_Of the State of the Church and Clergy of_ Virginia.
Though Provision is made, and proper Measures are taken to make
Allowances and Alterations in Matters of _Government_, _State_ and
_Trade_; yet in Matters of _Religion_, there has not been the Care and
Provision that might be wished and expected.
For the Country requires particular Alterations and Allowances in some
indifferent spiritual Concernments, as well as in temporal Affairs,
which might be done without deviating in the least from the Principles
and Practice of the _Establish'd Church of England_; and instead of
encouraging Dissentions, or Heresy, or Schism, or Irreligion, would be a
sure Means always to prevent them, were such small Alterations regularly
established in some Things indifferent, as might best agree with the
Conveniency and Nature of the Colony: for it is impossible for a
_Clergyman_ to perform this Duty according to the literal Direction of
the _Rubrick_; for were he too rigorous in these Respects by disobliging
and quarrelling with his Parish, he would do more Mischief in Religion,
than all his fine Preaching and exemplary Life could retrieve; A short
Narrative of which Case of the Church I transmitted Home to the _late
Bishop of London_, by Order and Appointment of a late _Convention_, in a
_Representation_ of some _Ecclesiastical Affairs_; but the Nature of
this may more fully appear by the following Account.
This, with all the other Plantations, is under the Care of the _Bishop
of London_, who supplies them with what Clergymen he can get from
_England_, _Scotland_, _Ireland_, and _France_. The late Bishop
appointed the Reverend Mr. _James Blair_ to be his Commissary, who is
likewise _President of the College_, and one of the _Council_. He by the
_Bishop_'s Order summoned the Clergy to _Conventions_, where he sate as
_Chairman_; but the Power of _Conventions_ is very little, as is that of
the _Commissary_ at present. _Visitations_ have been in vain attempted;
for the corrupt Abuses and Rigour of Ecclesiastical Courts have so
terrified the People, that they hate almost the very Name, and seem more
inclinable to be ruled by any other Method, rather than the present
spiritual Courts. Differences and great Disputes frequently arise
between the Governor and the People, concerning the Presentation,
Collation, Institution, and Induction to Livings; and it is scarce yet
decided distinctly who have the Right of giving Parishes to Ministers,
whether the Governors or the Vestries, though the best of _Council_ have
been applied to for their Opinion; for their Sentiments are not
obligatory.
The _Vestries_ consist of the Minister, and twelve of the most
substantial and intelligent Persons in each Parish. These at first were
elected by the Parish by Pole, and upon Vacancies are supplied by Vote
of the Vestry; out of them a new Church-Warden is annually chosen, under
(as it were) the Instruction of the old one chosen the Year before. By
the Vestry are all parochial Affairs managed, such as the Church, Poor,
and the Minister's Salary.
The _Clerk_ in Case of the Minister's Death or Absence has great
Business, and is a kind of _Curate_, performing frequently all the
Offices of the _Church_, except the two _Sacraments_ and _Matrimony_;
but 'tis Pity but his Practices were better regulated, and Sets of
Sermons also appointed for his Purpose; for in several Places the
_Clerks_ are so ingenious or malicious, that they contrive to be liked
as well or better than the Minister, which creates Ill-Will and
Disturbance, besides other Harm. In some Places they read the Lessons,
publish Banns, _&c._ when the Minister is present, for his Ease; which
first may not be improper in very hot Weather, or if the Minister be
sick or infirm, if the _Clerk_ can read tolerably well. Likewise might
they be allowed to bury when a Minister cannot possibly be had before
the _Corpse_ would corrupt in hot Weather; but little more should be
granted them, since some Places long accustomed to hear only their Clerk
read Prayers and Sermons at Church, have no right Notions of the Office,
Respect, and Dignity of a _Clergyman_. For registering Births and
Burials, there is a small Allowance which is generally given to the
Clerk, who takes that Trouble off the Minister's Hands. The Use of this
is to know the Number of Tythables, for laying of Levies, and for other
Occasions, and Lists of these Registers are delivered into the Hands of
proper Officers. The Parishes being of great Extent (some sixty Miles
long and upwards) many dead _Corpses_ cannot be conveyed to the Church
to be buried: So that it is customary to bury in Gardens or Orchards,
where whole Families lye interred together, in a Spot generally
handsomly enclosed, planted with Evergreens, and the Graves kept
decently: Hence likewise arises the Occasion of preaching _Funeral
Sermons_ in Houses, where at Funerals are assembled a great Congregation
of Neighbours and Friends; and if you insist upon having the Sermon and
Ceremony at Church, they'll say they will be without it, unless
performed after their usual Custom. In Houses also there is Occasion,
from Humour, Custom sometimes, from Necessity most frequently, to
_baptize_ Children and _church Women_, otherwise some would go without
it. In Houses also they most commonly _marry_, without Regard to the
Time of the Day or Season of the Year. Though the Churches be not
_consecrated_ by Bishops, yet might there be some solemn _Dedication_
prescribed for setting them apart for sacred Uses; which would make
People behave themselves with greater Reverence than they usually do,
and have a greater Value for the House of God and holy Things.
Their _Churches_ were formerly built of Timber, but now they build them
of Brick, very strong and handsome, and neatly adorned; and when any
Church is gone to Decay, or removed to a more convenient Place, they
enclose the old one with a Ditch.
Though Persons are admitted to the Lord's Supper there, that never were
confirmed by the _Bishop_, yet might there be certain Examinations as
preparatory Qualifications, which would lay the Sureties and Parents of
Children baptized, under a Necessity of taking Care of them, as to a
pious Education, and would make them be obliged to know more of their
Duty than they generally do.
For this End I have composed (as I before hinted) an _Accidence to
Christianity_, being a short Introduction to the Principles and
Practices of Christians, collected out of the _Church Catechism_, the
thirty nine _Articles_, _Hammond's Practical Catechism_, _Grotius of the
Truth of the Christian Religion_, and _the whole Duty of Man_.
Out of which may be extracted a brief _Examination for Communicants_
before their first Admittance; which may be done by the _Minister_, if
he had Orders and Directions for it. By this Means the People would
attain to better Notions of Religion (and many more would be
Communicants, who now abstain totally through Fear or Ignorance) were
the first true Principles timely instilled into them in a brief Method;
for any Thing tedious soon tires them, and will not obtain the desired
Effect. In several Respects the Clergy are obliged to omit or alter some
minute Parts of the _Liturgy_, and deviate from the strict _Discipline
and Ceremonies_ of the _Church_; to avoid giving Offence, through
Custom, or else to prevent Absurdities and Inconsistencies. Thus
_Surplices_, disused there for a long Time in most Churches, by bad
Examples, Carelesness and Indulgence, are now beginning to be brought in
Fashion, not without Difficulty; and in some Parishes where the People
have been used to receive the Communion in their Seats (a Custom
introduced for Opportunity for such as are inclined to _Presbytery_ to
receive the _Sacrament_ sitting) it is not an easy Matter to bring them
to the _Lord's Table_ decently upon their Knees.
The last Injunction in the Form of _Publick Baptism_ is most properly
omitted there, wherein the _Godfathers_ and _Godmothers_ are ordered to
take Care that the Child be brought to the _Bishop_ to be _confirmed_,
which for the most Part would prove impracticable.
It would be improper for the _Chaplain of the Honourable the Assembly_
and others, to use the Prayers for the High Court of Parliament
_verbatim_, for they cannot know whether the Parliament sits in
_England_ then; and their Intent is to pray for the _Assembly_ and the
King's Dominions; so that the Prayer must be altered in several
Respects.
'Tis Pity but the Prayer was altered, and allowed for the _Assembly,
Governor and Council_; of which we have an Instance in _Irish Common
Prayer Books_.
Every Minister is a kind of _Independent_ in his own Parish, in Respect
of some little particular Circumstances and Customs, to which they are
often occasionally obliged; but this Liberty without Restraint may prove
of bad Consequence hereafter; when the bad Tenets and Discipline of any
_heterodox_, _libertine_, or _fantastical_ Persons may plead
_Prescription_ for their Establishment, and be difficult to be
eradicated.
In most Parishes are _Schools_ (little Houses being built on Purpose)
where are taught _English_ and _Writing_; but to prevent the sowing the
Seeds of Dissention and Faction, it is to be wished that the _Masters_
or _Mistresses_ should be such as are approved or licensed by the
Minister, and Vestry of the Parish, or Justices of the County; the
Clerks of the Parishes being generally most proper for this Purpose; or
(in Case of their Incapacity or Refusal) such others as can best be
procured.
As for _baptizing Indians and Negroes_, several of the People disapprove
of it; because they say it often makes them proud, and not so good
Servants: But these, and such Objections, are easily refuted, if the
Persons be sensible, good, and understand _English_, and have been
taught (or are willing to learn) the _Principles of Christianity_, and
if they be kept to the Observance of it afterwards; for _Christianity_
encourages and orders them to become more humble and better Servants,
and not worse, than when they were _Heathens_.
But as for _baptizing wild Indians and new Negroes_, who have not the
least Knowledge nor Inclination to know and mind our Religion, Language
and Customs, but will obstinately persist in their own _barbarous Ways_;
I question whether Baptism of such (till they be a little weaned of
their savage Barbarity) be not a _Prostitution_ of a Thing so _sacred_.
But as for the _Children of Negroes_ and _Indians_, that are to live
among _Christians_, undoubtedly they ought all to be baptized; since it
is not out of the Power of their Masters to take Care that they have a
Christian Education, learn their Prayers and Catechism, and go to
Church, and not accustom themselves to lie, swear and steal, tho' such
(as the poorer Sort in _England_) be not taught to read and write; which
as yet has been found to be dangerous upon several political Accounts,
especially Self-Preservation.
In every Parish there is allotted for the Minister a convenient
_Dwelling-House and a Glebe_ of about two hundred and fifty Acres of
Land, with a small Stock of Cattle ready in some Places, as _James
Town_.
The Salary of the Minister is yearly 16000, and in some Parishes 20000
_l._ of Tobacco; out of which there is a Deduction for _Cask_,
_prizing_, _collecting_, &c. about which Allowance there are sometimes
Disputes, as are also Differences often about the Place, Time, and
Manner of delivering it; but all these Things might easily be regulated.
Tobacco is more commonly at 20 _s. per Cent._ than at 10; so that
certainly, (_communibus annis_) it will bring 12 _s._ 8 _d. a hundred_,
which will make 16000 (the least Salary) amount to 100 _l. per Ann._
which it must certainly clear, allowing for all petty Charges, out of
the Lowness of the Price stated, which is less than the _Medium_ between
ten and twenty Shillings; whereas it might be stated above the Medium,
since it is oftener at twenty than ten Shillings.
Besides the Glebe and Salary, there is 20 _s._ for every _Wedding_ by
_License_, and 5 _s._ for every Wedding by _Banns_, with 40 _s._ for a
_Funeral Sermon_, which most of the _middling People_ will have.
This one would think should be sufficient Encouragement for _Clergymen_
of good Lives and Learning (that are not better provided for elsewhere)
to go over and settle there; if they considered rightly the little
Danger and Fatigue they may expose themselves to, the great Good they
may do, and what Advantages they may reap with good Conduct and right
Management of their Fortunes and Conversations.
The Parishes are large, but then the Inhabitants are but thin; and there
are _Chapels of Ease_ in large Parishes, at which there is divine
Service in _Turns_ with the Churches; and frequently upon a _Vacancy_
some neighbouring Clergyman does the Duty of _another Parish_ besides
his own, on some _Week-Day_, for which he has the Salary, till it can be
better supplied.
Many Disputes and Differences arise between some of the Clergy and
People; but this generally proceeds from the uncertain and precarious
Footing of Livings, and some Disputes about the Nature and Manner of the
Payment of the established Salary; which though it may be esteemed
sufficient, yet is not so well regulated, as might be wished and
expected in such a _great Colony_ of so long a _standing_, and free from
the Molestation of Church Faction, and Dissenters.
Besides the Payment of the Salary, the _Surplice Fees_ want a better
Regulation in the Payment; for though the Allowance be sufficient, yet
Differences often and Ill-Will arise about these Fees, whether they are
to be paid in Money or Tobacco, and when; whereas by a small Alteration
and Addition of a few Laws in these and the like Respects, the Clergy
might live more happy, peaceable, and better beloved; and the People
would be more easy, and pay never the more Dues.
The Establishment is indeed Tobacco, but some Parts of the Country make
but mean and poor, so that Clergymen don't care to live in such
Parishes; but there the Payment might be made in Money, or in the
Produce of those Places, which might be equivalent to the Tobacco
Payments; better for the Minister, and as pleasing to the People.
Some Clergymen are indeed unskilful in, and others are not studious of,
reconciling their own Interest and Duty with the Humour and Advantage of
the People, especially at their first coming, when many Things seem very
odd to them; being different to what they have been heretofore
accustomed to.
These Things often occasion Uneasiness to the Ministers themselves, and
the People; but for the Generality they that have a Mind to do their
Duty, and live happily (with some Caution and Care) may live with as
much Satisfaction, Respect, Comfort, and Love, as most _Clergymen_ in
_England_.
'Tis to be hoped and wished, that as the _Government_ of _England_ have
of late taken it into their Consideration to encourage more Clergymen to
go over; so they may give Instructions and Directions for the Advantage
and Happiness of both the Clergy and Laity, by rectifying and settling
some Affairs belonging to the _Church of Virginia_; and providing such
Laws as are wanting or requisite to be altered in Respect of the Clergy;
a full and true Account of whom I have here given (as much as the Scope
of this Treatise would admit of) to the best of my Knowledge.
This I have committed to Paper, for the better Information of such as
may in any Respect be concerned in Affairs relating to _Virginia_,
especially its Government, Religion, and Trade: For without exact
Notions of the Temper, Lives, and Manners of the People, and the Nature
and Produce of the Country, none can frame a correct Judgment of what is
most proper to be added, altered, or continued, nor know what Steps are
to be taken for the Advancement of either the publick or private Good of
that Colony, in Respect either of Church, State, or Trade.
Another Inducement for my writing this, was for the Encouragement and
Intelligence of such good Clergymen and others, as are inclinable to go
and settle there; and for the Information of all that are desirous of
knowing how People live in other Countries, as well as their own;
together with an Intent to vindicate this Country from the unjust
Reflections which are vulgarly cast on it; and to wean the World from
the unworthy despicable Notions, which many entertain concerning his
_Majesty_'s Dominions in _North America_; where is Room and Imployment
enough for all that want Business or a Maintenance at Home, of all
Occupations; and where, if they be not their own Enemies, they might
live much better than ever they did in _England_; which blessed
Opportunity of favourable Providence may give great Comfort to any good
Folks that are in poor unfortunate Circumstances.