the War-Bishop Madison's Proposal of a Union among different Christian Denominations-His Plan of distributing Tracts-Revision of the Canons-Virginia refuses to give the House of Bishops an absolute . 203. Veto CHAPTER XII. 1794-1804. Injurious Effects upon Religion, arising from Disputes about the Church Property-Arguments used for and against a sale of the Glebes-Canon against the Clergy's taking Offices in the Militia-Appeal to LawChurchmen driven to despair-Law of 1802 for sale of Glebes-Effect of sale of Glebes in benefiting the Public-Desecration of the Sacred Vessels by Debauchees-The Manchester Case-Consequence to the Church of the Death of the President of Court of Appeals-Constitutionality of Law for the sale of Glebes yet undetermined. 224 CHAPTER XIII. 1805-1816. Convention of 1805—An assistant Bishop proposed-Itinerating Clergy recommended-Suspension of Conventions-Death of Bishop MadisonElection of Dr. Bracken to the Episcopate-He declines-Utter Prostration of a part of the Church-First dawn of Improvement in her Prospects-Election of Bishop Moore to the Episcopate-Clergy not more numerous than they were about Two Hundred Years before-Revival of the Church-Zeal and Labours of the Bishop and Clergy-Bequest to the Church-Discipline of the Laity-A number of new Churches built-Old ones repaired—Difficulties arising from the Bishop's being a Parish Minister-Theological Education . 240 CHAPTER XIV. 1825-1835. Difficulties arising from Bishop's Parochial Charge-Comparison of the Church in Northern Neck with its Condition a Century before-Churches devoted to secular purposes-Care of St. Paul's Parish, in King George county-Bishop Moore offers to pay half the Salary of an assistant Minister in the Monumental Church-Irregularity of Virginia Clergy in the Use of the Liturgy-Bishop Moore's Warning-Refusal of Virginia to agree to changes or alterations in the Use of the Common PrayerDeath of Dr. Wilmer-Bishop Moore proposes to the Convention to elect an assistant Bishop-Dr. Meade elected-Restriction on the Right of Succession-Proceedings of General Convention thereon-Dr. Meade's Consecration-Sketch of his Life-Virginia removes the Restriction on his succession-Conclusion 267 A NARRATIVE OF EVENTS CONNECTED WITH THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN VIRGINIA. CHAPTER I. The Rev. Mr. Hunt, one of the first Colonists-His Prudence, Piety, and Christian Temper-First Administration of the Sacrament in Virginia— First Church at James Town; Destruction by Fire-First recorded Marriage in the Colony-Church placed under Martial Law-Second Church at Henrico-Rev. Mr. Whitaker; his Character; "The Apostle of Virginia"-Baptism and Marriage of Pocahontas-Character of the first Clergymen Instance of the Influence of the Clergy. AMONG the early records which communicate the history of the permanent settlement of Virginia, is to be found the name of a clergyman, whose modest worth and Christian character form an appropriate introduction to a narrative which records the progress of that church to which he belonged. This clergyman was the Rev. Robert Hunt, one of the petitioners for the charter granted by James I. to the London Company, on the 10th of April, 1606. How far the determination to become one of the first emigrants may have influenced Mr. Hunt, in soliciting the charter, can C not now be known with certainty: it is probable, however, that it was not without its weight; as we find him, on the 19th of December, 1606, embarking for Virginia with the leaders of the infant colony about to be planted under the auspices of the newly formed Company. And fortunate was it for the enterprise that such was the case. An unhappy jealousy arising between the individuals who were to compose the council of the colony threatened ruin to the whole undertaking, until the prudent conduct and pious exhortations of Mr. Hunt succeeded in allaying their mutual animosity. It is but justice to the memory of this worthy man to state, that scanty as are the materials from which to form an estimate of his character, enough is still recorded to show that it was one of which no clergyman need to be ashamed. His heart was in the business, and he wanted not resolution to accomplish the object. "On the 19th of December, 1606," (says one who bore a part in the enterprise,) "wee set saile, but by vnprosperous winds were kept six weekes in the sight of England; all which time, Mr. Hunt, our preacher, was so weake and sicke that few expected his recourie; yet, although we were but ten or twelve miles from his habitation, (the time wee were in the Downes,) and notwithstanding the stormy weather, nor the scandalous imputation (of some few little better than atheists, of the greatest rank amongst us) suggested against him, all this could never force from him so much as a seeming desire to leaue the businesse, but preferred the seruice of God, in so good a voyage, before any affection to contest with his godlesse foes, whose disastrous designs (could they have prevailed) had euen then ouerthrowne the businesse, so many discontents did then arise, had he not with the water of patience and his godly exhortations (but chiefly by his true deuoted examples) quenched those flames of enuy and dissension."* • 4 Purchas's Pilgrims, p. 1705. Not an incident is related of him which does not illustrate the possession of a Christian spirit. The wholesome influence by which he was enabled to control the angry passions of his companions, was probably founded in their respect for his consistent piety: and as we hear of no efforts made to enrich himself in the colony, it is not difficult to believe that his emigration resulted from an honest desire to supply the ministrations of the gospel to the destitute and benighted. This, it should be recollected, was one of the avowed objects expressed in the king's instructions to the Company, "That the said presidents, councils, and the ministers should provide that the true word and service of God be preached, planted, and used, not only in the said colonies, but also as much as might be among the savages bordering upon them, according to the rites and doctrines of the Church of England." Indeed, by those who made the first efforts to colonize Virginia, the diffusion of Christianity was always held forth as one of the objects of the enterprise. As far back as 1588, when Sir Walter Raleigh made an assignment of his patent to Thomas Smith and others, he accompanied it with a donation of one hundred pounds, "for the propagation of the Christian religion in Virginia."* It was also enjoined in the royal instructions, issued in 1606, "that all persons should kindly treat the savage and heathen people in those parts, and use all proper means to draw them to the true service and knowledge of God."+ And the first charter assigns as one of the reasons for the grant, that the contemplated undertaking was "a work which may, by the providence of Almighty God, hereafter tend to the glory of his divine majesty, in propagating of Christian religion to such people as yet live in darkness and miserable ignorance of the true knowledge and worship of God."+ * Burk's Hist. of Virginia, vol. i. p. 66. 1 Charter-1 Hazard's State Pa pers, 51. + Ibid. P. 91. On the 26th of April, 1607, the little fleet of three ships entered the Chesapeake; and on the 13th of May the colonists landed. Upon a peninsula which projects from the northern shore of James River may still be seen the ruins of a tower which once formed part of a Christian church; and this, with its surrounding graveyard, is now almost the only memorial left to mark the site of what once was James Town. Here it was that the emigrants debarked, and on this ground was erected the first church in Virginia. Scarcely, however, had the colonists landed, before the pious interposition of Mr. Hunt again became necessary to appease the animosity of the president of the council and the celebrated Captain Smith. His effort proved successful. Smith was received into the council; and on the 14th of May partook, with his rival, of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, which was then administered for the first time in Virginia. James Town was the first permanent habitation of the English in America; and Virginia commenced its career of civilization with one of the most impressive solemnities of the Christian church. To trace the gradual progress of this little band of pioneers, in the establishment of a colony which "grew up in misery," might afford matter of painful interest; but it comports not with the purpose of this narrative to allude to any transactions in the infant settlement, other than those which are connected with the condition and progress of the church. The piety of the emigrants, stimulated by the exhortations of their teacher, led to the almost immediate erection of an edifice, humble, indeed, as were the rude. habitations by which it was surrounded, but hallowed as the place dedicated to the worship of the Almighty. A few months only had elapsed before a fire accidentally commencing in the storehouse, speedily communicated to the other buildings of the village, (for the whole town was thatched with reeds,) and the church shared in the common calamity. The incident served to bring out into bolder |