Julian Moreton
Encyclopedia
The Reverend Julian Moreton (1825–1900) was a Church of England
(Anglican) clergyman and author who travelled from England
to Newfoundland, Canada
to be ordained as a missionary for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. He stayed for thirteen years, kept a detailed journal, and wrote a book, entitled "Life and work in Newfoundland : reminiscences of thirteen years spent there".
( lawyer), and was attracted to and influenced by the Tractarian Movement, also known as the Oxford Movement
and wished to become an Anglican Priest, an ambition difficult to satisfy for one of his low social status. In June 1855, Moreton married Georgine McKenzie.
. A year later, in 1848, the Bishop of Newfoundland
, Edward Feild
, accepted Moreton who was recommended by a friend of Feild a prominent High Church clergyman, William Scott of Hoxton
.
When Julian Moreton arrived on the Island, he received a year of training at the Theological Institute located in t. John's, Newfoundland, the capital of Newfoundland
. In 1849 he was ordained a deacon on Trinity Sunday at St. Thomas's Church in St. John's. A year later on 22 September 1850 he was ordained a Priest at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in St. John's.
with financial backing from the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (S.P.G.). The Greenspond Mission was a very difficult area as it covered seventy miles of coast, 23 distinct settlements which had to be reached by boat, and more than 3,200 members of the Church. Although Moreton wanted to leave the mission in 1855, he decided to stay and just shortly after volunteered to have the S.P.G. stop providing him with payments as he could survive on payments made by the inhabitants. Bishop Feild was very pleased with his work.
Moreton gave several lectures when he returned to England
, which were published in 1863 under the title Life and work in Newfoundland; reminiscences of thirteen years spent there (London). The book gives a detailed account of his life as a missionary as well as valuable descriptions of society in Newfoundland outports during that time. The people of Greenspond
had built a church and afterwards voted as to whether it should be Methodist or Anglican. Moreton was constantly on the move. He describes visiting settlements during the winter, when the fishermen lived in tilts in the woods, and he often slept on logs near the fire. He raised money to build a new church on Pinchard's Island
and to pay lay readers in the mission. He often wrote letters for the illiterate, who made up the great majority of his parishioners: he records that “of 334 persons married in seven years previous to September, 1856, only 49 could write their names.” Apart from the merchants’ agents, the collector of customs, the doctor, and the schoolmaster, the inhabitants of the Greenspond
area were fishermen. Most were of English origin, settlers or descendants of settlers from Hampshire and Dorset.
Julian Moreton faced many hardships and obstacles during his time as missionary in the Greenspond Mission. These hardships are recorded in Moreton's book and in Bishop Edward Feild
's reports to the S.P.G. For example, one account records Moreton visiting Deadman's Bay some 30 miles away from his home, walking for 16 miles along the shore, living on bread and butter with salted fish alone, and expecting only two good meals in nine days. This life eventually proved too difficult for Moreton, who suffered a complete breakdown in his health.
for his final year in Newfoundland. The following year, after returning to England
he began serving as Chaplain to colonial governors, first at Labuan (Malaysia) and then Penang
. In 1874 he secured a curacy in England and eventually ended his ministry as vicar of the parish of Saltash
. In his retirement Moreton continued to write and lecture on Anglo Catholic topics, often referring to his experiences in Newfoundland
and quoting Bishop Feild. Moreton died at his home in Springfield Gardens, Upper Clapton, on December 16, 1900. He was 76 years old. He was perhaps the first Anglo-Catholic clergyman to minister in Newfoundland and is remembered to this day by the Guild of All Souls ,at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.
A letter to the Rev. H. Bailey, in reply to recent strictures upon missionary societies and the missionaries (Oxford, 1864)
Ritual in worship: now and hereafter (London, 1888)
Some thoughts on marriage (London, 1891)
What is the characteristic grace of confirmation? A treatise on the operation of the Holy Ghost in confirmation, with a scheme of instruction (London, 1890).
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
(Anglican) clergyman and author who travelled from England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
to Newfoundland, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
to be ordained as a missionary for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. He stayed for thirteen years, kept a detailed journal, and wrote a book, entitled "Life and work in Newfoundland : reminiscences of thirteen years spent there".
Early life
There is not much information on Julian Moreton's early life except that he was born on August 29, 1825 in Chelsea,London, England.. While there he was a clerk for a barristerBarrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
( lawyer), and was attracted to and influenced by the Tractarian Movement, also known as the Oxford Movement
Oxford Movement
The Oxford Movement was a movement of High Church Anglicans, eventually developing into Anglo-Catholicism. The movement, whose members were often associated with the University of Oxford, argued for the reinstatement of lost Christian traditions of faith and their inclusion into Anglican liturgy...
and wished to become an Anglican Priest, an ambition difficult to satisfy for one of his low social status. In June 1855, Moreton married Georgine McKenzie.
Training
Moreton could not become an Anglican priest in England, therefore, around the year 1847 he applied to become a missionaryMissionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
. A year later, in 1848, the Bishop of Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, Edward Feild
Edward Feild
Bishop Edward Feild was a university tutor, university examiner, Anglican clergyman, inspector of schools and second Bishop of Newfoundland, born Worcester, England...
, accepted Moreton who was recommended by a friend of Feild a prominent High Church clergyman, William Scott of Hoxton
Hoxton
Hoxton is an area in the London Borough of Hackney, immediately north of the financial district of the City of London. The area of Hoxton is bordered by Regent's Canal on the north side, Wharf Road and City Road on the west, Old Street on the south, and Kingsland Road on the east.Hoxton is also a...
.
When Julian Moreton arrived on the Island, he received a year of training at the Theological Institute located in t. John's, Newfoundland, the capital of Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
. In 1849 he was ordained a deacon on Trinity Sunday at St. Thomas's Church in St. John's. A year later on 22 September 1850 he was ordained a Priest at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in St. John's.
Greenspond Mission
In 1849 Julian Moreton was stationed at Greenspond, Newfoundland, Bonavista BayBonavista Bay
Bonavista Bay is a large bay located on the northeast coast of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It opens directly onto the Atlantic Ocean....
with financial backing from the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (S.P.G.). The Greenspond Mission was a very difficult area as it covered seventy miles of coast, 23 distinct settlements which had to be reached by boat, and more than 3,200 members of the Church. Although Moreton wanted to leave the mission in 1855, he decided to stay and just shortly after volunteered to have the S.P.G. stop providing him with payments as he could survive on payments made by the inhabitants. Bishop Feild was very pleased with his work.
Moreton gave several lectures when he returned to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, which were published in 1863 under the title Life and work in Newfoundland; reminiscences of thirteen years spent there (London). The book gives a detailed account of his life as a missionary as well as valuable descriptions of society in Newfoundland outports during that time. The people of Greenspond
Greenspond, Newfoundland and Labrador
Greenspond is one of the communities that comprise an area on the northeast coast of the Island of Newfoundland, called Bonavista North. These communities have a shared history in that they were settled by people from England, predominantly from the West Country - Dorset, Devon, Somerset and...
had built a church and afterwards voted as to whether it should be Methodist or Anglican. Moreton was constantly on the move. He describes visiting settlements during the winter, when the fishermen lived in tilts in the woods, and he often slept on logs near the fire. He raised money to build a new church on Pinchard's Island
Pinchard's Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
Pinchard's Island is one of the communities that comprise an area on the northeast coast of the Island of Newfoundland, called Bonavista North. These communities have a shared history in that they were settled by people from England, predominantly from the West Country - Dorset, Devon Somerset and...
and to pay lay readers in the mission. He often wrote letters for the illiterate, who made up the great majority of his parishioners: he records that “of 334 persons married in seven years previous to September, 1856, only 49 could write their names.” Apart from the merchants’ agents, the collector of customs, the doctor, and the schoolmaster, the inhabitants of the Greenspond
Greenspond, Newfoundland and Labrador
Greenspond is one of the communities that comprise an area on the northeast coast of the Island of Newfoundland, called Bonavista North. These communities have a shared history in that they were settled by people from England, predominantly from the West Country - Dorset, Devon, Somerset and...
area were fishermen. Most were of English origin, settlers or descendants of settlers from Hampshire and Dorset.
Julian Moreton faced many hardships and obstacles during his time as missionary in the Greenspond Mission. These hardships are recorded in Moreton's book and in Bishop Edward Feild
Edward Feild
Bishop Edward Feild was a university tutor, university examiner, Anglican clergyman, inspector of schools and second Bishop of Newfoundland, born Worcester, England...
's reports to the S.P.G. For example, one account records Moreton visiting Deadman's Bay some 30 miles away from his home, walking for 16 miles along the shore, living on bread and butter with salted fish alone, and expecting only two good meals in nine days. This life eventually proved too difficult for Moreton, who suffered a complete breakdown in his health.
England
In 1860, while failing in health, Moreton was transferred to the Island Cove/Bishop's Cove Mission in Conception BayConception Bay
Conception Bay is a Canadian bay located on the northeast coast of the island of Newfoundland. The bay indents the Avalon Peninsula with the opening of the bay to the Atlantic Ocean at the northeast. It is bounded by Cape St. Francis in the south and Split Point near Bay de Verde in the north...
for his final year in Newfoundland. The following year, after returning to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
he began serving as Chaplain to colonial governors, first at Labuan (Malaysia) and then Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
. In 1874 he secured a curacy in England and eventually ended his ministry as vicar of the parish of Saltash
Saltash
Saltash is a town and civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It has a population of 14,964. It lies in the south east of Cornwall, facing Plymouth over the River Tamar. It was in the Caradon district until March 2009 and is known as "the gateway to Cornwall". Saltash means ash tree by...
. In his retirement Moreton continued to write and lecture on Anglo Catholic topics, often referring to his experiences in Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
and quoting Bishop Feild. Moreton died at his home in Springfield Gardens, Upper Clapton, on December 16, 1900. He was 76 years old. He was perhaps the first Anglo-Catholic clergyman to minister in Newfoundland and is remembered to this day by the Guild of All Souls ,at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.
Works
Life and work in Newfoundland : reminiscences of thirteen years spent there (London, Rivingtons, 1863)A letter to the Rev. H. Bailey, in reply to recent strictures upon missionary societies and the missionaries (Oxford, 1864)
Ritual in worship: now and hereafter (London, 1888)
Some thoughts on marriage (London, 1891)
What is the characteristic grace of confirmation? A treatise on the operation of the Holy Ghost in confirmation, with a scheme of instruction (London, 1890).
See also
- Naboth WinsorNaboth WinsorNaboth Winsor was born to Robert Stewart Winsor and Jane Winsor, on Winsor's Island, one of the islands comprising Swain's Island, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland. Winsor and his family moved to nearby Wesleyville when he was four years old. Winsor received a Bachelor of Arts Degree, the Degree of...
- List of communities in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Greenspond
- Robert DyerRobert DyerRobert Dyer left the village of Heytesbury, in the county of Wiltshire, England to voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to serve as a Newfoundland School Society teacher in the fishing community of Greenspond, Newfoundland...