Resolution of the Vestry of St. Matthew’s Church, January 1810
Resolution of the Vestry of St. Matthew’s Church
[Bedford, January 1810]
The Vestry having deliberately heard and examined the Witnesses relative to the Reports in Circulation respecting Mr. Feltch, together with his allegations and Remarks touching the same; proceeded to take the whole matter into Consideration: And having maturely and dispassionately considered it, they are of opinion, and do Resolve—
That the Expressions used by Mr. Feltch to Mr. John F. Miller, had better have been omitted—
That as to what he si said, to [illegible] about the Rapidity of his travelling with the horse which he lately had—and the Number of cows belonging to him—and the acres he had mowed in one Day— the Board think it proper only to make the following observation, vizt. that it is important to the usefulness of a Minister of the Gospel, not only that he should deserve, but also that he should sustain the Reputation of constantly adhering to Truth; And therefore, that it is not prudent for a minister to relate, as of his own Knowledge, and especially concerning himself, any Facts which may be extraordinary in such a Degree, as to have a Tendency to excite Doubts unfavorable to his Veracity—
The Board are further of opinion, that considering the state of existing circumstances, the Situation of Mr. Feltch in Relation to the church, should in every Respect continue as it is; until it shall appear to this Board, from the prevailing Sentiments of the congregation, that further measures concerning it would be adviseable.
The Board also think it is fit and proper for them to advise, and they do hereby advise all the members of this Congregation, to permit the Discussions in Question to subside; and to unite in endeavouring by kind and friendly Treatment, to render the abode of Mr. Feltch among us comfortable and agreable to himself and Family, and useful to the Church.—
C, NyBedSMS (EJ: 07882). Endorsed: “John Jay Esqr. / respecting the / Charges against Mr Feltch”. Enclosed in JJ to the Wardens and Vestry of the United Episcopal Church of Bedford and North Castle, 14 Feb. 1810, below. Nathan Felch (Feltch) (d. 1835), a Methodist Preacher from Norwalk, had recently moved to Bedford and served as a lay minister at St. Matthew’s, the Episcopal church to which JJ belonged. The congregation of St. Matthew’s initially expressed satisfaction with Felch’s performance and requested that he be ordained as minister. JJ also shared these views, deeming Felch’s character and behavior appropriate to his station. The relationship between Felch and the Bedford community, however, soon soured as he came into conflict with church laborers who boarded with him, particularly John Miller, the son of JJ’s neighbor, and churchwarden William Miller. JJ was “surpized and mortified” to hear “certain Reports unfavorable to Felch” regarding the minister’s treatment of Miller and therefore joined with the vestry in launching an investigation of these matters in the autumn. Although JJ’s findings revealed that Felch had “certainly been very indiscreet, and probably too little attentive to Truth,” he recognized that an unfavorable resolution to this “delicate business” threatened to embarrass the local church and demoralize the congregation. He therefore drew up a resolution advising the vestry to maintain Felch as lay minister, but also to censure him for his recent conduct. The leadership of St. Matthew’s concurred with JJ’s assessment and proposals, passing his resolution in late January. JJ, however, by this time had reconsidered his position regarding Felch, and in a letter submitted to Bishop Moore, and the local vestry, averred that “Being persuaded that it is better to correct a Mistake, than to gloss and persist in it, I find myself constrained to retract, and for the present to suspend, my Recommendation of Mr. Feltch for ordination”. JJ’s arguments against the ordination of Felch, however, proved unsuccessful, as Felch was installed to the pulpit of St. Matthew’s Church later that year. See JJ to the Wardens and Vestry of the United Episcopal Church of Bedford and North Castle, 14 Feb. 1810, below. See also JJ to PAJ, 22 Mar. 1813, below.