Gadsden Chrtstopher Edwards, Dd

Gadsden Chrtstopher Edwards, D.D., Protestant Episcopal bishop of South Carolina, was born in Charleston, November 25. 1785. His early training was partly Episcopal and partly Congregational. In 1840 he passed A.B. of Yale College, where he formed a lasting friendship with John C. Calhoun. He was ordained deacon in 1807, and priest in 1810. In 1808 he took charge of St. John's, Berkley, and soon after became assistant minister of St. Philip's, Charleston, of which he became rector in 1814, and in connection with which he spent the residue of his life. In 1810 he founded the Protestant Episcopal Society in South Carolina, which has proved an important auxiliary to clerical education and missionary effort. In 1814 he became rector of St. Philip's, Charleston, and the following year was made D.D. by the College of South Carolina. He was elected bishop in 1840, and in the earnest discharge of his duties gave particular attention to the spiritual interests of the colored people. He was distinguished for thorough learning and deep piety. He died in Charilestoh, June 24, 1852. He published The Prayer-book as it is; three charges to his clergy, entitled The Times morally considered, The Times ecclesiastically considered, and The Times theologically considered; and some Sermons. — Sprague, Annals, 5:510.