Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-03-13
The Church of the advent.

With great pleasure we publish and adj
vocate the object of the following direct
and manly appeal of the Vestry of the
Church of the Advent through its worthy
and estimable Rector, to the Christian
community of Nashville and it's environs:
FELLOw-CITIZENs l respectfully ask
your attention to the following statement
In November, 1866, / was called to the
Rectorship ofthe "Church of the Advent"
in this city, made vacant by the election of
the Rev. DIR. Quintard TO the Episcopste.
] at once entered upon my work, and since
then have continued regularly officiating
in the basement of the partially erected
edifce on Vine street, between Church aud
Broad streets You doubtless recollect the
once numerous membership, and prosper
Gus condition of the congregation, before
the storm of war swept over the land and
desolated the homes and hearts of our peo-
pie. But oHe-fth only of the congregation
remained when we came out Of the trying
ordeal, and they, for the most part, with
lacerated hearts and crippled in all their
resources. The work on the building
which had been 80 auspiciously commenced
in prosperous times, was abandoned after
covering, with temporary roof, a portion
of the basement-the only resource of the
congregation TO provide for Themselves
place of worship. 1t has become an object of
vital importance to resume and complete
that work. The serious disadvantages ofour
situation areso many and apparentthat they
leave us but a choice of alternatives, viz:
either to abandon our enterprise altogether
Ia course which We believe the whole city
would reject,) or make an energetic effort
to complete our ediice In my Judgment,
the first of these would involve the sacri-
fee Of so many sacred objects-all having
the public good in view, and which will
at once suggest themselves to any one who
reflects on the many charitable and be-
nevolent enterprises connected with every
established Christian congregation, that it
should never be thought of as long as there
is a possibility of avoiding it. | cannot
contemplate such an alternative in any
light other than that of serious public ca
lamity; for our enterprise embraces not
only the providing, Immediately, of place
of worship, but prospectively, as included
in its natural development and legitimate
operations-the establishment of Home
and Infrmary for the aged" an Asylum
for orphans" and other kindred agencies
Of Christian benevolence, which have their
source in congregational organization, and
to which the parish church serves az an
essential center. Such agencies, where
they are already established, contribute
largely to the alienation of human suffer
ing and promote the healthy development
of moral and social life.
| have, therefore, determined to devote
my time and strength to the completion of
the building on which SO much of future
good may depend, and | will appeal to
you, fellow-citiZens, for the requisite aid.
In times past many of you have made
liberal subscriptions to this object, and l
am gratifed to recognize among the num-
Der, representatives of the principal reli-
gious creeds and persuasions of this city.
Those subscriptions were made payable in
three equal instalments; in but few instan-
stances, however, have all three been paid,
making an aggregate of unpaid amounts of
| nearly $4,000. / do not, Of course, urge
any legal claim to any portion of that
| amount, but l can not doubt that in many
instances the subscribers on the list will
cheerfully and honorably renew their sub
| scriptions; and that other citizens who
have not yet contributed will respond favor
ably when personally applied TO for aid.
| | can give unqualified assurance that the
| Nestry will hold themselves ready TO give
a satisfactory account for the prudent and
faithful use of every dollar contributed.
In conclusion, | will remark that the
| prosecution OF this work is hot undertaken
IN any party or sectsrisn spirit, or with
| view of Introducing into this community
any novelties of worship, usage or doctrine,
contrary to what has always been customary
in the Episcopal Church in this city !;
neither do We desire to build up by Inter
fering in any, even the remotest degree,
with existing similar organizations. These
statements | feel assured, are fully APP
proved by the people of my charge.
| Wishing grace, mercy and peace TO ''all
who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sim
cerity," / subscribe myself
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES MOORE,
4 Pa,for n { tba Ch,,rok - Il A