BX ■m mm IlIBRARY OF CONGRESS J f [SMITHSONIAN DEPOSmj f i ! UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, f . tTCWJiSfiRWRWriiyJX'JirfiTJWrrt:' Tamrj Wiaites i:JcLV'Json Lith. Frint. Tm.'m w^ MMWo w^ij^aici^Mt mm'^m%, w.w. -J^k^c^^ >:; ?y7?^3fl^2/tl^-CCC < A % THE LIFE f |{ it. i^b. »lliam lipte, §. g., BISHOP OF PENNSTLVANIA. AND PRESIDING BISHOP OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES. JOHN N. NORTON, A. M., RS070R OF ASCENSION CHURCH, 'iJ^ANKFORT, KENTUCKY. AUTHOR OF "THE BOY WHO WAS TRAINED UP TO BE A CLERGYMAN," "FULL PROOF OF THE MINISTRY," ETC., ETC. /j 7/- '^V "Tlie memory of Bishop White possesses an enduring mterest, whether the view that is taken of his Life be historical, or strictly biographical ; whether his acts are considered as bearing upon public interests, or as illus- trative of individual character."— iVett> York Review. NEW YORkI^ Cfeneral 3Protestant Bpijjcopal S. Scjool Union, antr (Hiinxtl) Book Societs, 63T BROADWAY. 1856. "V-^ [of CONORtit i TO PBESrDENT OP HOBAET PEEK COLLEGE, THE IIEE OF EISHOP WHITE (no matter how small the volume which contains it,) IS so FULL of interest TO ALL GOOD MEN, that I AM SURE YOU WILL NOT DISDAIN €i^isi ExihuU of ^iUttion FROM A FORMER PUPIL, AND A SINCERE AND DEVOTED FRIEND. PREFACE. Should this little volume meet with the appro- bation of Churchmen, it is the Author's intention to prepare others of a similar character, containing the Memoirs of Bishops Griswold, Chase, Hobart, Heber, Stewart, and others. No one who has not actually performed the task of writing biographies for the young, can form any idea of the difficulty of such an effort. Without hoping to disarm criticism by this remark, the Author trusts that it may at least secure for this humble offering, a patient reading, and protect him from harsh and hasty judgment. It is but justice to state, that he has freely availed himself of every source of information within his reach. CONTENTS. CHAPTEH I. Pagb "Is it true ?"—PareTita£:e— Birth— Child of God— Boyish tastes- Juvenile preaching — Eefusing to dance — Sent to school — College life 9 CHAPTER II. Confirmation — A vexed question settled — Choice of a profession — Difficulties— Voyage to London — Non -resident Bishop — Ordained Deacon— Kindred 14 CHAPTER III. Sojourn in England — Oxford — Bishop Lowth — Sacred music— Dr. Home— Samuel Johnson — Prince of Abyssinia— Oliver Goldsmith — Ordained Priest— Pweturn Home ....... 18 CHAPTER lY. "Welcome home— Assistant Minister— Marriage— Revolutionary trou- bles— Perplexities— Straight-forward honesty— Oath of allegiance —Philadelphia taken 2S CHAPTER Y. War— Chaplain to Congress — Dismal days— New inkstands— Pre- vailing prayer — Return to Philadelphia— Forlorn hope ... 27 CHAPTER YI. Eector of Christ Church and St. Peter's— Pwevival of the Church- Difficulties— Bishop Scab ury— Providential directions— Conven- tions 82 CONTENTS. 7 CHAPTER Til. Page Another convention— Three Bishops chosen — Voyage to England — Consecration— Pleasing incident— Difficulties avoided — First con- secration in America. 37 CHAPTER YIII. The Church established by God— St. Paul in Britain — Origin of the Prayer Book — Slow progress — Care of all the Churches— The con- secration of twenty-six Bishops CHAPTER IX. Bishop While as a parish minister — Yellow fever— Faithfulness in danger— Abundant labors in old age— Standing as a preacher- Anecdote — Kapid utterance and slow 46 CHAPTER X. Presiding Bishop— Bishops all equal in rank — Similarity between the General Convention, and the Congress of the United States — A dilemma— Domestic trials and afflictions. . . . . .51 CHAPTER XI. A nation's tears — Washington a communicant of the Episcopal Church— Affecting incident— Benevolence to the poor — Washing- ton at church 55 CHAPTER XII. New churches- Extremes meet— Bishop Hobart's consecration — Disappointed hopes— Early missionary society — The west. . . 60 CHAPTER XIII. Missionary societies— General Theological Seminary— Welcome to Lafayeite—LoMg journeys— Dangerous accident — Again at work — Watchful Providence. 65 CHAPTER XIV. Diocesan troubles — An octogenarian — Election of an assistant Bishop —Parties in the Church 70 8 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XY. Page Bishop "White as a student and an author— Girard College— Noble protest — Daniel Webster— Question to be solved 75 CHAPTER XYI. Mission to China — The Church arousing herself to action— Neg- lected opportunities — Dr. Cutler's sermon — Memorable conven- tion—Missionary Bishops chosen — The last night of the session. . 80 CHAPTER XYII. Bishop "White as a citizen — Wire-drawn biographies — Influence at elections— Colonization society — Greek revolution — Indian tribes — Public dinners. 85 CHAPTER XYIII. Collecting materials for a Church History— Dr. Hawks sent to Eng- land—Letter to Bishop White— Interview with the Archbishop of Canterbury— Kindness and courtesy 89 CHAPTER XIX. Lengthening shadows — Serious illness— Last sermon— Stroke of death — Christian composure — Wide-spread distress — Funeral. . 94 CHAPTER XX. The General Sunday School Union— Character of Bishop White — His goodness— Mildness— Humility — Benevolence — Affection — Conclusion 99 THE f if^ 0f Si^ffi M^itt. i CIIAPTEE I. "is it true?" PARENTAGE BIRTH CHILD OF GOD BOYISH TASTES JUVENILE PREACHING REFUSING TO DANCE SENT TO SCHOOL — COLLEGE LIFE. It is a question often asked by little folks, after reading, or listening to a story, " Is it true ?" show- ing, by this inquiry, that their estimation of its worth will depend, in a great degree, upon the answer they receive. I have been surprised, therefore, that more pains have not been taken to prepare authentic bio- graphies of the wise and good for their entertainment and instruction, instead of dealing so largely in the fictitious and the improbable. "With a view of testing the soundness of my the- ory, I have concluded to write a short memoir of 10 LIFE OP BISHOP WHITE. Bishop White, and I am sure that it will be my own fault, and not that of the subject, if this effort should prove unsuccessful. William White was born in Philadelphia, on the fourth of April, 1748. He was the son of Colonel Thomas White, an Englishman by birth, who emi- grated to Maryland in his sixteenth year ; coming to the New World, like many others, to seek his fortune. He married twice ; his second wife, (the widow New- man, a native of Burlington, New Jersey,) being the mother of the subject of this memoir, who was after- wards to act so prominent a part in the history of the American Church. The parents of Bishop White were both excellent people ; their son thus speaks of them in a letter to a friend, written long after their decease : " My father left the world with the reputation of unsullied integ- rity through life ; and I think I may say that he pos- sessed a remarkably correct judgment of men and things. In his domestic character he was indulgent and exemplary. During the last twenty-two years of his life, he was so far a cripple, in consequence of a fall from a carriage, as to walk on two canes with handles. This kept him out of all society, except such as could be had at his own hospitable table and fireside ; and, except in afternoons, of some of the principal gentlemen of the city, of his own age, who, in those days, habitually assembled at the publio JUVENILE PREACHING* 11 coffee-house, for society merely. My mother, if I am not misled by partiality, possessed an excellent understanding, with sincere, but unostentatious piety. It would be wrong not to record the acknowledgment of the benefit of her religious instructions upon my young mind, for which I owe gratitude to her mem- ory, and to the grace of God for the benefit received from them." In these modest terms does the good Bishop bear testimony to the value of that early training, which fitted him for usefulness in after years. Having been made " a member of Christ, and a child of God," by Holy Baptism, he was gently led along, step by step, in the way he should go, and true to the promise con- tained in His blessed Word, the kind and watchful Providence of God never allowed him to depart from it. It is gratifying to notice how early William White manifested a taste for the office of the sacred minis- try. A Quaker lady, who had known him intimately from his early boyhood, pleasantly remarks, that " Billy White was born a Bishop — I never could per- suade him to play anything but church. He would tie his own or my apron round his neck, for a g(^wn, and stand behind a low chair, which he called his pulpit; I, seated before him on a little bench, was the congregation; and he always preached to me about being good. One day," she continues. '- 1 heard 12 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. him crying, and saw him running into the street, and the nurse-maid after him, calling to him to come back and be dressed. He refused, saying, ' I do not want to go to dancing school, and I won't be dressed, for I don't think it is good to learn to dance.' And that was the only time I ever knew Billy White to be a naughty boy.*' The same lady mentions, that when her little playfellow had grown up to manhood, and had become a Bishop, she reminded him of this amusing circumstance in his history, and that he told her, that when his mother found him so unwilling to learn to dance, she gave it up, " though,*' he said, " I am by no means opposed to others learning, if they like to dance." When seven years of age, William White, who had previously been attending a primary school, taught by a female, was sent to the English school connected with the College of Philadelphia, an insti- tution then in its infancy. Three years afcer, we find him advanced to the Latin school, of which Mr. Paul Jackson was the master. It was unfortunate for young White that this gen- tleman soon resigned a position which he was so ad- mirably qualified to fill, leaving his school to the care of Mr. John Beveridge. The new master find- ing it necessary to limit the number of his classes, pushed William W'hite forward into studies for COLLEGE LIFE AND SUCCESS. 13 which he was not fully prepared, thus rendering his course far more difficult and painful. Notwithstanding this unfortunate advancement, he contrived, by diligence and perseverance, to maintain a respectable standing, and, at the early age of thir- teen, was pronounced qualified to enter college. His father, however, took a very sensible view of the matter, and thinking him too young for beginning such an arduous task, insisted upon his remaining in the Latin school another year. This determination was extremely mortifying to the young student, at first, but he lived long enough to discover that parents are generally much wiser than their children, and that their prudent counsels should be carefully followed. He entered college when fourteen years of age, completing the course in three years, and sustaining throughout a good reputation as a scholar. We have thus briefly traced the career of the fu- ture Presiding Bishop of the American Church, from his infancy to his seventeenth year, and now leave him, at the close of the chapter, standing upon the threshold of life, and looking forward upon what it might have in store for him. 2 14 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. J CHAPTER II. CONFIRMATION A VEXED QUESTION SETTLED CHOICE OF A PROFESSION DIFFICULTIES VOYAGE TO LONDON — ■ NON-RES IDENT BISHOP ORDAINED DEACON KINDRED. A YOUTH trained up as carefully as William White had been, should be ready for Confirmation by the time he has reached his seventeenth year, and my readers may be anticipating such an announcement at this period of the history. But it should be re- membered that I am writing about things which happened before the Revolutionary War, when this country was only a colony of Great Britain, and when there were no Bishops on the American continent. The Church in the New World needed Bishops, — and besought the mother Church in England to send them ; but these prayers were, for a long time, un- heard. No matter how anxious young White might have been to ratify and renew the vows of Baptism in the apostolic rite of the " laying on of hands," there was no possibility of his wish being gratified, because the Church was thus cruelly deprived of the watchful care of chief shepherds of the flock. CHOICE OF A PROFESSION.. 15 The state of religion in America, during all the dismal days when the Church was thus doomed to drag out a miserable existence, with lax discipline and unfaithful clergymen, showed too plainly that no part of her frame-work can safely be dispensed with.* The time had now come when William White must determine what his future course in life should be, and those who remember the little incident of his childhood, related in the first chapter, will not be surprised to find that he made choice of the holy ministry. Would to God that thousands more, who are growing up to manhood, would follow his exam- ple in this respect ! To pursue a theological course, in these days, and to obtain ordination, is compara- tively an easy matter. But when young White thus resolved to devote himself to God's service, there were no " schools of the prophets," in this land, where students could be educated for their work : books were few and expensive : and even when candidates for the ministry, in spite of all difficulties, had finished * It seems to have been taken for granted, hy many Churchmen, that Bishop White must certainly have been confirmed upon his first visit to England for ordination. In 1852, the question gave rise to a controversy in the religious papers of the Church and of other bodies of Christians, and the whole matter was settled by Dr. Mulilenberg, in these few words: — *' We recollect distinctly Bishop White's telling us that he never Avas confirmed, and his adding, moreover, that the English Bishops were not in the practice of confirming those wiio came over from this country for ovdintil\on.'''—Mvangelical Catholic, vol. ii., p. 15. 16 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. their preparatory course, how could they obtam the commission to act as ambassadors for Christ ? There was only one alternative, — take a long aid dangerous voyage to England, for the purpose of being ordained, or give up, altogether, the hopes and plans of years. Young White was fortunate enough to receive aid and direction in his studies from the Rev. Messrs. Peters and Duche, two clergymen then settled and officiating in the city of Philadelphia. Three other young men began their studies at the same time, and under like circumstances. One of these, Thomas Coombe, we shall have occasion to mention again, in another chapter. At the close of five years, the necessary studies having been mastered, the next great step must be taken, — the going to England for holy orders. Ac- cordingly, in October, 1770, young White embarked for London, and after a tedious and trying voyage, landed safely upon the soil which his fathers had trod. Strange as it may seem to us, who have lived to see the number of Bishops so greatly multiplied, all of the Episcopal churches in America were then con- sidered as belonging to the diocese of the Bishop of London, Dr. Richard Terrick. Practically, it was, of course, impossible for the Bishop of London to perform any Episcopal duties in x\m erica, and so SOJOURN IN ENGLAND. 17 there was no alternative for all those who desired to serve God in the ministry of His church, but to cross the broad Atlantic, and receive their commission from Apostolic hands in England. After having passed the requisite examinations, Mr. White was ordained a deacon. From the Apostles' days till now, there have always been three grades of ministers in the Church of Christ, viz. : Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. It was to the lowest of these offices that the young Philadelphian was admitted at that time. As a deacon is only al- lowed to preach and baptize, and cannot administer the Lord's Supper, and perform other duties peculiar to a priest, he must either make another voyage to England to receive orders for this second step in the ministry, or remain where he was, until he had reached the age of twenty -four years, required by the laws of the Church. Mr. White chose the former plan, — and happily for him, he had kindred in Eng- land, with whom his time could be very pleasantly spent. These were sisters of his father, — Mrs. White and Mrs. Weeks, who welcomed their nephew as a son. Mr. White afterwards inherited from them a considerable estate. 2* 18 LIFE OF BISHOP -IVHITE. CHAPTER III. SOJOURN IN ENGLAND OXFORD BISHOP LOWTH SACRED MT7SI0 DR. HORNE SAMUEL JOHNSON " PRINCE OF ABYSSINIA" OLIVER GOLDSMITH ORDAINED PRIEST RETURN HOMK The period of Mr. White's sojourn in England, was both pleasant and profitable to him. He had lodgings in London, but spent a considerable portion of time >yith his aunts at their residence in Twicken- ham, and also made several journeys to various parts of the kingdom. I cannot do my readers a greater kindness than to present them with a few selections from the journal which he kept during these rambles, OXFOED. "The most interesting of my excursions was to Oxford and Bath, in May, 1771. In each of them, my stay was between two and three weeks The morning after my arrival in Oxford, Mr. Carr took me to the house of the Rev. Mr. Swinton, the keeper of the archives of the university, to whom I carried a letter from Mr. Costard. We were told by a servant, that Mr. Swinton had gone to St. Mary's, J BISHOP LOWTH. 19 the university cliurcb, to the visitation. My friend confessed that he had forgotten the occasion, and proposed our going to hear the Bishop's charge. He was the celebrated Dr. Lowth. We entered the church soon after he had begun, and was proceeding to a commendation of the character of Achbishop Seeker, who had died since the last charge, and who had preceded the speaker in his diocese. In the fol- lowing winter, I was present at the same Bishop's anniversary sermon before the Society for Propa- gating the Gospel. And fifteen years afterwards, I visited him under the decay of his great powers; he being then Bishop of London. " Dining on a Sunday in Worcester College, I was asked by a young clergyman who sat near me, a Mr. Walker, whether I took pleasure in sacred music. On being answered in the affirmative, he proposed our going to the chapel of Magdalen College. We went, after dinner, and the music was as delightful as can be imagined. "My attention being attracted to a divine, who, from his dress and from his stall, appeared to be the principal person in the chapel, I inquired his name, and was told that he was Dr. Home, the president of the college. This was the excellent man since Bishop of Norwich, and well known from his writ- ings. He was handsome, and of a good pres- 20 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. I cannot withhold Mr. White's simple account of his acquaintance with the great giant of English Lite- rature, Dr. Samuel Johnson. ''My introduction to him was a letter from the Rev. Jonathan Odell, formerly a missionary at Bur- lington, The doctor was very civil to me. I visited him occasionally ; and I know some who would be tempted to envy me the felicity of having found him, one morning, in the act of preparing his dictionary for a new edition. His harshness of manner never displayed itself to me, except in one instance; when he told me that had he been prime minister, during the then recent controversy, concerning the stamp act, he would have sent a ship of war, and levelled one of our principal cities with the ground. On the other hand, I have heard from him sentiments expressive of a feeling heart, and convincing me, that he would not have done as he said. " Having dined in company with him, in Kensington, at the house of Mr. Elphinstone, well known to scholars of that day, and returning in the stage coach with the doctor, I mentioned to him there being a Philadelphia edition of his "Prince of Abyssinia." He expressed a wish to see it. I promised to send him a copy on my return to Philadelphia, and did so. He returned a polite answer, which is printed in the second edition of Mr. Bos well's life of the doctor." OLIVER GOLDSMITH. 21 Let me introduce my readers to one more literary character, and we will then close Mr. White's journal, OLIVER GOLDSMITH. " We lodged, for some time, near to one another, in Brick Court, of the Temple. I had it intimated to him, by an acquaintance of both, that I wished for the pleasure of making him a visit. It ensued ; and in our conversation it took a turn which excited in me a painful sensation, from the circumstance that a man of such a genius, should write for bread. " His ' Deserted Village' came under notice ; and some remarks were made by us on the principle of it, the decay of the peasantry. He said, that were he to write a pamphlet on the subject, he could prove the point incontrovertibly. On his being asked, why he did not set his mind to this, his answer was : ' It is not worth my while — a good poem will bring me one hundred guineas ; but the pamphlet would bring me nothing.' This was a short time before my leaving England, and I saw the doctor no more." Mr. White had now been absent from home nearly two years, and it must have been a pleasant conclu- sion of this long space of weary waiting, when, in June, 1772, he was ordained a priest by the Bishop of London. The young clergyman embarked at once, for his native land, and reached Philadelphia 22 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. on the 13th of September. It was a joyful occasion for the re-union of friends, and the soldier of the cross, having now been authorized, in his Master's name, to labor in His vineyard, is fully prepared to enter upon the work. WELCOME HOME. 23 CHAPTEii IV. WELCOME HOME ASSISTANT MINISTER MARRIAGE — REVOLU- TIONARY TROUBLES PERPLEXITIES STRAIGHTFORWARD HON- ESTY — OATH OF ALLEGIANCE PHILADELPHIA TAKEN. Although it is true, as a general rule, that "a prophet" can look for more honor abroad than at home, still, in the case of Mr. White, boyhood and youth had been so blamelessly passed, that when he became a man, and appeared among the inhabitants of his native city as a minister of God, they were ready to welcome his coming, and listen with respect to his message. The month after his arrival at Philadelphia he was chosen Assistant Minister of Christ Church and St. Peter's — those churches forming then one parish. The Eev. Dr. Peters was the Eector, and the Rev. Tacob Duche, Senior Assistant. The last-named gentleman is well known, as having offered up the first prayer in Congress, and he is re- presented in his surplice, with a large Prayer Book, in the beautiful and striking picture of that memor- able event. Mr. White's old friend, the Rev. Mr. Coombe, was elected assistant at the same time with himself. 24 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. In February, 1773, Mr. White married Mary Har- rison, an amiable and excellent lady, for whom he had cherished an attachment for several years. Her parents were English, her father having once been a sea-captain, but later in life he was an alderman, and mayor of Philadelphia. He was also a leading member of the vestry of Christ Church, when it was the only Episcopal Church in the city. " With this lady Mr. White lived in uninterrupted harmony until her death, on the 13th of December, 1797. He was not again married. He never ceased to deplore her loss, with the tenderest recollection of her merits."* The life of a parish minister has little variety of incident to record, and nothing occurred in the career of the subject of this memoir which it will be neces- sary to notice, until the approach of the Revolutionary War. The troubles between Great Britain and her colonies were becoming more and more serious, and the strange infatuated policy of the mother country hastened the crisis. The position occupied by Mr, White was a peculiar and trying one. He was the son of an Englishman, and was bound to the land of his fathers by ties of affectionate relationship, and, above all, he was a minister of the Church of Eng- land in America. The issue of the revolutionary struggle was an ♦ Dr. Wilson's Life of Bp. White, p. 46. PATRIOTIC DECISION. 25 extremely doubtful one. Indeed, unless Providence should help the oppressed colonists, it seemed but too certain that England, with her well-trained sol- diers and abundance of the munitions of war, must finally prevail. But the young clergyman allowed none of these considerations to have an undue influence with him. He was willing to be a loyal subject of the king, within the limits required by the constitution ; but, like every one who is not base-born and slavish in spirit, he could brook no oppressive wrongs. " It had been a matter of conscience with him to study not less his civic duty than his civic rights ; and accordingly, when the political emergency arose, enhanced as it was to him by the added perplexity of ecclesiastical truth, he could see the path of his duty clear though enveloped with danger. His sen- timents were early publicly stated, and maintained with the confident composure of truth."* Happy was it for the cause of freedom in these States, that such men as Bishop White were found in the ranks of the struggling colonists, and that the voice of prayer ceased not to ascend to the throne of Him who ruleth among the armies of Heaven, and over the inhabitants of earth. Shortly after the Declaration of Independence, upon the 4th of July, ♦ New York Review, vol. v., p. 418. 26 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 1776, Mr. White took the oath of allegiance to the United States, and ever remained faithful to it. On going to the court house for the purpose, a gentleman of his acquaintance standing br. intimated to him. by a significant gesture, the danger to which he would thus expose himself. Nothing daunted, however, he went forward, and gave in his adherence to the new government, and then observed to his prudent friend, " I perceived, by your gesture, that you thought I was exposing my neck to great danprer by the step which I have taken. But I have not taken it without full deliberation. I know my danger, and that it is greater on account of my being a clergyman of the Church of England. But I trust in Providence. The cause is a just one, and I am persuaded will be protected.'' In September, 1777, Mr. White retired, with his family, to the residence of his brother-in-law, in Harford county, Maryland. Meanwhile the British troops were advancing towards Philadelphia, which soon fell into their power. This was indeed a dismal period for those who hoped for the freedom of the colonies; but there was One dwelling on high, who, by His overmling pro^-idence, finally crowned the efforts of an oppressed people with a glorious triumph. CHAPLAIN TO CONGRESS. 27 CHAPlEJi V. WAR — ■ CHAPLAIN TO CONGRESS DISMAL DAYS — NEW INK- STANDS — PREVAILING PRAYER — RETURN TO PHILADELPHIA FORLORN HOPE. War was raging throughout the land, and while Washington, as a presiding genius, ruled in the camp, Mr. White's influence, as a minister of God, was felt in the deliberations of Congress, to which bod j he had been appointed chaplain. Dr. Kemper, now the beloved diocesan of Wiscon- sin, was present on some occasions when Bishop White, in familiar conversation with his friends, related several circumstances connected with this appointment, which showed his firmness and decision of character in a strong light. Being on a journey through the country, he stopped at a small village for refreshment, when he was met by a courier from Yorktown, informing him that Con- gress had chosen him chaplain, and requesting his immediate attendance. At this time General Burgoyne was marching with a powerful army through the northern parts of New York, the whole country anticipating with dismay 28 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. the destruction which would follow his bloodj foot- steps, and little dreaming of the laurels which would be won at Saratoga. Everything looked dreary and disheartening. Mr. White was not blind to the dangers which threatened, but after a brief consideration, instead of proceeding on his journey, he wheeled about, and making all speed to Yorktown, entered at once upon the duties to which he had been appointed. Bigotry sometimes tries to excite opposition against the Episcopal Church, by speaking of it as unfriendly to republican institutions, and as having sided with England during the struggle for indepen- dence. A full answer to such false imputations may be found in the simple incident just related. Wash- ington, a communicant of the Episcopal church, and an active vestryman in the parish M^here he lived, was the commander-in-chief of the American armies, and Mr. White, a devoted clergyman of the Episcopal church, was one of the first chaplains to Congress. We may form some idea of the straits to which the flithers and founders of this great republic were reduced, by a few trifling incidents which Mr. White was ac- customed to relate. On one occasion, going into the chamber of Con- gress to perform his ofl^cial duties, he remarked to one of the members, " You have been treating your- selves, I perceive, to new inkstands." "Yes," he i DISMAL DAYS. 29 answered, " and private credit had to be pledged for the payment." At another time, observing that the clerks had re- moved from the room which they usually occupied, he asked the cause, and was told that there was no wood to make a fire there, nor money to buy it. How wonderful that a nation so poor, should have been able to contend successfully against one so wealthy and powerful ! Surely the Lord fought for us, and with us, and put to flight the multitudes of the mighty ! From the disturbed and unsettled state of the country. Congress was removed from place to place, — but, with a few interruptions, and those only for a short time, Mr. White continued to be elected chaplain by that body, until the final transfer of the seat of government to the city of Washington, in 1801. The British remained in possession of Philadelphia for a year, — and upon their evacuation of it in June, 1778, Mr. White returned again to his duties. During the continuance of the Revolution, the affairs of the Church had become well nigh desperate, and at the point of time to which this history has now been brought, he was the only Episcopal clergyman remaining within the limits of Pennsylvania. " In 1782 there appeared ground to hope for a cessation of hostilities between this and the mother country, although not at first connected with any 3* 80 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. i certain prospect of our independence being recog- nized. In this state of things, Dr. White,* rejoicing in the prospect of the opportunity thus hoped for, of turning public attention to the peaceful concerns of religion, threw out for the consideration of what had been the Church of England in America, in a small pamphlet, a plan of organization, the publishing of which has ever since been matter of much regret to many of the best friends of himself and his memory. The plan was, — besides sundry principles of practical detail, many of which were subsequently incorporated into the organization of the Church, — to dispense with Bishops, and have in their stead certain presbyters, chosen by clergy and laity, to act instead of Bishops in ordhiation and in government. The plan, however, was to include a declaration in favor of Episcopacy, and that the plan itself was only intended to be tem- porary, and to be superseded, when Bishops could be had, by a regular Episcopal organization."! Dr. White was led to make this proposal upon the supposition that the English church would never be willing to send Bishops to the rebellious colonies, even should their independence be secured ; but after-, wards, when time showed that he ought to have had more faith in Him who has promised to be always * The degree of D. D. was conferred upon Mr. White, by the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, in 1782. t Churchman's Magazine, vol. i., p. 196— [1854.] 31 with His Church, — he immediately withdrew his pamphlet from circulation, and entered, with all his heart, into the wiser and better measures, for obtain- ing Bishops, called and ordained of God, as Aaron was. ^ 32 LIFK OF BISHOP WHITE. CHAPTER YI. BECTOR OF CHRIST CHURCH AND ST. PETEr's — REVIVAL OF THE CHURCH DIFFICULTIES BISHOP SEABURY PROVIDENTIAL - DIRECTIONS CONVENTION'S. During the continuance of the Eevolutionary War, the Rev. Mr. Duche had returned to England, so that Dr. White was left in full charge of his parish, and was soon after chosen Eector of St. Peter's and Christ Church, a position which he continued to oc- cupy until his death. The exceeding delicacy and courtesy of Dr. White were manifested upon this occasion, as well as upon many others. In accepting the Eectorship thus offered him, he made this stipulation, that he should at once resign in Mr. Duche 's favour, if that gentleman ever came back to this country. And now the great question came up in full force, and with all its perplexities about it, viz: whether the Apostolic Church of Christ, which, for years had been struggling for a foothold upon American soil, should recover again from the shock which it had sustained, or die a natural death, amidst the tri- THE SUCCESSION SOUGHT. 33 umphant rejoicings of rival sects. The clergymen who had been sent out from England, had nearly all died, or gone back to their old home, and the scat- tered congregations were disbanded, and completely discouraged. A few devoted spirits, however, held fast to the time-honoured banner, bearing for its motto : " Evangelical truth^ and Apostolical order^^ and in spite of obloquy and furious opposition, re- solved to unite their energies in one vigorous and determined effort for the revival of the Church. First and foremost among the loyal sons of our beloved Zion, were the Churchmen of Connecticut, who would rest content with no half-way measures, but trusted, that in the Providence of God, they would be able to obtain a regular succession of Bishops. They remembered the Saviour's promise that " the gates of hell should never prevail against His Church;" and although the prospect seemed dark and gloomy, they still kept up good courage. In the pursuance of their plans, in 1783, Dr. Samuel Seabury, a godly and well-learned man, was chosen Bishop of Connecticut. He sailed for England with- out delay, in quest of consecration from the Mother Church. Had the English Church been free from the tram- mels of the state, it is probable that this reasonable application would have been gladly complied with. But, unfortunately, such was not the case, and after 34 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. suffering discouragements which would have driven any ordinary man to utter despair, Dr. Seabury turned to Scotland, where a pure branch of the Church existed, unconstrained by those laws which were in force in England. He was accordingly con- secrated by the Scotch Bishops, at Aberdeen, No- vember 14th, 1784, thus securing for Connecticut the first fully organized Church in America. There can be no doubt that the consecration of Bishop Seabury smoothed the way for that of those who, afterwards, made application to the English Church, for the same high commission. Every thing relating to the first organization of our branch of the Church, seems, most plainly, to have been directed by a Higher Power. The men who were prominent actors at the time, were most peculiarly fitted for their work. Bishop Seabury was bold, and resolute, and de- termined, and Dr. White, mild and prudent, and conservative. The one acted constantly as a check upon the other; and the two, when their counsels were uni- ted, might be safely trusted with any question which could be brought before them. With all the zeal and energy which were exerted for the advancement of the noble cause, such were the difficulties which hindered its progress, that STEt>S TOWARDS UmON. 35 nearly a year passed by, after the election of Bishop Seabury, before any positive steps were taken for the organization of the Church south of Connecticut. The earliest measure leading to the union of Churchmen, was begun by Dr. White ; a meeting of delegates from three congregations of Philadel- phia, being held at his house, March 29th, 1784. Another and fuller meeting assembled. May 24th, of the same year, at which Dr. White presided. Delegates were in attendance from different parts of the state, and a Standing Committee was appointed to correspond and confer with members of the Church in other states, on the subject of an ecclesiastical union. A few days afterwards, several clergymen and laymen of New York, New Jersey, and Penn- sylvania, met at New Brunswick, N. J. ; when Dr. White again acted as chairman, and arrangements were made for a more general meeting in New York, in the following October. This meeting was accordingly held, delegates from eight different states taking part in its deliberations. It was not, however, until a still later Convention, which assembled at Philadelphia, September 27th, 1785, that any very decided measures were agreed upon. A general Constitution of the Church was then adopted, subject to the ratification of the different states, an Address to the English Bishops prepared, S6 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. asking them to consecrate Bishops for the American Church, and a Prayer Book put forth for the sanction of the Church; but this, under the form then prepared, was happily never adopted. AOTION OF CONVENTION. 37 CHAPTER VII. ANOTHER CONVENTION THREE BISHOPS CHOSEN VOYAGE TO ENGLAND CONSECRATION PLEASING INCIDENT DIFFICUL- TIES AVOIDED FIRST CONSECRATION IN AMERICA. Slowly, but siirelj, were the foundations laid, of that branch of the Church of God in this country, which was finally to take root, and fill the land. Another Convention, composed of delegates from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina, assembled at Philadelphia, in June, 1786, when a letter from the English Bishops was read, stating some difficulties in the way of their granting the request which had been made to them, to which communication the Con- vention prepared a suitable reply. Some changes were also made in the proposed Constitution. Finally, a Convention, (a General Convention, we ought, perhaps, to call it), met at Wilmington, Del- aware, October 10th, 1786, when it was reported that the Rev. Samuel Provoost, D. D., had been elected Bishop, by the Convention of New York ; the Rev. Wm. White, D. D., by Pennsylvania ; and the Rev. David Griffith, D. D., by Virginia, The proper 4 38 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. testimonials for each were signed in due form. The influence of Dr. White, like that of a master spirit, was felt throughout all the deliberations of tliis im- portant Convention, and the satisfactory and harmo- nious conclusion to which the various perplexing dis- cussions was brought, may be attributed, in no small degree, to him. Dr. Griffith, who had been chosen Bishop for Vir- ginia, was prevented by domestic and private reasons, from making a voyage to England, and accordingly declined the flattering appointment which had been conferred upon him. Dr. White embarked on the 2d of November, 1786, accompanied by Dr. Provoost, and arrived at Falmouth on the 20th of the same month. Upon reaching London, they were introduced to the Arch- bishop of Canterbury, by Mr. Adams, then our min- ister to England, who, though not a member of the Church, did all in his power to further its interests. Circumstances, over which the Archbishop had no control, occasioned some delay, but on the 4th of February, 1787, the consecration took place in Lam- beth Chapel, where such services are generally held. The service was peiformed by John Moore, Arch- bishop of Canterbury ; William Markham, Arch- bishop of York ; Charles Moss, Bishop of Bath and Wells ; and John Hinchliffe, Bishop of Peterborough. A little incident occurred, upon this interesting oc- I BISHOP WHITE CONSECRATED. 39 casion, which is so characteristic of Dr. White's kindliness of disposition, and the unchangeableness of his friendship, that I cannot resist the temptation of giving it in his own words. "The consecration was performed in the chapel of the palace of the Archbishop, in the presence of his family and his household, and very few others; among whom was my old friend, the Rev. Mr. Duche. I had asked the Archbishop's leave to introduce him, and it was a great satisfaction to me that he was there; the recollection of the benefit which I had re- ceived from his instructions in early life, and a tender sense of the attentions he had shown me almost from my infancy, together with the impressions left by the harmony which had subsisted between us in the dis- charge of our joint pastoral duty in Philadelphia, being no improper accompaniments to the feelings suited to the present very interesting transaction of my life. I hope that I felt the weight of the occasion. May God bless the meditations and the recollections by which I had endeavored to prepare myself for it, and give them, their due effect on my temper and conduct, in the new character in which I am to appear." * On the day after their consecration, the American Bishops left London for Falmouth, from whence they * Bp. White's Memoirs of tho Prot. Epis. Cliurch, p. 137. 40 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. sailed on the 17th, having been detained a week in the harbor by contrary winds. They reached New York on Easter Sunday, April 7th,- — thus mak- ing three Bishops within the bounds of the Union. '"' May we not, in truth, say, without the charge of superstition, that it was a notable coincidence that thus brought to the American Church the most pre- cious boon which man could give, at the very mo- ment of their being assembled in God's house, to thank Him for the greatest of His own heavenly gifts. It was in truth, as it were, a resurrection. Then, for the first time, stood forth the Protestant Episcopal Church in America vitally organized, an independent and integral portion of the Catholic Apostolic Church of Christ." * During the year 1789, two sessions of the General Convention were held, at the first of which a union was effected with Bishop Seabury and the Diocese of Connecticut. It is not to be understood from this language that any real difficulty had interrupted the harmony of the Church in the different states, but rather an ap- prehension that such might be the case. The source of uneasiness was this. Although no one couJd doubt the validity of the consecration which Bishop Seabury had received from the Church in Scotland, still, the * McVickars Professional Years of Bishop Hobart, p. 91, 2. I APOSTOLIC ORDER. 41 English Bishops had requested that no Bishops should be consecrated in America, until three Bishops had received their consecration in England, that thus the succession in this country might be continued in the English line. Bishop White, while he was perfectly convinced that Bishop Seabury's consecration was as valid as his own, felt bound in honour to see that the wishes of the English Bishops, in this particular, should be faithfully carried out. When, therefore, the Rev. Edward Bass was chosen Bishop of Mas- sachusetts and New Hampshire, he did not think it proper to proceed with his consecration, until Dr. Madison, who had been elected Bishop of Virginia, returned from England, clothed with Episcopal au- thority. The first consecration which took place in the United States was that of Dr. Claggett, as Bishop of Maryland, in 1792, on which occasion Bishop Pro- voost presided, assisted by Bishops Seabury, White, and Madison. And thus the English and Scotch successions were united in conveying the Episcopal authority in a line of Bishops, which, we have every reason to believe, will be acting as Chief Shepherds in this portion of the vineyard, when the Divine Head of the Church shall appear, at the final day, upon the throne of His glory. 4* 42 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. CHAPTER VIII. THE CHURCH ESTABLISHED BY GOD — ST. PAUL IN BRITAIN ORIGIN OF THE PRAYER BOOK SLOW PROGRESS CARE OF ALL THE CHURCHES THE CONSECRATION OF TWENTY-SIX BISHOPS. Although so much has been said of what Bishop White and other holy men were permitted to do to- wards reviving the Church in America, it must not for a moment be supposed that they made the Church. No one but God has power to do that. He who made the worlds made the Church also. The Church, in whose concerns Bishop White took such a lively interest, is built upon the foundation of Apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. A branch of that ancient Church was planted in Britain in Apostolic days, and as we have good reason to believe, by St. Paul himself* The Church in America, to which it is our privilege to belong, calls the Church in England her mother, because our Bish- ops were there empowered to fulfil the duties of their high and holy office. * Odenbeimer on the " Origin of the Prayer Book," p. 64, and p. 150. THE PRAYER BOOK. 43 Nor is this all. Not only did Bishop White never dream of trying to establish a new Churchy but he did not even help to compose a new Prayer Book, The Church of Christ, like the Jewish Church before it, had always used forms of prayer. Of course, I do not mean to say that the various branches of the Church, throughout the world, had worshipped God according to the same Prayer Book. The Church in each coun- try, although branches of the one true vine, had a right to arrange the forms of worship to suit their own peculiar condition : but all of the Prayer Books in the world were, in their main features, alike. Thus, the Prayer Book which has always been used in England Is, for the most part, a translation of the older Prayer Books, which had come down to the Church from Apostolic days. And when, in the course of Divine Providence, the United States be- came a free and independent nation. Bishop White, and Bishop Seabury, and other good and learned men, took the English Prayer Book, and by making a few alterations in it, here and there, adapted it for use in this country. It was no easy task, but so skil- fully was it executed, that it is generally conceded that the American Prayer Book is more like the ancient Prayer Books, and better and purer, than any Prayer Book now in use upon the globe. We have brought down the thread of our history to 1792. Ten years had passed since the close of 44 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. the Revolutionary War, bat still the Episcopal Church had scarcely begun to recover from the effects of past misfortunes. She could indeed point to Washington, and Jay, and Morris, and Madison, and Marshall, among her members, as evidence that the Episcopal government harmonized most perfectly with the free institutions of the land ; but still, the old leaven of opposition remained. The children of those who had broken down the " carved work" of the sanctuary, " with axes and hammers,^' and who had seized, with unprincipled greediness, upon her glebes, and other temporal possessions, had grown up in the faith, and been warped by the prejudices, of their fathers.* The only way to overcome such systematic and powerful opposition, was to live it doivn^ — and the spotless character of such a man as Bishop White, was indeed a standing testimony in favor of the claims of the Church, which no reasonable person can gainsay. The number of clergymen increased very slowly, because few wished to enter a profession which would require so many sacrifices at their hands. In Bishop White's own Diocese, the supply fell so far short of the demand, that even the old parishes, existing be fore the Revolution, could not all secure the regular * I need only refer my readers to Bishop Meade's interesfcino; articles upon the condition of the Church in Virginia, at the close of the Kevo- lution. THE AMERICAN CHURCH. 45 services of ministers. The clergy did their best to keep them alive by occasionally officiating in each, — but this was the most that they could hope to accom- plish. Besides the care of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, Bishop White still continued to act a prominent part in the affairs of the Church throughout the Union ; and his interest in her welfare may be seen in the fact that he attended every General Convention, without exception, which was held, from the first organization of the Church in the United States, until the time of his death. He also officiated at the consecration of twenty-six Bishops, — the whole number raised to the Episcopate from 1795, when the Eev. Robert Smith, D. D., was made Bishop of South Carolina, until the consecration of Bishop McCoskry, of Michigan, in 1836. It is impossible to study the character of Bishop White, or to contemplate the good which he effected for the cause of true religion, by his mild and pru- dent measures, without being reminded of an Apostle of the Church in early times, — " the disciple whom Jesus loved,"— the gentle, and heavenly minded ^t, John. 46 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. CHAPTER IX. BISHOP WHITE AS A PARISH MINISTER YELLOW FEVER FAITH- FULNESS IN DANGER ABUNDANT LABORS IN OLD AGE STANDING AS A PREACHER ANECDOTE RAPID UTTERANCE AND SLOW. It must be borne in mind that while Bishop White was thus constantly occupied with matters pertaining to his Episcopal office, he was, at the same time, rector of two large city congregations, whose inter- ests he never neglected. His eventful life would be most imperfectly sketched, even in outline, unless we occasionally refer to his duties as parish minister, as well as those of Bishop of the Diocese. In the summer and autumn of 1793, Philadelphia was visited by the yellow fever, — a most dangerous disorder, and one which, at that time, proved to be unusually fatal. So long a period had elapsed since that form of pestilence had visited the city, that its coming took the inhabitants by surprise, and occa- sioned serious alarm. Most persons, who could pos- sibly do so, fled for their lives. Bishop White, notwithstanding the remonstrances of his friends, determined to stand at his post, and do BISHOP white's devotedness. 47 all in his power for the comfort and consolation of the sick and dying. It was represented to him by many, that his life was too important to the Church, to be exposed to such hazard ; but the good Bishop felt safe in the hands of God, and prepared to risk all for the cause of Ciirist. His family was removed to the country, a few miles from the city, and he occa- ionally rode out to see them ; but during the whole of that awful period, he continued to occupy his own house, with one or two attendants. " It was not then known, — as experience afterwards proved," — (says his old friend. Dr. Wilson,) — " that the pure atmos- phere of the country prevented the danger of con- tracting the disease by communication with the in- fected. He therefore only saw and conversed with his family for a short time in the open air, approach- ing no nearer than was necessary with a distinct voice to carry on the conversation. I recollect once meeting him at the place where they resided, and finding their intercourse thus conducted^ though not with so much caution as they said it had previously been, the disease having then greatly abated, as it was at the end of October. Under these trying and alarming circumstances, he constantly and faithfully visited the sick, and performed every suitable reli- gious office, unappalled by the danger, or by the painful and revolting scenes to which he was a wit- ness. His coachman, who had from choice remained 48 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. with him. was seized with the fever, and died in hio house. But through the whole season, he was him- self ptovidentially preserved from sickness. Thus, notwithstanduig his high station and importance in the Church, and the plausible reasons which might be thought to justify his retirement from active official performances, exposing him to so great hazard, he manifested his conscientious and persevering devotion to duty ; — the firmness and constancy of his mind ; — and his self-denial, in relinquishingr his own comfort and security in compliance with higher claims." For several succeeding years, the same dreadful pestilence continued to visit Philadelphia, — but at no time was Bishop White found forgetfal of his duty. And even at a much later period of life, when the infirmities of eighty and five years might justly have been regarded as releasing him from the more toil- some part of his labors, he was seen, day after day, administering the consolations of religion in cholera hospitals, and at the bedside of the dying. I would not have it supposed that the example of Bishop White, in this respect, is an uncommon one among the ranks of our clergy. The Roman Church, indeed, boasts loudly, that in times of peril, her ministers are alone faithful unto death ; — but too many holy men among Protestants have fallen vic- tims to the pestilence that walketh in darkness, and to the sickness that destroy eth at noon-day, to I BISHOP "WHITE AS A PREACHER. 49 give US much trouble in answering such undeserved reproaches. The case of Bishop White has been referred to, simply because it came in the regular course of the narrative, and because it is no every -day occurrence to find a Bishop thus performing the duties of the humblest deacon, besides attending to the higher functions of his office. While speaking of Bishop White in his character as a parish minister, it seems a fitting occasion to refer to his manner of preaching. This was calm, serious, and dignified, — and his sermons were always full of judicious and solid instruction; — but he could never be ranked among the popular class, known as pulpit orators. The great defect in his delivery was rapidity of enunciation, which he found it almost im- possible to correct. An anmsing instance of his skill and caution in giving advice to others is told in connection with this fault. Bishop Jarvis, of Connecticut, it seems, was quite as remarkable for his slow and tedious delivery, as Bishop White was for his rapid enunciation. Having repeatedly begged Bishop White to point out any defects in his reading, the latter availed himself of a favorable opportunity, while Bishop Jarvis was a guest at his house. The visiting clergyman had been invited to perform family worship, and afterwards, 5 50 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. when they were left alone together, Bishop White good-humoredly spoke of the criticisms which were often made upon their respective modes of reading, and added, " I have been thinking, that if we €Ould be mixed up together, we might be made tvvo very clever fellows in this respect !" i PRESIDING BISHOP. 51 CHAPTER X. PRESIDING BISHOP BISHOPS ALL EQUAL IN RANK SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE GENERAL CONVENTION, AND THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES A DILEMMA DOMESTIC TRIALS AND AFFLIC- TIONS. After this brief episode, relating to the more pri- vate duties of Bishop White's ministerial career, we must retrace our steps, and follow him again, in the performance of his higher duties. At the third General Convention, which assembled in 1795, Bishop White presided in the House of Bishops, this being the first occasion on which he oc- cupied this position. This great council of the Church usually meets once in three years, and is composed of two distinct houses, like the Congress of the United States. The upper house, called the House of Bishops, corresponds to the Senate, and the lower house, composed of cler- ical and lay delegates, corresponds to the House of Representatives. No law can be made without the agreement of both houses, and thus one house serves constantly as a check and safe-guard upon the other. Each house has his own presiding officer ; some old 52 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. and experienced clergyman being chosen president of the lower house, and the Bishop who has been longest in office, acting as president of the House of Bishops. This was the office which Bishop White began, in 1795, to fill, and the duties of which he continued to discharge, without interruption, until his death in 1836. I have been thus particular in explaining the na- ture of this office, lest when a Bishop is spoken of as '' the Presiding Bishop ^^'' it might be erroneously sup- posed that there was a real distinction among Bishops, and that one was higher in rank than another. Bishops all hold the same office, and it is only the Pope of Rome, who has trampled upon the rights of his equals, and contrary to Scripture and the prac- tice of the church from the beginning, is lording it over God's heritage. When the General Convention met in 1808, there were only six Bishops of our Church in the whole union. Bishop White states in his '' Memoirs," that he had reason to fear, that on account of sickness and other causes, none but himself would be present at the Convention, and consequently, the question might be raised, " Whether a single Bishop can constitute a House?" He was clearly of the opinion that such was the case, and was prepared to advocate the affirm- ative; but fortunately, Bishop Claggett of Mary- DOMESTIC AFFLICTIONS. 53 land, arrived, and relieved him from this painful embarrassment. Now that the Church has grown to be so large, in the United States, (the upper house of the General Convention, consisting of more than thirty Bishops), it is encouraging to look back, and see from what small and discouraging beginnings, God, of His good- ness, has caused His Kingdom to arise. Early in the year 1797, Bishop White met with a severe affliction, in the loss of his son William, who died in the thirteenth year of his age. Another of his children, a daughter, Ann, had some years before been taken from him at an early age. The loss of the son was the more deeply felt, beisause he had from his infancy been a great favorite in the family, and gave promise, so far as his youth would allow a judgment to be formed, of being like in character to his father. Misfortunes seldom come single handed, and one is very often the forerunner of another, and perhaps, a greater. The year closed with the more trying bereavement occasioned by the death of his wife, whose health, for a long time, had been infirm and precarious. The good Bishop, although thus severely afflicted, bore up with Christian fortitude, and endeavored to be more diligent and active than ever. In a sermon preached on the last Sunday in the year, he affect- s' 54 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. ingly availed himself of these painful incidents, and of the dec leasing comforts of his earthly lot, to im- press on the minds of his flock, the duty of being taught so to number their days, that they might ap- ply their hearts unto wisdom, even the wisdom which would make their calling and electiiis^ sure. Washington's death. 55 CHAPTER XI. A nation's tears — WASHINGTON A COMMUNICANT OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH AFFECTING INCIDENT BENEVOLENCE TO THE POOR WASHINGTON AT CHURCH. A SHADOW of deepest gloom was cast over the na- tion, in December, 1799, by the sudden death of Washington. His history, in some respects, is so interwoven with that of Bishop White, that I shall not be going beyond my proper limits, if I record some interesting incidents concerning him. Soon after the lamented decease of the ^' Father of his country," Congress appointed the 20th of January, 1800, for the delivery of an oration in honor of his virtues and patriotism, upon which occasion. Bishop White officiated as chaplain. The form of prayer which was used may be found in the Appendix to his Memoir by Dr. Wilson, p. 351. It seemed peculiarly appropriate, that the good Bishop who had been Washington's chaplain in the camp, when the tocsin of war first sounded through the land, should conduct the funeral services, in mem- ory of the distinguished deceased. Although, at 56 LIFE OF BTSHOP WHITE. this late day, some are found to question it, there is abundant evidence to prove that Washington was a devoted member of the Episcopal Church. The old, time worn, family Bible, still contains the record of his baptism, into the fold of Christ.* The interesting volume, by the Rev. E. C. McGuire, entitled, " The Religious Opinions and ClMracter of Washing ton^^'' gives a very satisfactory view of the matter. Bishop Meade, who is as well acquainted as a man can possibly be, with all questions of the sort, re- marks, in one of his Addresses, that " General Wash- ington was in early life not only an active vestry- man of the Church, but a communicant, and a liberal contributor to the same." During the confusion and excitement of the war, not feeling his mind to be al- ways in a proper frame for so holy an ordinance, he communed but seldom. I have known, from my boyhood, a venerable mem- ber of the Church, who has herself communed at the same time with Washington ; and Dr. Chapman states, in a volume of his sermons, that a friend of his, " a worthy communicant, saw him partake of the consecrated symbols of the body and blood of Christ, in Trinity Church, New York, soon after the close of the Revolutionary War." * New York Eeview, Yol. L, p. 226. I WASHINGTON AND THE CHURCH. 57 If more explicit proof be wanting, as to his being a communieant of the Episcopal Church, it may be found in the Appendix to Sparks's " Life of Washing- ton," (pp. 523-4), where we have Washington's own words stating the fact, plainly and unequivocally. I do not record these things because I consider it any matter at all, so far as the Church is concerned, whether great men belong to it, or not. She can be flattered in no such way. The Church has not changed one whit in doctrine, since the day when " not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble were called."* It is however, certainly a fact of some interest, that all the leading minds of the nation, from the very first, have been Churchmen, and it is in this connection alone, that I have taken pains to establish the truth that Washington was a member of the Episcopal Church. There is deep pathos in a little incident related by Bishop White, and I prefer to give it in his own simple and unaffected words. " On the day before General Washingtoji's leaving of the Presidential chair, a large company dined with him. During the dinner, much hilarity prevailed ; but on the removal of the cloth, it was put an end to by the President, entirely without design. Having filled his glass, he * 1 Cor. i. 26. 68 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. addressed the company, with a smile on his coun- tenance, as nearly as can be recollected hi the fol- lowing terms : ' Ladies and gentlemen, this is the last time I shall drink your health as a public man; I do it with sincerity, and wishing you all possible happiness.' There was an end of all pleasantry. He who gives this relation, accidentally directed his eyes to the lady of the British minister, (Mrs. Liston) and tears were running down her cheeks." We have a pleasing evidence of the benevolence of Washington's disposition, and of the purity of his motives in bestowing charity, in a very kind letter addressed to Bishop White, in December, 1793, en- closing two hundred and fifty dollars, (a " small pit- tance," as he modestly calls it), to be distributed, according to the Bishop's judgment, among the desti- tute widows, and children of Philadelphia. " I have no desire," he says, "that my name should be men- tioned. If so small a sum can effect any good pur- pose, my object will be answered, and all my wishes respecting it, gratified." * A few years ago, some interesting reminiscences of Washington were furnished for "Arthur's Home Gazette," by Arthur J. Stansbury, Esq., with which T shall close this chapter. He says, " My parents, who were Episcopalians, had a front pew in the gal- * Bishop White's Memoir, by Dr. Wilson, p. 198-9. WASHINGTON IN CHURCH. 59 \eiy of Christ Church, Philadelphia, and, from that favorite post of observation, I noticed in the middle aisle a pew lined with crimson velvet, fringed with gold, into which I saw a highly dignified gentleman enter, accompanied by two others younger than him- self, and most respectful in their deportment towards him, who, as I have since learned, were members of his military family. The deportment of Washington was reverent and attentive ; his eyes, when not on the Prayer Book, were on the officiating clergyman, (Bishop White was the Rector), and no listless or irreverent worshipper could plead Washington's ex- ample. He could not always be present in the church at Philadelphia in the afternoon, being pressed by the exigency of public affairs, which, in the mind of Washington, were ever held to be matters of ne- cessity. Hence, he gave orders, that in case certain important despatches were received during his at- tendance at church, they should be brought to him there ; and I have seen them delivered into his hands. He opened them immediately, and deliberately and attentively read them through; then laying them on the seat by his side, he resumed his Prayer Book, and apparently gave his mind to the solemnities of the "^ace and the hour." 60 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. CHAPTER XII. riEW CHURCHES — EXTREMES MEET BISHOP HOBART's CONSECRA- TION DISAPPOINTED HOPES EARLY MISSIONARY SOCIETY THE WEST. The congregations under Bishop White's parochial charge had grown so large, that it became necessary, to erect a new church for their accommodation. The subject was seriously talked of, in 1806, and on the 1st of May, 1809, the building having been com- pleted, was consecrated by the name of St. James's Church. This new congregation was united with Christ Church and St. Peters', under one parochial organization, the Bishop being Rector of all. St. James's was the first Episcopal Church erected within the limits of Philadelphia after the Revolution ; but before Bishop White's death, he had the satisfaction of seeing eight more spring up there. The at- mosphere of " the city of brotherly love," seems to have been peculiarly favorable for the growth of Church principles ; and the rapid increase in the number of our congregations during the last ten years, has been really astonishing. Many of those who have found a home in the bosom of our Church, BISHOP hobart's consecration. 61 are of Quaker descent, thus going to establish the truth of the old saying, that extremes often meet. Persons, who have been bred up in opposition to forms, at last resort to the use of forms, as '' a safe- guard^'' as Henry Clay once expressed it, " against the dangers of formality H"* In May, 1811, Bishop White had the satisfiiction of presiding at the consecration of his youthful friend and brother in Christ, John Henry Hobart, who had been elected, most opportunely for the good of the Church, as Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of New York. As one who had been baptized, confirmed, and or- dained by him, the occasion could not fail to be one of deep and absorbing interest. With all a father's fondness and affection, he thus expressed himself in the Sermon preached at the Consecration. " I shall have peculiar satisfaction in the consecration of a brother known in his infancy, in his boyhood, in his youth, and in his past labors in the ministry. There are not likely to be any within these walls who have had such ample opportunities of judging of the reverend person now referred to, as to real character and disposition. And his ordainer can with truth declare, that he shall discharge the duty on which he is soon to enter, with the most sanguine prospects as to the issue. Perhaps what is now announced may not be altogether without a reference to self, although, 6 62 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. it is trusted, not operating in a fliulty line. For whether it be the infirmity of age, advance of years, or, as it is rather hoped, an interest in the future pros- perity of the Church, there is cherished a satiisfaction in the recollection of counsels formerly given to one who is in future to be a colleague; who may, in the common course of affairs, be expected to survive; and through whom, there may accordingly be hoped to be some small measure of usefulness when he who gave these counsels shall be no more.'' Alas ! for human hopes, and human expectations. Bishop Hobart lived long enough, indeed, to realize the fondest anticipations of his most devoted friends, and has lefl a name and a memory to the Churclij which will never die ; but, contrary to* all human cal- culations, the younger brother was suddenly cut down, while the aged patriarch who had thus touch- ingly spoken of his interest in his welflire, and his confidence in the success of his labors, was spared " to guide and bless a second and a third generation of his spiritual children, and to muse over the inscru- table ways of Providence, in leaving so long the aged stock, while its own vigorous saplings, one after an- other, are reft away." I referred, in the opening of the chapter, to the en- couraging growth of the Church in Philadelphia. Up to the year iS12, its progress, in other parts of the Diocese, had been extremely slow. Then, however, MISSIONARY EFFORTS. 63 a society was formed, "for the Advancement of Christianity in Pennsylvania," the Bishop being its president, which, by sending out, and supporting missionaries in destitute places, has been the means of great and incalculably good. Many churches, now flourishing, owe their existence to its fostering care. The number of clergymen and congregations con- tinued to increase, and at the Convention next before Bishop White's death, there were eighty-six clergy- men in the Diocese, and ninety-one congregations, a marvellous change, indeed, since that disheartening time, when he was the only minister whom the Church could boast of in the whole State ! But Bishop White's attention was by no means confined to his own Diocese. He employed every means in his power for extending the benefits of the Church to the western states and territories of our Union. The first measures taken for the establishment of the Church in Ohio, were commenced by him, and a few other clergymen in Philadelphia. A missionary was sent out to explore various parts of Ohio, Ken- tucky, and Tennessee, whose reports enabled the brethren at the east, to direct their operations to ad- vantage. Thousands and thousands have experienced the benefit of those early efibrts in the cause of Domestic Missions. 64 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. When, Lord, to this our western land, Led by thy providential hand, Our wandering fathers came, Their ancient homes, their friends in youth, Sent forth the heralds of thy truth, To keep them in thy Name. Then, through our solitary coast, The desert features soon were lost; Thy temples there arose: Our shores, as culture made them fair, Were hallowed by thy rites, by prayer, And blossomed as the rose. And 0, may we repay this debt, To regions solitary yet. Within our spreading land ; There, brethren, from our common home, Still westward, like our fathers, roam, Still guided by thy hand. Hymn 105, Prayer Book, MISSIONARY WORK. 65 CHAPTER XIII. > MISSIONARY 80CIETY GENERAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY WEL- COME TO LAFAYETTE LONG JOURNEYS DANGEROUS ACCIDENT AGAIN AT WORK WATCHFUL PROVIDENCE. The first associations for religious objects, were formed, as we have seen, by the Church in particular Dioceses. Afterwards, as the borders of our Zion became enlarged, more extensive plans of operation were agreed upon, and finally, the whole American Church, as a body, became one great Missionary So- ciety, for the spread of the Gospel at home and abroad. In all the measures and consultations for the ac- complishment of these important results. Bishop White took an active and zealous part. At the General Convention of 1814, a motion was made by the delegates from South Carolina, for the establishment of a Theological Seminary, where our young men could be conveniently and carefully trained for the sacred ministry. It would require more space than I am able to spare, to mention, in detail, the various suggestions which were offered, and the experiments tried, before the full organization 6* 6Q LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. of our General Theological Seminary was completed, and its final location in the city of New York. On the question of the expediency of establishing a General Seminary, Bishop White differed from most of his brethren. His choice was, that each Diocese desirous of having such an institution, and able to support one, should have a Theological School of its own. Not- withstanding that preference, however, when it ap- peared to be the wish of a majority that a General Theological Seminary should be founded, he gave it his cordial support; under the impression that it ought to have a full and fair trial. Time has shown that the judgment of Bishop White was well founded. Who, in these days, that wishes well to the prosperity of the Church, can re- gret, that the schools of the prophets at Alexandria, and Middletown, and Gambler, and Jubilee, and Na- shotah, are all in successful operation, educating those for the service of the sanctuary, who might otherwise be lost to the Church, and working to- gether with the General Seminary, at New York, in supplying the great and increasing demand for clergymen ? In 1824 we find the good Bishop uniting, with the rest of his countrymen, in welcoming him to our shores, who had stood by Washington in the thickest of the contest for freedom, and whose name no true- Lafayette's visit. 67 hearted American can ever forget, the generous and noble Lafayette. The whole nation, animated by- becoming gratitude, rose up, with one consent, to do honor to the nation's guest. The recollection of their intercourse during the Revolutionary War, and the Bishop's connection with many public bodies which testified their respect to the French General by calls and addresses, brought them frequently together, and this reunion of former friendship, was gratifying to both alike. In a letter to Bishop Hobart, then travelling for his health in Europe, Bishop White gives the follow- ing statement, very honorable to the distinguished Lafayette. "There will doubtless appear in the En- glish papers the accounts of the reception of Gen- eral Lafayette. On no occasion whatever have I witnessed an enthusiasm so universally extended. My relations to many religious, literary, and charita- ble institutions, and, added to them, a degree of ac- quaintance with him nearly half a century ago, have thrown me in the way of seeing much of him during his late visit to our city; and I must do him the justice to testify, that he sustained the honors showered on him, with singular moderation and modesty." The actors of that day, have now nearly all passed off the stage ; but may w^e not reasonably suppose that the friendly relations which existed between 68 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. Washington, and White, and Lafayette, on earth, have been renewed and brightened, amidst the pure delights of Paradise ! Notwithstanding the Bishop's advanced age, being in his seventy-seventh year, he undertook a long jour- ney, in October, 1824, to visit the parishes in the western parts of Pennsylvania. Several churches were awaiting consecration, and a number of persons were anxious to be confirmed. Having performed Episcopal services in Lewiston, he had left the place, and proceeded a few miles on his journey, when the horse took fright and ran away. The Bishop was thrown out, and fractured his right wrist, and se- verely lacerated his face. Every attention was shown him, and in the fifteenth day after the fall, he reached his home, and in the course of a ihonth, again appeared in the pulpit. The ease and speed with which he recovered, astonished his attending physicians, who thought it showed an uncommon vigor of constitution for one so advanced in years. The last of May, following, he once more set out on a journey to the western counties of his Diocese; and extended it, at the request of Bishop Meade, as far as Wheeling, Virginia, punctually fulfilling all his engagements. There were no railroads, then, to bring distant places near to each other, and to lessen the fatigues of travelling ; and it is certainly worthy of record, that after eight hundred miles of jolting THE CARES OF A BISHOP. 69 and jogging about, the venerable patriarch returned in health and safety, early in July. Again in the autumn of 1826, he went forth into the north-eastern counties of the State, and again, the watchful care of our Heavenly Father kept him safe from harm. The first Pioneer Bishop to the Gentile world has well described the cares and trials of every faithful Bishop of the Church, be his lot cast in whatever age, or country it may : " In journeying^ often^ in perils of waters^ in perils in the city^ in perils in the wilder- ness ; in weariness and painfulness^ in watchings often^ in hunger and thirsty in fastings often^ in cold and nakedness ; besides those things that are without^ that which cometh upon me daily ^ the care of all the Churches:' 2 Cor. xi. 26-8. 70 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE, CHAPTER XIY. DIOCESAN TROUBLES AN OCTOGENARIAN ELECTION OF AN AS- SISTANT BISHOP PARTIES IN THE CHURCH. Until a very late period of his life, Bishop White met with few painful incidents in the government of his Diocese. But the earthly lot of no one can be altogether free from vexations and cares, and, there- fore, w^e are not surprised to find, that his case was not an exception to the general rule. The character of the good Bishop was of such unsullied purity, and his devotion to the best interests of the Church, so manifest, that no person had shown the least desire to oppose his wishes, or had expressed any dissatis faction with his official conduct. In later years, how- ever, the evils of party strife disturbed the peace of the Church in Pennsylvania, to a lamentable extent, causing him much unhappiness and concern. Indeed, he always looked back upon those troublous times, as the most wretched period of his life. On a cer tain occasion, when paying a visit of sympathy and condolence to a lady, with whose family he had long been on intimate terms, in the course of conversation, she inquired his age. He answered with much ani- DIOCESAN TROUBLES. 71 mation, — " I now claim to be an octogenarian, as I entered my eightieth year last April." " You are no doubt ready," continued the lady, " to say with the patriarch, few and evil have been the days of your pilgrimage." " I am not prepared to say any such thing," was his prompt reply ; " for although I have suffered bereavements, this is the common lot ; and if one day was marked by affliction, another was filled with blessings. My severest trials have been of late years ;" and then, in his usual mild way, he alluded to the difficulties in the Diocese. At one period, these troubles assumed such a threatening aspect, that the Bishop had little hope that they would die out during his time, and, there- fore, he prepared a full account of the origin and progress of them, but, with characteristic forbearance, the parcel containing the documents on this subject was thus endorsed. " In the case of my decease, it is my wish that no use be made of the within, unless needful for the repelling of any attack on my reputation, or to meet any tendency to the disor- ganizing of the Church, originating in the transactions recorded." These dark days for the Church were principally in the years 1826 and 1827. But, blessed be God, these times have passed, and the biographer, although obliged, in faithfulness to his trust, to record events as they actually happened, whether prosperous or 72 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. adverse, feels no disposition to dig up the troubles of the past from the quiet grave, and needlessly in- trade them upon the attention of those now enjoy- ing the blessings of peace. Suffice it to say,, that as the winding up of so many things which all good men must heartily deplore, an Assistant Bishop was elected for the Diocese, in the person of the Rev. Henry U. Onderdonk, then Rector of St. Ann's Church, Brooklyn, L. I., who was consecrated on the 25th of October, 1827. Various attempts have been made, at different times, to bring the weight of Bishop White's honored name, to bear in the scale of different parties in the Church ; but in no sense can it with truth be said, that he was a party man at all. As our great Washington in the State, loomed far above the petty distinctions which made up party strife, so Bishop White knew no party, but loved the whole Church as one. The epithets. High and Low Church, which are now so often used, to distinguish conflicting shades of opinion in the Church, are of English origin, and grew out of political relations in the mother country, and there they should be left.* * " So thorougbly versed was Bishop White's mind in the history, both civil and ecclesiastical, of England, that he was disposed to recognize the terms " High and Low Church'' chiefly in their original and histo- rical siguificancy, as they came into use during the Stuart dynasty ; and sot to accede to the adoption of their modern sense." — New Yorh Rmiew^ VoL V^ p. 434. PARTY DIFFERENCES. 73 Persons enter the fold of Christ from various motives, and, of course, they regard the peculiarities and claims of the Church from different points of view. Some are hoiii Episcopalians, and love the Church from association and habit. Others, weary of excitement, and irregularities elsewhere, have taken refuge in the Ark, as a safe and quiet home. A third class, are attracted by the beauty of the service, and the order and propriety which distinguishes every part of our public worship. Others, again, become Churchmen from principle. They have carefully examined the whole subject, studying the Scriptures and ancient authors, and Church history, and other aids for the settlement of so inriportant a question; and the result has been, that they have settled down into the m(^st assured conviction, that the Episcopal Church is a true branch of the Church which Christ established in the beginning; the Kingdom whose welfare He has promised to look after, even unto the end of the world. Now all of these classes may find ample room, and abundant pasture, in the one great sheep-fold. Differences of opinion may exist now, as they have always, we believe, existed in the Church : so long as the faith, set forth in the Creed, is preserved sound and complete, there is no particular harm in men differing one from the other, provided it be done in charity and humility, and provided party spirit be not allowed to find place in the 7 74 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. Church. As for any actual division in the ranks, — let an enemy from without assail our battlements, and he will find but one banner raised, and one common rally, to the rescue. ■ High A^*D Low, Watch-words of party ; As if a Church, though sprung from Heaven, must owe To opposites and fierce extremes her life, — Not to the golden mean, and quiet flow Of truths that soften hatred, temper, strife." BISHOP white's scholarship. 75 CHAPTER XV. BISHOP WHITE AS A STUDENT AND AN AUTHOR GIRARD COLLEGE NOBLE PROTEST — DANIEL WEBSTER QUESTION TO BE SOLVED. After the consecration of the Assistant Bishop of Pennsylvania, the care of the parishes in the more remote parts of the Diocese was entrusted to him ; while Bishop White confined his Episcopal duties chiefly to Philadelphia, and its neighborhood. These, however, with the additional weight of responsibility which his position as Rector of a large city parish, embracing three churches, brought with it, were no light burden for any shoulders to sustain. Had Bishop White consulted his own inclinations, most of his time would have been devoted to study ; but with all his other avocations, he still contrived to write many works of great value to the theo- logical* world. " He doubtless recognized in his pecu- liar ecclesiastical position, the paternal relation, as it were, to the young Church in this country, a respon- sibility to bring to her councils the assistance of sound and mature learning. He was unceasingly studious ; for a Bishop ' must be apt to teach.' Plis 76 LIFE OF BISHOP ^VHIXE. scholarship ^vas no mere accumulation of barren theological lore, nor ^vas his study a place of cloistered contemplation. To the most advanced years of his life, on every fit occasion, his pen was pronipt to assert the cause of truth, and of the Christian Church. His learning was truly the learning of a Bishop, — active and diffusive for the good of the ministry, and of the people who were gathered about him ; a stream like unto that of the fountains of Elim, which flowed amid the palm-trees, healthfully and abundantly." The involved and obscure style of the Bishop will always be a drawback to the popularity of his works with general readers ; but by students, and those who wish to hold converse with one who was, in deed and in truth, one of •' the fathers of the Church," they will be highly prized. Any person who has examined his great work, entitled '• Comparative Views of the Controversy between the Calvinists and the Armi- nians,*' must have observed the unfortunate peculi- arity of style just referred to. Indeed, the book, as it appears in print, is more obnoxious to this criti- cism, than when it was first prepared in manuscript. It is told, as an exemplification of the Bishop's ha- bitual modesty, that he was shocked to find how often " r' occurred on its pages, and, accordingly, he went over the whole again, striking out this apparent evidence of egotism, and inserting instead those awk ward and homely expressions, '• It is the opinion of THE GIRARD COLLEGE CASE. 77 the present writer," etc. Many a tyro in divinity who has smiled at these bungling sentences, would have had his respect and admiration for the good Bishop deepened and increased thereby, had he been aware of the cause which produced them. Although Bishop White was remarkable for his mild and yielding disposition, in things unimportant, yet, when his judgment prompted him to pursue a certain course of action, he went forward in the dis- charge of any duty with holy boldness. We have an example of this, in the incident which follows. " In his later years, a large sum of money was be- queathed, by a wealthy Philadelphia merchant, to the corporation of that city, for the foundation of an orphan college, on the sole condition that the boys should be kept w^ithout any instruction in any re- ligious creed, from six to eighteen, that they might then * adopt such religious tenets as their matured reason should enable them to prefer.' But the good Bishop was not to be led away by^ this specious liberality. He at once condemned the conditions of the will, and addressed to the corporation an uncom- promising and powerful appeal, in which he urged them ' to a respectful but determined rejection of the trust.' 'It is,' he allowed, 'a great sacrifice; but it cannot be too great when the acceptance of it would be an acknowledgment that religion, even in its simplest forms, is unnecessary to the binding men 78 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. to their various duties.' "* The whole of the Bishop's admirable letter is worthy of a careful reading. It may be found entire, hi his life by Dr. Wilson, p. 234. In 1844, when Bishop White was resting froQi his labors in a better world, the question concerning Mr. Girard's will came, by appeal from the local jurisdiction of Philadelphia, before the Supreme Court of the United States. One of the lawyers who argued the case was the distinguished Daniel Webster. Not long before, he had renewed the vows of his Baptism in Confirmation, and become a conamunicant of the Church, — a circumstance which adds yet deeper interest to the masterly eloquence of his noble ap- peal. '• Would any Christian parent," he asks, '* con- sider it desirable for his orphan children after his death, to find refuge in this asylum, under all the circumstances and characteristics which belong to it 1 . . . . . Poor as children can be left, who would not rather tri:fet them to the Christian charity of the world, however uncertain it has been said to be, than place them where their physical wants and comforts would be abundantly^ attended to, but away from the solaces, the consolations, the graces, and the grace of the Christian religion f The warning voice of the Bishop and the stirring * Wilberforce's History of the Ame'rican ChurcTi, p. 2S4. THE RESULT NOT YET TO BE SEEN. 79 eloquence of the Statesman were alike unheeded. Girard College has been founded, and it yet remains to be seen, whether the immense outlay of money which its establishment required, shall prove to com- ing generations a blessing or a curse. 80 LIFE OF BISHOP TTHIIE. CHAP TEE XVI. MBSIOX TO CEXN'A TKE CSTRCH AEOUSiyG HERSELF TO ACTIOX — >t;glected oppoETryiTiES — de. cutler's sekmox — >rrsroR- ABLE CO-VTEXTION — MISSIOXAEY BISHOPS CHOSEN THE LAST ^^GHT OF THE SESSION. Ls" the s:.::::^^ : : ' 1S35. the Rev. Messrs. Hanson and L : v first missionai'ies to China, set forth u ..•--.. Liiat xU.portant enterprise. Much less was known of the *" Celestial Empire*' than at pre-r:.". :.::] Foreign Missions, so tar as our branch of :i:e L nuroh was concerned, were quite in their in- fancy. Til- :i:ost lively interest was felt in the sub- ject, th: _ : every portion of the Union, and Dr. "White, as presiding Bishop of the Church, delivered to the missionaries some parting advice. These instructions were universally admired for the vigor of mind, prudence, liberality, and sound principles therein displayed. While Episcopalians were thus rousing up. in some degree, to a sense of their respon- sibility, in the great work of foreign missions, the domestic department was not forgotten. Happy would it have been for the prosperity of the Church, had the daims of our own countrv rer at- MISSIONARY WORK. 81 tended to. The vast region west of the Alleghany mountains, now teeming with a rapidly increasing population, offered a most tempting field for mis- sionary enterprise, long before measures were per- fected, and means provided, for carrying them into effect. While other religious bodies were on the alert, for the possession of that territory, the Epis- copal Church was confining her efforts to the shores of the Atlantic. Only two or three of our clergy were to be found in the extensive region watered by the Mississippi and its tributaries. " One of these few clergymen was the Rev. Joseph Doddridge, a connection of the celebrated non-confirmist of the same name. This gentleman addressed a letter to Bishop White in the year 1811, urging the appoint- ment of a Missionary Bishop for the new country in which he resided. The weakness of the Church, with other circumstances, prevented immediate action on this important point, and a great opportunity was for ever lost. The injury formerly experienced through the want of Bishops in the eastern parts of the coun- try, was now more than realized in the west, and as population rapidly increased, vast numbers of the inhabitants became the victims of cold indifference, or of enthusiastic delusioja.""^ But, as before stated, the night had well nigh past, * Caswell's American Churchy p. 147. 82 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. and the day began to dawn ; and the General Con- vention, which met at Philadelphia, in the autumn of IS 35, was the occasion for vigorous action. This council of the Church is memorable, as being the last in which Bishop White presided. A most stirring sermon had been preached, at Brooklyn, not long be- fore, by the Rev. Benjamin B. C. Cutler, and its sub- sequent publication, and wide circulation, had called forth a very lively interest, in the cause of western missions. The Convention appointed a Committee to draw up a plan of organization for a Missionary- Society, which should meet the exigencies of the case, and it was agreed to place the Church upon the high and primitive ground which she occupied on the day of Pentecost, and that henceforth she should be, emphatically, a Missionary Churchy ^^^^'^% forth, in obedience to the Lord's command, " making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father^ and of the Son^ and of the Holy Ghost^ On the last day of the Convention, the •' Board of Missions,"' at the call of Bishop White, held its first meeting. Let an eye-witness describe what fol- lowed : — •• The canon ' Of Missionary Bishops' had received the final sanction of both houses. Two over-shepherds were to be sent out, the messengers of the Church, to gather and to feed, under the di- rection of the House of Bishops, the scattered sheep that wander, with no man to care for their souls, MISSIONARY BISHOPS. 83 through all the wide and distant west. In the Church, (St. Andrew's,) the representatives of the Dioceses are assembled. They wait, in their proper places, the eventful issue, while expectation thrills the hearts of all the multitude which throngs the outer courts. In a retired apartment, the fathers of the Church are in deep consultation. There are twelve assembled. They kneel in silent prayer. ' They rise. They cast their ballots. A messenger bears the result to the assembled deputies. A breathless silence fills the house of God. Two godly and well-learned men are nominated the two first Missionary Bishops of the Church ; and all the delegates, as with a single voice, confirm the designation. One scene remains. The night is far advanced. The drapery of solemn black which lines the church,* seems more funereal in the faint light of the expiring lamps. The congregation linger still, to hear the parting counsels of their fathers in the Lord. There is a stir in the deep chancel. The Bishops enter, and arrange themselves in their appropriate seats. The aged patriarch, (Bishop White,) at whose hands they all have been invested with the warrant of their holy trust, stands in the desk, — in aspect meek, serene, and venerable, as the beloved John at Ephesus, when, sole survivor of the Apostolic band, he daily urged upon his flock testimony of the sorrow of the Congregation for their deceased Rector, the late Dr. BedeU. 84 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. the affecting lesson, ' Little children, love one an- other.' Erect and tall, though laden with the weight of almost ninety winters, and with voice distinct and clear, he holds enchained all eyes, all ears, all hearts, while, with sustained and vigorous spirit, he recites, in behalf and name of all his brethren, the pastoral message, drawn 'from the stores of his long- hoarded learning, enforced by the deductions of his old ex- perience, and instinct throughout with the seraphic meekness of his wisdom. He ceases from his faith- ful testimony. The voice of melody, in the befitting words of that delightful Psalm, ' Behold, hov/ good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity,' melts every heart. And then, all knees are bent, to ask once more, as something to be borne and cherished in all after life, the Apostolic bene- diction of that good old man." [Bishop Doane's account of the General Convention of 1835, in the Appendix to his sermon at the consecration of Dr. Kemper.] THE BISHOP AS A CITIZEN. 85 CHAPTER XVII. BISHOP WHITE AS A CITIZEN WIRE DRAWN BIOGRAPHIES — INFLUENCE AT ELECTIONS COLONIZATION SOCIETY GREEK REVOLUTION INDIAN TRIBES PUBLIC DINNERS. We have now followed Dr. White, through his long and eventful career, as a faithful pastor, and an able and devoted Bishop of the Church of God. There is still another point of view in which the character and conduct of this remarkable man, may be studied with advantage — I mean his position as a citizen of the republic. But here, as in the other parts of his history, brevity will be kept constantly in view. The modern practice of swelling the bio- graphies of the most ordinary persons, by the publi- cation of miscellaneous correspondence, and by the tedious detail of trifling incidents, is one which should be discountenanced by all who estimate time at its true value, and who remember how much is to be done in this short space. Bishop White did not think that the character of a citizen of the commonwealth should be lost in that of the Christian minister ; but he regarded the duties and privileges of the former, as perfectly consistent 8 86 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE* with those of the sacred ofRce. He accordingly made it a practice to vote at important elections ; never allowing himself, however, to act the part of a political partizan. His own experience seemed to warrant the conclusion, that his influence as a clergy- man was not at all diminished by this course. It was no small inconvenience, for an aged and infirm man, to attend the polls at a strongly contested election, but even this did not prevent him from dis- charging what he believed to be a duty. " The reverence felt for him by all parties was sometimes, on such occasions, strikingly manifested, by their suspending, on his approach, their struggles for access to the windows where the votes were deposited, and opening a lane through which he could advance for that purpose, and again retire without difficulty. And the beneficial effect of the incident on the feel- ings of the multitude, was observed to continue for a considerable time." Although it would seem to be a fair conclusion from this incident, that there is a salutary influence in the brief presence of a holy man, exercising a constitutional right ; still, it should be remembered by those who would regard it as a suffi- cient warrant for all clergymen to do likewise, that Bishop White was no common man, and that he lived in no ordinary times. Nobody could question the right of one who had been a patriot, before there was even a well-grounded hope that the colonies would BISHOP white's public SERVICES. 87 be free, to continue the practice of voting, which he had uniformly pursued from the first; neither will any friend of his country fail to perceive that it was the duty of a Christian Minister whose influence was so unbounded, to exercise that influence for good. But can this case find a parallel in that of the humble parish minister, in ordinary peaceful times, who would risk the possibility of exasperating and dividing his flock, for the sake of showing to the world that he was as free as the best, and dared to do according to his good pleasure ? We think not. On three great public occasions, the Bishop con- sented to preside at meetings, more or less connected with political affairs. The first was called to promote the formation of the American Colonization Society, — a benevolent association, the object of which is the removal of free colored persons to the Colony of Liberia. In the prosecution of this enterprise. Bishop White labored for years with Henry Clay and other philanthropic individuals; regarding this, as one of the most direct modes of conveying the light of Christianity to the benighted regions of Africa. Another occasion on which the Bishop acted as President of a promiscuous assemblage of his fellow citizens, was in December, 1823, when public sym- pathy was so generally aroused in behalf of poor down-trodden Greece, then struggling for liberty and life, against the tyranny of the barbarous Turks. 88 LIPE OF BISHOP WHITE. AgaiD, in January, 1830, we find him occupying the same conspicuous and responsible place, when the public were agitating the question, whether or not, it would be proper to send a memorial to Congress, asking, that in any measure of the government in reference to the Cherokee and other nations of In- dians, the faith of the United States towards them might be inviolably preserved. These were, indeed, three occasions, upon which a Christian Bishop, might, with propriety, be seen, taking the lead in measures so full of benevolence and good will to suffering men. Bishop White did not consider it inconsistent with his sacred office, to be present at the public dinners, given on festivals, or other celebrations. He be- lieved that it was called for by the prominent station which he occupied ; and he was also willing to do it, because it tended to check improprieties and ex- cesses, and also led to opportunities of usefulness, which he should not otherwise have obtained. He early made a resolution, however, that if he lived to the age of seventy, he should then consider himself at liberty to decline such invitations. This rule, he accordingly strictly observed, and when, in October, 1830, he was requested to attend the one hundred and forty-eighth anniversary of the landing of William Penn, he contented himself with sending an appro- priate toast. CHURCH HISTORY. 89 CHAPTER XVIII. COLLECTING MATERIALS FOR A CHURCH HISTORY DR. HAWKS SENT TO ENGLAND LETTER TO BISHOP WHITE INTERVIEW WITH THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY KINDNESS AND COURTESY. The Convention of 1835, which had declared the Church to be one great Missionary Society, had appointed Bishop White and Dr. Francis L. Hawks a Committee to apply to the Archbishop of Canter- bury, and other persons in England, for any docu- ments which they might possess, which would throw light upon the early history of the Church in Amer- ica. Dr. Hawks had already published an interest- ing and valuable work upon the fortunes of the Church in Virginia, and he now zealously set forth, to collect materials for the prosecution of his important labors. He took with him to London, a letter from Bishop White, which at once secured for him a favorable reception, at the hands of English Churchmen. In his letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop referred, in a very happy manner, to the fact, that fifty years before he had received consecration from a predecessor of his Grace, and spoke, in modest terms, of the part which he had been allowed to act, in saving the Church in the United States from utter 90 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. ruin. Soon after Dr. Hawks' arrival in London, he wrote to Bishop White a full account of the kind reception he had met with, and of the p"robable suc- cess of his mission. This interesting epistle contains such gratifying evidences of the kindly sentiments which are cherished by the Mother Church in Eng- land, towards the daughter upon this side of the Atlantic, that I shall make some extracts from it. " I waited first upon the Archbishop of Canter- bury, with your letter and a copy of the journal of the last General Convention. I was received with great courtesy, and indeed kindness of manner, and found in his Grace one of the humblest and most unpretending of men. I cannot better describe the scene which followed than by sending you a copy of my memoranda of our conversation, made upon my return home. After the first salutations I began : — " ' Your Grace, I believe, has already been informed by Mr. Norris of the general object of my visit to England. This letter from the Senior Bishop of the American Church, will more particularly explain the nature of my mission.' " ' Ah ! this then is the handwriting of good Bishop White ; I hope he is well.' " ' He was well, my Lord, when I left America.' (He then began to read the letter silently.) After a short time, he said, ' How old is the good Bishop now V DR. HAWKS SENT TO ENGLAND. 91 " ^ In his eighty-ninth year, my Lord.' (Towards the close, he began to read aloud, and continued so to read to the end.) He then said : — * How beauti- fully he has expressed himself! He is a venerable man.' " ' And, I assure your Grace, beloved as well as venerated by the Church in America.' " ' No doubt of it. Well, I think there must be much in the library here which will be valuable to you, and everything is at your service. The records of the Venerable Society must also contain a great deal of information. I know that there are some manuscripts in the library here touching America, but I have never been able to examine them parti- cularly, for I have but little time. We have a Cata- logue of our Manuscripts which I will show you.' [Here he rose to get it.] " I then handed him the copy of the Journal ; and in reply to his question about the Constitution of our Church, explained to him in few words our System of Government, etc., and expressing the sense of obligation which we felt in America to the Church of England, for having planted, and so long sus- tained us. '' ' I am very happy to hear of the prosperity of the Episcopal Church in America — I was going to say, of the Churchy for such, (it may be from my old-fashioned notions,) I cannot help considering 92 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. her. A history of your Church would be very in- teresting. I hope it will be written.'* " ' Bishop White has written, my Lord, an account of our general history since the Revolution ; and I hope, ere long, to put a copy into the hands of your Grace,' [and then I was obliged to tell him that I was at work, and had published the volume, on the Vir- ginia Church.] " ' I shall be glad to see them both, and always pleased to render any service in my power to the American Church. And now let me see how I can aid you. J must bring you into communication with Mr. Rose,' (his Chaplain, and he sent a servant for him.) " When Mr. Rose entered, he introduced me, and explained my business, and immediately arranged with him for affording me access at all times, and every desirable facility in my researches. He also wrote a note to the librarian of the British Museum, and when he handed it to me, he rose, and I took it as a signal to withdraw. 1 rose, also, and said, — • It only remains that, in the name of the Episcopal Church in America, I should thank your Grace for the ready kindness with which you have met their wishes, and which I will not fail, my Lord, properly to represent to them. * The best history of the American Church was written by Dr Wilber force, the Bishop of Oxford. THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. 93 " ^ I shall be happy to serve them in this matter, and I shall hope, sir, to have the pleasure of seeing you again.' " He then shook hands with me, and I withdrew." 94 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. CHAPTER XIX. LENGTHE^^XG SHADOWS — SERIOUS ILLNESS LAST SERMON STROKE OF DEATH CHRISTLAN COMPOSURE WIDE-SPREAD DISTRESS FUNERAL, We are now drawing towards the end. God had permitted Bishop White to see wonderful things, during the fifty years which had passed, since he kneeled in the chapel at Lambeth, and received his authority to labor as a Chief Shepherd of the flock. The good old man might well take up the song of holy Simeon, and declare his willingness now to " depart in peace." Bishop White had enjoyed excellent health during most of his life, his constitution being kept in vigor by exercise, and a proper attention to diet. In June, 1836, he had a severe attack of sickness, which occasioned much uneasiness ; but he soon re- covered, and resumed his official duties. During the last year of his life, the marks of age and infirmity began more plainly to show themselves ; still, how- ever, he attended to much out-door duty, and preached once on a Sunday, in one or other of his Churches. The last occasion upon which he officiated BISHOP white's last ILLNESS. 95 was June 26th, 1836, when he preached at St. Peter's, on " The Gospel Sword," from the text, Hebrews iv., 12th verse. It was remarked that he delivered this discourse with greater energy and effect, than had been usual with him for a long time. The newly-elected Bishop of Michigan, (the Rev. Samuel A. M'Coskry,) was soon to be consecrated, when Bishop White was expected to preside and preach ; — but God had appointed otherwise. During the night of the 2d of July, having risen from his bed, he fell with some violence upon the floor, owing, no doubt, to extreme weakness. His son, who slept in the same apartment, was startled by the sound, and immediately replaced him in the bed, which he left no more. The taper of life was flickering in the socket, and without pain or un- easiness, he gradually wasted away. The Bishop continued to enjoy the use of his mental faculties to the last, except upon a few occasions, when he seemed to fancy himself engaged in the performance of some Episcopal office, very likely thinking of the consecration, when he had hoped to be able to officiate. He recognized the friends who called to see him, and conversed with them, although, through bodily weak- ness, it cost him much effort to do so. He was fully aware of his condition, and as any one who knew the character of Bishop White might expect, he was humble, hopeful, and serene. yo LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. Through his whole life he had shown a decided repugnance to make a display of those secrets of the heart which belong only to the Christian and his God, and therefore we need look for no death-bed scene. " He was not disposed, of his own accord, to speak concerning the state of his mind, his expecta- tions or consolations. It was only in reply to some remarks made to him by Bishops Doane and M'Cos- kry, who were attending him, that he spoke at all upon the subject. But then he fully expressed, with greater warmth and animation than it was believed his weakness would have allowed, and than was usual with him, his reliance upon the merits of the Re- deemer alone for acceptance ; and the comfort, the " charming" gratification, of being enabled to trust in the Divine goodness, and to realize the protecting care of God in life and in death."* A report of the Bishop's alarming sickness spread far and wide, and occasioned much anxiety and dis- tress. He was a man whom the world could ill afford to lose, and " prayer was made without ceas- ing of the Church unto God for him." The good Bishop died on the morning of Sunday, the 17th of July. " Upon this sacred day, whose solemn ser- vices for nearly seventy years had seldom failed to engage his voice in the several offices of the Christian * Bishop White's Memorial by Dr. Wilson, p. 266-7. FUNERAL OF BISHOP WHITE. 97 rainistry, as the hour of noon approached, when the prayers of faithful thousands had but just gone up to heaven in intercession for him, — the day itself " so calm, so cool, so bright, the bridal of the earth and sk}^," — in the house"* which for half a century had been his home, in his own chamber, upon his own bed, with all his loved ones of the first and second generations gathered around him, so quietly, that not a murmur caught the quickened sense of love's most practise'! ear. so gently that the most attentive eye marked not the moment of its transit, — his peaceful spirit took its flight from earth, washed, as we humbly trust, from all defilements, in the blood of that im maculate Lamb, which was slain, to take away the sins of the world, to be " presented pure and without spot ' before God.' " — His funeral was attended by a vast concourse of people, of every rank in life. Four Bishops, and two of the oldest clergy, bore the pall. As the long procession slowly moved along, the stores were closed, and tears fell fast, from the eyes of old and young. The faneral services were held in Christ Church, and the bells, which half a century before, had rung out a rejoicing, when he came back from a distant land a consecrated Bishop, now mourned the good man's departure from the earth. The procession was * The house is S9 Walnut Street, above Third. The Bishop had lived there ever since his return from England, in 1787, y© LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. met at the church-yard gate by the Rev. Mr. Sheets, Rector of Trinity Church, Oxford, who repeated the appropriate sentences from the burial service, as the coffin was carried up the centre aisle, to the front of the chancel. The anthem and the lesson were read by the Rev. Dr. Delancey, and a very appropriate and able sermon was preached by the Assistant Bishop of Pennsylvania, from the text. Job i. 8 :— '^ Hast thou considered my servant Job ^ that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man^ one that fear eth God, and escheweth evil .^" The remains of the venerable patriarch were then deposited in his family vault, there to await his final summons to the resurrection of the just. BISHOP white's character. 99 CHAPTER XV. THE GENERAL SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION CHARACl'ER OF BISHOP WHITE -—HIS GOODNESS MILDNESS HUMILITY BENE- VOLENCE AFFECTION CONCLUSION. Among the resolutions adopted bj "The General Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union," upon the mournful occasion of Bishop White's death, was the following : '^ jResolved, That since, in the whole life of this bright exemplar of every Christian virtue and grace, the childlike simplicity, so strongly recommended in the Gospel, as peculiarly becoming the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, was ever conspicuous ; his is a character that pre-eminently deserves to be held up to our Sunday school children, as well as to all others, for imitation."* It is with a view of carrying out the spirit of this resolution, in some degree, that the foregoing narra- tive has been prepared. The character of Bishop White, in many particu- lars, has already been displayed, in the events just ♦ Sunday School Visitor, II. p. 261. (1836.) 100 LIFE OF BISHOP ^HITE. recorded ; but in order to present the man as he was, in a better and clearer light, it ^yill be necessary to refer to the matter again, with this special object in view. From his earliest childhood, Bishop White had been remarkable for his goodness. By nature, (or rather by nature renewed through the power of God's grace.) he was gentle, and considerate, and calm, and benevolent. In his case, therefore, we have a most happy exem- plification of the value of early religious training. His friend, Dr. Wilson, who had known him long and well, says, in reference to the Bishop's religious character : — " Were I allowed to characterize his re- lifrious feelinors, and to attribute them to their true source, I could not avoid pronouncing them to be of that submissive, steady, sweetly serene and con- solatory kind, which the Gospel encourages us to ex- pect from such an advancement as he had made, through Divine Grace, towards the attainment of the ' perfect love which casteth out fear.' " (Memoir, p. 273-4.) As an additional testimony, I may add a few words fi'om the admirable sermon preached at his funeral. " His whole life, from inflmcy to extreme old age, spent in one community, neither that community, nor an individual either there or elsewhere, has even a whisper against him. So ignorant was he, person- I HIS PERSONAL QUALITIES. 101 ally, of evil, so far from conceiving how widely and in what many way it operates, that he was as free from suspicion of others, as from guile in his own bosom ; indeed, he was often too reluctant in the caution which foresees the natural workings of human motives. Thus pre-eminent in all good qualities and dispositions, it is not wonderful that his character was allowed by every one to have been that of a perfect man, and an upright. With all this excellence, unquestioned and unquestionable, the principles of our venerable father had no affinity whatever with those which recognize the merit of human virtue; which rest the hope of immortality on moral ac- curacy, even as combined with punctilious religious performances ; which look for acceptance with God to any source but the merits of the only Redeemer." The mildness and gentleness of Bishop White's disposition appeared on all occasions. We observe it, even in his controversial writings; and it is the more remarkable here, because such works often- times call forth a bitterness of spirit, which, at others, may be wholly out of keeping with an author's general temper of mind. He was always friendly and tolerant in his inter- course with different denominations of Christians, but he never sacrificed his Church principles, or proved recreant to the solemn vows which he had made at the altar. 9* 102 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. Modesty and hurailitv were also prominent traits of his character, appearing in his whole life and con- versation. Although he occupied so prominent a position in the Church, and possessed an unusual degree of per- soual influence, he was always unassuming, and ap- parently unconscious that he stood on an eminence, above the common level. The Bishop was distinguished for his benevolence and liberality. His charities, however, cost him much self-sacrifice, for his family was large, and his revenues were not great. Besides, his position as the head of the Church in a large diocese, exposed him to many additional expenses. A London paper, in speaking of his death, had referred t<.> the comparative smallness of his salary, — to which a Philadelphia editor replied, with great truth and beauty, — " Bishop White enjoyed a revenue beyond a monarch's command, his daily income was beyond hunnan computation. If he vi^ent forth, age paid him the tribute of aflectionate respect, and children ' rose up and called him blessed.' " In his intercourse with his family and near friends, he was exceedingly tender and affectionate, and his general social relations with the world were marked by urbanity and kindness, flowing from a heart which was full of love for all. It may be said, without exaggeration, that Bishop CONCLUSION. 103 White lived and died without one solitary enemj, — fourscore years and ten, without a wound from an angry feeling ! He had been raised up by God to do a special work for the Church, in the time of her deepest distress, and having accomplished this task, he went home to his reward. And now my pleasing task is done ; and in laying aside my pen, I feel as if bidding farewell to a pure and saintly spirit, with which it has been my pri- vilege in this manner to converse. When, month by month, in the prayer " for the whole state of Christ's Church militant," we bless Gods holy name " for all His servants departed this life in His faith and fear," and beseech Him to give us grace to follow their good examples," — we may well treasure in our minds the fragrant memory of Bishop White. Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 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