that the very means by which the miserable calculators of this world thought to oppress, to dishearten, and perhaps to destroy; were made instrumental, by a sovereign and gracious God, to bind together, to build up, and to inspire with a more ardent zeal. Soon after Mr. Rodgers removed to New-York, the controversy respecting an American Episcopate was at its greatest height. The leading episcopalians of the American colonies, were exceedingly zealous, and had taken unwearied pains, by application to the spiritual lords, and other persons of influence in Great-Britain, to secure the establishment of diocesan bishops in this coun try. This plan being regarded, by the non-episcopal inhabitants of the colonies *, as highly The opposition to an American Episcopate was not confined to non-episcopalians. Some zealous members of the Episcopal church, and even some ministers of that denomination had the wisdom to perceive, and the magnanimity to acknowledge, the dangers likely to arise from this measure. Among the latter were the Rev. Mr. Gwatkin, and the Rev. Mr. Henly, Episcopal clergymen of Virginia, who openly opposed the plan, and wrote against it. They both protested against it in the ecclesiastical convention of that colony, in 1771; and afterwards the former published a pamphlet with the same dangerous to their ecclesiastical liberties, they determined, by all fair and honourable means, to oppose it. Their opposition was firm, persevering, and successful. The friends of the Episcopate, notwithstanding all the zeal and exertions which they employed in its behalf, were continually disappointed by difficulties and delay, until the Revolution; which, by establishing the Independence of the United States, effectually precluded the dangers apprehended from their scheme; removed the fears of their opponents; and terminated the controversy. Among the measures which were taken for defeating the plan of an American Episcopate, and for keeping the non-episcopal churches awake to their interests and dangers; was the pointment of a general Convention, to compare ap view, under the following title: A Letter to the clergy of New-York and New-Jersey, occasioned by an address to the Episcopalians in Virginia. By the Rev. Thomas Gwatkin, professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, in William and Mary college. Williamsburgh, 1772, 4to. pp. 28. For their conduct in this affair, Gwatkin and Henly were very much hated and persecuted by the clergy of their own denomination; but they received the thanks of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. See Pennsylvania Gazette, August 8, 1771. opinions and concert plans, for the promotion of these objects. This convention was formed of delegates from the Synod of the Presbyterian church, and from the several Associations of Connecticut. The objects toward which its counsels were directed, to use its own language, were, "To gain information of the public state of the "united cause and interest; to collect accounts "relating thereto; to unite endeavours and coun"sels for spreading the Gospel, and preserving "the religious liberties of our churches; to dif"fuse harmony, and keep up a correspondence, 66 66 throughout the united body; and with our "friends abroad, to recommend, cultivate, and preserve, loyalty and allegiance to the king's "majesty; and also to address the king, and the "king's ministers, from time to time, with assur"ances of the unshaken loyalty of the pastors "comprehended in this union, and the churches "under their care, and to vindicate them, if unjustly aspersed *." 66 This Convention first met at Elizabeth-town, in New-Jersey, November 5th, 1766; and continu * MS. Records of the Convention, in the hands of Ebenezer Hazard, esquire, of Philadelphia. ed to meet annually, sometimes within the bounds of the Synod, and sometimes in Connecticut, until the year 1775; when its meetings became unnecessary, and were discontinued. Mr. Rodgers was always one of the delegates from the Synod of the Presbyterian church, and an active member of the Convention. This circumstance, while it evinced the high confidence which his brethren reposed in his fidelity and wisdom, introduced him to a very general and honourable acquaintance with the clergy of the American colonies and also gave him the best opportunity of exhibiting that ardent attachment to civil and religious liberty, which distinguished his character, and pervaded his life. The following extracts from a letter addressed by this Convention, to the dissenting committee in England, will serve, at once, to show the spirit of those times, and to rescue from misrepresentation the conduct of some great and good * As a member of the convention, he was not only associated with such men as Dr. Francis Allison, Dr. Patrick Allison, Dr. Macwhorter, and a number of other distinguished clergymen of the Presbyterian church; but also with some of the most eminent clergymen of NewEngland. men, who had then much influence in the ecclesiastical concerns of America. 66 "This we have apprehended to be our duty, especially in our present circumstances; not only that we might strengthen our influence "in suppressing or discouraging any measures "that might be fallen upon by the people com"mitted to our care, that would be inconsistent "with our character, as peaceable and loyal subjects, or detrimental to the public peace and 66 tranquillity; but also that we might, as faithful "officers in the church of Christ, watch over her "rights and privileges, and endeavour more ef"fectually to prevent any attempts of any other ❝ denomination of christians to oppress us. The "late attempts of the Episcopalian missionaries among us to introduce an American Episcopate, have given a very just and general alarm to "our churches, who fled from the unmerciful ri 66 66 gour and persecutions of diocesan bishops in our "mother country, to settle in an uncultivated wil"derness. The recollection of the cruelties and "hardships which our fathers suffered, before "this peaceful retreat was opened for us, fills our "minds with an utter abhorrence of every spe"cies of ecclesiastical tyranny and persecution, |