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England, and, excepting Virginia and Maryland, throughout the whole continent they had only fifty-six churches.” A lay committee in Nova-Scotia attempt to amalgamate the Church with other denominations. The clergy resist,

and the Society approve of their conduct. Dr. Caner is denominated "the father of the American clergy." The Rev. Mr. Inglis writes-"that all the clergy in New-Jersey, New-York, Connecticut, and, so far as he can learn, the rest of New-England, have proved faithful, loyal subjects, and were often maltreated." The venerable Mr. Beach declared, "that he would do his duty, preach and pray for the King, till they cut out his tongue." The provincial convention of Virginia published an edict, by which some collects are to be wholly omitted, and others altered, the word "Commonwealth" being substituted for the "King.”. One of the American generals told Mr. Inglis that “General Washington would be at Church, and would be glad if the prayers for the King and royal family were omitted." He paid no regard to the message, and not long after told General Washington, "that it was in his power to shut up their churches, but by no means in his power to make the clergy depart from their duty." One hundred and fifty armed men came into his Church while he was officiating on a Sunday, several women fainted, but he went on with the usual service. Several of the American officers sent to him for the keys of the churches, that their chaplains might preach in them. He peremptorily refused to comply, and let them know, that if they would use the churches, they must break the doors and gates to get in. He accordingly took possession of all the keys, lest the sextons might be tampered with, and to threats his answer was, that he would adhere to his duty be the consequences what they would. Upon this they desisted, and did not occupy any of the churches. Trinity Church was burned this year by incendiaries. Mr. Avery was murdered in a most barbarous manner, for refusing to pray for the Congress.

1778. The Rev. Mr. Batwell of Yorktown, or Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was plunged into a stream several times, because he was a tory.*

1783. The clergy of Connecticut addressed a letter to the Archbishop of York, requesting him to consecrate the Rev. Dr. Seabury. They declare it is "an application which we consider as not only seasonable, but more than ever necessary, at this time; because if it be now any longer neglected, there is reason to apprehend that a plan of a very extraordinary nature, lately formed in Philadelphia, may be carried into execution. This plan is, in brief, to constitute a nominal Episcopate by the united suffrages of presbyters and laymen. We think it our duty to reject such a spurious substitute for Episcopacy, and, as far as may be in our power, to prevent its taking effect." In their letter, for the same object, to the Archbishop of Canterbury, they say "a further reason that induces us to take this early and only measure we can devise for the purpose is, effectually to prevent the carrying into execution a plan of a very extraordinary nature formed in Philadelphia. To what degree such a plan may operate upon the minds of the uninformed, unstable, or unprincipled part of the Church, we can, at present, form no opinion; equally unable are we to conjecture what may be the lengths to which the rage for popular right, as the fountain of all institutions, civil and ecclesiastical, will run: sufficient for us it is, that while we conscientiously reject such a spurious substitute for Episcopacy, we also think it our duty to take every step within our power to frustrate its pernicious effects." They are said, by the author of the pamphlet referred to, to have

*

Many of the Episcopal clergy took part with the country, against the British government.

+ Churchman's Magazine, vol. ii. p. 212.

Ibid, vol. iv. p. 38. In Annals of Scottish Episcopacy, p. 72, is a letter of Bishop Seabury objecting to the revised prayer-book, and to the admission of laymen into convention.

See White's Memoirs, p. 82.

been under a mistake. But it is evident their opinion of it led to the prompt measures relative to Dr. Seabury's mission. "It is worthy of remark, that his consecration first introduced me (says Bishop Skinner) to the acquaintance of some eminent divines of the Church of England, and they were the men who thenceforth interested themselves so much in the repeal of the penal statutes, and in the grievously depressed situation of the Episcopal Church of Scotland." This was followed, as is known, by the happy union of that Church and the Church of England. Immediately after the peace, some went to England for holy orders, and while their application was under consideration, the Danish Church, which is Episcopal, offered to ordain them. An act of parliament, allowing the bishop to dispense with certain political requisitions, having been obtained, they were admitted to holy orders by the Bishop of London.

1793. Bishop Douglas states, in his sermon preached before the Society, that when the troubles in America began, nearly one hundred missionaries were in actual employment.

ESSAY

ON THE LIFE OF THE

RIGHT REV. THEODORE DEHON.

CHAPTER 1.

His Childhood, Youth, and early Manhood.

THE father of Theodore Dehon was a French emigrant, who settled at Boston some years before the American revolution. He was remarkable for those ardent feelings of loyalty, which in this country are scarcely understood, for he is said to have been so deeply affected by the murder of the "amiable Louis," as to have lost his senses. He was a protestant, and decided in his attachment to the Episcopal denomination. It is known that the usurpation of one of its churches in Boston, was viewed by him with merited indignation. He died in the year 1796, leaving six daughters, and four sons. Theodore, the eighth child, and third son, was born on the 8th December, 1776. His mother, on whom now devolved the sole care of the family, was a lady of many and rare virtues. "She was married before she had completed her sixteenth year; and, through life, was celebrated for great personal beauty, and uncommon

* We use the words of a correspondent.

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