Bishop Jackson Kemper 1789-1870 (May 24)
First Missionary Bishop in the United States
Jackson Kemper was born 24 December 1789 in Pleasant Valley, New York,
attended Columbia College, and was ordained a priest in 1814. In 1835,
the Episcopal Church undertook to consecrate missionary bishops to preach
the Gospel west of the settled areas, and Kemper was the first to be chosen.
He promptly headed west. Having found that clergy who had lived all their
lives in the settled East were slow to respond to his call to join him
on the frontier, he determined to recruit priests from among men who were
already in the West, and established a college in St. Louis, Missouri,
for that purpose. He went on to found Nashotah House and Racine College
in Wisconsin. He constantly urged a more extensive outreach to the Indian
peoples, and translations of the Scriptures and the services of the Church
into Indian languages. From 1859 till his death in 1870, he was bishop
of Wisconsin, but the effect of his labors covered a far wider area.
From a sermon preached before the Board of Missions in 1841
How remarkably peculiar, how vastly important is the position Of our
Church! Possessing as we fully believe all those characteristics which
distinguished the primitive fold:--A scriptural Liturgy--evangelical
doctrines--and the apostolic succession--having the form of godliness
and the power thereof--free from the false and worldly scruples and
the time-serving policy of civil governments – independent –
respected and influential – in the midst of an intelligent, enterprising
and commercial people – Brethren! may it not be Our duty to convert
the world – may not this high, this inestimable privilege be offered
to Us! And are we prepared – are we doing at the present moment
– even One Tenth part of what we are capable? Our means and our
power are extensive – and under the blessing of Him, without whom nothing
is strong, nothing is holy, our aim – our constant, undeviating, untiring
aim should be great and lofty. "Glorious things are spoken of thee,
O city of God."
With the talents we possess, (and for which, as good stewards, We must
finally account, at that hour when no secrets can be his), with the
talents committed to our trust and the privileges we enjoy, cannot our
faith, our liberality and our self-denial, Greatly increase? Cannot
our supplications be more fervent, our economy more strict, our love
of souls more ardent? Have we, as individuals, or a Church, a deep and
abiding interest in the success of missions?
Not a brother here would I accuse of indifference or cowardice. But
I would stir up, with God's permission, the pure mind of each one, by
way of remembrance. It is the spirit of missions I earnestly and most
affectionately advocate.
The division into Foreign and Domestic is often arbitrary, and Might,
without detriment, be abolished; for no one, I presume, would wish to
withdraw our heralds of the cross from Africa, suspend our incipient
efforts for Texas, or abandon the much injured aborigines to all the
degrading vices they have learned from unprincipled men who claim to
be civilized. Let us go where duty calls – where Providence points
the way--and let us rejoice in the privilege, for we assuredly ought
– Oh, let us rejoice in the privilege of sending forth in the name
of the Lord and under the guidance of His Spirit all those who, thoroughly
instructed in sacred truths, hear the cry, "Come over and help
us" – and cannot resist the deep, the abiding conviction concerning
their sphere of duty – whose hearts burn within them when they
hear of people or nations wholly given to idolatry, or licentiousness,
or worldly-mindedness. Cultivate, dear brethren of the clergy, cultivate
with the utmost assiduity your own vineyard--love with the strongest
affections your own spiritual chiildren, – but close not your hearts
to the sufferings and wants of your neighbors.
(The following prayer, from an Episcopal source, refers to him as the
first missionary bishop in the United States. Whether this is literally
true, or means only first Anglican missionary bishop, I do not know.)
PRAYER (traditional wording):
Lord God, in whose providence Jackson Kemper was chosen first Missionary
bishop in this land, that by his arduous labor and travel congregations
might be established in scattered settlements of the West: Grant that
the Church may always be faithful to its mission, and have the vision,
courage, and perseverance to make known to all peoples the Good News of
Jesus Christ; who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one
God, for ever and ever.
PRAYER (contemporary wording):
Lord God, in whose providence Jackson Kemper was chosen first Missionary
bishop in this land, and by his arduous labor and travel established congregations
in scattered settlements of the West: Grant that the Church may always
be faithful to its mission, and have the vision, courage, and perseverance
to make known to all peoples the Good News of Jesus Christ; who with you
and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.
Psalm 67 or 96:1-7
1 Corinthians 3:8-11
Matthew 28:16-20 (Pent) |