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and when you returned was he not the first to meet and welcome you back again? Which of you was ever sick, but he was soon at your side, ready to comfort you, pray with you, entreat you to take it in good part as the dispensation of God, and, if there was need, to be your tender nurse ? Which of you was ever in any distress of soul, body, or estate, but he was the first to condole with you and endeavour to make some spiritual improvement of your affliction? Which of his people departing this life, but he was with them, exhorting to due preparation, and strengthening them for the conflict with the last enemy and great adversary? Once more, let me ask which of your dear little children but has received his kind attentions, heard from his lips some words of counsel suited to their age, and which should be remembered and treasured up in their hearts?"

After the death of Mr. Norris, in the summer of 1825, efforts were made to obtain the services of the Rev. John Johns, then in Fredericktown, Maryland, and of the Rev. Mr. Cobbs, of Bedford county, Virginia, and on the failure of these applications the Rev. Mr. Keith was induced to add the duties of a pastor and preacher to those of professor. He continued this, with some interruption, for the greater part of three years, when the Rev. Geo. Griswold, son of Bishop Griswold, became pastor in 1828. On account of ill health he resigned the following year, to the deep regret of the congregation. The Rev. J. P. McGuire followed for one year, and, unable through weakness of his eyes to make the necessary preparation for the pulpit, resigned the charge. The Rev. Mr. Mann succeeded, and, after continuing for three years, accepted an agency for the Seminary. The Rev. Mr. Dana, its present minister, then took charge of the church.

THE REV. DAVID GRIFFITH.

Concerning the Rev. David Griffith we have something more particular to record. He was born in the city of New York, and educated, partly in that place and partly in England, for the medical profession. After taking his degree in London, he returned to America and entered on his profession in the interior of New York about the year 1763. Determined to enter the ministry of the Episcopal Church, he went to London in the year 1770, and was ordained by Bishop Terrick, August the 19th of that year, and returned as missionary to Gloucester county, New Jersey. He could not have continued there long; for, in the close of the next year, he accepts the charge of Shelburne parish, Loudoun county, Virginia. Governor Johnson, of New York, was very anxious to obtain his services in that State, where he was regarded as a "man of uncommon merit." The Governor of Virginia, also,-either from personal knowledge or report,-recommends him very highly to

Shelburne parish. He continued in it until May, 1776, whenbeing an American not only by birth but in heart-he entered the service as chaplain to the 3d Virginia Regiment. In this service he continued until some time in the year 1780. He appears as the minister of Christ Church, Alexandria, during that year, though he was elected the previous year. He is represented as a man of good size and fine appearance and pleasing manners, and as enjoying the confidence of General Washington and the army. Tradition says that, on the night before the battle of Monmouth, he sought an interview with General Washington, and, in the presence of his aids, bade him beware of General Charles Lee, though he was not at liberty to give his reasons or authority. When Lee unnecessarily and ingloriously retreated on the field of Monmouth, and almost lost America the battle, there were those who believed that he wished only to diminish the reputation of Washington and receive the supreme command to himself. We only give this as tradition. From the year 1780 to his death, in 1789, Mr. Griffith was the much-esteemed pastor of Christ Church, Alexandria, and that called Little Falls, higher up on the Potomac. During the greater part of this time General Washington was his parishionerhaving a pew in Christ Church-and Mr. Griffith was a welcome visitor at Mount Vernon. Mr. Griffith was not merely attentive to his duty as a parish minister, but, in the dark and distressing days of the Episcopal Church in Virginia and in the other States, took a deep interest in the measures proposed for her welfare. When a number of the clergy from the Northern States met-of their own motion, in New York, in October, 1784-to consult about those measures, Mr. Griffith appeared of his own accord from Virginia. But before that time, I have letters to and from him, showing that he was earnestly engaged in correspondence, both North and South, with a view to promoting both State and General Conventions, as the instruments of saving the Church from ruin. The following letters which passed between himself and Dr. Buchanon of Richmond will show how deplorable was the condition of things in Virginia at this time, and also establish the fact that Dr. Griffith was the first mover of the proposition to have a Convention in Virginia after the war. I have also a letter in August, 1784, from the Rev. Mr. West, dated from Baltimore, in which he delivers a message from Dr. Smith, of Philadelphia, to Mr. Griffith, showing his estimate of the latter in relation to this movement. It is probable that this Mr. West was the same who preceded Mr. Griffith in Alexandria, as he speaks of being there.

The following letter of Dr. Griffith to Dr. Buchanon, of Rich mond, must have been written in the fall of 1783, before any meeting of Episcopalians, in any part of the land, had occurred with a similar object. Dr. Buchanon's reply was not until the February following, except so far as a verbal message went :—

I am

"DEAR SIR-You may recollect the conversation we had when I had the pleasure of seeing you at Richmond; that we mutually lamented the declining state of the Church of England in this country, and the pitiable situation of her clergy, especially those whose circumstances are not sufficiently independent to place them beyond the reach of want. satisfied our Church has yet a very great number of powerful friends who are disposed to give it encouragement and support, and who wish to see some plan in agitation for effecting a business so important, and at this time so very necessary. It is (and very justly) matter of astonishment to many, that those whose more immediate duty it is to look to the concerns of their religious society should show so much indifference and indolence as the Church and clergy do, while the leaders of almost every other denomination are labouring with the greatest assiduity to increase their influence, and, by open attacks and subtle machinations, endeavouring to lessen that of every other society,-particularly the Church to which you and I have the honour to belong, in whose destruction they all (Quakers and Methodists excepted) seem to agree perfectly, however they may differ in other points. Against these it behooves us to be cautious But, unless the clergy act conjointly and agreeably to some well-regulated plan, the ruin of our Church is inevitable without the malevolence of her enemies. Considering her present situation and circumstances,—without ordination, without government, without support, unprotected by the laws, and yet labouring under injurious restrictions from laws which yet exist,-these things considered, her destruction is sure as fate, unless some mode is adopted for her preservation. Her friends, by suffering her to continue in her present state of embarrassment, as effectually work her destruction as her avowed enemies could do by their most successful contrivances.

"In the late contest for a stake of the last importance to this country, it would have been imprudent to enter on a regulation of ecclesiastical affairs, or to attempt any thing that might interrupt that union which was so necessary for our mutual security and preservation. But that time, God be thanked, is happily over, and those reasons no longer exist. It seems to be high time for those whom it concerns to be engaged in the important business of regulating the affairs of the Church. I have been for some time in the hope that some of my brethren near the seat of government would have set on foot this necessary business; and my reason for addressing you at this time is to be informed whether any thing of the kind is begun or intended, the time when, the place where, and manner how, and, if nothing of the kind should be yet determined upon, to request of you, as your situation renders it noway inconvenient, to undertake to promote a Convention of the clergy for that purpose. I shall also presume to offer my advice. In order that the measures agreed on may be generally acceptable to the clergy and no objection remain to impede their future execution, it will be necessary to have as numerous a meeting as possible. I would recommend to have the clergy summoned to this Convention both by public notice and private information; for, as

the Virginia newspapers seldom come in' this and several other quarters, perhaps the end would be best answered by sending printed circular letters to all quarters of the State: if circular letters were not sent, many of the clergy might not have timely notice. I would recommend this Convention to be called on the authority of the few clergy contiguous to the seat of government, the notices to be signed by the whole of them, or one as chairman. I would advise the notices to be couched in general terms, to avoid, as much as possible, assigning reasons for it, especially such as may alarm the Dissenters and rouse them into opposition. The time for sending and publishing these notices should be near three months before the intended Convention, that the clergy might with certainty be informed of it and be prepared to leave their homes. As Richmond is near the centre of the State, I think it is the properest place to hold the Convention at. The time for holding the Convention I would recommend to be about the 20th of April next. It will be impossible to have any thing like a full meeting in the winter season; and, about the season I have mentioned, the weather is generally fine for travelling and the roads settled. Besides, our plans should be agreed upon previous to the session of Assembly, as we must necessarily have recourse to it for the repeal of those existing laws which made a part of the old Establishment, and which, while they do exist, must prove ruinous to the Church in spite of any regulations the clergy may adopt. I have not the pleasure of knowing Mr. Blagrove, chaplain to the House of Assembly, but I think his name, or yours, or both, would not appear improperly at the bottom of the notices, or any thing that will answer the purpose. If the above proposal should be adopted, I shall be much obliged to you for informing me of it as soon as it is determined on. Please direct to me at Alexandria, either by post or some private hand. If a meeting is likely to take place, it would not perhaps be amiss if self and our brethren in your neighbourhood were to digest some plan for the consideration of the Convention. If it was well considered by sensible men what regulations were wanting and what reform necessary, it would save abundance of time. If I have timely notice, I will cheerfully devote all the spare time I have to this service. And if the Couvention is resolved on, I will engage to send the notices to all the clergy in the Northern Neck above Falmouth, if the copies or a form are sent me in time. You may remember that when I had the pleasure of seeing you I expressed a wish that a coalition might take place between us and the Dissenters: it is still my most earnest wish, but I am now satisfied it is a vain one: and I think our Church has no chance of preserving any of its ancient and excellent forms of worship, but from the united zeal and efforts of her clergy I think it is this alone that can preserve her very existence. I am, &c.

The following is Dr. Buchanon's answer:

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"DAVID GRIFFITH."

"DEAR SIR-I received your letter, favoured by Mr. Fairfax, which reminded me of a conversation which passed between us respecting the low state of the Church whereof we are members, and in which you make inquiry whether any thing has been attempted by any of its clergy to raise it from its distressed situation, and inform me that reflections have been thrown out against them for their remissness and want of zeal in an affair of so much consequence. In order to remedy these evils, you propose a plan for convening the clergy in the month of April next, to the end

that some form of ecclesiastical government might be established, par ticularly a mode of ordination; and that an application might be made to the Assembly for redress of grievances and a legal support.

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"As I had nothing of consequence to write you by Mr. Fairfax, I desired him verbally to acquaint you that your brethren in this neighbourhood had done nothing to forward the re-establishment of our Church: indeed, they seemed to despair of any thing being done effectually without its originating in the Assembly. I showed them your letter: they approved highly of your zeal, but were by no means sanguine in the result of a convocation. It was agreed among us that we should meet on some day most convenient for Mr. Leigh, who lived the greatest distance from this city, to take into further consideration the subject of your letter. Thus matters stood until the 29th of December, when Mr. Selden received a letter from the above gentleman, a copy whereof is herein enclosed that you may have a full view of the argument he offers against your plan of a convocation. For my own part, before I was favoured with ideas I was firmly of opinion that the reformation should first take place in the Legislature; that, if they thought public religion essential not only to the good order but to the very existence of government, it behooved them to make a legal provision for its teachers, and to raise them from that state of indigence and dependence which, I will not scruple to say, they themselves were the cause of; otherwise they cannot reasonably expect that religion will flourish in a country where its ministers are reduced to a state of beggary and contempt. I remember, in a conversation at Wilton,† on this very subject, a Mr. Douglass, lately from England, expressed his surprise that the clergy of our Church had never presented a memorial to the House respecting the state of religion; in which he was joined by the Speaker of the Senate. I gave my opinion as above, and further added, that such an application would give the alarm to the Sectaries, who would, no doubt, throw every obstruction in the way, if not render totally abortive every measure we should adopt. The present Governor thought my argument had weight, and said that it was a reproach on Government that they had done nothing in support of religion. I am apt to think that some who are no well-wishers to our persuasion had got intelligence of our design; for, soon after Mr. Fairfax's appearance here, some scurrilous publications appeared in the papers concerning the importation of clergy at forty or fifty pounds a head, according to certain qualifications specified, and other stuff to that purpose. I am told that a petition was last session preferred to the House, representing the fatal decline of religion, and of consequence the great depravity of morals resulting from it, and praying that the House would take into their most serious consideration a subject of so much importance. Some were for putting it off to a more convenient season,' but Mr. Henry thought it of too much moment to be deferred to another session. Notwithstanding this, the matter was dropped, and when it will be resumed I know not. At the beginning of the session, you would think that most of the House, from their speeches without-doors, were for doing something effectual; but they no sooner get involved in secular matters, than the idea of religion is obliterated from their minds.

"You observe Mr. Leigh expresses a willingness to meet us at any appointed time, to put into execution the plan you propose, or, if we think

*The Rev. William Leigh, of Chesterfield.
A seat of the Randolphs, near Richmond.

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