| Citation |
NJJ.783.045
16 Jul 1783:23 (231)
From Lloyd's Evening Post, June 29, 1777. Extract from the
Letters sent by the Missionaries in America, to the Society
for propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts.
Soon after Washington's arrival at New York, he attended
the Church; but on the Sunday morning before Divine Service
began, one of the Rebel Generals called at the Rector's
house supposing him to be in town) and not finding him, left
word that "he came to inform the Rector that General
Washington would be at Church, and would be glad if the
violent prayers for the King and Royal Family were omitted."
This message was brought to Mr. Inglis, and he paid no
regard to it. . . [6 lines]
On May 17 (the day appointed by Congress as a day of
fasting, prayer, and humiliation, throughout the Continent)
at the unanimous request of the Members of the Church, he
consented to preach; and on the preceding Sunday gave
notice, that there would be a sermon upon the ensuing
Friday;. . . [7 lines]
Matters now became critical in the highest degree. The
Rebel army amounted to near thirty thousand. All their
cannon and military stores were drawn to New-York. . . [7
lines] On a Sunday, when he was officiating and had
proceeded some length in the service, a company of about 150
armed Rebels marched into the Church, with drums beating and
fifes playing, their guns loaded and bayonets fixed, as if
going to battle. The congregation was thrown into the
utmost terror, and several women fainted, expecting a
massacre was intended. Mr. Inglis took no notice of them,
and went on with the service, exerting his voice, which was
in some measure drowned by the noise and tumult. The Rebels
stood in the aile for near fifteen minutes, when being asked
into pews by the Sexton, they complied. Still, however, the
people expected that, when the Collects for the King and
Royal family were read, he would be fired at, as menaces to
that purpose had been frequently flung out. The matter,
however, passed over, without any accident. . . [65 lines]
. . . they had three Churches, of which Trinity Church was
the oldest and largest. It was a venerable edifice, and had
an excellent organ, which cost 850 L. sterling, and was
otherwise ornamented. This Church, with the rector's house,
and the charity school, large and expensive buildings, were
burned. . . [84 lines about how rectors of the Church of
England were imprisoned and their churches burned]
|