SERMONS - University of Tennessee, Knoxville

SeRMon entRieS
102. BEND, JOSEPH GROVE JOHN. (MD; Epis.; 1762-1812; ord. 1787)
“On the Being of a God.” [1797] 1 + 30 + 1 blank pp. [Acc. No. 2119]
Repository: F. Garner Ranney Archives of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland,
Baltimore, MD
Commentary: Notes on the cover read “Scr[ipsit] Sep. 16, [17]97,” and “Preached to
the negroes, Sep 17, 1797.” This is the second sermon written expressly for Blacks
in their new place of worship in Baltimore (see accession numbers 2116, 2126, and
2133. Bend used smaller pages than usual for this sermon. The cover is worn and
a slight tear at the hinge results in the loss of a small part of the concluding phrase,
“There is such a being,” but the wording is quite clear. The sermon states Bend’s
teleological views.
Keywords: Black church, opened in Baltimore; religion, natural; religion, revealed;
God, existence of; man, evidence of creator’s existence; natural religion;
103. BEND, JOSEPH GROVE JOHN. (MD; Epis.; 1762-1812; ord. 1787)
“For the Benefit of the Corporation.” [1793] 1 + 30 + 1 blank + 12pp. [Acc. No.
1944]
Repository: F. Garner Ranney Archives of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland,
Baltimore, MD
Bib. Ref.: Gal: Ch 6, V 10. “As we have, therefore, opportunity, let us do good unto
all men, especially unto them, who are of the household of faith.”
Commentary: Notes on the cover read “Fin[ished] May 10, 1793,” and “Preached
in St Paul’s, Balt A M, May 12, 1793. Xt Chh, [Baltimore] June 14, 1801. St Paul’s,
[Baltimore] A M, for Char[it]y School Dec. 1, [18]05. St Peter’s Whitemarsh,
[Talbot County, Eastern Shore of Maryland] June 12, [18]08.” Page 30 is written
inside the front cover of the sermon. An insert of twelve pages about the Charity
School, St Paul’s Parish, Baltimore, follows the first sentence of page 23. Bend
prepared this sermon on behalf of the Corporation for the Relief of Widows and
Children of Deceased Clergymen, but he composed an alternative ending referring
to the purposes of the Charity School of St. Paul’s Parish, Baltimore, when he
preached the sermon on December 1, 1805. In this sermon, Bend refers to the low
state of the Episcopal Church after the Revolution, to disestablishment, and to the
sufferings of the impoverished clergy.
Keywords: Corporation for the Relief of Widows and Children of Deceased
Clergymen; widows of clergymen; children of clergymen; orphans; American
Revolution; Episcopal Church; enemies, love of; charity;
104. BEND, JOSEPH GROVE JOHN. (MD; Epis.; 1762-1812; ord. 1787)
“The best Christians unprofitable servants.” [1792] 1 + 1 blank + 29 + 1 pp. [Acc.
No. 1891]
Repository: F. Garner Ranney Archives of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland,
Baltimore, MD
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