"We, the Subscribers, having read the foregoing objections, are not able to recollect any others made by the Dissenters here against resident Bishops in America, but what are herein contained; and notwithstanding these objections, we are heartily desirous that Bishops should be provided for the Plantations, and are fully persuaded that our several congregations, and all other congregations of the Church of England in New-England, are earnestly desirous of the same. "TIMOTHY CUTLER, CHARLES BROCKWELL, WILLIAM HOOPER."* Boston, (N. E.) Nov. 28, 1750. The opinions of the American Church are in perfect conformity with what we have advanced. 66 "The Spiritual Church of England," says Bishop Hobart, we resemble in all essential points of doctrine, discipline, and worship. But with the Civil Church of England we totally differ; and the difference consists in non-essential points of discipline. Her Spiritual Episcopacy and Ministry; her Orders of Bishops, Priests and Deacons, we possess; we are proud to possess them. These constitute our claim to the character of an Apostolic Church. But we differ from her in our Clergy enjoying no temporal powers; in our Church being no farther related to the State, than as amenable to its laws, and protected by them; and in her being destitute of those inferior Offices of ArchDeacons, Deans, Prebends and others, which are only of human institution." And the highest ecclesiastical authority in the Church in the United States, has declared that, "We wish it to be understood, that while, * Life of Rev. Dr. Johnson, of New-York, 169. + Bishop Hobart's Charge to the Clergy of the Diocess of New-York, A. D. 1815, p. 23, 24. agreeably to the known principles as well of the Church of England, as of the Episcopal Church in these States, we deny all subjection of the one to the other; we contemplate a unity of principle, in whatever belongs to doctrine, or to worship, or to Christian Ministry; considered independently on any connexion with the State, or other local circumstance. In all this we are so far from denying identity of character, that the hope of perpetuating it enters into all our cares and labours."* The Church in America, therefore, has derived from the Church of England none other than Spiritual Authority and Order, in the Administration of Spiritual things. The effects which resulted from the establishment of the Church of England by Law, in this Province, are thus described by the accurate and impartial Historian of South-Carolina. "The religious establishment which enjoyed so many and such highly distinguished privileges, was mildly administered. A free toleration was enjoyed by all Dissenters. The Law which excluded them from a seat in the Legislature was soon repealed by the Provincial Assembly. The friendship of the Mother Church, the patronage of Government, and the legal provision for Clergymen, though partial and confined to one sect, were useful as means of introducing more learned ecclesiastics than would probably have been procured by the unassisted efforts of the first settlers. Religion assumed a visible form, and contributed its influence in softening the manners of dispersed colonists, who from the want of Schoolmasters and Clergymen, were in danger of degenerating into Savages."+ "It was the means of introducing about an hundred Episcopal Clergymen into the country, who were men * See Pastoral Letter to the Members of the Pro. Epis. Church in the U. S. A. from the House of Bishops of said Church, Assembled in General Convention, 1817. ↑ Ramsay's South-Carolina II. 5, 6. of regular education and useful in their profession, who generally became settlers, and left families. It also contributed to the introduction of a number of Bibles, and other books on religious subjects, which either formed Parochial Libraries, or were given away by Missionaries of the English Society for Propagating the Gospel. The establishment also procured an influx of several hundred pounds sterling annually into the country, for the maintenance of Episcopal Clergymen, in aid of their Provincial legal salary. For these benefits resulting from the establishment, the country was, in a great measure, indebted to Governor Sir Nathaniel Johnson."* Religious intolerance is to be reprobated. Coercion in matters of conscience may make hypocrites, but not Christians. But if the Church of England has been thought by some to have sinned in this way, its example has been followed, even by those who fled from an established Church.† This, however, is a painful subject. Things are now better understood. The mind is more enlightened, and the heart more religious. As we desire Christian liberty for ourselves, so do we most sincerely extend it to others.‡ * Ramsay's So. Ca. II. 478. + See Hist. of Dissenters, II. 437. 440. Archbishop Secker's Works, III. 489. note to Serm. 131. Hewatt's Mis. So. Ca. I. 33-37. Humphrey's Acc. of Soc. for Prop. Gos. 315-318. Anon. His. Brit. Empire, I. 103-108. Trott's Laws of the British Plantations in America, relating to the Church and the Clergy, Religion and Learning, p. 290. 297, &c. For an exposition of the Doctrine, Discipline and Worship of the Pro. Epis. Ch. in the U. S. A. we must refer to the Journals of the General Convention, p. 351. We regret that so interesting, and so important a document, should be too long to republish in this work. But we request every one who feels an interest in the subject, and particularly every Churchman, to peruse with serious attention, the Pastoral Letter from the House of Bishops, referred to in this Note. CHAPTER XXVIII. Succession of Bishops in "The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America." THE American Revolution having ended in the civil and religious Independence of the Colonies, The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America was organized in 1785, and obtained from The Church of England in 1787, Episcopal Consecration for some of its most distinguished Divines. The American Church thus became complete in its Orders, and independent in its government.* The following is a list of the Succession of Bishops: 1. The Right Rev. Samuel Seabury, D. D. Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Connecticut, was Consecrated at Aberdeen, in Scotland, Nov. 14, 178, by the Right Rev. Robert Kilgour, Bishop of Aberdeen, Primus: The Right Rev. Arthur Petrie, Bishop of Ross and Moray, and the Right Rev. John Skinner, Coadjutor to Bishop Kilgour, being present and assisting. Died Feb. 25, 1796, in the 68th year of his age. 2. The Right Rev. William White, D. D. Bishop of the P. E. C. in Pennsylvania, was Consecrated in the Chapel of the Archiepiscopal Palace at Lam *See Journals of the General Convention, p. 11-15. 19-21. 27-29. 32--39. 43, 44. 65-68. beth, in England, on Sunday February 4, 1787, by the Most Rev. John Moore, D. D. Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, and Primate of All England: The Most Rev. William Markham, D. D. Lord Archbishop of York, and Primate of England; the Right Rev. Charles Moss, D. D. Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells, and the Right Rev. John Hinchliff, D. D. Lord Bishop of Peterborough, being present and assisting. Dr. White is the Presiding Bishop in the Pro. Epis. Church. 3. The Right Rev. Samuel Provoost, D. D. Bishop of the P. E. C. in New-York, was Consecrated at the same time and place with Dr. White. Sept. 6, 1815. Died 4. The Right Rev. James Madison, D. D. Bishop of the P. E. C. in Virginia, was Consecrated in England; but the particulars are not on record in the Journals of our Church.* He died March 6, 1812, aged 63 years. 5. The Right Rev. Thomas John Claggett, D. D. Bishop of the P. E. C. in Maryland, was Consecrated in Trinity Church, New-York, on Monday Sept. 17, 1792, by the Right Rev. Bishop Provoost, of New-York, Presiding Bishop: The Right Rev. Bishop Seabury of Connecticut; Bishop White, of Pennsylvania, and Bishop Madison, of Virginia, being present and assisting. This was the first Episcopal Consecration in America. Bishop Claggett died Aug. 2, 1816.. 6. The Right Rev. Robert Smith, D. D. Bishop of the P. E. C. in South-Carolina, was Consecrated in Christ Church, in Philadelphia, on Sunday, Sept. 13, 1795, by the Right Rev. Bishop White, of Pennsylvania, Presiding Bishop: The Right Rev. Bishop Provoost, of New-York, Bishop * Mr. Madison, late President of the U. S. has, at our request, very politely taken some trouble, to procure this information, but without success. The Letters of Consecration cannot be found among the late Prelate's papers. |