organist promptly followed and Mr. James H. Swindell, a former occupant of the position, was appointed in his place at a salary of three hundred dollars. The Rector was authorized and requested to procure for the use of the choir twelve copies of Dyer's anthems, twelve of Dyer's psalm and hymn books, and twelve blank-books to write in music." These books were supplemented or supplanted four years later by "as many books of psalmody prepared by Doctors Wainwright and Muhlenberg as may be required for the choir in the organ gallery." In April, 1826, the organist went to England and his duties were discharged by "supplies supplies" until October, when the Vestry took measures to supply the vacant place. A new parish clerk was also appointed to conduct the singingschool, etc., with a view to the improvement of the music in the Church." Again in October, 1829, a committee was appointed "with power to take measures to improve the music of the Church," which made the following report:

That they have engaged John Smith to take a part in the choir at the rate of twenty-five dollars per annum during his continuance to sing there with the consent of the Vestry. After endeavoring in vain to establish a school in the vestry-room for instruction in sacred music under the superintendence of the present clerk, the committee found it necessary to employ some person better qualified to act as instructor; they accordingly made an engagement with Mr. E. W. Morse, under whose superintendence a school has been opened, and they have the satisfaction of being enabled to state that it is well attended and promises advantageous results far surpassing their previous expectations. The committee be

lieve that nothing is wanting to sustain this part of divine worship in the Church, but a clerk and organist with the requisite qualifications, which, they feel constrained to add, the present incumbents in their opinion do not possess; which opinion is strengthened by the dissatisfaction which many of the congregation have expressed in reference to both, though more particularly as to the clerk, as well as by their own observation for a long time past. They feel persuaded that the want of a competent clerk and organist form at the present time the principal impediments to obtaining a good and sufficient choir from the congregation, and therefore recommend the adoption of the following resolution: Resolved, That a committee be appointed with power to engage a suitable clerk and organist with the approbation and consent of the Rector to succeed the present incumbents when their terms of service expire or as soon as the places of either may become vacated.

This resolution having been adopted, the committee, February 11, 1830, further reported

that they had engaged Mr. William Yucho as organist at a salary of three hundred dollars per annum to commence at Easter, for which he had engaged in addition to the ordinary duties, to assist in practising for the instruction of the choir two evenings in each week if required. They further reported that Mr. E. W. Morse had made application for the

position as parish clerk and had expressed his willingness to perform all the duties appertaining to the station and also to instruct a choir & teach a singing-school.' The application was approved and Mr. Morse engaged at a salary of four hundred dollars per annum beginning with Easter, 1830.

The Rev. Mr. Mason, however, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Cedar Street, called upon Doctor Milnor and stated that the course pursued by Mr. Morse, in offering himself as a candidate for the office of parish clerk, had been the result of misunderstanding and mistake and that his congregation were very desirous that Mr. Morse should be released from his contract with St. George's and permitted to remain with them. The Rector communicated this statement to the Vestry, who, after considerable discussion, decided that as the offer to become their parish clerk was made to them by Mr. Morse without solicitation, and no intimation having been received from him of a wish on his part to have the agreement canceled, it would not be expedient or justifiable in them to comply with Mr. Mason's suggestion. The congregation in Cedar Street, however, were not satisfied to have Mr. Morse employed in St. George's, and the Vestry finally consented to release him from his duties as parish clerk in about two months. The next incumbent of the office was William A. Jones, who proposed "to perform the duties of parish clerk and chorister, teach the singing-school six months in the year, and attend to such other duties as may be deemed requisite for the improvement of the choir." He was engaged at a salary of three hundred dollars per annum. Mr. Jones, however, was on duty only for a short period, for it was resolved, March 10, 1831, "that in view of the aid now rendered by members of the congregation in sustaining the sacred music of the Church, it is expedient on and after the first day of May next to make the experiment of doing without a clerk." This experiment appears to have worked satisfactorily for about three years, for no ap pointment of a parish clerk was made until April 18, 1834, when Solomon Warriner accepted the position at two hundred dollars per year and began an extended term of honorable service. The organist appointed in the following year, May, 1835, as successor to Mr. Yucho was William Henry Milnor, M.D., the Rector's son, at three hundred dollars per year, whose services proved most acceptable, and peace reigned in musical affairs for nearly seven years. wisdom, however, of securing "a competent musical instructor who shall teach sacred music to such of the congregation as choose to attend" having commended itself to the Vestry, the music committee reported, January 13, 1842, "that they had engaged the

The

services of Mr. Hastings as instructor one evening each week, for the term of three months, for the sum of one hundred dollars "; and it may be hoped that the results justified the expenditure of what for those times, for thirteen instructions, was rather high compensation.

CHAPTER V

THE MILNOR PERIOD

(1830-1836)

THE mission of Doctor Milnor to England as a representative of the American Bible Society and other religious organizations was a signal and productive experience in his honorable career.

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The

May Anniversaries" in London were the occasion of the annual assembling of enthusiastic thousands of the supporters of the British and Foreign Bible Society, the Church Missionary Society, and other beneficent organizations, and the idea long entertained of sending Doctor Milnor to attend these anniversaries as the representative of kindred societies seemed now possible of realization.

At a special meeting of the Vestry, February 20, 1830, "the Rector stated that since his application, several years ago, for leave of absence for the purpose of visiting England, when the Vestry were kind enough to grant permission for that purpose, although circumstances prevented his availing himself of it, he has been frequently and much importuned by his religious friends to fulfil what was then expected of him on behalf of the American Bible Society and other institutions of our country, with which he has been long officially connected; that at this time, in consequence of renewed applications of the same nature, urged upon his attention by many powerful considerations, his mind has become impressed with the persuasion of its being his duty, if practicable, to attend the ensuing anniversary of the British and Foreign Bible Society, the Church Missionary, the Prayer-Book and Homily, the Tract, and other religious societies in London, in the month of May next; and while in England to avail himself of whatever means may be presented for furthering the interests of institutions of a similar kind in the United States; and that, adding to these views a humble hope, with the help of God's grace, of improving by the same means his own mind, and increasing his own zeal in the discharge of his duties to his beloved congregation on his return, he was induced to solicit of the Vestry leave of absence for the space of about six months.”

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The Vestry thereupon unanimously

Resolved, That although the Vestry cannot, without deep concern, look forward to so long a separation between their pastor and his congregation, to whom he is so faithful, and by whom he is so much respected and beloved, yet-convinced that the proposed mission, by leading to a more friendly and intimate intercourse between the eminent and useful associations in this and our parent country, which have for their object the extension of religious knowledge, and by collecting much useful information as to the state of religion abroad, and the means of propagating the knowledge and influence of the Gospel, as well as in various other ways, may promote the interests and advancement of the institutions formed here for such purposes, and of the common cause of our holy religionthis Vestry approves of the design, and consents to the absence of the Rector for the requisite time; expressing their satisfaction at being thus permitted, in their endeavors to promote such interesting objects, to contribute, as they trust, to his personal gratification, by adding to the means of extending his own usefulness. And they affectionately commend him to the care of the great Head of the Church, and pray that he may enjoy a speedy and pleasant voyage, and a safe return.

At the Vestry's request that the Rector recommend a suitable person to conduct the services of the Church and discharge other parochial duties during his absence he proposed the name of Matthew H. Henderson, a student in the General Theological Seminary, who was expecting to be shortly ordained. The nomination was approved by the Vestry and five hundred dollars allowed in compensation for his services.

As illustrating the spirit in which Doctor Milnor undertook this mission to England, the following letter of the same date as the Vestry meeting just referred to addressed to the Rev. John S. Stone will be of interest:

NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 1830.

REV. AND DEAR BROTHER-You will be surprised to learn, that I shall not have the pleasure of seeing you as you pass through New York, and still more so when you know the cause. I have yielded to the importunity of my friends, and with the unanimous consent of my Vestry, have agreed to sail for England on the 16th of the ensuing month. Perhaps it might, by some, be considered affectation in me to say, that I have acceded to this measure with reluctance, and that nothing but a sense of duty would have led me to consent to so long an absence from my family and flock. But I am sure you will believe me when I say, that with advanced age, much of the curiosity that would have made such a proposal delightful in my earlier years, has subsided, and that, besides other feelings of repugnance to crossing the ocean, a conviction of my incompetency for many duties which will probably be consequent on my arrival in England, has oppressively increased it. I shall, if God permit, attend the principal anniversaries in London, and perhaps may be called to take some part in their proceedings; and much as I have spoken in public in my own land,