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of the day were unhappily drawn. He published a pamphlet entitled "A Solemn Appeal to the Church, being a plain statement of Facts in the Matters pending between Doctor H. with others and the Author." The publication of this pamphlet in May, 1811, while it failed to defeat the election of Doctor Hobart to the Bishopric, did incalculable harm to the Church through the heated strife which it precipitated. Pamphlet after pamphlet followed one another in quick succession until over twenty "Statements, Remarks," 'Addresses," etc., had been contributed to the bibliography of the subject. That "Mr. Jones was a man of blameless repute" and that "up to the breaking out of the unfortunate controversy he had been held in high regard by the Corporation and in loving esteem by the people to whom he ministered" is the testimony which the late Rector of Trinity has recorded of him in his History of the Parish. He further says: "There can be no doubt of Mr. Jones's sincerity; the impress of candor is on his production; but his judgment was at fault, and after all is said and done the main point brought out is this, that men of very different temperaments were most unfortunately yoked together. Doctor Hobart was brusque, irritable, and inclined to domineer; Mr. Jones, on the other hand, was morbid and apt to magnify and brood over differences until, unable to subdue his feelings, he finally rushed into print with his Solemn Appeal.'"'

The Vestry of Trinity treated the matter dispassionately and fairly. They deprecated the controversy between its assistant ministers and deplored the reproach thereby brought upon the cause of religion. The congregation of St. Paul's Chapel, in which Mr. Jones had chiefly exercised his ministry, stood loyally by him, and the Vestry was ready to permit that Chapel to become an independent church, "that the people might elect the Rev. Mr. Jones as its Rector." Some months, however, after the consecration of Bishop Hobart, the proposal for the separation of the Chapels remaining still unanswered, a committee of the Vestry reported, September 5, 1811, as follows: "In respect to the disorderly state of Trinity Church and its Chapels, proceeding from the misbehaviour of the Rev. Mr. Jones and which became the subject of the early animadversion of the Vestry, the committee are constrained to declare that in their opinion the peace of the Church cannot be reestablished so long as the connection between the Vestry and the Rev. Mr. Jones remains undissolved." The whole matter was finally submitted to arbitration, but it was not until October 30, 1813, that the final judgment was rendered by the arbitrators and a large sum

of money awarded to Mr. Jones in full settlement of all his claims against the Corporation. To prevent the recurrence of a similar refusal, on the part of any assistant minister of Trinity parish to retire when the Vestry should deem his usefulness at an end, a special resolution was adopted which still remains in force: "That the assistant ministers employed by this Corporation (other than the assistant rector) are considered as holding their offices during the pleasure of the Vestry."

NOTE. The font referred to on page 24 was a European product, finely sculptured, originally destined for a South American cathedral, but which had found its way to New York on board a naval prize. A fine bell costing £88 38 2d was hung in the belfry.

CHAPTER III

ORGANIZATION AND KEWLEY RECTORSHIP

(1811-1816)

THE following resolution adopted by the Vestry of Trinity Church, June 13, 1811, introduces us to a consideration of the steps by which St. George's Chapel became an independent corporation:

Resolved, That from the circumstances and situation of the Congregations associated with Trinity Church it has become expedient that the Connection between Trinity Church and St. George's and St. Paul's Chapels be dissolved, and that the said chapels be endowed and established as Separate Churches in like manner as Grace Church has been established.

It was further resolved "that the foregoing resolution be referred to a committee to devise and report a plan for carrying into effect the objects therein referred to " and Messrs. King, Harison, Clarkson, Leroy and Raymond were elected by ballot to constitute the committee; and on July 11th the Vestry specifically "authorized this committee to confer with the committees of the pew-holders of these chapels on the subject of the said resolution." Meanwhile committees had been designated by the people of both chapels and the subject duly and jointly considered. On the fifth of September the committee of the Vestry reported as follows:

The committee to whom was referred the resolution of the Vestry, concerning the separation of St. George's and St. Paul's Chapels, respectfully report that they have conferred with the committees appointed for this purpose by the congregations of St. George's and St. Paul's. In the course of this conference, they have stated and explained the reasons which have influenced the Vestry to propose a separation, and have moreover answered, in their best discretion, such queries as have been made by these committees respecting the endowment of the said chapels and concerning those matters about which information was desired. Hitherto the committee have received no definite communication from the committees of the two chapels. Further conferences may be deemed requisite, and some time may yet be necessary to enable these congregations to form a satisfactory determina

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tion. Whenever this shall be done, no time will be lost in laying the same before the Vestry.

On the 4th of November the committee submitted for the consideration of the Vestry a report embodying three papers, which in view of their importance here follow in full. The first was a series of questions proposed by the committee of St. George's Chapel, the second contains the answers which, subject to the approval of the Vestry, had been made by the committee of Trinity, and the third is a certificate of the congregation of St. George's approving the terms of separation expressed in the foregoing papers.

ST. GEORGE'S QUESTIONS

We the subscribers appointed a committee by the congregation of St. George's Chapel to confer with the Vestry of Trinity Church on the subject of a separate Establishment of said Chapel, knowing the extreme solicitude of said congregation to be minutely and correctly informed of every circumstance relative to their separate standing in the event of a separation taking place from Trinity Church, do, in behalf of themselves and the congregation they represent, on this occasion request written replies to the following questions:

First. Will the Corporation of Trinity Church endow St. George's Chapel with property in lands out on leases at low rents that will produce a present revenue of three thousand dollars?

Second. To what amount will the above endowment be increased, provided a grant can be obtained from the Legislature of the State for extending the funds of the Corporation of said Chapel; and until said grant can be obtained, will the Corporation of Trinity Church agree to pay to the order of the Vestry of St. George's Chapel such additional sums as may be wanted to support their Establishment?

Third. Are the congregation of St. George's Chapel to look upon themselves as a branch of the family of Trinity Church, and in case their funds should be found inadequate to defraying the yearly expenses, keeping the Church in repair, etc., or to repair or rebuild their property if injured or destroyed by fire, will the Vestry of Trinity Church continue to view said Chapel as the eldest child of the family entitled to every needful assistance, or is the present proposed separation to be considered as precluding them from every future aid or assistance from the mother Church? Fourth. Will the Vestry of St. George's Chapel in the event of a separation taking place, be entitled to frequent and unqualified conferences with the Vestry of Trinity Church in all things relative to their mutual interests and support?

Fifth. Are the Vestry or congregation of St. George's Chapel to be perfectly free to call such minister or ministers as they please without any control from the Corporation of Trinity Church?

Sixth.-Will the Corporation of Trinity Church enlarge the yard of said Chapel by purchasing some ground adjoining thereto; erect a public vault or vaults therein, build a vestry-room, and provide a permanent and suitable dwelling-house for the Rector?

Seventh.-Will they enclose said yard when enlarged with a suitable wall and fence similar to that of St. Paul's?

Eighth. Is there any discrimination contemplated respecting the interment of the dead who are members of the Episcopal Church in the burialgrounds of each Church, or are they to remain as heretofore open to all? Ninth.-Is the amount of pew rents in St. George's Chapel to be inluded in the sum set off for its maintenance and considered as a part of the revenues of said Chapel?

Tenth. Is the present free school to be considered as exclusively belonging to Trinity Church, or are the Churches that may be separated therefrom to have equal rights therein, and are annual collections to be made in them for its support; and in case it should be necessary to have a free school of our own, will Trinity Church afford us suitable assistance for that purpose?

Eleventh. In case the Vestry of St. George's Chapel should think it necessary and proper to have an assistant minister to their Rector, will the Vestry of Trinity Church give them such aid as may be necessary to enable them to support him?

JNO. WHITTEN.
JOHN GREENE.

HARRY PETERS.
ISAAC LAWRENCE.

ROBT. WARDELL.

TRINITY'S ANSWERS

To the first and second questions.-The endowment shall be in lands sufficient to yield a permanent annual revenue of three thousand dollars. In case the present rents fall short of this sum, Trinity Church will annually make up the deficiency; and whenever St. George's Chapel shall by law be enabled to receive the same the permanent endowment shall be increased to four thousand dollars; in the mean time, if the income of St. George's shall be insufficient to defray their annual expenses, the deficiency, not exceeding one thousand dollars a year, shall be supplied by Trinity Church. Third question.-Trinity Church will cherish the recollection of their union with St. George's and will be always disposed, according to their abilities. to assist St. George's in their necessities.

Fourth question. In every matter affecting their mutual harmony and prosperity, Trinity Church will freely and sincerely confer with St. George's, it being their opinion that these conferences should be conducted by committees of the respective Vestries.

Fifth question.-St. George's will choose their own minister without any interference or control on the part of Trinity Church.

Sixth and seventh questions.-Trinity Church will build or purchase for St. George's a parsonage house, and until this can be conveniently done they will hire a house for the minister. As soon as their funds will permit they will likewise erect a vestry-room, enlarge the churchyard, and enclose the same. They do not approve the making of publick vaults.

Eighth question. The dead to be buried as heretofore and without discrimination between the churches.

Ninth question. The endowment to be exclusive of pew rents, which will be regulated and applied by St. George's.

Tenth question. The present Charity School is founded for the common