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JOURNAL

OF THE

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION

OF THE

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

IN THE DIOCESE OF GEORGIA,

Held in Christ Church, in the City of Macon,

ON THE 3D AND 4TH OF MAY, 1841.

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COLUMBUS:
PRINTED AT THE ENQUIRER OFFICE.
………..
M.DCCC.XLI

LIST OF CLERGY.

Rt. Rev. STEPHEN ELLIOTT, D.D. Bishop of the Diocese, and Rector of St. John’s Church, Savannah.
Rev. EDWARD NEUFVILLE, Rector of Christ Church, Savannah.
“ EDWARD E. FORD, Rector of St. Paul’s Church, Augusta.
“ THEODORE B. BARTOW, Rector of Christ Church, St. Simon’s Island.
“ SENECA G. BRAGG, Rector of Christ Church, Macon.
“ WILLIAM D. CAIRNS, Rector of Trinity Church, Columbus.
“ JOHN J. HUNT, Missionary at Lexington, and Teacher of a Seminary in Washington.
“ GEORGE WHITE, Minister of the Seamen’s Chapel, and Teacher of a Seminary in Savannah.
“ CHARLES FAY, Missionary, and Principal of the Episcopal Institute at Montpelier.
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LIST OF LAY DELEGATES.

CHRIST CHURCH, SAVANNAH:
Dr. THEODOSIUS BARTOW, Mr. WILLIAM P. HUNTER,
Mr. R. R. CUYLER.

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, AUGUSTA:
Mr. EDWARD F. CAMPBELL, Mr. BENJAMIN CONLEY,
Mr. B. T. NICHOLS.

CHRIST CHURCH, MACON:
Mr. NATHAN C. MUNROE, Judge C. B. STRONG,
Dr. JOS. J. RIDLEY.

TRINITY CHURCH, COLUMBUS:
Mr. LEWIS C. ALLEN, Mr. ELBERT WELLS,
Mr. RICHARD ALSOP.

Major WILLIAM S. ROCKWELL.

JOURNAL.

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CHRIST CHURCH, MACON, May 3, 1841.

The Nineteenth Annual Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the Diocese of Georgia, met this day, agreeably to appointment, after morning prayer by the Rev. Charles Fay, and a sermon by the Rev. Edward E. Ford; the convention sermon having been preached the day preceding, by the Rev. William D. Cairns. The holy rite of Confirmation was also administered on that day to eleven persons, and the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper to about sixty.
The Bishop having taken the chair, the following persons, entitled to seats in this Convention, were found to be present, to wit:
OF THE CLERGY: OF THE LAITY:
Rev. EDWARD NEUFVILLE, Mr. WILLIAM P. HUNTER,
“ EDWARD E. FORD, “ BENJAMIN CONLEY,
“ SENECA G. BRAGG, “ B. T. NICHOLS,
“ WILLIAM D. CAIRNS, “ NATHAN C. MUNROE,
“ JOHN J. HUNT, Hon. C. B. STRONG,
“ CHARLES FAY. DR. JOSEPH J. RIDLEY,
Mr. ELBERT WELLS, Mr. RICHARD ALSOP.
A quorum being present, the Bishop declared the Convention organized and prepared for business: whereupon, the Rev. William D. Cairns was unanimously re-elected Secretary for the ensuing year.
The Rules of Order of 1838 were adopted for the government of this Convention.
Applications from St. Stephen’s Church, Milledgeville, and St. John’s Church, Savannah, having been made for admission into this Convention; after due consideration,

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said Churches were admitted accordingly, and Maj. William S. Rockwell took his seat as a delegate from the former.
The Chair proceeded to appoint the following Committees:
On the State of the Church…Rev. Edward Neufville, and Rev. Edward E. Ford.
On Unfinished Business…Rev. William D. Cairns, and Judge C. B. Strong.
On Finance…Mr. William P. Hunter, and Mr. Nathan C. Munroe.
The Bishop then read to the Convention his

PRIMARY ADDRESS.

BRETHREN OF THE CLERGY AND LAITY:
Christ Jesus, our Lord, who is head over all things to the Church, hath knit us together, through his Holy Spirit, in a most solemn and interesting fellowship. Together do we constitute a Church of Christ: together are we set for the spreading abroad of the Gospel, the glad tidings of reconciliation with God: together are we ordained to show forth by our good works, the glory of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light. May we be so joined together in unity of spirit and in the bond of peace, that we may be a holy temple, acceptable to him: may we with one heart desire the prosperity of Christ’s holy Church, and with one mouth maintain the faith once delivered to the Saints.
In obedience to canonical requisition, I lay before you a detail of the affairs which have occurred in the diocese, since my consecration. That ceremony, originally arranged for the 17th of January, was not consummated, from unavoidable hindrances, until the 28th February: more than a month was thus taken from the very limited period which existed, before the meeting of this Convention, for the visitation of a diocese, which, although weak in its number of churches, is yet vast in its territorial surface, and presents many points of interest for Episcopal visitation. I have in consequence, not been able, before this meeting, to reach any point of my diocese more northerly than Milledgeville. The upper country will be visited immediately after the adjournment of this Convention.

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I directed my visitations first to the counties upon the seacoast, beginning with Christ Church, St. Simon’s Island. This point was reached on Saturday, the 13th of March, in company with its Rector, the Rev. Theodore B. Bartow. We commenced our services on Sunday, and continues them through Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, holding each day one service. I preached also twice to the colored people collected at the church. The whole population of this Island is Episcopal, with a single exception, and I was much gratified at the full attendance of the congregation at every service, although my visit was made at a busy time with the planters. The church edifice I found in very excellent repair, and the grounds about it in that order which betokens an interest in its welfare. In consequence of the tedious and painful illness of our beloved brother, and his long absence from his parish, no Episcopal services were performed.
From St. Simon’s I proceeded to Darien, McIntosh county, accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Bartow, and was hospitably entertained by Dr. James Holmes, a warm friend of the Church. The Presbyterians and the Baptists, with great kindness, immediately tendered me the use of their places of worship; and on Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday afternoon, I officiated in the Presbyterian Church. On Sunday night the Episcopalians of the neighborhood assembled at the house of Dr. James Troup, when a Church was organized, under the title of St. Peter’s Church, Darien, by the election of wardens and vestry. The number of Episcopalians in Darien is large—quite sufficient to support a clergyman at once, with a liberal salary. I entertain strong hopes, from the spirit which I witnessed among the Episcopalians, and from the good feeling manifested by the people generally, that they will at once proceed to build themselves a comfortable church. During my visit to Darien I baptized four children.
From Darien I passed over to Glynn county, still accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Bartow, for the purpose of organizing the Episcopalians of that neighborhood. Upon reaching the residence of James H. Couper, Esq. we found that the extraordi-

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nary rise of the waters in the Altamaha had cut off all communication with the adjacent plantations. I have reason to hope, however, that the planters of that neighborhood, who are, almost without an exception, Episcopalians, will erect a church at some point central to Hopeton, Brunswick and the Buffalo, and will support a clergyman between that place and another point in Wayne county, adjacent to their summer retreats. Of this plan, however, I cannot speak with any certainty. I baptized two children at the house of Mr. Couper.
The earnest desire which our older Churches had expressed, that I should visit them before the meeting of this body, forced me to return to Savannah without having visited Camden county. At St. Mary’s and in that neighborhood are a few Episcopalians, whom it is desirable should be gathered into a Church. I shall make it a point of special visitation early in the ensuing winter.
From Hopeton I returned to Savannah, and on the sixth Sunday in Lent, set apart, by Consecration, to the service of Almighty God, a second Church in Savannah, by the title of St. John’s Church. It is a plain but neat edifice, capable of accommodating three hundred persons, well finished, and well furnished with all the requisites of a church. The sentence of consecration was read by the Rev. George White, and the sermon by the Rev. Edward Neufville. The Consecration Sermon was preached by the Bishop. In the afternoon of the same day, Confirmation was administered in Christ Church, when fifteen persons were confirmed. An address was delivered to the candidates by the Bishop.
My next point was St. Paul’s, Augusta, which place I reached on Wednesday before Easter. I officiated twice every day during the remainder of the week, and on Sunday morning administered the rite of Confirmation to eighteen persons, which was only a portion of the highly interesting class which had been prepared for its reception. In the afternoon of the same day, the Holy Communion was administered to a large body of communicants. On Tuesday evening in Easter week, I officiated again in St. Paul’s Church, and Dr. May, of Philadelphia, brought the subject of the Foreign Missions of our Church before

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the congregation. I found this Church in an interesting spiritual state, and trust that the Spirit of God will refresh it abundantly.
On Thursday morning, April 15, I reached Milledgeville, and was hospitably entertained by kind friends of the Church in that place. The Presbyterian and Methodist places of worship were immediately tendered me, and I officiated Friday night, the 16th, in the one, and on Sunday morning and night in the other: preaching in the afternoon of Sunday in the Chapel of Oglethorpe University. On Sunday night, after service, an Episcopal Church was organized under the title of St. Stephen’s, Milledgeville, by the election of Wardens and Vestry. This congregation will, I trust, soon wax strong, and secure for us a position at the seat of government, which will be instrumental in making our Church known to the intelligent gentlemen of the State.
From Milledgeville I turned my face towards Columbus, which I reached on the 20th April. I found the Church in this place in an active and rapidly growing condition. I officiated seven times during my stay at Columbus, and confirmed on the 2d Sunday after Easter, a deeply interesting class of eighteen persons. In the afternoon I catechised the children, and at night administered the Communion. Almost free from debt, with a congregation moving together like a band of brothers, with one of the neatest and best ordered churches I have ever seen, in the midst of a rapidly increasing neighborhood, this congregation bids fair, through the blessing of God upon the labors of its devoted Pastor, to rank as one of the strongest Churches in our Diocese.
From Columbus, I came on Monday last, to this place, and commenced my visitation on Thursday morning, officiating morning and night on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Saturday I baptized one adult and four infants, as it was the desire of these persons that the Rector of the Church should stand as their witness and sponsor. On Sunday morning I administered Confirmation to eleven persons, and in the afternoon the Communion, assisted by the Rev. Edward Neufville.
At a time when our Diocese needs a large accession of cler-

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gymen, we continue without a single candidate for orders. This state of things must be changed, and the change can be wrought in no other way than by holding up a high standard of Christian obligation before our male communicants, and by invoking through earnest prayer, the constraining influences of the Holy Ghost upon their hearts. Every Diocese ought to supply its own ministry, for nothing is gained to the Church Catholic by calling clergymen from one point of the vineyard to another, while much is lost by the constant rupture of the pastoral relation, and by the restless spirit which is fostered as its inevitable consequence. Besides, the rapid increase of the older Dioceses demands, for the supply of their own necessities, all the clergymen they may produce. We must depend upon ourselves in this matter. We must cast our Church upon him who has promised to be with it even to the end of the world, and he will call her sons, with the calling of the Holy Ghost, to minister to her altars. But while I press this duty upon you, brethren of the clergy, I shall require, from all who offer themselves as candidates, full satisfaction that they have been moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon them this holy office. There must be no doubtfulness upon this point; it is required by the Church, and as the head of the Church I shall look well to it. An uncalled clergyman only brings reproach upon the Church and misery upon himself.
Since my consecration, the Rev. Charles Fay, late of Vermont, has been received into this Diocese by letters dismissory from the Bishop of that Diocese, and is usefully employed at the Montpelier Springs, Monroe county, in the establishment of an Episcopal Church, in connexion with an Episcopal Institute. The Rev. Ezra B. Kellogg has resigned his charge of the Parish at Clarkesville, and removed into the Diocese of South Carolina.
At a moment when the deeply interesting subject of Church education is enlisting the feelings of the Church, and engaging the talents of some of the ablest of her ministry, it affords me much pleasure to report to this Convention that the Christian liberality of G. B. Lamar, Esq. of Savannah, has enabled our Diocese to commence this work under the very best auspices.

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Having purchased the beautiful spot, known as the Montpelier Springs, he has presented it, with seven or eight hundred acres of land in its vicinity, to the Episcopal Church, vesting the property in a Board of Trustees, all of whom are members of our Church, the Bishop of the Diocese being, ex-officio, its President, with the injunction that the school shall be conducted upon Episcopal principles. The school has been organized by the election of the Rev. Charles Fay and his wife, late of Vermont, as its Instructors, and of Samuel H. Fay, Esq. late of Savannah, as its Treasurer and Steward. Its growth must, at first, from its distinctive principles, be slow; but I trust that prudent management and strict discipline, and a religious spirit will win for it the support of the Christian Church.
The religious instruction of our domestics, and of the negroes upon plantations, is a subject that should never be passed over in the address of a Southern Bishop. It is a subject that ought to press upon us, as a Church, with great power; and we think, without any disparagement, that there is no arrangement of worship so well qualified as ours, to meet exactly the wants of our colored population. What they need is sound religious instruction—such instruction as they can lay hold upon and retain—exactly such as is prepared to their hand in our Liturgy and Catechisms. There is no lack, among the negroes, of the means of grace; there are very few colored persons of the State of Georgia who have not, within their reach, some kind of religious exercise; but it is, for the most part, a religion of excitement, occupied entirely with the feelings, while they need to be instructed in the first principles of the doctrine of Christ. What they require we can furnish, if we will only stir up ourselves, brethren of the clergy, to this most interesting and necessary labor. It is a mistake to suppose that our Church repels, by her liturgical forms, this class of our population; it ought to be and it might be emphatically their Church, if we, her ministers, would do our duty in the matter. But that duty requires, on our part, persevering effort, assiduous attention, indefatigable patience. They must be taught the Liturgy before they can relish it, and that instruction must be given, line upon

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line and precept upon precept—beginning with them in the Sunday school as children, and gradually training them up into Church people. I would suggest that each clergyman should make a list of all the colored children belonging to the families in his congregation—should collect them into a Sunday school in connexion with his Church—should baptize all that were young enough to receive the rite, persuading their masters and mistresses to act as their sponsors—should train them up to repeat and understand and appreciate the Liturgy—should consider them an integral part of his flock, watching over them as he does over the white children of his congregation—should present them, at proper times, for Confirmation, and finally connect them with the Communion of the Church. To carry out this plan fully, comfortable sittings should be provided for them in every Church, and they should be made to feel that they were welcome to our table. I feel confident that, in a few years, should this suggestion be carried out, we should see large congregations of well instructed colored people connected with every Episcopal Church. Under existing circumstances, where the servants of Episcopal families have been suffered to wander off into other folds, the attempt to recall them would not be attended with any good result. We must regain our lost ground by attaching the children to our forms of worship.
Our Church is somewhat agitated, at this moment, upon the subject of its doctrine and its practice, and it behoves every Bishop to lay his views before his clergy, and every minister to take heed unto himself. As the clergy of a Church which has written Articles and a time-honored Liturgy, the one fixing her doctrine, the other regulating her practice, which has promulged her Creed, from time to time, through her formularies and books of instruction, which possesses an unbroken succession of authors contemporaneous with the publication of those formularies and explanatory of them, we ought to find no difficulty in deciding about the agreement or disagreement of any thing that may be advanced, at this day, with those formularies, and that authorized

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explanation. The question for us to settle, as ministers of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America, deriving our succession and our forms and our faith from the English Church, is, whether any views of doctrine or of practice, that may be submitted to our consideration, agree with her Articles, Homilies, Liturgy, Offices, and the contemporaneous exposition of them during the eighty years in which they were moulding. This is the only question for us; for, in conforming ourselves to the Protestant Episcopal Church—in devoting ourselves to the ministry within her borders—in taking the vows which were laid upon us in our ordination, we limited ourselves, as it were, to the doctrines she had set forth and the practices she had adopted: we closed the door, so far as we were concerned, against all private innovation, even though it might be fetched in from a remote antiquity: we determined to be satisfied with that measure of catholic antiquity which she thought fit, at her Reformation, to retain and sanction; and, in adhering strictly to her embodied doctrine and her wonted practice, we cast no contempt upon ancient Christianity, but only say, that we prefer her judgment as a Church, in regard to it, over any that may be offered to our acceptance from whatever quarter. Catholic antiquity is no longer an open question in the Church; for the sake of peace and harmony, the Anglican Church settled the matter by the selection of certain doctrines which she deemed scriptural, and the retention of certain forms which she was satisfied were primitive. And it is well for us, beloved brethren, that it is so; for very few of the clergy of this country are prepared to examine these questions for themselves: very few have the leisure, or the books, or the learning necessary for their investigation. Any thing different from our received doctrine or our wonted practice, especially if it rest upon tradition, must be taken upon the faith of individuals, of whom it would be no disparagement to say that they cannot be weighed in the same scale with the fathers of the Anglican reformation. If you would settle yourselves,

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brethren of the clergy, in the doctrines and practices of the Church to which you belong and with which you have to do, furnish yourselves with the formularies of the Church from the Primers of King Henry to the perfect Prayer Book, with the Homilies, with the authorized Catechisms of that early time, with the writings of those learned and holy men who flourished from the Reformation to the death of James I. In those writings is it—writings, alas! how little known and how little read!—that you will find the faith which you should teach as ministers of the Episcopal Church—that you will encounter the noblest defences and the richest illustrations of her usages—that you will learn the positions which you should assume against Romanism on one hand, and dissent on the other. This period embraces a series of writers hard to be procured at this day and in this country, but which should be in the possession of every clergyman of the Episcopal Church. I have said thus much, brethren of the clergy, to put you upon what I deem the right track for the settlement, in your own minds, of questions that are engaging the attention of the Church.
In conclusion, let me bring to your notice, as a Diocesan Convention, the proposed alterations of the first and sixth Articles of the Constitution, with copies of which you will be furnished; and pray that the Holy Spirit may preside over our councils, and preserve us from all error, ignorance, pride and prejudice, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr.

On motion, the Rev. Messrs, Cairns and Neufville were appointed a Committee to report on so much of the Bishop’s Address, as related to the proposed alterations in the Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.
Convention adjourned until four o’clock, P. M.

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Afternoon Session, 4 o’clock.
Convention met pursuant to the adjournment. The Parochial Reports were then read as follows:

CHRIST CHURCH, SAVANNAH.
Rev. Edward Neufville, Rector.

Baptisms—white infants, 29; colored infants, 3; white adults, 2 – – – 34
Marriages – – – – – – – – – 13
Burials – – – – – – – – – – 38
Confirmed – – – – – – – – – 15
Communicants – – – – – – – – 160
The Sunday School is in a flourishing condition, and comprises a Superintendent, seventeen Teachers, and one hundred and twenty-six pupils. There is also a Sunday class of seventy-five colored children.
In addition to the payment of $1,000 as its quota to the support of the Episcopate, and the expenses attendant upon the consecration of the Bishop, $420, this Parish has contributed to different objects connected with the Church, as follows:
To Diocesan Missions – – – – – – – $210,66
To Diocesan and Foreign Missionary Committees – – – – 281,00
To relief of Trinity Church, Columbus, – – – – – 1150,00
But these indications of liberality do not alone constitute the ground of rejoicing in its prosperity. An increased and increasing interest in spiritual things, is clearly discernible, from which the Rector confidently looks for abundant fruit, while he thanks God and takes courage.

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ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, AUGUSTA.
Rev. Edward E. Ford, Rector.
The Rector of St. Paul’s Church, Augusta, submits the following Report of the state of his Parish since the last Convention:
Baptisms—6 adults; 23 children, – – – – – – – 29
Confirmed – – – – – – – – – 18
Communicants—removed, 4; withdrawn, 1; added, 21, 4 being
transferred from other Episcopal Congregations – – 82
Marriages – – – – – – – – – 2
Burials—3 being of person not of the congregation, – – – – – 8
The Sunday School numbers 61 scholars, under the direction of the Rector as superintendent, a Librarian, 4 male and 7 female teachers.
The “Church offerings” have yielded, since the last Convention,

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$153 41, which, with the exception of a small sum expended for Sunday school books, tracts, &c., has been appropriated to the cause of our Diocesan Missions.
The sum of $53 68 has been collected for Domestic Missions, under an appeal to the Churches, from the Secretary of the Domestic Committee of the Board of Missions.
A donation of $355 has been made for the relief of Trinity Church, Columbus.
The sum of $500, the quota of the congregation for the support of the Episcopate, as established by the last Convention, has been paid.
The Rector records, with devout gratitude to the Giver of all good, that the spiritual condition of his Parish has never been as prosperous, since his connexion with it, as during the past Conventional year. The services of the Church have been well attended and devoutly engaged in. The Bible class has been regarded with increased interest, and more numerously attended than in the year previous; and especially there has prevailed among parents an increased sense of duty and the privilege of having their children “incorporated into the Church” by baptism. Nor is it only a growing attachment to the externals of the Church; there are pleasing indications of an increase in that practical religion, pure and undefiled, which is the great end and purpose of her ministrations.

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CHRIST CHURCH, MACON.
Rev. Seneca G. Bragg, Rector.

Baptisms—children, exclusive of one adult and four children
baptized by the Bishop, the Rector standing
as Sponsor – – – – – – – 8
Marriages – – – – – – – – – 3
Burials—including ten not of the congregation – – – – – 13
Confirmed – – – – – – – – – 11
Communicants – – – – – – – – – 55
The Sunday school includes about 50 scholars, instructed by a superintendent, three male and four female teachers. The library has been increased during the year. The amount of Church offerings has been reduced by the pecuniary embarrassments of our Parish; but a few liberal donations have supplied their place. The sum of $225 has been contributed, on account of two Churches erected in other Parishes, and about $200 more applied to other objects of benevolence.
The Ladies’ Association has been reorganized and enlarged, with a prospect of increased efficiency. Through the active and persevering

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efforts of its officers and members, several important objects have been accomplished in connection with the appearance and preservation of our Church edifice, and the order and propriety of our public worship. The Rector would gratefully acknowledge the goodness of the Lord toward himself and the people of his charge, and apply the language of Holy Writ to our present condition—“faint, yet pursuing.”

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TRINITY CHURCH, COLUMBUS.
Rev. William D. Cairns, Rector.

Baptisms—1 adult; 16 infants – – – – – – – 17
Confirmations – – – – – – – – – 18
Communicants—3 removed; 1 died; 1 excommunicated; 19 added, – – – 47
Marriages – – – – – – – – – 4
Burials – – – – – – – – – – 4
Sunday school—teachers 9; scholars – – – – – – 50
Bible lecture—average attendance – – – – – – – 30
Collections for various purposes – – – – – – – $450
During the past year the heavy debt of this Parish has been nearly extinguished by the great liberality, in part, of our friends in Macon, Savannah, Augusta and Charleston, and in part by the strenuous efforts of our own people. Towards this object twenty-two hundred dollars have been raised at home—eleven hundred and fifty were contributed by the congregation of Christ Church, Savannah—three hundred and fifty-five by that of St. Paul’s Church, Augusta—one hundred and twenty-five by Christ Church, Macon, and eight hundred and fifty by the Churches in Charleston. The surest reward of those who have so nobly aided us will be found in the evident prosperity of the Church, as exhibited in this report, and the assurance that the remaining part of the debt will easily be paid at home. The Rector feels bound especially to acknowledge the industry and self-denial of the ladies in Savannah, Augusta and Charleston, who not only encouraged him by their sympathies, but also contributed many valuable articles which cannot here be mentioned. Of the collections acknowledged as made at home, more than two hundred dollars were the produce of the industry of a small association of females, without whom the Church in Columbus would, to this day, have wanted a name.
The Rector, in behalf of his people, feels constrained to acknowledge the Divine mercy in permitting the Church in this Diocese to enjoy the pastoral oversight of one so evidently raised up of God for the high office to which he has been set apart; and the prayers of both Rector and people will not fail to be offered, that God may give to his servant many years of successful and blessed labor in the vineyard over which He has placed him.
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CHRIST CHURCH, ST. SIMON’S.
Rev. T. B. Bartow, Rector.

Communicants—died,1; – – – – – – – – 14
Baptism – – – – – – – – – – 1
Burials – – – – – – – – – – 2
This Parish has been favored with the first visitation of the Bishop after his consecration. Divine service was well attended during the four successive days on which he preached—and the cheering hope is general that, under his apostolic guidance, piety and churchmanship will both revive amongst us.

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REPORT OF REV. JOHN J. HUNT,
Missionary at Lexington

Communicants – – – – – – – – – 6
Baptism – – – – – – – – – – 1
Marriage – – – – – – – – – 1
By request of the Missionary Committee, I have continued to visit and officiate for the few Episcopalians in Lexington, (25 miles from Washington, my place of residence,) as often as the weather and the duties of my school would permit. These visits of necessity hurried, being able to spend only Sunday with them—two days being employed in going and returning.
The prospects there are about as last reported. The promised visit of the Bishop to them, as well as the Episcopalians in Athens, will, I trust, be an encouragement to them to hope for the speedy accomplishment of their earnest wishes for the permanent establishment of the Church among them.

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REPORT OF REV. CHARLES FAY,
Missionary at Montpelier.

Since March 1st, the services of the Church have been regularly performed on every Lord’s Day. Although there are but two or three Episcopal families in the neighborhood, yet the attendance of strangers has been very respectable, and they have manifested an uncommon readiness in joining in the responses and other parts of the Liturgy. An

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interest appears to be felt in the development of the Episcopal system, which affords us good encouragement to hope that, by the Divine blessing, a congregation may be gathered at this interesting station, which will prove a valuable accessory to the Church in Georgia. A place of worship has been temporarily fitted up on the premises of the Episcopal Institute, which will accommodate from 100 to 150 persons. It is hoped that eventually the resources of the School will enable the Trustees to erect an appropriate Chapel. The importance of such accommodations to the interests of the Parish and the Institute is so obvious that, at the proper time, the liberality of Episcopalians throughout the State will undoubtedly cooperate with the Trustees in effecting the desired object. It is of the first consequence to the well being of the Institute, that a flourishing Parish be in the neighborhood, and it is hoped that those who have at heart the promotion of Christian education, will bear in mind the Diocesan establishment at Montpelier, and, with their prayers and worldly substance, aid the Bishop and the Trustees in carrying out their plans for placing in a permanent and satisfactory condition the Georgia Episcopal Institute.
The Parish has not yet been organized, but will be as soon as circumstances permit after the Bishop’s visitation.
Eight colored persons, one adult and seven children have been already baptized, and more are soon expected to be. Present number of communicants six. The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is administered on the first Sunday of every month.
The Steward of the Institute has devoted a good deal of attention to the instruction of the negroes on Sundays, besides the daily exercises which are arranged for their benefit at family prayers and other times; and the evidences they give of having profited by the instruction, lead us to anticipate the happiest results in favor of this class of our population.
To the lovers of our Episcopal institutions, it must be gratifying that this Diocese is now provided with the means of having their children educated according to the principles of the Church, in connection with the usual advantages of classical and academical attainment. But we must remember that mere good wishes will not avail. In the prosecution of educational enterprises we need the sympathy and active assistance of those who wish us well: and we trust that our brethren of the Clergy and Laity will use their influence to procure pupils for the Institute so far as it may prove deserving of their patronage and support. Should the School receive the necessary encouragement from the Episcopal community, the Trustees and other friends of it have no doubt that, by the help of God, it will prove a great blessing to the Church, and confer signal benefits upon the immensely important interests of religion and education.

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ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH, MILLEDGEVILLE.

As far as we have been able to ascertain, the number of communicants is six. There are some others who have attached themselves to other denominations, whom we have reason to believe will return to the bosom of their mother, whenever the ordinances are regularly administered. We find, by an act of the Legislature of 1822, that we are entitled to one half acre of land in the State House square, on which to erect our church; also to another half acre for a parsonage. As far as we have been able to make inquiries, nineteen pews can be disposed of, either by rent or sale. We are of opinion that now is the time to commence and carry on the good work in the metropolis of the State. We will do what we are able, but must depend, in a great measure, on our brother Episcopalians in other places for funds.
Signed, J. M. COTTING,
C. J. PAINE, Wardens.
_________

GRACE CHURCH, CLARKSVILLE.
Rev. E. B. KELLOGG, Late Rector.

Baptisms—infants – – – – – – – – 2
Marriage – – – – – – – – – 1
Funerals – – – – – – – – – – 1
Communicants—1 removed, – – – – – – – 6

__________

The Standing Committee submitted the following
REPORT.
The Standing Committee have only to report, that on the 24th of June last, they signed the canonical testimonial in favor of the Rev. William R. Whittingham, D.D. Bishop elect of the Diocese of Maryland; and that they have discharged the duty devolved upon them by a resolution of the last Convention, in reference to the preliminary steps connected with the consecration of the Rev. Dr. Elliott. In forwarding the testimonials received from the different Standing Committees to the presiding Bishop, the President of this body was authorized respectfully to request and urge that the consecration might be appointed to take place in Savannah. To his ready and cheerful compliance with this request, and to the concurrent kindness of Bishops Meade, Ives and Gadsden, in carrying it into effect, under his appointment, your Committee feel that the Church

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in this Diocese is under obligations, inasmuch as this is the first Episcopal Consecration which has taken place at any point South of Maryland; and an opportunity has been hereby afforded to the members of our Church in this region, of witnessing the solemn induction into office of him who has been set over them in the Lord. The very impressive and solemn ceremony was performed in Christ Church, Savannah, on Sunday, the 28th of February last.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
EDWARD NEUFVILLE, President.

__________

The Treasurer’s Report was referred to the Committee on Finance.
The Committee on Unfinished Business reported a proposed amendment to the first clause of the eleventh Article of the Constitution, as ordered to be printed for the acceptance of this Convention, to wit: after the words ‘General Convention,’ to add, ‘and to any Special General Convention which may be held in the recess of this Convention.’ The amendment was unanimously adopted.
The Convention proceeded to elect a Treasurer for the ensuing year. Mr. Robert G. Guerard, the former Treasurer, having declined a re-election, Mr. William P. Hunter, of Savannah, was unanimously chosen.
The election for Standing Committee resulted as follows:
Of the Clergy: Of the Laity:
Rev. Edward Neufville, Mr. William B. Bulloch,
“ Edward E. Ford, Dr. Theodosius Bartow,
“ Theodore B. Bartow, Hon. John M. Berrien.
The Committee on so much of the Episcopal Address as related to certain proposed alterations in the Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the United States of America, reported in favor of the amendments; and the same, after due consideration, were accepted by the Convention.
On motion, it was resolved, that the next Annual Convention of this Diocese be held in Trinity Church, in the City of Columbus.
The Rev. Charles Fay was appointed to preach the Con-

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vention Sermon, and the Rev. Seneca G. Bragg, the Missionary Sermon, at the next Convention.
On motion, the following was unanimously recommended for adoption, by the next Convention, as a substitute for the sixth Article of the Constitution of this Diocese, as it now stands: “Article sixth—Every meeting of the Convention shall be opened with Morning Prayer, and a Sermon delivered on the first day of the Convention, by a preacher appointed at the preceding Convention: a Sermon on Missions shall also be preached some time during the sitting of each Convention, when a collection shall be made in aid of missions within this Diocese. The appointment of both preachers shall be made by the Bishop, or in his absence, by the President of the Convention.”
On motion, it was resolved, that the Constitution and Canons of this Diocese, as hitherto amended, together with the Rules of Order for the government of Convention, be printed with the Journal.
Five hundred copies of the Journal were ordered to be printed.
Convention adjourned until to-morrow morning, at 10 o’clock.

__________

Tuesday Morning, May 4, 1841.
Convention met, pursuant to adjournment, after Divine Service by the Rev. J. J. Hunt, and a sermon by the Rev. Charles Fay, the Bishop in the chair.
The Minutes of yesterday were read and approved.
The Committee on Missions made the following
REPORT.
The Committee on Missions respectfully report:
That they have not felt at liberty to enlarge the sphere of the Missionary operations of the Diocese, since the last Convention. Our engagements have been promptly fulfilled, and we trust the labors of our Missionaries have been followed by beneficial results. The Chairman of

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the Committee visited the Missionary Stations at Clarksville and Lexington, in the month of September last. Since the resignation and departure of the Rev. E. B. Kellogg from the Diocese—the Committee have made no appropriation for missionary objects. We have recently ordered, and received for the Depository, Sunday School books of the value of eighty dollars, and tracts of the value of twenty dollars. Our stock of Prayer Books is sufficiently large for existing demands.
We refer to the accompanying Report of the Treasurer of the Committee, which shows a balance unexpended, (including the sum of sixty-four dollars and forty-three cents received from the Church offerings of St. Paul’s Church, Augusta, at this Convention,) of ninety-six dollars and seven cents.
SENECA G. BRAGG, Chairman.

The Report was accepted, and the Treasurer’s accounts referred to the Committee on Finance.
On motion, it was resolved to print, for the information of the Church in this Diocese, the first section of the seventh Canon of 1835, and the forty-first Canon of 1832. [See Appendix.]
The Committee on Finance reported a balance of $97 07 in the hands of the Treasurer of the Missionary Committee, and a balance of 50 cents due the Treasurer of the Diocese; also, that the accounts of both Treasurers were found to be correct. The balance due the late Treasurer of the Diocese was ordered to be paid.
The Committee on the State of the Church made the following
REPORT.
The Committee on the state of the Church, respectfully report:
That in reviewing the occurrences of the past year, they perceive many tokens of the Divine favor, affording matter of gratitude to the Great Head of the Church for the past, and of hope and encouragement for the future. As the most prominent of these, the Committee regard the important fact of its having been permitted themselves and brethren to witness, since the last Convention, and as the happy fruit of its counsels, the accomplishment, in the consecration of a Bishop, of an object so important in itself to the welfare of this Diocese, and which had been so long earnestly desired. That event is to be regarded as marking a most impor-

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tant epoch in the history of the Church among us; and the present Convention is invested with a deep, solemn and peculiar interest in being the first, at which a Bishop strictly our own had presided. We are thus enabled through the blessing of God to exhibit the Church in the full integrity of her organization, not only in the important particular of her ministry, but also in those incidental features which are left to human ecclesiastical arrangement. As regards external organization, we have nothing more to desire: Let our devout supplications ascend to the Great Head of the Church, that “through the mighty power of the Holy Ghost,” that organization may be made effectual to the great purposes for which the Church was ordained, the spreading of the knowledge of Jesus Christ and him crucified, the establishment in the hearts and lives of men of pure and undefiled religion, and “the breaking down of the kingdom of sin, Satan and death.” Apart from the Divine promises to the Church, the Committee are of opinion that there are other and strong grounds to hope for the Divine blessing in connection with the establishment of the Apostolic office over this portion of Zion. Such encouragement is found in the character and qualifications of the beloved servant of the Lord, upon whom that office has devolved; in the cordial and affectionate reception which he has met both from the Clergy and Laity; in the highly favorable influence which has thus far attended his visitations; in the interesting character and the harmonious action of the present Convention; and especially in the formation of three new congregations as the first fruits of his brief labors since his Consecration.
The establishment of an Episcopal School in the Diocese, through the liberality of a single individual, is another event of the past year most important in its probable influence upon the interests of the Church and the great cause of Christian Education. It is earnestly commended to public patronage and confidence.
The following abstract from the Parochial Reports, as compared with a corresponding statement laid before the last Convention, presents a highly encouraging view of the condition of the Diocese, which, from present indications of spiritual as well as external prosperity, is destined to become a station from which “salvation shall go forth as brightness.”
Baptisms – – – – – – – – – 98
Marriages – – – – – – – – – 23
Burials – – – – – – – – – – 65
Confirmed – – – – – – – – – 62
Communicants – – – – – – – – – 382
Sunday Scholars – – – – – – – – – 362
Teachers – – – – – – – – – 48
Contributions to the Domestic and Foreign Committees – – – – $334 68
“ to Diocesan Missions – – – – – – – 364 07
“ to other objects connected with the Church – – – 4,300 00

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The Committee cannot conclude this report without recording their grateful sense of the kindness manifested by the three Bishops of the Church, who, at a heavy sacrifice of time and of comfort, proceeded to the city of Savannah for the purpose of officiating in the consecration of our beloved Diocesan. For their instrumentality in conferring so signal a blessing upon our Diocese and the Church at large, they are entitled to our warmest thanks, and the Committee recommend to the Convention the adoption of the following resolution on the subject:
Resolved, That the Secretary be requested to tender the grateful acknowledgements of this Convention to the Right Rev. Dr. Griswold, presiding Bishop, for his prompt acquiescence in the request made by the Standing Committee, that the Consecration of Dr. Elliott might be appointed to take place within the limits of the Diocese—and also to the Rt. Rev. Bishops Meade, Ives and Gadsden, who, at a great sacrifice of personal convenience and comfort, in a very inclement season, gave their attendance at Savannah, under the appointment of the presiding Bishop, to perform the solemn service. All which is respectfully submitted.
EDWARD NEUFVILLE,
EDWARD E. FORD.

The Report was accepted, and the accompanying resolution unanimously adopted.
On motion, the Convention unanimously adopted the following

CANON:
It shall be the duty of the Vestry of each Church in connection with this Diocese, to pay, or cause to be paid, into the hands of the Treasurer of the Convention, at each annual meeting of the Convention, the amount of the assessment laid upon the Churches respectively represented by them, for the support of the Episcopate in this Diocese.

Also the following Proposed Addition to the Ninth Article of the Constitution:

It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive, or cause to be received, at each annual Convention, the assessments upon the Parishes of this Diocese for defraying the incidental expenses of the Convention and the support of the Episcopate—and also to pay to the Bishop quarterly in advance, the amount of salary pledged to him by this Convention, making a faithful return of all these his acts in his annual report to the Convention of this Church.

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The first Thursday in May, 1842, was appointed as the time of the next annual meeting of this Convention.
The Convention proceeded to elect a Committee on Missions, and Delegates to the General Convention. The following persons were chosen,

COMMITTEE ON MISSIONS:
Rev. S. G. BRAGG, Mr. N. C. MUNROE,
“ WM. D. CAIRNS, “ HORACE FITCH,
Mr. G. A. KIMBERLY.

DELEGATES TO THE GENERAL CONVENTION:
Rev. THEODORE B. BARTOW, Hon. JOHN McP. BERRIEN,
“ EDWARD E. FORD, Maj. THOMAS M. NELSON,
“ WILLIAM D. CAIRNS, Mr. EDWARD F. CAMPBELL,
“ SENECA G. BRAGG, “ HOWARD S. FAY.

On motion, by Mr. Hunter, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That, as it is important that the formation of a permanent fund for the support of the Episcopate in this Diocese, be at once commenced, each Rector of a Parish is requested, annually, to call the attention of his Parishioners to the subject, and invite contributions for the object in such mode as he may deem most expedient. That the Standing Committee of the Diocese be Trustees of this fund, to whom all collections are to be paid over by the respective Rectors, and the amount thus paid over invested by the said Trustees, in what may appear to them the most safe and profitable manner—the interest annually received to be added to the principal, so that for the present the fund may be accumulating. And further, Resolved, That the Standing Committee as Trustees aforesaid, be requested to report at each annual Convention the amount received during the year, the sources from which received, and the manner in which the same is invested.

The Rev. Edward Neufville was nominated by this Convention, as a Trustee of the General Theological Seminary of the Church.
The Treasurer was directed to pay to the Secretary of this Convention, the sum of $6,75, the assessment upon this Diocese for the contingent expenses of the General Convention.
The thanks of the Convention were unanimously voted to Mr. Robert G. Guerrard, the late Treasurer of this Diocese, for his services to the Church.

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On motion of Mr. Conley, it was

Resolved, That a Committee of five (three Clergymen and two Laymen) be appointed by the President, to report, at the next Convention, on the expediency of limiting the future meetings of the Convention of this Diocese, to such places as are central, or easy of access—the object being to ensure a more full and general attendance.

The Committee appointed by the Chair, are the Rev. Messrs. Neufville, Cairns, and Ford, Mr. Hunter, and Judge Strong.
The Minutes of this day were then read and adopted.
There being no further business, after prayer by the President, the Convention adjourned.

Approved. STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr.
Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia.
William D. Cairns, Secretary.

APPENDIX.

_____

CONSTITUTION

OF THE

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH,

IN THE DIOCESE OF GEORGIA.

ARTICLE I.
The Church in this Diocese, as a constituent part of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, accedes to, recognizes, and adopts the General Constitution of that Church, and acknowledges its authority accordingly.

ARTICLE II.

A Convention of this Church shall be held at such time of each year and place as the previous Convention may appoint: Provided, however, that no Convention shall be opened for the transaction of business, unless there be present at least two Clergymen and Delegates from two congregations. And in case no Convention be formed, the standing officers of the last Convention shall hold their respective offices until successors shall be appointed.

ARTICLE III.

The Bishop, or, if the Episcopate be vacant, the Standing Committee, shall have power, when it appears requisite for the good of the Church, to call a Special Convention, by a circular letter to the several Churches. There shall not be less than four weeks’ notice previous to the day appointed, and such meeting shall be holden when the authority calling it shall determine: and at such Special Convention, no other business shall be transacted than that stated in the notice calling the Convention.

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ARTICLE IV.

The Convention shall be composed of Clergymen and Laymen. Every Clergyman in good standing, duly exercising clerical functions in existing parishes, or in other situations under the direction of the Ecclesiastical authority of this Diocese, shall be a member of the Convention; and every duly recognized Minister of this Church, engaged in the business of literary instruction, who shall have resided within the Diocese for six months last past, shall be entitled to all the privileges of a member of the Convention, with the exception of the right to vote.
Each Church or Congregation in union with this Convention shall be entitled to a representation by one Lay Delegate or more, not exceeding three, to be chosen from its own body by the Wardens and Vestrymen thereof ; Provided, however, that the Minister, or in his absence, the Delegate or Delegates present at any Convention, may supply any vacancy in the delegation, if he or they should find, at the place of meeting, a member or members of the congregation which they are empowered to represent.

ARTICLE V.

New Parishes may be admitted into union with this Convention, by a majority of votes: provided they shall have laid before the Convention written evidence, subscribed by the Wardens, that they accede to the Constitution and Canons of this Church, and are regularly organized by the election of two Wardens, and any number of Vestrymen at discretion, not exceeding eight.

ARTICLE VI.

Every meeting of the Convention shall be opened with Divine Service and a Sermon delivered on the Sunday previous by a preacher appointed at the preceding Convention.

ARTICLE VII.

The Convention shall deliberate and act as one body, unless when any member shall call for a division on any question, in which case each Clerical member shall be entitled to one vote, and the Lay-Delegates of each congregation jointly to one vote; and a majority of both orders shall be necessary to a division.

ARTICLE VIII.

The Bishop of the Diocese shall be, ex officio, President of the Convention. In case there be no Bishop, or in his absence, a presiding officer shall be elected from among the Clerical members present.

ARTICLE IX.

At each annual meeting of the Convention, a Secretary and Treasurer shall be chosen, to hold their respective offices until the next Annual Convention, or until successors shall be appointed.

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ARTICLE X.

A Standing Committee shall be chosen at each annual meeting of the Convention, to consist of three Clerical and three Lay members; of the time and place of whose meetings due notice in writing shall be given to all the members thereof, at least one week before the time of such meeting. At a meeting thus notified, any four members shall constitute a quorum. The Standing Committee shall meet as soon as practicable after their election, and choose a President and Secretary from among their own number; and it shall be the duty of the President to call a meeting of the Committee whenever he shall deem it necessary, or whenever he shall be required so to do by any three members of the Committee.
Vacancies in this Committee, caused by death, resignation, or otherwise, shall be supplied by the suffrages of the remaining members.

ARTICLE XI.

The Convention shall annually elect four Clergymen and four Laymen, as Deputies to the General Convention, and to any Special General Convention which may be held in the recess of this Convention, who shall be empowered, in the absence of one or more of their colleagues, to appoint in the place of such Delegate or Delegates any citizen or citizens of this State, provided that such citizen or citizens be a member or members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this Diocese; or if it be inconvenient for any Delegate or Delegates to proceed to the place of meeting, the Bishop is authorized to appoint others in their place. In case of a vacancy in the Episcopate, the power hereby conferred on the Bishop shall be exercised by the Standing Committee.

ARTICLE XII.

A proposition for altering and amending this Constitution shall be introduced in writing, and considered in Convention: and if approved by a majority, shall lie over to the next Convention, when upon consideration again, if it be approved by a majority of the Convention, it shall be adopted.

__________

CANONS

CANON I.
Each Church duly represented in this Convention shall pay or cause to be paid into the hands of the Treasurer of the Convention, the sum of fifteen dollars annually, for defraying the incidental expenses of the Convention

CANON II.
In case any Clergyman of this Diocese shall be accused of error in doctrine, immorality of life, or neglect or transgression of any of the Canons of

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the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, or of this Diocese, it shall be the duty of any two or more clergymen, or of the Wardens and Vestry of the Church of which he is Rector, or to which he may belong, who shall have knowledge or belief of such misdemeanor, to represent the same to the Bishop, or in case there be no Bishop, to the Standing Committee of the Diocese. In the event of such representation, it shall be the duty of the Bishop, or, if there be no Bishop, the Standing Committee, if he or they shall deem the charge or charges worthy of investigation, forthwith to notify the accused of such charge or charges, together with the time and place appointed for his trial. The mode of trial shall be as follows: The Bishop, or the Standing Committee, as the case may be, shall appoint a number of Presbyters, not less than five, of whom the person accused may select a majority by whom to be tried. The result of the trial shall be made known to the Bishop, or, in case there be no Bishop, to the Standing Committee, who shall pronounce and execute, or cause to be pronounced and executed, such sentence as may be awarded, should the same by him or them be deemed just and proper.
Should the sentence be suspension or degradation from the Ministry, the Bishop, or provisional Bishop, or should there be none, some neighboring Bishop shall be requested to pronounce the same.
Should it be impossible to obtain from this Diocese the requisite number of Presbyters to constitute a board of trial, the deficiency may be supplied from a neighboring Diocese.
Should any Clergyman, accused and cited for trial according to the above provisions of this Canon, neglect, or refuse to obey the citation, such neglect or refusal shall be considered as an acknowledgment of the truth of the charges preferred against him, and sentence shall be pronounced accordingly.

CANON III.
The Convention shall appoint annually, by ballot, a Committee of two Clergymen and three Laymen, whose duty it shall be, to take in charge the Missionary, Bible, Common Prayer Book, Tract and Sunday School operations of the Church in this Diocese: And it shall be further the duty of this Committee to make a full report of all their proceedings to each succeeding annual Convention.

CANON IV.
It shall be the duty of the Vestry of each Church in connection with this Diocese, to pay, or cause to be paid, into the hands of the Treasurer of the Convention, at each annual meeting of the Convention, the amount of the assessment laid upon the Churches respectively represented by them, for the support of the Episcopate in this Diocese.

RULES OF ORDER.

RULE I.
The business of each day shall be introduced by Morning Prayer and a Sermon.

RULE II.
When the President takes the chair, no member shall continue standing, or shall stand up, unless to address the chair.

RULE III.
The order of doing business in the Convention shall be as follows:
1. The appointment of a Secretary by ballot.
2. The appointment of the Committees of the Convention, and Special Committees.
3. The Annual Address of the Bishop.
4. The reading of the Parochial Reports.
5. Reports from Committees of the Diocese.
6. Reports from the Treasurers.
7. Reports from Committees appointed at the last Convention.
8. Reports from Committees.
9. Election by ballot of Treasurer, Standing Committee of the Diocese, Diocesan Missionary Committee, and Deputies to the General Convention.

RULE IV.
When any member is about to speak in debate, or present any matter to the Convention, he shall, with due respect, address himself to the President, confining himself strictly to the point in debate.

RULE V.
No member shall absent himself from the service of the Convention unless he have leave, or be unable to attend.

RULE VI.
No member shall speak more than twice in the same debate without leave of the Convention.

RULE VII.
A question, being once determined, shall stand as the judgment of the Convention, and shall not be drawn into debate the same session, unless with consent of two thirds of the Convention: Provided always, that any member of the Convention voting in favor of any question, may, on the same day in which the vote is taken or on the succeeding day, move a reconsideration of said vote.

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RULE VIII.
No motion shall be debated, or shall be considered as before the Convention, unless seconded, and if required, reduced to writing, and read by the Secretary.

RULE IX.
When a motion is under consideration, no other motion shall be made, except to amend, to divide, to commit, or to postpone; a motion to adjourn, however, shall always be in order, and shall be decided without debate.

RULE X.
A question on amendment shall be decided before the original motion.

RULE XI.
Every member who shall be present when the question is put, shall vote, unless he be personally interested, or be excused by the Convention from voting.

RULE XII.
When the Convention is about to rise, or adjourn, every member shall keep his seat until the President shall leave the chair.

__________

CANON XLI, OF 1832.

OF THE DUE CELEBRATION OF SUNDAYS.

All persons within this Church shall celebrate and keep the Lord’s day, commonly called Sunday, in hearing the word of God read and taught, in private and public prayer, in other exercises of devotion, and in acts of charity, using all godly and sober conversation.

CANON VII, OF 1835.

OF THE MODE OF SECURING AN ACCURATE VIEW OF THE STATE OF THE
CHURCH FROM TIME TO TIME.

Section 1. As a full and accurate view of the state of the Church from time to time, is highly useful and necessary, it is hereby ordered that every Minister of this Church shall present, or cause to be delivered, on or before the first day of every annual Convention, to the Bishop of the Diocese, or, where there is no Bishop, to the President of the Convention, a statement of the number of baptisms, confirmations, marriages and funerals, and of the number of communicants in his parish or church, and of all other matters that may throw light on the state of the same: and these parochial reports, or such parts of them as the Bishop shall think fit, shall be read and entered on the journals of the Convention.

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And every other clergyman not regularly settled in any parish or church, shall also report to the ecclesiastical authority of his Diocese, the occasional services he may have performed; and if he have performed no such services, the causes or reasons which have prevented the same.

__________

FORM OF A CERTIFICATE

OF APPOINTMENT AS A DELEGATE TO THE STATE CONVENTION.

This certifies that at a meeting of the Rector, Wardens and Vestry (or Wardens and Vestry, if no rector were present,) of _______, held on _______ day of _______, the following person (or persons, as the case may be) viz: K.L.; M.N.; and O.P., were duly elected to represent this Church in the next Convention of this State, to be held in _______, on _______ day of _______, 18____.
The above certificate shall be signed by the Rector, if present, or in his absence by one of the Wardens or the Secretary of the Vestry.

__________

THE STYLE OR TITLE OF CHURCHES.

The proper style for a duly incorporated congregation is “The Rector, Church Wardens and Vestry, (or else the Church Wardens and Vestry) of _______ Church in _______. The first blank being left for the name of the Church, the other for that of the place.