An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Colonies of South Carolina and Georgia, Volume 1Hewatt, Alexander
History
An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Colonies of South Carolina and Georgia, Volume 1
Hewatt, Alexander
Georgia -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775; South Carolina -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
King William, though he maintained the power of the established church,
yet he often discovered a secret attachment to Presbyterians, and on all
occasions treated them with lenity and moderation. Hence many of the more
zealous friends to the church of England, alarmed at the prospects of its
dangerous situation, became eagerly bent not only in support of its
constitution, but even of its minutest forms, usages, and vestments. Lord
Granville among the rest, after he was called up to the house of peers,
had there distinguished himself as an inflexible bigot for the
High-church, having been early taught to entertain the most supercillous
contempt for Dissenters of all denominations. Being now also Palatine of
Carolina, he soon discovered that the establishment of Episcopacy, and
the suppression of all other modes of religious worship, in that country,
was the chief object of his zeal and attention. James Moore being
considered as a man more fit than Landgrave Morton for assisting him in
the accomplishment of his favourite design, the more easily obtained a
confirmation of his election to the government.
[Sidenote] King William's charter to the society for propagating the
gospel.
Here it may not be improper to observe, that several eminent men had
appeared in England, who, pitying the miserable state of the western
world with respect to religion, had proposed some public-spirited design
for the propagation of the gospel among the heathens on that vast
continent. Robert Boyle, no less distinguished for his eminent piety than
universal learning, had been appointed by Charles II. governor of a
corporation established for the propagation of the Christian religion
among Indians, the natives of New England and parts adjacent, in America.
Queen Mary afterwards discovered a great desire for enlarging their plan,
and for this purpose gave a bounty of two hundred pounds sterling
annually to support missionaries in that quarter. Dr. Compton, bishop of
London, was at pains to procure a state of religion among the English
colonies, from a persuasion of the necessity and propriety of beginning
this charitable work among them; and Dr. Thomas Bray, his commissary in
Maryland, furnished him with one suited to excite sympathy and compassion
in every pious and generous breast. At length Dr. Tennison, archbishop of
Canterbury, undertook the laudable design, applied to the crown, and
obtained a charter incorporating a society for the propagation of the
gospel in foreign parts. The nation in general entered into the design
with their usual ardour for all benevolent and charitable institutions.
From different parts large benefactions were received by this society,
and it was soon enabled to support a number of missionaries in the
plantations. Religious books were purchased and sent out to different
provinces, and Carolina among the rest received a number of them. A law
passed for instituting a public library in the province, to remain under
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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