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JOURNAL

OF

THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE

THIRTEENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION

OF THE

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

IN THE DIOCESE OF GEORGIA.

HELD AT MACON ON THE 4th & 5th OF MAY, 1835.

_____

TOGETHER WITH

THE CONSTITUTION AND CANONS OF SAID CHURCH,

AND

The Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Society for the
Advancement of Christianity in Georgia.

____________________

SAVANNAH:
W. T. WILLIAMS.
__________

1835.

LIST OF THE CLERGY.

Rev. Theodore B. Bartow, Rector of Christ Church, St. Simons.
Rev. Seneca G. Bragg, Rector of Christ Church, Macon.
Rev. Edward E. Ford, Rector of St. Paul’s Church, Augusta.
Rev. John J. Hunt, Deacon, Savannah.
Rev. Edward Neufville, Rector of Christ Church, Savannah.
Rev. George White, Deacon, Savannah.

JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS, &C.

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Macon, Monday, May 4th, 1835.

Agreeably to appointment by last Convention, the several Delegates attended this day at 10 o’clock A. M. at Christ Church, Macon.

Morning prayer was conducted by the Rev. John J. Hunt, of Savannah, and a sermon preached by the Rev. Edward E. Ford, Rector of St Paul’s Church, Augusta—the Convention Sermon having been preached yesterday, according to appointment, by the Rev. Edward Neufville, Rector of Christ Church, Savannah, who also officiated at the administration of the Holy Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, assisted by the Rev. E. E. Ford, Rector of St Paul’s Church, Augusta, and the Rev. S. G. Bragg, Rector of Christ Church, Macon.

The Rev. Edward Neufville, President of the Convention, took the Chair, and Mr. George A. Walker acted as Secretary pro tem.

The following certificates of Lay-delegation were presented, examined and approved.
Dr. J. B. Read, \
Wm P. Hunter, Esq. > From Christ Church, Savannah.
Rich’d W. Habersham, Esq. /
Richard Tubman, \
Thos. J. Parmelee, > From St. Paul’s Church, Augusta.
Geo. A. Walker, /
Dr. Ambrose Baber, \
Nathan C. Munroe, > From Christ Church, Macon.
Nathaniel Barker, /

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The following members appeared and took their seats:

Of the Clergy.

Rev. Edward Neufville, Rector of Christ Church, Savannah.
Rev. Edward E. Ford, Rector of St. Paul’s Church, Augusta.
Rev. Seneca G. Bragg, Rector of Christ Church, Macon.

Of the Laity.

Thos. J. Parmelee, \ From St. Paul’s Church, Augusta.
George A. Walker, /
Dr. Ambrose Baber, \
Nathan C. Munroe, > From Christ Church, Macon.
Nathaniel Barker, /

No Clerical or Lay Delegate was present from Christ Church, St. Simons, and no Lay Delegate from Christ Church, Savannah.

Application was made by the Congregation of Trinity Church, Columbus, to be received into union with this Diocese, which was granted. Whereupon, the certificate of the following gentlemen as Lay Delegates from said Church, was presented and approved:

Dr. E. L. De Graffenreid,
John Forsyth, Jr.

Dr. De Graffenreid then took his seat as a member of this Convention.

Resolved, That the eighth article of the “Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Georgia” be altered to read as follows:

8th. At each annual meeting of the Convention, a Secretary and Treasurer shall be chosen from among the members thereof, to hold their respective offices until the next annual Convention.

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The Convention then proceeded to the election of a Secretary and Treasurer for the ensuing year; when Nathaniel Barker was elected Secretary, and Dr. J. B. Read unanimously re-elected Treasurer.

On motion, resolved, That any Clergymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church, or candidates for orders not members of this Convention, who may be in the city, be admitted to the sittings thereof.

The Standing Committee of the Diocese made the following Report, which on motion, was accepted and ordered to be entered on the Journal:

The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Georgia, beg leave to report for the information of the Convention, that they have, in the discharge of their canonical duty, recommended to the Rt. Rev. Bishop Bowen, Mr. John James Hunt, to be admitted into the holy order of Deacons: That they received letters dimissory in favor of the Rev. E. D. Christian, in November last, from the Diocese of Virginia, and granted letters in favor of the same gentleman, whose connexion with this Diocese was dissolved in February last, at his own request, in consequence of ill health.
They have, moreover, been informed of the organization of a new Congregation, known and incorporated by the title of Trinity Church, Columbus, and have officially recognized the same.

EDWARD NEUFVILLE,
President.

The Report of Dr. J. B. Read, the Treasurer of the Convention, shewing a balance in his hands of $10, was submitted and approved.

The following Parochial Reports were then read, and ordered to be entered:

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

Baptisms, (adult 1, infants 26,) – – – 27
Marriages, – – – – – – 8
Burials, – – – – – – 15
Communicants, (removed 3, died 2, added 4,) – 151
Sunday School.—Rev. J. J. Hunt, Superintendant.
1 Male, \ – – – 9
Teachers, 8 Female, /
43 Male, \ – – – 95
Scholars, 52 Female, /
Library, – – – – – – Vols. 400

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

Baptisms, (1 adult, 8 infants,) – – – – 9
Marriages, – – – – – – 3
Burials, (2 of these not of the Congregation,) – – 8
Communicants, (added 6, 5 of whom were by accession
from other Congregations, died 3, removed 2,)
present number, – – – – 74
Sunday School.—53 scholars, viz. 23 male, and 30 female, under the care of a Superintendant: 3 male, and 8 female teachers.

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

Baptisms, (2 adults, 20 children,) – – – 22
Marriages, – – – – – – 7
Burials, – – – – – – 9
Communicants, (died 1, removed 3, added 9,) – 17

The Rector takes pleasure in acknowledging the liberality of certain individuals of the Congregation,

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who have caused the Church edifice to be surrounded by a substantial enclosure, and furnished it with a beautiful chandelier, and a sweet-toned organ.

But there is much reason to lament, and humbly confess, that the spiritual has not kept pace with the temporal prosperity of our Parish.

The afflicting hand of Providence has chastened us in various ways, during the past year. Twice, within a period of six months, were we deprived of the services of the senior Warden of the Church; once, by removal to another Parish, and the second time, by death. Our Sunday School has suffered in like manner,–the first Superintendant having removed from the city, and a devoted female teacher, (who was a candidate for the Communion,) having suddenly finished her course, and entered upon the “recompense of reward.” The number of scholars is small, and their attendance irregular; but we hope to surmount all existing difficulties, and see the work of the Lord reviving and prospering in this nursery of our Church. There are now in the Library, about 150 volumes.

For the promotion of the Missionary cause, we have done little more than supply our quota of $100, in pursuance of a Resolution of the last Convention of the Diocese.

In the month of February, the Rector visited Columbus, and by request of the Missionary, (then officiating in that place,) administered the Holy Communion to a few persons residing in Trinity Parish, and baptized three children.

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No report was received from Christ Church, St. Simons.
B

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The Convention then proceeded to the election of Delegates to the next General Convention, when the following persons were elected:

Rev. Edward Neufville, \
Rev. Edward E. Ford, \ Of the Clergy.
Rev. Seneca G. Bragg, /
Rev. Theodore B. Bartow, /
Edward F. Campbell, Esq \
Hon. George Jones, \ Of the Laity,
Dr. J. B. Read, /
I. G. Seymour, Esq. /

Resolved, That the Delegates appointed at this Convention, to attend the next regular General Convention, be also considered the Delegates to any special Convention which may be called in the interval; and also, that the Delegates above appointed, who may attend at either of such General Conventions, be authorised to fill up vacancies in the Delegation.

Resolved, That the Delegates from this Diocese to the next General Convention, be instructed to oppose the proposed amendment of the second article of the Constitution, and the proposed alteration of the Rubric before the Selections of Psalms; and to advocate the insertion of the proposed new Rubric after the “Prayer to be used at the meetings of Convention,” and the proposed alteration in the last Rubric before the Communion Service.

Resolved, That the next annual Convention of this Diocese, be held on the second Monday after Easter Monday in 1836, either at Columbus or at St. Simons, as may be determined by the President of the Convention, of which due notice shall be given by him, to the several Congregations in the Diocese, at least two months before the time of meeting as above stated.

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Resolved, That the Rev. Theodore B. Bartow be appointed to preach the next Convention Sermon.

The Convention then proceeded to the election of a Standing Committee for the ensuing year, when the following persons were elected:

Rev. Edward Neufville, \
Rev. Edward E. Ford, > Of the Clergy.
Rev. Theodore B. Bartow, /
Edward F. Campbell, \
Gerard McLaughlin, > Of the Laity.
Dr. Lewis D. Ford, /

On application, leave of absence was granted to Mr. George A. Walker.

The Convention then adjourned until 10 o’clock, A. M. to-morrow.

5 o’clock, P. M.—The Protestant Episcopal Society for the general advancement of Christianity in the State of Georgia, met, in pursuance of the 5th article of their Constitution.

The account of Dr. J. B. Read, Treasurer of the Society, shewing a balance in his hands of $332.90, was submitted, examined and approved.

The Society then adjourned.

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Tuesday, May 5th, 10 o’clock, A. M.\

The Convention met pursuant to adjournment.

Morning prayer was conducted, and a sermon preached by the Rev. Edward Neufville.

The following Report of the Society for the general advancement of Christianity in Georgia, was submitted, and ordered to be entered on the Journal of the Convention:

The Society for the general advancement of Christianity in Georgia, beg leave to report to the Conven-

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tion, that the anticipations which had been formed in relation to the increase of missionary service, during the last year, have not been realized. Although the funds of the Society have been increased by the liberal contributions of the friends of the Church throughout the Diocese, to an amount fully adequate to the employment of two Missionaries, it has been found impracticable to engage the services even of that limited number of labourers. The Rev. Mr. Christian, of the Diocese of Virginia, was employed in November last, to supply the station at Columbus, but was compelled, by ill health, to relinquish his charge on the 15th of February; and the efforts which have been made to supply the vacancy occasioned by his removal from the Diocese, have been thus far unsuccessful.

It will be seen, by reference to the Treasurer’s report herewith submitted, that the pledge which was made in behalf of the Churches at Augusta and Macon, has been redeemed, and that more than half the amount for which the Congregation of Christ Church, Savannah, was obligated, has been collected. There is no doubt that the deficiency will be made up, and may be relied upon as a portion of the available fund for missionary operations during the current year, which, it is humbly hoped, will witness a more favorable state of things, in reference to the object which is so deservedly near to the hearts of all who feel interested in this barren portion of the Lord’s inheritance.
All which is respectfully submitted.
In behalf of the Society,

EDWARD NEUFVILLE,
President.

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On motion, resolved, That this Convention do regard with feelings of peculiar interest, the laudable efforts which are now making by the friends of our Church in the town of Columbus, especially towards the erection of a suitable Building for the purpose of public worship. They would hereby tender to their Christian brethren of that place, who have associated themselves together under the title of Trinity Church, the assurance of their most cordial sympathy, their most sincere wishes, and their most ardent prayers for their success in this pious enterprise. And they furthermore, hereby earnestly commend their cause to the prayers of the friends of our Zion throughout this Diocese, and especially to such pecuniary aid as they may be enabled to contribute.

Resolved, That it be recommended to all the Congregations in this Diocese, to relinquish the services of their respective Rectors occasionally during the present year, for the purpose of aiding Trinity Church, Columbus, by missionary supplies.

Resolved, That the first clause of the first Canon of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Georgia, be altered, to read as follows: “Whenever any number of persons in this State, shall associate to form an Episcopal Church, and shall elect two wardens, and any number of vestrymen, at discretion, not exceeding eight,” &c.
Resolved, That 500 copies of the Journal of this Convention be published, and that there be appended thereto copies of the Constitution and Canons of the Church in this Diocese, and of the Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Society for the general advancement of Christianity in the State of Georgia;

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and that the Rev. Edward Neufville do superintend the publication thereof.

After prayer by the President, the Convention adjourned.

EDW, NEUFVILLE, President.
Nath. Barker, Secretary.

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Communications from other Dioceses to be addressed to Savannah.

CONSTITUTION
OF THE
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA,

As it was revised, amended and unanimously adopted, by a Convention of the said Church, holden in the City of Augusta, on the 14th day of April, 1834: Provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to contravene any part of the Constitution or Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the United States of America.

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ARTICLE I.
The several congregations of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this State, now represented in this Convention, shall be considered as one Church or Diocese, to be known and designated by the name of “the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Georgia,” with a view to an union with the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

ARTICLE II.
Any congregation of said Church in this State, not now represented in this Convention, by making application to the Convention for admission, shall, on acceding to this Constitution, be received into union with this Church or Diocese.

ARTICLE III.
A Convention of this Church shall be held on the 2d Monday after Easter Monday of each year, at such 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

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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 IV.
All Clergymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church, of regular standing, residing and statedly officiating in this State, shall be considered (ex officio) members of the Convention. Each congregation, in union with this Church, shall be entitled to a representation by one Lay-delegate or more, at discretion, not exceeding three, to be appointed by the Church Wardens and Vestry of the congregation to which such delegate or delegates may respectively belong.

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

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

ARTICLE VII.
At every meeting of the Convention, in the absence of a Bishop, the senior resident Presbyter of the Diocese, shall be ex officio, President of the Convention.

ARTICLE VIII.
At each annual meeting of the Convention, a Secretary and Treasurer shall be chosen from among

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the members thereof, to hold his office until the next annual Convention.

ARTICLE IX.
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 (provided one be a clergyman) shall form 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 or four members of the committee.

The standing committee shall have power to call special Conventions of this Church, whenever peculiar circumstances may render it necessary: Provided, at least four weeks notice of the time and place of holding such Convention shall be given in writing to all the clergymen, and all the congregations connected with this Church.
The general powers and duties of the Committee shall be such as are designated by the general Constitution and Canons of the Church.

ARTICLE X.
The Convention shall, in all cases, elect its officers by ballot; each clergyman to be entitled to one vote, and each congregation to one vote to be expressed by its delegation.
c

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ARTICLE XI.
After the close of this Convention, no alteration of this Constitution shall be made, but by an annual meeting of the Convention: and then, only with the concurrence of at least two thirds of the members present.

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____________________

CANONS
OF THE
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
IN THE
STATE OF GEORGIA.
____________________

CANON I.
Whenever any number of persons in this State shall associate to form an Episcopal Church, and shall elect two Wardens, and any number of Vestry-men at discretion, not exceeding eight, and shall properly signify their association for this purpose to the officers of the Standing Committee, or to the Bishop, if there be one, they shall be recognized as a congregation duly organized, of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Georgia: and it is hereby recommended to all congregations that may be thus organized, to obtain, as early as possible, a legislative act of incorporation.

CANON II.
Whenever a special Convention of this Church shall be called, it shall be the duty of the President of the standing committee in giving notice of the meeting, to specify the business for which such Convention is called.

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CANON III.
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 IV.
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 Vestry of the Church of which he is Rector, or to which he may belong, who shall have knowledge or belief of such misdemeanor, to represent the same to the Bishop, or in case there be no Bishop, to the standing committee of the Diocese. In the event of such representation, it shall be the duty of the Bishop, or, if there be no Bishop, of the standing committee, if he or they shall deem the charge or charges worthy of investigation, forthwith to notify the accused of such charge or charges, together with the time and place appointed for his trial.

The mode of trial shall be as follows:–The Bishop or the standing committee, as the case may be, shall appoint a number of Presbyters, not less than five, of whom the person accused may select a majority by whom to be tried.—The result of the trial shall be made known to the Bishop, or, in case there be no Bishop, to the standing committee, who shall pronounce and execute, or cause to be pronounced and executed, such sentence as may be awarded, should the same, by him or them, be deemed just and proper.

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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.

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Form of a Certificate of appointment as a Delegate to the State Convention.

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

The above certificate shall be signed by the Rector, if present, and by at least one Warden and two members of the Vestry.

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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 Church, the other for that of the place.

CONSTITUTION

OF THE

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL SOCIETY,

FOR THE

General Advancement of Christianity in the State of Georgia.

____________________

ARTICLE I.
This Society shall be denominated “The Protestant Episcopal Society for the general advancement of Christianity in the State of Georgia.”

ARTICLE II.
The objects of the Society shall be the extension of the ordinances of the Church, and the distribution of Prayer Books and Religious Tracts to those portions of the State where they may not otherwise be had, and the assistance of such Churches as may be unable, without such aid, to support the ministry.

ARTICLE III.
The Society shall be composed of such members of the Convention for the time being, and other persons, as shall have complied with the terms of membership.

The payment of three dollars annually shall entitle to membership: or the payment of ten dollars, at any one time shall constitute a person a member for life.

ARTICLE IV.
The standing committee of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this State, for the time being, shall constitute a board of trust for this Society. The President and Secretary of that committee shall be respectively the President and Secretary of this Society: and the Treasurer of the Convention shall be its Treasurer.

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ARTICLE V.
There shall be an annual meeting of this Society at the place appointed for the Annual Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this State, at five o’clock, P. M., or at such other hour as may be more convenient, on the first day of the meeting of the Convention—due notice of which shall be given to all the members.

ARTICLE VI.
The Society shall annually present to the Convention an account of its proceedings.

ARTICLE VII.
The Constitution of this Society shall not be altered but by a proposition made at one, and acceded to at the ensuing annual meeting, two thirds of the members present concurring.

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N.B. Communications to the Society during the present year must be addressed either to the Rev. Edward Neufville, Savannah, President of the Society, or to Edward F. Campbell, Esq. Augusta, the Secretary. Donations or subscriptions to the Society may be forwarded to either of these gentlemen, or to Dr. J. B. Read, Savannah, the Treasurer of the Society.