The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-06-15
LETTERS TO EPDSCOPALIANx


| The clergymen of the Episcopal
church have received the following
circular letters from Bishops Joseph
Biount Cheshire, OF North Carolina:
Robert Strange. OF "a Carolina, and
Junius NJ. Horner, Of Asheville.
/ The approaching holy feast. OF
Trinity Sunday will be the two hum
dredth anniversary Of the first re-
corded administration OF the Lords
Supper within the territory OF North
Carolina Some may CONJECTURE that
earlier instances are probable. as
certainly they were possible: but the
first OF which We have any record is
that mentioned by Governor Glover
In a letter TO Henry Compton. bishop
OF London, dated September %. l10S
! tHawks' y. G. II 3o1. and y. c. c. r.
erend Richard Marsden. waiting here
for a passage to South Carolina.
thought II convenient TO administer
the sacrament of the Lords Supper.
| which Is the first time caa learn Of
its being administered in this poor
| country; this was done on Trinity sun
day, 1706."
We, your bishops and servants in
Christ, feel that SO interesting an an
niversary should not be allowed TO
pass unnoticed. II marks in a spe-
! Sio way inc ItcDIe DtSI1illE OF our
ancient church in this new country:
it recalls the pathetic and heroic
memories Of those faithful men who
brought into the civilization Of a new
continent the leaven Of our historic
/ faith, worship and pClity. We call
upon our brethren # the clergy of
North Carolina To remind our lay
people Of these sacred memories and
associations of our past, and especi-
lily on this coming Trinity sunday.
to remember before God with devout
gratitude those OF His servants TO
whom we owe SO much. the clergy
n churchmen Of III Colonial days.
! We therefore set forth and author
iZe for use in all our churches on Trim
lty sunday, June 10th, 1906, immedi-
ately before the final blessing. or af-
ter the general thanksgiving in morn
ing and evening prayer, this special
form of prayer:
20 Coo of our fathers, Who, through
the labors of Thy V in past ages,
hast built up Thy Kingdom in this
great country n nation, We give Thee
Z. hearty thanks and most high praise,
. as for the lives and labors of all those
; faithful missionaries and pastors who
gave themselves to Thy service in the
Thirteen American Colonies. SO espe-
cfally at this time, for hose who in
the Province and colony of North Car
olina ministered Thy Word and sacra-
F.; ments to the people. into this strange
'land they came, the messengers of Thy
truth and love, and through many
trials and dangers they sought Thy
! wandering sheep. We thank Thee for
their faith and patience, for their suf-
; ferings and labors, and for the fruits
of their sacrifices which we today en-
joy. Thou didst water with the dews
i. of Thy Grace the little vine which on
: these shores they planted: Thou mad
est room for it, so that when it had
taken root it filled the land.
rlnityt ina--RBa retaOin shrdlu cmfwy
Continue, We pray Thee, Thy love
and favor to Thy church and people:
pardon our sins, fill us with Thy
Spirit, sustain Us with the heavenly
food of Thy Holy Word and sacra-
ments, keep US faithful to Thy truth,
make Thy church a light and a guide
and a sure foundation: bless our
State and our country, and hasten the
coming of Thy Kingdom: through
Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen
Charlotte Observer.