Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-06-03
FROM THE ENQUIRER.


Oeniion 81 the Protestant Episcopal Church,
requiring me bishop efeve,y Diocese, to deli
TeT ~ Report upon the state Of The Church
under his care /; the .joiioping comm uni cation
7rss made 10 the Convention By the Right Re7,.
eread Bishop MooRE, ar lis late reering, and
Wn9Ein0nsiy ordered 70 DC inserted on the Jour
nal.
BRETuRrN--it becomes my duty, by virtue
Dt the Cansn oithe General Convention, TO lay
before you view of the state of the Church in
this Diocese, As my residence in Virginia has
been OF short duration, 1t cannot be supposed
that could have possessed myself of .ntorma.
ton very general in its nature. The vista
lions, however. which have made, though
very crcumscribed, have enabled me 10 form
some view OF tue state of our ecclesiastical con-
rerns and from that view, think myself JUS
tined, IN drawing the most pleasing conclu-
SONS.
In every Parish which have visited, have
discovered the most animated wish ia the peo-
pie, to repairth the waste places of our Zion, and
to restore the Church of their fathers to its pri.
mitive purity and excellence. I have found
their minds alive to the truths Of religion, and
have discovered an attachment to our liturgy,
exceeding my utmost expectations. j have
witnessed a sensibility to divine things border
ing on the Spirit of Gospel times. have seen
congregations, upon the mention OF that Glory,
which once trad lated with its beam the Church
VI Virginia, burst into tears, and by their holy
emotions, perfectly electrify my mind.
The Apostolic rite of confirmation, which
nave administered in several Parishes, was re-
ceivedtSy people of ali ages, with the greatest
Joy, arsaa general principle of union and eSer-
tion' was, upon those occasions, universally ex-
pressed Parishes, which have been destitute
OF ministerial aid FOR many years which hsd
siuInbered until the wsrmest friends Of the
Church conceived it to have been the sleep Of
death, have, in two instances, been awakened
from that state OF torpor in which they were in
VOWED, and have arisen in all the vigor ofper-
feet health. The younger Clergy oil this Do
cese, who, from their youth, and spiritual at
tainments, are well qualified for the glorious
work, have exerted themselves in manner de-
serving the most holy mention. They have
carried the Standard of the Lord Jesus Christ,
through considerable portion of this Church
they have gsnc out into the high ways and hedg
rs, preaching the truths of their Divine Mas.
ter; and, by their holy conversation with the
people, have adorned the Gospel of Christ. ~
number OF their elder brethren, though prevent
cd by age from using the same exertion, have
labored with fidelity, and contributed their best
efforts TO promote that work, which has been
committed TO their hands.
The I4aity have been equally assduous in the
discharge of that duty peculiar to their station
zion. May Heaven reward them for their la
bors ofloye; and may every cup of cold water
which they have given 70 disciple, in the name
OF a disciple, receive disciples reward.
The members of the Church in this CITY, bre-
thren, deserve my sincerest thanks, for the
friendship, affection and indulgence, With which
they have favored ne; they have shewn, by
marked and continued tenderness towards me
and my family, thst they are alive TO all the
.ensibilities which adoFn our nature. have
found in them, not only friends, hu. brothers
and benefacto-s-the have met my necessities
with soiicitnde beyond my expectstion--tney
have anticipated nay every want--they have dis
charged the duty Of the most afeclionate chill
dren, towards their spiritual father
haze admitted within the past year, as can
didates for the Ministry, MIR. George FL Nor
tor, BENJAMIN Allen, Jun Thomas G. Allen and
Samuel LOW have licensed as Lay readers,
6ir. Benjamin Allen, Thomas Allen, Mr.. Keith,
and Thomas Hsnderson-I have ad.Hitted TO the
order of Deacon, Mr.. Edward G. Mcclure, and
John p PHILIPPE, and to the order of the Priests
hood the Rev. VIM. Hawley--I have held con.
hrmation in the Church Of Alexandria, at which
place upwards OF fifty persons receive d that no.
~ rite--I have held n confirmation in Culpe.
per, when upwards of sixty, and in Fauuuior
when upwards Of fifty received that rite-f have
visited and consetrated the Church at Peters
burg, under the direction OF the Reverend Mr.
Symes; ut which time upwards of twenty were
coRhrmed-H have preached in Manchester
twice, and in Hanover in three different pla-
ces.
Should my health be continued, brethren, It
Is my intention to visit as MANY Parishes this
Summer and Autumn, as my Perochi engage
ments will admit OF, and shall thank the Con-
venliou, or the standing committee, to direct
me to those parts ofthe Diocese where my Ia
bors may be thought to promise the most bene-
fit TO the Church.
NY BretLren Of the Ciergy-The welfare and
advancement ofouF Zion depends upon our joint
and vigorous exertons. Great is the duty i'm.
posed upon us, and great is the responsibility OF
that character which we FL, as Ministers of tie
Gospel of Peace. Ifthere ever was a period in
which exertion was necessary and if there
ever was a period which bids fair to crown that
nyertiOn with suecess--this is the time -
Though few IN number, yet depending Zoe sup-
port upon the promises of God, we may look
for an abundant blessing upon our labors--Je-
hOvah has promised 60 be with his Church 10
the end fthe world, AID he viii fulfil his de-
tlaration. The Parishes are invoking our aio--
Ola listen, beseech YOU to their numerous
tntreaties BE steadfast then be unmoyeablc,
always Astounding in the ord Of the Lord, and
your labor will not be in vain in the Lord.
------u-ss:4;s :sr----
WAsHrEcToN CRY, May IS.
A highly interesting incident is mentioned
in ihe Mississippi papers, as having occurred