AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE CHURCH. CHAPTER 1. Settlement of Charles-Town. IN the year 1662, certain noblemen applied to Charles the Second, for a Grant of an extensive territory in North-America. They alleged that they were influenced by a desire to enlarge his dominions, and by zeal for the propagation of the Christian faith in a country not yet cultivated or planted, and only inhabited by some barbarous People, who had no knowledge of God." A Charter was granted by the King on the 24th of March, 1662-3, to Edward, Earl of Clarendon, Lord Chancellor; George, Duke of Albermarle; William, Lord Craven; John, Lord Berkley; Anthony, Lord Ashley, afterwards Earl of Shaftsbury; Sir George Carteret; Sir William Berkley; and Sir John Colleton, their Heirs and Successors; creating them absolute Lords and Proprietors of all the territory B "extending from the North end of the Island called Lucke-Iland, which lieth in the Southern Virginia Seas, and within Six and Thirty Degrees of the Northern Latitude, and to the West as far as the South-Seas, and so Southerly as far as the River St. Matthias, which bordereth upon the Coast of Florida, and within One and Thirty Degrees of Northern Latitude, and so West in a direct line, as far as the South-Seas aforesaid,"to be called the Province of Carolina. The Faith, Allegiance and Sovereign Dominion, were reserved to the King, his Heirs and Successors forever. The third and eighteenth articles of this Grant, are in these words: "III. And furthermore the Patronage and Advowsons of all the Churches and Chapels, which as the Christian Religion shall increase within the Country, Isles, Islets and Limits aforesaid, shall happen hereafter to be erected, together with License and Power to build and found Churches, Chapels and Oratories in convenient and fit Places, within the said Bounds and Limits, and to cause them to be dedicated and consecrated according to the Ecclesiastical Laws of our Kingdom of England, together with all and singular the like and as ample Rights, Jurisdictions, Privileges, Prerogatives, Royalties, Liberties, Immunities and Franchises of what kind soever, within the Countries, Isles, Islets and Limits aforesaid." "XVIII. And because it may happen, that some of the People and Inhabitants of the said Province, cannot in their private opinions conform to the public exercise of Religion, according to the Liturgy, Form and Ceremonies of the Church of England, or take and subscribe the Oaths and Articles made and established in that behalf, and for that the same, by reason of the remote Distances of these Places, will, we hope, be no Breach of the Unity and Uniformity established in this Nation, Our Will and Pleasure therefore is, and we do by these Presents, for us, our Heirs and Succes AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE CHURCH. CHAPTER 1. Settlement of Charles-Town. IN the year 1662, certain noblemen applied to Charles the Second, for a Grant of an extensive territory in North-America. They alleged that they were influenced by a desire to enlarge his dominions, and by "zeal for the propagation of the Christian faith in a country not yet cultivated or planted, and only inhabited by some barbarous People, who had no knowledge of God." A Charter was granted by the King on the 24th of March, 1662-3, to Edward, Earl of Clarendon, Lord Chancellor; George, Duke of Albermarle; William, Lord Craven; John, Lord Berkley; Anthony, Lord Ashley, afterwards Earl of Shaftsbury; Sir George Carteret; Sir William Berkley; and Sir John Colleton, their Heirs and Successors; creating them absolute Lords and Proprietors of all the territory B "extending from the North end of the Island called Lucke-Island, which lieth in the Southern Virginia Seas, and within Six and Thirty Degrees of the Northern Latitude, and to the West as far as the South-Seas, and so Southerly as far as the River St. Matthias, which bordereth upon the Coast of Florida, and within One and Thirty Degrees of Northern Latitude, and so West in a direct line, as far as the South-Seas aforesaid,”— to be called the Province of Carolina. The Faith, Allegiance and Sovereign Dominion, were reserved to the King, his Heirs and Successors forever. The third and eighteenth articles of this Grant, are in these words: "III. And furthermore the Patronage and Advowsons of all the Churches and Chapels, which as the Christian Religion shall increase within the Country, Isles, Islets and Limits aforesaid, shall happen hereafter to be erected, together with License and Power to build and found Churches, Chapels and Oratories in convenient and fit Places, within the said Bounds and Limits, and to cause them to be dedicated and consecrated according to the Ecclesiastical Laws of our Kingdom of England, together with all and singular the like and as ample Rights, Jurisdictions, Privileges, Prerogatives, Royalties, Liberties, Immunities and Franchises of what kind soever, within the Countries, Isles, Islets and Limits aforesaid." "XVIII. And because it may happen, that some of the People and Inhabitants of the said Province, cannot in their private opinions conform to the public exercise of Religion, according to the Liturgy, Form and Ceremonies of the Church of England, or take and subscribe the Oaths and Articles made and established in that behalf, and for that the same, by reason of the remote Distances of these Places, will, we hope, be no Breach of the Unity and Uniformity established in this Nation, Our Will and Pleasure therefore is, and we do by these Presents, for us, our Heirs and Succes sors, give and grant unto the said Edward, Earl of Clarendon, George, Duke of Albermarle, William, Lord Craven, John, Lord Berkley, Anthony, Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their Heirs and Assigns, full and free License Liberty and Authority, by such legal Ways and Means as they shall think fit, to give and grant unto such person and persons, inhabiting and being within the said Province, or any part thereof, who really in their Judgements, and for Conscience sake, cannot or shall not conform to the said Liturgy and Ceremonies, and take and subscribe the Oaths and Articles aforesaid, or any of them, such indulgencies and dispensations in that behalf, for and during such Time and Times, and with such Limitations and Restrictions, as they the said Edward, Earl of Clarendon, George, Duke of Albermarle, William, Lord Craven, John, Lord Berkley, Anthony, Lord Ashley, Sir George Carteret, Sir William Berkley, and Sir John Colleton, their Heirs or Assigns, shall in their Discretion think fit and reasonable; and with this express Proviso and Limitation also, that such person and persons, to whom such Indulgencies and Dispensations shall be granted as aforesaid, do and shall, from Time to Time, declare and continue all Fidelity, Loyalty and Obedience to us, our Heirs and Successors, and be subject and obedient to all other the Laws, Ordinances and Constitutions of the said Province, in all matters whatsoever, as well Ecclesiastical as Civil, and do not in anywise disturb the Peace and Safety thereof, or scandalize or reproach the said Liturgy, Forms and Ceremonies, or any thing relating thereunto, or any person or persons whatsoever, for or in respect of his or their Use or Exercise thereof, or his or their Obedience or Conformity thereunto." A second Charter was granted to the Lords Proprietors, on the 30th June, 1665, by which the former Charter was confirmed, and the limits of their posses |