Semi-Centennial of the Diocese of Florida, Held in Tallahassee, January 18 and 19, 1888 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1889. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... HISTORICAL SKETCH, BY JAMES JAQUELIN DANIEL. Right Reverend Father; When at your bidding I undertook to prepare and submit to this Council a paper historical of the Church in Florida it was with an unfeigned sense of my unfitness to discharge the duty assigned me and that others might have been chosen far better qualified for the task. As a loyal son of the Church, however, I could not do otherwise than yield obedience to your command, and straightway entered upon the work of gathering the fragments of information which were necessary to forge the chain of events, many of which were fast becoming traceless in the mists of the past. This work, I need not assure you, required patient effort and much time for its accomplishment, and the investigation constantly expanded before me, with new difficulties and fresh fields to explore. I had well hoped that more time would have been granted me before attempting to submit the results of my labors for your consideration and the consideration of those equally interested with ourselves in the work. Inasmuch, however, as you have expressed the desire that I should, at this special meeting of the Council, present in substance the material which I have brought together, I will venture to do so, craving indulgence from those whom I address, and with the assurance that if it is the wish of yourself and the Council that I should proceed to complete the work, so as to perpetuate in due and reliable form the sequence of historical events which have led to the present state of the Church in Florida, and time be given me for that purpose, I will consider it both a pleasure and a privilege so to do. By your permission, I will now proceed to present to the Reverend Clergy and my brethren of the laity here present a sketch of the planti...