The history of South-Carolina, from its first settlement in 1670, to the year 1808: in two volumes ; vol. I[-II (Volume 2).

  • Ramsay, David, 1749-1815.
Date:
1809
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The history of South-Carolina, from its first settlement in 1670, to the year 1808: in two volumes ; vol. I[-II (Volume 2). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    nor can it be otherwise till the legislature pass a law for the purpose. A brief view of the present state of religion in Carolina will close this chapter. The episcopalians since the revolution labored under peculiar disadvantages. Their church was incomplete without bishops, and their whole body of clergy and laity was incompetent to invest any in- dividual, or number of individuals, with episcopal powers. This boon could only be obtained through some of the successors of the apostles in the old world. Twelve years, subsequent to the revolution passed away before episcopal ordination could be obtained in South-Carolina*. In the mean time the * To preserve the uninterrupted succession of episcopal or- dination, it was necessary either that the american candidates for the ministry should go to european bishops, or that ecclesi- astical officers of that high rank should be constituted in the United States. The former was the mode usually adopted before the revolution, and in a few instances after its com- mencement. Insuperable difficulties opposed its continuance. The laws of England required all candidates for holy orders to take an oath of allegiance to his britannic majesty. This could not be done by the citizens of independent America. The english bishops with great liberality applied for, and obtained an act of parliament, authorising the ordination of clergymen for the United States without their taking an oath of allegiance to his britannic majesty. This afforded only partial relief. An american episcopate was therefore proposed as the only remedy adequate to the exigency. The non-episcopalians before the revolution had opposed this measure, but cheerfully acquiesced in it after that event had placed their rights and liberties beyond all foreign interference. The proposed measure was readily and without difficulty substantially agreed upon by the episcopa- lians on both sides of the Atlantic, yet many previous arrange- ments were necessary to give it effect. The english bishops