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JOURNAL

OF THE

PROCEEDINGS
OF THE

TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL CONVENTION

OF THE

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH,

IN THE DIOCESE OF GEORGIA,

HELD IN CHRIST CHURCH,

SAVANNAH, GA.,

Commencing on the 6th day of May, 1847.

__________
MARIETTA:
Printed at the Advocate Office.
1847.
LIST OF THE CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE OF GEORGIA.

__________

Rt. Rev. STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr. D.D., Bishop of the Diocese, residing at Montpelier, Monroe
co., Georgia. P.O. Macon.
Rev. *THEODORE B. BARTOW, Chaplain, Naval Asylum, Phila.
“ SENECA G. BRAGG, Montpelier.
“ E. P. BROWN, Christ Church, St. Simon’s Island.
“ *WILLIAM D. CAIRNS, Trinity Church, Columbus.
“ *WILLIAM J. ELLIS.
“ *JOHN FIELDING, Beaufort, S. C.
“ EDWARD E. FORD, D. D., St. Paul’s Church, Augusta.
“ JOHN J. HUNT, Missionary at Talbotton and Griffin, residence, Montpelier.
“ WILLIAM JOHNSON, St. Stephen’s Church, Milledgeville.
“ *GARDENER JONES, residing in Philadelphia.
“ BENJAMIN F. MOWER, Grace Church, Clarkesville.
“ EDWARD NEUFVILLE, D. D., Christ Church, Savannah.
“ THOMAS F. SCOTT, St. James’ Church, Marietta.
“ JOSEPH A. SHANKLIN, Christ Church, Macon.
“ THOMPSON L. SMITH, St. Andrew’s, Darien.
“ WM. BACON STEVENS, M. D., Professor, &c., Emmanuel Church, Athens.
“ *OWEN P. THACKARA.
“ *GEORGE WHITE, Savannah.
“ *RUFUS M. WHITE, St. John’s Church, Savannah.
“ WILLIAM C. WILLIAMS, Missionary to negroes on Ogechee.
“ *J. A. WOODARD.
______
*Not present at Convention.

LAY DELEGATES APPOINTED.
__________

WILLIAM B. BULLOCH, \
*Hon. JOHN M. BERRIEN, > Christ Church, Savannah.
EDWARD F. CAMPBELL. /
*R. M. CHARLTON, \
GEO. R. HENDRICKSON, > St. John’s Church, Savannah.
JNO. E. WARD. /
G. McLAUGHLIN, \
JAMES P. GAIRDNER, > St. Paul’s Church, Augusta.
*R. H. GARDNER. /
W. S. WILLIFORD, \
*ISAAC SCOTT, > Christ Church, Macon.
JAMES REA. /
*THOMAS M. NELSON, \
*EDWARD B. FISHBURNE, > Trinity Church, Columbus.
*JOHN SCHLEY. /
*Hon. THOMAS B. KING, \
*JOHN DEMERE, > Christ Church, St. Simon’s.
*W. W. HAZZARD. /
S. M. BOND, \ St. Andrew’s Church, Darien.
SAMUEL PALMER. /
*EDWARD DENMEAD, \
*C. F. M. GARNETT, > St. James’ Church, Marietta.
*H. L. CURRIER. /
*THOMAS M. FORMAN, \ St. David’s Glynn County.
*HUGH F. GRANT. /
*Dr. R. D. MOORE, \
*Dr. W.E. DEARING, > Emmanuel Church, Athens.
*P. CLAYTON. /
JACOB WALDBURG, \
G. J. KOLLOCK, > Grace Church, Clarkesville.
*R. W. HABERSHAM. /
SAMUEL G. JONES, \
*GUY L. WARREN, > St. Philip’s, Atlanta.
*RICHARD PETERS, Jr. /
_____
*Not present at Convention.

JOURNAL.

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CHRIST CHURCH, SAVANNAH.
6th May, 1847.
This being the time and place appointed for holding the twenty-fith Annual Convention of the of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Georgia, Morning Prayer we read by the Rev. Dr. Stevens, assisted by the Rev. Thomas F. Scott; and, in the absence of Rev. E. P. Brown, a sermon was preached by Rev. William Johnson, from I Chronicles, 15: 11-13.
After Sermon, the Convention was called to order by the President, Rt. Rev. Stephen Elliott, D. D. The list of the clergy being called, the following answered to their names; viz:
Rt. Rev. STEPHEN ELLIOTT, D. D.
Rev. SENECA G. BRAGG,
“ EDWARD E. FORD, D. D.
“ JOHN J. HUNT,
“ RICHARD JOHNSON,
“ WILLIAM JOHNSON,
“ BENJAMIN F. MOWER,
“ EDWARD NEUFVILLE, D. D.
“ THOMAS F. SCOTT,
“ J. A. SHANKLIN,
“ T. L. SMITH,
“ WM. BACON STEVENS, M. D.
“ W. C. WILLIAMS. *
Certificates of the election of Lay Delegates were presented, read and referred to Rev. Drs. Neufville and Ford, and Rev. Richard Johnson, who, after examination, reported, and their report was accepted.
The names being called, the following Delegates were found to be present, viz:
W. B. BULLOCH, J. P. GAIRDNER,
Ed. F. CAMPBELL, W. S. WILLIFORD,
G. R. HENDRICKSON, S. M. BOND.
G. McLAUGHLIN.
_____
*Note.—Rev. Rufus M. White was in the City, but was prevented by an accidental injury from attending the sittings of Convention.

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A constitutional quorum being present, the Bishop declared the Convention duly organized. It was
Resolved, That Clergymen present, belonging to other Dioceses, be invited to attend the sittings of this body.
Rev. C. C. Adams, of Florida, being present, was invited to a seat accordingly.
Resolved, That the Rules of Order of last Convention be adopted for the government of this.
Convention then proceeded to ballot for a Secretary, when the Rev. Thomas F. Scott was re-elected.
The Bishop appointed the following Standing Committees of Convention:
On the State of the Church—Rev. Drs. Neufville and Ford, and Rev. S. G. Bragg.
On Unfinished Business—Rev. William Johnson, and Messrs. Williford and Bond.
On Finance—Messrs. Bulloch, McLaughlin and Hendrickson.
On the Admission of New Parishes—Rev. Dr. Stevens, Messrs. Campbell and Gairdner.
Applications were made by the Church of the Ascension, Cass county, and by St. Philip’s Church, Atlanta, to be received into union with this Convention. The applications were referred to the Committee on the Admission of New Parishes, which, after considering the same, made the following Report:
The Committee on the Admission of New Parishes report, that they have examined the papers submitted to them by the Church of the Ascension, Etowah Valley, county of Cass, and St. Philip’s Church, Atlanta, county of DeKalb; and find that they have been duly organized, according to the Canons, and recommend that the Church of the Ascension, Cass county, and St. Philip’s Church, Atlanta, be received into full connection with the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Georgia.
WM. BACON STEVENS, Chairman.
The report was adopted, and the applicant Churches received into connection with this Diocese.
A certificate of the election of Lay Delegates from St. Philip’s Church was presented, and referred to the Committee on Elections, who reported that Samuel G. Jones, Guy L. Warren and Richard Peters, Jr., had been duly elected to represent said Parish in this Convention.
Convention then adjourned, after Prayers by the bishop, until eleven o’clock, to-morrow morning.
In the evening, at St. John’s Church, Evening Prayer was read by Rev. Dr. Neufville, and a Sermon preached by Rev. Thomas F. Scott.

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FRIDAY MORNING, 7th May, 1847.
Morning Prayer was read by Rev. J. A. Shanklin, assisted by Rev. W.C. Williams, and a sermon preached by Rev. E.P. Brown.
After sermon, the Convention was called to order, and the minutes of yesterday’s proceedings were read and confirmed.
Rev. E.P. Brown took his seat in Convention.
The Bishop then delivered his Annual
ADDRESS.
Brethren of the Clergy and Laity:
It does not often happen that any Church is permitted to assemble in so much comfort and peace as rest upon us this day. Truly has the Lord blessed us, and while we ascribe the glory to him, let us rejoice with trembling in the abundance of his goodness, and use the respite from trial and conflict which he has given us, in arming and disciplining ourselves for the mighty work which lies before us. As a Church we have passed safely, under his guidance, through a struggling infancy, and begin to feel in ourselves the powers of a vigorous youth. May our prayers continually ascend to the mercy seat for an equal increase of wisdom, of faith, of holiness, “so that we may grow up into him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ.”
During the past year our Diocese has been in a state of comparative rest. In the kingdom of Christ, as in that of nature, there is necessity for a season of repose as well as of activity. The condition of things, as exhibited at our last Convention, convinced me that a year of cessation from any active operations was needed to recruit our finances and revive the exhausted energies of our little band of Churchmen. If has been my policy, therefore, for the past year, to do no more than sustain our existing positions and permit the treasury of the Church to recover itself from its state of embarrassment. This has been almost entirely effected under the very skilful management of our Treasurers, and we are once more prepared to press forward in the enlargement of our borders and the extension of our principles. With a continuance of the profuse liberality which the Church of this Diocese has manifested since my connexion with it, there can be no limit to its growth save that which may be caused by a lack of faithful preachers or decreed by the will of the Almighty.
Even during this season of repose, however, there has been much activity, and the completion of two new Churches, which are both entirely paid for, together with the organization of a third, for which the necessary funds are nearly all pledged, is a guarantee of the earnest desire which both Ministers and people have to press forward in the extension of the Church. May there be no abatement

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in this zeal until our ministrations shall be established in every quarter of the Diocese, and the Church stand ready, with open doors, to receive the weary and heavy laden of every portion of the State.—Not until this is effected, shall we be enabled to estimate our proper growth, for many, in every quarter, are deterred from uniting with us, because unable to enjoy the services of the Sanctuary.—Many too are lost to us from mere unwillingness to remain separated from Church connexion, and attach themselves to the religious bodies around them, because otherwise cut off from the Communion of saints.
Before the close of the last Convention, in Emmanuel Church, Athens, I admitted to the Holy Order of Priesthood, the Rev. Benj. F. Mower and the Rev. Wm. J. Ellis. Both these Clergymen continue canonically connected with the Diocese, although for a time Mr. Ellis has been laboring among the Episcopalians of Russell co., Alabama.
Immediately upon the close of the Convention, I made my annual visit to St. Paul’s Church, Augusta, and on Sunday, the 17th May, confirmed nine persons. This Church is taking a deep and enduring hold upon the affections of the people.
On the 26th of July, I confirmed in St. James’ Church, Marietta, four persons, and was glad to find this young Parish in so flourishing a condition. And truly they deserve it, for with a mere handful, at times reduced almost to extinction, they have persevered in their labor of love, and are now in possession of a Church, a Parsonage, a Glebe of twenty acres of land and a School House free from any incumbrance. Besides this, they have relinquished the stipend granted them from the Missionary Society of the General Church, and are themselves contributing one half of the amount of their Rector’s salary. I dwell upon these things, because while it furnishes an example of proper conduct to weak Parishes, it teaches the lesson that we should never despair of the success of Christ’s Church, tho’ she may be called to pass through days of darkness and be threatened, to the eye of sense, with extinction. The voice of her Lord is the same to day as it was of old: “For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee.”
This period of gloom and almost hopelessness every new Parish must encounter and overcome. Upon the first introduction of the Church into any neighbourhood, many motives concur to make it acceptable with the people. Its novelty, the education of its clergy, the desire of having an edifice that may ornament the rising town, the hope of attracting settlers by the introduction of a form of worship most current among the rich and educated of the land, gather around it a number of adherents who are seeking their own and not the things of Jesus Christ. For a time this flatters the hopes and enlarges the

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expectations of the Missionary and he fancies that his course will be one of rapid and unchanging success. But the scene soon changes; the novelty is past, the worldly objects are obtained, false friends fall away, persecution begins its bitter work and the Pastor and the people are permitted to perceive and understand their real and permanent strength. And now ensues the real struggles—the struggle of faith and of endurance—a struggle which never ends but in one way, if her ministers and members are true to themselves, the complete triumph of the Church. During my brief connexion with this Diocese, several churches have already passed with triumphant success, through this ordeal of Faith, and it is to encourage those, who may be now struggling for existence or who may hereafter be forced through this terrible yet necessary experience, that I adduce their sufferings and final deliverance.
The Churches of Macon and Columbus stand most prominently forth as instances of this truth, because they may now be looked upon as having overcome their difficulties as being strong in the faithful souls that meet around their altars. But a few years since and they were planted by a very feeble band of Christians, who determined to worship God in the way which they deemed scriptural. Macon was the scene of the earliest attempt, but after two or three years of labor every thing was utterly prostrated under the effects of one of those whirlwinds of religious excitement which are brought to bear so systematically upon our efforts. All but the really true were swept away, and the little band which our Missionary could gather at its close was so disheartened that for a time all effort ceased, because it seemed to be in vain. But the rock was there—the corner stone was unmoved—the foundation of Prophets and Apostles could not be shaken, and another Missionary was summoned to repair the breaches of our Zion. And nobly, and earnestly, and successfully did he labor, and now that he has worn himself out in the service of his Master, truly might he say to the flock over which the Lord had made him overseer—that flock of his own gathering and nursing and feeding, “Ye know from the first day that I came among you, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind and with many tears and temptations. And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you and have taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ.” May the Lord watch over them and give to his youthful successor grace to water the seeds of piety which have been so richly sown and crown him with an abundant increase.
If possible, the Church in Columbus has had even more to encounter and vanquish. Deluded by a fictitious prosperity and under the influence of such motives as I have described, a very expensive

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Church was constructed, so that when the revulsion of commerce and the reaction of feeling took place, the feeble congregation found itself exceedingly diminished in numbers and staggering under a load of debt which it seemed impossible either to bear or liquidate. Odium likewise took the place of popularity and our people were called upon to pass through scenes of mortification and suffering which non can understand but those who have felt the bitterness of hearing the Church of their love mocked and taunted and threatened with the hammer of the Sheriff. But faith and energy—the strength which the Lord supplies—were more than conquerors in this hopeless struggle—and after having passed through many a conflict—the fires of persecution and the deep waters of affliction—our brother and his people are now rejoicing in a stability of which they once scarcely dared to dream, and, as a Church, in a freedom from pecuniary embarrassment of which they once scarce entertained a hope. May they in all humility, ascribe the glory and the praise to him who is Head over all things to the Church.
And as with these Churches, so will it be with every one of those which are now struggling for establishment. If true to themselves they must and they will succeed. Truth is mighty and will prevail—mighty in its power over the conscience—mighty in the confidence which it gives to weakness—mighty in the oneness and harmony of its operations, but above all, mighty in the promises which God has given it of ever enlarging dominion. Its champion feels that his cause can never be vanquished. He may fall—the crown of martyrdom may be his—for there can be a martyrdom even now worked out through care and disappointment, and embarrassment and calumny—but the truth will flourish only with the livelier vigor, and sheaves shall be borne rejoicing from his grave, which they shall gather that have followed his track of suffering and tears. “Faint not then,” sons of the Church and champions of the Faith—“neither grow weary, for they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength—they shall mount up with wings as eagles.”
On the Sunday before the Annual Commencement of the University of Georgia, I preached a sermon before the Graduating Class, and during the same visit, performed service several times in Emmanuel Church.
On the third Sunday of August, I admitted the Rev. Mr. Shanklin to the Holy Order of Priesthood in the chapel attached to St. Luke’s Church, Montpelier. This ordination, and the preaching which followed it, was the commencement of one of the most interesting revivals of religion among the pupils of the Institute, which I have ever been called upon to witness. The Rector of the Parish—the Rev. Mr. Johnson—had been faithfully and quietly sowing the seeds of truth for a year in the hearts of these young people, and at last

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it pleased the Lord, under the ministrations of our newly ordained brother, to awaken many of them to a sense of their lost condition out of Christ. So soon as this outburst of feeling manifested itself, the Rev. Mr. Johnson and myself felt ourselves called upon, as the guardians of so many very young persons, to act with the utmost caution and prudence in the management of their spiritual experience. Although the feeling was deep and almost universal, we permitted no suspension of their duties or labors. We acted upon the principle, that if the work was of the Holy Ghost, no performance of the duties of life would check its progress, and that what was to endure, if sound and true, through all the trials and temptations of life, had better be nurtured under the same severe discipline. And we found no cause to repent our course, for while we were gratefully conscious that there was no daily excitement goading the feelings of these children, and disabling them from discerning what spirit they were of, we were rejoiced to perceive that the work only spread and deepened, and assumed the shape of a daily searching of the Scriptures, and of a deep self-examination into the motives of their action and into the hope which many of them expressed in Christ their Saviour. After many weeks of probation—after a most careful and anxious examination of their grounds of faith, and after consultation with their parents, eighteen of these young persons were confirmed, and sixteen admitted to the Communion of the Church. These services were not performed until October and November, but I mention them here in connexion with the circumstances which led to the blessed result. Up to this time, we have no reason to believe that any one of these young persons was deceived in her repentance or faith. They are all steadfast, consistent young Christians, growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord.
Early in September, I visited the Church of the Ascension, in the Etowah Valley, Cass county; and on Sunday, the 13th September, admitted the Rev. Owen P. Thackara to the Holy Order of Priesthood. The congregation which attended this service was a very large and attentive one, and I am convinced that its decency and solemnity produced a deep impression upon the audience. In the afternoon, I confirmed one person, and preached again in the evening at the swelling of the Hon. Wm. H. Stiles. I regret to inform the Convention that the Rev. Mr. Thackara has been compelled to abandon his mission in Cass and Floyd counties from ill health, and to retire for a time from the active duties of the Ministry. The Rev. Mr. Brown, of Virginia, has been invited to take charge of them.
The counties extending North-West from Marietta are opening a wide field of Missionary operation for the Church. Episcopalians are gradually flowing in with the tide of emigration, and although at present scattered, are yet beginning to be numerous and influential.

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Besides our station on the Etowah River, which is well located—Rome, Cassville, the new town of Cross Plains, and points even beyond that, are offering themselves for our occupation. Now is the time to press forward—to exhibit the Church in her integrity, and to gather congregations that shall grow with the growth of the country. But we must have suitable Missionaries and the means for their support, and our own Diocese must supply them. The wretched condition of the Missionary Treasury of the General Church teaches us how wise we were in not depending much upon foreign aid, and the extreme difficulty of procuring Clergymen warns us to labor to fill up and increase our ranks from the young men of our own Congregations. Is this point, my Clerical Brethren, made enough the subject of your prayers and of your efforts? Do you from time to time, urge it upon the pious youth of your flocks, to devote their hearts and then their lives to the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? While the call must come from the Holy Ghost, you may be the ordained instruments for making that call, and if you are dumb upon this most vital matter for the Church, small, forever small, will be the company of the Preachers. Let me entreat you to labor much among the young men of your flocks, and although they may seem careless and thoughtless, pray for them, and let them know that you do it, that God may make them chosen vessels for bearing his salvation to a sinful world. Many of us were as careless and thoughtless as they are, and why may not God deal as mercifully with them as with us, if you be as faithful in your pastoral duties as were those who guided us, under the workings of the Holy Ghost, into this ministry, whereof we are now partakers. Let us remember the rock, from which we were hewed, and the pit whence we were digged, and it will give us more faith and more hope for the young and careless sons of the Church.
Early in December, I visited St. Mary’s, with the intention of consecrating the Church recently erected in that place, but found it too unfinished for consecration. On December 6th, I ordained, in the temporary place of worship in St. Mary’s, the Rev. William C. Williams to the Priesthood; and in the afternoon, confirmed ten persons. On the 8th, I confirmed another person in her chamber, to which she was confined by illness. I found our little congregation at St. Mary’s rapidly increasing, as was manifested by the number offered for confirmation. Since my visit, the Church has been finished, paid for, and is now ready for consecration. Mr. Shanklin resigned the Parish soon after my visit, and Mr. Woodward took charge of it as Rector.
On the 11th, 12th and 13th December, I preached in St. David’s, Glynn county, and St. Andrew’s, Darien. These Parishes have formed an union, and have secured the services of the Rev. Thomp-

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son L. Smith, who gives them alternate services. There were no confirmations in either of these Parishes.
Passion Week was spent with the Churches in Savannah, and on Easter Evening the services of the week were closed, with a confirmation in St. John’s Church of twenty-three persons, two of whom were from Christ Church. I subsequently confirmed two others in their sick chambers.
During the next week, I visited the Mission upon the North side of the Great Ogechee River, under the charge of the Rev. William C. Williams. A neat country Church has been erected by some of the Planters of that side of the River, which was sufficiently completed for service, but not for consecration. I officiated in it on Sunday, the 18th April, when eight candidates were presented for confirmation, the first fruits of the earnest labors of their Missionary. Mr. Williams is pursuing the only plan which will be of any service with this class of our population, identifying himself as their Pastor and Guide. The impression is, that the negroes are averse from the services of our Church. It is a great mistake, except so far as that aversion may have arisen from ignorance or neglect. Let a Clergyman of the Episcopal Church settle anywhere in the midst of them and make himself comprehended among them, and minister at their sick beds, and be with them in their moments of temptation and affliction, and prove himself their friend and teacher, and very soon will they welcome him to their hearts with the same true and warm affection with which they now cling to those who labor among them. It is my earnest hope that our Episcopal Planters will take the matter into consideration, and make arrangements for the employment of Missionaries of their own Church, so that Master and Servants may worship together in unity of spirit and in the bond of peace. It would tend to strengthen very much the relation of Master and Slave by bringing into action the highest and holiest feelings of our common nature. There should be much less danger of inhumanity on the one side or of insubordination on the other, between parties who knelt, upon the Lord’s day, around the same Table and were partakers of the same Communion. At present these is an almost entire alienation of religious feeling between the Master and the Servant, and the want of sympathy gives rise to uncharitableness and faithlessness in the sincerity of their profession. A more intimate knowledge of each other’s religious experience would promote a harmony and a sympathy alike delightful and profitable. Mr. Williams remains winter and summer in connexion with these plantations.
Sunday, the 25th April, was spent with Christ Church, Macon, upon which occasion ten candidates were presented for confirmation.

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This Parish is now under the charge of the Rev. Mr. Shanklin, Mr. Bragg’s health having forced him to relinquish for a time the services of the Sanctuary.
Since our last Convention, I have transferred the Rev. Dr. Flint to the Diocese of Pennsylvania, and have received the Rev. William Johnson from the Diocese of Alabama, and the Rev. J. A. Woodward from the Diocese of Virginia. I have admitted five Deacons to the Order of Priesthood, the Rev. Messrs. Mower, Ellis, Shanklin, Thackara, and Williams. I have received as candidates for Orders, Mr. Joseph Stiles, Mr. Frederick Elwell, and Mr. William J. Perdue, but regret that Mr. Stiles’ extreme ill health has forced him to request that his name should be withdrawn from the list of candidates, with which I have complied.
The extension of our Diocese renders some organ of communication necessary between myself and the Clergy and Laity of my Diocese. This has been generally arranged by the adoption of some existing religious newspaper as the channel of intercourse. But as no one newspaper is very generally taken in my Diocese, there being subscribers among both Clergy and Laity to almost every one of them, I have determined to suggest to this Convention an incipient movement, which I trust may lead to the establishment, by the General Convention, of an Ecclesiastical Gazette, which may answer for the wants of the whole Church. My wish is that a series of resolutions, embodying a memorial to the General Convention, may be passed by this Convention, which will bring the matter directly to the notice of the whole Church.
It is not my intention to indulge in this place in any tirade against the religious newspapers of the Church, although I am free to say, that I consider them, as at present conducted, anything but beneficial either to its piety or respectability. My object is merely to point out the shape and advantages of such a Gazette, as I think now necessary for the growing wants of the Church.
I should desire to see it established under the authority of the General Convention, and to be placed in charge of some publishing House, who shall be pledged to admit nothing in it except the official documents of the Church, General and Diocesan, and such Church notices and advertisements as may serve to keep the Statistics of the Church complete before the Clergy and Laity. The official documents of thirty Dioceses will be amply sufficient to fill its pages and to supply it with constant novelty. The advantages to be obtained through such an organ, would be the following:
1. It would furnish the Clergy and Laity of the Church with the official documents and
Statistics of the Church in a convenient shape and at a moderate expense. Instead of shelves groaning with Pamphlets, through which we must rummage for every item of in-

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telligence, one newspaper filed and indexed would instantly supply any desired information.
2. It would free those who did not choose to be partakers in it of all the senseless bickering which is making the Church a bye-word to the nation.
3. It would produce more charitable feelings throughout the Church by a perusal, not of one side only, but of every side of every question, which the Bishops in their official documents, or the Dioceses in their Conventional proceedings, might deem worthy of agitation. At present our religious newspapers are all one-sided, and present the views, not of those clothes with authority in the Church, nor yet of their incorporated bodies, but of irresponsible individuals.
4. It would gradually mould the members of the Church into that harmony and peace which ought to characterize the body of Christ.
5. It would save the Clergy and Laity the heavy charge which now falls upon them, if they desire to become acquainted with the condition of the Church, of taking in three or four religious newspapers.
Trusting that the Lord may preside over our Councils by his Holy Spirit, I commend you, my dear Brethren, to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost.
STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr.
Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia.

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The Parochial reports were read as follows, and ordered to be printed with the Journal:

CHRIST CHURCH, SAVANNAH.
Rev. Edward Neufville, D. D., Rector.
Baptisms—Infants 18, adult 1, – – – – – – 19
Confirmed, – – – – – – – – – 4
Marriages, – – – – – – – – – 8
Burials, – – – – – – – – – 20
Communicants, – – – – – – – – 160
Sunday School—Teachers, – – – – – – – 8
Pupils, – – – – – – – 75
Sunday School for Colored Children—Teachers, – – – – 15
Pupils, – – – – 160
CONTRIBUTIONS.
To Diocesan Missions, – – – – – – $817 12
General Domestic Missions, – – – – – – 49 00
Foreign Missions, – – – – – – – 223 94
French Church St. Sauveur, New York, – – – – 96 00
Church at St. Mary’s, Georgia, – – – – – 50 00
__________
$1,236 06
Contributions have also been made, through other channels, to the African and Chinese Missions. Of the amount contributed to Diocesan objects, one-fourth part was supplied by the “Ladies’ Missionary Association,” which has been, for several years, a valuable auxiliary in that department of Christian effort. In like proportion has the “Female Missionary Society” lent its aid to the general cause of Missions; whilst the “Bible, Prayer Book and Tract Society” has continued its useful labors in furnishing the means of religious instruction to destitute portions of the Diocese. The contributions of the pupils of the Colored Sunday School are applied to the education of a child in Africa.

__________

ST. JOHN’S CHURCH, SAVANNAH.
Rev. R. M. White, Rector.
Baptisms—Adults 7, Children 19, – – – – – – 26
Confirmations, – – – – – – – – 25
Communicants—died 1, removed 4, added (including 12 transferred) 30, – 83
Marriages, – – – – – – – – – 2
Burials, – – – – – – – – – 13

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CONTRIBUTIONS
Have been made to Diocesan Missions, – – – – – – 393 10
Education of Candidates for orders, – – – – 32 30
General Domestic Missions, – – – – – 95 95
Bishop Chase $1, Jewish Mission $1, – – – – 2 00
Church Du St. Sauveur, New York, – – – – 65 00
Foreign Missions, – – – – – – – 143 66
__________
$732 01
Contributions, in addition to these, have also been made through “Societies,” to the Chinese and African Missions. The Orphan Asylum, sustained as reported last year, and under the charge of an excellent Matron, is still dispensing the blessings of Christian nurture in a Christian home to a number of children, who would otherwise be destitute of them. The Parish School numbers about 80 scholars, the Sunday Schools about 100. The “Ladies Society” have done much during the year toward improving the interior of the Church, beside presenting us with a baptismal font. It gives me pleasure to add that the Vestry, in a late meeting, a building fund for a new Church edifice, by subscribing, themselves, $4,000 for that purpose.

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ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, AUGUSTA.
Rev. Edw. E. Ford, Rector.

Baptisms—white children 27, colored 1, – – – – – 28
Confirmed, – – – – – – – – – 8
Communicants,–added 13, removed 7—present number, – – – 108
Marriages, – – – – – – – – – 4
Funerals, – – – – – – – – – 12
MISSIONARY COLLECTIONS.
For Diocesan Missions, through the weekly Church offerings, – – 98 22
For general Missions of the Church—Domestic, – $92
Foreign, – 92———————184 00
____________
Total, – – – – – – – – $282 22
The white Sunday School numbers about one hundred children, under the Rector, a Librarian, two male and seven female teachers. The average number in attendance upon the Colored Sunday School is about fifty, under the Rector, two male and four female teachers. The Parish School is continued, and doing, it is hoped, some good. It contains about forty children, who are making good progress under their very faithful teacher, a young lady, a communing member of the Church. A collection, of about fifty dollars, was made on Christmas Day towards defraying the expenses of this school, the ladies of the Congregation having pledged themselves for the remainder for the current year. There is a fund in hand, and a subscription is now in progress for increasing it, to be applied, in the course of the ensuing summer, to painting the interior of the Church. By the payment, within the past year, of a generous bequest under the will of the late Mr. john Fox, with interest accruing for several years, the Vestry have happily been enabled to relieve
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the Church from all indebtedness, and also to purchase, and pay for, a very commodious house and lot for a Parsonage. The children are catechized monthly by the Rector.

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To the Rt. Rev. Stephen Elliott, Jr., D. D.,
Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia:
The undersigned reports, that, in the month of August last, he tendered to the Vestry of Christ Church, Macon, his resignation of the Parish—to take effect at the close of the year. Under a full conviction, that the state of his health demanded an entire separation from the duties and responsibilities of his charge, he was led to dissolve his connexion with a Flock, endeared to him by unnumbered acts of kindness, and uninterrupted harmony, during a period of fourteen years. Within that period, a Church has been built, and furnished; and the number of Communicants has increased from four to seventy four; the average addition having been ten each year. The frequent changes, occurring in the population of the city, have affected, unfavorably, the growth and prospects of the Church and Congregation. But, there is reason to believe, that the Parish will steadily advance in importance, under the pastoral supervision of its new Rector, the Rev. Joseph A. Shanklin.
The following statement will exhibit its condition at the close of the year 1846—with the exception of the benevolent operations, and the Sunday School, an account of which will be given by the present Rector, at the end of the Conventional year:

Baptisms—Adult 1, Children 14, – – – – – – 15
Communicants—removed 7, died 2, repelled 1, added 9; present number, – 74
Marriages, – – – – – – – – – 2
Funerals—Adults 6, Children 7, – – – – – – 13

Since my departure from the City of Macon, my time has been chiefly devoted to the performance of such duties as have been assigned to me in connexion with the worship and religious instruction of the Georgia Episcopal Institute. If the Divine Head of the Church should be pleased to renew my health—it is my purpose to engage in Missionary, or other labors, under the direction of my Diocesan.
The following official acts are reported, in addition to those already mentioned: Baptisms—one white child and five colored children– – – 6
SENECA G. BRAGG.

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CHRIST CHURCH, MACON.
Rev. J. A. Shanklin, Rector.
Baptisms—Adult 2, Infants 28, – – – – – – 30
Confirmed, – – – – – – – – – 9
Burials, – – – – – – – – – 5
Communicants—Died since Jan. 1st, 2; added 8 – – – – 80
Sunday School—Teachers, – – – – – – – 6
Pupils, – – – – – – – 55

These statistics embrace the period which has elapsed since the present

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incumbent took charge of the parish. The following statement comprises the whole amount of contributions which have been made since last Convention:
To Diocesan Missions, – – – – – – 106 50
Domestic Missions, – – – – – – 80 00
Foreign Missions, – – – – – – – 60 00
Jewish Mission, – – – – – – – 11 00
Chapel at Montpelier, – – – – – – 50 00
Church at Atlanta, – – – – – – – 67 43
Other objects connected with the Church, – – – 205 00
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$579 93
The Ladies’ Association has supplied about one third of the sum contributed to Missions, besides $50 to the Chapel at Montpelier, and $205 to other objects connected with the Church—amounting in all to $310.
It is gratifying to witness the harmony of feeling which pervades the parish, and the Rector feels that he has had much cause for thankfulness and encouragement.

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TRINITY CHURCH, COLUMBUS.
Rev. Wm. D. Cairns, Rector.
Baptisms—Adults 2, Infants 18; total, – – – – – 20
Confirmed—no Episcopal visitation.
Communicants—added 24, removed 3, by death 8; total, – – – 140
Marriages, – – – – – – – – – 4
Burials—Adults 4, Infants 6, – – – – – – – 10

COLLECTIONS
At “Offertory” – – – – – – – – 309 07 1-2
For Missions – – – – – – – – 83 72 1-2
For repairs on Church – – – – – – – 800 00
Bishop’s fund, &c. – – – – – – – 115 00
_____________
Total, – – – – – – – – $1,307 80
Of the Communicants of this Church, as reported last year, a part are resident in the State of Alabama, more or less connected with the pastoral charge of the Rev. Mr. Ellis, and so may be included in his report. Of the whole number, ninety-seven are White persons, and forty-three are Colored.
The Congregation of this Church are devoutly thankful to Almighty God for his gracious preservation to them of their House of Worship during the raging of a Fire which lately threatened its destruction—the building being twice actually in flames.

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CHRIST CHURCH, ST. SIMON’S.
Rev. E. P. Brown, Rector.
The condition of the parish of St. Simon’s for the past year has been much that of the year previous. The very limited population of the Island forbids

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that much should appear as the fruit of labour among the whites, other than in the growth of Christian character—or the manifested fruits of the Spirit in a sober, righteous and godly life. That these have appeared to the degree in which they should—it were perhaps too much to say. That more and more perfect are they, from the enjoyment of the ministry of God’s word and the privileges of the Sanctuary—it were painful not to believe.
There are now awaiting confirmation, of the whites, – – – 4
“ “ “ “ “ negroes, – – 11
Baptisms—adult negroes, – – – – – – 3
“ Infants, white, – – – – – – 3
“ “ coloured, – – – – – – 9
Communicants—white, – – – – – – 19
“ coloured, – – – – – – 33
Missionary contributions, – – – – – – $23 34

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GRACE CHURCH, CLARKESVILLE.
Rev. B. F. Mower, Rector.
Communicants, – – – – – – – 12
Baptisms, (by the Rev. S. Hanckel,) – – – – – 1
Burials, (adults,) – – – – – – – 2
Sunday School scholars 26, teachers 4, – – – – 30
FUNDS RAISED.
For Diocesan Missions, – – – – – $19 95 3-4
For Foreign Missions (by the hand of one contributor) _ 20 00
Communion Offerings, – – – – – 41 59
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$81 54 3-4
Throughout the greatest part of the year, services have been held twice every week. During the summer, there were two Sunday schools held in the church—one for the whites, the other for the servants. The colored school was conducted and carried on by two Presbyterian ladies, who were indefatigable in their exertions for the good of those under their charge. During the winter, an evening service was held for the colored people. A Sunday school library, containing a hundred volumes, has been presented to the church, by one of its most generous supporters. From the same liberal hand, a baptismal font has been received. In my report of last year, I should have mentioned, what I take occasion now to state, the present of a set of communion plate, from a lady of the congregation.
The parsonage, purchased last year, by two or three gentlemen, and given by them to the church, has undergone, the past winter, necessary repairs, and is now quite comfortable.

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ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH, MILLEDGEVILLE.
Rev. Wm. Johnson, Rector.
The first service performed by me in this parish, as rector, was on the fifth

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of July, 1846. Since then, there have been the two services of every Sunday, except when twice prevented by rain, and one day by sickness. We had service also on Christmas day, on Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent, and every day of Passion week. During the summer, I had weekly lectures, on Thursday night, until called away by my engagement at the Institute.
I have met with no discouragement but such as I expected to find in a young parish. There are but three male communicants. But I am happy to say that the church received the cheerful support of members of the congregation who are not communicants. So small is the parish, indeed, that were it otherwise a minister could not be sustained.
I found the number of communicants when I came here to be eleven. It has since varied both by increase and diminution. The increase was of two added and four received from other parishes. The loss is in the removal of three. The statistics of the parish are:
Baptisms—white, 11 children; colored, 6 children: – – – – 17
Communicants, – – – – – – – – 14
Burial, – – – – – – – – – – 1
The communion is administered and alms collected on the first Sunday of every month. The amount of alms collected up to this time is $23 36. The Sunday school has six teachers and thirty scholars.

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ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH, DAIREN.
Rev. Thompson L. Smith, Minister.
Communicants, – – – – – – – – 22
Baptisms (infants) – – – – – – – – 2
Burials, – – – – – – – – – 2
Marriage, – – – – – – – – – 1

Services have been held since last December, alternately between this church and St. David’s, Glynn county. From the connection of these churches there is reason to hope for greater permanency and prosperity.

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ST. LUKE’S CHURCH, MONTPELIER.
Rev. R. Johnson, late Rector.
Report extending from the first Sunday in May, ’46, to 1st Jan., ’47.
Baptisms—2 white infants, 2 young ladies.
Burial—one white person, very aged.
Confirmations—18 whites.
Divine service has been performed between the Bishop and Rector (with one or two exceptions during vacations) on every Sunday twice, and frequently on Thursdays and Saturdays.
A very general interest, in Divine things, began to be manifested among the pupils of the school, under the preaching of the Rev. Mr. Shanklin, towards the latter part of the summer. This interest increased until many gave evidence that they were hopefully converted. Of the religious state of the school at present, the Bishop is the best judge.

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On the first of January, ’47, the Rector received the appointment of Missionary to Griffin and Talbotton; each of which places contains about twelve or fifteen hundred inhabitants. It was not until the second Sunday in Lent that he was able to enter on the performance of his duties at the above named places. The Church having neither foot-hold nor house of worship, in either place, her missionary is compelled to officiate in court houses and academics. The congregations are generally large and highly respectable. The missionary feels no hesitation in saying that whenever the Church can provide places of worship at these stations, the attendance will be good, and permanent congregations may soon be gathered.

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Upon the appointment of the Rev. Richard Johnson to the Missions at Talbotton and Griffin, I assumed the Rectorship of St. Luke’s Parish, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Bragg. The services performed since that time are, Baptisms (one infant;)services every Sunday morning and evening. The Communicants now in connexion with our Chapel are 21. One Thousand Dollars have been subscribed for the building of the Chapel. Five Hundred more would suffice for its erection. STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr.
Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia.

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ST. JAMES’ CHURCH, MARIETTA.
Rev. Thomas F. Scott, Rector.
Communicants—Added 6, removed 1; present number – – – 17
Baptisms—Infants 2, Adults 2; total – – – – – – 4
Confirmations – – – – – – – – – 4
Marriages – – – – – – – – – 3
Funerals – – – – – – – – – 3
Sunday School—Teachers 7, Pupils 55—total – – – – 62
COLLECTIONS.
Communion Offerings – – – – – – – $39 31
For Sabbath School Library – – – – – – – 13 25
For Parsonage and School Buildings, (of which $300 were from abroad) – 900 00
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$952 56
The state of this Parish is not materially altered during the past year. The number of Communicants, and of regular worshippers, is gradually increasing; and the attendance upon the services of the Church is uniform, and seemingly devout.
The Sunday School continues with about the same average attendance; and there has been connected with it, during the year, a Bible Class, taught by the Rector.
During the year, the liabilities of the Vestry have been discharged, so that the entire Church, Parsonage and School property is now unencumbered, and the Parish is now enabled to contribute towards its own support.
The Female Seminary has gradually improved in its character and advantages, and is beginning to exhibit the salutary effects of its course of instruction and discipline, especially in the moral and religious character of its pupils.

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A very neat and comfortable building was finished early in the past Summer for its exclusive use; and it needs but a suitable Apparatus to complete its fixtures. While the Rector rejoices in the manifold evidence of usefulness from his connection with the School, he regrets that so much of his time has been necessarily withdrawn from the interests of the Parish generally.

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EMMANUEL CHURCH, ATHENS.
Rev. William Bacon Stevens, M. D., Rector.
Communicants—added 6, removed 11, – – – – – 25
Baptisms—adult 1, – – – – – – – – 3
This parish has suffered very much by the removal of so many of its members, communicants and non-communicants, to other States. More than one third of the members reported at the last Convention have since removed to Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
At Lexington, where I preach once a month, there are eight communicants.
Collections for Diocesan Missions – – – – $62 75
For Foreign “ – – – – – 30 00
For Jewish “ – – – – – 10 00
$102 75
For Church Purposes – – – – – 240 32
Total – – – – – – – – – – $343 07

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ST. DAVID’S CHURCH, GLYNN COUNTY.
Rev. Thompson L. Smith, Minister.
Communicants—white 9, colored 5, – – – – – – 14
Baptisms—white 2, colored 9, – – – – – – 11
The most interesting part of this field of labour is among the Negroes, numbering about 1,000. They have no other means of grace than that afforded from this church, and most of the Minister’s time is spent in preaching to them. Besides the services held statedly at the church entirely for their benefit, services are regularly held at night on the plantations. The deep interest which has been manifested since I commenced preaching to them, has been truly encouraging.

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MISSION AT ST. MARY’S.
Rev. J. A. Shanklin, late Missionary.
Baptisms—adult 1, infants 3.
Burials 3, (not of the congregation.)

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Confirmed, 11.
Communicants, added 8—present number.
Contributions—Missions about $20.
The above statistics reach as far as the close of the last year. In the month of December, in obedience to what seemed a clear call of duty, I left this station for another field of labor. It was not without many regrets that I separated from a people among whom I had met with so much kindness, and with whom I had struggled through difficulties and discouragements. God has blessed our efforts, and there is reason to believe that the Church is permanently established in St. Mary’s. During the year, a neat building has been erected, almost if not entirely paid for, while a generous friend has presented an excellent bell. We take this occasion to return our grateful acknowledgments to the few friends in Savannah who so cheerfully extended us a helping hand.

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CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH, ST. MARY’S.
Rev. Jas. A. Woodward, Missionary.
Communicants – – – – – – – – 19
Funerals—of the congregation – – – – – 1 \
Do. not do. – – – – – – – 1 / total 2
Missionary Collection – – – – – – – – $13 93
The Sunday schools, both white and colored, are increasing in numbers. A very neat and commodious Church edifice has been entirely finished, and paid for within a few dollars. A friend of the Church in the neighborhood has presented it with an excellent bell.
The congregation is larger and more regular than when I first took charge of the parish.
The kindest feelings are entertained by the other denominations towards our Church, which appears to be slowly indeed, but surely gaining ground in this place.

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ASCENSION, CASS; AND ST. PETER’S, ROME.

The ill health of Rev. Mr. Thackara having compelled him to resign the charge of this Mission, it has been vacant since January. I have visited the Church of the Ascension once, and administered the Communion. From the Parish Register it appears there have been, Infant Baptism 1, Confirmation 1, added to the Communion 2, present number 9.
A donation of $25 was received from Mrs. Dr. Jones, of Philadelphia, towards paying the small debt remaining on the Church property.
Mr. Thackara had not been able to visit Rome for a year before his resignation. I learn that the prospect of building up the Church there is quite as inviting as at any former period. A faithful Minister would do much good in Cass and Floyd; and his services are greatly needed. The Vestry of St. Peter’s have a very eligible lot in Rome for erecting a Church, so soon as means can be provided. Respectfully,
THOMAS F. SCOTT.

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OGEECHEE MISSION.
Rev. Wm. C. Williams, Missionary.
Baptisms—(Coloured) adults 5, infants 12, – – – – – 17
Confirmed, “ – – – – – – – – 8
Communicants, “ – – – – – – – – 10
Marriages “ – – – – – – – – 4
Burials—white 1, coloured 10, – – – – – – 11
Pupils connected with the schools within bounds of Mission – – 80
Services have been regularly held on the different plantations since the last report, except during a portion of the fall. The attendance on Public worship has not been as large, nor the interest as deep as could be wished. But when due allowance is made for their ignorance, the natural character of the negro and the system under which they have been brought up the Missionary thinks that there is nothing to discourage, but that it should rather lead to a more strenuous effort to plant the Church among them, as peculiarly suited under God “to enlighten their minds with the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, and to build them up in our most Holy Faith.”
The schools have been continued with a growing conviction that upon them will depend the ultimate success of the Mission.
The chapel referred to in the last report has been so far completed as to afford a convenient place for worship, and will soon be entirely finished.

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ATLANTA AND JONESBORO’.

Since the first of November last, I have been engaged in Missionary duty at Atlanta and Jonesboro’. Although unable, owing to the distance of my present residence from the field of labour, and the want of a house specially appropriated to religious purposes, (the academy at Atlanta being the only building for use and all denominations sharing in its occupancy,) to hold services as often as could be desired, it is hoped that by keeping the ground occupied, an opening has been made for future more profitable and satisfactory results to the interests of the Church.
The number belonging to our Communion at these places is small, but evidence of their zeal and attachment to what they believe to the truth, is afforded in the efforts now in progress to erect, at Atlanta, a house for the worship of God in the way of their fathers and according to their own choice.
An eligible site for building has been secured, and it is confidently expected that, by Divine favor, on what they can do themselves and the prompt cooperation of those from whom they have pledges of aid, in a few months their expectations will be fully realised.
At Jonesboro’ we have the use at any time of the Methodist Church building. The number of Communicants at the two stations is five.
May 6th, 1847. JNO. JAS. HUNT.

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REPORT OF REV. THEODORE B. BARTOW.

To the Rt. Rev. Stephen Elliott, Jr., D. D.,
Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia.
Pursuant to the Canon, I report to you the Clerical duties of the past year. I officiate in he Chapel at prayers daily, and then visit the sick and distribute Bibles, Tracts and Prayer Books to all who need them, and for these I
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am indebted to the Tract and Bible and Female Prayer Book Societies of the City, who generally give as many as may be required. Fourteen seamen have died here during the past year since my last report, and several of them in the hope of a joyful resurrection—of these 13 were buried at the Asylum. During a visit to Georgia (when my place here was supplied by the Rev. Mr. Spear) I baptized three children. On Sunday, in addition to the services in the Chapel, I have service in the Hospital for the sick, where the average number is about 20. The whole number is about 120, exclusive of servants and labourers and five officers, (with their families,) namely, the Commodore, Surgeon, Assistant Surgeon, Chaplain and Gunner.
The Chapel, which is a beautiful structure, is handsomely fitted up. The Government have allowed an organ and a Communion Set and a Choir of Singers.
THEODORE B. BARTOW.
Naval Asylum, Philadelphia, April 12, 1847.

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MISSIONARY REPORT.
Rev. Wm. J. Ellis.

Shortly after the close of the last convention, I returned to Baker, where I remained until about the 12th of July performing the duties of Missionary at Mr. Nightingale’s plantation and in Albany. From the 12th of July until the first of January I had no fixed point of labor. Below you have a report of my services during the period. At Albany I peformed service1: Cuthbert 1; Lumpkin 1; Talbotton 3; Columbus 8; Russell County, Ala., 6; Eufaula 1; La Fayette 2; Girard 3. Besides the above services for the whites, I have for the colored people performed services in Baker County 3, Russell County, Ala., 10.
On the first of January I took charge of the Parish of St. John’s in the Wilderness, Russell County, Ala., and have up to this time been dividing my labors between this Parish and Eufaula. At these two points I have had services for the whites 21, at other places 11; to the colored people 24. Besides the above I have had a few services of a less formal character with the colored people to the end that I may be the better able to conduct the other services decently and in order. I report Baptisms, adults, colored 7, infants do. 9, do, whites 3; marriages, colored 4.

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After Prayers by the Bishop, Convention adjourned until half past four o’clock.

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HALF PAST FOUR O’CLOCK.
Convention was called to order by Rev. Edward Neufville, D. D.
It was
Resolved, That a Committee, to consist of one Delegate from each Church in the Diocese now represented in the Convention, be appointed, to consider and report upon the measures necessary to be adopted in order to increase the Bishop’s salary, so as to make it three thousand dollars.

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The Chair appointed Messrs. Bulloch, Hendrickson, McLaughlin, Williford, Waldeburg and Bond.
The report of the Treasurer of the Diocese was presented, and referred to the Committee on Finance.
The Standing Committee made the following report, which was accepted:

The Standing Committee of the Diocese report—that they have, within the past year, recommended for Priest’s Orders the rev. Messrs. Benjamin F. Mower, William J. Ellis, Joseph A. Shanklin, Owne P. Thackara, William C. Williams, and Thompson L. Smith; and as Candidates for Orders, Messrs. Joseph Stiles, Frederick Elwell and William J. Perdue.
EDW’D NEUFVILLE, President.
Savannah, May 5, 1847.

The Committee on Missions made the following report, which was accepted, and referred to the Committee on Finance:

The Committee on Missions report—that the sum of $1,677 11 has been contributed by the Churches of the Diocese within the last year, and applied to its destined use. The note in Bank, which was brought to the notice of the Convention in 1845 and 1846, has been paid up, and all the obligations for the last Conventional year discharged. There is still due, however, to one of the Missionaries an arrearage of $503 95 on account of salary pledged to him for the years 1843, 1844 and 1845, during which the contributions to Diocesan Missions fell very far short of the reasonable expectations on which the calculations of the Committee were based. A statement of the Treasurer’s account, herewith submitted, will exhibit a deficiency of liberality on the part of the Church as compared with that of the last year, when the receipt of $1,808 32 was acknowledged—and will indicate the necessity of some more systematic method, than has hitherto been pursued by the different parishes, of providing means for carrying out the plans of the Committee charged with the prosecution of the Missionary work.
Respectfully submitted, STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr.
Chairman Missionary Committee.

The Committee on unfinished business made the following report, which was accepted:
The Committee on unfinished business respectfully report—that they find nothing in the Journal of 1846 which requires the action of this Convention, except the following resolutions on page 27, proceedings of 1845:
“Resolved, That the Right Rev. the Bishop of the Diocese be, and is hereby respectfully requested by this Convention, to admit from time to time, as circumstances may seem to render it desirable,

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to the Holy Order of Deacons, such persons, and under such restrictions, as are contemplated by the sixth Canon of the General Convention of 1844.
“Resolved, That the following amendment be made to the 4th article of the Constitution, and inserted as a second section:
“Sec. 2. No Deacon, ordained under the provisions of the sixth Canon of the General Convention of 1844, shall, in any case, be entitled to a seat or vote in this Convention, anything in the previous part of this article to the contrary notwithstanding.”
On motion, it was
Resolved, That these resolutions be laid over until the next meeting of this Convention.
Convention proceeded to the election of Treasurers and Committees, which resulted as follows:
Treasurer of the Diocese—William P. Hunter, of Savannah.
Treasurer of the Committee on Missions—Rev. Edward Neufville, D. D., of Savannah.
STANDING COMMITTEE.
Of the Clergy. Of the Laity.
Rev. Edw’d Neufville, D. D. N. C. Munroe.
“ Edw’d E. Ford, D. D. William P. Hunter.
“ Seneca G. Bragg. Robert M. Charlton.
COMMITTEE ON MISSIONS.
Of the Clergy. Of the Laity.
Rev. Edw’d Neufville, D. D. N. C. Munroe.
“ Joseph A. Shanklin. W. S. Williford.
L. N. Whittle.
Resolved, That the next Convention be held in St. James’ Church, Marietta, on Thursday after the first Monday in May, 1848.
Leave of absence after this evening was granted to Rev. Messrs. Richard and William Johnson.
After Prayers by the President, Convention adjourned until ten o’clock to-morrow morning.
_____
At night in Christ Church, Evening Prayer was read by Rev. Dr. Neufville, and a Sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Stevens.
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SATURDAY MORNING, 8th May, 1847.
Morning Prayer was read by Rev. B. F. Mower, assisted by Rev. J. J. Hunt; and a Sermon preached by Rev. W.C. Williams.
After Sermon, the Convention was called to order by the Bishop, and the minutes of yesterday’s proceedings were read and confirmed.
The Committee on Finance made the following reports, which were accepted:

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The Committee on Finance, to whom was referred the accounts of the Treasurer of the Diocese and of the Treasurer of the Missionary Fund, beg leave to report—that the accounts are regularly stated, leaving a balance in the hands of the Treasurer of the Diocese of ninety two dollars and ninety-two cents—and in the hands of the Treasurer of the Missionary Fund of fourteen dollars and eighty-nine cents, items of each account being sustained by proper vouchers—all of which is respectfully submitted.
Savannah, 8th May, 1847. W. B. Bulloch, Chairman.

The Committee on Finance, to whom was referred the report of the Committee on Missions, beg leave to report—that in order to a more systematic method of providing means for carrying out the prosecution of the Missionary work entrusted to the Committee on Missions, they recommend that a request be made to all the Churches in the Diocese to make once, at least, every three months a collection in their several Churches for that great and benevolent purpose—and that the Clergy of the Diocese be charged with carrying out the same.
W. B. BULLOCH,
G. McLAUGHLIN,
Savannah, 8th May, 1847. G. R. HENDRICKSON.

Resolved, That the reports of the Treasurers of the Diocese, and of the Committee on Missions, be published with the Journal.
The Bishop having been requested to retire, and having called Dr. Neufville to the Chair, the Committee appointed to take into consideration the subject of the Bishop’s salary, made the following report, which was accepted, and unanimously adopted:

The Committee to whom was referred the subject of the Bishop’s salary, report—that with a view to increase the salary of the bishop of the Diocese to three thousand dollars per annum, they recommend the following assessments upon the several Churches of the Diocese hereinafter named:
Christ Church, Savannah, – – – – – 1,000
St. John’s Church, Savannah, – – – – – 350
St. Paul’s Church, Augusta, – – – – – 500
Christ Church, Macon, – – – – – 300
Trinity Church, Columbus, – – – – – 300
Christ Church, St. Simon’s, – – – – – 100
St. Andrew’s Church, Darien, – – – – – 50
St. Jame’s Church, Marietta, – – – – – 100
St. David’s Church, Glynn county, – – – – 100
Emmanuel Church, Athens, – – – – – 100
Grace Church, Clarksville, – – – – – 100
$3,000

30

That the Churches be and they are hereby requested to levy said assessments, and to pay over quarterly to the Treasurer of the Diocese the several amounts collected upon such assessments—that the Treasurer of the Diocese pay to the Bishop the total amount collected under this arrangement, and report accordingly to the next Convention.
W. B. BULLOCH, S. M. BOND,
W. S. WILLIFORD, G. R. HENDRICKSON,
J. WALDBURG, G. McLAUGHLIN.
Savannah, 8th May, 1847.

The following persons were elected as Delegates to the next General Convention:
Of the Clergy Of the Laity.
Rev. Edw’d Neufville, D.D. Hon. Jno. M. Berrien,
“ Edw’d E. Ford, D. D. Maj. Thomas M. Nelson,
“ Seneca G. Bragg, Edw’d F. Campbell, Esq.
“ Wm. B. Stevens, M. D. Chas. F. M. Garnett.
The following persons were chosen to be nominated to the General Convention as Trustees of the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church: Rev. Edw’d Neufville, D. D., Rev. Seneca G. Bragg, Maj. Thomas M. Nelson.
Resolved, That so much of the Bishop’s address as pertains to the establishment of an Ecclesiastical Gazette by the General Convention be referred to a committee of five, to report upon the same on Monday morning.
Rev. Messrs. Shanklin, Stevens and Ford, and Messrs. Campbell and McLaughlin, were appointed as that Committee.
The following resolution was offered, and after discussion, was rejected:
Resolved, That the Parishes reported by the Treasurer of the Diocese as being in arrears to the Diocesan fund, be released from their past liabilities.
Resolved, That 1,000 copies of the Journal of this Convention be published under the direction of the Secretary.
After Prayers by the Bishop, Convention adjourned until ten o’clock on Monday morning.

__________

SUNDAY, May 9th, 1847.
In St. John’s Church, Morning Prayer was read by Rev. T. F. Scott, and a Sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Ford.
In Christ Church, the Bishop held an ordination, when Rev. Thompson L. Smith was admitted to the Order of Priests. Morn-

31

ing Prayer was read by Rev. Edw’d Neufville, D. D., assisted by Rev. Joseph A. Shanklin, and the Sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Stevens. The candidate was presented by Rev. Dr. Neufville, who with the Presbyters present, united in the imposition of hands. The Communion was administered by the Bishop.
In the afternoon, in St. John’s Church, Evening Prayer was read by Rev. Dr. Ford, and a Sermon preached by Rev. B. F. Mower.
In Christ Church, the Evening Prayer was read by Rev. Ed. P. Brown, and a Sermon preached by Rev. Thompson L. Smith.
At night, after Prayers by Rev. Dr. Neufville, Rev. R. M. White being prevented by illness from preaching the Missionary Sermon, addresses were delivered by Rev. Messrs. Scott and Shanklin, and by the Bishop; and a collection made for Diocesan Missions amounting to $90.

__________

MONDAY MORNING, 10th May, 1847.
Convention was called to order, and opened with Prayers by the Bishop.
The minutes of Saturday’s proceedings were read and confirmed.
The Committee on the state of the Church made the following report, which was accepted:
The Committee on the state of the Church beg leave simply to submit the following condensed statistical view of the Diocese, which they have extracted from the Parochial Reports laid before the present Convention. As regards the grounds for devout thankfulness to the gracious Head of the Church in view of the past, and for encouragement and hope for the future, the Committee beg leave to refer to the annual Address of the Bishop to the present Convention.

Baptisms—Children, white 164
“ colored 41
Adults, white 28
“ colored 15 Total—248
Confirmed – – – – – – 88
Communicants (including 100 not embraced in
Parochial reports) – – – – 894
Marriages – – – – – – 26
Burials – – – – – – – 90
Sunday School—White—Teachers – – – 40
Pupils – – – 441
Colored—Teachers – – – 21
Pupils – – – 290

32

Two new parishes have been received into union with the Diocese at the present Convention. There have been five Priests ordained, and three Candidates for Orders received.
CONTRIBUTIONS.
To Diocesan Missions – – – – – $1,554 91
General Missions—Domestic – – – 401 67
Foreign – – – 569 60
_________
$2,526 18

Edw. Neufville, \
Edw. E. Ford, > Committee.
Seneca G. Bragg,/
The Committee appointed to consider that part of the Bishop’s Address referring to an Ecclesiastical Gazette, made the following report, which was accepted and adopted:

The Committee appointed to take into consideration that portion of the Bishop’s address relating to the establishment of an Ecclesiastical Gazette, beg leave to report—that they have considered the same, and offer the following Memorial to be presented to the General Convention by our delegates to that body:
The Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Georgia respectfully requests the General Convention to establish an Ecclesiastical Gazette, to be under the control of that body, and to be published at such times and in such a form as they, in their wisdom, shall direct. It is believed that such a Gazette, containing all the official documents of every Diocese and other authentic items of Ecclesiastical intelligence, is much needed. At present, the difficulty of obtaining correct information in regard to the several Dioceses is great, such information being scattered through the columns of some seven or eight weekly newspapers. Apart from the time and trouble expended in searching these records, their cost renders it impossible that they should be taken by many of our Clergy. It is deemed unnecessary to enlarge upon the importance and the convenience of having one medium of intelligence for the Church; nor is it conceived that the establishment of such a Gazette, having no editorial department and publishing intelligence without note or comment, would at all interfere with the religious papers at present existing in the Church. J. A. SHANKLIN, Chairman.

Resolved, That the Treasurer of the Diocese be, and he is hereby authorized, to pay over to the Treasurer of Diocesan Missions any balance which he may have in hand or accruing for the present year under Canon I. of this Diocese, after defraying the expenses of the present Convention, and furnishing the quota required from this

33

Diocese under Canon I. of the General Convention passed in 1844.
Resolved, That Canon I. of this Diocese be amended by striking out the word fifteen and substituting ”ten.”
Rev. Rufus M. White was appointed to preach the next Convention Sermon, and Rev Joseph A. Shanklin to preach the Missionary Sermon.
Resolved, That the words “with substitutes” be inserted after the word “preachers” in the VI. article of the Constitution.
Resolved, That, for the purpose of collecting and preserving the Journals of the Diocese from its commencement, it be recommended to the consideration of the next Convention, to raise a fund to defray the expense of the publication of said Journals.
There being no further business, after Prayer and Benediction by the Bishop, the Convention adjourned sine die.
STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr.
Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia.
Thomas F. Scott, Secretary.

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APPENDIX.
_____

CONSTITUTION

OF THE

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH,

IN THE DIOCESE OF GEORGIA,
___________________

ARTICLE I.
The Church of this Diocese, as a constituent part of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America, accedes to, recognises, 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.
.
ARTICLE IV.
The Convention shall be composed of Clergymen and Laymen. Every Clergymen of the good standing, regularly settled and continuously exercising clerical functions in an existing Parish, or who shall have been six months last past, performing Missionary duties, under the direction of the Ecclesiastical authority of this Diocese, shall be entitled to all the privileges of a member of this Convention; and every duly recognised Minister of the Church, canonically resident for six months last past within the Diocese, being engaged in the business of literary instruction, or disabled by reason of age or infirmity from exercising clerical functions, 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, that they shall have laid before the Convention

35

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 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.

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 decision.

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.
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.

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 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.

36

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.
ARTICLE XIII.
In all elections by ballot, a majority of votes shall be required for a choice.

__________

CANONS.

CANON I.
Each Church duly represented to this Convention shall pay or cause to be paid into the hands of the Treasurer of the Convention the sum of ten 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 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 Vestrymen 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, of the Standing Committee, if he or they shall deem the charge or charges worthy of investigation, forthwith to notify the accused of such charges, together with the time and place appointed for his trial. The mode of trial shall be as follows: The Bishop, or 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, if 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 neighbouring 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 neighbouring 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, of which Committee the Bishop of the Diocese, when there is one, shall be ex-officio Chairman; 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 connexion 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 assess-

37

ment laid upon the Churches respectively represented by them, for the support of the Episcopate in this Diocese.

CANON V.
Section 1. Whenever any number of persons shall associate to form an Episcopal Congregation, they shall adopt articles of association for their government, in which they shall acknowledge and accede to the Constitution, Canons, doctrines, discipline and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, and the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of Georgia; they shall assume a suitable name by which their Church or Parish shall be designated, and elect two Wardens and any number of Vestrymen at discretion, not exceeding eight. A certified copy of the articles of association and of the proceedings at their adoption, signed by the Wardens, shall then be laid before the Convention, and if approved by that body, Delegates from such Congregation or Parish may take seats in the Convention, and the Congregations shall be considered as united to the Convention and subject to its decisions.
Section 2. The elections of Wardens and Vestrymen in every Parish thus constituted, shall take place annually, on Easter Monday, unless some other time be specified in the act of incorporation, with the assent of the Ecclesiastical authority of the Diocese.
__________

RULES OF ORDER.
Rule 1. The business of each day shall be introduced by the Order for Daily Morning Prayer and a sermon.
Rule 2. When the President takes the Chair, no member shall continue standing, or shall stand up, unless to address the Chair.
Rule 3. The order of doing business in the Convention shall be as follows: 1st. The appointment of a Secretary by ballot. 2. The appointment of 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 Treasurer. 7. Reports from committees appointed at the last Convention. 8. Reports from committees. 9. Election by ballot of Treasurers, Standing Committee of the Diocese, Diocesan Missionary Committee, and Deputies to the General Convention.
Rule 4. 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 5. No member shall absent himself from the service of the Convention unless he have leave, or be unable to attend.
Rule 6. No member shall speak more than twice in the same debate without leave of the Convention.
Rule 7. 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 the 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.
Rule 8. No motion shall be debated, or shall be considered as before the Convention, unless seconded, reduced to writing, and read by the Secretary.
Rule 9. 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 10. A question on amendment shall be decided before the original motion.
Rule 11. Every member who shall be present when the question is put, shall vote, unless personally interested, or excused by the Convention from voting.
Rule 12. When the Convention is about to rise, or adjourn, every member shall keep his seat until the President shall leave the chair.
38

DR. Diocese of Georgia, in account

1846.
May 25. To cash paid Rt. Rev. S. Elliott on account of salary, 350 00
July 20. To “ “ “ “ “ “ 50 00
Aug. 8. To “ N. M. Calder for printing and binding
700 copies of Journal – – – – 65 00
1847.
Jan’y 13. To cash paid Rt. Rev. S. Elliott on account of salary, 650 00
April 13. To “ “ “ “ “ “
(leaving $350 due for 1846,) – – – 500 00
“ 26. To cash paid Rt. Rev. S. Elliott on account of salary, 100 00
“ 26. To “ “ “ “ “ “ 100 00
“ 26. To “ “ “ “ “ “ in full, 150 00
“ 26. To “ “ “ “ “ “ for 1847, 240 00
May 4. To balance transferred to new account – – – 92 92

_________
$2,297 92

39

With Wm. P. Hunter, Treasurer. CR.

1846. By balance from last account – – – – 130 92
May 6. By cash from Christ Church, Macon, on acc’t of
Bishop’s fund for 1845, (leaving $50 still due,) – 150 00
“ 14. By cash from Trinity Church, Columbus, for Bishop’s
Fund for 1846, – – – – – 100 00
“ 14. By cash from St. Stephen’s Church, Milledgeville, bal-
ance for Convention expenses for 1844, – – 7 00
“ 14. By cash from ditto for ditto, for 1846, – – – 15 00
“ 14. By “ St. James’ Church, Marietta, for 1846, 15 00
“ 14. By “ Trinity Church, Columbus, for 1846, 15 00
“ 14. By “ Emmanuel Church, Athens, for 1846, 15 00
“ 14. By “ St. Paul’s Church, Augusta, for 1846, 15 00
“ 21. By “ Christ Church, Macon, for 1846, – – 15 00
July 20. By “ Christ Church, Savannah, for account of
Bishop’s salary for 1846, – – – – 50 00
Nov. 13. By cash from St. Paul’s Church, Augusta, for 1846, 250 00

1847.
Jan. 11. By “ Christ Church, Savannah, for 1846, 400 00
April 2. By “ “ “ “ “ balance
quota for 1846, – – – – 50 00
“ 2. By cash from Christ Church, Savannah, account quota
Bishop’s fund for 1847, – – 350 00
“ 5. By cash from Christ Church, Macon, for balance due on
Bishop’s fund for 1845, – – – – 50 00
“ 5. By cash from ditto, on acc’t quota Bishop’s fund for 1846 50 00
“ 21. By “ Christ Church, Macon, acc’t quota Bishop’s
Fund for 1846, ($110 now due) – – – 140 00
“ 23. By cash from St. Paul’s Church, Augusta, for balance
for Bishop’s fund for 1846, – – – 250 00
“ 26. By cash from Christ Church, St. Simon’s, (through Rt. Rev.
S. Elliott) for quota to Bishop’s fund for 1845, 100 00
“ 26. By cash from Christ Church, St. Simon’s, (through Rt. Rev.
S. Elliott,) quota to Bishop’s fund for 1846, 100 00
May 4. By cash from Christ Church, Savannah, for Convention
Expenses for 1846, – – – – 15 00
“ 4. By cash from St. John’s Church, Savannah, for Convention
Expenses for 1846, – – – – 15 00
$2,297 92
1847.
May 4. By balance brought down, – – – – $92 92

WM. P. HUNTER,
Treasurer of the Diocese of Georgia.
E. E.—Savannah, May 4th, 1847.

Due from the following Churches for Convention Expenses for 1845. 1846.
St. Simon’s Church, – – – – $15 $15
St. Luke’s Church, Montpelier, – – – 15 15
St. Andrew’s Church, Darien, – – – 15 15
Grace Church, Clarksville, – – – 00 15

For Bishop’s Fund—Christ Church, Macon, owes $110 00; (this amount paid since the closing of the above account, say on 6th May, 1847.)
The Bishop has been paid in advance for 1847, $240 00.
Christ Church, Savannah, has paid in advance for 1847 on Bishop’s Fund, $350 00.

40

Report of Rev. Edw’d Neufville,
TREASURER OF THE COMMITTEE ON MISSIONS.

RECAPITULATION.
DR.
Received from Christ Church, Savannah, – – – – 616 11
“ Ladies Missionary Association, Savannah, – – 162 21
“ Trustees of Missionary Fund, Savannah, – – – 88 80
“ St. John’s Church, Savannah, – – – – 389 10
“ St. Paul’s Church, Augusta, – – – – 150 00
“ Christ Church, Macon, – – – – – 106 50
“ Emmanuel Church, Athens, – – – – 65 75
“ Grace Church, Clarksville, – – – – 19 95
“ Christ Church, St. Simon’s, – – – – 45 69
“ St. Mary’s, – – – – 7 00
“ Individual donations, – – – – – 6 00
Balance from last year, – – – – – – – 20 00
_________
$1,677 11

CR.
Paid to Rev. B. F. Mower, – – – – – – 149 95
“ O. P. Thackara, – – – – – – 325 00
“ T. F. Scott, – – – – – – 337 75
“ W.J. Ellis, – – – – – – – 100 00
“ J. A. Shanklin, – – – – – – 100 00
Note in Bank and interest, – – – – – – 624 52
Paid to Rev. J. A. Woodward, – – – – – – 25 00
By balance cash in hand, – – – – – – 14 89
________
$1,677 11

__________

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.

__________

FORM OF A CERTIFICATE
Of Appointment as a Delegate to the Diocesan 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 the _______ day of ______, the following person (or persons, as the case may be,) viz.—KL, MN and OP, were duly elected to represent this Church in the next Convention of this Diocese, to be held in _____, on the _____ day of _____, 18__ .
The above certificate shall be signed by the Rector, if present, or, in his absence, by one of the Wardens or Secretary of the Vestry.

Standing Resolutions.

For providing a Permanent Fund for the support of the Episcopate, adopted 1841.
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 be 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 to each Annual Convention the amount received during the year, the sources from which received and the manner in which the same is invested.

APPENDIX.
_____

CONSTITUTION

OF THE

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH,

IN THE DIOCESE OF GEORGIA,
___________________

ARTICLE I.
The Church of this Diocese, as a constituent part of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America, accedes to, recognises, 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.

.
ARTICLE IV.
The Convention shall be composed of Clergymen and Laymen. Every Clergymen of the good standing, regularly settled and continuously exercising clerical functions in an existing Parish, or who shall have been six months last past, performing Missionary duties, under the direction of the Ecclesiastical authority of this Diocese, shall be entitled to all the privileges of a member of this

31

Convention; and every duly recognised Minister of the Church, canonically resident for six months last past within the Diocese, being engaged in the business of literary instruction, or disabled by reason of age or infirmity from exercising Clerical functions, 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, 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 that 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 organised 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 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.

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 dicision.

32
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.
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.

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

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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.

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CANONS.

CANON I.
Each Church duly represented to 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 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 Vestrymen 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, of the Standing Committee, if he or they shall deem the charge or charges worthy of investigation, forthwith to notify the accused of such charges, together with the time and place appointed for his trial. The mode of trial shall be as follows: The Bishop, or
5
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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, if 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, of which Committee the Bishop of the Diocese, when there is one, shall be ex-officio, Chairman; 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 connexion 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.

CANON V.
Section 1. Whenever any number of persons shall associate

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to form an Episcopal Congregation, they shall adopt articles of association for their government, in which they shall acknowledge and accede to the Constitution, Canons, doctrines, discipline and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, and the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of Georgia; they shall be designated, and elect two Wardens and any number of Vestrymen at discretion, not exceeding eight. A certified copy of the articles of Association and of the proceedings at their adoption, signed by the Wardens, shall then be laid before the Convention, and if approved by that body, delegates from such Congregation or Parish may take seats in the Convention, and the Congregations shall be considered as united to the Convention and subject to its decisions.
Section 2. The elections of Wardens and Vestrymen in every Parish thus constituted, shall take place annually, on Easter Monday, unless some other time be specified in the act of incorporation, with the assent of the Ecclesiastical authority of the Diocese.

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STANDING RESOLUTIONS.

For providing a permanent Fund for the support of the Episcopate, adopted 1841.

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 to each annual Convention the amount received during the year, the sources from which received, and the manner in which the same is invested.

Of the Organization of New Parishes, adopted 1842.

Resolved, That in the organization of new Parishes, the following form of declaration be recommended, and the meeting in which it is adopted be held and conducted according to the provisions of Canon V.
“We, the subscribers, assembled for the purpose of organizing a Church [or Parish] of the Protestant Episcopal Church in _____, county of _____, and State of Georgia, after due notice given, do hereby agree to form a Church [or Parish] to be known by the name of _____ Church _____, and as such, do hereby acknowledge and accede to the doctrine, discipline and worship, the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and the Constitution and Canons of the same Church in the Diocese of Georgia; and we do accordingly now appoint A.B. and C.D. to be the first Wardens, and E.F., G.H., I.J., to be the first Vestrymen of _____ Church, to continue in office until Easter Monday, A.D. _____, and until others be chosen in their place. And an election of Wardens and Vestrymen shall hereafter be held on Easter Monday of each successive year.
Witness our hands at _____, county of _____, and State of Georgia, this _____ day of _____, in the year of our Lord _____.”

On the Use of Churches, adopted 1842.

On motion, it was unanimously
Resolved, That it be recommended to the Vestries of our Churches in this Diocese, to discourage the use of the Churches under their care, for all “unhallowed, worldly and common uses.”

Right Rev. STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr., D. D.
Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia;
Montpelier Springs, Monroe County
Rev. THOMAS F. SCOTT, Marietta
Secretary of the Convention
Rev. EDW’D NEUFVILLE, D. D., Savannah,
President of the Standing Committee
Mr. WILLIAM P. HUNTER, Savannah,
Treasurer of the Diocese
Rev. EDW’D NEUFVILLE, D. D., Savannah,
Treasurer of the Missionary Committee