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OF THE
FIFTH ANNUAL CONVENTION,
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OF THE
DIOCESE OjF iLmrois,
JIELD IN
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CHICAGO, TSIRD AND FOURTH OF JUNE, 1839.
PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE CHICAGO AMERICAN,
Corner of Clarke and SoiiUi Water Streets.
1839.
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OF THE
FIFTH ANNUAL CONVENTION,
OF THE
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OF TUB
mocESE OF irmrois^
HELD IN
CHICAGO, THIRD AND FOURTH OF JUNB, 1839;
PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE CHICAGO AMERICAN,
Corner of Clarke and South Water Streets,
1839.
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in 2010 witii funding from
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OF TlIK
COWENTION OF IT.TiTN^OIS,
CriicAco June 3il, lai^O, •
Monday Morn'mg 9 o^c/ort.
The Convention of the Proleslant Kpiscopal Clincch of tlip Dio-
cese of Illinois assembled, according to adjournment, this 3rd day
of June, 1839.
The religious solemnities, preparatory to the business of the Con.
vention, were celebrated on Sunday, the day previous, according to
usage.
Morning Prayers were read by Rev. Mr. Youxc.
Right Rev. PhilandeTi CiiAsr:, D.D,, presiding. The following
Clergymen, canonically resident in the Diocese, and entitled to
seats in the Convention, were present :
Rev. Samuel Chase, Ottawa ; Rev. Andrew H. Cornish, Juliet ;
Rev. James de Pui, Dixonville ; Rev. Charles Dresser, Springfield ;
Rev. Isaac W. Hallam, Chicago ; Rev. James Young, Quincy.
Rev. Messrs. Douglas, Darrow and Selhvood were absent.
Rev. Messrs. Dresser and Hallam were appointed a Committee
on Testimonials of Lay Delegates, and reported the following per-
sons as having [)resented certificates of their elections, duly au-
thenticated :
Silas W. Sherman, ^
John H. Kinzie, v St. James Church, Chicago.
S. J. .Sherwood, 3
0>' MOTION — The parishes of St. Paul's Church in Geneva and
St. Charles, and of Zion's Church Meuelon Adams county, were
admitted into union with the Protestant Episcopal Church in this
Diocese — having complied with the canon defining the mode of
admission.
The committee on testimonials further reported Andrew Cornish
as a duly elected Delegate from S. Paul's church Gcne^'a and Ss
Charles, 10 rcpvesent the Earne m this convtnticn.
On motiox — Tlie convention proceeded to the election of a Sec.
retary — whereupon Rev. S. Chase was elected.
On the call of the House, the Rules of order adopted at the previ-
ous convention, as the standing rules of the convention, were read.
The Bishop's Address.
Very Dear Brethren : —
My attendance on the General Convention in Philadelphia
last year ; the great distance in going and coming necessarily re-
quiring so much time; the very early setting in of the rigors ofilast
winter; and the many cares of this spring in sowing and planting
the seed necessary for the subsistence of my family, have prevented
me from travelling and visiting my diocese as much as 1 wished. —
What I have left undone in one respect, however, I have tried to do
in another- My body failing in activity, my mind, I trust has not
been idle. My correspondence, having in view the promotion
of Religion and Learning in my diocese, has greatly increased. —
From this some good has resulted ; and, through the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ, more is expected.
Jmmediately after the rising of the Convention at Rusbville,! went
to Beardstown where I preached and performed divine service ia
the evening. Next morning 1 proceeded to Springfield, where 1
preached and confirmed. The Sunday fullowing I was at Jackson-
ville, where 1 preached and administered the holy communion. Here,
also, 1 expected to ordain, by dispensation, a candidate for holy or-
ders ; but something occurring which, in my judgment, required de.
liberation and the advice of my brethren, the Bishops, 1 deferred ;
and, in the mean tin)e, the candidate, Mr. Owen Lovejoy, requested
me to take his name from the list of candidates; and this 1 accord-
ingly did.
From Jacksonville I proceeded to Edwardsville, where I preached
and confirmed. At this place, also, 1 admitted a Deacon to the or-
der of Priests — ^the Rev. Joseph L. Darrow. The Rev. John
Batchelder presented the candidate.
At Marine Settlement I baptized a number, and administered the
holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper. On the way to Collinsville,
another parish under the care of the Rev. Joseph L. Darrow, I
preached, confirmed, and administered the holy communion.
The appointment of the time for the consecration of the Church at
Quincy having been previously made, my stay, as 1 passed through
Alton, was necessarily very short. 1 expected to hold service and
preach in that city, but, the boat calling, I was obliged to leave the
conduct of the divine services to the Rev. P. R. Minard, who had
kindly accompanied me from St. Louis.
On the 25th of June I consecrated St. John's Church at Quincy,
and administered the Supper of the Lord. From Quincy I went to
Columbus, a few miles distant, where I preached in the evening. —
Thence 1 proceeded to Pittsfield, in Pike county, where 1 preached
in the evening. Plere assurances were given me that lots for a
Church and parsonage would shortly be given mc in trust. This
promise has since been fulfilled by a generous individual living in N.
York. On my way to the Illinois River 1 held divine service and
preached.
Considering the whole county of Peoria as under my parochial
care, the duties of preaching every Sunday ; of attending to my farm
for a livmg, that I might leave my family in comlortable circumstan-
ces, occupied my whole attention till I set off" for the General Con-
vention. On my way thither I preached at Ottawa, in this Diocese,
and at Edwardsburg, in Micliigari; at Cleveland and Sleubenville, in
Ohio. When I arrived at Chambersburg, I spent the Sunday at the
Hotel, suffering from ill health. The Rev. Mr. Swan, of Ohio, was
with me.
In attending the General Convention, most happy was 1 in wit-
nessing great harmony in all their proceedings, and singular wisdom
in all their determinations. Long may it be so with that venerable
body. May the spirit of Peace dwell in their midst, and the Goo of
Tkutii evermore mightily defend them from error, sin, schism and
death; all of which evils, being the offspring of Pride, let us pray
God to make both them and us like the divine head of the universal
Church, Jesus Christ, "meek and lowly of heart."
My visit to N. York was from necessity but momentary. On my
return, passing through, 1 preached in Philadelphia, and the next
Sunday I was in the city of Pittsburg, and officiated there all day. —
The next public duty was performed inMassillon, in Ohio: services
both morning and evening, in the absence of the Rector, were per-
formed by me, al his request.
A rapid journey took me, by the canal and steamboat, to Detroit,
where, in the evening, by particular invitation of the Right Rev.
Bishop McCoskry, 1 preached to an attentive congregation. The
Sunday following I spent at Gilead, a name which 1 gave it when no
human being was there, for many miles around, save myself, one
other family, and the savages of the forest. Here 1 again preached
and performed the duties of the Church. Here now is my eldest
living son, for his health and my support, working on my farm, in
the bosom of a thickly settled country.
The next Sunday I reached this City,Chicago,and officiated all^day,
administering the holy Communion and Confirmation. It was here,
also, 1 met the Rev. Mr. Cornish who, in the absence of the Rector,
bad been performing divine service several Sundays. This Rev.
gentleman, in Deacon's orders, having been appointed a missionary,
1 thought proper to place at Juliet and Lockport; 1 trust much to
their mutual satisfaction.
The following Sunday I was at my humble home, the Robin's
Nest, where, and in the neighborhood, 1 continued mj'^ parochial la-
bours, preaching every Sunday and administering the holy commun-
ion every month. During the winter I preached at Charleston, a
few miles distant, and baptized a number of children. In Peoria,
also, I occasionally preached, and lately I visited Pekin, one of the
6
parislies of the Rev. Mr. Douglass. Herel i>reached and confirmed,
and administered the holy communion.
On the 3d of April, 1839, by the grace of God, Ilaid the corner-
s'tone of the Chapel and School house of Jubilee College, now, after
many painful efforts, located on section twenty-six, of township ten
north, and six east of the fourth principal meridian line of Illinois,
Between three and four hundred persons attended to witness this
solemnity. Never in my life had I greater occasion for devout joy
and holy gratitude. The spot seemed formed by the hand of a kind
Piovidence for study and holy contemplation; for delight and salu-
â– brity ; situate in the bosom oC e large domain, all the property of
the nascent institution, of the richest soil and finished beauty. The
day was fine and the whole audience most attentive and respectful. -^
The mornincr prayer had been read and the sermon preached at
the Robui's Nest by the Rev. Messrs Douglass and Chase; and the
congregation, having come a mile in solemn procession, seemed to
wait with uncommon awe and feeling expectency.
As we gathered around the chosen spot where, in future ages, so
many immortal beings, it is hoped, will be taught and 'Hraincd in
the way the;/ should go," and, by thegrace of God in Jesus Christ, fitted
for eternal glory, who could refrain from the most heart.stirring re-
flections? In view of the immense good which such an institution
may be the means of effecting to the generations yet to come, it is
the part of sound faith to trust that God was with us, and that he will
indeed bless the undertaking made in his name and in entire depend,
ance on his grace.
In the address, prepared and delivered by the founder, on this oc-
casion, the nature and end of the Institution arc purposely specified
as follows :
"Its nature is theological ; its end is the salvation of the
souls of men by means of a Christian Education. It is to be a
school of the prophets. Ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ are
to be trained here. This is the f)n';«ar?/ object, and without attain-
ing this it will fail of its end — which end, therefore, is never to be
"merged" in any other. Persons of all liberal professions in the
arts and sciences are also to be educated here, provided they be wil-
ling to be taught the religion of the God of Christians, Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost, theEloim,the Jehovah. All things being conduc-
ted according to the well known principles and worship of the Prot-
estant Episcopal Church of the United States of America, the design
and will of the Donors and Founders of this Institution will be an-
swered, and not otherwise. This explicit declaration, made by the
founder thus publicly, enables him to repose with confidence on the
principle of common law, viz: that Eleemosynary Institutions must,
in an especial manner, show that they use their funds according to
the known will and design of their founders. The interest of the
human race requires this."
The declaration, made on this occasion, t'urlher sets forth, that the
Convention of Illinois have the confirming power to all nominations
of the Trustees, and the deciding in cases of a dinbrcnco of opinion
in regard to the appointment of the professors and other ollicers of
this institution. They have also tlie power of conducting iinpeuch-
•nents, duly made, for the breach of trust, before the civil authorities.
These are the incipient steps towards the founding of a primitive
Christian Institution, for this great, and by the God of nature, this
highly favored State of Illinois. That they embrace a subject of all
things most important, is obvious to every reflecting christian
mind.
There is no truth concerning the welfare of man more plain from
reason and experience than that which is asserted in the foundation
of this institution as its governing principle: — that "man, being im-
mortal, to make him wise only for this life is not worth the pains; but
to make him wise unto eternal life is worthy of all efforts. " The
world, and all it contains, is not to be regarded when set in compe.
tjtion with this. Human learning,without a divine principle to guide
it, is like a ship in a storm, without a compass on the boundless
ocean. Reason, like the helm, may turn the vessel; but what shall
be done in the dark night, amidst impending dangers? The Lamp
of life, the light of God's word pointing oui the great governing prin-
ciple, the Divine Will — it only can show whither we must steer
our course or perish. All Christian institutions, therefore, should
be founded on the principle of rendering Religion paramount to all
other things: for what doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world
— the world of knowledge — and the world of knowledge gain the
whole world of riches and honors, and he lose his own soul? "Thou
fool," "thou fool!" will be his portion of shame and derision forever
and ever. It was on this principle of keeping Religion in its place,
i.e. of secunng to religious learning a paramount claim to all other
branches of science, and that God's ministers should direct, in this
all important matter, that the Institution in Ohio was founded. It
was, and is, and ever must be, a "Theological Seminary." This is
its name in law. That of '^Kenyan College^' was simply a privilege
implymg no corporate power; a privilege given it subsequently,only
as the style of literary degrees, which the Bishop, as President of
the Theological Institution, with the professors of the same, was and
is empowered to confer. And when this principle was impugned by
those who had not sufficiently studied its nature.and the self destroy,
ing principle was asserted that "the Theological Seminary was lost
and merged" by subsequent acts, the founder thought himself bound
to maintain that which, from having originated the whole, and col-
lected all the funds, he knew to be the truth ; the very opposite of
this. And although he could not then, when in his place as Bishop
of Ohio, by reason of great misunderstanding of the nature of the
case and every thing said on it, maintain his course in peace, and
without great danger of losing sight of that charity, without which
our religion is nothing ; yet now, when in the act of founding anoth-
er Institution on the selfsame principles, it seems to be his bounden
duty, as both the founder and Visitor of that Seminary, to declare
iheir similanly : aiitl to express ;i liupe llial the governing power of
the "Theological Seminary of Ohio," an Institution which cost the
founder so much time, so many tears, so great amount of his own
substance and that of his relatives and friends, so much of his own
personal labor, and comfort and health, will expunge from their rec-
ords cf 1831, the obnoxious principle which is alluded to above, and
which gave birth to all the evil, viz: the principle of "merging the
Seminary in the College," Let them wipe this stain from their pa.
ges, and return to the first principles of the founder.
That the Church and christian persons should be called on to con-
tribute, and that the Ministers of Christ should weary their lives
out in collecting means to educate the youth of our country in merely
secular learning, to the exclusion ot Christian theology, and the
knowledge necessary for the salvation of the soul, seems an anomaly.
A little reflection would make all serious people, especially the
ministers of Christ, cease from so vain a pursuit. Wherever it has
been pursued the worst consequences have followed. In our own
country, where religion has not been chiefly attended to, ou • young
men have grown up to resemble those of whom the apostle speaks:
atheoi — atheists. They are "in the world," but "without God."
Living as if there were no God to bring them to an account for their
deeds. Had the Church of God done her duty; had she insisted
that religion, as it is the one thing needful, should also be the first
thing attended to in the education of youth ; had she not consented to
leave this all important matter unperformed, or performed by those
who were not shepherds of the flock ; had she inculcated the knowl-
edge of divine things with the same zealous care wivh which she has
insisted on the study of the natural sciences, the state of our country
would be far different from what it is. Good men would not have
cause 'o weep at the downhill coarse into which all things are run-
ning. The good old way — the way pursued by the Apostles of
insisting that men, with all their house,shouid be baptized ; all should
be brought into the Church of God, and there trained in the nurture
and admonition of the Lord; that clnldren should be fed with the
milk, and the adults should partake of the strong meat of God's
word ; this way, alas! has been neglected, and others, for a lime
more engaging, suited to men's vain feelings, have been pursued. —
It was an awful epoch when this began to be exemplified in those
who professed to conduct the destinies of the Church; when men's
ways were preferred to the ways and sacraments of God. And it
is heart-rending to behold now the consequences. A vast majority
of our country are out of covenant w'nh their maker, and are unin-
structed in the first rudiments of the Christian faith ; not understan-
ding even the terms in which religion is inculcated. If you call
upon them to repent of their sins — to learn their fallen state by na-
ture, and to implore the mercy of God in Jesus Christ— they tell you
they know nothing of the necessity of either ; they never bound them,
selves to any religion,and never intend to do so. Most of our youth
cannot say the commandments ; aftd those who can, have never
iiearti ihcm so expoumlcd as w siiow the guilt of their transgression.
They have been icld there is some sJiori loay ol "getting religion,"
and they hope to find it without all this trouble.
And who is tlicre that shall contend, and w!)at shall be his armor
with which he opposes so growing an evil? The answermust be :
it is the faithful minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, and his weapons
are the Word and Sacraments. He is to stand, in these days of the
giants of human invention, as David stood before Goliah, clad in the
armor of primitive Irutii. He is to go back to first principles, and
choose him stones from the brook, where have flowed, in the purest
ages, the waters of lite to thousands of thousands of just men made
perfect who are now in heaven ; with these he is to smite this boast-
ing Philistine, who hath defied the armies of the living God; and with
these he shall prevail.
The education of childhood and youtii according to the design of
the church in her baptismal service ; the "bearing of one another's
burdens"in the duties of seeing that each other's children are taught
"all things that a christian ought to know and believe to his soul's
health," and "thus fulfilling the law of Christ" as is contemplated in
her requirements of Sponsors in baptism, I have always regarded a-
mong the chief 7neans oi" grace, if not the only way by which we
can reach that object which is most desired — the health and vigor of
the Church of Christ as in primitive days. It seems a dispensation
of a most merciful Providence that the Sunday School Union of our
"Church have, at this critical juncture, taken this all important sub.
ject seriously in hand. Tho' late, it cheers the heart to witness their
able and zealous example in the path of duty: and I think it my duty
to recommend, for serious considcration,the address of that body con-
tained in the Sunday School Visiter for the month of April last, to
the minds ofmy beloved Presbyters, and to the Diocese in general.
If that periodical publication continue in the course pointed out in this
address, most sincerely do 1 bid it God-speed — and look to it as an
instrument in the hands of Providence to dispel much of the cloud of
spiritual ignorance that now hangs over our land. Lftt us but go
back to our first principles and, under God, we shall not be left to
mourn the waste places of our Zion. Let us bring up our children
in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Let the Church, their
mother, give the milk of God's word to her babes, and they, in turn,
will honor her institutions, and preserve her from premature decay.
This is the way to enjoy those blessed times so devoutly prayed for
by all true believers, when all shall know the Lord and all vvho hope
for salvation through the atonement of Jesus Christ will deem it
their duty to live in constant preparation to receive the Lord's Sup-
per and "meet together every Lord's day" for prayer and to "break
the bread of life."
On the twelfth of May I confirmed, at the Robin's Nest. The
parochial report of this parish, viz: of "Christ Church and St. Johns
Church Upper and Lower Kikapoo," is as follows:
A
Baptisms, Ailuliy, - - I
Infants, - - - . . â– \4
Confirmations, - - - . . '>
Communicants, - - - . . ; I
Funerals, - . . .i
On the 19th of May 1 was at Ottawa, where I preached and ad-
ministered the holy Sacrament and confirmed.
On the 23rd and 24th I ba{)tized four children in the neighborhood
of Kankakee.
26. Preached in the morning and administered tlie holj'' Com-
munion and confirmation at Juliet, and in the evening I preached at
Lockport.On the 27th atNapersville,on the DuPage river,and on the
28th atGeneva,on the Fox river. At this latter place, on the morning
of the 29th of May, I organized a parish by the name of "St. Paul's
parish at St. Charles and Geneva, Kane county ,Illinois." On the mor-
ning and evening of the same day, also, 1 preached at St. Charles.
The following is a list of the Clergy in Illinois entitled to a seat in
the Convention, viz: Rev. Josepli L. Darrow,
Rev. Samuel Chase, " Wm. Douglass,
" Andrew H. Cornish, " Isaac V/. Hallam,
" James Depui, " JohnSellwood,
*' Charles Dresser, •' James Young,
Of the Rev. Mr. Dewolfno official information has been receiv-
ed since his appointment as missionary for this diocese. Letters ad
dressed to him have been sent to me, but not knowing his residence,
1 could not forward them. Perhaps the letters vvhich it was his duty
to send to me, giving the necessary information of his movements
have miscarried.
A Rev. Gentleman, in Priest's Orders, by the name of Bledsloe, I
hear, was officiating for several months at Alton, but gave no notice
of his proceedings to the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese. The
Secretary has informed me that he has left that parish and the du-
ties of the ministry. I believe he belongs to the jurisdiction of the
Bishop of Ohio.
The canonical residence of the Rev. Messrs. J. Batchelder, Benj.
Hutchins and E.G. Gear, is by their own request changed from Illi-
nois to the jurisdiction ofBishop Kemper. The vacant places are
Alton, Madison County
Albion Edwards County
Mount Carmel Wabash County
Pittsfield ' Pike County
Geneva and St. Charlc;; Kane County
Rushville Schuyler County
Galena Joe Davis County
Stephenson Rock Island County.
Jacksonville Morgan County
Napcrvillo DuPage County
Savannah Joo Davis County.
Soon, also, will be vacant that most interesting parish of Christ
Church at Ottawa, La Salle County, by the removal of the Rev.
*1
Samuel Cliaso, to take chaiiije of the scliool of Jubilee College.
Having persuaded so manj'-, by the preaching of the truth, to love
the ways of our primitive Zion, who before were indifferent to her
claims, and having gathered a congregation of gfeat promise, Mr.
S. Chase willlcavc that place with the most aiFectionate regards of
the gi-eatest portion of tlie mhabitants of Ottawa ; and, in view of
the great good he might do by his continuance there, his removal
vriW occasion the deepest regret in my bosom. But a greater and
a paramount object having been long in view, the same cannot be
relinquished. His superior skill in teaching and governing the youth-
ful mind, compels mc to retain him ay the chief instrument of com-
pleting the foundation ot Jubilee College, and rearing her walls to
the glory of God. Would tliat 1 could find his successor at Ottawa !
What is said of the faithfulness of the Rev. Mr. S. Chase as a
labourer in this western field, may be said of all the Rev. Gentle-