The library at the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA has a
wealth of information on the early Church of England in Virginia.
Randy Cabell
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jane Steele" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 9:18 PM
Subject: Re: [VA-HIST] Colonial Religion
Megan: Please contact the Colonial Williamsburg Research Library orthe
British Library aswell as the Anglician Church in England. Either of these
resources can assist you. I am not familiar with the Bray Society. Jane
Steele.
-----Original Message-----
>From: Megan Stubbendeck <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Jan 22, 2008 5:46 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
>
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Lillian Jane Steele
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