by Laura Chase Smith, 1903, Dutton Press Chapter XIX OPPOSITION AND DECISION Until, 1820 the Church had hardly touched Church life beyond the Alleghanies. An itinerant priest here and there had ventured in this vast region, but, for the most part, those of our own communion beyond the mountains were a s sheep having no shepherd. The Rev. Joseph Doddridge, who itinerated in western Pennsylvania and Virginia in 18111, says that a large portion of a great region including Kentucky and eastern Ohio had been originally settled by Church people from Maryland, Carolina, and Virginia. When they crossed the mountains they left their Church behind them: in their old homes they had enjoyed its privileges as they had those of the sun and the soil, without much thought or appreciation, but now that they were lacking they missed them sadly. ............. ............. .........Bishop Hobart was the very man who a few years later fought with all the might of his strong nature, his high position, and his powerful social advantages, as the head of the Church in the great diocese and rich city of New York, against Bishop Chase's plan of educating Western young men, "sons of the soil, " for the ministry in the Diocese of Ohio. Bishop White is still earlier upon record as taking slight interest in a distinct effort made by the Convention of Pennsylvania, which had appointed a committee to raise a fund to send missionaries where and when they saw fit. Little came of it. It was not until sixteen years later that a committee of three bishops, three clergy, and three laymen was appointed to consider the situation, and granted the power to send a bishop into the new States and Territories, if it seemed advisable. In 1811, the committee reports that it cannot see its way to take any action. A convocation was called afterward at Washington, Pennsylvania, asking Bishop White to organize the Church in the West, but after waiting eighteen months for an answer the members were told that nothing could be done. No wonder that the hour had struck for the true pioneer churchman to change all this. In 1821, nothing having been provided for the support of the Bishop of Ohio, he was obliged to accept the offer of the presidency of the college at Cincinnati, as the farm at Worthington was inadequate for the support of his family. The removal thither later in the fall was accomplished with much distress to all concerned; during the journey they were benighted in the woods near Derby. Long rains having rendered the roads impassable. The Rev. Mr. Osborne, the first president, had already left college, and in consequence the duties fell heavily upon the new president. He remained through the winter and the next autumn. In September, 1822, he held his commencement exercises and conferred degrees upon several young men of the senior class, closing with a most touching appeal. .................... This year, 1822, the Bishop suffered a severe illness at the house of Mr. Putman, near Marietta. This illness was of so long duration that the order of his visits was deranged, and it was not until Whit-Sunday (Pentecost Sunday) that he could resume his work. In 1821, the Rev. Edward B. Kellogg was received into the diocese from New York, also the Rev. Mr. Spencer was stationed at Pequia and Springfield. The Rev. Intrepid Morse (again a nephew of the Bishop's with Bethel, Vermont ties) went to Steubenville, and the Rev. P. Chase, Jr. (the Bishop's son) took charge at Zanesville. It was during these two years that the absolute necessity of providing for the training of young men for the ministry among their own people and on their own ground became so apparent to the minds of all who ever gave it a worthy thought that it was proposed that young Philander should go to England for the purpose of making an appeal to churchmen in that country for this object. A meeting between the father and son took place on the evening before the opening of the annual convention in June, at Worthington. The young man, although far advanced in fatal illness which ere long ended his life, had travelled one hundred and fifty miles on horseback to fulfill this engagement. Weary and ill, his father led him to his bedroom, where a bright fire was burning; and where for some time the father watched, and the son rested under the temporary relief of an anodyne. Wakeful, and at last able to speak, the son, whose mind seemed to glow with an almost supernatural brilliance, earnestly entreated his father to take the place designed for himself in the mission to England, in aid of Ohio. A friendly article in the "British Critic" published in London by some stranger who had taken pains to read the Bishop's addressees and the journals of the three years previous, and who had warmly commended them to consideration of the Church, in England, had so encouraged the young deacon that, although knowing that his own life was fast ebbing, and that he should see his father no more in life, he urged the Bishop to go in his stead. ............... ............... There was still hope that the young man might rally and have strength to take the voyage, but,at his ordination to the priesthood a few days later, he was obliged to be held up by his companions to enable him to go through the service. It was then that the father decided, with what agony none may know, to go to England himself, for it was indeed a matter of life or death for the Church in Ohio. There was no money except a small legacy recently left the Bishop by a bachelor uncle, about enough to take him across the ocean. The Angel of Promise who had whispered to him in early days of work in Ohio came again to him, bringing its cheering motto of faith, "Jehovah Jireh." Inspired by this hope, which to a less sanguine nature, or rather to a more faithless heart, would seem so frail a support in such a fateful venture, the Bishop went cheerfully on his preparations. To quote his own words: "all was prayer to God, with rejoicings in his Providence. If we fail, we die, but better that than linger here and see the Church of God for want of ministers dying around us. If we succeed, Zion will lift up her head and all her daughters, the little churches we have founded will rejoice." Prudence said: "Wait! stay! do not risk everything." Faith said: Go: God will provide." To his brethren, the bishops, he wrote explaining his reasons for this great undertaking ............... ............... The Bishop and his family, consisting of his wife and three children, left their home in Worthington on the 4th of August, a823, in his family carriage drawn by two faithful horses, one of which bore the classic name of Cincinnatus. The Bishop himself was the coachman. The journey was delayed by illness of Chillicothe. At Steubenvillle he met once more his son Philander and his nephew, the Rev. Intrepid Morse. At Ashtabula, the Rev. Mr. Hall received priest's orders. Here a very perplexing incident occurred. The "paper of commendation" had been signed by the Rev. Messers. Doddridge, Keller, Morse, Johnston and Chase in favor of the Bishop's plan; but now Mr. Hall (just ordained) and Mr. Searle refused to add their names to it. This was a blow. Unanimity among his clergy was of the utmost importance. "Human arm hath failed us, " said the Bishop, "we must go on trusting more fully in God." The coach was ready, the last adieu said. This was scarcely done, when a messenger arrived on horseback, requesting the Bishop to turn back to Ashtabula, for there were persons, from Medina, who wished his presence to settle difficulties in Mr. Searle's parish. During the arrangement of these affairs, Mr. Searle reversed his decision, and both he and Mr. Hall signed the Bishop's commendation papers. Thus the obstacle was removed. It was a "far cry' from Ashtabula to Buffalo by horse-power. It should be borne in mind that there was not a locomotive in the then known world, or a rod of iron track. The road travelled was on the shore of Lake Erie, the waves often dashing up to the horses' knees. An accident occurred en route, and the party was detained at Buffalo, where since a former visit a church had been built. The bishop preached for the rector, and afterwards visited our great American wonder, the Falls of Niagara. Very wild it was in those days. It took the party in the coach a week to go from Buffalo to Cherry Valley, where Father Nash still lived, the first missionary west of Albany, and the founder of all parishes in Ostego County. As a pupil to his teacher, as a son to his father, as brother to brother, so did the Bishop pay his devoirs (respect) to this venerable servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. The party arrived at Kingston on the 15th of September, the home of Mrs. Chase mother, eight hundred miles from Cincinnati. The Bishop and family, long separated from relatives, were welcomed cordially, but a mysterious gloom pervaded the countenances of the mother and other friends. The explanation was not fully made until the tired and dusty travellers had reached their rooms, which were upon the ground floor, when over the sweetbrier bushes, which screened the windows, came a packet of letters thrown by an unseen hand. They were all addressed to the Bishop and sufficiently explained the silence and sadness of the family. Their contents had been made known to all friends. They all condemned the Bishop's plan in toto, threatening ruin, and entreating that every means should be used to prevent the Bishop from going another step on a tour which must prove fatal to him and to the happiness and prosperity of his family. "Then, " said his wife." "we must go home and die among our neighbors." The rejoinder was, "Never!" These good friends unknowingly took the best means for bracing every nerve in the Bishop's body and soul; no more doubt troubled either husband or wife in this battle. The matter was settled. End Chapter XIX Harriet M. Chase hatchase@uswest.net