JOURNAL
of the
CONVENTION
of the
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH
in the
DIOCESE OF VIRGINIA,
held in st. paul's church,
LYNCHBURG, CAMPBELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA,
On the lbth of May, 1844.
RICHMOND,
printed at the office of "the southern literary messenger."
1844.
PLACES FOR THE MEETING OF CONVENTION.
FREDERICKSBURG—Third Wednesday in May—1845.
PETERSBURG « » « 1846.
WINCHESTER « " " 1847.
NORFOLK " « " 1848.
CHARLOTTESVILLE " " " 1849.
ALEXANDRIA " " " 1850.
STAUNTON " » " 1851.
RICHMOND " " « 1852.
JOURNAL,
Lynchburg, Wednesday, May 15, 1844.
This being the day appointed by the Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the Diocese of Virginia, for the meeting of the annual Convention of
said Diocese, the Right Rev. William Meade, Bishop, and Right Rev. John
Johns, Assistant Bishop, together with a number of the Clergy and Laity, assem¬
bled in St. Paul's Church, at 11 o'clock, A. M. Morning prayer was read by Rev.
William N. Pendleton, and the Convention sermon preached by Rev. E. Boyden,
from Eph. iv. 15.—" But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all
things, which is the head, even Christ."
Divine service being ended, the Convention was called to order by the Right
Rev. Bishop, presiding. The Secretary called the roll of Clergy entitled to seats,
and the following gentlemen answered to their names, viz :
Rt. Rev. WILLIAM MEADE, D.D.
Rt. Rev. JOHN JOHNS, D.D.
Rev. Parke E. Berkely,
Rev. Charles Mann,
" Wm. V. Bowers,
" J. S. Marbury,
" E. Boyden,
" J. A. Massey,
" Wm. Bryant,
" Richard K. Meade,
" 0. Bulkley,
" B. M. Miller,
" D. Caldwell,
" Dr. E. C. McGuire,
" John T. Clark,
" J. P. McGuire,
" John Cole,
" Francis H. McGuire
" Edmund Christian,
" Cleland K. Nelson,
" C. B. Dana,
" Wm. N. Pendleton,
" George W. Dame,
" Wm. H. Pendleton,
" Charles H. Disbrow,
" Aristides Smith,
" E. A. Dalrymple,
" S. D. Tompkins,
" Wm. Friend,
" J. H. wlngfield,
" F. W. Goodwin,
" George Woodbridge,
" C. J. Gibson,
" J. P. B. Wilmer,
" Wm. H. Kinckle,
" E. Withers,
" Wm. T. Leavell,
" J. W. Woodville.
" Thos. E. Locke,
RULES OF ORDER.
1. The Convention shall be opened every day with prayer.
2. When the President takes the chair, no member shall continue standing, or
shall afterwards stand up, except to address the Chair.
3. When any member is about to speak in debate, or deliver any matter to the
Convention, he shall rise from his seat and respectfully address himself to the Presi¬
dent, and shall confine himself to the question under debate and avoid personality.
4. If any member in speaking or otherwise transgress the rules of the Conven¬
tion, the President shall, or any member may, call to order, in which case, the mem¬
ber so called to order shall immediately take his seat, unless permitted to explain,
and the Convention shall, if appealed to, decide on the case, but without debate ;
and if there be no appeal, the decision of the Chair shall be submitted to; if the
decision be in favor of the member called to order, he shall be at liberty to pro¬
ceed ; if otherwise, and the case require it, he shall be liable to the censure of the
Convention.
5. When two or more members happen to rise at once, the President shall name
the member who is first to speak.
6. No member shall speak more than twice to the same question without leave
of the Convention, nor more than once, until every member choosing to speak,
shall have spoken.
7. Whilst the President is putting any question, or addressing the Convention,
none shall walk out of, or across the house—nor in such case, or when a member
is speaking, shall entertain private discourse—nor whilst a member is speaking,
shall pass between him and the Chair.
8. No member shall vote on any question in the event of which he is immedi¬
ately and particularly interested, or in any case where he was not present when the
question was put.
9. Upon a division and count of the Convention on any question, no member
without the limits allotted as seats of the members shall be counted.
10. Every member who shall be in the house when the question is put shall
give his vote, unless the Convention, for special reasons, shall excuse him.
11. When a motion is made and seconded, it shall be stated by the President, or
being in writing, it shall be handed to the Chair, and read aloud by the Secretary,
before debate.
12. Every motion shall be reduced to writing if the President or any member
require it.
13. After a motion is stated by the President, or read by the Secretary, it shall
be deemed to be in possession of the Convention, but may be withdrawn at any
time before decision or amendment.
14. When a question is under debate, no motion shall be received but to adjourn,
to lie on the table, for the previous question, to postpone indefinitely or to a certain
day, to commit to a committee, or to amend—which several motions shall have
precedence in the order they stand arranged.
5
15. A motion to adjourn shall always be in order, and shall be decided without
debate.
16. The previous question shall be in this form—" Shall the main question be
now put 1" It shall be admitted only when demanded by a majority of the mem¬
bers present, and until it is decided, shall preclude all amendments and further de¬
bate on the main question.
17. On the previous question there shall be no debate.
18. When a question is decided by the Convention, or is postponed indefinitely,
the same shall not be acted upon again during the session, without the consent of
two-thirds of the members present.
19. Any member may call for the division of a question, where the sense will admit
of it, but a question to strike out and insert shall be deemed indivisible.
20. No new motion or proposition shall be admitted under color of amendment,
as a substitute for the motion or proposition under debate.
21. When a motion has been once made and carried in the affirmative or nega¬
tive, it shall be in order for any member of the majority to move a reconsideration
thereof, on the same or next day.
22. No member shall absent himself from the service of the Convention unless
he have leave, or be sick and unable to attend.
23. The President shall, at his discretion, select suitable seats without the limits
of those pews allotted for the use of the members, which shall be appropriated to
the exclusive accommodation of visiting clergymen and candidates for orders, who
may be invited by the rector or wardens of the church in which the meetings of
the Convention are held, under the direction of the President of the Convention;
it being expected that those to whom such seats are appropriated will confine them¬
selves to the same.
24. No spectator shall, during the daily sessions of the Convention, be admitted
above or within the pews allotted to the members of the Convention, and it is
expected and hoped that not only the spectators will attend to this regulation, but
that the rector and wardens of the church in which the sessions of the Convention
are held will see that this rule of order is not violated.
25. There, shall on the second day of the Convention, be appointed by the Presi¬
dent, unless otherwise directed by the Convention, the following standing com¬
mittees, to consist of an equal number of each order :
A committee on the State of the Church, to whom shall be referred the addresses
of the Bishop and Assistant Bishop on the opening of the Convention.
A committee on the Fund for the Support of Widows and Orphans of Deceased
Clergymen.
A committee on the Episcopal Fund.
A committee on the Accounts of the Treasurer of the Missionary Society.
A committee on Parochial Reports.
A committee on the Admission of New Parishes.
A committee of Elections.
A committee of Finance consisting of laymen.
26. The credentials of the Lay Delegates shall be handed in to the Secretary,
and be by him read to the Convention, and if it shall appear that there is any doubt
6
as to the right of any delegate to his seat, the same shall be referred to the Com¬
mittee of Elections, to be by the said committee forthwith examined into and
reported upon to the Convention.
27. When three members require it, the vote on all question shall be by ayes
and noes.
28. None of the rules of Order shall be suspended without the concurrence of
two-thirds of the members present.
29. The business first in order after the organization of the Convention, shall
be reading of the Pastoral Addresses, Parochial Reports and the Proceedings of
the Standing Committee.
The Rev. Mr. Dana, and Messrs. Cassius F. Lee and Thos. Ambler, having
been appointed to examine the certificates of Lay Delegates, reported the follow¬
ing named gentlemen, as entitled to seats in the Convention, viz :
William Radford, Russell parish.
Dr. S. H. Tucker, St. Andrew's parish.
Dr. Thomas Meaux, Grace church, Powhatan.
Cassius F. Lee, Fairfax parish.
Samuel Pryor, Bath parish.
Wm. Nelson, Frederick parish, Clarke county.
Samuel Peebles, St. Paul's church, Petersburg.
Richard H. Cunningham, St. John's church, Culpeper.
John Nelson, St. James' Parish, Mecklenburg.
James Gait, St. James' parish, Northampton.
Benj. M. Jones, Grub Hill church, Raleigh parish, Amelia.
Samuel H. Lewis, Boyden parish.
Philip A. Boiling, Tillotson parish, Buckingham.
Chas. D. Slaughter, St. John's church, Moore parish.
Henry W. Bowyer, St. Mark's church, Botetourt parish.
Nelson Page, Lyttleton parish, Cumberland.
Roger B. Atkinson, Cumberland parish, Lunenburg.
Philip Nelson, St. Martin's parish, Hanover.
John L. Bacon, Christ church, Richmond.
Charles H. Cabiness, Antrim parish, Halifax.
Dr. Thos. Withers, Meherrin parish, Greensville.
Samuel Poindexter, Jr., St. Paul's church, Lynchburg.
Chas. J. Merriweather, Christ church, Charlottesville.
William Williams, Monumental church, Richmond.
Dr. R. W. Royster, St. James' parish, Powhatan.
Geo. M. Carrington, St. John's church, Henrico parish.
John Henry, Roanoke church, Cornwall parish.
Edward S. Pegram, Christ church, Norfolk.
Thos. M. Ambler, Leeds church, Fauquier.
Wm. W. Donaghe, Trinity church, Staunton.
Anderson Wade, Camden parish, Danville.
Wm. M. Waller, Lexington parish Amherst.
7
Wm. Stevens, Woodville parish, Botetourt and Rockbridge.
Geo. W. Bassett, St. Paul's parish, Hanover.
The Convention adopted the following resolutions, offered by Mr. W. Williams :
Resolved, That at this and all future Conventions, when the Treasurer is not a
member, there shall be appointed a Treasurer pro. tem., whose duty it shall be to
receive the contributions to the Contingent Fund, and, after paying the expenses of
the Convention, to hand the balance to the Treasurer, with an account of his re¬
ceipts and disbursements, and a list of the churches which are in arrears and the
amount due from each, including arrearages for previous years, which account and
list shall first be examined by the Committee of Finance, and be embodied, if
found correct, in their report to the Convention, and form part of the Journal.
Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the Treasurer, as soon as he receives the
foregoing account, to make application for payment to the delinquent churches, and
if not paid, to report them with the amount due from each to the ensuing Con¬
vention.
Mr. Edw. S. Pegram was then appointed Treasurer pro. tem. under the provi¬
sions of the foregoing resolutions.
Col. Carrington presented a petition from the vestry of St. Paul's Church,
Richmond, for admission into the Diocese.
Rev. Mr. Dalrymple presented similar petitions from the vestries of St. David's
church, King William; St. Peter's parish, New Kent; and St. Paul's parish,
Hanover.
The Rev. Messrs. Jno. McGuire and Woodbridge, and Gen. Lewis, were ap¬
pointed the Committee on new parishes, who, having taken the aforesaid petitions
into consideration, reported favorably thereon, and recommended the reception of
said church and parishes: they were received accordingly.
Mr. Lee moved the adoption of the rules of order of the last Convention, with
the exception of the 25th rule, which he proposed to amend, by making it read,
" on the second day," instead of " on the first day,"—concurred in.
The Convention adjourned to meet to-morrow, at 9 A. M.
THURSDAY, May 16, 1844.
The Convention met agreeably to adjournment, at 9, A. M., and was opendd
with prayer by the Right Rev. Assistant Bishop.
The Rev. Messrs. Sale, Towles, and Richmond appeared and took their seats
in Convention.
Dr. Wm. S. R. Brockenbrough, of St. David's parish, King William; and Dr.
Joseph F. Montgomery, of Nelson parish, presented their certificates and were ad¬
mitted to seats in the Convention.
The Right Rev. Bishop Meade read the following report of his Episcopal acts
during the past year.
BISHOP MEADE'S REPORT.
Report and Address of Bishop Meade to the Convention of the Diocese of Virgi¬
nia, at Lynchburg, May l&th, 1844.
Dear Brethren: Let us be thankful to the Great Head of the Church,that
we, a small portion of it, are permitted once more to meet together and commune
about the affairs of our Zion. May the spirit which presided in the councils of
the blessed apostles be with us in due measure, according to our need, that ourselves
individually, and the cause entrusted to us may be benefitted by our meeting
together.
More brief than usual must be the report of my bodily exercises during the past
year, and yet, through the goodness of God, they have been greater than I had
reason to think probable at our last meeting. In compliance with your request,
made in a manner most gratifying to my feelings, I refrained from some duties to
which I was pledged immediately after the last Convention, and sought the im¬
provement of my health from the rest of a few months. So far was I, through the
goodness of God, successful in this, that I have been enabled, besides a larger amount
of correspondence and other writing than usual, to spend not less than five months
in active duty; though still unable to discharge as formerly the office of preacher
from the sacred pulpit, being obliged to content myself with more brief exhorta¬
tions from the chancel. In consequence of this, my inability, the brethren kindly
gather together in the parishes which I visit, and most effectually supply my lack of
service by the abundance and fidelity of their ministrations, so that I am not sure
but my loss of health is turned to the church's gain.
I shall not pursue the usual method of mentioning each congregation visited, and
the number of services performed, but only state the counties and towns where
services were rendered, with a statement of certain special Episcopal acts.
The counties visited during the present year, are Fairfax, Jefferson, Berkeley,
Culpeper, Madison, Orange, Albemarle, Nelson, Amherst, Louisa, Spottsylvania,
Princess Anne. The towns are Alexandria, "Winchester, Richmond, Petersburg,
Norfolk, Portsmouth and Fredericksburg. Two or three days have been usually
devoted to each congregation. The new churches consecrated have been, one in
Martinsburg, one in Albemarle, one in Amherst, and one in Princess Anne. The
confirmations have been only two hundred and thirty-five, being almost entirely in
the country parishes ; my brother, Bishop Johns, having held the confirmations in the
towns visited by us both, as well as in the country parishes visited by himself alone.
The ordinations of this year have been, three to the Deaconship in Richmond
immediately after the Convention, viz : Messrs. Smith, Noel, and Packard; seven in
Alexandria, in July, at the close of the session of our seminary, Messrs. Pendleton,
Dalrymple, Richmond, Goode, Page, Withers, and Wilmer. I also admitted to
the priesthood, on the 19th of November, the Rev. Mr. Gibson, in the Mission¬
ary Chapel, at Petersburg, and within the last few weeks, Mr. Henning, at the
seminary, to the Deaconship as Missionary to Africa. I have also been enabled
during the last year, to spend a few weeks this spring, in delivering some lectures
to the senior class of our seminary, endeavoring to prepare them for entering with
a right spirit upon those solemn duties which are before them. I have had the
9
pleasure of admitting as candidates for the ministry the following persons—Messrs.
Wild, Banister, Holcombe, Norton, Smith, Lay, Sprig, Woodward, Brown(
Theobald, Stearns, Mulchahey, Webb, Bolton and Cobbs.*
I have received by letters dimissory the Rev. Mr. Richmond of Rhode Island,
Dr. May from Pennsylvania, Mr. Bausmah from Delaware, Mr. Bulkley from
Maryland, Mr. Ufford from Ohio, Mr. Disbrow from North Carolina.
I have transferred to the Diocese of Georgia, the following candidates for orders,
Mr, J. Smith, (since ordained by the Bishop of Georgia,) Mr, Williams of Rich¬
mond, and Mr. Shanklin, the two latter having left our seminary on account
of ill health.
I have given letters dimissory to the Rev. Mr. Tillinghast to the Diocese of
South Carolina, the Rev. Messrs. Page and Brown to the Diocese of Georgia, the
Rev. Richard and George Wilmer to the Diocese of North Carolina, the Rev.
Mr. Atkinson, Mr. Todd, Johnson and Shiras to the Diocese of Maryland, the
Rev. Mr. Cobbs to the Diocese of Ohio.
In addition to the above mentioned removals from one field of this earth's labors
to another, I have to record the removal of one of our beloved fellow-laborers in
the Lord's vineyard to the rich fields of glory above. The Rev. Mr. Hull, who, for
a short period, so faithfully performed his ministerial duties in the County of Prin¬
cess Anne, died during the present spring in one of our Northern cities, triumph¬
ing in that faith which had sustained him during a long and painful illness.
Nor can I omit here to record the death of an old and most valuable Layman,
who, from the very first efforts made to resuscitate the church of Virginia, has,
as member of our Standing Committee, and of our Conventions, rendered us, we
must all acknowledge, more services than any other in the Diocese.
It was my privilege to witness the last moments of my old and most esteemed
friend, Mr. Edmund I. Lee, and to hear from bis own lips, the assurance that he
died firmly relying on the merits of our blessed Lord.
Concerning the above ordinations, admissions to candidateship, transfers and re¬
movals to and from our Diocese, it will be as little as I can do, to remark that
while we have great cause for thankfulness, that God has put it into the hearts of
so many to give in their names for the sacred office, and that he has directed the
steps of some worthy brethren already in the ministry to come to our assistance
and enter upon fields which have become vacant amongst us, yet must it be a mat¬
ter of serious concern, that during the last year, far more than at any previous
period of the same, or, indeed, much larger extent, our Diocese has been deprived,
by removal, of those from whom we either have received, or expected most valua¬
ble services in the ministry.
One of these, whose name I need not mention, either here, or any where in
Virginia, has almost, from the first efforts at resuscitating the church in Virginia,
been laboring amongst us in the most faithful, disinterested, self-denying and ac¬
ceptable manner, so as to endear him to all hearts. Others there are, who, for a
shorter period, have been following his example, and by the laboriousness of their
ministry, the acceptableness of their public services, and the kindness of their
private intercourse, have secured the blessing of Heaven on the congregations
which they served, and obtained an enviable place in the affections of their people.
* Since the above was delivered, I have heard with deep regret, that Mr. Holcombe has been
obliged to desist from a fondly cherished purpose by bodily infirmity.
2
10
They, doubtless, followed what seemed to them the path of duty, and let us hope
and pray that peace and happiness, and even greater usefulness may attend them
whither they have gone.
The removals of so many of our brethren, and of some of them from very impor¬
tant positions, has, of course, led to other removals; and these again to more in
order to supply the vacancies created, so that our Diocese during the past year has
been the subject of more ministerial changes by far, than I have ever known it to be.
Although I grant that changes are sometimes beneficial, yet I cannot but take
this opportunity of warning both my brethren of the Clergy and the Congregations,
against their too easy and frequent occurrence. The ministers of God are shep¬
herds and husbandmen, and we all know that frequent changes in both of these
occupations must be injurious to the flocks and the fields. How can the sheep
know the voice of a stranger as they know the voice ot the shepherd, who has led
them from year to year into the green pastures, and by the still waters, or gives
them the alarm when the wild beast is ready to devour them! As to the husband¬
man, if he be only a tenant at will, or rentor for a year or two, and not the owner,
or tenant for life, how can it be expected that he will adopt all the proper means
for improvement. He who thinks it probable, that he will spend many years on
the farm, will build houses, plant trees, enclose gardens and fields, and enrich the
same, looking forward to the future enjoyment of them; otherwise, how pro¬
bably will he neglect all these, seeking only the profit of the present, or a few
succeeding years. When the spiritual husbandman, the cultivator of immortal
souls, takes charge of the same, and can look upon the children whom he baptizes
as those whom he is soon to catechize, and then present to the Bishop for confir¬
mation, and receive to the Lord's Supper, and some of whom he may marry, others
of whom he may bury, and all of whom he is to watch over during life, and then give
an account of them to God on the awful day, how powerful the inducement to
enter upon a regular course of duty—a system for life—and apply every art
whereby to make full trial of his ministry, and thus, not only save himself, but all
who belong to his charge! On the contrary, let him only regard himself as the
incumbent of a year or two, and no matter how faithful and conscientious he may
be, who does not see how many encouragements to systematic and effective effort
are withdrawn 1
A smaller farm, well cultivated for many successive years, by the same owner,
or tenant, will be more improved, and yield more valuable fruit, than a number of
larger ones cultivated for a brief period by one who roves from place to place in
quest of gain, or from the love of change, and so it is with the Lord's vineyards and
husbandmen. I hope my brethren will not understand me as questioning the entire
disinterestedness of many in the changes which they make, or the duty of consci¬
entiously inquiring what is right when called to change their field of labor. I
only mean to warn them and their congregations against a propensity to change,
and I do it now, because, during the present year, many changes have been made
in a Diocese hitherto remarkable for the permanency of her ministers. If changes
are made without sufficient reasons, the displeasure of Heaven may well be feared;
and many a minister who, from fickleness, or ambition, has left some useful field of
labor, has seen cause deeply to lament the act; while many a congregation, which,
by neglect, or caprice, or opposition to the truth, has driven some faithful men of
God away from them, have either been deprived for a Jong time of religious ser¬
vices, or else been visited with the sore calamity of an unworthy successor.
11
While thus warning and remonstrating against a disposition to hasty changes,
and stating the increased number of removals in this Diocese during the past year,
I must not omit to mention, with thankfulness, that valuable source of ministerial
supply which we have in our Theological Seminary. In the time of our greatest
need, it seems to promise us greater help than at any previous period, if not
in the present, yet in the coming year. Its number of students, coming from all
parts of our country, but particularly from Virginia, exceeds that of any previous
year, and promises to be yet larger during the next term. While this must be a
subject of rejoicing and thankfulness to all its friends, it becomes me to state, most
emphatically, that it should be the occasion of something else—I mean of increased
zeal and liberality, in order to meet increased expenses in doing our part towards
preparing for the work of the ministry those whom God's spirit has called to it.
If God has laid necessity upon greater numbers to seek the honor and duty of the
ministry, he lays a proportional necessity upon the whole Church, to provide for
their due preparation.
Hitherto, God has so blessed our efforts at supporting both professors and stu¬
dents with annual contributions, aided by a fund, whose interest is only a little
more than sufficient for one salary, that we have not permitted the institution to
suffer for the want of instruction, or a needy candidate to be turned away for the
want of food, and lodging, and tuition ; but the time has come when, in the opinion
of those most attentive to its concerns, it would be, not a proper reliance on, but
tempting of Providence any longer to postpone judicious and active efforts at
securing an increase of our permanent fund for the support of our professors, in¬
stead of relying so much on annual contributions. The great increase of our
own Diocesan expenses in the support of the Bishops and missionaries—the in¬
creasing families of the ministers requiring more support from their parishioners—
the greater number of our beneficiaries at the High School and Seminary—the
pressing demand of our General Missionary Society—all these, more or less, inter¬
fere with the regular annual contribution to the support of our Professors, and
render it very desirable that we should have some more permanent source of sup¬
ply. We must believe that there are many in our Diocese, both willing and able
to contribute to this object, from a deep conviction that there is no institution in
the church which has such claims on their pious liberality, whether they regard
what it has done, is doing, or is likely to do in time to come.
And may we not most reasonably look for assistance elsewhere 1 When we re¬
member with pleasure how many young men have come from all parts of our
country to receive the benefits of this institution from its first establishment, and
have gone back again to their several places of abode, and are now preaching the
Gospel in every State of the Union; when we think, with gratitude to God, how
his unmerited grace has honored and blessed it to be the nursery of almost all our
foreign missionaries, and how dear it is on that account to many hearts, we must
believe that there are individuals in every part of our country who only require
to be informed of its history, its character and needs to make a free-will offering
to it.
Most heartily do we rejoice to hear of the liberality of the wealthy throughout
our land towards the various institutions in the younger and weaker States, which
from time to time have appealed to that liberality, but we must say, that whether
we consider what our institution has done for the whole church and that world which
we would seek to Christianize, or what it bids fair to do, if properly supported,
12
none has an higher claim on the syrftpathy and generosity of those who have received
its benefits, or wish them to be dispersed abroad. But while thus inviting a just
return from others, we would not fail to urge the duty and the honor of a continued
and increased zeal and liberality to this favored instrument of our church on those
who have hitherto sustained it.
We would rather entreat them while living, and when dying, to ask themselves
the solemn question, how can we give or bequeath a portion of our worldly pro¬
perty more acceptably to Heaven and profitably to man, than by contributing to
the permanent endowment of the Theological Seminary of Virginia, and thus
rescuing it from those embarrassments and vicissitudes to which institutions, en¬
tirely dependent on public favor, are exposed.
This brings me to another subject in which all our institutions are interested,
and which must not be passed over in silence. I allude to the resolution adopted
at our last Convention, to petition, in common with other denominations of our
State, for some legislative act enabling our literary, benevolent and religious insti¬
tutions to exercise, under proper restrictions, the right of receiving and holding pro¬
perty ; a right so freely granted to individuals and associations in the pursuit of
any mere secular object.
The Committee to whom the execution of the above mentioned resolution was
committed, in the exercise of that discretion which was allowed to it, on conferring
with some judicious and zealous friends, thought it best to decline a direct petition
to the last Legislature, hoping that so moderate and reasonable a measure as that
which was wished, and one so accordant with the unsolicited action of the Legis¬
lature of forty-one and two, might be obtained by the simple motion of some mem¬
ber of the house. In this hope, however, we have been disappointed, and the
pious and benevolent Christian who is about to depart this life, and desires to be¬
queath a portion of his estate to some beloved institution of religion, learning
and humanity, must still, as heretofore, leave it in the painful uncertainty of not
knowing whether it shall be faithfully applied to the intended object, or whether
his last and pious effort at beneficence is not to prove a temptation to relatives
who had also shared in his living and dying kindness, to be guilty of the crime of
defeating the intention of the deceased, and robbing religion, humanity and litera¬
ture, of those means of support which were given them under the most sacred
sanction of a testament. Such, I say, is the temptation held out to sacrilege by
the absence of any such provision in the State of Virginia, as that which is now
desired, as I believe, by the Christians of all denominations amongst us; a provision
which we believe, after no slight examination, has been refused by no other State
in our American Confederation.
Although thus disappointed in our effort during the last Convention of our State
Legislature, yet so far am I from advising a relinquishment of the object, or
despairing of success, that I never felt so disposed to pursue the same, and never
felt so much confidence of final success, as at the present moment. Until I am
persuaded that the citizens of Virginia are a different race of beings from those
of all other States, and can never, by any information furnished them, be brought
to take the same views of religious rights with all other Americans, I will never
believe that the trembling apprehensions of our Legislators, by which they justify
themselves in refusing such provision, have any other foundation than the mere
want of information among their constituents. Let that information be furnished,
and Virginians will act like all other Americans, and will be as forward as any to
13
instruct their delegates to see that there be trut religion as well as civil liberty
amongst us, and that the rights of all our citizens, whether in promoting religious
or other objects be duly protected. Virginia will never submit to the stigma of
holding out a temptation and a bribe to the worst kind of fraud—a robbery of the
Church of God—to the most shocking act of filial impiety—the refusal to pay a
father's or mother's dying legacy, under the sanction of the criminal silence of our
law. So deeply impressed am I with the importance of taking the most effectual
steps for the removal of this foul blot from the character of our State, that I hereby
pledge myself to unite with my Fellow Christians of other denominations in a reso¬
lution to engage in this effort, with the determination never to abandon it, if life is
spared, until the object is attained, or it be manifest that it is unattainable. I have,
however, the most pleasing confidence, from intercourse with ministers and mem¬
bers of the most numerous and influential denominations of Christians in Virginia,
that nothing is wanting but union on our part, in the application and proper mea¬
sures for spreading information among the people. That union will, I believe, take
place, and that information will be afforded.
Although the Committee appointed by the last Convention, has power to renew
its effort without further instruction, yet I should think it advisable to add some re¬
newed expression of the sentiment of our body. Other bodies have already, in
some form, evinced their readiness to join in this measure, and will. I have reason
to believe, be prepared to unite with us in a direct petition to the next meeting of
our General Assembly.
(The Bishop then proceeded to deliver an address, disproving the charge of Ro¬
manism, now so freely brought against our Church, and which is published re¬
peatedly.)
The hour for Divine Service having arrived, the Convention adjourned, and again
assembled immediately thereafter, when the Right Rev. Assistant Bishop pre¬
sented and read the following Report and Address :
BISHOP JOHNS' REPORT.
In compliance with the requisition of the canons, I proceed to furnish a state¬
ment of the services in which I have engaged since our last Convention.
Immediately after its adjournment, I visited the churches in Charles City, under
the care of the Rev. Mr. Leavell. Leaving Richmond early on the 26th of May,
I reached Wyanoke in time to take part in the services of the morning, and after a
sermon by the Rev. Mr. Mann, delivered an address to the congregation. The
next day I preached in the same church in the morning, and in the afternoon again
after the Rev. Mr. Mann.
May 28th.—At Westover I baptized two infants—preached—confirmed nine
persons, and united with the Rector and the Rev. Mr. Mann in the administration of
the Lord's Supper.
May 29th.—I returned to Richmond.
June 1st.—I left town to visit the parishes bordering on the Rappahannock. I
commenced my services by preaching that night in St. George's Church, Frede¬
ricksburg; where I also preached twice the next day, and confirmed thirteen
persons.
14
June 3rd.—Passed to the churches in Caroline. Preached in Grace Church,
and confirmed four persons.
June 4th.—Preached in the morning in St. Peter's, Port Royal, and united with
the Rector in the administration of the Lord's Supper. In the afternoon, lectured
on confirmation, and confirmed seven persons. At night I delivered an address to
the same congregation.
June 5th.—Preached in Vauter's Church, Essex, and confirmed three persons.
June 6th.—Officiated in the same church, being aided in the services by the
Rev. Mr. Friend. The rest of the day was occupied by a ride of twenty-eight
miles to King William, in the vicinity of St. David's, where I preached the next
morning, and in the afternoon returned towards Essex.
June 8th.—Preached in St. Paul's, Essex, and confirmed five persons ; and on
9th, after a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Friend, I again addressed the congregation.
June 10th.—At Tappahannock I lectured at 6 A. M., and preached at 11 A. M.
The rest of the day was occupied in reaching the neighborhood of Urbana.
June 1 Ith.—I consecrated Christ Church, Middlesex, and preached. This
building first erected at least a century since, had becoriie a complete ruin—the
roof gone—the walls crumbling, and so entirely deserted, that trees had grown up
where the people had formerly worshipped. During the ministry of the Rev. Mr.
Rooker in this and the adjoining county, the interest of the few Episcopalians
remaining in that region revived, and led to the adoption of measures for repairing
the desolations of the sanctuary of their ancestors. I found it rebuilt and finished
in a manner highly creditable to those by whose zeal and liberality the work had
been accomplished. Before leaving the parish, I had the pleasure of seeing
another evidence of the same excellent spirit in the prompt subscription of a sum,
which with a small addition from the missionary fund of the Diocese, has enabled
this congregation, in connexion with the church in Matthews, to secure the services
of a minister. The Rev. Mr. Good has since been engaged, and is now officiating
in those counties.
June 1 Ith.—In the evening I crossed the Rappahannock at Urbana, and spent
the night at Col. Chewning's. The next morning, June 12th, Col. C. kindly sent
me about eight miles down the river, and up one of its tributary streams to a land¬
ing, from which, by a walk of about a mile, I reached Christ Church, Lancaster.
If my only object had been to view this specimen of the early churches of East
Virginia, I should have been amply compensated. It is certainly the most imposing
edifice of its kind which I have been privileged to visit. It stands in the midst of
a grove of most majestic oaks. In form, it is a Grecian Cross. Its massive
walls—heavy door-ways and windows—its ground ceilings—the richly wainscoated
portion of the building appropriated for the chancel—with its deep pannelling and
cornice of walnut—the baptismal pew at the opposite entrance, with its elaborately
wrought marble font and canopy—the pulpit and reading desk, and clerk's seat, all
within the same enclosure, at one of the angles of intersection—the high pews—
lofty galleries, &c.—presented an appearance rare in those days—honorable to the
original occupants, whose remains slumber under the sculptured tombs around, and
also to their successors, whose reverential care has guarded that noble building,
and preserved it unimpaired. Though at present this church is inconveniently
situated for the Episcopal population, and though it had been for some time without
a Rector, I found a large congregation assembled for worship. The Rev. Mr.
Ward joined me at this place and read the morning service. I baptized two in-
15
fants—preached and confirmed two persons. Since my visit the congregation have
secured the services of the Rev. Mr. Richmond.
June 12th.—At White Chapel, I baptized two infants—preached—confirmed
seven persons—and with the assistance of the Rev. Mr. Ward administered the
Lord's Supper.
June 14th.—Preached in North Farnham Church, Richmond county, and con¬
firmed eleven persons. This venerable building has been variously desecrated.
At one period, it was not only abandoned as a place of worship, and pillaged of its
furniture, but yet more deeply dishonored by being prostituted to the purposes of a
distillery. In the good providence of God, it has been reclaimed and refitted, and
now again accommodates a congregation of Christian worshippers. It was no little
gratification to me to discover that my former charge in Baltimore had been pri¬
vileged to contribute in some measure to the refurnishing of this ancient edifice.
The pulpit and reading desk, in which I commenced- my ministrations in Christ
Church, having been removed when that church was altered, were presented to the
vestry of North Farnham when engaged in repairing their building, and I had now
the satisfaction of occupying them again with all the pleasing associations which
the recognition could not fail to produce.
June 15th.—I preached at Warsaw, baptized three infants, and confirmed seven
persons.
June 16th.—I preached at Yeocomico and confirmed three persons. Unhappily
the right of the vestry of this church to control the use of the building has been
questioned by some of our Methodist brethren, who, regarding the building as pub¬
lic property, had made their appointments for preaching in it, as if it were free for
all. This of course led to a misunderstanding which might have been productive
of consequences deeply to be deprecated by both parties. In pursuance of what
they no doubt regarded as a just claim, our Methodist friends brought the subject
before the Legislature at its last session, in the form of a petition to sell the pro¬
perty. This petition was referred to a committee, of which the Honorable Mr.
(now Judge) McComas was the chairman. The committee reported the case as
ene not requiring legislative interference, and recognized the vestry's right of
occupancy and control. This was adopted by the Legislature with, I was informed,
but a single dissenting voice. The Honorable Chairman alluded to, himself a mem¬
ber of the Methodist Church, was so fully satisfied of the truth and equity of this
decision, that he generously volunteered a letter to his brethren in Westmoreland,
counselling them to acquiesce in the view taken by the Legislature. It is to be
hoped that the proceeding in this case will terminate all difficulty and prevent any
similar occurrence in other places.
June 11 th.—I preached at Westmoreland Courthouse.
June 18th.—Preached at Oak Grove, and confirmed two persons.
June 19th.—Preached at St. Paul's, and confirmed ten persons.
June 2Oth.—Preached at the same place, and united with the Rector in admin¬
istering the Lord's Supper.
June 21st.—Consecrated St. John's Church, King George, and confirmed twelve
persons. This new church is a very neat brick building, well furnished, and con¬
venient in its arrangement. The morning of the consecration was unfavorable,
but the rain neither prevented the house from being filled, nor dispersed the many
who gathered round the door and windows to join as they could in the services of
the occasion.
16
June 22nd.—Preached at Lamb's Creek. In the church at this place no one
now officiated, and it was supposed by some, that an appointment here was scarcely
expedient. The day, at first harassing, turned out to be a beautiful one—and when
we reached the spot on which the old building stands, we found the woods filled
with horses and vehicles of various kinds, and the concourse of people unexpect¬
edly great. The scene was one of the most animating connected with my visita¬
tion—every one seemed to feel its influence. To see the deserted pews of that
capacious house once more crowded beyond their accommodation—to hear the
full and strong response sounding under a sacred roof which seemed destined to
silence and decay, appeared to inspire the whole assembly. The services were
marked by an interest and solemnity, which I trust will not soon be forgotten.
Here ended my tour through the parishes south of the Rappahannock and in the
Northern Neck. The afternoon and night I passed at " Traveller's Rest," in the
family of Mr. Grey, the son ; and next morning visited and worshipped in the sick
chamber of Mr. Grey, the father, whose relation to the church and its institutions has
been such, that I should have regarded it a failure in duty and a loss of privilege,
had I passed his residence without uniting with him and his family in the services
of religion.
An hour's ride brought me to Fredericksburg again ; and in the evening of the
same day I reached Baltimore, where, on the following Sunday, June 25th, I
preached morning and night to the people of my former charge in Christ Church.
July 1th.—I held an ordination in St. James' Church, Richmond, and admitted
the Rev. Nicholas P. Tillinghast to the priesthood.
July 8th.—I left Richmond for Alexandria, and the next morning, Sunday, July
9th, I preached at Little Falls Church, before the administration of confirmation
by Bishop Meade ; and again, in the afternoon, I addressed the same congregation,
and united with Bishop Meade and other clergy present in the Lord's Supper.
From the 10th to the 16th of July, we were engaged at the seminary and high
school in the interesting services connected with the annual examinations.
July 11 th.—I preached in St. Paul's, Alexandria.
July 16th.—Assisted Bishop Meade in the ordination held in St. Paul's. At
night, preached in Christ Church, and confirmed seventeen persons—eight of whom
were pupils of the high school.
July \lth.—Left Alexandria, accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Dana, and proceeded
to Belmont, Loudoun county, the location of the interesting seminary for young
ladies, under the care of Miss Mercer. The Rev. Mr. Adie, who officiates in this
institution, joined us here. In the afternoon I preached and confirmed five persons.
The last two confirmations were to me peculiarly gratifying. The one in
Alexandria, because it included so many youths of promise, the hopeful fruits of
the religious training pursued at our high school, which, I trust, is destined to be
a nursery for the seminary and the church. The one at Belmont, because it indi¬
cated a like spirit of piety pervading the system of education there adopted and
furnished proof of the continued blessing of God on the self-denying and devoted
labors of my estimable friend who presided over that seminary. The evidences of
her ability and faithfulness in the discharge of the responsible duties of her station,
meet me often on my visitations, and afford cause for gratitude, that we have within
our borders this institution, which, with others of the same character, leaves us at
no loss for the means of a finished Christian education for female children.
July 18th.—Preached at Leesburg morning and night.
IT
July 19th.—Preached at the same place, and confirmed nine persons.
July 20th.—Rode to Aldie, and the next morning to Middleburg.
July 21 st.—Consecrated at Middleburg a very neat and convenient brick church,
by the name of Immanuel Church. Preached morning and night.
July 22nd.—Preached at the same place.
July 23rd.—Preached at Upperville morning and night.
July 24th.—Preached at Upperville.
July 25ih.—Preached at Leed's Church, Fauquier, in the morning; and in the
afternoon, after the Rev. Mr. Butler, who, with other brethren of our own diocese,
accompanied me in Loudoun and Fauquier, and rendered us very acceptable
services.
July 26th.—Preached again at Leed's, and in the afternoon, after a sermon by
the Rev. Mr. Butler, I addressed the congregation, and confirmed seven persons.
July 21th.—Preached at Lee's Springs.
July 28th.—Preached at Warrenton, and confirmed three persons.
July 2§th.—Preached at Warrenton.
July 30th.—Consecrated St. Stephens' Church, nine miles from Warrenton, and
preached there. This is a small but beautiful building, very tastefully finished and
furnished, located in a grove covering about two acres, the gift of Mr. Stovins, to
whose zeal and liberality, aided by a few around him, the neighborhood is indebted
for this convenient and comely house of worship. The church is still vacant; but
it is hoped that the interest which led to the erection of the building, will ere long
be cherished and increased by the stated services of religion.
August lsi.—Preached at Hay Market, Prince William, and confirmed three
persons.
August 2nd.—Preached at Brentsville, and confirmed four persons. In the
afternoon I addressed the congregation after a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Lockwood.
August 3rd.—Preached again at Brentsville, and confirmed two persons,
August \th.—Preached at Aquia Church to a congregation very respectable in
number, and apparently interested in the services. The Episcopal population in
this neighborhood is indeed sparse, but those who remain are solicitous to secure
the reestablishment among them of the institutions of the Gospel. If this church
could be connected with the one at Lamb's Creek, and a missionary officiate in
them alternately, the arrangement would fully justify our Diocesan society in ap¬
propriating the necessary funds.
In the afternoon of the same day I rode to Fredericksburg, and preached at
night in St. George's Church.
August 5th.—Returned to Richmond, and the next day preached in the Monu¬
mental Church.
At Fredericksburg, on my way home, I received letters informing me of my
appointment to assist at the consecration of the Bishop elect of Rhode Island, to
take place on the following Friday, in Providence. Though I had just terminated
a visitation of much labor, and rendered unusually oppressive by the excessive heat
of the season, this was a call which I did not feel at liberty to decline. The inti¬
mate and affectionate relationship which, for about four and twenty years, had
subsisted without the slightest interruption or impairment between the worthy
brother to be consecrated and myself, ntfade me as solicitous to take part in the
solemn service, as he kindly expressed himself with regard to my presence.
Accordingly, on the third day after my return, I left Richmond and arrived in Pro-
18
vidence on Friday, August 11th, in time to unite with my brethren in the Episco¬
pate in admitting the Rev. John P. K. Henshaw, D.D.,to take part with us in this
ministry and apostleship.
Sunday, August 13th.—I preached in the morning in Grace Church, Providence,
and at night in St. John's.
Sunday, August 20th.—Preached morning and afternoon in the Monumental
Church, Richmond.
August 21th.—Preached in Christ Church, D. C. From this date until Septem¬
ber 24, a severe cold disabled me for duty.
September 24th.—Preached in Christ Church, D. C.
October ls£.—Preached in Christ Church, Baltimore.
October 8th.—Preached in Trinity Church, Washington.
October 10th.—Conducted the services connected with the laying of the corner
stone of a church in the City of Richmond, to be called St. Paul's Church, and
intended for the accommodation of persons now worshipping in the Monumental
Church.
October 12th.—Left Richmond to visit the churches in the western section of
the diocese. Reached Charlottesville the same evening in time to address the con¬
gregation assembled there for divine, service.
October 14th.—Preached at Staunton at night.
October 15th.—Addressed the Sunday School, and preached in the morning.
Preached again at night.
As the Rev. Mr. Castleman, recently chosen Rector of the parish, arrived in
Staunton a few hours after I had reached the place, it was impracticable to make
the arrangements necessary for confirmation.
The 16th, 17th and 18th of October, were passed day and night in the stages
between Staunton and Charleston, Kanawha. On this journey, and as far as Point
Pleasant, I was accompanied by the Rev. Mr. McElroy, to whom, as well as to
the Rev. Mr. Craik, I was indebted for much important aid.
October 19th.—Preached at Charleston.
October 20th.—Consecrated St. Luke's Church, at the Salines, and preached.
Also at night and the next morning after the Rev. Mr. McElroy.
October 21st.—Preached at night at Charleston.
October 22nd.—Preached and confirmed five persons at Charleston, and again at
night confirmed two.
October 23rd.—Preached at Colesmouth.
October 24th.—Preached at " St. John's in the Valley," and confirmed ten.
This place is designated by a beautiful name. The congregation is one of great
interest. Though the building which they occupy is of the humblest pretensions, yet
it is most happily changed from its original use. It is only recently that the church has
been introduced into this neighborhood, through the voluntary missionary efforts of
the Rev. Mr. Craik, who has indeed been doing the work of an evangelist through¬
out that region. The building to which I have alluded, was once a distillery, and
is now commonly called " Still House Chapel." Its former apparatus of death
has, of course, been dislodged, and a floor having been laid, and a rough chancel
and benches provided, it is converted into a dispensary of the waters of life. Here,
under a roof by no means impervious to wind and rain, quite a large congregation of
plain people assemble to join in the simple, solemn services, and receive the evan¬
gelical instructions of our venerable church. So recently have most of the per-
19
sons attending become possessed of a prayer book, that, in conducting public wor¬
ship, the Rector still deemed it expedient to aid them, by naming as he proceeded
the page of the particular portion about to be used. With this assistance, the
whole service was engaged in by old and young with an appearance of devotion
and fulness of response, which I shall long remember. The Rector was expecting
as his associate here and at Colesmouth, the Rev. Mr. West, an aged servant of
Christ, but still animated with youthful zeal in his master's cause. He was then
detained by sickness at Ravenswood. I may mention, that it is in contemplation
to erect a suitable house of worship for the use of this congregation, and as their own
means are limited, I beg leave to commend their case to Christians elsewhere, as
one which has peculiar claims on their liberality.
October 25lh.—At Buffalo, after a sermon by the Rev. Mr. McElroy, I addressed
the congregation, and confirmed two persons.
October 2Qth.—At Point Pleasant addressed the congregation at night, after a
sermon by the Rev. Mr. Craik.
October 21th.—This was the day appointed for consecrating the church at Mer¬
cer's Bottom, eight miles below Point Pleasant, and near the Ohio river. The
snow which fell during the night rendered travelling rather difficult. But accom¬
panied by the Rev. Messrs. McElroy, Craik, and J. Goodwin, the missionary at
this station, we reached the place in time. The state of the roads and the weather
prevented many from attending.. The building, which is of brick, neatly finished
and located on a mound in the midst of a grove, I consecrated by the name of
" Bruce Chapel"'—a name selected by the ministers and vestry, as an expression of
gratitude for the liberal assistance received from Mrs. and the Misses Bruce of
Halifax, to whose generous contributions, not a few of our feeble congregations
are indebted for their ability to complete their respective houses of worship. In
this chapel I preached and confirmed four persons. After the services we became
the guests of General Steinberger, and were refreshed by the kind attentions of his
hospitable family, with whom we tarried until the next day at noon, and then
returned to Point Pleasant.
October 28th.—I addressed the congregation at Point Pleasant, at night, after a
sermon by the Rev. Mr. Craik.
October 29th.—Preached at Point Pleasant in the morning. In the afternoon
addressed a meeting convened by the Rev. Mr. McElroy, the agent of the Bible
Society of Virginia. And again at night, I addressed the congregation after a ser¬
mon by the Rev. Mr. Craik.
October 3Oth.—Took a boat for Ravenswood. Reached it the same night.
October 3Is£.—Preached at Ravenswood in a private house, and confirmed two
persons.
I here met with the Rev. Mr. West, who on his way to his missionary field at
Teas Vallev, had been arrested by a disease which threatened a termination of his
labors. For several weeks he was detained at Ravenswood, under the roof of Mr.
Quarrier, who, with the several members of his family, performed the part of the
good Samaritan towards this aged and suffering servant of Christ, ministering to
his wants, and alleviating his affliction with a delicate and untiring attention which
calls for our grateful acknowledgement. . . In this whole county, there is not,
as I was informed, a single house for public worship belonging to any denomina¬
tion. Our friends at Ravenswood design attempting the erection of a small and
unpretending church. I trust they will not be discouraged, for a knowledge of the
20
necessities of that region, must ensure aid from the more favored sections of the
diocese.
November 1st.—Accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Craik, I reached Parkersburg at
three o'clock in the morning. It was my intention to have spent two days at this
place, and then pass to Clarksburg and Weston. The arrangement of the stages,
however, rendered this impracticable, except by interfering with other appoint¬
ments ; and as the brethren with whom I conferred concurred in opinion with the
Rev. Mr. T. Smith, the missionary at those places, I concluded to relinquish my
visit to the interior and give the time to Parkersburg. I am happy to know that
my unavoidable failure, which I then much regretted, will secure for Clarksburg
and Weston an earlier visit from Bishop Meade.
At Parkersburg, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Craik and the Rev. Mr. Smith, we
conducted religious services twice a day, on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of November.
November 3rd.—I baptized two infants.
November 4th.—Before morning service I confirmed in private a sick person.
At eleven, I preached and confirmed six persons, and united in the administration of
the Lord's Supper.
We have no house of worship in this place, but were cheerfully accommodated
by our Presbyterian and Methodist brethren. The prospects of our missionary
here are certainly encouraging; and from the interest manifested in our services,
I shall be disappointed if Parkersburg does not soon furnish a congregation respec¬
table in numbers, and possess a church corresponding with its local importance.
The enterprising missionary associates with his official duties the superintendance
of a female academy just established, and which, if sustained as it should be, must
exert an extensive influence for good.
November ith.—At the solicitation of the Rector and certain members of the
congregation in Marietta, Ohio, I crossed the river and preached in their church
at night, hoping that this inconsiderable service will be more than repaid to us by
my Right Rev. Brother of Ohio, in his visitations along this border of his diocese.
November 5th.—Took a boat at Marietta, and reached Wheeling next morning
at 6 o'clock. The same day, accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Armstrong, I proceeded
to Wellsburg, Brooke county.
November "7th.—In the morning preached in Wellsburg, and confirmed three
persons. Preached again at night.
November 8th.—A violent cold, contracted by exposure on my ride to Wellsburg,
confined me to the house, and prevented me from meeting my appointment in the
vicinity at St. John's. The services, however, were conducted by the Rev. Mr.
Armstrong, and the Rev. Mr. Harrison, the Rector of the Parish.
November 12th.—Preached twice in St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling, and con¬
firmed eighteen persons.
November 19th.—On my way home I preached twice in Georgetown, D. C., in
the morning in Christ Church; in the afternoon in St. John's.
November 26th.—Preached in the Monumental Church, Richmond.
November 29th.—Lectured preparatory to the communion.
December 3rd.—Preached in the Monumental Church morning and night. In
the morning united with Bishop Meade in the administration of the Lord's Supper.
December 10th.—Preached in the Monumental Church morning and night.
December 13th.—Lectured in the same.
December llth.—Preached in St. James' Church morning and night.
21
December '22nd.—At the request of Bishop Meade, I visited Norfolk and Ports¬
mouth, to solicit aid for our Seminary and Education Society.
December 23rd.—Preached at night in Christ Church, Norfolk.
December 24th.—Preached in Christ Church, Norfolk, in the morning ; and in the
afternoon in St. Paul's.
December 25th.—Preached at Portsmouth, and confirmed four persons.
The collections made in these congregations, have been acknowledged in the
Southern Churchman, and will be noticed in the appropriate reports to this
Convention.
December 31 st.—Preached in Christ Church, Richmond.
1844.
January 7th.—Preached in the Monumental Church.
January 14th.—Preached in Monumental Church.
January 20th.—Preached in St. Paul's, Petersburg.
January 21st.—Preached in St. Paul's, Petersburg, morning and night; and in
the afternoon in Grace Church.
January 22nd.—Preached in St. Paul's, Petersburg, morning and night.
January 28th.—Preached in the Monumental Church.
January 31s£.—Preached in the Monumental Church.
February 1st.—Preached in St. Paul's, Petersburg.
February 2nd.—Preached in St. Paul's, Petersburg, morning and night.
February 4th.—Preached in the Monumental Church, Richmond, and made a
collection for the Seminary.
February 7th.—Preached in the Monumental Church.
February 11th.—Preached in the Monumental Church.
February 14th.—Preached in the Monumental Church.
February 18th.—Preached in St. James', Richmond.
February 21st.—Preached in the Monumental Church morning and night.
February 25th.—Preached in the Monumental Church in the morning and at
night in St. James'.
After this date the evening services both on Sundays and other occasions, were
conducted in St. James' Church, kindly loaned by the Rector and Vestry for the
accommodation of the several congregations.
February 28th.—Preached in St. James' Church at night.
March 3rd.—Preached in the Monumental Church in the morning, and in St.
James' at night.
March 5th.—Visited Fredericksburg to solicit aid for the Seminary, and
preached morning and night.
March 6th.—Preached again in Fredericksburg morning and night.
March 8th.—Monumental Church.
March 10th.—Preached, morning St. Johns', Richmond, night in St. James'.
During this week I delivered three afternoon lectures preparatory to the approach¬
ing confirmations.
March 20th.—Preached at night in St. James' Church.
March 24th.—Preached morning in the Monumental Church, night in St. James'.
March 27th.—Preached in St. James'.
March 29th.—At Petersburg, in the afternoon, confirmed seven persons in Grace
Church; at night preached and confirmed thirty-five persons in St. Paul's.
March 31 st.—Preached in the Monumental Church in the morning, and con¬
firmed twenty-two persons.
22
In the afternoon confirmed three persons in St. James' Church, and preached
at night.
April ls£, 2nd and 4th.—Preached in St. James' in the afternoon, and on the
3rd at night.
April 3rd.—Held an ordination in Christ Church, and admitted Mr. John R.
Lee to the order of Deacons.
April 5th.—Preached in the Monumental Church in the morning; at night in
Christ Church, and confirmed ten persons.
April 1th.—Preached in the Monumental Church in the morning, and adminis¬
tered the Lord's Supper; at night preached in St. James'.
April 9th.—Preached at Norfolk, in the morning in St. Paul's, and confirmed
thirteen persons, at night in Christ Church, and confirmed fourteen persons.
April 14th.—Preached in Christ Church, Baltimore.
April 19th.—Visited Bowling Green. The rain prevented a congregation from
assembling.
April 21 st.—Preached in the Monumental Church.
April 26th.—Preached in St. Peter's, New Kent, confirmed seven persons, and
united in administering the Lord's Supper.
April-21 th.—Preached in St. David's, King William; confirmed two, and joined
in administering the Lord's Supper.
April 28Ih.—Preached at Old Church, Hanover, and confirmed two persons.
Although the church was early planted at these three places, it is believed that this
is the first occasion on which the rite of confirmation has been administered at either.
The oldest residents never witnessed it before, nor do they recollect any tradition
of its having been performed there. For many years the Church in those parts
has been virtually extinct. Now, under the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Dalrymple^
the prospect of its revival is encouraging. The three parishes have been re-or¬
ganized and apply to be received at this Convention.
Sunday, May 5th.—I attended the anniversary of the Sunday Schools of Rich¬
mond, and preached the sermon on the occasion in Christ Church. In the after¬
noon I baptized two infants in the Monumental Church.
May 6th.—Left Richmond to visit the parishes north of James river, on my way
to the Convention.
May 1th.—Preached at Beaver Dam Church, and confirmed five.
This congregation, though for some time destitute of regular services, assembled
in numbers sufficient to fill the house, and evinced much solicitude to be regularly
supplied. For the present, the Rev. J. Wilmer has made arrangements to preach
for them occasionally.
May 8th.—Preached in St. Paul's, Goochland; at night attended service in a
chapel erected by Col. Boiling for the use of his servants.
May 9th.—Preached at St. Paul's again. Three were confirmed.
In the afternoon addressed the servants assembled in a very neat chapel built for
their use on the estate of Mr. Randolph Harrison.
May 10th.—Preached at Columbia, and confirmed five persons; at night met
with the servants of Mr. William Gait, in a commodious room appropriated to this
purpose, and after listening with much interest to the examination of a catecheti¬
cal class conducted by Mrs. Gait, I addressed the adults. A similar arrangement
exists on the estate of Mr. James Gait, which, to my regret, I was prevented from
witnessing.
23
I cannot refrain from expressing the great gratification which I experienced in
attending the services in the several chapels to which I have alluded. When
masters make such provision for the instruction of the people of color, and ministers
regard and look after them as pertaining to their congregation, it can no longer be
said " no man hath cared for their souls." And sooner or later, both masters and
ministers must be amply compensated by the blessed results of such spiritual super¬
vision. My heart's desire and prayer is, that these commendable examples may be
followed by all who have it in their power, until there shall be no section of our
Diocese without suitable provision for the religious teaching of this portion of our
population.
May 12th.—Preached at Calloway Church, Nelson, and confirmed one person.
May 13th.—Preached at Trinity Church, Nelson, and confirmed one person.
In passing over this extensive Diocese, I have had gratifying evidence of the
happy influence of our Missionary Society. New ground has been occupied, con¬
gregations much enfeebled and which must have been lost to us, are reviving, to
acquire in their regeneration, I trust, a life and vigor which will prove abiding.
Permit me then to plead briefly, but earnestly, for that Society, the blessed fruits
of which I have already been privileged to behold, and from which a larger harvest
may be confidently expected, if we are not delinquent in our duty. The demands
on the Treasury for the next year, for the support of the laborers actually engaged,
will be about $1,500. If this sum could be doubled—and it can be—the Gospel
and its ordinances might be afforded to many within our borders who are mourning
their destitution, or receiving from other hands sustenance withheld by those from
whom they have a right to expect sympathy and relief. It is painful to us, in our
visitations, to see wants which we have no means of meeting, and week after week
to hear supplications for aid which we are unable to grant. And why is it so 1
Not that the resources of our Diocesan Church are exhausted. The superfluities
of a small portion of our members would largely supply the pressing necessities of
many f«r whom we plead, and pour joy and gladness into hearts pining for the
ministrations of our holy religion. Let but our people be properly roused to their
duty and privilege in providing for the destitute around them, and in a few years,
every mountain and every valley would be vocal with the spiritual service and
songs of our Zion, and God, even our own God, would, far beyond our faith to
anticipate, give us his blessing.
Brethren, let us lay this to heart, and whilst we are living on his bounty who
crowns the year with goodness, let us gladly honor Him with the first fruits of
our increase.
Under ordinary circumstances, the preceding record of services and statistics,
with such interspersed remarks as the facts suggested, would comprise all that is
called for in an annual address. It is, however, as I have reason to believe, expected
that I should embrace this occasion to record briefly my testimony touching the diffi¬
culties by which the Church at large has, within the last few years been disquieted.
Those difficulties have been too often identified to require being defined here, and too
ably met, as I conceive, to need any new mode of resistance for their counteraction.
To. their origin, nature and tendency your attention has just been directed by the
address of my Right Rev'd Brother. With the principles pf that address, my own
views so accord, that to give it my endorsement would be enough to acquit my
conscience at this juncture. The whole system which it opposes, I cannot but
regard as unscriptural—at variance with the doctrines of the Reformation, as
emhndie.'H'? ™m'! suu!™::.r~. influence, that were it to succeed
24
in effecting the changes which it seeks, by assimilating to itself the standards and
usages of the Church—that Church, in the language of the present Metropolitan of In¬
dia, " would not be worth preserving1'—or rather, so far as primitive truth and protes-
tant principles are concerned, it would be already destroyed. I am constrained to
regard the whole system as originating largely in a most mistaken desire to magnify
unduly the office and functions of the Christian ministry, by superadding to its just
claims, pretensions to a kind of priestly character and service, not only unrecognized,
but discountenanced by the Gospel. To effect this, the nature, design, and efficacy of
the Sacraments, and the range and powers contemplated by the evangelical com¬
mission, are withdrawn from the light in which they are set by the inspired penmen,
and shrouded in a mystery which overawes investigation, and invested with a
superstitious sanctity which forbids all interference. The relation of anxious
inquirers to the Saviour, is thus seriously changed. Instead of a direct personal
approach to Him whose language is " come unto me," they are required to seek
acceptance and sanctification through the hands of a priestly order, to whom,
exclusively, the dispensation of these blessings is committed, and by whom they
are imparted in a way which, after all modest explanation, savors more of spiritual
legerdemain than of evangelical truth and simplicity. To sustain this spurious
system, the appeal is not directly to the Scriptures—these alone, by many who
have spoken out, are represented as an insufficient, and on some points, an unsafe
rule of faith and practice—whilst others of this school, without indulging in positive
expressions of distrust, betray the same mind by maintaining that the only safe
position from which to study the Word of God is in company with the post Nicene
fathers and in submission to their consentient interpretations. Hence the theory
which insists, not avowedly, on another rule than the Sacred Scriptures—but upon
that which is tantamount to such substitution, the recognition of what is termed
the concurrent testimony of the fathers as authoritative in the determination of the
meaning of Scripture, and binding on the conscience. Their competency as wit¬
nesses to matters of fact, we do not question. For the information which they
furnish, we are grateful. But as theologians and expositors of God's Word, we
receive their opinions, not without due consideration. The moment we admit the
insufficiency of the Sacred Scriptures—associate any thing coordinately with it as
a rule of faith, or yield implicitly to the authority of any uninspired teachers, we
become liable to gross imposition and fatal error. Any system which even con¬
nives at such a surrender of christian liberty and prostration of human intellect,
needs, in my view, no other condemnation. The Bible, my brethren, after all, is
and must be our religion. As Clergy, we are bound by solemn oath of office, to
teach nothing as necessary to Salvation, but what may be clearly proved by Sacred
Scripture. It is because our Creeds and Articles may be so proved, that we be¬
lieve them. And it is because our ecclesiastical organization and our mode of
worship have, as we are satisfied, this clear sanction, that we maintain them. It
may be necessary to feel one's way down into the darkness and corruption of the
middle ages in quest of other views and practices which, when found, are worse
than useless—tending in general to exalt the priest at the expense of the Saviour—
despoiling Him of his mediatorial garments for the adornment of His ministers—
and impoverishing and degrading His people, to aggrandize and glorify those who
should deem it honor enough to be " helpers of their faith and joy." To say that
the dogmas and ceremonies, which it is now attempted to revive amongst us under
the miserable misnomer of " Catholic verities and usages," and the sanction afforded
25
by the unguarded language oflater fathers and the occasional inflated phraseology
of a few of earlier date—do not differ materially from the wholesome truths set
forth with so much simplicity in our Articles—to maintain that the present con¬
troversy is mainly a mere verbal disagreement, is preposterous—unless words
have no definite meaning, and serve only to cloud and conceal and not to convey
ideas. That the movement which we condemn is made in much mystiness—that
such, to a considerable extent, is the character of the style and thought of many of
its abettors, we concede. It is not surprising, therefore, that they should some¬
times be misapprehended—and if so, the fault is with themselves. But it must be
observed, they profess to understand, and they deplore the uncatholick position of
the church to which they avowedly belong—They mourn over it as " working in
chains." They have declared their purpose to " unprotestantize" it. We give
them credit for their discernment and design. We see that what they desire,
would indeed be the result of the prevalence of their schemes, which we regard as
Romanism not in germ only, but in considerable and increasing development.
And as we are satisfied with the Church as it is, and seek no change, but least of
all, such change as they would give us, we feel bound, according to our vow, " with
all faithful diligence to banish and drive away from the Church these erroneous
and strange doctrines, contrary to God's word, and both privately and openly to
call upon and encourage others to do the same.
Mr. Macfarland offered the following resolution, which was adopted :—>
Resolved, That it is expedient to renew the application to the Legislature for an
Act authorising religious, benevolent and literary societies and institutions to hold
property given, or bequeathed to them; and that a committee be appointed to co¬
operate with other religious denominations, in presenting a Memorial to the Legis¬
lature asking for such an Act.
The Committee appointed to carry the above resolution into effect, consists of
the following named gentlemen.
Wm. H. Macfarland, James Lyons, Gen. J. W. Pegram, Gen. Wm. H. Richard¬
son, of Richmond ; David May, Petersburg; Gen. Samuel Lewis, Rockingham ;
Edmund Fontaine, Hanover ; Edward S. Pegram, Norfolk.
The following standing committees were announced by the presiding Bishop :
Committee on the State of the Church.—Rev. E. C. McGuire, D.D., Rev.
Charles Mann, Rev. E. Boyden, Rev. George Woodbridge, Rev. C. B. Dana,
Rev. J. H. Wingfield, Rev. John P. McGuire, and Messrs. Lewis, Morton, Nel¬
son Page, Pegram, Cunningham and C. F. Lee.
Committee on Finance.—Messrs. Samuel Lewis, Nelson Page, Wm. M. Wal¬
ler, Wm. Williams.
Committee on Parochial Reports.—Rev. Wm. N. Pendleton, Rev. Thomas E.
Locke, Rev. D. Caldwell, Mr. Thomas Ambler.
Committee on Widow's and Orphan's Fund.—Rev. Charles Mann, Rev. Wm.
Bowers.
Committee on Episcopal Fund.—Rev. Charles B. Dana, Mr. Cassius F. Lee.
Committee on Examination of Treasurer''s Accounts of the Diocesan Mission-
ary Society.—Rev. Nelson Sale, Rev. Philip Slaughter, Col. G. M. Carrington.
4
26
The Parochial Reports were read and referred to the appropriate committee.
Rev. J. P. McGuire, from the committee on New Parishes, made a favorable
report on the memorial from the Vestry of St. John's Church, King George County,
recommending the reception of said Church into the Diocese—concurred in.
The Convention then adjourned to meet to-morrow at 10 o'clock, A. M.
FRIDAY, May 17, 1844.
The Convention assembled this morning at 10 o'clock, A. M., agreeably to ad¬
journment, and was opened with prayer by the Rt. Rev. Assistant Bishop.
The following resolution offered by Mr. C. F. Lee, was adopted.
Resolved, That the ministers and lay delegates of this Convention, be requested
to obtain signatures in their respective parishes and counties, to memorials petition¬
ing the Legislature to incorporate the religious, literary and benevolent institutions
of the State, and that the committee, appointed under the resolution adopted yes¬
terday, are requested to prepare and forward to the delegates, or ministers, the
memorials for that purpose, and also that they endeavor to procure the cooperation
of the other denominations in the effort.
Rev. Mr. Dana, from the committee, presented the certificates of Messrs. Cren¬
shaw, Duval and Preston, who appeared and took seats in the Convention.
Rev. James M. Cofer appeared and took his seat.
Rev. Mr. Mann, from the committee on the " Widow's and Orphan's Fund," pre¬
sented the following report from said committee—approved.
The committee on the Widow's and Orphan's fund, respectfully report that they
have examined the report of the trustees of said fund which is accompanied by the
treasurer's account and find them to be correct. It appears from the treasurer's
account, that the sum of $953 55 has accumulated since the transfer of the inter¬
est on the capital of this fund to the society for the relief of Widows and Orphans
of deceased clergymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia, and should
be placed to the account of said society by the treasurer.
The committee cannot conclude this report without expressing the grateful sense
they entertain of the persevering and laborious attention of the present and late
excellent treasurers of this fund to the interests of the fund and society, and their
thanks to the committee which has charge of the fund.
CHARLES MANN, Chairman.
The trustees of the fund for the relief of the Widows and Orphans of deceased
clergymen in the diocese of Virginia, report: That no change has been made in
that fund since last Convention. It is invested as follows :
27
147 Shares Stock in Farmers' Bank of Alexandria, worth at par
4 do do in Bank of Potomac do
1 do do in Bank of Virginia do
A bond dated 29th April, 1833, on which interest is paid for
A note dated 20th April, 1841, on demand, on which no interest
has ever been paid -
A note dated 2nd April, 1841, no interest ever paid
A note due 5th Sept., 1843, and protested, interest paid to 5th
May, 1835 .... $600
Paid 7th August, 1840 - - 250 350 00
$10,273 50
And 5 shares in Bank of Alexandria, par value $1,000, but worth very little,
the Bank having long ago suspended.
The treasurer has received and paid over to the Widows and Orphans Society,
(agreeably to a resolution of the Convention, in 1837,) the following dividends and
interest amounting to $543 75, in the last twelve months, viz :
Dividends from Bank of Potomac - $20 00
do from Bank of Virginia - - 4 00
do from Farmers' Bank of Alexandria - 330 75
do on Capital Stock of Bank of Alexandria - - 45 00
18 months interest on bond for $1,600 - - 144 00
$543 75
The trustees have been unable to collect any of the notes not p&ying interest,
though in compliance with the resolution of the last Convention, they endeavored
to do so. The correspondence on that subject is herewith submitted. They have
not deemed it expedient to force the sale of the Bank stock, but have authorized
Mr. John Hooff, who has attended to the business for many years, to sell when a
favorable opportunity offers.
THOMAS NELSON, )
WM. H. HUBBARD, \ Trustees.
WM. WILLIAMS, Treasurer. y
General Lewis offered the following resolutions which were concurred in, viz :
Resolved, That the prosperity of the Church, and the interests of religion, de¬
mand the endowment of one or more professorships in the Theological Seminary
of Virginia, and that therefore active exertions should be made during the present
season to obtain funds for this purpose.
Resolved, That the Rt. Rev. Bishop and Assistant Bishop be (and they are
hereby respectfully) solicited to devise such plans, and adopt such measures as
they may deem most expedient to attain this most desirable object.
Resolved, That the Rt. Rev. Assistant Bishop, be requested to intermit the per¬
formance of his Episcopal duties, for such time as he may find necessary, and as
soon as his convenience will admit, to carry into effect such plans as may be agreed
upon for the purpose above mentioned.
Rev. Mr. Woodbridge, presented the accounts of the treasurer of the Diocesan
Missionary Society, together with the following report from the executive com¬
mittee of said society.
$7,350 00
400 00
100 00
1,600 00
200 00
273 50
28
"Report of the Executive Committee of the Diocesan Missionary Society of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia.
The executive committee respectfully report, that they have appropriated during
the past year, to the Rev. Mr. Bryant, in Lexington, $150; to the Rev. Mr. Good¬
win, at Point Pleasant, $200, of which $50 were for the previous year's services;
to the Rev. J. P. Bausman $150; to the Rev. Thomas Smith, at Parkersburg,
$200, and also;$50 for the purpose of making a tour of exploration ; to the Rev.
Mr. Harrison, at Wellsburg, $200 ; to the Rev. Mr. Wheeler, in Jackson county,
$150; to the Rev. Mr. Good, in Matthews and Middlesex, $150; to the Rev. Mr.
West, in Kanhawa, $150; to the Rev. Mr. Tompkins, in Campbell, $100; to the
Rev. Mr. Brown, in Fairfax, $150; to the Rev. E. B. McGuire, in Sussex and
Greensville, $150 ; and to the Rev. Mr. Withers, in Southampton, $150.
The church in Lexington, it is understood, is now ready for consecration and
there is an encouraging prospect of soon being able to erect one in Buchanan.
The faithful labors of the Rev. Mr. Gibson, in Petersburg, have been highly
blessed and through his instrumentality and exertions a church, spacious and com¬
modious, with free seats, has been erected.
The Rev. Mr. Goodwin has, by his faithful and untiring zeal, succeeded in erec¬
ting churches in Mercer's Bottom, Point Pleasant and Gallipolis, and with a great
deal of self-denying effort on his part, paid the debt hanging over the church in
Gallipolis.
The Western part of the Diocese where all our Missionaries are actively em¬
ployed, is an exceedingly important part and demands now faithful and nurturing
care. The present time, if embraced, will enable us to plant the church there ;
which in a little time will not only sustain itself, but repay with interest our pre¬
sent fostering care.
The Rev. Messrs. Wheeler and Brown have resigned their stations and taken
letters of dismission from the Diocese. The fields they have left are important
and promising, especially that in Fairfax.
It will be observed that we have employed, during the past year, thirteen Mis¬
sionaries at an expense of nearly $2,000. Some of the Missionaries have been only
a part of the year in the field, particularly those in the Eastern and Southern coun¬
ties, and therefore that amount has not been paid, but they have been employed at
that rate. Some applications we have been obliged to refuse for the want of
means.
When we commenced our fiscal year, at the close of the last Convention, we
had about $900 in our treasury, over the expenses of the preceding year. We
have now only about $400. It remains with this Convention to decide whether
we shall give up the stations already established, deceive the expectations created,
break our plighted faith with the Missionaries and parishes, or whether they will
give us the means of continuing the assistance so much needed. A critical and
very important period has now arrived, and the committee request the serious and
earnest attention of the Convention to this subject.
All which is respectfully submitted.
GEORGE WOODBRIDGE, Sec.
P. S.—The Secretary having formed a connection with the B. S. of Virginia,
begs leave to decline a re-election.
29
Rev. Messrs. Sale and Slaughter, and Col. Carrington, were appointed the com¬
mittee on the examination of the Treasurer's accounts of the Diocesan Mission¬
ary Society.
Rev. Mr. Towles presented a memorial from the vestry of Dettingen Parish,
which memorial, after being read, was ordered to lie on the table.
On motion of Mr. Boiling—ordered, that immediately after -.the reading of the
Journal on to-morrow, the Convention shall go into the election of Delegates to
the General Convention.
The Convention then adjourned to meet to-morrow, at 9 o'clock^ A. M.
SATURDAY, May 18, 1844.
The Convention assembled at 9 o'clock, A. M., and was opened with prayer by
the Rt. Rev. Assistant Bishop.
The Journal of proceedings of yesterday being read, the Convention proceeded
to the election of Delegates to the General Convention. The Rev. Mr. Dana and
C. F. Lee were appointed tellers. The following gentlemen were subsequently
declared duly elected:
Rev. Dr. A. Empie, Rev. Dr. E. C. McGuire, Rev. Dr. Wm. Sparrow, Rev.
John Grammar; Messrs. Philip Williams, Samuel Lewis, Richard Cunningham
and Wm. H. Macfarland.
On motion, ordered, that the usual morning services be dispensed with in order
to attend to the business of the Convention.
Mr. Boiling moved the reconsideration of the resolutions passed on yesterday,
by which the services of the Assistant Bishop were solicited in behalf of the The¬
ological Seminary—motion lost.
The presiding Bishop announced the following gentlemen as composing the com¬
mittee to memorialize the Legislature, praying an act for empowering religious,
literary and benevolent institutions to receive and hold property :
Messrs. Wm. H. Macfarland, James Lyons, Gen. Pegram, Gen. Richardson,
Richmond; David May, Petersburg ; Gen. Samuel Lewis, Rockingham ; Edmund
Fontaine, Hanover; Edward S. Pegram, Norfolk.
Rev. J. P. McGuire offered the following resolution :
Resolved, That the delegates to the General Convention, from this diocese, be
instructed to vote for the alteration in the Institution office, and the addition to the
Constitution, proposed by the last General Convention and stated in Appendix F.
page 17 of the printed Journal of said Convention.
Rev. Messrs. J. P. McGuire and W. N. Pendleton and Gen. Lewis, were ap¬
pointed a committee to devise and report some mode by which the prompt and
more effectual distribution of the Journals of the Convention can be best secured.
Rev. Mr. Mann proposed for election the following gentlemen, as the executive
committee of the Diocesan Missionary Society of Virginia, for the ensuing year :
Rt. Rev. Wm. Meade, D.D., Rt. Rev. John Johns, D.D., Rev. Adam Empie,
D.D., Rev. Wm. Norwood, Rev. Philip Slaughter, Rev. George Woodbridge, Dr.
F. H. Deane, Secretary, Mr. William Williams, Treasurer—all of whom were
duly elected.
so
Col. Carrington from the committee appointed to examine the accounts of the
Treasurer of the Diocesan Missionary Society, reported the same as herewith sub¬
mitted, correctly stated.
William Williams, Treas., in account with the Diocesan Missionary Society.
1843. Dr.
May 18. To cash paid Rev. Mr. Bryant, this amount contributed by
church at Staunton, for church at Lexington, - $32 25
22. To cash paid Rev. Thomas Smith, missionary to Clarks¬
burg, in Harrison county, - - - 50 00
June 3. To cash remitted Rev. James B. Goodwin, Point Plea¬
sant, Mason county, for last year, - - - 50 00
26. To cash remitted Rev. Ab. Wheeler, Ravenswood, Jack¬
son county, first quarter of $150, - - - 37 50
10. To cash remitted Rev. Joshua L. Harrison, Wellsburg,
Brooke county, first quarter of $150, - - 37 50
Also this amount received 23rd November last, from Mrs.
Mary Jackson and other friends for church at Wellsburg, 10 00
17. To cash paid Rev. William Bryant, Lexington, one-fourth
of $150, - - - - 37 50
Sept. 4. To cash paid Rev. Geo. Woodbridge, Secretary, for postage, 2 00
5. To cash paid Rev. William Bryant, Lexington, 2nd quarter, 37 50
Oct. 9. To cash remitted Rev. Joshua L. Harrison, Wellsburg,
Brooke county, 2nd quarter of $150, - - 37 50
And 1st and 2nd quarter of additional $50, - - 25 00
23. To cash remitted Rev. Ab. Wheeler, Ravenswood, Jack¬
son county, 2nd quarter of $150, - - - 37 50
16. To cash remitted Rev. G. W. Dame, Danville, Pittsylva¬
nia county, 1st quarter of $150, - - - 37 50
Nov. 9. To cash remitted Rev. R. T. Brown, Theological Semi¬
nary, 1st and 2nd quarter of $150, - - 75 00
9. To cash remitted Rev. S. D. Tompkins, Pigeon's Run,
Campbell county, 1st quarter of $100, - - 25 00
12. To cash paid Rev. E. B. McGuire, missionary in Sussex
and Greensville, one-half appropriation of $150, deduct¬
ing therefrom $10, collected by him elsewhere, - 70 00
13. To cash remitted Rev. Thos. Smith, Parkersburg, Wood
county, 1st and 2nd quarter of $200, - - 100 00
Nov. 2. To cash remitted Rev. Jas. B. Goodwin, Point Pleasant,
Mason county, 1st and 2nd quarter of $150, - 75 00
17. To cash paid Rev. Wm. Bryant, Lexington, in full of his
appropriation, - - - - 75 00
Dec. 5. To cash remitted Rev. Wm. H. Good, missionary in Mat¬
thews and Middlesex, 1st and 2nd quarter of $150, - 75 00
To cash remitted Mr. Wm. Welsh, Philadelphia, to pur¬
chase 200 Prayer Books for use of missionaries, - 40 00
13. To cash remitted Rev. John P. Bausman, Hampton, 1st
and 2nd quarter of $150, - - - 75 00
1844.
Jan. 2. To cash paid freight, wharfage and drayage, box Prayer
Books from Philadelphia, - 75
3. To cash paid order of Rev. G. W. Dame, Danville, for
2nd quarter of $150, - - - - 37 50
12. To cash remitted Rev. Joshua L. Harrison, Wellsburg,
Brook county, 3rd and 4th quarter of $200, - - 100 00
12. To cash remitted Rev. Ab. Wheeler, Ravenswood, Jackson
county, 3rd quarter of $150, - - - 37 50
Amount carried forward,
$1,217 50
31
Amount brought forward,
Jan. 18. To cash remitted Rev. S. D. Tompkins, Pigeon's Run,
Campbell county, 2nd quarter of $100,
30. To cash remitted Rev. Edmund Withers, missionary in
Southampton and Sussex, half of $150,
Mar. 21. To cash remitted Rev. James Craik for Rev. Mr. West,
missionary in Kanawha county, -
Ap'l. 1. To cash paid draft of Rev. Thos. Smith, Paikersburg, in
full of his appropriation, -
2. To cash remitted Rev. Jas. B. Goodwin, Point Pleasant,
Mason county, 3rd quarter of $150,
18. To cash remitted Rev. G. W. Dame, Danville, Pittsylva¬
nia county, 3rd quarter of $150, -
2. To cash remitted Rev. S. D. Tompkins, Pigeon's Run,
Campbell county, 3rd quarter of $100,
2. To cash remitted Rev. E. B. McGuire, Jarrett's Depot,
Sussex county, 3rd quarter of his appropriation,
May 13. To balance of cash in hand, -
11,217
50
25
00
75
00
37
50
100
00
37
50
37
50
25
00
35
00
352
32
[>1,942
32
1843. Cr.
May 17. By balance in hand per account to Convention at Rich¬
mond, - $865 22
18. By cash received at Convention, viz :
By cash from St. James' Church, Mecklenburg county, - 6 50
By cash from Sunday school children of St. Paul's Church,
Alexandria, - - - - - 34 12
By cash from C. H. Cabanis, Antrim parish, Halifax co., 2 00
By cash from Miss Martha Leigh, " " 2 50
By cash from Miss Eliza Leigh, " " - 1 50
By cash from Miss Polly Green, " " - 50
By cash from Mrs. M. E. Grammer, " " - 1 00
By cash from Rev. John Grammer, " " - 10 00
By cash from Mr. David Chalmers, " " - 15 00
By cash from Mr. John R. Lee, " " - 1 00
By cash from Mrs. E. M. P. Lee, " " - 1 00
By cash from Mrs. Elvira A. Clarke, " " - 5 00
By cash from Miss Mary Lee, " " - 25
By cash from Miss Sarah Bruce, " " - 75 00
By cash from Mrs. E. A. Borum, " " - 1 00
By cash from Mrs. S. F. Waughop, " " - 1 00
By cash from Grace Church, Caroline county, - - 5 00
By cash from Mrs. Ann S. Niblett, Lunenburg county, - 5 00
By cash from Mrs. M. B. , Botetourt county, - 5 00
By cash from Mrs. Watts, Roanoke parish, - - 5 00
By cash from Mrs. M. M. Foster, Halifax county, - 20 00
By cash from Rev. John T. Clarke, " - 10 00
By cash from Mrs. Geo. E. Harrison, Brandon, - 5 00
By cash from St. Ann's and South Farnham parishes, Es¬
sex county, - - - - - 26 55
By cash from Littleton parish, Cumberland county, - 17 87
By cash from Mr. C. F. Lee, Alexandria, D. C., - 10 00
By cash from Grace Church, Powhatan, and Dale parish,
Chesterfield, - - - - - 16 00
By cash from Christ Church, Norfolk, - - 17 12
By cash from two ladies of Camden parish, - - 2 50
Amount carried forward, $1,167 63
32
Amount brought forward, $1,167 63
May 18. By cash from two children of " - - 58
By cash from Christ Church, Charlottesville, - - 39 35
By cash from Samuel and Jordan Anthony, Woodville par¬
ish, - - - - - 6 00
By cash from Shelburn parish, Leesburg, - - 7 09
By cash from Christ Church, Alexandria, - - 50 00
By cash from Mrs. Mary C. S. Lee, - - - 1 00
By cash from a lady, - - - - 2 00
By cash from St. Martin's parish, Hanover, - - 3 55
By cash from St. James' Church, Culpeper, - - 5 00
By cash from Rev. John Cooke, - - - 2 50
By cash from Mrs. E. Withers, - - - 1 00
By cash from Mr. J. L. Wilkins, - - - 24 00
By cash from Miss J. Abernethy, - 63
By cash from Trinity Church, Staunton, for church at Lex¬
ington, - - - - - 32 25
By cash from Mrs. Eliza Hall, - - - 5 00
By cash from Mr. Philip Burwell, Clarke county, - 5 00
By cash from Mrs. O. Burwell, $5 ; Miss Emily Page, $3 ;
Clarke county, - - - - 8 00
18. By cash from Mrs. Thos. R. Harrison, Richmond, - 1 50
By cash from Mrs. Joseph Allen, " - 2 50
29. By cash from S. Paul's Church, Lynchburg, - - 27 25
30. By cash from Westover parish, Charles City, per Bishop
Johns, - - - - - . 25 52
June 8. By cash from St. George's Church, Fredericksburg, per
Bishop Johns, - - - - 40 00
By cash from Grace Church, Caroline county, per Bishop
Johns, - - - - 16 79
By cash from St. Peter's Church, Port Royal, per Bishop
Johns, - - - - - 23 50
July 10. By cash from Wm. H. Taylor, per Rev. Thos. E. Locke, 2 50
18. By cash in an anonymous letter, post marked Millwood, - 5 00
19. By cash from Bishop Johns, collected in St. Ann's and
South Farnham parishes, Essex county, - - 52 00
Oct. 2. By cash for interest from City Saving's Bank, - 5 03
13. By cash for " " - 16 02
Nov. 22. By cash per Rev. John Grammer, Antrim parish, from Col.
C. H. Cabanis, $2; Miss Polly Green, 50 cents; Mrs.
Ellen C. Morson, $50; T. G.Coleman, Esq., $20, - 72 50
26. By cash per Rev. E. C. McGuire, being part of the weekly
offerings of St. George's Church, Federicksburg, - 23 12
Dec. 2. By cash collected by Bishop Johns, in Kanawha county, 24 50
1844.
Jan. 9. By cash from St. John's Church, City Point, per Rev.
Mr. Macfarland, - - - - 5 00
11. By cash from St. George's Church Fredericksburg, per
Rev. E. C. McGuire, - - - - 20 00
12. By cash from St. Paul's Church, Lynchburg, per Rev.
Mr. Kinkle, - - - - 17 50
By cash per Rev. George Woodbridge, being the Christ¬
mas offering of a friend, - - - 3 00
30. By cash for interest from City Savings Bank, - 70
Feb. 12. By cash from little Girls Working Society, Williamsburg, 2 25
By cash from Mrs. Wm. Waller, " - 1 00
14. By cash from Dr. Bolton, Monumental Church, - 5 00
Amount carried forward, $1,752 76
33
Amount brought forward, $1,752 78
Mar. 18. By cash from St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling, by Bishop
Johns, - - - - - 30 00
By cash from Lyttleton parish, Cumberland, by Bishop
Johns, - - - - 24 75
By cash from churches in the Northern Neck, by Bishop
Johns, - - - - - 48 87
Ap'l. 1. By cash for interest from City Savings Bank, - - 5 29
9. By cash from St. George's Church, Fredericksburg, by
Rev. E. C. McGuire, - - - 11 96
17. By cash from Sunday School of St. Paul's Church, Alex¬
andria, - - - - 41 69
May 9. By cash from Rev. George Lemmon, Hamilton parish, Mrs.
Eliza Marshall, $10; R. L. Randolph $7, - - 17 00
By cash from Mrs. Inman Horner, $1; Mrs. William
Wallace, $1, - - - - - 2 00
By cash from a friend, $1; Mrs. Mary E. Fisher, $1, - 2 00
By cash from Mrs. E. S. Lemmon, $1; Rev, Geo. Lem¬
mon, $5, - - - - - 6 00
$1,942 32
May 13. By balance of cash in hand, ... $352 32
E. E. WILLIAM WILLIAMS,
Richmond, 13th May, 1844. Treasurer.
The committee appointed to examine the accounts of the Treasurer of the
Diocesan Missionary Society of Virginia, respectfully report, that they have ex¬
amined the same and found them correct.
P. SLAUGHTER,
N. SALE,
G. M. CARRINGTON.
Rev. Mr. Slaughter from the same committee offered the following, which was
concurred in.
As it is desirable that the missionaries should be supplied with Tracts and
Prayer Books, your committee would take the liberty of adding another article to
the Constitution of the Missionary Society, providing a depository for them in
Richmond; therefore
Resolved, That the Diocesan Missionary Society be directed to keep on hand a
supply of Prayer Books and Tracts, to be distributed gratuitously at the discretion
of the Executive Committee.
Resolved, That any individual contributing the sum of $20 to the funds of this
institution, shall be considered a life member of the same.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
In consequence of the resignation of the Rev. Dr. Cobbsand Col. John Nelson,
and the demise of Mr. R. P. Waring, the following named gentlemen were duly
elected to supply their places as Trustees, viz: Rev. George Woodbridge, Mr.
Edward S. Pegram, and Dr. Thomas Clagett.
Rev. Dr. McGuire from the committee on the state of the church, read the fol¬
lowing report, which was adopted by the Convention.
5
34
The committee on the State of the Church, in presenting"the report expected at
their hands, are happy in being able to congratulate her friends on the appearances
of prosperity which greet us from all parts of the Diocese. The numerical in¬
crease of members has not perhaps equalled that of some former periods of our
history ; but there has, nevertheless, been a very encouraging augmentation of our
spiritual body, with such manifest signs of general healthiness, soundness and
vigor in the same, as may well gratify the feelings and affections of the most
zealous well-wishers of our Zion.
Among the favorable indications of advancement, may be selected for especial
notice the increase of candidates for Holy Orders during the year—the unusual
number of new parishes organized and received into connection with the Diocese
by the present Convention, with the addition to our churches by those newly built,
or old ones repaired and once more rendered vocal with the praises of God, after
the silence and profanation of many years. Nor must we forget the still continued
zeal and fidelity of Episcopal and Pastoral labor and supervision, by which our
people of every rank, condition and complexion are richly supplied with the means
of grace according to the chaste and beautiful rites and forms and ministrations of
the church, by which they are built up in their most holy faith, and the religion of
the Diocese made a praise in the land for its doctrinal purity and practical excel¬
lence. And in this connection we would advert to the marks of unusual prosperity
by which the Theological Seminary of the Diocese has been attended. The large
addition of students, which a wide spread public sentiment in behalf of evangelical
truth has collected around the several chairs of its distinguished faculty, gives a
most encouraging prospect of good to the cause of religion and the church, both
within and without our own ecclesiastical limits. Long may this important Insti¬
tution, fostered by the unwearied supplications and benefactions of the church,
continue as a rich fountain of spiritual health, to pour its healing streams over the
desolate and barren places of this and other lands, till the desert shall rejoice and
blossom as the rose, and the earth be filled with the knowledge of God as the
waters cover the sea.
Something responsive to the addresses of the Bishops, delivered at the opening
of the Convention, may not, in the existing emergency of the church, be deemed
inappropriate on the part of your committee. The clear and conclusive statements
of the documents referred to do not indeed leave much to be said, besides an expres¬
sion of entire agreement in the arguments and facts therein brought to our view.
The remark, however, may be allowed us, that they show that the erroneous tenden¬
cies apprehended and complained of by many as inherent in the church, have not
their origin in her constitution or doctrines, but in the wrong dispositions and sym¬
pathies of our fallen nature, impelled in a special direction by circumstances inci¬
dental to her peculiar relative position. Here we believe may be found the true
source of men's affinity with Rome, and the antipathy of some to the magnificent
cause and glorious achievements of the Reformation. That aversion to truth and
thirst for official dominion, which led the Papacy to degrade the Scriptures, and
prefer, as the Homely speaks, " the stinking puddles of men's traditions," to the
pure waters of the well of life—the same disaffection and self-love still induce
men to reject the humbling and spiritual doctrines of the Gospel of Christ, and
seek repose of mind, or a more convenient instrumentality on what may well be
called " another Gospel." But truth only is God's instrument of spiritual good to
man. Error has ever been and ever must be attended by appalling evils for both
35
worlds. Whilst we therefore regard, with unfeigned satisfaction, the scriptural and
primitive purity of the church, we cannot sufficiently evince our sense of the im¬
portance of preserving her undefiled. Yet this cannot be done without the price
of a ceaseless vigilance and fidelity. It will be necessary that those who have
been placed on the watch towers of our Zion guard with sleepless eye the avenues
to her inner sanctuary. The admission is sufficiently painful that here chiefly lies
the danger. The experience of the past, like a flaming beacon, admonishes to
beware of an unsound and benighted Priesthood. " Like priest, like people," is a
proverb sustained by the testimony of ages. If the congregation of the Lord,
then, is to be duly fed and nourished with the bread of life, the chief officers of
watch and ward must especially beware of slumbering at their posts, or waver¬
ing in the hour of trial. No church, however pure, can long bear the weight of a
ministry " destitute of the truth and supposing that gain is godliness." Of this
we have a warning voice of startling emphasis from Rome on the one hand, and
from Geneva on the other.
We are happy in the belief that, in regard to the questions here referred to, and
those generally which now agitate the church of our affections abroad and at
home, there is an essential harmony of sentiment prevailing in this Diocese, not
often to be found in so large a community. Fidelity to the church and her ascended
Lord forms the sacred bond which binds, in such pleasant agreement of thought
and action, the whole body of her Bishops, Clergy and Laity. Loving the church
as she is, regarding her as a true interpreter and witness of Divine Truth, they
desire no further reformation, especially no reformation backwards. May this
hallowed unanimity—this dwelling together of brethren in unity, be long continued
to us as a pledge of favor and approbation by Him who is " the author of peace
and lover of concord."
All which is respectfully submitted.
On motion, ordered, That the Treasurer be directed to remit to the Treasurer of
the General Convention, a sum equivalent to 75 cents for each clergyman in this
Diocese.
Rev. Wm. N. Pendleton from the Committee on Parochial Reports presented
the following:
The Committee on Parochial Reports respectfully state, that they have discharged
the duties assigned to them. The only fact calling for notice from them in this
report is, that they find some confusion in the list of Parishes of the Diocese, and
they recommend to the clergy and to the vestries of parishes who have no minister,
to furnish the Secretary with such information as may enable him to make out a
more complete list of the parishes.
The following reports from the Trustees and Faculty of the Theological Semi¬
nary were submitted to be placed on the Journal.
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE THEOLOCICAL SEMINARY.
The Board of Trustees of the Theological Seminary present to the Convention
the reports of the several professors, from which it is apparent that they have
faithfully discharged the responsible duties assigned them, and that the students
have diligently availed themselves of the privileges of the Institution. The man-
36
her in which it is conducted is entirely satisfactory to your Board, and they desire
with thankfulness to congratulate its friends on the prosperity with which it is
blessed. Never were the classes so large—the recitations so regularly attended,
and the prevailing spirit more in accordance with the design of a school of the
prophets. Whilst we rejoice to know that candidates for Holy Orders may now
find in this Seminary all the desirable helps for their theological course, and that
a conviction of this fact has filled our buildings with those who are seeking suit¬
able training for the sacred office, we desire with special gratitude to mark the
missionary spirit by which the Institution has been pervaded. Our Alumni may at
this moment be found in numbers engaged in the pioneer work in our own land, and
are to be seen zealously laboring at every foreign station taken by the church.
Nor has the devotion to this great and noble enterprise in the least abated, but
rather increased. There are now in our Seminary youth, so given to the service
for which they are preparing, as to have no desire to select their own favorite field
for future labor, but in answer to any requisition by those appointed to call to this
work are ready to say—" Here we are, send us." We allude thus to this spirit of
the Institution because we regard it as unequivocal evidence of the Divine favor.
In reference to the financial condition of the Seminary, we need say little, as this
will appear from the report of the Treasurer. We feel assured that the growing
usefulness of the Institution will secure it the continued confidence and more enlarged
patronage of the friends of pure and undefiled religion. Influenced by this assur¬
ance we feel persuaded that the measures adopted by the Convention will prove
successful, being requisite to place the Seminary in a position which will relieve
it from pecuniary embarrassment and enable the trustees to manage its temporal
affairs, without a constant anxiety as to the sufficiency of its resources to meet
its unavoidable expenses.
REPORT OP THE PROFESSOR OF SYSTEMATIC DIVINITY.
During the past year the senior class have read with the subscriber Bishop
Burnet's Exposition of the Thirty-nine Articles, with some supplemental matter on
the Sixth Article, from Goode's Rule of Faith and Practice ; also some select portions
of Bishop Pearson on the Creed ; and the Homilies throughout. They have also
studied the subject of the nature and use of creeds and confessions of Faith, and
have continued the practice of committing to memory select Epistles of the New
Testament.
The middle class have studied Butler's Analogy and all of Knapp's Theology,
except those parts upon the Church and Sacraments; and engaged in the exercise
above mentioned in the English Bible.
The junior class, as usual, have given a portion of the term, at the rate of two
recitations each week, to the study of the Evidences of Christianity.
All these classes have read Essays in connection with their daily recitations.
It is hoped and believed that the members of these classes have profited by their
year's labor, in almost every instance, as much as could reasonably be expected.
Respectfully submitted.
WILLIAM SPARROW.
37
report of the professor of church history and church polity.
To the Trustees of the Theological Seminary of Virginia.
In the Department of Church History, the middle class has been pursuing the
usual course, with Mosheim's History for a text book. The course is now nearly
completed and a review will be commenced in a few weeks. The senior class
has gone over the history of the English Church, following the work of Bishop
Short, and will be ready for reviewing after attending to the subject of Church
Polity. The last named subject (Church Polity) has been studied from Hooker,
upon whose work the class is now engaged. The study of this subject was in¬
termitted for a few weeks while the Bishop of the diocese delivered a course of
Lectures on Pastoral Theology, but has again been taken up and is at present
occupying our attention. The members of the senior class have also attended
regularly to the composition and delivery of sermons and the performance of the
service of the Liturgy.
Three times in each week I instruct a class in the High School in Intellectual
and in Moral Philosophy, the former branch having been disposed of by completion
of the usual course, and the latter now engaging the attention of the pupils.
JAMES MAY,
Professor of Church History and Church Polity.
Theological Seminary, May 9, 1844.
report of the professor of biblical literature.
The Professor of Biblical Literature would respectfully report, that the classes
under his instruction have pursued the prescribed course of study in his department
and with the usual success.
The middle class have read in Hebrew all the most important prophecies of Christ
in the Old Testament, in connection with Herngtenberg's Commentary. In Greek
they have critically studied Paul's Epistles to the Romans and Hebrews, and those
to Timothy and Titus. A private class has been formed of members of the mid¬
dle class, which has read eighty Psalms.
With the junior class he has had five recitations a week of about one and a half
hours each. In Hebrew, besides going through with the Grammar three times,
they have read 32 chapters in Genesis, and more than 20 Psalms. They have
also had exercises of translating English into Hebrew.
In Greek they will finish the Harmony of the Gospels by the close of the ses¬
sion. A private class was formed in Greek, during the first part of the session,
preparatory to the study of the Harmony.
They have also read, and been examined upon Jahn's Jewish Antiquities, so
much of Home's Introduction as relates to the Books of the Old Testament,
Ernesti on Interpretation, and have pursued a course of reading in Jewish History.
Written lectures have been from time to time delivered on Chronology, Miracles
of the Old Testament, Jewish History, and other subjects, to both classes. They
have further written Exegetical or Critical Essays on the most important and diffi¬
cult subjects in the Gospels, such as Demoniacal Possessions, the Genealogies and
38
others. He has reason to be satisfied with the diligence in study, and the pro¬
ficiency of his classes.
Respectfully submitted.
J. PACKARD.
The Professor of Biblical Literature as Librarian would further report, that he has
exercised a general supervision over the Library. There have been no works pur¬
chased for it for about two years ; some few books have been presented during
that time. There are several valuable books which need binding for their preser¬
vation. He has advanced something occasionally for this purpose. There is a
complete set of the Episcopal Recorder which could be bound at a reasonable rate.
He would suggest the expediency of it to the Trustees.
Were there an annual appropriation for the purpose of purchasing really valua¬
ble books, it would secure those to the Library, which otherwise, from their being
out of print, they may never hereafter be able to obtain. The Librarian should be
required to report the books purchased and the price of each in his annual report.
He would respectfully suggest whether the alumni annual contributions, which have
hitherto been put in the hands of the Trustees, could be devoted to a more impor¬
tant object. As has been truly said, " professors and teachers die; but a Library
never dies." And so long as it is ample it will have a great influence in securing
a large number of students.
The following report from the Principal of the High School was read, accompa¬
nied with remarks from the Bishop and Assistant Bishop, explanatory of the nature
and causes of the difficulties heretofore existing in that interesting and valuable
institution of the church, and commending it to the increased confidence and
patronage of the clergy and laity.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.
In intellectual, moral and religious condition the Institution is much as has been
heretofore reported.
In point of numbers it has slightly diminished—its present number of students
being only 47.
Its prosperity, in a financial point of view, is not encouraging. And unless its
patronage is increased it can scarcely be possible to sustain it on the plan and for
the purposes originally contemplated. And the principal can do no more than sub¬
mit it solemnly to his brethren of the Clergy, and his friends of the laity, whether
in consideration of the good service it has done and the better service it is capable
(if rightly sustained) of doing—more interest should not be cherished, and better
efforts exerted toward adequately patronizing and properly sustaining the Institu¬
tion. For it, as committed to his care, he asks their interest, their prayers, and
their efforts.
W. N. PENDLETON.
Rev. J. P. McGuire, from the committee appointed, offered the following :
Resolved, That the Secretary be instructed to have the Journals printed and
distributed as soon as practicable, and that towards accomplishing this, he be
authorised to make such arrangements as may best secure the end, and to draw
upon the Treasurer for the necessary expenses.
Resolved, That towards effecting the more prompt distribution of the Journals,
39
the Secretary be, and he is hereby instructed to obtain from the Ministry, and where
there is no Minister, from the Yestries of the different Parishes of this Diocese, a
list of the names of the Post Offices of all the individuals in such parishes, to whom
it may be desirable to send the Journals, and that he either send, or cause to be
sent, through the Post Office, to such individuals, their respective number of Jour¬
nals, at the earliest date practicable after the printing of the same. Concurred in.
Rev. Mr. Dana presented the following report from the Committee on the
Episcopal Fund.
The Committee on the Episcopal Fund have received from the Wardens of
Christ Church, Alexandria, D. C., the subjoined statement, which they beg leave
to present to the Convention, as exhibiting the present condition of said fund.
C. B. DANA, Chairman.
The Trustees of the Bishop's Fund report that, since the last Convention, they
have from the dividends of the Bank of Potomac and Farmers' Bank of Alexan¬
dria, purchased three shares of the stock of the Farmers' Bank of Alexandria, at
$40 per share, (par value $50 per share.)
At the last Convention the number of shares of the Farmers' Bank of Alexan¬
dria was 114. The number now is 117.
They also report that they have received from the Trustees of the Bank of
Alexandria, eighty-one dollars, being nine dollars on each share of stock. More
may be received, but when, we are unable to say.
Par value of the 117 shares of the Farmers' Bank is - - $5,850 00
Do. do. 9 do. Bank of Potomac, - - 900 00
Cash in hand unemployed, - - - - - 301 25
$7,051 25
WASHINGTON C. PAGE, Church Warden,
Christ Church, Alexandria.
On motion of Rev. Mr. Wingfield, the Convention went into an election for Mem¬
bers of the Standing Committee. The Rev. Mr. Mann and Mr. Geo. W. Bassett
were appointed tellers.
Tbe following gentlemen were subsequently duly elected :—
Rev. E. R. Lippitt, Rev. C. B. Dana, Dr. Wm. Sparrow ; and Mr. JohnHooff,
Dr. O. Fairfax, and Mr. Cassius F. Lee.
The Convention then took a recess until half-past four o'clock.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
The Convention re-assembled for the transaction of business.
On motion—Ordered, That the next Convention of this Diocese be held in the
town of Fredericksburg, on the third Wednesday in May, 1845.
Gen. Lewis, from the Committee of Finance, submitted the following report,
together with the resolutions accompanying the same, all of which were adopted.
40
The Committee of Finance have, according to order, performed the duty required
of them, as well as the limited time at their disposal will admit of, and respect¬
fully report
That they have examined the Account of the Treasurer of the Diocese, and
find the same to be accurately stated, and established by satisfactory vouchers.
The balance in his hands is $37 42.
The Episcopal Convention of Virginia, in Account with William H. Hubbard.
Treasurer.
I>731 49
60 00
7 15
600 00
245 00
200 00
97 59
192 06
10 00
300 00
500 00
200 00
3 50
1 25
500 00
200 00
150 00
13 00
37 42
1843.
Dr.
May 17.
To balance per account rendered,
18.
To cash paid
Bishop Meade, per receipt, -
No. 1
19.
(i <C
C. B. Dana, -
2
20.
u u
Bishop Meade, -
3,
23.
u u
Do. Travelling expenses
and Postages,
4
a ii
Do. do.
5,
u a
Bishop Johns, -
6
June 26.
u a
E. R. Lippitt, -
7,
July 8.
a a
Henry Lawson, -
8,
Aug. 21.
a. a
Bishop Johns, -
9,
Oct. 11.
u a
Do. ...
10,
Nov. 17.
a a
Bishop Meade -
11,
18.
a a
H. K. Ellyson, -
Hubbard, Gardner & Co.
12,
20.
a a
13,
Dec. 4.
a a
Bishop Johns, - -
14,
1844.
Jan. 10.
a a
Do. ...
15
Mar. 6.
<• u
Do. ...
16
Ap'l 27.
<£ ii
Rev. B. M. Miller,
17
May 11.
To balance on hand, -
1843.
May 18.
20.
31.
June 10.
1844.
Jan. 8.
10.
15.
Feb. 2.
Ap'l 27.
1844.
May 11.
Cr.
By amount received from Rev. B. M. Miller, Sec'y, viz. cash, S|
Bishop Meade's receipt on acc't Frederick Parish,
" Rev. B. M. Miller, Sec'y, viz. cash,
Bishop Meade's receipt on acc't Salary,
By cash rec'd from Trinity church, Augusta Parish, Staun¬
ton, (Delinquent,)
" " Rev. Alex. Jones, quota for Zion Parish,
Charlestown,
" " Rev. Alex. Shiras, quota for Wickliffe
Parish, Clarke county,
" " Rev. B. M. Miller, quota from Mecklen¬
burg county,
Do. do. do.
" " Rev. Alex. Shiras, quota for Wickliffe
Parish, Clarke county,
" " Rev. Thos. E. Locke, quota for Cum¬
berland Parish, Lunenburg, -
" " Savings Institution, for Interest on Money
deposited, - -
By amount received from Rev. B. M. Miller, viz. cash,
Bill for Printing and Postage,
4,048 46
2,132 07
60 00
959 00
600 00
12 00
80 00
70 00
50 00
5 00
10 00
8 00
33 39
16 00
13 00
1,048 46
By balance brought down,
E. E.
$37 42
WM. H. HUBBARD, Treasurer.
41
On reference to the vouchers accompanying the Treasurer's Account, it will
appear that there is still due Bishop Johns, on account of his Salary for the year
past, Three Hundred and Fifty Dollars. No application has been made to the
Trustees of the Bishop's fund for the current year's interest, as it was believed
that a sufficient amount would be received to meet all demands; due notice was
given to all the delinquent Parishes, and a memorandum on the last page shows
the amount still in arrears, which is respectfully submitted.
WM. H. HUBBARD, Treasurer.
The amount of payments to the Contingent Fund from the several Parishes,
made during the present Convention, is $4,310 72.
A list of the Parishes contributing to the Convention fund, at the Convention
held in Lynchburg, May 15th, 1844.
Christ Church, Winchester, ------- - $71 50
St. Thomas' church, Middletown, - -- -- -- 12 00
Hungar's parish, Northampton co. - - - - - - 50 00
St. Paul's church, Norfolk, - -- -- -- - 108 00
St. John's church, Hampton, -------- 34 00
Trinity church, Shepherdstown, - - - - - - - 40 00
St. James' church, Leesburg, - - - - 74 00
St. Paul's church, Alexandria, ------- 90 22
Abingdon and Ware parishes, Gloucester co. - - - - 35 00
Christ church, Norfolk, 330 00
Christ church, Smilhfield, Newport Parish, - - - - - 35 00
St. James' church, Culpeper, - -- -- -- - 16 00
Millwood, Frederick Parish, - - - - - - - - 51 00
Trinity church, Staunton, -------- 73 00
Hamilton parish, Fauquier co. ------- 33 00
Monumental church, Richmond, ------- 300 00
St. Peter's church, Port Royal, } - 54 00
Grace church, St. Mary^s Parish, £
St. John's church, King George, Hanover Parish, - - - - 11 00
Grace church, Petersburg, - - - - - - - - 41 00
St. Mark's church, Antrim Parish, Halifax, - - - - - 55 00
Christ church, Richmond, - - - - - - - -113 00
Woodville parish, Grace church, Lexington, - - - - - 24 00
Church at Buchanan, - -- -- -- -- 13 00
Roanoke parish, Halifax co. 15 00
Bath parish, Dinwiddie co., Sapony Church, - - - - - 34 00
St. Andrew's parish, Brunswick co. ------ 29 00
St. James' church, Mecklenburg co. ------ 65 00
Cumberland parish, Lunenburg co. - - • - - - - 53 00
St. Martin's parish, Hanover, - -- -- -- - 75 00
Albemarle parish, Sussex co. 7 00
St. John's chtfrch, Henrico co. ------- 42 00
Boyden parish, Augusta co. - -- -- -- - 15 00
St. Paul's, Suffolk, Nansemond co. - - - - - - - 30 00
St. John's church, Chuckatuck, - -- -- -- 9 00
St. Stephen's church, Culpeper co. ------ 23 25
Christ church, Lancaster co. - - - - - - . - 33 00
St. James' church, Dettengen parish, ) B • rxr-n- n j ^
St. Paul's church, Haymarket, £ Prince Wdliam Co. - - ^ 29 00
Kingston parish, Mathews co. 10 00
St. James' church, Northam, Goochland co. - - - - - 38 00
6
Amount curried forward,
$2,187 97
42
Amount brought forward, $2,187 97
Westover parish, Charles City co. - - - - - - - 25 00
King William and Southam parish, Powhatan, - - - - 12 00
St. Ann's parish, Essex co. --------- 29 00
South Farnham parish, Essex co. - -- -- -- 23 32
Lyttleton parish, Cumberland co. - - - - - 36 00
Frederickville parish, Christ church, Charlottesville, - - - - 75 00
Meherrin parish, Greensville co. - - - - - - - 14 00
Nelson Parish, Nelson Co. - -- -- -- - 37 00
Raleigh, Genito and Dale parishes, - -- -- -- 45 00
Bristol parish, St. Paul's church, Petersburg, - 240 00
Christ church, Alexandria, D. C. ------- 125 00
Tillotson parish, Buckingham co. - - - - - - 28 00
St. Thomas' church, Orange co. ------- 65 00
East Russell parish, Bedford co. ------- 75 00
Moore parish, St. John's church, Campbell co. 16 00
Portsmouth parish, Trinity church, - - - - - - - 95 00
Falls church, Fairfax co. - -- -- -- - 4 25
Martin's, Brandon parish, - .- -- -- - 22 00
Camden parish, Pittsylvania and Patrick co. - - - - 25 00
Leeds' parish, Fauquier co. ----- 26 00
St. Paul's church, Lynchburg, - - - - - - - 110 00
St. Peter's parish, St. Peter's church, New Kent co. - 15 00
St. Paul's parish, Old Church, Hanover co. ----- 9 00
St. David's parish, King William co. - -- -- - 6 00
Lexington parish, Amherst co. ------- 50 00
St. James' church, Richmond, 150 00
Washington parish, Washington co. - - - - - - 6 00
Walker's church, Albemarle co. ------- 23 00
St. Ann's parish, Christ church, do. ------- 20 00
Botetourt parish, Botetourt co. ------- 42 00
St. Matthew's church, Wheeling, - - - - - 75 00
Buck Mountain church, Albemarle co. ----- - 8 00
St. Paul's church, do. ...... 3 00
Trinity church, do. ...... 4 00
St. John's and St. Mark's churches, Kanawha, - - - - 36 00
St. George's church, Fredericksburg, ...... 150 00
Bruton parish, Williamsburg, - - - - - - 58 00
West Russell parish, Bedford co. - - - - - - - 38 00
Cedar Run parish, St. Stephen's church, ----- - 3 00
St. Margaret's parish, St. Margaret's church, Caroline, - - - 27 00
Berkely parish, Spottsylvania co. ------ 17 00
St. John's church, do. - - - - - - 17 00
St. Andrew's parish, Zion church, ------- 86 50
South Farnham parish, in full, ....... 9 68
WicklifFe parish, Clarke co. - -- -- -- - 40 25
4,208 97
The following amounts were received from Parishes which were
delinquent last year:
St. Martin's, Hanover co. ($2 having been paid by another
Parish,) - -- -- -- - $21 25
St. James\ Mecklenburg co. 9 00
Boyden Parish, Augusta co. 15 00
Christ church, Lancaster co. on account, - 1 00
Tillotson parish, Buckingham co. on account, - - 13 00
Leeds' parish, Fauquier co. ----- 23 00
Amount carried forward,
$82 25
43
Amount brought forward, $82 25 $4,208 97
St. Thomas' church, Orange co. 6 50
St. Andrew's church, Brunswick, - - - - 11 00
Wickliffe parish, Clarke co. - 2 00
101 75
$4,310 72
E. E. EDW'D S. PEGRAM, Treasurer pro tern.
Of Va. Diocesan Convention of the Prot. Episcopal Church.
Lynchburg, May 18, 1844.
The amount due from Parishes who have made Reports to this Convention, but
not paid their contributions, $212 00.
The following Parishes are returned as delinquent to this Convention—May 15,
1844 :
Christ church, Middlesex co. - - - - - - $ 3 00
Trinity church, Louisa co. - -- -- -- - 7 00
*Centurion church, Fort Monroe, - - - - - - - 14 00
*Lunenburg parish, Richmond co. - - - - - - - 24 00
*Farnham parish, Richmond co. ------- 19 00
*Cople parish, Westmoreland co. - - - - - - - 20 00
Norborne parish, Berkely co. ------- 94 00
Church at Parkersburg, - - - - - - - - 18 00
Church at Clarksburg, ________ 7 00
Weston church, - 6 00
$212 00
Amount due from Parishes which have paid in part, $570 01.
The following balances are due from Parishes who have paid in part to this
Convention:
Hungar's parish, Northampton co. - - - - - - - $12 00
Trinity church, Shepherdstown, 19 00
St. Paul's church, Alexandria, for 1843, - $75 00
Do. do. 1844, - - - 74 78
149 78
Abingdon and Ware Parishes, Gloucester co. for 1841, balance this
year $8 00, 1842, $36 50, 44 50
Millwood, Frederick parish, Clarke co. ----- - 7 00
Hamilton parish, Fauquier co _______ 6 00
Church at Buchanan, - 100
St Stephen's church, St. Mark's parish, Culpeper, for 1843, 27 48
Do. do. do. 1844, 28 75
56 23
East Russell parish, Bedford co. - - - - - - - 33 00
Falls church, Fairfax co. 15 75
Lexington parish, Amherst, for 1843, - 50- 00
Do. do. 1844, - - - - 35 00
St. John's and St. Mark's churches, Kanawha, for 1843, 12 00
Do. do. do. 1844, 32 00
85 00
44 00
Amount carried forward, $473 26
* The Churches marked with an Asterisk, have assured the Convention that the amounts due
from them, will be sent very soon to the Treasurer at Richmond.
44
Amount "brought forward, $473 26
West Russell parish, Bedford, - ----- 8 00
Cedar Run parish, St. Stephen's church, Fauquier, - - - - 5 00
St. Margaret's church, St. Margaret's parish, Caroline co. - - 11 00
Camden Parish, Pittsylvania, for 1843, - $19 00
Do. do. 1844, - 16 00
35 00
Wickliffe parish, Clarke co. -------- 37 75
$570 01
Amount due from Parishes delinquent, 1843, and still unpaid, $234 00.
Parishes which were delinquent in 1843, and which are still delinquent for that
year:
Bloomfield parish, Madison co. ------- $24 00
Church, Clarksburg, Harrison co. ------ 5 00
Falls church, Fairfax co. - -- -- -- - 20 00
Moore parish, St. John's, Campbell co. - - - - - 14 00
Norborne parish, Berkely co. ------- 94 00
St. James' church, Mecklenburg co. - - - - - - - 6 00
Church, Brooke co. --------- 20 00
Tillotson parish, Buckingham co. - - - - - - 15 00
Nelson parish,* Nelson co. -------- 22 00
Cople parish, Westmoreland co. ------- 7 00
Christ church, Lancaster, - 7 00
$234 00
13 Parishes have made no reports.
Parishes which have made no report to this Convention.
Accomac parish, Accomac co.
Cornwall parish, Roanoke church, Charlotte co.
Brunswick parish, LamVs Creek, King George co.
Washington parish, Westmoreland co.
St. Paul's church, King George co.
Christ church, ) D »
St. John's church, 5 r°° 6 °°'
Franklin parish, Franklin co.
Lynn Haven parish, Princess Ann co_
Meade parish, Loudon co.
Nottoway parish, Nottoway co.
Overwharton parish, Stafford co.
St. Andrew's parish, Zion church, Jefferson co.
Your Committee estimate the probable amount necessary to meet the expendi¬
tures of the ensuing year at about $5,000—they therefore recommend the adoption
of the following Resolutions :
Resolved, That the Treasurer be requested to write to the Rectors and Vestries
of the several delinquent parishes, urging upon them the necessity of paying up
their arrearages, now amounting to about $1,000.
Resolved, That the Treasurer be authorised to draw the interest of the Bishop's
fund, if necessary, to meet our engagements for the current year, (the Convention
pledging itself to replace the amount drawn.)
All which is respectfully submitted.
S. H. Le.wis. W. M. Waller.
Nelson Page. Wm. Williams.
"* The Rector pledges himself that this money shall be paid.
45
The following Resolutions were adopted :
Resolved, That the Treasurer be directed to pay the expenses of the Secretary
in attending this Convention.
Resolved, That the Treasurer pay the Door-keeper of this Convention, $10.
Resolved, That the Secretary have two thousand copies of the Journal of this
Convention published, for distribution among the parishes.
The Convention then adjourned to meet in the town of Fredericksburg, on the
third Wednesday in May, 1845.
Rt. Rev. WILLIAM MEADE,
President of the Convention.
Rev. Benjamin M. Miller,
Secretary of the Convention.
APPENDIX.
PAROCHIAL REPORTS.
Abingdon and Ware Parishes—Report of Rector, May, 1844.—Communicants,
added 2, tranferred to other parishes 7, died 2—total 44; Baptisms, infants, white
2; Marriages, 1 white, 1 colored—2; Funerals, infants 5, adults 3—total 8. The
amount collected for the different institutions of the Church, has been much smaller
than usual, not exceeding in all, more than $70 or $80.
CHAS. MANN, Rector.
Report of J. Grammer, Rector of Antrim Parish, Halifax County, Virginia,
May 11 th, 1844.—Communicants; whites, added 9, removed into parish 1, ordained
1—total 55; colored, added 11, died 1—total 11 ; whole number of communicants
66: Baptisms; whites, adults 6, children 8—total 14; colored adults 13—whole
number 27 ; Marriages, white 2, colored 3—total 5 ; Funerals, white 9, colored 5—
total 14. Amount contributed to the different institutions connected with the Pro¬
testant Episcopal Church, viz : Missions, Domestic $108. Foreign $122 50.
Diocesan $179 50. Education Society $75 50. Theological Seminary $96 50.
Total $581.
In addition to these, there are other institutions, such as the Bible Society and
the Colonization Society, &c., to which annual contributions are made from this
parish. J. GRAMMER, Rector.
Report of E. Withers, officiating in Albemarle Parish, Sussex, and also in the
County of Southampton.—Communicants, removed 3—total 10; Baptisms, infants
colored 19—total 19 ; Marriage 1; Funerals 2; number of Families 26. Amount
collected for Church purposes $7 00.
Remarks.—My labors commenced in these counties, in November last. I have
been endeavoring to re-organize Episcopal Congregations, and have so far suc¬
ceeded, as in Sussex, to have formed a vestry, and have the erection of a church
building in contemplation. Here a parish register and handsome service of plate
still remain, a relic of prosperous days in the church.
In Southampton, there were once seven Episcopal Churches, three of which re¬
main occupied by other denominations ; a fourth having been torn down, and devo¬
ted to a worldly use. My endeavor has been by the help of God, to rekindle in
the hearts of this long neglected people, a love for Christ and his Church.
Southampton, May 3rd, 1844.
Report of Rev. James McElroy, Principal of Female Institute and Rector of
Boyden Parish, Augusta County.—I commenced my labors in the institute on the
8th of April last, and in Boyden Parish, on the 14th. The chapel has been closed
for some two years. I have found fifteen Communicants in the parish.
Bath Parish, Dinwiddie, and St. Andrew''s Parish, Brunswick.—J. A. Massey,
Rector.—The Rector having taken charge of these parishes within the last few
months, has nothing of special interest to report. There are in them, at present,
about 89 Communicants, 63 white and 26 colored.
47
In connexion with Rev. Mr. Gibson, of Petersburg, the Rector has lately com¬
menced officiating at Dinwiddie Court-House, where we have encouraging con¬
gregations, and every prospect of having a Church Edifice erected in a few
months.
Botetourt Parish, in Botetourt and Roanoke Counties.—W. H. Pendleton, Rec¬
tor.—Communicants, added 13—total 43; viz. white 42, colored 1; Baptisms,
infants 7, adults 3 ; Funerals 3 ; number of Families connected with the parish 21.
Amount collected for the different institutions of the Church, $61.
Report of C. J. Gibson, Rector of Grace Church, Petersburg.—Communicants,
added 22, removed 5, suspended 1—total 41 ; Baptisms, adults 3, infants 26, viz.
white 17, colored 9 ;—total 29 ; Confirmations since last Convention 21; Marriages
13 ; Funerals 31. The Sunday School—number of teachers 23 ; Scholars 90-100,
who contribute annually $15, to the education of a boy in Africa.
St. John's Church, Berkely Parish, and Christ Church, St. George's Parish,
Spottsylvania County.—St. Margaret's Church, St. Margaret's Parish, Caro¬
line County.—I). M. Wharton, Rector.—Communicants, added 3, died 1—total 72 ;
Baptisms, adult 1, infant 1—total 2 ; Confirmations 14 ; Marriages 2 ; Funerals,
whites 2, colored 4. The Rector took charge of these parishes early in Sep¬
tember last. The Churches are a considerable distance apart, and the congre¬
gations small. Unable to report any thing of special interest in the condition
and prospect of these Churches, the Rector would only remark that he has been
taught not to despise the day of small things, and is encouraged by the hope, that
if he " be not weary in well doing," He, who alone can give the increase, will bless
his labors, and cause his vineyard to revive and flourish under his culture.
P. O.—Mount Pleasant, Spottsylvania County.
St. Paul's Church, Bristol Parish, Petersburg.—Rev. P. Slaughter, Rector.—
The present Rector has had charge of this Congregation for only six months.
At the time he entered upon his parochial duties, there were 202 Communicants.
During the past six months 44 have been added, 10 have removed, 2 have died—
present number 240. Baptisms, infants 33, adults 9—total 42; Funerals 8; Con¬
firmations 40; Marriages 2; Sunday School Teachers 36; Scholars 150. Con¬
tributions $800.
Bruton Parish, Williamsburg.—W. Hodges, Rector.—Communicants, added 43,
(whites 3, colored 40,) removed, whites 4, died 1, colored 3, died 8—total (white
58, colored 159,) 217; Baptisms, white infants 15, adults colored 2; Marriages,
white 5, colored 3 ; Funerals, whites 2, colored unknown. Amounts collected for
different institutions connected with the Church $152 56.
There is, at this time, an unusal degree of interest manifested in this Congrega¬
tion, on the great subject of the soul's salvation; so much so, that the Rector
deems it his duty to remain at home and continue frequent religious services among
his people, rather than attend the Convention. This, he trusts, will be approved
by the Convention, and accepted as a sufficient reason for his non-attendence.
Report of John B. Richmond, Rector of Christ Church Parish, Lancaster
County, Virginia.—Communicants, added 2, removed 1—total 33 ; Baptisms, in¬
fants, viz. white 3, colored 12—total 15 ; Marriages 2 ; Funerals 2. I took charge
of this parish in the month of October last. The former rectory having been sold
on account of its great inconvenience to the Churches of the parish, and its un¬
pleasant location, I with my lady was received into the family of Col. John
Chewning, where we remained partakers of his kindness and hospitality, until the
middle of January, when the present parsonage was purchased.
In comparing the present with the report last rendered, I find but little change
in the state of the congregations in this parish.
48
Report of R. K. Meade, Rector of Christ's Church, Charlottesville.—Commu¬
nicants, added 3, removed 6, died 1, withdrawn 1—total 75; Baptisms, adults 1,
infants 3—total 4; Confirmations 3 ; Marriages 7 ; Funerals 3. Amount collected
for charitable purposes $400.
Report of William H. Good, Rector of Christ Church, Middlesex, and having
charge of Kingston Parish, Matthews County.—Communicants, added 2, present
number 13; Baptisms, white infants 4; Funerals 4; number of Families 13.
Collected for Bishop's fund $10.
Remarks.—The present incumbent took charge of these parishes in August last.
Christ Church, Norfolk, Virginia.—Marriages, white 7, colored 1—total 8;
Baptisms, white infants 27, colored infants 5, adult 1—total 33; Funerals, white
17, colored 1—total 18; Confirmations 14; Communicants, removed, &c. 21;
added 24, present number 330.. Sunday School Teachers 45; Scholars 248.
Contributions to various benevolent objects $34 20. In addition to the above, there
have been expended for repairing the Church and purchasing a new organ $1,616.
May 10, 1840. UPTON BEALL, Rector.
Report of the Rev. Geo. Woodbridge, Rector of Christ Church, Richmond.—'
Communicants, added 20, removed 18, dead 3—total 115; colored 2; Baptisms,
infants 22; Funerals 21; Marriages 7 ; Confirmations 9. There have been collected
during the year, about $65 for Kenyon College; about $108 for the Theological
Seminary and Education Society ; and for benevolent objects connected with the
Theological Seminary and High School, about $60; for the Missionary Society
$25, and for the Convention fund $113 00.
Report of George W. Dame, Rector of Camden and Patrick Parishes, Pittsyl¬
vania and Henry Counties.—Communicants, added 18, one from another parish,
and one colored, removed 6, died 2—total 42 ; Baptisms, adults white 9, colored 1,
infants white 7—total 17; Marriages 1; Funerals 5.
Report of Thomas E. Locke, Rector of Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg County,
Virginia.—Communicants, added 7, colored 1, withdrawn 2, suspended 1, died 2—
total 55; Baptisms, adults white 1, colored 1—total 2; Baptisms, infants white 7,
colored 33—total 42 ; Confirmations, none ; Marriages 5; Funerals 4. Amount
collected for the different institutions of the Church $49 50.
St. James1 Church, Dettengen Parish, Prince William County.—J. Towles,
Rector.—Communicants, added 3, present number 17; Baptisms, adult 1, infants
white 2, colored 1; Confirmations 4; Marriages 1; Burials, adult 1, infants 4.
St. Paul's Church, Leeds Parish, Prince William County.—J. Towles, Rector.—
Communicants, added 7, present number 29; Baptisms, infants white 5; Confir¬
mations 3; Marriage 1; Burial, infant 1.
Elizabeth City Parish, St. John's Church.—John P. Bausman, Rector.—Com¬
municants, added 4, (2 from Maryland,)—total 34; Marriage 1; a Sunday School
in successful operation. Amount collected for objects connected with the Church,
viz: Convention $34, Missions $11, Sunday School $17 25.
Our venerable Church has undergone some repairs and improvements, such as
a belfry and lecture room, &c. For the latter, we are indebted to the Ladies,
whose liberality is worthy of all praise, and whose zeal is untiring. The services
are generally well attended, and, on the whole, the prospect is encouraging.
Report of the Centurion Church, Fort Monroe, Virginia.—Communicants 14;
Baptisms, infants white 15; Marriages 2; Funerals 7. Contributed to Missions $20.
MARK S. CHEVERS, Chaplain.
49
Report of St. Paul's Church, Norfolk, Elizabeth River Parish.—B. M.
Miller, Rector.—Communicants added 23, 12 from other cures; removed 5,
died 4, withdrawn 1, present number 108. Baptisms, adults 3,2 colored; infants 14,
1 colored—total 17 ; Confirmations 13 ; Marriages 3 ; Funerals 13. Contributions
about $200.
The Rector of Frederick Parish, Clarke County, Reports.—Marriages 4 ; Bap¬
tisms, infants 10 ; Funerals 9 ; Communicants, dead 3, removed 5, added 1—present
number 58 ; Families 37. Amount contributed to benevolent objects between 3 and
400 dollars. W. G. H. JONES.
P. S. I have no apology to make for not attending the Convention, than feeble
health, and the remoteness of Lynchburg from my Parish. W. G. H. J.
Christ Church, Winchester.—William Y. Rooker, Rector.—Number of comnpu-
nicants last reported 92, since added 9, (6 from other cures) died 1, removed 5»-
total 96 ; Baptisms, children 6 ; Marriages 4 ; Buried 2. Attached to the Sunday
School 92 children, 15 teachers, 1 superintendent, 22 assistant superintendents.
The spiritual welfare of the flock is, he trusts, increasing. Sickness prevents
him from furnishing an ampler report.
May 16, 1844.
Fairfax Parish, Christ Church, Alexandria, D. C.,—Charles B. Dana, Rector.-—
Communicants, added 16, 4 from other cures, removed 18, died 8—total 140, fif¬
teen of whom are colored persons; Baptisms, adults, white 3, Infants, white 10,
Colored 1—total 14; Confirmations 15; Marriages 2; Funerals 17; Number of
families 75. Amount contributed for benevolent objects about $700.
The condition of this parish is much the same as when reported last year. The
religious services have generally been well attended, and the different benevolent
institutions connected with the church well sustained.
Report of J. H. Morrison ,Rector of St. John's Church, Henrico Parish—Com¬
municants added 11, removed 2—present number 42; Baptisms, 1 adult and 7
infants; Marriages 7; Funerals 2.
May ISth, 1844.
Hamilton Parish, Fauquier.—George Lemmon, Rector.—Communicants, added
4 (3 from other cures)—total 39; Baptisms 5 ; Marriages 7; Funerals 3. Col¬
lected for institutions connected with the church $52.
Feeble health has limited the labors of the Rector almost exclusively to the Parish
Church in Warrenton during the year just closed, and deprives him of the pleasure
of attending this Convention. But he thinks his health is decidedly improving and
hopes to be more abundant in labors the coming year.
The Minister of Hungar's Parish, Reports.—Number of baptisms 3, number of
deaths 1, number of removals 3, number added 3—present number of communi¬
cants 62. J. UFFORD.
Report of James Craik, Rector of St. John's and St. Luke's Churches, Kanawha
Parish, Kanawha County, May 10, 1844.—Communicants, added 13, removed 10,
suspended 1, withdrawn 1—total 36 ; Baptisms, white adults 4, infants 11—total 15 ;
Confirmations 19; Marriages 3; Funerals 5; Number of families about 26; In¬
dividuals connected therewith about 80. Amount collected for the different insti¬
tutions connected with the church $54.
At the date of the last report St. Mark's Parish constituted a part of my charge,
and was included in the report. That connection continued until the last fall, when
it was dissolved by the happy circumstance that the parish was enabled to secure
the services of the Rev. Mr. West, as Rector.
50
Report of Lunenburg Parish, Richmond County.—William N. Ward,RectoT.—
Confirmations 8, communicants, added 4, died 1—total 24; Baptisms, 5 infants;
Marriage 1; Funerals 4.
Report of Farnham Parish, Richmond County.—William N. Ward, Rector.—
Confirmations 9, communicants, added 1, removed 1—total 19; Baptisms, 1 adult,
2 infants; Marriages 6; Funeral 1.
Report of Cople Parish, Westmoreland County.—William N. Ward, Rector.—
Confirmations 3, communicants, added 3, removed 3, died 1—total 20; Baptisms
2 infants ; Funerals 4.
Report of Lyttleton Parish, Cumberland County.—O. Bulkley, Rector.—Com¬
municants, added 4, removed 3, died 1—total, present number white 35, colored 1—■
total 36—baptism, infant, white 1 ; marriages, white 1, eolored 1—total 2; Fune¬
ral 1. Amount collected for charitable purposes $200.
The Rector has been in charge of this parish but a few months—but from his
short acquaintance with it and what he has been enabled to learn of its prospects,
regards it as a field of much interest. There are two Sunday schools now in
operation, which number nearly 70 children, both of which are well supplied with
faithful and efficient teachers. Some attention is also being paid to the religious
instruction of the servants—which we can but hope will in due time be crowned with
a blessing.
Ca Ira, May 14, 1844.
Report of David Caldwell, Rector of Lexington Parish, Amherst County.—
Communicants added 15, removed 5—total 85; baptisms 16, adults 5, infants 11,
white 10, colored 1; Confirmations 30; Marriages 6; Funerals 3. Amount col¬
lected for varions benevolent objects $250.
God has blessed and is still blessing this parish; under his blessing the church
is enlarging and improving in every respect.
Report of the Wardens of Leeds Parish, Fauquier County.—Communicants,
added 3—total 26 ; Baptisms, infant 1; Confirmations 7. The amount of the
collections taken up for benevolent objects is not recollected. The wardens had
hoped the former rector, who has all such information upon register, would have
been here to make the regular report. In the absence of better we furnish such as
we have.
THOMAS M. AMBLER.
JAMES K. MARSHALL.
St. Paul's Church, Lynchburg.—William H. Kinckle, Rector.—Communicants,
added 11, removed 9—total 113 : viz. whites 110, colored 3 ; Baptisms, adults white
4, colored 1—5; infants, white 15, colored 8—23 ; total of baptisms 28 ; Candi¬
dates for confirmation 11; Marriages of whites 3, of colored 3—total 6; Funerals
4. Contributions, monthly alms for the poor about $180, missions $134, educa¬
tion society $136, contingent fund $110—total $560.
Report of Samuel D. Tompkins, Rector of St. John's Church, Moore Parish,
Campbell County.—Communicants, added 4 ; reported last year by mistake two
that belong to another cure—whole number 16; Baptisms, 2 infants, white; one
marriage out of the bounds of the parish.
May 14 th, 1844.
Martin's Brandon Parish, Prince George County.—Aristides S. Smith, Rec¬
tor.—Communicants, added 2, removed 2, died 1—total 22 ; Baptisms, infants,
white 2—total 2 ; Funerals, white 4 (colored numerous, but list not kept)—total 4.
Number of families about 20, adults about 40, infants 35.
The Rector would also state that no inconsiderable portion of his time is devoted
SI
to the religious instruction of the blacks. In the lower part of the parish his ser¬
vices among thfs people are held in a neat chapel, built for their especial use by
the proprietors of two contiguous estates, who, in addition to their ordinary sub¬
scriptions towards the support of their minister, are willing to pay liberally for this
extra service for the benefit of their slaves. May their example not be without its
influence on others similarly situated.
Christ Church, Newport Parish, Isle of Wight County.—Aristides S. Smith,
Rector.—This interesting church had been destitute of ministerial services for six
or eight months, when the present incumbent took charge of it in February last.
He has been able to devote to it, however, and to the county of Surry (through
which he must necessarily pass in visiting it) only one fourth part of his time,
whilst the field is one of sufficient importance to demand the whole time of an active
and efficient minister. The church in this region has already lost much in not
having such a man residing in their midst, and unless one is speedily obtained it
must lose yet more. The present Rector accepted the call to take charge of this
church, only till a successor could be found who could devote to its interests his
whole time. Such an individual they hope shortly to obtain ; it is yet, however, a
matter of doubt whether they can find the means of sustaining him. Should they
fail in their efforts, it is to be hoped that the Domestic Missionary Society will
extend towards them a helping hand. The Rector believes that there is not to be
found within the limits of the Diocese a more encouraging field of missionary labor.
The present number of communicants in Christ Church, Smithfield, is 38; 35
whites and 3 colored.
Amount due from Christ Church, Smithfield. - $35 00
Do do Martin's, Brandon Parish, Prince George Co. - 22 00
$57 00
Report of Wm. Norwood, Rector of the Monumental Church, Richmond.—Com-
municants, added 33, removed 10, died 4—total 298; Baptisms, infants 27; Con¬
firmations 30; Marriages 7; Funerals 11. Contributions for church purposes.
Assessment, - -- -- -- -- - $298 00
Sunday School, - 76 78
Seminary, - -- -- -- -- - 581 00
Diocesan purposes, 383 00
Collection for Seminary, May 21 st, 1843. ----- 362 79
Communion Alms, - -- -- -- -- 287 00
$1,988 57
In addition to which $15,800 of the cost of St. Paul's Church has been paid
since the last Convention.
Report of E. B. McGuire, Missionary in Meherrin Parish, Greensville County.—
Communicants, added, white 4, (3 from other cures) colored 3, removed 1, died
1—total (of which 10 are colored) 24; Baptisms adults, white 1, colored 10, infants,
white 5, colored 51—total 67; Marriages 3; Funerals 6.
The church heretofore reported as in progress of erection has been completed,
and is ready for consecration.
At his last report the missionary had charge of Albemarle Parish, Sussex
county, which he resigned in November, 1843, and is now under the care of the
Rev. E. Withers.
In his efforts to benefit the colored population he has been much encouraged.
He preaches regularly to them, and the congregations are respectable for numbers
and deportment in the house of God. Some have been already received into the
church, and he hopes it is but the earnest of a more abundant harvest.
Report of James Chisholm, Rector of Norlorne Parish, Berkely County.
(Churches Mt. Zion, Hedgesville, and Trinity, Martinsburg.)—Communicants,
52
added 7, removed 4, died 3, suspended 2—total 94; Baptisms, adults 3, viz : white
2, colored 1, infants 25, viz: white 20, colored 5—total 28; Confirmations 10;
Marriages 4; Funerals 13. Amount collected for the different institutions con¬
nected with the church. For the education society $25. Other contributions
$57 50.—total $82 50.
Nelson Parish, Nelson County.—F. D. Goodwin, Rector.—Communicants,
added 1—total 39, (2 being colored); Confirmations 3; Baptisms, white, infants 4;
Marriages 1 ; Funerals 2. Contributions to various objects of benevolence—
Virginia Bible Society $20; General Missions, Domestic $10; Foreign $55; Edu¬
cation Society $10 ; Building churches out of the parish $5—total $100.
St. James'' Church, Northam, Goochland and Fluvanna,—J. P. B. Wilmer, Rec¬
tor.—Communicants 38, colored 2, colored, suspended 2—total 40; Baptisms,
infants, white 1; Confirmations 13; Marriages 2; Marriages, colored 1; Fune¬
rals 1. Amount of funds collected for Institutions of the church, $85.
The Rector having recently entered upon the charge of this parish, is not able to
furnish a more satisfactory report. His labors are extended to the formation of a
new congregation at Beaver Dam Church.
jReport of J. H. Wingfield, Rector of Trinity Church, Portsmouth Parish,
Norfolk county.—Communicants, added 6, removed 10, died 3, withdrawn 3, pre¬
sent number 93 whites, 2 colored—total 95 ; Baptisms, adult 1, infants 14—total
15 ; Confirmations 4 ; Marriages, 3 white, 1 colored—total 4; Funerals, 9 white, 1
colored—total 10. Contributions collected for different institutions connected with
the church, __________ $199 50
For Colonization Society, _______ 5 00
Bible Society of Virginia, _______ 6 00
$210 50
Report of John T. Clark, Rector of Roanoke Parish, Halifax county.—Com¬
municants, added 2, died 1—total 14; Baptisms, 6 infants, white; Ready for con¬
firmation 2 ; Marriages 8 ; Funerals 2 ; Number of families 11. Collected for the
church and other charitable purposes about $200.
Report of Russel Parish, Bedford County.—J. S. Marburv, Rector.—Commu¬
nicants, added 9, removed 3, died 4—total 108 ; Baptisms, infants, white 27, colored
9—total 36; Marriages 8; Funerals 7. Amount of collection $37 75.
A new church, about double the size of the former building, has been erected
on the site of St. Stephen's and will be speedily completed.
The other church in the parish, Trinity, is about to be repaired and painted.
The parish has suffered severely by losses, and the Rector has to lament that so
little success has attended his efforts to repair them. He hopes, however, though
the church has not gained much numerically, it has in weight and influence in the
community.
Report of P. F. Berkely, Rector of Raleigh, Genito and Dale Parishes, in
the counties of Amelia, Powhatan and, Chesterfield.—Communicants, added 4,
removed 3, died 1—total 45; Baptisms, infants, viz : white 5—total 5; Confirma¬
tions 2 ; Marriage 1; Funerals, viz: white 3, colored 8—total 11; Number of
families 35, adults 115, infants 63. Amount collected for different Institutions con¬
nected with the church $179.
The Rector is unable to look for encouragement to the additions made to the
communion in the above named parishes, during several years past, which have
been very small. Some other circumstances, however, lead him to hope that the
truths of the Scriptures read and preached in them every Sabbath day, the Sacra¬
ments of the Gospel administered from time to time, together with the ordinances
of the church, as presented in the prayer-book, are not, under God, without some
53
salutary influence. Whilst then he feels more deeply than he often expresses, the
absence of the highest kind of encouragement to the Christian minister in his
labors, he would be grateful for the increased kindness of his parishioners, a some¬
what larger and more uniform attendance at the house of God, and as he hopes a
more decided concern for their spiritual welfare on the part of at least a few.
That these tokens for good may soon be followed by more effectual operations
and complete results of divine grace is his earnest and habitual prayer.
St. Peter's Church, Port Royal, and Grace Church, St. Mary's Parish, Caroline
County.—William Friend, Rector.—Communicants, added 10, removed 8, died 2,
withdrawn 1—total 54 ; Confirmed 16 ; Baptisms 6 ; Burials 5 ; Marriages 3. Con¬
tributions to various religious purposes upwards of $150.
No marked change has taken place in the condition of these congregations since
the last report. Public services have been regular and well attended.
St. John's Church, Hanover Parish, King George C. H.—William Friend,
Rector.—Communicants, added 6, removed 1—total 11; Confirmed 4; Baptisms
6; Burials 4.
A very neat and commodious brick church, erected in this parish, was conse¬
crated last summer by the assistant bishop.
The stated congregation has increased very much. The condition and prospects
of the church are encouraging.
Report of A. Empie, Rector of St. James' Church, Richmond, May, 1844.—
Communicants, added 26, removed 19, died 4, withdrawn 1—total 152, of whom
2 are colored; Baptisms, adults 3, infants 15—total 18; Confirmations 6; Mar¬
riages 2, 1 white, 1 colored; Funerals 15, of which 8 only belonged to the parish ;
75 children in the Sunday school, in other respects the parish is about the same
as last reported.
St. George's Church, Fredericksburg.—E. C. McGuire, Rector.—Communi¬
cants, added 13, died 1, removed 10—total 150 ; Baptisms, adults 4, infants 12—total
16; Confirmations 13; Funerals 10; Marriages 9 ; Sunday schools 3, scholars
150, teachers 25 ; Bible classes 2. Contributions to religious and benevolent
objects $1,100.
Report of John P. McGuire, Rector of St. Ann's and South Farnham Parishes,
Essex co. Va.—St. Ann's; Communicants, added4; died 2, (1 col'd) total—30;
baptisms 2 ; confirmations 3 ; marriages 4 ; Funerals 3. South Farnham ; Com¬
municants, added 4—total 33 ; baptisms, adults white 2, infants white 14, colored
2—total 16 ; confirmations 5, marriages 4, funerals 4.
Amount collected for different institutions connected with the church, about
$250.
'Walker's Church, Christ Church, St. Ann's Parish, Albemarle co.—E. Boy-
den, Rector.—Baptisms 3; Confirmations 8 ; communicants, added 7—total 44;
marriages 2 ; funerals 4; contributions have been made to the Missionary cause ;
the Bible, Tract and Colonization Societies; to what specific amount the minister
is not now able to say.
Report of Geo. Adie, Rector of St. James' Church, Leesburg, Shelburne Parish,
Loudoun co.—Communicants : removed 12 ; died 3—total, white, 66 ; colored 2—
68; baptisms, infants white 10, colored 10—total 20; confirmations 14 ; marriages
7 ; funerals 8 ; number of families about 60.
Amount collected for the different institutions of the church, about $300.
There is nothing peculiar in the present state of this congregation.
The Rector might enumerate some circumstances calculated to encourage him;
while there is much over which he has too much cause to mourn for others and to
be humble.
54
He continues his labors at Aldie, preaching there the third Sabbath in the
month. Here there are seven communicants.
He has been preaching in the afternoon at Middleburg, for the last six months,
they being at present without a minister.
He preaches also once a fortnight generally at Belmont, Miss Mercer's school,
Sabbath afternoon, where there are 6 communicants. Here he preaches to a very
interesting congregation, composed principally of her scholars and domestics and
the neighbors around. A very interesting and proper state of religious feeling
has been manifest here for some months past, and several, it is hoped, have already
declared themselves on the Lord's side.
St. Thomas' Church, Orange co.—J. Earnest, Rector.—Communicants, added
22, (3 from other cures,) removed 1—total 65 : baptisms, adults 8, infants 6—total
14; confirmations 20; marriages4; funerals 4; contributions to various bene¬
volent objects, $95 97.
He continues to devote a portion of his time to the congregation worshipping at
Mechanicsville, in Louisa county. The number of communicants here, so far as
he has been able to ascertain is 7, of whom 3 have been added since his last report;
one of them was a Roman Catholic. Baptisms, infants 3 ; confirmations 2 ; mar¬
riages 2. Amount collected for institutions connected with the church, $59 56.
A neat and commodious brick church is now in building near the village, which
it is expected will be ready for consecration by the coming fall.
Report of John W. Woodville, Minister of St. Mark's Parish, Culpeper county.—
During the last year one communicant has been added to the church, who has also
been confirmed. I have baptized infants, white 5, colored 4—total 9; I have so¬
lemnized 1 marriage, and officiated at 1 funeral. The number of communicants in
this parish is 11, but we hope soon to add to their number such as will adorn the
doctrine of Christ in all things, and persevere in the ways of truth and holiness
unto their lives' end.
St. James' Parish, Mecklenburg ocunty.—F. H. McGuire, Rector.—Commu¬
nicants, added 1, removed 5, died 3—total 66; Baptisms 6; Marriages 2; Fune¬
rals 10. Amount contributed to the benevolent institutions of the Church $144 03.
Neat frame building is under process of erection in this parish, and may be ready
for consecration by the time the Bishop reaches this parish.
St. Stephen's Church, St. Mark's Parish, Culpeper.—J. Cole, Rector.—Com¬
municants, added 8, removed 7—total 52; Baptisms, adults white 4, infants 11,
viz. white 3, colored 8; Confirmations 8.
St. James' Church, St. Mark's Parish, Culpeper.—J. Cole, Rector.—Com¬
municants, added 2, died 2—total 15 ; Baptisms, infants 8, white 3, colored 5 ; Con¬
firmations 1; Funerals 2.
Report of John Martin, Rector of St. Paul's Parish, King George County, Vir¬
ginia.—Communicants, added 11, removed 4, died 3—total 31; Baptisms, adults 2,
white; infants 7, white—total 9; Confirmations 14; Marriages 5; Funerals 20;
number of Families 25. Amount collected by Bishop John's for Diocesan Mission¬
ary Society $12 50—Theological Seminary $9 00—Foreign and Domestic Mis¬
sions $33 00—Bishop's fund $25 00. The spiritual condition of the parish is
rather encouraging. Several more are expected soon to unite with the communi¬
cants.
Report of John Martin, Rector of Washington Parish, Westmoreland County,
Virginia.—Communicants, added 3, (2 from other cures,) died 1—total 7; Con¬
firmations 2; Funerals 2; number of Families 15. Collected for Diocesan Mis¬
sionary Society, by Bishop John's $9 50—Bishop's fund $3 00.
There is much need of increased ministerial services in this county, and some
55
signa of good, which encourage the hope, that such labors would not be in vain
in the Lord.
_ Report of J. T. Johnston, Rector of St. Paul's Church, Alexandria. Commu¬
nicants, added 19, (5 from other cures and denominations,) died 3—total 165;
Baptisms, adults 2, white; infants 42, white—total 44; Confirmations 11; (one
from Theological Seminary 7,) Marriages 5; Funerals 12; Sunday School, super¬
intendents 2, teachers 28, scholars 223. Amount collected for religious and bene¬
volent purposes $653 96.
Report of Wm. V. Bowers, Rector of St. Martin's Parish, Hanover Coun¬
ty•—Communicants, added 5; two of whom were from another parish—total
75; Baptisms, adults 2, infants 7—total 9; Marriage 1; Funeral 1; number of
Families 46. Amount collected for the different institutions connected with the
Church.
Contingent fund, delinquency of last year, - $23 25
Bo. do. for present year, - - - - - - 75 00
Missionary Society, (general,) - 48 00
Diocesan Missionary Society, - 6 00
Education Society, 58 40
Total, - - - - $210 65
Sunday Schools 2—the condition of which cannot definitely be reported.
St. Paul's Church, at Hanover Court-House, is nearly prepared for consecration.
It is a neat commodious edifice, costing about $2,200, exclusive of contributions
in timber, labor, &c.
Meetings for the servants were held for the religious instruction of the servants,
by the Rector.
Report of Edwin A. Dalrymple, Rector of St. Peter's Parish, New Kent
County.—Communicants 15; Confirmations 4 ; Baptism, 1 infant. This parish
had been destitute of regular Church services for about fifty years, until October,
of 1843, when the present Rector was chosen by a Vestry elected in the preceding
August. Arrangements have been made to put the Church in complete repair,
during the summer. Services are held once a month in the Church, for the benefit
of the servants.
Report of Edwin A. Dalrymple, Rector of St. PauVs Parish, Hanover County.—
Communicants 9; Confirmations 2; Funerals 2. This parish, which had been
without regular Episcopal services for more than half a century, was re-organized in
the autumn of 1843, by the election of a Vestry, and the appointment of the pre¬
sent Rector. The Church Edifice has been thoroughly repaired by a zealous
Communicant, and the prospects are thought to be encouraging. Service is held
at the Church once a month for the servants.
P. O.—Old Church, Hanover County.
Report of Edwin A. Dalrymple, Rector of St. David's Parish, King William
County.—Communicants 6; Confirmation 1; Baptisms, 5 infants; Funeral 1.
This parish was re-organized in the autumn of 1843, by the election of a Vestry
and the appointment of the present Rector. It had been without regular services
for thirty or forty years. Besides a regular service once a month in this parish,
the Rector has preached once a month at the Acquinton Church, in the neighbor¬
hood, to nearly the same congregation.
St. PauVs Church, Suffolk, Nansemond County.—Charles H. Disbrow, Rector.
Communicants, added 3—total 30; Baptisms, adults 1, infants 19—total 20; Mar¬
riages 4; Funerals 3; number of Families 30; Contributions, about $100.
The present Rector commenced his official duties in this parish in the month of
October, 1843, since which time he has seen much to encourage him in his new
56
and interesting field of labor. A Sunday School has been organized under favor¬
able auspices, and is now in successful operation.
The Vestry are making arrangements for the immediate erection of a neat and
substantial Brick Church, and there has been, already, upwards of $1500 sub¬
scribed within the parish for this purpose.
St. John's Church, Chuckaluck, Nansemond County.—Charles H. Disbrow,
Rector.—Communicants, added 1—total 9 ; number of Families 20. In addition
to regular services in the above mentioned parishes, the Rector has officiated
monthly, in the lower parish of Nansemond, in the vicinity of an old Episcopal
Church, a venerable relic of antiquity which he hopes will ere long be repaired
and consecrated anew to the service for which it was originally designed.
Trinity Church, Staunton.—T. T. Castleman, Rector.—I entered on the du¬
ties of this parish in October last. Since that time 11 have been added to the
communion, 1 died, 7 removed—total, whites 73, colored 2, whole number 75;
Baptisms, whites 5; Marriages 3; Funerals 2. Amount contributed to various
benevolent purposes $247 28.
Trinity Church, Shepherdslown, Jefferson County.—C. W. Andrews, Rector.—
Communicants, added 27, removed 2—total 59; Baptisms, adults 3; infants 18—
total 21; Marriages 7; Funerals 3; number of Families 42, parts of Families 8.
Amount collected for different institutions connected with the Church $350, in¬
cluding improvements upon the church building $550.
The memory of the past year will be precious to many connected with this
Church.
Tillotson Parish, Buckingham.—No Rector.—Communicants, white 28, colored
2—total 30.
P. A. BOLLING, Lay Delegate.
Wickliffe Parish, Clarke County, Virginia.—A. Shiras, late Rector.—Commu¬
nicants, last reported 87, added 5, three by removal from other parishes—removed
11, leaving 81—of which number 3 are colored; Baptisms, adults 2, infants 10—
total 12; Marriages 8; Funerals 5.
In making his last report, the late Rector of this interesting parish, would grate¬
fully acknowledge that " goodness and mercy have followed him" throughout the
whole of his connection with it. His labors for its spiritual and temporal interests
have been blessed beyond his expectations or his hopes. Fifty-three Communi¬
cants added ; a lovely parsonage built; a parish library collected, and a new Church
Edifice contracted for, and about to be commenced, are the monuments of God's
goodness to him which, after four years residence, he leaves behind.
West Russel, Bedford County.—Nelson Sale, Minister.—Communicants, added
9, (chiefly from other cures,) died 1—total 46; Baptisms, adults, viz. white 1,
infants, viz. white 6, colored 4—total 10; Marriages 3; (2 in an adjoining parish,)
Funerals 2.
The Minister would add that the two Church Edifices mentioned in his last re¬
port, are in progress, and will probably be completed this year.
Woodville Parish, Rockbridge and Botetourt Counties.—Wm. Bryant, Rector.—
Communicants, added 21; one from another Diocese, and one from another de¬
nomination ; removed 12—total 39; Baptisms, infants white 4, colored 2—total
6. Those who have removed, have been chiefly graduated Cadets from the Mili¬
tary Institute. The Church Edifice mentioned in my last report, as being about
to be commenced, has been completed, and is now ready, in all respects, for conse¬
cration.
57
Report of W. T. Leclvell, Rector of Westover Parish, Charles City County.—
Communicants, added 8, removed 5, suspended!—total 25 ; Baptisms, aduts white
3, infants 10, viz. white 7, colored 3—total 13 ; Confirmations 12; Marriages 5;
Funerals, 8 colored. Amount contributed towards the support of different institu¬
tions connected with the Church $75.
Houston, Texas, April 22d, 1844.
Right Reverend and Dear Sir,—Belonging canonically to the Diocese of Vir¬
ginia, and not being able to report personally at the Convention, I send such statis¬
tics as are in my power, and which, I trust, may not prove altogether uninteresting.
It is now a little more than a year since I commenced my labors in Houston. On
my arrival here, I found the parish had been previously organized by the Rev. Mr.
Eaton, and though there were no records, I found after diligent search, fifteen per¬
sons who called themselves Communicants in the Episcopal Church. During my
labors here, twelve have been added to the communion—one by removal, two from
other denominations, and nine who had not before united with any church, so
that my whole number of communicants at this time is twenty-seven. It is wor¬
thy of remark, that all who were added, with one exception, are heads of families,
At the late visitation of the Bishop, thirteen were confirmed—two of these had
left the Presbyterians, and united with our communion, about two years previous.
We have truly great cause for thankfulness to Him who is the Lord of the Vine¬
yard, that he has so graciously smiled upon the labors of his unworthy servant,
and caused him, even in this barren soil, already to see some fruit of his labor.
May He who has begun his good work, carry it on unto perfection, and to Hind be
all the glory.
I have baptized in this place, and in my visits to the surrounding country, eleven
children and one adult. Bishop Polk, during his visit, baptized one adult and two
children, making all the baptisms sixteen. I have solemnized the holy rite of
matrimony ten times, and been called to attend eleven funerals. Two of the chil¬
dren that I baptized, their parents brought more than sixty miles from the interior,
on horse-back.
Having no house of our own in which to meet for public worship, we have been
unable, as yet, to commence a Sunday School. A number of my communicants
are teachers in the Presbyterian School, as that was commenced before I came to
the place, and we are permitted to worship in their house. Our having no church
is a great drawback upon our prosperity at this time, and we suffer not from any
want of willingness on the part of the people here, but because they have not the
means to supply their own necessities.
What will be the final result, God alone knows, but our brethren from abroad
must aid us, if our beloved Zion takes quickly the stand she ought, and might, if
proper means were furnished, in this now young and depressed country, but yet to
be rich and flourishing. Your son in the ministry,
C. GILLETT.
Report of Rev. C. K. Nelson, officiating in Clarke.—It has been just twelve
ftionths since I accepted the invitation of the Vestry of Frederick Parish, Clarke
County, to take charge of the servants of the same, and entered upon its duties.
As there is nd little interest felt in the Diocese, as to the religious improvement
of the colored population, I am sure the Convention will bear with a fuller report
than is usual. The motives which prompted to the acceptance of such an invita¬
tion, were a deep conviction that much might be done for this hitherto much ne¬
glected population, and the desire of our Bishop and other friends of the cause,
that the experiment might be fairly made. The results of the year's experience,
I would now offer to the Convention. The congregations which were at first very
large, decreased, until at some points, scarce a handful was left. For this cause there
were doubtless reasons, some of which are discernible. Such as the preaching on some
of the plantations by the servants themselves, ignorance and suspicion of our mo¬
tives, as well as want of confidence in us. This state of things continued until
about last Christmas—from that time the congregations began gradually to improve.
58
At the present, from two to three hundred are brought under the ministrations of
the Gospel every Sunday.
The increased interest of the congregations is more remarkable still. I have
never, in my whole life, witnessed such intense interest as is sometimes manifested.
If I have ever felt that God was present in a congregation, it has been when I
have seen some hundreds of these poor ignorant creatures attentive and interested
to a degree that would savor of vanity to relate.
The causes of improvement are the removal of the causes of declension, and
an increase of effort on our part. Without any solicitation on my part, the ser¬
vants of the plantations, where they themselves were in the habit, have requested
me to preach regularly to them. They request me to baptize their children—
many of whom I have baptized—to marry them and to bury their dead.
By visiting the sick and dying—by speaking to them kindly wherever I meet
them—by showing them any other little attentions and kindnesses in my power, I
have gained their entire confidence. By prayer-meetings at night during the win¬
ter, and early in the morning, or late in the evening during the summer, this
interest is kept up. I have made the experiment of Oral Sunday School and
Catechetical instruction with the young, and find it successful beyond my expec¬
tations. I have two religious services every Sunday, and generally two during
the week. Some few have, I trust, become true Christians, and several are deeply
interested. After twelve months experience, my increased conviction is, that with
a little faithful effort, much may be done for the religious improvement of the ser¬
vants of our land.
The Rev. George A. Smith, in obedience to the requisitions of the Canon, re¬
ports, that being still unable from weakness of voice to discharge the duties of a
parish, he continues in charge of the Fairfax Institute. He has endeavored to
fulfil to his important, though limited charge, the office of a pastor as well as an
instructor, and to impress habitually upon them the importance of the "fear of
God," as "the beginning of wisdom." The number of pupils, at present, is thirty-
eight—all attend the services in the Chapel of the Theological Seminary, in which
the principal of the school has statedly officiated, in connexion with the other
clergy of the vicinity.
Report of Rev. E. R. Lippitt.—In addition to my duties as Editor of the Southern
Churchman, I have not unfrequently aided the Clergymen of Alexandria and the
neighborhood, both in the desk and in the pulpit, besides having performed, during
the past year, the burial service in three instances.
Trinity Parish, Louisa.—I am still endeavoring to build up this old and dilapi¬
dated parish, and though discouraged by many circumstances, I am not without
hopes of ultimate success.
During the past year I officiated at three places—Locust Grove, the Court
House and South Anna. At the latter place the congregation is yet small, but at
the other two, they are large and attentive.
At a visit of the Right Reverend the Senior Bishop last fall, five persons were
confirmed, and I have reasons to believe that there are others who will soon fol¬
low their example. There are now seven communicants. I have baptized since
the last Convention two infants, and officiated at four funerals and one marriage.
The number of families who would give a preference to the Episcopal Church, I
am yet unable to state. JOHN COOK.
May 1 Ith, 1844.
Report of Rev. Thomas Smith, Parker sburg.—Communicants, added 14, re¬
moved 1, died 1—total 18; Baptisms, adults white 3; Baptisms, infants white 24;
Confirmations 7 ; Marriages 5 ; Funerals 3.
Rev. Thomas Smith, Clarksburg.—Communicants—7; Baptisms, infants—7,
59
Weston Church.—Communicants, added 3—total G.
My duties at Parkersburg and vicinity are important, engrossing, and encouraging.
Our Church is contracted for and we hope to have it enclosed this summer, and with
assistance from abroad to have the interior finished. Our Female Seminary has
opened its second term with more encouraging prospects than heretofore. It is
likely, though now expensive, after a while, to be productive. It bids fair to be
of commanding influence for the Church. This parish was only organized 17th
July, 1843, since which, I have baptized 24 infants and 3 adults; Married 5, Bu¬
ried 3. I found 4 Communicants and have admitted 14, removed 1, died 1, con¬
firmed 7. For general remarks, see reports.
Report of the Rev. Mr. McElroy, principal of the Female Institute, Staunton.
I commenced my labors in the Institute on the 8th of April last, and in Boyden
Chapel, on the 14th. The Chapel has been, you are aware, closed for some two
years. I have found 15 Communicants in the parish. The Port Republic neigh¬
borhood does not, I understand, belong to the parish.
FORM OF PAROCHIAL REPORT.
Report of Rector of church,
(or of parish) county.
^cfnfnicne'caoiJj .• ac/a/ec/ y remov-oc/ y
c/ceo/ y • Jo fa/
//a/iJczmJ.- ac/u/jj y v-cz. yy/cJe
co/orec/ y c<?t^a<nJj y v-c'z. w/tJe ,
co/crecJ .• Jo fa/
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SFwnera/d
^ym/er oj/^amc/cej , ac/a/jj , &nj/z4iJj
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cozizzccJec/ ivJj/ j/e c/-urc/} $
Jo /e ac/c/ec/ j/e //lecJor.J
Note.—The Clergy are respectfully requested to frame their Parochial Reports
in strict conformity with the above ; the time and labor required in framing the ab¬
stract, and the importance of furnishing the appropriate committee with a state¬
ment as speedily as possible after the opening of the Convention, renders this request
necessary. The Clergy are further requested, when not attending the Convention,
to transmit their reports to the Secretary, otherwise he cannot be answerable for
their omission in the Journal.
B. M. MILLER,
Secretary of Convention and Rector of St, Pauls Church, Norfolk,
ABSTRACT OF PAROCHIAL REPORTS.
COMMUNICANTS.
BAPTISMS,
a
to
00
c
A HrlpH.
•o
"2
White.
Colored.
•2
<L>
hO
73
"o.S
t o
PARISHES AND CHURCHES.
(U
-o
Total.
«
S3
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Abingdon and Ware Parishes, Gloucester county ...
2
7
2
44
2
2
1
8
$75 00
Antrim Parish, Halifax ......
9
11
1
1
66
6
8
13
27
5
14
581 00
Augusta Parish, Trinity Church, Staunton -
11
2
7
75
5
5
3
2
217 28
Albemarle Parish, Sussex and Southampton
3
10
19
19
1
2
26
7 00
Hoyden Chapel, Augusta county (vacant.) ....
15
Bruton Parish, Williamsburg .....
3
40
7
9
217
15
2
8
2
152 56
Bath Parish, Dinwiddie, and St. Ann's Parish, Brunswick
89
Botetourt Parish, Botetourt and Roanoke county ...
8
43
3
7
10
3
21
61 00
Berkeley Parish, St. John's Church and St. Geo. Parish, Christ Church >
Spottsylvania and St. Margarett's Parish, Caroline )
Bristol Parish, St. Paul's Church, Petersburg ...
3
1
72
1
1
2
14
2
6
44
10
2
240
9
33
42
40
2
8
800 00
'Cople Parish, Westmoreland .....
3
3
1
20
2
2
3
4
Christ Church Parish, Lancaster -
2
1
33
3
12
15
2
2
27 00
'Christ Church, Middlesex and Kingston Parish, Matthews
2
13
4
4
13
Centurion Church, Fort Monroe , - ,
14
15
15
2
7
20 00
Christ Church, Charlottesville .....
3
6
1
75
1
3
4
3
7
3
400 00
Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg .....
7
1
1
2
55
1
7
1
33
42
5
4
49 50
Christ Church, Norfolk ......
24
21
330
27
1
5
33
14
8
18
3,420 00
Camden and Patrick Parish, Pittsylvania and Henry county
18
1
6
2
42
9
7
1
17
1
5
Christ Church, Richmond ....
20
18
3
115
22
9
7
21
371 00
Dettengen Parish, St. James' Church and Leeds Parish, St. Paul's Church, ?
Prince William )
10
46
1
7
1
4
7
2
6
Elizabeth City Parish, St. John's Church, Hampton
4
34
28 25
Elizabeth River Parish, St. Paul's, Norfolk ...
23
5
4
108
1
13
2
1
17
13
3
13
200 00
Frederick Parish, Clarke county .
1
5
3
58
10
4
9
37
450 00
•Frederick Parish, Christ Church, Winchester
9
5
1
95
6
6
4
2
Fairfax Parish, Christ Church, Alexandria -
16
18
8
140
3
10
1
14
15
2
17
75
700 00
Farnham Parish, Richmond county ....
1
1
19
1
2
3
2
6
1
Grace Church, Petersburg .....
Henrico Parish, St. John's Church, Richmond -
22
5
1
41
3
17
9
29
8
21
13
31
15 00
11
2
42
1
7
7
2
Hangars Parish, Northampton .....
3
3
1
62
3
3
Hamilton Parish, Fauquier county -
4
39
5
5
7
3
52 00
Kanawha Parish, St. John's and St. Luke's Church
13
10
1
36
4
11
15
19
3
5
26
54 00
Leeds Parish, Fauquier county -
3
26
1
1
7
Lyttleton Parish, Cumberland „ «. ^
^Lexington Parish, Amherst county -
i
4
3
1
36
1
i
200 00
250 00
15
5
85
5
10
1
16
30
2
6
1
3
Lunenburg Parish, Richmond county -
Meherrin Parish, Greenville -
Martin's Brandon Parish, Prince George
Moore Parish, St, John's Church, Campbell county
Monumental Church, Richmond -
Norborne Parish, Nelson county -
Nelson Parish, Nelson county -
Portsmouth Parish, Trinity Church, Norfolk county
Parkersburg, Clarksburg and Weston Churches
Russell Parish, Bedford county -
Roanoke Parish, Halifax county -
Raleigh, Edisto and Dale Parishes, Amelia, )
Powhatan and Chesterfield counties )
Shelburne Parish, St. James' Church, Leesburg
St. Ann's Parish, Albemarle county ...
■St. Ann's Parish and )Essex Co. -
South Farnham Parish )
St. James' Parish, Mecklenburg -
St, George's Church, Fredericksburg -
St. Peter's Church, Port Royal and Grace >
Church, St. Mary's Parish, Caroline J
St, John's Church, Hanover Parish, King George county
St. Paul's Church, Lynchburg -
• St. Thomas' Church, Orange county -
St. Martin's Church, Hanover county
St. James' Church, Northam, Goochland and Fluvanna county
St. Paul's Parish, Hanover )
St. David's Parish, King William >
•St. Peter's Parish, New Kent 3 -
St. Paul's Church, Alexandria -
St, Paul's Church, Suffolk )Nansemond
St. John's Church, Chuckatuck ) county
St. James' Church, Richmond -
St. Mark's Parish, St. Stephen's Church, Culpeper
St. Mark's Parish, St. James' Church, Culpeper
St. Paul's Parish, King George
St. Mark's Parish, Culpeper county
Trinity Parish, Louisa county -
Tillottson Parish, Buckingham -
Trinity Church, Sheperdstown
Woodville Parish, Grace Church, Lexington
Wickliffe Parish, Clarke county
Westover Parish, Charles City county
West Russell Parish, Bedford county - - *
Washington Parish, Westmoreland
Missionary to Texas—C. Gillett ...
1
24
5
5
8
1
4
1
1
24
1
5
10
51
67
3
6
20
2
1
22
2
2
4
16
2
2
1
10
4
298
27
30
7
11
1,988 57
4
2
3
98
2
20
1
5
28
10
4
13
82 50
39
4
4
3
1
2
100 00
10
3
95
1
14
15
4
4
10
210 50
1
1
31
3
31
34
7
5
3
36 75
3
4
108
27
9
36
8
7
1
15
6
8
2
11
200 00
3
1
45
68
5
5
2
1
11
35
179 00
12
3
10
10
20
14
7
8
60
300 00
44
3
3
8
2
4
2
30
2
2
3
4
3
^250 00
33
2
14
2
18
5
4
4
5
3
66
6
6
2
10
144 00
10
1
150
4
12
16
13
9
10
1,100 00
8
2
54
6
6
16
3
5
150 00
1
11
6
6
4
4
560 00
9
113
4
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1
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28
6
4
1
65
8
6
14
20
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75
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210 65
2
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653 69
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165
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12
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1
19
20
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100 00
9
20
19
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152
3
15
18
6
2
15
7
52
4
3
8
15
2
15
3
5
8
1
2
60 00
4
3
31
2
7
9
14
5
2
25
69 50
11
5
4
1
1
1
7
2
2
5
1
*■*
30
2
59
3
IS
21
7
3
42
350 00
12
39
4
2
6
11
81
2
10
12
8
5
5
1
25
3
7
3
13
12
5
8
75 00
1
46
1
6
4
11
2
2
1
7
2
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12 00
27
13
A LIST
OF THE CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE OF VIRGINIA,
WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE
PARISHES AND POST OFFICES.
ID5 The Clergy who have recently entered the Diocese or removed from one part to another
are requested, when they present their Parochial Reports to the Convention, to send in also the
names of their respective Post Offices, if they expect them to be inserted in the following list.
CI.ERGY.
Rt. Rev. Wm. Meade, D.D.
Rt. Rev. J. Johns, D.D.
Adie, Rev. George
Andrews, C. W.
Armstrong, Rev. Wm.
Bausman, Rev. John
Beall, Rev. Upton
Bulkley, Rev. O.
Berkely, Rev. P. F.
Bowers, Rev. Wm. V.
Boyden, Rev. E.
Bryant, Rev. Wm.
Castleman, Rev. T. T.
Caldwell, Rev. D.
Craik, Rev. James
Chevers, Rev. M. L.
Chisholm, Rev. James
Clark, Rev. John T.
Cole, Rev. John
Cooke, Rev. John
Cofer, Rev. J. M.
Christian, Rev. Edmund
PARISHES OR CHURCHES.
Shelburne parish,
Trinity Church,
St. Matthew's church,
St. John's church,
Christ church,
Lyttleton parish,
Raleigh and Dale parishes,
St. Martin's parish,
St. Ann's and Walker's parishes,
Woodville parish,
Trinity church,
Lexington parish,
Kanawha parish,
Centurion church,
Norborne parish,
Roanoke parish,
St. Stephen's church,
Officiating in Louisa,
Dame, Rev. G. W.
Dana, Rev. C. B.
DoughanNRev. James
Dalrymple, Rev. E. A.
Disbrow, RevAC. H.
Earnest, Rev. Joseph
Empie, D.D., Rev. A.
Friend, Rev. Wm.
Goodwin, Rev. F. D.
Goodwin, Rev.James
Grammer, Rev. John
Gibson, Rev. C. J.
Gillett, Rev. Charles
Hill, Rev. John H.
Hodges, Rev. William
Harrison, Rev. J. H.
Henning, Rev. Edmund W.
Jackson, Rev. W. M.
Jackson, Rev. W. G.
Johnston, Rev. James T.
Jones, Rev. Alexander
Jones, Rev. W, G. H.
' Franklin parish,
Camden and Patrick parishes,
Christ Church,
St. Paul's parish,
St. Paul's church,
St. Thomas' church,
St. James' church,
St. Peter's and Grace churches,
Nelson parish,
Missionary,
Antrim parish,
Grace church,
Missionary,
Missionary,
Bruton parish,
St. John's church,
Missionary,
Chaplain United States Navy.
St. Paul's church,
St. Andrew's parish,
Frederick parish,
POST OFFICES.
Millwood, Clarke county.
Richmond.
Leesburg, Loudon.
Shepberdstown, Jafferson.
Wheeling, Ohio county.
Hampton, Elizabeth City co.
Norfolk.
Ca Ira, Cumberland.
Wilkinsonville, Chesterfield.
New Amsterdam, Hanover.
Everettsville, Albemarle.
Lexington, Rockbridge.
Staunton, Augusta.
New Glasgow, Amherst.
Kanawha Courthouse.
Old Point Comfort.
Hedgesville, Berkely county.
Mt. Laurel, Halifax.
Culpeper Courthouse.
New Amsterdam, Hanover.
Lynchburg.
Rocky Mount, Franklin.
Danville, Pittsylvania co.
Alexandria, D. C.
Lynchburg.
Old Church, P. O., Hanover.
Suffolk, Nansemond.
Orange Courthouse.
Richmond.
Port Royal, Caroline.
Tye RiverWa'house, Nelson.
Point Pleasant, Mason.
Halifax Courthouse.
Petersburg.
Houston, Texas.
Athens, Greece.
Williamsburg.
Wellsburg, Brooke.
Africa.
Charlottesville, Albemarle,
Alexandria, D. C.
Charlestown, Jefferson.
Millwood, Clarke county,
63
CLERGY.
Keeling, Rev. Jacob
Kinckle, Rev. W. H.
Leavell, Rev. W. T.
Lee, Rev. J. R.
Lemmon, Rev. George
Lippitt, Rev. E. R.
Locke, Rev. Thomas E.
Lock wood, Rev. William
Mann, Rev. Charles
Marbury, Rev. J. S.
Martin, Rev. John
Massey, Rev. J. A.
May, D.D.j Rev. James
Meade, Rev. R. K.
Miller, Rev. B. M.
Morrison, Rev. J. H.
McElroy, Rev. J.
McFarland, Rev. M.
McGuire, D.D., Rev. E. C.
McGuire, Rev. J. P.
McGuire, Rev F. H.
McGuire, Rev. E. B.
Nelson, Rev. C. K.
Newell, Rev. C.
Norwood, Rev. W,
Packard, Rev. Joseph
Payne, Rev. John
Parks, Rev. M. P.
Pendleton, Rev. W. N.
Pendleton, Rev. W. H.
Rooker, Rev. W. Y.
Sale, Rev. Nelson
Slaughter, Rev. P.
Smith, Rev. Thomas
Smith, Rev. Joseph
Smith, Rev. George A.
Smith, Rev. Aristides
Smith, Rev. Leonidas
Sparrow, D.D., Rev W.
Syme, D.D., Rev. A.
Temple, Rev. H. W. L.
Towles, Rev. John
Tyler, Rev. Joseph D.
Tompkins, Rev. S. D.
Ufford, Rev. J.
Ward, Rev. W. N.
Wharton, Rev. D. M.
Wingfield, Rev. J. H.
Wooclbridge, Rev. George
Woodville, Rev. J. W.
Winchester, Rev. T. W.
Wilmer, Rev. J. P. B.
West, Rev.
Withers, Rev. E.
PARISHES OR CHURCHES.
St. Paul's church,
Westoter parish,
Missionary,
Hamilton parish,
Cumberland parish,
Abingdon and Ware parishes,
Russel parish, Bedford,
St. Paul's church,
Bath parish,
Professor Theological Seminary,
Christ church,
St. Paul's church,
St. John's church,
< Boyden Chapel and Principal of I
( Female Institute, J
St. John's church,
St. George's church,
St. Ann's and S. Farnham parishes,
St. James' church,
Meherrin parish,
Officiating in Clarke,
Chaplain United States Navy,
Monumental church,
Professor Theological Seminary,
Missionary,
Chaplain West Point Academy,
Principal High School,
Botetourt parish,
Frederick parish,
West Russel parish,
Bristol parish,
Missionary,
Principal Fairfax Institute,
Martin's, Brandon parish,
Professor Theological Seminary,
Dettengen and Leed's parishes,
Principal Deaf and Dumb Institute,
Moore parish, St. John's church,
Hungar's parish,
( Lunenburg, Farnham and Cople I
( parishes, )
\ Berkely, St. George's and St. >
< Margaret's parishes, )
Trinity church,
Christ church,
St. Mark's parish,
St. George's parish,
North am parish,
Officiating in Kanawha,
Albemar le parish, Sussex,
POST OFFICES.
Suffolk, Nansemond.
Lynchburg.
Charles City Courthouse.
Africa.
Warrenton, Fauquier.
Alexandria, D. C.
Columbian Grove, Lunanb'g.
Theol. Seminary, Fairfax.
Gloucester Courthouse-
New London, Campbell.
King George Courthouse.
Dinwiddie Courthouse.
Theol. Seminary, Fairfax.
Charlottesville.
Norfolk;
Richmond.
Staunton, Augusta.
City Point, Prince George.
Fredericksburg.
Loretto, Essex.
Boydton, Mecklenburg.
Poplar Mt.. Greensville, co,
Millwood, Clarke.
Richmond.
Theol. Seminary, Fairfax.
Africa.
West Point, N. Y.
Theol. Seminary, Fairfax.
Fincastle, Botetourt.
Winchester.
Davis' Store, Bedford.
Petersburg.
Parkersburg, Wood county.
Cape Palmas, Africa.
Theol. Seminary, Fairfax.
Garysville, Prince George.
Norfolk.
Theol. Seminary, Fairfax.
Petersburg.
Miller's Tavern, Essex.
Milford Mills, Prince- Wm.
Staunton, Augusta.
Lynchburg.
Eastville, Northampton.
Warsaw, Richmond county.
Mt. Pleasant, Spottsylvania.
Portsmouth.
Richmond.
El Dorado, Culpeper.
Onancock, Accomac.
Goochland Courthouse.
Kanawha Court-house.
Jerusalem-, Southampton.
A LIST
OF THE PARISHES OF THE DlOC'ESE OF VIRGINIA,
WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE
COUNTIES* CHURCHES, AND MINISTERS.
T£y The Clergy will greatly assist the Secretary in completing the following list, which is
here but imperfectly commenced, if they will at the next Convention insert in their Parochial
Reports the names of the counties, parishes, and churches under their care.
CHURCHES.
Accomac,
Abingdon,
Albemarle,
Antrim,
Augusta,
Bath,
Berkely,
Botetourt,
Bruton,
Boyden,
Bloomfield, "
Bristol,
Brunswick,
Brunswick,
Camden,
Clarksburg,
C Cople,
< Lunenburg,
( N. Farnham,
Christ church,
Cumberland,
Cornwall,
Christ church,
Camden,
Dale,
Dettengen,
Elizabeth City,
Elizabeth,
Frederickville,
Frederick,
Fairfax,
Frederick,
Franklin,
Accomac,
Gloucester,
Sussex,
Halifax,
Augusta,
Dinwiddie,
Spottsylvania,
Botetourt and Roanoke,
James City,
Augusta,
Madison,
Prince George,
Stafford,
King George,
Pittsylvania,
Harrison,
Westmoreland,
Richmond,
Lancaster,
Lunenburg,
Charlotte,
Middlesex,
Pittsylvania,
Chesterfield,
Prince William,
Elizabeth City,
Norfolk,
Albemarle,
Frederick,
Fairfax,
Clarke,
Franklin,
St. Mark's,
Trinity,
Sapony,
St. John's,
Piedmont,
Trinity,
St. Paul's,
Lamb's Creek,
St. Andrew's,
Christ,
( St. James',
I St. Paul's,
Roanoke,
j Danville and
< Competition,
Sapony,
St. James',
< St. John's,
\ Centurion,
j St. Paul's,
Christ,
( Trinity,
< Christ,
( Buckmountain,
Christ church,
( Christ,
< St. Paul's,
( Falls',
< Wickliffe,
< The Chapel,
MINISTERS.
Charles Mann.
E. Withers.
John Grammer.
T. T. Castleman.
J. A. Massey.
D. M. Wharton,
W. H. Pendleton.
William Hodges.
J. McElroy.
P. Slaughter.
G. W. Darner
T. Smith.
W. N. Ward.
J. B. Richmond.
^ Thomas E. Locke.
W. H. Goode.
| G. W. Dame.
P. F. Berkely
John Towles.
J. P. Bausman.
M. L. CheverSi
B. M. Miller.
U. Beall.
| R. K. Meade.
W. Y. Rooker.
C. B. Dana.
J. T. Johnston.
^ W. G. H. Jones.
E. Christian.-
65
PARISHES.
CHURCHES.
Henrico,
Hanover,
Hungar's,
Hamilton,
Haymarket,
Kanawha,
Leeds,
Lynnhaven,
Lexington,
Lunenburg,
Leeds,
Lyttleton,
Manchester,
Meade,
Martin's Brandon,
Do. do.
Meherrin,
Moore,
Norborne,
Newport,
Nelson,
Nottoway,
Overwharton,
Portsmouth,
Pet^worth,
Russell,
Raleigh,
Roanoke,
St. James'
St. George's,
St. Ann's,
St. Andrew's,
St. Margaret's,
St. Mary's,
St. Mark's,
St. Ann's,
South Farnham,
St. James', Northam,
St. Martin's,
St. James',
St. George's,
St. George's,
Shelburne,
St. Andrew's,
St. Andrew's,
St. Paul's,
Suffolk,
Southwaik,
Southam,
St. Thomas',
St. David's,
St. Paul's,
Henrico,
King George,
Northampton,
Fauquier,
Prince William,
Kanawha,
Fauquier,
Princess Ann,
Amherst,
Richmond,
Prince William,
Cumberland,
Chesterfield,
Loudon,
Prince George,
Do, do.
Greenville,
Campbell,
Berkley,
Isle of Wight,
Nelson,
Nottoway,
Stafford,
Norfolk,
Gloucester,
Bedford,
Amelia,
Halifax,
Prince William,
Accomac,
Albemarle,
Brunswick,
Caroline,
Caroline,
Culpeper,
Essex,
Essex,
Goochland,
Hanover,
Mecklenburg,
Spottsylvania,
Spottsylvania,
Loudon,
Jefferson,
Jefferson,
King George,
Nansemond,
Surry,
Powhatan,
Orange,
Brooke,
King William,
Hanover,
f Monumental,
j St. John's,
] Christ,
(, St. James',
St. John's,
< Hungar's,
< Christ,
j St. John's,
\ St. Mark
( Emanuel, and )
( Chapel, >
Amherst C. H. )
, 5
< A
In
ew Glasgow,
St. Paul's,
Wm. Norwood.
J. H. Morrison.
George Woodbridge.
A. Empie, D.D.
William Friend.
J. Ufford.
George Lemmon.
J. Towles.
James Craik.
D. Caldwell.
W. N. Ward.
J. Towles.
O. Bulkley.
Merchant's Hope,
( St. John's Church, )
I City Point, f
City Point,
( St. John's,
\ St. Paul's,
( Christ, )
( Mill Creek, J
Christ Church,
j Trinity and )
I Callaway, )
Aquia,
Trinity,
(Trinity, ?
( St. Stephen's, )
Grub Hill,
Mt. Laurel,
< St. James', )
( and St. George's, J
Christ,
St. Andrew's,
St. Margaret's,
( St. Peter's, )
\ Grace, )
( St. Stephen's,
St. Paul's,
St. George's,
Christ Church,
St. James',
Zion,
Trinity,
St. Paul's,
St, Paul's,
( Peterville,
{ Manakin,
St. Thomas,
( St. John's, church,
< Christ church,
A. Smith.
E. B. MoGuire.
S. D. Tompkins.
W. H. Kinckle.
J. Chisholm.
Aristides S. Smith.
F. D. Goodwin.
J. H. Wingfield.
J. S. Marbury.
P. F. Berkely.
J. T. Clarke.
Thos. W. Winchester.
E. Boyden.
J. A. Massey.
D. M. Wharton.
W. Friend.
J. Cole.
J. W. Woodville.
J. P. McGuire.
J. P. McGuire.
J. P. B. Wilmer.
W. V. Bowers.
F. H. McGuire.
E.C. McGuire, D.D.
D. M. Wharton.
George Adie.
Alexander Jones.
C. W. Andrews.
J. Martin. »"■
C. H. Disbrow.
Jos. Earnest.
J. L. Harrison.
E. A. Dalrymple.
E. A. Dalrymple.
66
CHURCHES.
MINISTERS.
St. Peter's,
St. Mark's,
St. Matthews,
Truo,
Trinity,
Tillotson,
Walker's,
Ware,
Washington,
Westover,
West Russell,
Wickliffe,
Woodville,
New Kent,
Kanawha,
Ohio,
Fairfax,
Louisa,
Buckingham,
Albemarle,
Gloucester,
Westmoreland,
Charles City,
Bedford,
Clarke,
Botetourt and Rock'ge,
St. Matthew's,
Pohick,
( St. Peter's,
( Goodwin's,
Walker's,
Grace,
E. A. Dalrymple.
West.
William Armstrong.
E. Boyden.
Charles Mann.
W. T. Leavell.
N. Sale.
W. Bryant.
67
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF VIRGINIA.
Rt. Rev. WILLIAM MEADE, D.D., President.
Rt. Rev. JOHN JOHNS, D.D., Vice-President
Rev. EDWARD C. McGUIRE, D.D., Secretary.
WILLIAM POLLOCK, Esq., Treasurer.
Rev. John Grammer, Thomas F. Nelson, Esq.
John P. McGuire, Cassius F. Lee, Esq.
Charles B. Dana, Gen. Samuel Lewis,
Alexander Jones, Edward S. Pegram, Esq.
George Adie, Dr. Thomas Clagett,
George Woodbridge.
STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE DIOCESE OF VIRGINIA.
Rev. EDWARD R. LIPPITT, President.
" CHARLES B. DANA, Secretary.
Rev. William Sparrow, D.D., John Hooff, Esq.
Dr. Orlando Fairfax, Cassius F. Lee, Esq.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE' DIOCESAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF VA.
Dr. F. H. DEAN, Secretary.
WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Esq., Treasurer.
Rt. Rev. William Meade, D.D. Rev. William Norwood,
" " John Johns, D.D. " Philip Slaughter,
" Adam Empie, D.D.
DELEGATES TO THE GENERAL CONVENTION.
Rev. Adam Empie, D.D.
" E. C. McGuire, D.D.
" William Sparrow, D.D.
" John Grammer,
Philip Williams, Esq.
Gen. Samuel Lewis,
Richard Cunningham, Esq.
Wm. H. Macfarland, Esq.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO MEMORIALIZE THE LEGISLATURE.
William H. Macfarland, \ Richmond $ SEN' JamksVV. Pegram,
James Lyons, \ ' * Gen. Wm. H. Richardson.
David May, Petersburg. Gen. Samuel/Lewis, Rockingham.
Edmund Fontaine, Hanover. Edward S. ?egram, Norfolk.
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