I may be able to help with your request, but you need to tell me more
about the material you uncovered. You say you "ran across a quote in the
archives of the Library of Virginia." Tell me what kind of document it
is: personal papers? church records? and, most important of all-what is
the date of the document? I just need some context. Also recommend that
you read
John C. Van Horne, ed. _Religious Philanthropy and Colonial Slavery: The
American Correspondence of the Associates of Dr. Bray, 1717--1777_. U.
of Illinois Press: Urbana, 1985.
The introductory essay tells you a great deal about the Bray Associates,
the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (SPG), etc.
I'm pretty sure the document you found will turn out to be connected
with a Church of England clergyman in Virginia and the SPG.
Linda Rowe
Department of Historical Research
Colonial Williamsburg
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Megan Stubbendeck
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 2:47 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [VA-HIST] Colonial Religion
I am a graduate student from the University of Virginia doing work on
colonial
Virginians' religious practices (primarily Anglican). I recently ran
across a
quote in the archives of the Library of Virginia. Unfortunately, the
quote is
anonymous. I am posting in hopes that someone might have some ideas
about a possible author. The quote is below:
Too many people suffer "the Want of proper Books" - thus the author has
taken up a collection to "send for Bibles, Prayer Books, Treatises on
[the]
Sacrament, & other Religious Tracts, for the Use of the Poor of this
Parish."
The minister now has these and will distribute. Or, those who gave the
money
could also distribute if they wish but "whosoever distributes this
Excellent
Charity, this must be insisted upon, that some suitable & good Advice be
given
at the same tim[e] for it will always be as Bp. Wilson observes 'that
the Best
of Books, when lightly given, will be lightly valued, & as lightly made
use of.'
The Benefit of this Charity to the Souls of Men appears at first Sight
because
it tends to furnish their Minds with all necessary knowledge, which must
be
laid as a Foundation for their Practice. By this means they are
instructed in
the great Points of Christian Belief & acquainted with the several
branches of
their Duty, which relate to God, their Neighbour, and themselves. It
is not
enough that Men are made Christians by Baptism They must understand the
Nature of the solemn Vow that they made And as the Hope for the Blessed
Fruits & Effects of Christ's death, so they must perform those
Conditions upon
which they are promised For He is the Author of Salvation to none but
those
that obey him. It is true, that it is a peculiar Advantage of the
Members of the
Church of England that if they frequent the publick prayers, they
constantly
hear a considerable Portion of the Holy Scriptures read to them, But
besides
this it will be very necessary in Order to instruct them in all the
Particulars of
their Duty to lodge good Books in their Families,. Of which the Bible
ought to
have the Preference, because it is the written Word of God, & containes
the
Terms and Conditions of their Eternal Happiness. The Common-Prayer or
Liturgy of the Church of England ought to accompany it, because it is
the
Service of the Church wherein they are obliged frequently to join, &
therefore
cannot be too ell acquainted with it." Next, some treatises on the
sacrament,
and The Whole Duty of Man. And "if any be desirous of variety, ere are
may
good tracts, both by Way of Restrain from Vice, Incitement to Virtue,
which,
as they are both short & 0plain,m are most likely to be read &
Considered; and
they mak[e] a much deeper Impression [on] the Mind than either general
Admonitions from the Pulpit, or particular Admonitions by Word of
Mouth....Great Men ought to take Care that all their Servants & poor
Neighbours be supplied with such good Books. This method will make them
Preachers of Righteousness, &B give them a Share with the Authors of
such
good Books, in the Reward of such Performances. A Parcel of Books well
chosen by the Minister, or any other Person, who is sensible of the
advantage
of such a Distribution, will put a new Life into the Practice of
Religion. Pious
Books distributed seasonably [?], in Families which lie without any
Sense of
Religion, and consequently are running headlong to Hell, may by the
Blessing
of God, recover them from the Misery that threaten them & make them
serious
& devout What Wonders of this Kin might Men of Fortune do if their
Charity
bore but a just Proportion with their Riches."
My first thoughts are that the author is probably a minister of some
sort and
may be associated with a group like the Bray Society. Any thoughts from
any
one on the list would be greatly appreciated!
-Megan Stubbendeck
______________________________________
To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions
at
http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html
______________________________________
To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at
http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html
|
