Missionary from "the Protestant Episcopal Society for the Advancement of Christianity in So. Ca." The seeds which he sowed, though slow in growth, we trust are still alive, and will, in due season, yield their fruit. Arrangements are making for building a Church.

Sect. 5. Trinity Church, Columbia.

Columbia was founded by Act of Assembly 1786, and established as the seat of government of the State. In 1812, the Protestant Episcopal Society sent the Rev. Mr. Fowler as their Missionary to this town. He arrived there July 16, and by the 5th Oct. "he had collected a considerable congregation, composed of very respectable members of the community, who appeared to attend public worship with great devotion, and seemed to be zealous that all things should be done decently and in order."* Mr. Fowler was greatly aided, by the active co-operation of some zealous and respectable individuals, through whose influence a congregation was collected. In 1814, a neat and commodious Church was built of wood, by the liberality of several persons, in various parts of the State, and was consecrated by the late Bishop Delion. The Rev. Mr. Lance, while preparing for the Ministry, officiated in this Church, as a Lay-Reader under the license of the Bishop, and was supported by an appropriation of the Society.

Gen. Wade Hampton generously made the Church a donation of an Organ, and upwards of $2000. The Legislature of 1813,† Gen. C. C. Pinckney, Elias Horry and Peter Smith, Esqrs. of Charleston, have endowed it with lands. Mrs. Mary Gregorie and Mrs. Sarah Russell, of Charleston, have likewise contri

See Third Report of the Society.

+ See Appendix I. 10.

buted to its adornment; and Elias Lynch Horry, Esq. of Charleston, presented it with the Communion Plate, consisting of, a Flagon, Chalice, and Paten. The present Incumbent, the Rev. Christian Hanckell, has been their only Minister. He was appointed Nov. 29, 1815, Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in the So. Ca. College, but in consequence of a late, and judicious regulation of the Trustees, prohibiting the Professors from holding parochial cures, he will soon retire from the College, and devote himself entirely to the pastoral office. As the burden of his support will then fall solely upon his Church, whose means, as yet, are small, the Protestant Episcopal Society have generously appropriated $1000 per ann. for three years, in aid of their funds for the support of their Minister, so soon as his connexion with the College shall cease.*

The Church was Incorporated in 1813, by the name of "the Protestant Episcopal Church in Columbia."

Sect. 6. St. Helena Island.

Before the Revolution, this Island formed a part of St. Helena's Parish, and the present Church was a Chapel of Ease to the Parish Church at Beaufort. It has since become a distinct cure, and has a respectable congregation. The Church has been enlarged, and is in good repair. It is built of Tapia and brick, and is 60 feet by 40. The Communion Plate is without inscription. The Bible and Prayer Book for the Desk were a donation from the late William Chapline, Esq. and some testamentary donations of money were made by Mrs. Wait and Thomas Fripp, Esq. The Rev. John S. I. Gardiner, now Rector of Trinity Church,

* See Tenth Report of the Board of Trustees of the Pro. Epis. Soc.

Boston, was settled here for some time, and was succeeded by the Rev. William Eastwick Graham. The present Incumbent, the Rev. Philip Matthews, was elected Rector, March 6, 1812.

Sect. 7. Hilton Head.

Hilton Head formed a part of St. Luke's Parish, but is now considered as an independent cure. There is a neat and commodious Church, built since the Revolution, through the influence of Capt. Stoney and Mr. Fripp. It is of wood, on a brick foundation; is 40 feet by 30, and is in good repair. There is at present no Incumbent, but the neighbouring Clergy occasionally visit it, and administer the Ordinances of religion.

Sect. 8. Grace Church, Sullivan's Island.

This Island, situated at the entrance of Charleston harbour, is a place of refuge for strangers to the climate, in the sickly season of the year, and of general resort, either for health or amusement, to the citizens of Charleston, in summer.

Public Worship has, for several years, been performed on the Island, in a large brick edifice originally built for a Lazaretto. The late Bishop Dehon stated to the Convention of 1817, that this "building was purchased by subscription, to be converted into a place of public worship." It has been fitted up with much neatness, and is commodiously pewed. It was consecrated, June 10, 1819, by Bishop Bowen, by the name of Grace Church. The Bible, was a donation from Mrs. Mary Peters, the Prayer Book for the Reading Desk, from Mrs. Margaret Bethune; and two Prayer Books for the Altar, were presented by Mrs. Valk.

At present, the only piece of Communion Plate, is a Chalice.

The following Clergymen have officiated on the Island. The Rev. George H. Spieren, Rev. George T. Nankivel, Rev. Dr. Mills, and the Rev. Joseph Warren. The present Incumbent, the Rev. Albert A. Muller, was the first Minister of Grace Church.

As the Island is inhabited only in summer, except by a few persons, Divine Service is performed only at that season.

The zeal of the late Bishop Dehon, in promoting the establishment of this Church, endeared him to the inhabitants of Sullivan's Island. As a mark of their affection, a Monument has been erected to his memory, against the east wall, through the exertions of the Rev. Mr. Muller.*

is a humble memorial of the
Right Rev. THEODORE DEHON, D. D.
Late Rector of St. Michael's Church,
in Charleston, and Bishop of the
Diocess of South-Carolina.
He was born in Boston

On the 8th day of December 1776.
and died

On the 6th day of August, A. D. 1817.
Our State was blessed by his pure example,
his Christian zeal,

and ardent devotion to the Church.
The people of Charleston were improved
by his solemn admonitions:
Loved him for his pastoral care, and beheld
in his life the beauty of holiness.
The last days of his pious
and benevolent life, were devoted to the
religious edification of this Island,
and the establishment of this Church.

He reared its altar-its walls are his memorial!
Remember him O! my God, concerning this,
and wipe not out the good deeds which
he has done for the house of his God,
and the offices thereof."

CHAPTER XXVII.

Of the Church.

THE Church of England, to which, under the good Providence of God, the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America is indebted for its Spiritual Authority, its Sacraments, its doctrines, its discipline and its Priesthood, existed in primitive and apostolical purity, before the Church of Rome became a corrupt and a temporal Power.

It cannot now be ascertained by whom, and at what period, the Gospel was first introduced into the British Islands. Nor is either of much importance, provided it can be shown that, the Church in Britain was Episcopally organized, before the Church of Rome became corrupt, and added many inventions to the "faith once delivered to the saints."

It is known, however, that, during the early persecutions, many Christians fled into the remote Provinces of the Roman Empire, to avoid the fate which awaited them, near the seat of the Imperial government. They spread themselves through Spain and Gaul, and passed over into Britain. The remote situation of this Island, offered an asylum from the immediate rage of their enemies, and many other circumstances were favourable to the enjoyment of their religion. The Druidical superstition had been nearly destroyed, and several of the smaller states had been subjected to the authority of the Romans.