Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-05-28

The advances of our communion nave
been such as to call for our oratitude 10
Heaven the Clergy continue to mani
fest their zeal in the cause OF religion, q
their attachment to the principles OF the
Church. Their best efforts have been
used in the discharge of their ministerial
duties and there appears t. exist among
them the strongest disposition TO fu,hi
their sacred obligations. To make the
ieast discrimination in the expression OF
my confidence in their integrity, would
be painful to my heart at time IN which
ha We reason to believe, that the utmost
energies of all have been exerted IN pro-
noting the prosperity OF our Zion.
Fettered as | am with the weight OF
parish, in addition to that which cometh
upon me daily, the care of all the Church
es, 1t Is impossible to make those exer-
tons which could be effected with ease,
were | released from parochial obligations.
The necessity of MINI stering to the wants
of my congregation in Richmond, renders
my pastoral visits to the churches too
much hurried. 1t prevents me from i'm
proving them to the best advantage, and
precludes the possibility of acquiring that
knowledge of the members Of our connec-
ton, so indispensable necessary. Instead
of passing few days in each parish, and
forming an intimate acquaintance with
the individuals of the different congrega-
tions, | appear among them, not as the
spiritual father of the whole family, but
oc ctyor nd ohl 70 u
such rapidity from one place to another,
that am only known to a majority of
the people of my charge, in my official
character.
| The Convention of the Church in this
! Diocess, alive to these considerations have
pressed with girlt wisdom and energy,
the subject of an independent support for
the Episcopate. AS the emoluments ari-
sing from the source to which | allude,
would never equal the present amount of
my living, | cannot be charged with in
delicacy in urging the principle, as mat
ter OF primary Importance. 1.-THE wealthy
members of the Church would contribute
but small portion of their worldly goods
to this object, it could be effected with the
greatest ease: the claims of the whole
Diocess would then be equally imperative
upon the Bishop ne would have it in his
power to travel as far and wide as the cir
cumstances Of the Church would require,
and could discharge the duties appertain-
ing to his appointment, as the chiefpast
of the flock. Should not live to address
you again upon conventional occasion, |
must intreat you to bear in mind, that |
consider the subject of support for the
EPiscoPate as matter of leading impor
lance, and earnestly suppiica,e you to
make that provision for my successor,
contemplated and embraced in the above
remarks
Since the last Convention, | have
preached Il administered the Lords Sup
per in the county of Chesterfield. have
visited Dinwiddie, and officiated in the
church once filled by that pious servant
of God, the Rev. Devereaux Jarrat and
also twice In the town Of Petersburg. In
October made an excursion into the up
per country visited the county of Orange,
but was prevented from officiating by the
inclemency of the weather. Icrossed the
Blue Ridge and visited Stanton in the
county of Augusta, in which place |
preached twice to large and overhowing
congregations, and confirmed Is persons.
The church in Staunton appears to be in
hourishing condition, and is blessed
with the faithful services of the Rev. Mr..
Stephens. After leaving Staunton, |
again crossed the Blue Ridge, and agreea-
bly, to appointment met several of the
clergy in Charlottesville. On Sunday
morning preached to very large con-
gregation, and in connection with the
clergy who were present, administered
the Lords Supper. On Monday rode
to the Green Mountain, upon which day
l read prayers and Mr.. Meade preached,
and on Tuesday Mr. Wydown read pray
ers, and preached and administered the
Lords Supper to number of devout
communicates. From the Green Noun
tain repaireJ to Mr.. Hugh Nelson's, and
on Wednesday preached and administer
ed the Lords Supperin Walkers Church,
and admitted the Rev. Mr. Marshal of
Culpepper, to the holy order of Priesthood.
In November | left home on visit to
the Northern Neck of Virginia, and on
the 18th of the month preached twice in
Fredericksburg. Ithen passed OH to Port
Royal on the 10th, in which place read
prayers and preached. On the 18th l
read prayers and preached at Vauter's
Church in the county of Essex. On the
18th rode to Tappahannock &read pray
ers and preached then crossed the