The professional years of John Henry Hobart : being a sequel to his "Early years"

Front matter

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I ac^

Itheological seminary,

Chapter 1

From date of Ordination, 3d June, 1798, in the 22d year of his age, until Removal to New - York, December, 1800.

Pastoral Charge of the Churches at Oxford and Perkiomen — Affecting Incident — Letters from College Friends — Removal to Brunswick — Resignation — Marriage with Miss Chandler — Rev. Dr. Chandler — Life — Services — Death — Mr. Hobart'a Removal to Hempstead — Call to New- York, September 8th, 1800 — Letter to Mercer — Traits of Character, . page

Chapter II

Prom his Removal to the City in December, 1800, to thejirst of his Publications in 1803 ; from the 25th to the 28th year qf his age.

Trinity Church — Early History — Actual Condition — Style and Estimate of Mr. Hobart as a Preacher — Styles of Preaching — His Performance of Pastoral Duties — Domestic Establishment — Anecdotes of Kindness — Habits of Study — Official Duties in General and State Conventions, .... paga 10 A 2

VI CONTENT S.

Chapter III

From 1803 to 1801— 2Sth to 32d year of his age.

Period of his chief didactic Publications, viz. Treatise on the Nature and Constitution of the Christian Church — Companion for the Altar — Style — Criticism upon it — Character it displays — Companion for the Festivals and Pasts — Church Catechism broken into short Questions and Answers — Examination of his Views of Religious Education — Companion to the Book of Common Prayer — The Clergyman's Companion, . page 57

Chapter IV

A. D. 1805 — u^t. 30.

Controversy forced upon Mr. Hobart — Early History and Condition of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Colonies — Desolation produced by the War of the Revolution — Difficulties which followed it — Dissensions — Steps for obtaining the Episcopate— Dr. Seabury — Scotch Bishops — Bishops White and Provoost— State of the Church when Mr. Hobart entered it — Justification of his Course, page 76

Letters — to Rev. Dr. Boucher — Sketch of Life and Character — to his friend Mercer — Series of Letters to Mr. How — Board of Trustees of Columbia College — ]Mr. Hobart's Election into it — Members — Division — Rev. Dr. Mason — Character— Contests in the Board, . . . . . . . page 99

CONTENTS. VII

Chapter VI

Object of Mr. Hobart in his Publications — Attacked by Rev. Dr. Linn — ' Miscellanies ' — Answered by Mr. Hobart and others — ' Collection of Essays,' &c. — Reviewed in the ' Christian Magazine' — 'Apology for Apostolic Order and its Advocates' — Justification of Manner — Character of Dr. Mason — Eiamination of the Argument — Result of it upon the Church — Letters, page 129

CHAPTER VII. Letters from 1803 to 1808

Letter from Governor Jay — Call to St.. Paul's Church, Philadelphia— Interesting Incident of a Conversion to the Romish Church — Influence over the Young — Letters — Dr. Berrian — Mr. A. McV. — Mr. Hovr — Anecdote of General Hamilton, page 151

Chapter VIII

Prom 1806 to 1810 — 31."^ to 3bth year of his age.

Ministerial Education — Protestant Episcopal Theological Society — Character and Influence — ' Churchman's Magazine,' establishment— Principles — Mr. Hobart's Habits of Business — Church Music — Mr. Hobart's Love of Music — Affairs of the College — Election of Dr. Mason as Provost — Bible and Common Prayer-book Society — Objects — Earliest Sermon published, of Mr. Hobart, 'The Excellence of the Church'— Examination of its Principles, .... page 170

Vlll CONTENTS.

Chapter IX

A. D. 1810 — JEt. 35.

Canonical Condition of the Diocese — Bishop Provoost — Character and Policy — Resignation — Decision of the House of Bishops — Examination of that Decision — Bishop Moore — Character — Influence — Election of Bishop Hobart — Difliculties attending the Consecration — Bishop White's Feelings toward him, page 195

Controversies before and after his Election — Rev. Cave Jones — Character — ' Solemn Appeal ' — Result — Claim of Bishop Provoost — How settled — Decision of the Convention — Separation of Mr. Jones from Trinity Church — His latter Years, page 212

CHAPTER XL A. D. 1811 — ^t. 36.

Annoyances of anonymous Critics — Letter to the Author — Letter from Dr. KoUock — His subsequent History — General Character of Episcopate from 1813 — Amount and Variety of Duties — Pastoral Charge — Letter to a Member of his Church — Episcopal Charge — Interest taken in the Missionaries — Anecdote — Kindness of Heart — Rev. Mr. Buckley — Letter in relation (o the Scheme of a new religious Magazine, . . page 223

CONTENTS. IX

CHAPTER XII.

A. D. 1813 — jEt. 38.

Duties performed in 1813 — Address to the Convention — Thres leading Points of Policy, 1. Missionary Cause; 2. Observance of the Liturgy ; 3. Ministerial Education — Letter to Mrs. S. on the Subject — Theological Grammcir School — Objects — Failure — Letters — Col. Troup— C. F. Mercer, . page 244

CHAPTER XIII.

A. D. 1814 — ^i. 39.

General Convention — Motion for a General Theological Seminary opposed by Bishop Hobart — Reasons — Standing and Influence in that Body — Sermon preached at its Opening — Review of it — Sentiments touching the Church of England — General Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church — Prospects — Rite of Confirmation — Administered at Hyde Park — Influence — Eulogium on the Prayei*-book — Letters — C. F. Mercer — President Smith, • . . . . page 270

CHAPTER XIV.

A. D. 1815 — ^t. 40.

Convention — Missionary Cause — Outcry against Bishop Hobart as an Enemy to Foreign Missions — Explanation — Oneida Indians — Mr. Williams — History — Bible and Common Prayer-book Societies — ' Pastoral Charge ' on the subject — Letter to Episcopalians — Charges against Bishop Hobart — Explanation, page 298

X CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XV.

A. D. 1815 — JEt. 40.

Formation of Church Societies — Their Objects and Influence — Bishop Hobart's Zeal for them — The Principle on which they were founded — Tract Society — Character of its Tracts — Pastoral Charge on the Christian Ministry — Frequency of Bishop Hobart's Instructions on this Point justified — Peculiar Traits of Character — His Notion of the Church explained and \'indicated — Publication of the ' Christian's Manual ' — Ejaculatory Prayer — Prayers in the Language of the Liturgy, . page 833

Death of Bishop Moore — Funeral Address — Eulogium — EJssay on State of departed Spirits — Reputation as a Biblical Critic — Article on the Creed — Various Opinions — Letter to Bishop White — His Opinions — Letter of Bishop Skinner — Bishop Hobart's Views of the Church of Scotland — Letters from the Rev. Dr. Abercrombie — Archdeacon Strachan — Candidate for Confirmation instructed — Prejudice against Bishop Hobart's Views of Regeneration — Explained and Defended — Oneida Indians, >.....,,. page 355

CHAPTER XVII.

A.D. 1817 — yE^ 42.

Affairs of the College — Dr. Mason's Provostship — Causes of Failure — Abolition of the Office — Presidency of Dr. Harris — Character — Bishop Hobart and Dr. Mason compared — Traits

CONTENTS. Xi

of Character ezhibited by Bishop Hobart in the Board of Trustees — Anecdotes illustrative — Character as given by the Rev. W. R. W. — Visitation of the Diocese — Letter from Dr. Butler — Adroiration of Nature — Brevity of Visits — Rapidity — Duties in the Diocese of New -Jersey ; of Connecticut — Acknowledgment, page 384

CHAPTER XVIII.

A. D. 1817 — JEt. 42.

Second Charge to the Clergy, ' The Corruptions of the Church of Rome ' — Death of Dr. Bowden — Character — Death of Bishop Dehon — Character — State of the College — Letter from Rufus King — Anonymous Note — Letter to Rev. Dr. Romeyn , — Letters from and to Dr. Smith ; to Dr. Berrian — Painful Letters from an old Friend — Letter from Dr. Strachan, Norris, &c.— Theological Seminary — Endowment — Address before the Young Men's Missionary Society — Interest in Sunday schools — Address, page 407

Address to Convention — Painful Duty — Mr. How — Letter to Dr. Berrian — Oneida Indians — Letter to the Bishop — His Answer — Visits them — Interesting Scene — Aged Mohawk Warrior — Young Onondaga — Visit of the Author — Prosperous Condition of the Diocese — Religious Revivals ; the Bishop's Opinion : their Result — Bishop Hobart's Explanation of Evangelical Preaching, 446

XU CONTENTS.

Letter from Rev. H. H. Norris — Mant and D'Oyley's Family Bible — Defects — Bishop Hobart's Labors in it— General Views of a Bible Commentary — Bishop Hobart in Retirement — ^Visit to the Short Hills — His Occupations — Second Visit to the Oneidas — Address to the Convention — Influence of a Gift of a Prayer-book — Charge to the Clergy — ' The Churchman ' — Extracts on the ' Liberality of the Age' — Resignation of the Charge of the Diocese of Connecticut — Conseoration of Bishop Brownell, . page 47S

Preface

A VOLUME of the Professional Life of Bishop Hobart, as promised in his * Early Years,' is now put forth, though with unfeigned diffidence, for many and obvious reasons. The subject and its events are too well known for the interest of biography, and too recent for the freedom of history. It is a story too which can hardly, now at least, be told, without compromitting both names and questions, in a .way not easy to avoid reviving old offence or giving new — and, perhaps, too, some may think, of awakening controversies in the Church which are now at rest, and had better be left in silence. Still, however, the narrative is put forth, and, as a lover of peace, the author feels himself bound to state, in few words, his justification.

It is, then, in the hope that the good resulting will not merely overbalance, but, in great measure, neutralize the evil that is dreaded — that the history of theological controversy, if rightly given, will be found to teach the lesson, not of division but of unity ; of kindness, not of contest. It maybe, too, that by viewing diai

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puted questions from the higher and more peaceful ground on which we now stand, the very memory of offences may be rooted up, by showing that they originated in mistake or misconception. It may be, too, that such a narrative, instead of reviving doctrinal disputes, concerning the nature and ministry of the Church, will exhibit these questions as lying, necessarily, at the basis of a Church rising, as ours did into notice, in the midst of much ignorance and many prejudices ; thus showing that the time for such discussions is comparatively passed, and that, leaving these, its foundations, we are now called upon to devote ourselves, in a purer air, it may be said, and with less encumbered hands, to raising higher the superstructure of Christian faith and practice ; and, finally, it may be that the opinions of many, both in the Church and out of it, will undergo, in the perusal of this narrative, a change in relation to Bishop Hobart's course and policy, when they come to review the questions then agitated by the light which subsequent experience has thrown upon them; and, to enable the reader to do this for himself, the language of Bishop Hobart is generally laid before him, and a comparison with well known results, occasionally, either drawn out or suggested.

PREFACE. X7

But the narrative is also intended to be a domestic one. It has, therefore, been the aim of his biographer to exhibit Bishop Hobarl, not only as the ruler, but, as the man and the Christian ; and to interweave, with the loftier features of the one the lovelier traits of the other. He has, therefore, painted him as in life he knew him, full of benevolence as well as zeal, and as condescending as he was fearless ; uniting the warm heart and the open hand, and the kind manners of the humble, cheerful Christian companion with the dauntless spirit and uncompromising love of truth that should distinguish him who is called to govern or to teach.

With a view to unite these two pictures, the one personal, the other official, it has been the author's aim to make the former serve as it were, as a frame-work to the latter ; or, rather, as the canvass and ground on which his policy and sentiments were to be wrought and woven, in order that incident miglit give interest to doctrine, and doctrine give importance to incident, and the whole become, to the rising generation of the clergy of our Church, a pleasing and instructive manual of the ministerial character.

This, however, the author is prompt to acknowledge, was but the idea that occasionally

XVI PREFACE.

flitted before his mind of what might be effected, with the materials he held, by talents and knowledge suited to the task, and the command of competent leisure. For himself, he was well aware, not only that the ability to realize it, under any circumstances, lay beyond him, but, also, that he was further disqualified for such an undertaking, by being enabled to devote to it only such hasty snatches of leisure as were afforded by a busy as well as an academic life. But still, with all its imperfections, he puts it forth, confident that he aims at good — trusting, under a higher guidance, in some degree to attain it — and deeply anxious to pay, in such manner as he may, to the Church of which he is a minister, or, rather, (with reverence be it spoken,) to its great spiritual Head, some small portion of that debt of consecrated powers which academic duties have hitherto, perhaps, too much withdrawn from their rightful destination.

Columbia College, March 10, 1836.

MEMOIR

Chapter I

Prom date of Ordination, 3d June, 1798, in the 23d year of his age, until removal to New- York, December, 1800.

Pastoral Charge of the Churches at Oxford and Perkiomen — Affecting Incident — Letters from College Friends — Removal to Brunswick — Resignation — Marriage with Miss Chandler — Rev. Dr. Chandler — Life — Services — Death — Mr. Hobart's Removal to Hempstead — Call to New- York, September 8th, 1800— Letter to Mercer — Traits of Character.

On the Sunday immediately following- his ordination, which took place 3d June, 1798, Mr. Hobart entered upon his ministerial duties: they consisted in the charge of two small country churches, viz. Trinity, Oxford, and All Saints, Perkiomen, distant, the one about ten, the other thirteen miles from the city of Philadelphia. The object of Bishop White in thus stationing him, as given in his own words, conveys a high compliment to his young friend : * It was very near to my heart,' says he, * that he should be settled so close to me as to be easily transferred to any vacancy that might happen in the ministry of the churches of which I am

B rector, or to add to our number (in the city) in the event of building a new church, which was then in contemplation.'

One of these rural parishes possessed the interest of what we must, in our recent history, term high antiquity. The congregation at Oxford was one of the earliest organized in the middle colonies, being founded by the labors of the Rev. George Kirk, a convert from the Quakers, who was sent out by the Society in England a general travelling missionary as early as 1702, previous to the appointment of any local ones in this country. His missionary field was the continent of British North America ; his allowance 2001. a year ; he accomplished his mission in two years, and Oxford was among the fruits of them.*

In this scene of humble duty Mr. Hobart continued to labor until the end of the year, as already stipulated, f How successfully, might be conjectured from the exhibition of character this narrative has already afforded. The surest pledge is to be found in the deep sense of re-^ sponsibility vmder which he had entered upon them ; the language, however, of one who followed him, affords a more direct testimony.

♦ History of the Society for Propagating the Gospel in For- 'eign Parts, by Dr. Humphreys, Secretary, &c. t Early Years, p. 233.

' His congregations,' says the Rev. George Sheets, 'were crowded, his pulpit talents greatly esteemed, and his person much beloved. I have conversed with several old parishioners who have a perfect recollection of him — they all loved him much, and greatly admired his preaching.' But his rising merit was soon acknowleds^ed bv others.

He had hardly entered upon his station before he was solicited to quit it. A call was given him as an assistant to the Rev. Dr. Magaw, in St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia. The letter by which the invitation was conveyed, was in the name of the rector and congregation, and concludes with these urgent words of entreaty — ' We trust that you will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ. The harvest is great, but the faithful laborers are few, therefore, " come down and help us."' Though Mr. Hobart's answer is not preserved, its tenor may be conjectured, since we know from the result that the offer was not accepted ; declined, most probably, on the grounds already expressed by him, of unwillingness to enter so soon on the absorbing labors of a large city church.

In the mean time, his college intimacies, though broken, were not forgotten — scattered though they were, his was not a heart lightly to sever such ties ; and we consequently find among his papers traces of an ample correspondence, by degrees, however, narrowing down to those nearest to him in affection or pursuits in life.

In the latter class we find several who had entered the ministry of other denominations, seeking from him advice, or thanking him for past kindness. As usual, we have but few of his own, and must gather our knowledge of their contents, as it were, by reflected light.

FROM THE REV. 11. KOLLOCK.

* Nfissau Hall, June llth, 1798.

I have too long neglected to answer your agreeable letter, but you know that our resolutions on this subject are often unavoidably broken within the walls of a college, though our affection may remain undiminished.

I have at length finished Patrick and begun Lowth. The former is like a desolate field, where the soil may produce some valuable plants, but all the surrounding scenery appears unengaging; whilst the latter resembles those fields of Arabia which he describes, where the lofty cedar, the medicinal balm, and the fragrant flower bloom beside each other. I think, however, that he is too lavish of his corrections of the sacred text ; for though some of them are absolutely necessary, yet I do not think that any should be introduced merely to cause a parallelism of the lines, or to add to the beauty of an expression. It is of too much consequence to establish the belief of Christians, concerning the general authenticity of the Scriptures, to permit such freedom.

I suppose that by this time, my dear friend, you have become a minister of Christ. I pray God that you may be happy, zealous, and successful ; that the blessed spirit of grace may rest upon you, and make your preaching efficacious for arresting the presumptuous and deluded sinner; for pouring consolation into the wounded conscience, and for building up the saints in holiness and faith. May you pass through this life supported by your Saviour ; and when you stand before his tribunal to render your final account, may you see many souls who have been converted by your ministry, and who shall be crowns of your everlasting rejoicing. Oh ! my friend, may we both meet there, and, though bearing different names here below, may we both be interested in the salvation of the common Redeemer.

Henry Kollock.'

FROM MR. D. COMFORT.

' Mapleto7i, June 20th, 1798.

Dear Sir,

The period is not far distant, when it is expected 1 will appear in a more public capacity than at present. In September the Presbytery expect to license me to preach the Gospel. They may, perhaps, be willing to do it, but to me it is frequently a doubt whether in duty I ought to apply for it. The nearer it approaches, the more important it appears, and the more diffident do I feel to undertake the sacred office. I can perceive so much corruption and depravity still existing within, and so little holiness and real religion, that I am frequently almost discouraged. I still, however, hope these doubts and difficulties will be so removed that I may with cheerfulness, and humble boldness, enter into

B2 the service of the blessed Redeemer, and find, by experience, " his yoke to be easy and his burthen light."

I have merely heard that you are ordained to the work of the Gospel ministry, as you expected, without hearing any particulars. I hope you may have <he pleasure of seeing the work of the Lord prosper under your labors, by the addition of many members to his Church.

The melancholy news of my father's death has borne heavy upon my mind. Although from his age, being more than seventy, I could not but soon expect it, yet there seemed no doubt on my mind but I should see him once more. I anticipated the joyful meeting after an absence of nearly two years ; and when I recollected my own feelings, and his own expressions of joy, after an absence of a few months, the idea of that which I trusted was not far distant was greatly heightened. And how frequently did I dwell with pleasure on the thought of having it in my power, in a short time, of contributing to the support of his old age, and the comfort of his declining years. But these expectations are all blighted, and I am left without a parent. But " mercy is always mixed with judgment." Yours affectionately,

David Comfort.'

During this summer the yellow fever again prevailed in Philadelphia, and extended to the neighboring villages; this summoned him, during his short residence, to many painful calls of duty, to some of which allusion is made in his correspondence.

A letter to his friend Mercer touches upon one instance which appears to have long rested on his memory. * The fever,' says he, in a letter of the date of 18th September, 'rages with the greatest violence in the city ; more than threefourths, it is thought, of the inhabitants have removed to the country, or to camps on the commons. Nor does death contine his ravages to the city — several in the country have died, supposed to have taken the fever in the city. Among these, the death of Miss Breck, and of Miss Westcott, who was on a visit to her, excites peculiar interest. They died, after a few days' illness, on the same day. I was at the house the day Miss W. died— went with the corpse to the grave between eight and nine in the evening — while absent there. Miss Breck also died, and Avas buried before morning. Yet these affecting instances of mortality seem to produce very little effect upon any but those who immediately suffer by them in their friends or property.'

That he himself deeply felt this sudden visitation, and was unwilling to lose the impression of it, would appear from the careful preservation among his papers, of the following little note and enclosure from the surviving sister, dated the following day.

' Miss Breck, at the request of her parents, encloses'a note of supplication and thanks to Heaven, to be read or omitted, as the judgment of Mr. Hobart shall direct, at the Morning Service. When Mr. Hobart can with safety visit them. Miss B. will derive much consolation from conversing with him on the important subject of that future state, whither are now consigned the beloved sister and friend of her heart.

Sunday Morning.

The enclosure is as follows :

' A family of this church desire to return thanks to Almighty God for his divine mercy in restoring to the hopes of safety a young woman, who has been for many days dangerously ill. They also implore his divine assistance to enable them so to bear their late heavy calamities, as shall render them worthy of that Christian faith in which they profess to believe.'

Of this afflicted family no further records remain, but they who knew the ardor and devotedness of their young pastor's feelings in after-life, will readily conceive that no prudential scruples kept him back from the house of mourning.

In answer to a letter communicating this, or some similar dispensation, one of his correspondents observes :

' I condole with you. May we look from secondary to primary causes, and may the judgments of God which are in the earth lead us to amend our lives, and teach us righteousness. He alone can dissipate the

BISIIOPHOBART. 9

darkness of our minds, dispel the clouds of sorrow which afflict us, and render it fruitful and salutary. With this short letter I bid you farewell, wishing sincerely your happiness. May peace and competency attend you on earth, and everlasting joy await you in heaven.

Your sincere friend,

John I. Sayrs.'

FROM RET. H. KOLLOCK.

' Elizabethtown, October 2ith, 1798.

The letter of my dear friend would not have remained so long unanswered, had not a fit of sickness debarred me from the use of my pen ; I now resume it for the first time after my recovery.

What is that undefinable charm which attaches us so strongly to the scenes of our youth, and so highly endears to us our native home ? Five months have swiftly flown; they were spent with friends most dear to me, and in occupations most pleasing, yet I return with joy to Elizabeth, and visit with delight those places which recall times that are past.

My principal study during the last session, was " Warburton's Divine Legation." He seems to have chosen this topic, that he might display his almost unlimited knowledge, since there is scarcely a subject of science which he has not introduced into it. He abounds with much rude railing, and has a number of very singular paradoxes, but his leading proposition is proved with a strength of argument which is, I think, irresistible. Whatever may be your opinion of his primary argument, you will be highly pleased in reading him.

The question so bitterly agitated between our churches, on the question of original sin, has been the subject of my meditation for some time past ; and you will, perhaps, smile when I tell you that I have found myself obliged to renounce the sentiments of the rigid Calvinists. The doctrine of imputation, as held by them, appears to me inconsistent with the justice of God. I can very readily grant, that in consequence of the sin of Adam, mankind should become subject to temporal death, since immortality was not a debt but a free gift) and we could have no claim to it, though we had remained for ever innocent. I can likewise allow that mankind have hence received a moral taint and infection, by which they have a propensity to sin ; but my mind revolts from the idea, that I should be sentenced by a God of justice and mercy to an eternity of misery, because of the transgressions of one who sinned before I was born, and in a capacity of knowing or hindering what he did. On this ground I think we may both meet.

H has left Mrs. Knox's, and taken up his residence in a solitary hamlet entirely encircled by woods. He thinks, perhaps he thinks with propriety, that he can there cultivate the better affections of his nature, and prosecute his studies with greater advantage than at Princeton. He may plead Milton's authority for the latter part of his sentiment, who very elegantly tells us that

" Wisdom's self Oft seeks to sweet retired solitude, Where with her best nurse, Contemplation, She plumes her feathers, and lets grow her wings That in the various bustle of resort Were all too ruffled."

B I S II O P II 0 B ART. 11

I should have preferred for my retreat, however, that season when all nature puts on an aspect of cheerfulness. But I believe that my disposition is not sufficiently romantic to be invariably pleased with retirement ; for, after the novelty of the landscape has ceased, I have beheld them with a sigh, and exclaimed, " The society of one dear friend would be worth them all."

H. KOLLOCK.' JFROMIREV. E. GRANT.

' New -Brunswick, December 20th, 1798. My dear Friend,

The receipt of your afiectionate letter gave me great pleasure ; I had been long wishing to know where I might address myself to you, but being sent to and fro through the upper part of this State, all last summer, I could get no information. I came home, however, fully determined to renew our correspondence, and was pleasingly disappointed to find that your goodness had been beforehand with me. Your professions of regard, my dear John, I can sincerely return. I assure you no day passes that I do not bear you in frequent, pleasing, and affectionate remembrance on my mind. I account the time I spent at Princeton as among the most agreeable and profitable days of my life, and your friendship and correspondence as among its most profitable and agreeable acquisitions.