Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-05-31

urg at which place preached to large
on gregation, and also administered the Lords
Supper. The first Of August visited the
town Of Petersburg in company with DR.. Will
mer, at which place administered the Lords
Supper, admitted to the holy order Of Dea-
cons the Rev. John Cook, and the Rev. Lucius
Carter. Ipreachcd in the evening and then
babe them farewell.
In September, I visited the churches in A
lexandria, and preached TO both congrega-
tons. In November. 1 went TO Hanover,
preached in Aliens Creek Church, and also
at the Mansion of the late Col. Sims. The
Rev. Mr.. Cook is settled in Hanover-He is
doing much good, and Is very much beloved
by the people Of his charge.
The latter end Of November, again went
into the lower country, preached and admins
tered the Lords Supper on the morning of
the Sabbath, in the church in Williamsburg
and in the evening lectured at the house Of
Judge Semple, and confirmed his daughter.
The Monday following I rode to Yorktown;
preached in the morning at the Courthouse,
and in the afternoon at the house of Mr.. Mel
son to attentive congregations.
Last month visited the county of Amelia,
and preached at the house of Mr.. Meade. In
that county there exist all the materials ne
cessary for the formation of a respectable con-
gregation--and give it as my decided opini-
on, that a faithful, prudent, and intelligent
clergyman would be well received by the peo-
pie, and meet with abundant success in his
ministry.
ITO remedy some difficulties, Brethren,
which have presented themselves to view,)
/ conceive it duty incumbent on me a. this
time, to offer few observations, on the sub
iect of an obedience to the services of the
church (and as the Clergy cannot charge me
with unkindness in my intercourse with them,
trust my remarks viii be received with the
same spirit of cancellation with which they will
be offered-and not charged to spirit of i'm
proper domination
The church of which we are members has
always feicitated herself, upon the possession
Of liturgy, combining with the soundest
sense, the purest and most subhmated devo-
ton: liturgy, which has commanded the re-
spect and admiration of some of the greatest
and most enlightened men, who have lived
since the reformation. To enable the Clergy
to conduct the devotions ofthe people in per-
feet uniformity, rubrics have been attached to
all the Offices Of religion: compliance with
whickis required of every minister prior to
his ordination.
Although the services Of the church have
been thus guarded, still il has sometimes hap
pened, that departure from the liturgy has
taken place; and the beauty OF our IncOmpa-
rable form of worship been in some measure
destroyed.
When an individual instructed in the pc
culiarixes of our service is engaged IN the du-
ties Of the sanctuary, he can follow with IN
describable pleasure the officiating clergyman
in the regular exercise Of this office; he is al
waysSprepared to unite in the PRAYERS, and to
worship the lord in the beauty of holiness
without the least distraction Of mind: But
when 4 so happens, that the clergyman IS IN
attentive to the rubrics, the devotional exer-
cises of the worshipper are Distracted; his
mind, instead of being preserved calm and Sc
rene, becomes perplexed, and his religious
feelings changed into those disappointment,
ifnot displeasure. indulge the hope, breth-
rem, that in those instances to which the aber-
ratons alluded to have been practised, they
have arisen more from reconsideration than
design; and that it is only necessary to men,
ton the evil, to have it remedied.
Another subject to which must call your
attention is the fund, for the support of the
Episcopate, in the Diocess of Virginia. lido
this with less reluctance than / otherwise
should, in consequence of my age, and the
impossibi;ity of resping from it any personal
advantages whatever.
The Bishop of the Diocess has duties to
perform, which render it improper that he
should be confined to the superintendent OF
aparticular parish. All the congregations in
the state form the objects of pastoral charge,
and are equally entitled to his experimenting
care. Was the Bishop at perfect liberty, he
could visit at pleasure the destitute parts of
his diocess-convince the people OF the In
terest he takes in their concerns--keep alive
their attachment to the church, and prevent
them from a departure from the fold. When
confined to the charge of single congrega-
ton, the entreaties Of those who are destitute
of ministerial aid cannot be complied with
His children ask for the bread of life at his
hands, and he is obliged to withhold the aid
for which they implore they plead their re-
htion to him as to their spiritual Father, and
they plead in vain-they demand his fostering
care in accents which touch his heart; but
their demands, however reasonable and Just,
il is beyond his, power to satisfy.
Such, brethren, has been my situation since
my residence in Virginia, and sach must be
the situation of my successor, unless some
provision should be made to meet the evil
A clergyman of suitable talents, who would
travel through the d;ocess, and who might be
emplOynd as a missionary at the same time,
could, am well convinced, in the space of
two years complete the plan YOU have already
commenced and enable your diocesan to per-
form the duties belonging to his office. What
person who considers himself member of the
church would refuse few dollars for the COM
Pletion of such an object What virginian,
who recollects the attachment of his departed
parents TO the church, and who remembers
the period when he was led by them to wor-
ship in our courts, would shut his ears to our
petitions, or send us empty away from his
doors My brethren have travelled too
much through this diocess to consider such
an event possible. know the Virginia cha.
,acter too wen to believe that the old church,
iapidated as she is in many places, would
ask for bread and receive stone-no, my
brethren, it is impossible. The remains of
heir parents are inferred in many instances,
v.,th.n the walls or around the walls of o,,r