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Description
The General Convention promises to support Chase and help expand the Diocese's presence in Illinois.
Date
9-2-1835
Keywords
Bishop Onderdonk, Bishop William White, Paul Beck, Philander Chase, Diocese of Illinois, General Convention
Recommended Citation
General Convention, "Appeal for Illinois" (1835). Philander Chase Letters. 990.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/990
Rights Statement
Transcript
APPEAL FOR ILLINOIS
By the blessing of God, Illinois has, within six months, become a Diocese. With the three primitive orders of the Christian Ministry complete, and with that indefatigable prelate, Bishop Chase, at her head as Diocesan, she was, last month, with great unanimity and harmony, received into union with the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States.
Already, then, at this early day, has out standard been erected upon the fertile and sunny prairies of Illinois, and the banner of Christ and his Church, with the motto, “Only in the Cross,” been unfurled to the view of the many thousands who are continually hastening thither to establish themselves in that most delightful portion of the upper valley of the Mississippi.
Brethren, shall this banner continue to float upon the breeze in that far Western region, gladdening the hearts of those who are remote from the homes of their fathers, and leading them on to victory and salvation? Yes: the work so auspiciously begun will go forward, to the glory of God. That interesting field of Christian labour, to which Providence seems now to call the special attention of all Christians, and particularly of Churchmen, shall be occupied. We will open our hearts and our hands to the venerable and beloved servant of the Most High, who has, with the self-denial, the zeal, and the devotedness to our holy cause which distinguished his earlier days, again taken his stand, in the evening of life, at the head of the soldiers of Christ upon our frontiers. There we behold him renewing the energies of his youth, and, as the mighty tide of population rolls on, enlarging westward the boundaries of that Church to which his fortune, his health, his whole life, have been cheerfully sacrificed. The founder of the Church in the then wilds of Western New-York–the Missionary who first introduced the Protestant religion into the State of Louisiana–the founder of Kenyon College, in Ohio, and the first Protestant Bishop that ever laboured west of the Allegheny mountains, now again reappears, girded for the battles of the Lord. His voice is heard from the great river of the west, and from the confines of the Ouisconsin and Northwestern territories, calling for help in his great undertaking. His call will not be in vain. From the East shall be echoed back to our destitute and struggling brethren in the West, the ready response of love, and sympathy, and Christian liberality. We will do our duty to them, to their Apostolic Bishop, and to the Church. We will encourage their hearts and strengthen their hands, and bid them go forward as conquerors under the banner of Christ Jesus.
But, brethren, whatsoever our hand findeth to do, in relation to this matter, we must do quickly. The extensive region of Illinois, which will soon have a population of millions, is now open to us, and, to a considerable extent, unoccupied by others. Many of the inhabitants are Episcopalians; and multitudes, not educated as such, would gladly welcome and conform to the Church, rejoicing to find in it a refuge from the infidelity, the heresies, the religious distractions which prevail around them. If we delay even for a short period, others will take possession of the ground before us, and we shall find ourselves, in a great measure, excluded. The glorious opportunity which is now presented, of laying broad and deep the foundations of the Church in that rapidly growing state, we be lost; and thousands who might have been gathered into our fold, will wander away to feed in strange pastures, and remain aliens from our Zion forever. Prompt and energetic measures, then, must be adopted for securing, under God, the permanent establishment and prosperity of our beloved Church in that interesting section of our country. Let us, therefore, at this critical moment, rouse ourselves to the work. Let us liberally aid our brethren there is sustaining faithful missionaries who shall labour among them–in building Churches–in establishing as Episcopal Seminary–whence may proceed their future supply of ministers. Let us do this, and the time is not distant when Illinois will, by the Divine blessing, rank with the first Dioceses in the Union.
Under a deep sense of the interesting duty which the providence of God had thus devolved upon us, a large meeting in behalf of the Church at the West was held in Philadelphia. Our endeavours for the destitute States were countenanced by the presence of eight of our Bishops, and a great number of clergy. At a subsequent meeting, the following resolutions were proposed, and are now given to the Church, requesting her sanction and adoption.
Resolved, That the Right Rev. Bishop CHASE has our entire approbation and our heart-felt sympathy in his present work and labour of love and duty to the Church of Christ in Illinois; and that we will aid him in the same by our prayers and by all reasonable endeavours.
Resolved, That the wants of Illinois appear to be threefold. 1. Of means to educate young men for the ministry in the land where they will be inclined to stay–”sons of the soil.” For this purpose a Seminary should be established, and provided with suitable Professors, under the ecclesiastical authority of the Diocese. 2. Of means for the building of Churches. 3. Of means of obtaining and supporting faithful and devoted missionaries, who, with the venerable Prelate at their head, shall unweariedly labour to gather the people, every where, into congregations, as they come into the state, and build them up, in the true faith of Christ, into a holy temple acceptable unto the Lord.
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PHILADELPHIA, September 2d, 1835.
I hereby recommend the promotion of the interests of the Diocese of Illinois to the Episcopalians of Pennsylvania.
H. U. ONDERDONK, Assistant Bishop.
PHILADELPHIA, September 3d, 1835.
I hereby recommend the promotion of the interests of the Diocese of Illinois and of all other destitute districts of the Church, to the Episcopalians in Pennsylvania, and in whatever other places application may be made in due form, and by persons duly appointed, for the accomplishment of the object.
WM. WHITE, Bishop of the Prot. Epis. Church in the Com. of Penn.
For the accomplishment of these great and important objects, an earnest appeal is now made to the Christian liberality of the friends of the Church in the eastern and more favoured sections of the United States.
Donations, of any amount, will be thankfully received by PAUL BECK, Esq., Treasurer of the Illinois Fund, Philadelphia; and deposits may be made, subject to his order, in any Bank in the United States.
PHILADELPHIA, September 4, 1835.