The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-19
Protestant Episcopal Historical Society.


The riennia meeting of this society held last
ing in the chapel Of St Georges Church, Stuyvesan
square There about hundred persons present.
among whom several Of the bsh ops in attendance
at the Episcopal Convention, holding in this city.
Rev. Francis L. Hawks presided and the Rev. Mr. Frank
lin ocated as secretary After tho meeting called
to order the secretary read the last report of the
ciey, from which learn that it established in
Hartford in June, 1850 Soon after its organization
tinues the report the whole bench of bishops were
rolled members. The object of the society is the
preservation of records of the church in this country
Already two volumes Of collections have been published
in addition to number of pamphlets Similar societies
established among the Bptists and Methodists and
among the Proestants of France. The collections
of this association during the last three years have
sisted Of all the church newspapers, and other perod
Gals and the current journals of most Of the do:esses
and other documents of historical interest value
After the report read, the Right Rev. THOMAS VIII
IAas Bishop of Connecticut delivered long and eabo
rate address, Of which we have room only for brief
abstract The speaker saidThe occasion which gives
the honor Of addressing tonight suggests the line of
thought which is proper me to follow which is the
history of Angle American church. will avoid gene
raties on the one hand and mere details the other.
After general outline Of the history Of the church. the
speaker sdBut leaving these prelminary observations,
proceed 10 general views, embraced in the
period previous the Revolution One of the first and
most important facts which strikes in the history Of
church Is is relation 10 the Episcopal history There
great difference in the way in which this relation
itself between this colony and others Now.
there number of principles in connection with this
difference which worthy of the attention and study of
the members of the church. Another thing which is
much overlooked the supply OF clergymen in those
early days from the mother country and there
reality in crossing the stormy ocean which stamped
with sincerity the acts of those who undertook the
task OF the first four clergymen who went
from Connecticut to England for aid before the Re olu
ton, three only returned alive and therefore we may
venture the assertion, that church in this country
(and thank God for t not established without
tears and blood. Demosthenes said it trou
h,%%1 ,r,,1t,, 80
law viii. And it is with clerical law To
give it force it must have the consent of all orders.
One Of the hardest lessons for to learn is the
law of self dependence II was by the stern lessons Of
the Revolution that the church compelled to learn
this lesson and to look for existence to its resources
when in fact, it may be said it without
dc not wish to look with too critical eye this distance
of time the struggles of the church to wards the revu
tonsts and the king We be kind to both parties.
Some active in the struggles for freedom and Others
good members of the church. thought that their oath of
allegiance to their sovereign bound them to the very last
When these stern lessons ended then was commenced
the work Of the reconstruction of the church, by no
means easy task, inasmuch as it necessary to
adapt the church to the wants and requirements OF the
nation then just established The speaker here gave
Of the formation Of the church after the Revolu
ton the system which established and its general
In conclusion he said, fear we getting to
be sadly negligent of history The graves of fathers
swiftly swept away and forgotten to make for
the vineyard and the mart The memories OF our past
must be gathered up before they all gone We
almost too young and too small society to do much
in this way but we should do all we can Now is the
time and the only time do the work of preservation
for which posterity will bless 1t is duty to do this
work, and do it heartily.
Upon motion vote Of thanks was here rendered to
the lecturer for his able discourse, and he requested
to furnish the society with copy of for publication
The President declared the election Of officers next in
order, when, by unanimous vote the officers of last
year reelected follows
4 PISsDEST-1he Right Rev T. c. Brownell ID. LID.
vlcE PRlsIDI,r-The Rev Francis L. Hawks DDLLD.
| SEoRETARY-The Rev. B. franklin.
Observation-Disclosures s Winston, Esq 60 Cedar street,
4 ny
EXECUTIVE CoAfsTTEE-The Rev. William Bacon Stevens,
ID, Philadelphia, Pa; the Rev. VIM S. Bartlett, Mass
Hobart, New York. n. Y. the Rev. W. l. Kip, DID, Al
bany, " "; the Rev r. w. Colt, d. d., Hartford CT
the Rev T. C. Ptkin New Haven, Ct; John H. Alexander
Esq; Baltimore, Nd. Samuel Huntington Esq, Hart
ford CT; Robert Bolton. Jnr Esq, New Rochelle, NY
4 g. ~ Wharton, Esq, Philadelphia, Pa; f. A. Newton,
ESQ; Pttsfeld Mass g. L. Duycknck, Esq, New York,
1 Ny.
After the election Of officers the audience dispersed.