knelt and received the pledges of the Redeemer's love, in the consecrated symbols of his body and blood. Here, when life's silver cord shall be broken, we hope to sleep with our kindred and friends, till the morning of the resurrection, when, at the sound of the last trump, we shall rise to meet the Lord in the air, and to serve him day and night in his temple. Associated with so many impressive and interesting recollections and anticipations, can we fail to regard this sacred temple with the liveliest. emotions of veneration and love? Shall we not cherish towards it kindred sentiments with those of the Psalmist, when he exclaimed, "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy ?"

"Influenced by these sentiments, we shall be solicitous to preserve, as much as possible, this venerable monument of the zeal and piety of former days, from the ravages of time, and to transmit it unimpaired, to posterity. Viewing it as a sacred deposite committed to our trust, not merely for our own benefit, but for that of future generations, we shall be anxious that it may pass from our hands, under circumstances which shall endear it to their affections, and recom

mend it to their support; bearing the impress of our liberality, and perpetuating the lustre of our example. As a society, we shall study the things that make for peace. The only contention among us will be that of the vine and the olive, which shall bear the most and the best fruit;' who shall do most to advance the glory of God and the salvation of his fellow-creatures. Sensible that without him we can do nothing, our devout supplications will daily rise to the great Head of the church, who has promised to be with her, even unto the end of the world; that peace may be a perpetual guest within her walls, and prosperity in all her palaces; and, as an evidence of the sincerity of our prayers, the pious resolution of each individual will be, For my brethren and companions' sake, I will now say, peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek to do thee good."

We are sure, that every one who reads this history, will sincerely respond to the above sentiments; as he will also yield a hearty amen to the wish," that this house of prayer may prove, to each one of us, and to the thousands and tens of thousands, who may successively worship within its walls, none other than the house of God, and the gate of heaven."

SUCCESSION

OF

RECTORS OF CHRIST CHURCH.

REV. MR. CLAYTON.

1695.

The Rev. Mr. Clayton under whose auspices the church was built, was sent out to Philadelphia, by Dr. Henry Compton, Bishop of London, in 1695, through the influence of Dr. Bray, the Bishop's Commissary for Maryland. On his arrival here, Mr. Clayton found not more than fifty persons to make up his congregation, yet in two years it "was increased to seven hundred, and a handsome church erected." He died about two years after his arrival, of a contagious distemper caught in visiting the sick.*

REV. EVAN EVANS, D. D.

1700 to 1718.

Dr. Evans was sent out to Christ Church by the Bishop of London, in 1700, and continued in charge until 1718, when, on account of age

*The life and designs of the Rev. Dr. Bray.

and infirmities, he removed to Maryland, and soon after died there. He is represented as a faithful missionary, and very instrumental in establishing the church in this country.

REV. JOHN VICARY.

1719 to 1722.

The Rev. Mr. Vicary was licensed by the Bishop of London to take charge of Christ Church, and entered on his duties in September, 1719. His health failing him, at the close of the year, 1721, he does not appear to have officiated after that time. He probably died early in 1723.

REV. RICHARD WELTON, D. D.

1724 to 1726.

Dr. Welton, who had been consecrated in England, in 1723, by Ralph Taylor, one of the Nonjuring Bishops,* took charge of the church in July, 1724, by invitation of the vestry. He continued to officiate, with great acceptance to the congregation, until January 13th, 1726, when he was called home to England by the British government, in consequence of having exercised here the Episcopal functions. He, however, did not obey the summons, but retired to Portugal, where he died, in 1726.

* Percival on Apostolical Succession, pp. 133, 134.

REV. ARCHIBALD CUMMINGS.

1726 to 1741.

The Rev. Mr. Cummings arrived from England, September 8th, 1726, and the day following was received by the vestry as rector of this church. In April, 1728, he married Jane Elizabeth Assheton, of Philadelphia. He continued to officiate under a license from the Bishop of London, with good success, and great satisfaction to the people, until his death, in April, 1741. He was rector fourteen years and seven months; and in that period there were 1728 baptisms, 851 marriages, and 1601 burials, registered in his own handwriting; at all of which he appears to have officiated.

REV. ROBERT JENNEY, L. L. D.

1742 to 1762.

Dr. Jenney came to this country as a missionary from the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, in 1722; and was first settled in the county of Westchester, New York; and afterwards at Hempstead, on Long Island. Having served the society faithfully for twenty years, he was invited to Christ Church, and entered upon his duties as Rector, in November, 1742, by a license from the Bishop of London. He died at the advanced age of