Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub

thought of our hearts, and every af. fair of our lives to him! Nay, and to be assured that he will be so far from taking amiss this freedom in us, that he will favourably accept all our applications, and make as kind returns as we ourselves can wish for or desire! What greater honour are we capable of than this! O, therefore, how are they sunk below all the ambition of human nature, that will not take all opportunities of thus honouring and doing credit to themselves by the exercise of devotion!

But so selfish are the spirits and tempers of many of us, that nothing will work upon them, but the considerations of gain, of profit and advantage: let us see, therefore, what of this kind we may promise to ourselves from prayer; which is my fifth and last consideration.

And let the point be put upon this issue: let all that has hitherto been said go for nothing, if it does not appear that it is as profitable and gainful an exercise, as it is reasonable and due, as it is easy, pleasant, and honourable: let no man trouble himself about it, but throw off all thoughts of it for ever.

But in this respect also the motives to prayer are infinite. No man can number the benefits and advantages that accrue to us from it. Let it suffice to touch upon few of the many.

Prayer is the most proper means to ennoble, refine, and spiritualize our natures: were it not for this, it would be impossible to preserve our souls aloft in the midst of such a heap of earthly rubbish, with which they are overwhelmed. Our daily converse with material objects would wholly make us sensual, and the spirit would in a manner be lost in the flesh. And so it doth really fare with all those that live without devotion towards God. However they may retain so much worldly prudence as to enable them to govern their temporal affairs to their advantage, yet their souls do perfectly grovel upon the earth. They are utterly devoid of the spiritual life. They have no more sense of the noblest and best things, which it is the perfection of their faculties to be em

ployed about, than a blind man hath of colours. Into this dull state we shall all sink, if we do not take care to maintain a constant devotion; for it is by that that the sense of goodness is kept alive in us. It is that that raises us above the world, and preserves our minds from the defilements of the earth, which by their continual mingling with material things, they would otherwise necessarily contract.

But further, prayer doth not only tend to the bettering and improving the constitution of our minds; but the benefits and good influences of it do extend also to all the affairs and actions of our lives. No body can tell but he that hath tried, how much devout and affectionate prayer doth dispose a man to go about his business in the world. So far is this exercise from hindering our employments, as is commonly pretended, that in truth it is a great furtherance to them.

Besides, it is the best antidote in the world against all disappointments and vexations that we can meet with, against every ungrateful and displeasing accident that comes upon us in the course of our lives. He that converseth much with God, and useth to make known all his concernments to him, is prepared to bear all things patiently and evenly, whatsoever hap pen, nor can he light into any circumstances of life which will not be, not only supportable to him, but easy also.

Add to this in the last place, that it is prayer that secures the blessings of God both upon our persons, and upon our labours; upon our basket and store; upon our families; upon our employments; and upon all that we have or do. So great is the virtue of prayer, that it turns all the actions of our natural or civil life, however indifferent they be, into actions of religion. And every thing that we have, or that comes to us, is thereby made a blessing of God, which without it perhaps might have been a cross and an affliction. It is prayer by which every thing and every action is sanctified to believers.

Several other benefits and advantages to be reaped from the conscien

'tious practice of this duty might be mentioned; but those already enlarged upon, if duly considered, are sufficient to recommend it to any man whatsoever that hath the least kindness for himself.

All those, therefore, who have any care and concern for themselves, let them above all things take care to mind their prayers; let them pray to God in private; let them pray to God in their families; and let them join as often as they can with the prayers of the church. This is the best method they can take for the reforming their lives, and for the growing in all virtue and goodness; and the more they practise it, the more they will like it and if they persevere therein, they shall find the comfort of it both in the grace and assistance they shall receive from the holy spirit, for the vanquishing all their lusts and corruptions, and in the blessings they shall procure from God, both to themselves and their families, and all their affairs and concernments; and, lastly, in the everlasting salvation of their souls in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Report of the Protestant Episcopal Society for the Advancement of Christianity in South-Carolina; made at the Anniversary of the Society, January, 6, 1818.

In recurring to the events of the past year, the Board of Trustees are impressed with feelings of deep and solemn interest: and while they express their liveliest gratitude to the Almighty, for the increasing prosperity of the Society, they have, at the same time, to lament the removal from the abodes of men, of some of its dearest friends and most zealous members.

It is with the most heartfelt sorrow, that the Board of Trustees record the death of the late President of the Society, the Right Rev. THEODORE DEHON, D.D. Bishop of the Diocess of South-Carolina. In a season of more than usual sickness and mortality, he fell amongst the first victims of the fever which desolated our city,

and died, on the 6th of August, after an illness of six days; in the 41st year of his age, and in the fifth of his Episcopate. To the Society, and to the Church in this diocess, the death of this great man has been one of the most afflictive dispensations of the Divine will. Well may they say with the prophet, "the joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning. The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned."-From the earliest period of the Society, the name of this distinguished prelate has been identified with its prosperity. Moulded into its present form by his judgment; influenced by his wisdom, and supported, greatly, by his zeal, it has grown in strength, and has already attained to a prospect of usefulness, equal to the wishes, and beyond the expectations, of its most sanguine friends.

The life of this excellent and learned man, was one continued scene of virtue, piety, and benevolence.From his earliest years religion marked him for her son, and as he "increased in wisdom," and "waxed strong in spirit," the influence of her divine precepts controlled all his desires, and directed all the affections of

his soul. His zeal and perseverance in the cause of the Redeemer, were only equalled by the fervour and sincerity of his devotion. Wherever duty or affection called him, the same amiableness of disposition and active piety animated his conduct and adorned his character. Whether performing the highest functions of the Apos tolical office, or exercising the ordinary duties of a parish priest; whether in the midst of his family, his clergy, or his friends, unfolding the mysteries of religion; illuminating the pages of science and of secular learning; or discharging all the tender duties of domestic life; whether enlivening the board of hospitality, or administering to the wants and comforts of the poor; whether presiding at the head of the Society, or superintending the details of its operations, the same beneficent and pious principles filled his heart and guided all his ways.

Immediately after his lamented death, the Board of Trustees, among other expressions of their feelings, unanimously adopted the following resolutions:

"Resolved, That under a deep sense of the great loss sustained by this Society, in the death of its president, the trustees do enter into a mutual engagement to be more zealous in pursuing the welfare of this institution, so important to the church, and, as they believe, to the general interest of the Religion of Christ.

"Resolved, That it be recommend ed to the members and friends of the Society, generally, to present to the Throne of Grace, their humble and fervent supplications, that God, our Redeemer, would graciously continue his care of this institution; that he would give to its officers the spirit of zeal and wisdom to preserve its principles; to increase its resources, and to extend its benevolent and pious influence."

The Board of Trustees feel great pleasure in stating, that in conformity to a benevolent intention expressed by Bishop Dehon, some time before his death, they have procured for publication, his admirable Discourses on Confirmation, and also, his Address, after administering that Holy and Apostolic Rite; and that they are now transcribing for the press.

The Board have likewise to state, that another member of their body has recently been called to his great account; one, whose name is co-eval with the Society, and who was one of its first trustees. His amiable and virtuous life; his piety and zeal in his Christian calling; his universal benevolence, and his warm attachment to the interests of the Society, make the Board deeply sensible of the loss >they have sustained by the death of Mr. JOHN BALL.

The Board of Trustees feel great pleasure in stating to the Society, the continuance of that pious and impressive practice of making Children, at their baptism, members for life. To these endearing objects of our affection and care, it will doubtless be a subject of grateful recollection, that

when they were made "Members of Christ, and Children of God," they, at the same time, were admitted into fellowship with a Society, whose only object is, to promote the Redeemer's Kingdom; by dispensing the knowledge of Divine Truth to the poor and needy in Christ, and by providing for them the ministers of his word and the ordinances of his church.

The board further state, with feelings of gratitude to God, that the Society continues to increase in strength, and, consequently, in the means of doing good. During the last year there was an addition of twenty-one to the list of annual subscribers; and fifteen were received as members for life. The Board of Trustees earnestly recommend to the pious and the charitable, who are desirous of enlarging the kingdom of God our Saviour, by promoting the great and beneficent object of the Society, to become members for life. They who pay to the treasurer fifty dollars, are not called upon for any further contributions; and as this money goes into the "Permanent fund," the principal of which cannot be used, the members for life contribute to the perpetuity of the institution, and in a greater degree than the annual subscribers, promote its prosperity and increase its usefulness.

During the last year contributions have been received from the following churches: St. Philip, St. Michael, St Paul, Charleston; Prince George, Winyaw; Trinity, Columbia; and St. Helena, Beaufort. The Board of Trustees most sincerely thank them for their continued liberality, and for their zealous exertions for the prosperity of the Society; and they humbly trust, that a beneficent God will realize to the Donors, the words of his Son: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." To the Churches from which nothing has been received, the Board respectfully offer a word of exhortation; and that word is Christ's; "Go, and do thou likewise."

The success which attended the labours of the first Missionary whom the Board of Trustees employed, has always been to them a source of encouragement and joy. They have long

been solicitous to send other labourers into the vineyard, but Clergymen could not be obtained. They know that there are in many parts of the Diocess, numbers of the Episcopal communion, who have long been deprived of the opportunity of worship ping the Almighty after the manner of their fathers, and of receiving the appointed ordinances, according to the rites of our Church. They know "That the harvest truly is great, but" they likewise know that "the labourers are few." Yet, feeling the importance of this great object, they have anxiously kept it in view, and embraced the first opportunity of affording to the vacant parishes, the services of the Church. It was not, however, until the present season that they were able to accomplish it; and they have now the satisfaction to state to the Society, that they have employed the Rev. Mr. MULLER as a Missionary, for three months; and have directed him, during that period, to officiate, at least twice, in each of the following Parishes:"the Churches in St. James' Santee; the Church near the North Santee River in Prince George's Parish; the Church in St. Thomas' Parish; in Lower Clarendon; in Upper Clarendon; in Statesburgh; in Camden, and in Matthew's Parish."

there would now have been a more animating prospect of its accomplishment: there would now, most probably, have been a fund sufficient to erect a Church every five years in the city, and in the country still more frequently. And where Churches were already erected, either to have afforded the means of repairing them, or of con-1 tributing to the support of "an able Ministry." But these reflections should be an encouragement for perseverance, and an inducement to the rich and the charitable to devote their future exertions to the attainment of objects so well pleasing to God, and of such inestimable benefit to man. A benevolent Christian, not only calculates upon the immediate good that may result from his exertions in the cause of religion and virtue, but likewise upon the benefits which he may, at the same time, confer upon the rising generation. The Board of Trustees, therefore, earnestly recommend this Fund to the patronage of the friends of the Church, throughout the Diocess.

In the past year application was made to the Board of Trustees, in behalf of Mr. JOHN A. L. NORMAN, of Georgetown, who was desirous of devoting himself to the service of the Ministry in the Episcopal Church. Having produced to the Board satisfactory testimonials of his attainments and piety, and having subscribed to the usual declarations, he was sent to the South-Carolina College, under the patronage of the Society, to complete his education, preparatory to his commencing the Study of Divinity.

Several subscriptions have been obtained for the Church Building Fund, the plan of which was annexed to the last Report. It is, however, evident, that some time must elapse before this fund will be adequate to the great objects for which it was intended. Doubtless, if this plan had been devised and supported some years ago,

The Theological Library belonging to the Society, was, in a great measure, established by the subscriptions and donations of many pious and charitable persons. And although it has existed but two years, yet it contains many scarce and valuable works. It now consists of 470 volumes; among which are nearly all the Books directed by the House of Bishops to be used by the Students of Divinity in the course of their Theological Studies. During the last year donations of Books were received from the Rev. Mr. Campbell; Rev. Mr. Muller; Mr. Henry Gibbes; Colonel Samuel Warren; Mr. Thomas S. Grimke ; Mr. Schenck, and Mr. Higham.

Since the last Anniversary, there have been distributed by the Board of Trustees, 118 Bibles; 169 copies of the Book of Common Prayer; 48 of Nelson's Christian Sacrifice; 209 of Gibson on the Lord's Supper; 186 of Gibson on Family Devotion; 173 of Gibson on the Observance of the Lord's Day; 193 of Stevens on the Church; 168 of Synge on the Knowledge of Religion; and 202 of Synge's Answer

o the Excuses for not coming to the Lord's Supper; making a total distribution of 170 Bibles; 569 copies of the Book of Common Prayer; 418 of Nelson's Christian Sacrifice; 300 of Porteus's Evidences of the Christian Revelation; and 2722 Tracts. Many of the Bibles and Prayer Books have been distributed among the Children who attend the Sunday School, lately established by the subscriptions of individuals under the control of the ecclesiastical authority of the Diocess. The Society will permit the Board to state, that this interesting and pious Institution, fully answers the expectation of its founders; and that there is reason to believe that it will, under the good Providence of God, be the means of giving to the rising generation, a course of Religious Catechetical instruction, which, to the youthful mind, could not, probably, be so well communicated in any other form; while, at the same time, it affords an opportunity to the Parents of these Children, as well as to other persons, to acquire a knowledge of the Doctrine, Discipline and Worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and thereby to discern the "beauty of holiness" in its public service.

The Board of Trustees having now laid before the Society, a brief account of their proceedings since the last Anniversary, affectionately commend all its Members to the love and favour of God; and they humbly "beseech him to keep his Church and Household continually in his true Religion, that they who do lean only upon the hope of his heavenly grace, may evermore be defended by his mighty power, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen."

[blocks in formation]

Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of South-Carolina, several of the clergy and lay delegates attended in St. Miwhen divine service was performed by the chael's Church at half past 10 o'clock; Rev. William Percy, D. D. and the Rev. John Jacob Tschudy, and a sermon, suitable to the occasion, preached by the Rev.

Andrew Fowler. To these usual solemnities was added the celebration of the

Lord's supper, according to a standing rule of the Convention.

After divine service, the Rev. Paul T. Gervais was called to the chair, and the Rev. John Jacob Tschudy acted as Secretary.

It appearing that a quorum was assembled, the Convention proceeded to the election of a President, and of a Secretary and Treasurer, by ballot; when it was found, that the Rev. C. E. Gadsden, D. D. was elected President, and the Rev. John Jacob Tschudy unanimously re-elected Secretary and Treasurer.

The following was moved by the Hon. adopted: Theodore Gaillard, and unanimously

"It has pleased. Divine Providence, in his inscrutable wisdom, to take from this church its Bishop. He was a burning and a shining light, and we rejoiced for a season in his light. Talents of the first order, knowledge deep and extensive, virtue pure and exalted, zeal happily tempered by discretion,-ip fine, the distinguishing excellencies of the sincere christian and the de

voted minister render his removal a signal Time has not weakened in the smallest decalamity to the church and to society. gree the impression of his uncommon merit; and the recurrence of this meeting has opened anew the wounds of our church. The members of this convention would mingle their sorrows on this occasion, and in expressing their feelings seek some alleviation. Therefore

"Resolved, 1st. That this Convention retain a lively recollection of the invalua this Diocess, and the Church in general, ble life, and the distinguished services to

of our late revered and beloved Diocesan.

"2dly. That this Convention will in their prayers earnestly supplicate the merey of Almighty God on this bereaved Church, and especially that he would be pleased to guide them in the choice of a successor to the Episcopate; and they do affectionately request the prayers of all the members of our Church on this most important occasion."

On motion of the Rev. Mr. Gervais, Resolved by all the Churches, excepting one, that the Convention forthwith proceed to the election of a Bishop.

[ocr errors][merged small]
« ПредишнаНапред »