proved tracts; hundreds of thousands of acres can be bought

807

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

at the low price of from twenty-five cents (perhaps less) to oue dollar per acre, and of good land, too, which will one day, though a distant one, be covered with flocks and herds. Of course, as villages and towns in the interior are for the most part sustained by the surrounding country, if this be uncultivated, or does not flourish, those cannot increase greatly. That Western Virginia has, on her surface and with- in her bosom, the materials of great wealth and improvement, none can doubt. I have ever believed and said that, at some future day, she will be one of the most interesting and desir- able portions of our country. The improvements in the roads, already made from Winchester, Staunton, and other places, to the Ohio river, have done something for the comfort of the traveller and the improvement of the country; but it is only necessary to travel these roads in order to see in how wild and uncultivated a condition large portions of Western Virginia still are; while those who traverse it on horseback, by the cross routes, will see a far more rugged state of things. The Baltimore and Ohio railroad will do much for certain portions of Western Virginia, and the Central railroad, if pursued, as we trust it may, will do much for some other portions. There will also be a general, though it cannot be a rapid, improvement throughout the greater part of this re- gion. Still, however, the causes mentioned above will con- tinue for a long time to operate. The slaveholder from East- ern Virginia and elsewhere will not choose this increasingly unsafe position for his slave property. The northern man, who still cherishes strong opposition to slavery, will not come where it exists, nor would he be welcomed there, for in no part of Virginia is the opposition stronger to anything sav- oring of abolition. Still it is our duty, as I have often said privately, publicly, and officially, not only diligently to cul- tivate the places already opened to us, tend the little flocks already gathered, search for wandering sheep among the hills and mountains, but be ever ready to occupy any new posi- tions, such as Fairmount and Fellowsville, which shall from time to time present themselves. If we cannot do all that we

808

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

would, let us do all that we can. But it is best to think sob- erly, and not deceive ourselves with false calculations. Even Western Pennsylvania, though having more ministers and churches than Western Virginia, has but few by comparison with her agricultural and other improvements, and by comparison with Ohio and other parts of the coun- try. The cause of this may be found chiefly in the character of the population which first took possession of it, and still holds possession, and which was and is averse to the Episcopal church. The same may be said of the pop- ulation of Western Virginia. Though for the most part of a different kind from that which first established itself in Western Pennsylvania, it was not and it is not favorable ma- terial for the Episcopal church, as past experience has shown. Western Virginia was doubtless settled chiefly from Eastern Virginia. Those who moved from the valley were not Epis- copalians, for it is well known that the Germans and Scotch Irish took possession of the valley at an early period, and that the Episcopal Church had scarcely an existence there until a very late period. Those who emigrated from Eastern Virginia were chiefly of that class who had deserted the Epis- copal church, and been engaged in a violent hostility to it, and carried with them, and transmitted to their children, nothing but prejudice against it; which prejudice has been cherished ever since by their religious teachers. But, even if such prejudice had not been, so many generations have since grown up in utter ignorance of our church, that in the great body of the people of Western Virginia there has no tendency to it, but the reverse. That the service of our church is most admirably adapted to the edification of the poor and laboring man, I firmly believe, and often delight to affirm; but the difficulties in the way of getting such to make trial of it are so great, by reason of their partiality to other denominations, and various other circumstances, that hitherto all the efforts to induce them so to do, whether in Virginia or elsewhere, have been of little avail. While it is our duty still to do our part in preaching to the poor, we

809

IN WEST VIRGINIA.

must not make too sanguine calculations of success, or adopt expensive plans, founded on the certainty of such calculation. Had we an abundance of zealous and laborious ministers, and of funds for their support, neither of which have we, or are likely to have for a long time to come, so that we might serve the poor of Western Virginia gratuitously, there are doubt- less many places where we might do good to souls, by going among the highways and hedges as the itinerants of the Methodist communion, who are comfortably supported out of a common fund.

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 64

Author: Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: