CS"^ % m? 'riJ tmH^.j- 5^/^ Bishop V/hite Prayer Book Society. Seventeenth Anniversary, Y/lth a sermon by Rev. R.S, Trapier, .M'^mv^'i^.: : ^imsii^f'-^mtrf w THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES SEVENTEENTH ANNIYERSARY SlISHOP WHITE PRAYER BOOK SOCIETY \ HELD IN ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, On Whitsun-Tuesday, May 21, 1850. A SERMON, BY EEV. E. S. TRAPIER. PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OF THE SOCIETY. PHILADELrniA: KINO & BAIRD, PRINTEKS, No. 9 SANSOM STREET. 1850. THE SEVENTEENTH ANNIYEESARY BISHOP WHITE PRAYER BOOK SOCIETY. HELD IN ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, On Whitsun-Tuesday, May 21, 1850. A SERMON, BY EEV. R. S. TEAPIER. PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OE THE SOCIETY. P H I L A D E L P n I A : KING & BAIRD, PRINTERS, No. 9 SANSOM STREET. 1850. t < i^6\^ PROCEEDINGS. /SV. Andrcw\ Church, Tuesdaij, May list, 1850. The Seventeenth Anniversary of the Bishop White Prayer Book Society, was held this evening at 8 o'clock. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Potter took the chair, when Evening Prayer was read by the Rev. Dr. Morton, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Bowman ; after which, a portion of the 99th Psalm was sung. The Recording Secretary then read the Annual Report of the C Board of Managers, (a copy of which will be annexed,) which, on motion, was referred to the Board, to be elected this evening, for 5 publication. So A Sermon was then preached by the Rev. Mr. Trapicr, Rector of ^ the Floating Church of the Redeemer in this port, from the words, '' Go up now, and look towards the sea,'' 1st Kings, 18th chap., part sf of the 43d verse. CM On motion of Horace Binney, Jr., Esq., a committee was then g appointed to nominate officers and managers for the ensuing year ; the chair appointed Rev. Dr. S. Stevens, and Messrs. J. S. Newbold and Jas. C. Booth. While the Committee were out, a collection was taken up, amount- ing to $59.50. The Committee reported the names of the following gentlemen, who, on motion, were duly elected officers and managers of the So- ciety for the present year, to wit : A PRESIDENT. Rt. Rev. ALONZO POTTER, D. D., Ex officio. VICE PRESIDENTS. Rev. W]^. SUDDARDS, WM. H. NEWBOLD, Esq.. " BENJMN. dorr, D. D., JOHN WELSH, Jr., Esq. -' H. W. DUCACHET, D. D., COKKESPONDING SECRETARY. S. A. ALLIBONE. RECORDING SECKBTARY. JAMES M. AERTSEN. TKEASUHKR WM. JIUSGRAVE. MANAGERS Rev. J. C. Clay, D. D., " H. J. Morton, I). D., " John Coleman, J). D., " Ricb'J. Newton, " Frcd'k. Oi^ilby, " J. II. Fowlcs, " M. A. D. W. Howe, D. " T. C. Yarnall, " W. B. Stevens, D. D., " Kingston Goddavd, " J. P. B. Wilmer, " Clias. D. Cooper, Mr. Samuel Wagner, " Wm. Welsh, " Jas. S. Newbold, " Thomas Latimer, " Geo. M. A\' harton, " Horace Binney, Jr. Mr. Edmund Wilcox, Prof. Henry Reed, Mr. Herman Cope, " Yj. Locke, Dr. Francis West, Mr. Jos. R. Massey, D ., " Chas. Wingate, " Henry F. R idney, " B. C. Busby, " Alfred Horner, " A. G. Coffin, " Wm. Martin " Tobias Wagnor, " John R. Wilmer, " George S. Scolield, " Edw'd. C. Riddle, " Harry Conrad. On motion of the Rev. Dr. Dorr, it was Resolved, that the Rev. Mr. Trapier be requested to furnish a copy of his sermon, and that the Board be instructed to publish it, or such portions of it as they may deem expedient, with the Annual Report. After the Benedic- tion by the Bishop, the Society adjourned. James M. Aertsen, Secretary/. REPORT. The Board of Managers of the Bishop White Prayer Book So- ciety, in presenting the Seventeenth Annual Report of their proceed- ings, have decided upon confining themselves to a detail of their business operations during the past year, confiding to the Preacher, upon this occasion, the privilege of presenting the claims of the Society to the hearts of its friends. They therefore present the fol- lowing. The regular distribution of Prayer Books, during the past year, has been as follows : To the Diocese of Pennsylvania 2201 Copies. Maryland 50 Tennessee 275 " Ohio 150 Delaware 180 Kentucky 500 " Virginia 170 " Illinois 125 Missouri 24 " New Jersey 310 " New York 80 do. for the Army . 150 " Indiana 50 " District of Columbia 25 " Wisconsin 150 " Iowa 25 " Texas 100 Among Seamen 570 " Total, 5135 Copies. At a meeting of the Board of Managers, previous to the last Anni- versary of the Society, on Monday in Whitsun-week of last year, it was " Resolved, that if the collection to be made at the ensuing Anniversary Meeting, shall be sufEciont to justify the expenditure, the Board will appropriate one thousand copies of the Prayer Book to each Bishop in the United States, for distribution in his Diocese." The collection upon that occasion, together with such sums as were subsequently received, specifically appropriated to that object, amount to about $650 ; a sum sufficient to purchase 2,500 copies. This number being, in the opinion of the Board, too small to dis- tribute among all the Bishops, to confer essential benefit upon any, they decided upon distributing them among ten of the Western and Southern Dioceses, such as were believed to be in the greatest need of them, and the least able to procure them. 250 copies each were therefore appropriated to the Missionary Bishops of the North- West and the South- West; and to the Bishops of Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi and Alabama — 2,500 copies; making the total distribution for the year 7,635. The Bishop of Kentucky was not included in this special distribu- tion, as he had recently received an appropriation of 500 copies from the Society. The distribution among Seamen, the increasing importance of which is daily pressing upon the minds of the Managers, has been small, compared with the demands made upon them, owing only to the inadequacy of their means ; of this distribution, 100 copies were given to the Missionary to Seamen in the Port of Boston ; 200 placed on board of United States' Ships of the Line; 40 to coasters and steamers ; and the remainder, through the agency of the Rev. Mr. Trapier, the Rector of the "Floating Church of the Redeemer" in this Port, whose intercourse with, and facilities for reaching this neglected class of men, are constantly widening. The Board would be most happy to be made the channel of supplying, more abundantly, his wants in this respect, through the liberality of such as are able and willing to furnish the sailor with this manual. The receipts of the Society during the past year have been as follows : From ordinary sources $1,496 15 Special contribution for distribution to the Bishops 554 84 Expenditures . $2,050 99 2,038 19 Balance in Treasury 22 25 Indebtedness for Prayer Books $353 00 Of the total amount of receipts, there has been received from collec- tions in Churches $1,428 74 Donations from Associations 295 00 do. do. Individuals 233 75 Sales of Prayer Books 93 50 From the following; sources ; Pennsylvania . . . , Vermont Massachusetts . . Connecticut New Hampshire. Rhode Island . . . New York New Jersey Michigan Delaware Maryland Dist. Columbia . . $1,408 88 17 06 3 00 37 00 10 00 25 00 25 00 10 00 10 00 11 50 83 00 5 00 $2,050 99 Amount brt. forwd. $1645 44 Virginia 95 75 North Carolina 10 00 South Carolina 50 00 Georgia 15 00 Ohio 13 00 Kentucky 52 00 Tennessee 7 00 Illinois 74 50 Missouri 20 00 Wisconsin 16 00 Arkansas 10 00 Texas 42 30 Amount forvrd. $1645 44 $2,050 99 Before closing this Report, the Board would beg leave, most respectfully, to call the attention of the Society and its friends, to the fact, that the number of Prayer Books distributed during the year ending May 1, 1849, was smaller than in any previous year, since the formation of the Society ; and that the distribution of the year now just closed, exclusive of the 2,500 copies furnished by the spe- cial collection of Whitsun-Monday, is the next smallest, with the exception of the years ending in May 1836 — 1838 — 1846 and 8 1848, in each of which they were a fraction below the present, while the distribution of 1838-9 was more than 100 per ct., and that of 1839-40 more than 50 per ct. above that of the present year. These facts the Board leave, without comment, fur the reflection of Churchmen. By Order of the Board, James ^l. Aertsen, Rec Secretary. Philadelphia, May 21, 1850. CIRCULAE, The Bishop White Prayer Book Society, though it bears the name of the first beloved Diocesan of Pennsylvania, is not a local or Diocesan Institution ; but, on the contrary, is the only general Prayer Book Society in the United States. Up to this time, however, its principal support has been derived from the churches of Pennsyl- vania, and particularly of Philadelphia : this State having furnished 85 per cent of its income, while it has received only 40 per cent of its appropriations. As then the Society has distributed its Prayer Books to every State and Diocese in the Union, and as it has also sent its precious manuals of prayer to California, the West Indies, the Sandwich Islands, the Indian Nation, the Army, the Navy, the Merchant Service, and to Hospitals, Prisons, and Aims-Houses, the Board of Managers feel that the time has come when they can with propriety appeal to all Church- men in every Diocese to do something in furtherance of the noble end proposed by this Institution ; for it cannot be, that our brethren abroad are willing, that either the pecuniary burden, or the moral honor, of sustaining the only general Prayer Book Society of the Church, should be borne by the Episcopalians of Philadelphia. They therefore aifec- tionately invite contributions from all the Parishes in our country; for if each would remit but $5 a year, it would enable the Society, (as it pays no clerk hire, rent, or agents,) to scatter abroad over 25,000 copies of the Prayer Book every year. Nor would even this number fully meet the demands made by our extended territory, and our world-wide commerce. The Board of Managers hope that when the members of our Church consider the value of the Book to be distributed, and the pressing urgency of the occasion, that they will feel, individually and collectively, called upon to contribute something to our exhausted treasury, and thus enable the Society to be in all the future, what it has been for 10 seventeen years past, a blessing to the Church and to the land in which wo dwell. Aware of the fact, that oftentimes persons are prevented from send- ing contributions to the Society because they arc small, the Board beg leave to urge that nothing may be withheld because it is small, for our Saviour has taught us to "gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost." WM. BACON STEVENS,") H. W. DUCACIIET, f- Committee. J. M. AEllTSEN, 3 The Board of Managers respectfully ask the Clergy to whom this may be sent, to adopt such measures as will bring the subject before their congregations in such manner as will most certainly secure their co-operation. The contribution of $50 at one time constitutes a Patron. The contribution of $25 at one time constitutes a Life Member. Contributions from Parishes or Individuals may be sent to Wm- Musgrave, Esq., Treasurer, No. 129 Market Street, Philadelphia. SERMON. Preached before the Bishop While Prayer Book Society, in St. Andrew's Church, Philadelphia, May 21st, 1850. Bv THE Ret. R. S. Tkapier. Rector of the Floating Church of the Redeemer; in the I'ort of Philadelphia. "GO UP NOW LOOK TOWARD THE SEA."— 1 Kings, xvni., v. 43. Duly to estimate the importance of the Prayer Book, as a mean of extending the knowledge and preserving the integrity of the ''faith once delivered to the Saints," we must follow it through all its wan- derings, and witness its silent but powerful effects upon all classes and conditions of ni'in. Its peculiar value consists in its adaptation to the necessities and circumstances of every human being. It is in this that we recognize it as the child of the Scriptures — the offspring of men whose minds, enriched by the treasures of Holy Writ, and whose hearts, warmed by the fires of a true faith, were enabled, through Divine guidance, to bequeath unto us this most valuable of all human compositions — this lucid, practical, thorough exponent of real Evan- gelism — this mirror of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is not my purpose, however, in the few remarks I shall make, to eulogize a book, which, even by those who have rejected its use, has been pronounced " the richest treasure, next to the Canonical Scriptures, in the Christian Church," (Jno. Calvin, vol. iii., p. 405)- It needs no commendation from its friends — it will forever withstand the assaults (I would not say of its enemies,) but of those who have yet not learned its value. " In its true and native lustre (says an emi- nent Divine) it is so lively and ravishing, that, like the purest beauty, it needs no supplement of art and dressing, but conquers by its own attractivcs, and wins the affections of all but those who do not see it clearly." (Dr. Comber.) Through the understanding it speaks directly to the heart, and kindles our love by its vital energy and sympathizing piety. Blessed with such a Liturgy, the Church needs but faith and zeal on the part of her children, to go forth, in all her beauty of 12 Holiness, " conquering and to conquer " — girded with her spiritual armor, and in the name of Him who purchased her with his own blood, and in the strength of His truth, she shall advance prosperously in the majesty of righteousness, until her name is known and praised among all generations. The Society, in whose behalf I address you, my brethren, is entrusted with the work of distributing our much loved and incalculably useful Prayer Book, and I painfully feel my inadequacy properly to urge its claims upon the favor and support of Churchmen. The very short notice given me, also precludes sufficient preparation ; and I must therefore limit myself within such points as are most familiar and level to my own knowledge and experience. With this view I have selected a topic, which the words of the text will at once suggest to your minds, the value of the Prayer Book to Seamen, and the consequent duty of aiding in its distribution among them as extensively as possible. To this I am prompted, not by any desire to exalt their claims — but because the subject is com- paratively a new branch of investigation ; and there present them- selves to the mind a few peculiar considerations, which tend to exhibit the Prayer Book in one of its most lovely and useful features. I design not to argue from a theory, but to state facts. To effect the conversion and salvation of man, we must spread the Word and the Church of God, and this end can only be attained ordinarily through the Bible and the Priesthood. Seamen, however? are necessarily cut off, almost entirely, from the ministrations of the Sanctuary and the outward means of grace. Four-fifths of their time, at least, they pass on the deep, and when in port, for want of suitable and sufficient provision, but few of them, comparatively, ever enter a House of Prayer. Their consequent spiritual destitution cannot be conceived by those who weekly and daily enjoy all the privileges of the Church. The results which ensue, not only to the Sailor himself, but to all who are dependent upon his toils, and all who are brought in contact with his influence and example, are necessarily fraught with evil. The millions of property wrecked and destroyed, and above all, the immortal souls that perish, by reason of the sailor's fallen and degraded, forsaken and abused condition, would almost exceed belief, if exact statistics could be had of these several matters. Now I will not enter into any disquisition to prove, that under God, the reclamation of this portion of the human family, and the removal of the thousand ills that they both suffer and cause, must be accom- 13 plislied by the Divine plan, instituted and ordained by our Lord him- self, legitimately carried out in all its details, as exactly as possible, and in full integrity. Every other scheme that has been, and every other scheme that shall be, devised, must be partial and imperfect, if not destined to end in failure and clisapj^ointment. Some particular evil may be remedied — some special vice corrected, but unless the axe be laid at the root of the whole tree, poisonous fruit will continue to grow. We must then give the sailor, so far as practicable, or pos- sible, the means of hnoxoledge and of grace, that he may be taught of God and made toise unto salvation; counteracting as much as in our power, the effects of his separation from his brethren, by extending to him Christian privileges, and bringing him thus into Communion with the Church. Let every seaman who leaves his home and coun- try — his Pastor and his Sunday-school — carry with him his Bible and his Prayer Booh, and wherever he may roam, however long be absent, in every clime, and under all the vicissitudes of his ever change, ful life, he will bear about him a link of that association, which binds in one the hearts and souls of men. His memory will thus be enabled to preserve, in ever vivid distinctness, the recollection of childhood's happy hours — of religious sentiments, early instilled by maternal fondness — of the morning and evening sacrifice of family prayer and praise, which, in days long past, he was wont to join in offering at the throne of Heavenly grace. In the familiar prayers and chants of the Liturgy, the absent are brought near ; he knows the hour at which all whom he has left behind are kneeling to wor- ship God; the words which waft their thoughts towards Heaven are household sounds ', and whether the rude blasts of the tempest are howling around, or the ocean sleeps in unrufiled quiet — whether in his cheerless berth or on his lonely watch — he can be present in spirit icith them, and mingle his incense with theirs, between whom and himself oceans roll their mighty waters. In short, it may be truly said that he thus realises, and with exquisite consciousness, that there is indeed a Communion of Saints here upon earth, bound together in one body, by a common faith, a lively hope, present joy and a certain though future, inheritance of perfected bliss. Such is the comfort, the blessed privilege, the inexpressible benefit which the Prayer Book affords to all seamen who have been reared in the Church, and who are accompanied by this spiritual friend, counsellor and guide, during a long and dreary exile from kindred 14 and country. Such is the testimony to the truth and efiScacy of our Liturgy, which the experience of multitudes at this very time can furnish. I but speak the feelings of my own heart; and next to hav- ing been taught the knowledge of God by the study of ray ]}ible, have I always been most thankful that I learned hoic to worship Him by my Prayer Book . And it may be safely said and abundantly proved, that there is no book of devotion so perfectly suited to the peculiar situa. tion and wants of the seaman, as this embodiment of the doctrines, precepts and piety of the Scriptures. The devotion excited in the heart by the word of truth, finds expression nlreacli/ given to its in- ward energies, by the soul-stirring, fervid eloquence of the Prayer Book; and he who has been trained up under its teachings in the nur- ture and admonition of the Lord, finds it an ever effectual instrument for the preservation and increase of faith and righteousness of life — while it keeps alive a sense of union with the Church, which separa- tion from outward ordinances, the sailor's special privation, would else necessarily destro}'. This is the testimony of all Churchmen, whose ot has been cast at sea. Their numbers, however, are comparatively *ew ; — and the use of the Prayer Book to sailors may be even more forcibly illustrated by considering the case of those, who have in youth wandered from home, and before the truths of religion had made any lodgment in the heart, or been productive of any visible effects- The boy goes forth into the world, mingles with the rude and profane inmates of the forecastle — he has neither Bible nor Prayer Book. Everything around him is calculated to crush and destroy the germs of early piety; he soon loses all remembrance of the truth and laws of God; and every trace, lineament and feature of what he icas when first he left his parents' roof, is blotted out, seemingly forever. In this state of moral ruin, by some kind act of Providence, he is brought within reach again of long- forgotten sounds. He enters a Church? the Liturgy is heard once more, the feelings of the prodigal are touched as he re-calls the scenes of home, — the joyous days of youth and hope, when he accompanied to the Sanctuary those, who now departed, ive only in memory and affection — "these are the words which I have often heard fall from the lips of my beloved parents, which theij taught me to rrpcat.'" Thus softened, melted perhaps to tears of true contrition, ho hearkens with an attention never paid before to the reading of the Scriptures. There is shed upon him an '' unction from the Holy One," Ere he leaves the House of God he receives a Bible, 15 a Prayer Book, and other spiritual guides — with a few words of counsel and exhortation. He departs. The next day finds him again a wandered on the deep j but a chord has been touched in his heart, which thrills through his inmost soul. He opens once more his long-closed Bible ; its precious truths sink deep into his heart — he draws near to his Heavenly Father — the Prayer Book is his ready companion — there he finds his feelings uttered in language, penned as though for himself, and consecrated by the tender recollection of by-gone days- He eagerly looks forward to his return, that he may unite himself with the Church, and be numbered with the servants of the Lord. The Bible won him to his Saviour, the Prayer Book led him to search his Bible; as an handmaid to the Scriptures, the Liturgy thus recalls and woos back to Christ many a wandering child ; and, humanly speak- ing, we may say that but for this mean of reaching the heart, through all its dearest and holiest affections and sympathies, multitudes would else continue strangers to the covenant of promise, who have been and shall be, through this agency, gathered within the fold of Christ. Nor is this a mere sketch of imagination. Such instances of the Prayer Book having been made, through the blessing of God, the instrument of a sailor's conversion, have come under my own knowl- edge, and during the short period of my present ministry. And furthermore, besides the value of our Liturgy to individuals, and the great benefits sure to ensue in this respect from its extensive circulation everywhere, it supplies (what in no other way can be sup- plied,) both an inducement to, and the suitable means of performing, public worship, wherever and whenever two or three are gathered together in the name of the Lord. Particularly is this the case on board of ships. A commander, his officers, or some one of the crew or passengers, however devoutly disposed and anxious to introduce public worship, if unprovided with a Prayer Book, would in almost every instance be deterred from undertaking the duty, by a con- sciousness of inability, and that sense of natural weakness which is common to all men. But with his Prayer Book, one is under no such restraint. He is furnished with all requisite appliances — and he can assemble the little congregation, with confident assurance that there lacks nothing to render acceptable their act of worship, but hearts in unison with their devout form of prayer. From many a distant cruiser, at this very hour, we may not doubt, that the Liturgy is being read with an earnestness of manner, a depth of faith, and a unity of feel- 16 ing, which perhaps •worshipers in tlic loftiest cathedral, or most gor- geous temple on the land, seldom exhibit. A few months ago, a ship lay in the roads bound to California. Many of the passengers had their Prayer Books with them, and the crew had also procured several before going on board. On Sunday morning the performance of service was proposed. The Prayer Book suggested the desire and supplied appropriate means. 'Tis cheering to follow that bark in her perilous voyage, and hear her inmates weekly, perhaps daily, renewing their supplications and praises^ beseeching the Eternal Lord God, who alone spreadeth out the heavens and ruleth the raging of the sea, to receive into His almighty and most gracious protection the persons of His servants and the ship in which they sail. Is it too much to suppose, that without their Prayer Books, those who led the way to this beginning, would never have performed these public religious rites ? From my own experience I am prepared to say, that the Prayer Book has in this way been the means of doing incalculable good in the national marine. In a large squadron, to which I was once attached, and which was without any cluqilain, public service was regularly performed, every Sunday, for years, by the officers of the several ships; and frequently when in port, our fellow-countrymen, resident abroad, would come on board to enjoy, as they said, " the privilege of being once more at Church." The good eiFect of these observances, was often seen in the case of individuals ; and the repu- tation left behind them, by some of the ships, was of the most grati- fying and salutary nature. There are now to be found in the Navy, many who date their present state of hopeful faith to the Sunday services of the ship in which they served : some re-called thus to the Church — others first won to her by these means. In particular^ I would state in proof the following facts : — A man-of-war num- bered among her officers one pious Churchman, — he took with him a supply of Prayer Books. On the first occasion of public service no one responded — no one seemed to sympathize. Under all these dis- couragements, and in spite of frequent jeers, be persisted. From opposition many soon passed to cheerful acquiescence 3 and at length, some of the chief scoffiirs were seen to join in the service, and tongues before wholly dumb to prayer or praise, were now heard in unison, to worship the Lord, confessing sin and beseeching mercy and for- giveness. Tico, I believe three of the officers of that ship, subse- 17 uently made public profession of religion. Can we too highly prize a book which has been productive, instrumentally, of even this one good effect ? Should we stay our hands in its distribution, while one ship, one sailor is unprovided with this companion, instructor and friend ? And need I say ougld to prove, that the Prayer Book is the only existing formulary of devotion which can be used generally, or effectively, in the performance of Divine worship at sea ? The best and a sufficient answer to such a question, is the fact, that chaplains not of our communion always use it on board ship — and that every officer, whatever may be his religious persuasion, finds that the Prayer Book is essential to conduct the public worship of his vessel. All who have been so situated, admit, either in opinion or in prac- tice, that, unprovided with this manual, there would seldom be any religious services at sea. While the sailor's preference of the Praye r Book, above all other forms of devotion, is notorious beyond dispute- Hence, in every aspect, its inestimable value to those who go down to the sea, and pass their lives away from the Sanctuary and its Holy worship. The inimitable forms of prayer which it contains, for every circumstance of the sailor's life, of course, add to its usefulness- Suffice it here to remark, that never has any one sought, without finding in the Prayer Book exactly the petition he desired to offer, and that in words better than any of his own devising; and the sailor, who has knelt within the very jaws of death, and in the lan- guage of the Prayer Book invoked the mercy of the Most High, feels, if no other does, that there is a power in its forms, and an adaptedness in its composition, altogether peculiar and irresistibly impressive. I cannot omit in this connection a remarkable instance in point, of what the Bible with the Prayer Book have done, and of course, under similar circumstances, may be expected again to do. A crew mutinied, seized the ship, and after having set their commander and seventeen others adrift on the ocean, in an open boat, landed, and finally settled on an uninhabited island in the Pacific. Here, after various disasters, much quarrelling and bloodshed, the mutineers were reduced to two, besides some Indian women, who had been brought in the ship from the Island of Otaheite. It was so ordered in the Providence of God, that among other articles brought on shore, there was a Bible and Prayer Book. These books comprised the whole religious library of the little colony. Time, and remorse for their wicked acts, subdued •7 18 the rugged hearts of the mutineers, and they began the good work of regular daily service, according to the Liturgy of the Church of Eng- land. Years rolled by, and these outcasts and their deeds of iniquity had passed into oblivion — a ship, by accident, touched at this solitary island. Great was the surprise, at hearing the young savages (as they thought them,) who came alongside, speaking the Saxon tongue ; but much enhanced was the amazement, when they "pronounced dis- tinctly, with emphasis, and in a posture of devotion, the usual words of grace before dinner." The following account is from an officer of the ship which visited this island. " They had a Bible and Prayer Book, which were found in the cabin of the vessel they bad seized, and they read the Church Service regularly every Sunday ; they now resolved to have morning and evening family prayers, and to instruct the children, who amounted to nineteen, in the Church Catechism. I attended their Church," the account further states, "and found the service well conducted. The greatest devotion was apparent in every individual, and in the children there was a seriousness, unknown in the younger part of our communities at home. Thus were instilled into the minds of these people the true principles of religion and morality. The celebration of Marriage and Baptism were strictly observed, according to the rites of the Church — but the patriarch of the colony never ventured on Confirmation and the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. He taught the children the Church Catechism, the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer and the Creed, and he satis- fied himself, that in these were comprised all the Christian duties. By the instrumentality of these precepts, drawn from the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer, he was enabled to rear up all the chil- dren in the principles, precepts and doctrines of Christianity, in purity of morals, and simplicity of manners, that have surprised and de- lighted every stranger that has visited the island." Thus did there spring up from this seed, sown in such a seemingly ungenial soil, a goodly and beautiful tree ; nor need we wonder at this, for here was the v:o7xl of God, which is the life of man, expounded by the Church of God, which is the ground and pillar of the truth, meekly and faithfully received, and steadfastly obeyed. May we not learn a useful lesson hereby ; and through the power of the same Holy Spirit, who wrought this work of grace, not only use more diligently and prayerfully the means wherewith we are blessed, but be stimu lated to the generous, benevolent circulation of books, which we know to be effective agents of knowledge and sauctification ? 19 Tn conclusion, my Brethren, let me add tlie hope, that these few facts, hastily thrown together, liuve sufficiently illustrated the value of the Prayer Book as an adjunct to the Scriptures. There are, of course, many points of interest and illustration which I have not touched. In leading your thoughts toward the sea, T would by no means draw them away from the land. The whole world is our field, both of vision and of labor. Would that the Church could be fully aroused to her duties in all their branches ! Once restore to its strength our weakened faith, renew our dying zeal, stimulate to per- severance and give unity to our action, and He who has called us to the battle, will assuredly be with us and grant us the victory. Let us then, at least, do what we can to disperse over land and water the Bible and the Prayer Book. The first, as the sun, is the centre and focus of Heavenly light; the second, as the moon, but reflects the radiance from above. Let them go forth together, as witnesses to the truth " as it is in Jesus," and we shall surely cause many a darkened spot to shine as the day — many a wilderness and solitary place to be glad — many a desert isle to rejoice and blossom as the rose. God will sustain and spread His Church, if we will only do our duty, and with prayer and in faith employ the agencies with which He has blessed us ; not only that we ourselves may rejoice and be glad, but that His ways may be made known unto all men. His saving health unto all nations. The kingdom of sin, satan and death, shall then be broken down, and all the dispersed sheep, now wander- ing in the wilds of ignorance and error, be gathered into one fold, and be made partakers of everlasting life. For Zion's sake then let us not hold our peace — for Jerusalem's sake let us not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth ; until Imperial Salem shall lift her towering head, and all kindreds of the earth shall dwell within her sacred walls. 20 Dr. The Bishop White Prayer Book Society 1849. June 8 July 16 To cash paid King & Baird for books in full to April 30, To cash paid King & Baird for printing annual re- port and circulars, $142 27 Expense of mailing and postage on do., 69 28 Amount carried forward, Bolls. 273 211 98 21 in Account loith William 3Iusgrave, Treasurer. 1849. May 11 ^ 12 28 29 June 1 5 15 16 18 July 5 By balance of cash on hand Christ ch. Philada., Collection at annual meeting, Christ ch. Upper Morion, Donation per W. F. G., do. from a lady of St. James' ch, St. John's ch. New London X lloads, W. G., Reading, Pa., A Now Jersey Churchman, Radnor ch., for books sold, All Saints' ch. Paradise, St. Luke's ch. Germantown, Whitsunday collection at Radnor ch., C. I. of St. Luke's ch., J. Fisher Learning, Esq., Life subscription, St. Stephen's ch. Ilarrisburg, Donations per Jas. M. Aertsen Esq., Christ ch. Springfield, Ohio, St. Thomas' ch. Whitemarsh, Whitsunday collection at St. Stephen's ch. Wilkesbarre, St. John's ch. Knoxville, Ten., for books sold, J. C Whitsunday collection at St. John's ch. Belle- fonte, Ladies of St. Luke's ch,, Calvary ch. Rockdale, St. Matthew's ch. Wheeling, Va., Donation from Brooklyn, N. Y., do. Ilolmesburg, Pa., Society of Ch. of the Atonement, Life subscription for Rev. K. Goddard, 25 do. do. E. C. Biddle, 25 Missionary Association of St. Andrew's ch., . . . Donation from Messrs. C. Megarge and E. R. Cope, do. the Misses Lardners, M. & A. Schuylkill Haven, St. John's ch. Northern Liberties, Mr. Z. Locke, St. Mark's ch. Lewistown, Christ ch. Leacock, St. John's ch. Pequea, Rt. Rev. Bishop Smith, Louisville, Ky., Picv. C. Bobbins, Springfield, Ohio, Collections through Mr. Carpenter AVharton, 60 less commissions, 6 Christ ch. Pottstown, Col. J. J. Ward, Waccamaw, S. C, , Zion ch. Little Rock, L. I., Amount carried forward, $1166 Dolls. 9 143 442 4 5 2 3 2 1 6 20 7 30 25 10 2 5 7 9 7 10 7 10 10 50 5 5 50 50 25 5 3 19 4 5 2 5 50 1 C. 45 09 09 50 07 50 50 50 87 05 50 47 50 06 06 22 Dr. The Bishop White Prayer Booh Society 1849. Aug. 13 To amount brought forward, cash paid King & Baird in full for books to Aug. 1, Amount carried forward, . Dolls. 484 359 $844 03 23 in Account with William Musgrave, Treasurer. Cr. 1849. July IG Aug. 6 8 10 13 15 17 18 28 Sept. 4 12 20 22 24 25 28 1 Oct. By amount brouo;lit forward, Trinity ch. Pittsburg, Mr. Jos. Blount, Cheshire, N. J., Ladies Association, Christ ch. Macon, Geo Rev. IMr. Johnson, Talboton, Geo., St. Paul's ch. Greenville, Oo., Mrs. E. D. Fisher, Ilolmesburg, Pa., St. James' ch. Schuylkill Haven, Trinity ch. Easton, Pa., do. Portsmouth, Va., do. Wilmington, Del., St. Thomas' ch. Newark, Del., Christ ch. Hudson, Oo., Trinity ch. Jacksonville, 111., St. Sylvanas' Parish, Xashotah St. James' ch. Chicago, 111 Parishes of Lincolnton and Morgantown, N. C, Jubilee College, 111., Rev. S. Y. McMasters, Alton, 111., Rev. Mr. Barlow, Chicago, Life subscription, .. Trinity ch. Princeton, N. J., Mrs. E. D. Fisher, Ilolmesburg, for books sold, St. Paul's ch. Nantucket, Rev. A. J. Warner, Grand Detour, 111 St. Mark's, ch. Frankford, St. John's ch. Waterbury, Conn., All Hallows Parish, Md., Christ ch. Waverly, 111., St. Paul's ch. Springfield, 111., St. James' ch. Marietta, Geo., Dr. F. Homer, Warrenton, Va., for books sold, St. John's ch. Bait. Co., Md., Christ ch. Harford, Md., Centurion ch. Old Point, Va., Rev. Henry Sansom, St. Aug., Texas, Life Sub., St. Peter's ch. Butler, Pa., Christ ch. Tashna, Conn., St. Mark's ch. Lewistown, Pa., do. Washington Co., Md., Home Missionary Soc'y of St. James' ch., All Saints' Sunday School, Fort Smith, Ark's., St. Paul's ch. Bloomsburg, Trinity ch. Washington, D. C, Christ ch. St. Louis, do. Pomfret, Conn., Samuel Cos, Esq George Blight, Esq., St. Paul's ch. Baltimore, do. Fayetteville, Ark's, Christ ch. Danville, JMission at Spring Grove, N. J.,. Amount carried forward, Dolls. 1160 51 5 5 5 2 1 3 7 10 5 6 10 10 5 5 5 25 7 50 50 50 12 25 30 7 3 9 5 6 7 6 13 25 4 5 5 2 20 5 5 5 20 2 5 5 60 5 ^1 1 50 20 $1634 48 46003 J^ 24 Dr. The Bish/p White Prayer Booh Society 1849. Nov. 21 Dec. 20 1850. Jan. 28 Feb'yll ^20 Mar. 9 April 20 To amount brought forward cash paid King & Baird in full fur books to Oct. 31 To cash paid Commissions on subs, obtained Do. King & Baird in full for books Do. do. on account of do., Do. do. for bills of Jan. 23,... Do. for music at the Anniversary Meeting, Do. King & Baird on account of books, . . . " counterfeit note, discount on uncurrent money, and postage, Balance, Dolls. 844 238 26 571 200 63 10 75 10 22 44 in Account with William Musr/rave, Treasurer. Or. 1849. Oct. 13 ]G 2U 22 23 31 Nov. 2 26 Dec. 1 12 20 21 1850. Jan. 23 28 Feb. 8 Mar. 7 21 25 April 8 15 May 3 By amount brought forward, Rev. 13. Batclielor, Blairsville, fur books sold, . . a lady of St. Andrew's cli., Sunday School of C'li. of the Evangelists H. G. Seymour, Accomac, Va., Male Soc'y of Grace ch. for the promotion of Christianity, Rev. John O'Brian, Chaplain U. S.*A. Mackinac, Sunday School of St. Luke's cli. for books sold, St. Mark's cli. Northumberland St. Paul's ch. Burlington, Vt., Rev. F. B. Nash, Coal Mouth, Va., Mr. Frazer, for books sold St. Peter's ch., Rev. J. L. Hanson, Indianapolis, for books sold, I\Irs. E. L. Fisher, Ilolniesburg, for books sold, OtFerings of St. Parish, Wisconsin, Church of the Epiphany, Grace ch. Providence, R. I., St. Paul's ch. Concord, N. H., Church of the Messi.ah, Port Richmond, Collections through Mi-. Carpenter Wharton,. . St. Mary's ch. West Phila , Calvary ch. Rockdale, Mrs. Moss, Christ ch. Houston, Texas, Sunday School of Ch. of the Redemption, Member of St. Stephen's ch., Ch. of the jMediator, N. Y., for books sold, Miss Kempton, Mount Holly, for books sold,. . Christ ch. Green Bay, Wis., Ascension ch. Frankfort, Ky., Rev. Geo. P. Giddings, Quincy, 111., Gloria Dei ch. Southwark, Balance due the Society, Dolls. C. 1634 48 5 2 50 5 6 50 50 10 21 50 3 25 17 06 5 10 80 5 3 2 25 25 10 10 21 14 85 5 1 17 30 5 10 20 2 4 10 18 $2000 44 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. Forui L9-25/;t-9,'47(A5618)444 THE UBRARY B54s prayer 3ook T'he s'=^v^^n.teeii"bh a:r».n') - v0r3ary..of_the^Bishoj3^ ihits Prayep Book — - • _j . — 5945 E54s AA 000 977 691 5