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Georgia Convention
46
[above is written in pencil on cover]
Front Cover
JOURNAL
OF THE
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
IN THE DIOCESE OF GEORGIA,
HELD IN EMMANUEL CHURCH, ATHENS, GA.,
Commencing on the 7th May, 1846.
********
MARIETTA:
PRINTED AT THE ADVOCATE OFFICE.
1846.
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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 in the U.S. Navy, stationed at the Naval Asylum, Philadelphia.
“ SENECA G. BRAGG, Rector of Christ Church, Macon.
“ EDMUND T. BROWN, Rector of Christ Church, St. Simons Island.
“ WILLIAM D. CAIRNS, Rector of Trinity Church, Columbus.
“ WILLIAM J. ELLIS, officiating at Albany, Baker county.
“ JOHN FIELDING, principal of the Beaufort College, S.C.
“ WM. FLINT, Deacon.
“ EDWARD E. FORD, D. D., Rector of St. Paul’s Church, Augusta.
“ JOHN J. HUNT, residing in Athens.
“ RICHARD JOHNSON, Rector of St. Luke’s Church, Montpelier.
“ WILLIAM JOHNSON, Rector of St. Stephen’s Church, Milledgeville.
“ GARDNER JONES, Deacon, residing in Savannah.
“ BENJAMIN F. MOWER, Rector of Grace Church, Clarkesville.
“ EDWARD NEUFVILLE, D. D. Rector of Christ Church Savannah.
“ THOMAS F. SCOTT, Rector of St. James’ Church, Marietta.
“ JOSEPH A. SHANKLIN, Deacon, officiating as Missionary in St. Mary’s Camden co., Ga.
“ THOMPSON L. SMITH, Deacon, officiating in St. Andrew’s Church, Darien.
“ WILLIAM B. STEVENS, M. D., Rector of Emmanuel Church, Athens, and professor of Belles Letters, &c. in University of Georgia.
“ OWEN P. THACKARA, Deacon, officiating as Missionary in Cass and Floyd counties, Ga.
“ GEORGE WHITE, residing in Savannah and doing Missionary work among the adjacent Islands.
“ RUFUS M. WHITE, Rector of St. John’s Church, Savannah.
“ WILLIAM C. WILLIAMS, Deacon, Missionary to the negroes upon the North side of the Great Ogeechee river.
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LAY DELEGATES APPOINTED.
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WM. THORNE WILLIAMS, \
AARON CHAMPION, > Christ Church, Savannah.
EDWARD F. CAMPBELL, /
GEORGE W. MORGAN, \
GEORGE PARROTT, > St. Paul’s Church, Augusta.
JOHN C. CARMICHAEL, /
NATHAN C. MUNROE, \
JOHN L. JONES, > Christ Church, Macon.
HENRY C. CROSBY. /
THOMAS M. NELSON, \
JOHN B. PEABODY, > Trinity Church, Columbus.
WARHAM CROMWELL. /
RICHARD D. MOORE, \
PHILIP CLAYTON, > Emmanuel Church, Athens.
GEORGE W. FERRY, /
JAMES HOLMES, \
BENJAMIN GREEN, > St. Andrew’s Church, Darien.
SAMUEL PALMER. /
WILLIAM ROOT, \
HILLIARD L. CURRIER, > St. James’ Church, Marietta.
LEVI AYRES. /
JOHN S. THOMAS, \
M.J. KENAN, > St. Stephen’s Church, Milledgeville.
HENRY S. MOORE. /
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JOURNAL
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EMMANUEL CHURCH, ATHENS,
7th, May 1846.
This being the time and place appointed for holding the twenty-fourth Annual Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Georgia:
Morning Prayer was read by Rev. William B. Stevens, and the Sermon preached by Rev. Thomas F. Scott, from John 17:20,21.
After sermon, the Convention was called to order by the Bishop, and the list of the Clergy being called, the following answered to their names:
RT. REV. STEPHEN EELIOTT, Jr., D.D. Bishop.
“ SENECA G. BRAGG.
“ WILLIAM J. ELLIS.
“ EDWARD E. FORD, D.D.
“ BENJAMIN F. MOWER,
“ EDWARD NEUFVILLE, D.D.
“ THOMAS F. SCOTT.
“ JOSEPH A. SHANKLIN.
“ THOMPSON L. SMITH.
“ WILLIAM B. STEVENS.
“ OWEN P. THACKARA.
“ RUFUS M. WHITE.
“ WM. C. WILLIAMS.
The Certificates of Lay Delegates were presented, read and committed to Rev. Dr. Neufville, Messrs. Clayton and Morgan.
The list being called, the following Delegates answered to their names:
From Christ Church, Savannah—Edward F. Campbell.
From St. Paul’s Church, Augusta—George W. Morgan and Geo. Parrot.
From Christ Church Macon—Henry C. Crosby.
From Trinity Church, Columbus—Warham Cromwell.
From Emmanuel Church, Athens—Richard D. Moore, Philip Clayton, and George W. Ferry.
From St. James’ Church, Marietta—Hilliard L. Currier.
From St. Stephen’s Church, Milledgeville—M.J. Kenan.
The rules of order of the Convention of 1843, were adopted for the government of this body.
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The Bishop then announced the following Committees of Convention:
ON THE STATE OF THE CHURCH—Rev. Drs. Neufville and Ford, and Rev. Mr. Bragg.
ON UNFINISHED BUSINESS—Rev. Mr. White, and Messrs. Crosby and Currier.
ON FINANCE—Messrs. Campbell, Parrott and Moore.
ON THE ADMISSION OF NEW PARISHES—Rev. Dr. Stevens, and Messrs. Cromwell and Kenan.
After prayer by the Bishop, Convention adjourned until the hour of public worship to-morrow morning.
At night, Evening Prayer was read by Rev. Dr. Neufville, and a sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Ford.
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FRIDAY MORNING, 8th May, 1846.
Morning Prayer was read by the Rev. O.P. Thackara, and a sermon preached by the Rev. S.G. Bragg.
After Sermon, the Convention was called to order, and the Journal of yesterday was read and confirmed.
The Bishop then read his
ANNUAL ADDRESS.
Brethren of the Clergy and Laity:
Scattered as we are over an immense area, separated from one another by distances which render a frequent inter-communion almost impracticable, we feel the importance of that canonical arrangement which annually convenes us that we may ask each other “what of the night?” and advise together of the things pertaining to Christ and his Holy Church. May our present meeting be one of unmingled affection, and may the Holy Ghost, who alone can lead us into the way of Truth and make us to hold the Faith in unity of spirit and in the Bond of Peace, be present with us to fill our minds with wisdom from above and our hearts with the most excellent gift of Charity.
We all feel deeply the separation, nay the isolation of which I have just spoken, but none so forcibly experience its bitterness as those newly admitted to the cares and responsibilities of the Ministry. Entering, for the most part without the slightest previous practical training upon this arduous work, a work which caused even Paul to ask “who is sufficient for these things?” hurried from the scholastic retirement of the study or the Seminary to a scene of action upon which angels might fear to tread and to the decision of questions involving the highest interests of immortal souls, our Deacons are made to bear a burden almost too great for them under any circum-
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stances, but intolerable when cut off from the sympathy of their brethren and the advice of their superiors. With many, wisdom is learned through a bitter experience; with many more, it is never learned at all, and men, who under a more wholesome training, might have become wise to win souls, sink, after a few years of toil and anguish, under the weight of their ministry, or grow faithless of any spiritual results, resting in a cold routine of formal duties without life or even the hope of life, and this condition of things, met with throughout the whole extent of the Church, has forced upon me the question “How can this growing evil be remedied and how can the Deacons in a widely extended Diocese of Georgia, be spared this terrible ordeal of ministerial character?”
Our Ecclesiastical organization offers, I know, some remedy for this evil in the visitation of the Parishes by the Bishop, but this can only be partial because of the infrequency and hurried nature of those visits, and while wisely arranged, is yet not sufficient for the wants of the younger and more inexperienced clergy. What they need for at least the term of their diaconate, is a wise counsellor for ever at hand who may direct them, out of large experience, into the surest paths for their feet and into the pracitcal wisdom which is necessary for winning souls to Christ. As meeting some of the difficulties of the case and as calculated in some measure to relieve the young from the cares and responsibilities of a Parochial cure, two plans have suggested themselves to me, which deserve the consideration of those who may, by their position, be enabled to assist in the removal of this crying and increasing evil. These I will present briefly and as leading me directly to my first official acts in the present ecclesiastical year.
The first of these is that the Rector of each of the more firmly established churches of the Diocese should take into his family as his son and into his Parish as his curate one of the newly ordained Deacons and without constituting him his regular assistant, should employ him in the duties specified in the ordination service for Deacons, giving him food and raiment wherewith he should be content, and allowing him sufficient time for systematic study and pulpit preparation. The ordination service clearly points this out as the position of the Deacon and if the Churche’s view was fairly carried out, the arrangement would be of incalculable service to all parties, the Rector, the people and the Deacon. To the Rector, as freeing him from many matters of detail which he must personally attend to unless relieved by such an adjunct. To the people, by leaving their Rector more time for pulpit preparation and parochial visiting. To the Deacon, by introducing him gradually into the practical work of his sacred office and accumulating for him a treasure of experience, without the bitter memory of blunders never to be remedied and of follies ever to be repented of. Such an arrangement would also
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strengthen the Diocese by increasing the number of her Clergy and preparing for the Bishop a body of young men prepared to move at any moment to any part of the Diocese. Already has the Rector of Trinity Church, Columbus, asked for such a curate, with the promise of an adequate support and there are at least three other churches in the Diocese which might advantageously adopt such an arrangement. Its expense would be very trifling, and might be partly sustained from the offerings of the Lord’s table, if the Deacons entered upon it in the true spirit which becomes their order, a spirit of lowliness and humility and teachableness and self denial. How much suffering would not a few years of such discipline save them in after life!
Even this, however, if carried out to its fullest extent would not remedy the difficulty in a Diocese like Georgia, and another plan has suggested itself to my mind as comprising within it some of the elements of a more efficient organization. It is that the clergy of each portion of the Diocese, arranging it according to great natural divisions, should meet together at certain intervals and spend some days in strengthening and confirming each other by prayer and an interchange of thought and feeling. These associations, if conducted discreetly and in order would coincide with those meetings in the English Church which are subordinate to Convocation and Episcopal visitation, such as those of the Archdeacons and Rural Deans and the assemblages of the clergy of the Peculiars. They would also be in accordance with the practice of many of the Dioceses of the American Church, such as Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Virginia, where they have been conducted with signal benefit to the clergy and greatly to the increase and edification of the Church. Such associations as these bringing the older and the younger clergy into frequent contact and communion would make the former feel the importance of a high and holy example and would return to the latter to their Parishes endued with fresh zeal and renewed energy for the work of the Lord.
This train of thought has been induced by a recurrence to my first official act in the past ecclesiastical year, the admission of four young men to the order of Deacons in the Church of Christ. But one of these four has been during the year of his Diaconate, I allude to the Rev. Mr. Thackara, within reach of advice from an older and more experienced brother in the ministry. Mr. Mower I was obliged to locate at one remote extremity of the Diocese and Mr. Ellis at another, both in highly responsible positions but cut off from the sympathy and forced to act for themselves in every emergency that might arise. To say that they have acted prudently is to do them only scant justice; they have purchased to themselves a good degree and will all be prepared very soon to receive it. The fourth, the Rev. Mr. Okeson, removed immediately to Indiana, where he has been laboring earnestly and successfully first at Evansville and now at LaFayette.—
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This ordination was held on the 11th of May, 1845, in St. Stephen’s Church, Milledgeville, during the sitting of our last Diocesan Convention, but subsequent to the delivery of my Episcopal Address.
Immediately after the adjournment of the Convention, I made my annual visit to St. Paul’s Church, Augusta, where I remained several days, engaged in services of various kinds, and on Sunday the 18th, confirmed eleven persons. My visitation was closed on Monday evening the 19th. This congregation in spite of a constant drain Westward, steadily increases in numbers and efficiency.
The early part of June was spent in organizing our school at Montpelier, which I am happy to say has prospered exceedingly during the past year and is at this moment, in point of efficiency, discipline and instruction beyond what it has ever been before. It needs nothing but the steady support of the Church to make it most useful to the Diocese and the State. Its corps of teachers is the best which I have been able to procure either in this country or in Europe, no pains and no expense having been spared for that purpose. Its apparatus for Philosophical and Artistical instruction has been purchased from the best mechanicians and artists of London and almost every day is adding something to the facilities for improvement offered to the pupils. The place has been very much beautified within the year and we are now engaged in finishing a fourth building, which will add very much to the convenience of the Institute. These things we have been enabled to effect, through the excellent management of the Rev. Mr. Johnson, out of the ordinary income of the school, besides paying a portion of the debt which was found attached to the institute at its change of officers. The remainder of that debt we can easily discharge out of the ordinary income of the school, if the Lord continues to bless us with the light of his countenance and to turn the hearts of his people towards us.
There is one object, however, connected with the Institute, which I conceive to be peculiarly the work of the Churches and which I am bold, in its behalf, to ask of them, as although a distinct church school, it has never received from the Church a dollar. I allude to a Chapel which is now almost all that is wanting to make our establishment very complete. Hitherto we have worshipped in a very common and open house, from which we are driven into our rooms alike by the heats of summer and the colds of winter. This has continued long enough and it behoves the Church, in a spirit of liberality, to give to her children whoare training there one day to become mothers in Israel, a place of worship in which they may use the services of their Church in their beauty and perfectness. It is mortifying when asked for the Chapel of the Institute, to be obliged to point to the meanest of our buildings as that in which God is worshipped. I trust that the Rectors of Churches and the Laymen present in this Convention will pledge themselves before we separate, for such a sum
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as will authorise us immediately to undertake the erection of a neat yet commodious edifice for the worship of God.
As I have not found that my residence at Montpelier has interfered at all with my Episcopal duties, having performed, during the past year, including three visits to Florida, more service than ever in one year before, and having travelled near six thousand miles, I have determined to continue my residence at the Institute for the present and carry out, so far as I may be permitted to do so, the designs of its liberal founder and such other plans as may open before us as we proceed with its improvements. Its central position affords me great facilities for movement in any direction at a moment’s warning and our strong corps of teachers enables me to devolve my personal duties, without difficulty, upon very competent substitutes during my absences. I do not intend these remarks, however, to be construed into a pledge that I must remain there always, as the principle of action which I have laid down is to keep myself so untrammelled as to be able, at any moment, to assume that position which may, for the time being, be most for the benefit of the Church. No other position appears to me to meet the office and duty of a Bishop.
In the latter part of June I visited the North-Western portion of my Diocese and on Sunday, June 22d, Consecrated the Church of the Ascension upon the Etowah River in Cass county. This is a very neat Church Edifice, beautifully located near the banks of the river, with a glebe of some Fifty or Sixty acres of tolerable land, having a Parsonage and School House of very decent construction, and all I believe, paid for through the liberality of a very few individuals—The state of the Mission at this point will be reported to you by the Rev. Mr. Thackara.
On Sunday, the 29th June, I confirmed in St. James’ Church Marietta, nine persons, a very large class for so feeble a parish. This Church, with its excellent Female Seminary, I understand to be in a very prosperous condition, for which the Church is indebted very much, under God, to the liberality and devotion of its Rector, the Rev. Thos. F. Scott. Not only has he given his time and his talents to this enterprise, working night and day to further the designs of the friends of the Church in Marietta, but contributing largely of his own private means to the advancement of the same good work. I feel sure that he will receive the reward he most covets, that of seeing the Church of his affections take deep root in the interesting field of his labors, and the School for which he is toiling so earnestly, spread light and knowledge among those who must one day be the mothers of the State. Mr. Scott’s report will give you a detail of the condition of his Female Institute, it being left for me to say no more than that the experience of a year has entirely fulfilled the confidence which I expressed a year ago in its prospective usefulness.
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My next absence from Montpelier was in the latter part of July and the beginning of August, when I visited Lexington, Oglethorpe Co. and Emmanuel Church, Athens. At the former place I confirmed one individual, and found the condition of the Church the same as when I visited it two years previous. No change had taken place in the number of our Communicants and the continued decay of the village forbade any attempt to organize a congregation or build an edifice. The Rector of Emmanuel Church continues to serve them once a month.
On Sunday, the 3d August I confirmed six persons in Emmanuel Church, Athens. Services were held in the Church several times during the preceding week and were well attended. Of this Church I need say nothing as you now sit in it and are yourselves witnesses of its convenience and beauty. Its growth in number has been steady and onward.
In October I visited Grace Church, Clarkesville, and found the edifice much improved since my last visitation and the Congregation very much increased and strengthened, indeed, as a summer Church, it is becoming one of the most interesting Parishes in my Diocese. During those months the church is already becoming too small for its congregation and the rapid increase of emigration and settlement renders it probable that very soon it must be enlarged to meet the wants of the Parish. A Parsonage with a few acres of land has been purchased during the past year and is now inhabited by the minister and his family. I found one candidate for confirmation at this point of visitation.
On Sunday, the 2d November, I administered the rite of Confirmation in St. Luke’s church, Montpelier, when four persons were presented by the Rector, two of them young ladies belonging to the School and two others, gentlemen residing in the neighborhood. For lack of accommodation, we have not hitherto encouraged the attendance of the neighbors at the Chapel of our Institute, but should we be enabled to erect a commodious Church, I feel no doubt that many families would feel it a privilege to be permitted to worship with us and unite with us as a Church. This is an additional inducement to the Churches to respond promptly to the appeal made to them in behalf of a Chapel for our Institute.
On Sunday, Nov. 9, I admitted to the Holy Order of Deacons in Christ Church, Macon, Messrs. Wm. C. Williams who had been for two years studying under my roof in Savannah, and Thompson L. Smith, transferred to me as a candidate for orders from the Diocese of Virginia. These Deacons are both engaged in the Eastern portion of my Diocese, Mr. Smith at Darien and Mr. Williams as Missionary upon the rice plantations on the Northern side of the great Ogeechee River. This is our first distinct Mission to the Blacks entered upon in my Diocese, and gives promise, so far as it has proceeded,
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of being eminently successful in its results. Mr. Williams is pursuing the right plan, identifying himself with his people as their Pastor and continuing with them during the whole year. He will reap his reward both in this world and in the world to come. Upon the same occasion in Christ Church, Macon, I baptized and confirmed an invalid adult, who has since closed his pilgrimage in faith and peace.
On the 16th November, I visited St. Stephen’s, Milledgeville, then under the charge of the Rev. Rufus M. White and confirmed three persons. Unavoidable circumstances made the class smaller than it would otherwise have been, and the subsequent removal of Mr. White to Savannah, has cast a temporary shade over the prospects of St. Stephen’s, which I trust will soon be dissipated by the efforts of his successor. I preached several times during my visit at St. Stephen’s.
On Sunday, the 7th Dec. I preached three times in the Churches of Savannah and thence proceeded to my visitation of East Florida, which consumed nearly all the remainder of the month of December. Upon my return I spent two days with the Church of the Messiah at St. Mary’s, under the charge of the Rev. Mr. Shanklin, and on Christmas day I confirmed two persons and administered the Lord’s Supper to a considerable number. Since my visit, a Church building has been contracted for and is in the course of erection, the money being nearly all in hand for the payment of its cost. Mr. Shanklin continues to labor at this Missionary post and has abundant cause for encouragement and hope.
On Sunday, the 28th Dec. I preached in St. Andrews Church, Darien, but regret to say, that I have not been able to visit the group of Churches lying in this immediate neighborhood during the past year. St. David’s, Glynn Co. has been without a Clergyman, owing to the inability of the Rev. Mr. Martow to fulfil an engagement entered into with him, and St. Andrews has been supplied only since the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Smith. Mr. Brown continues to labor successfully and devotedly at St. Simons. I baptised one infant in St Andrew’s Church, Darien.
The early part of January was spent in Middle Florida, in attendance upon the Convention of the Diocese of Florida at Tallahassee and in the visitation of one or more of the neighboring Churches. Upon my return into Georgia I visited Albany, Baker County, where the Rev. Mr. Ellis had been laboring since the preceding May, and on Sunday, January 18th , I preached three times and baptised four infants. I found a very convenient room arranged at this place for the accommodation of our worshippers and a very good feeling pervading the community in connexion with our services. On Monday, the 19th, I visited the plantations of Messrs. Nightingale and Johnson about 18 miles from Albany, where I baptised Forty five persons,
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six of whom were infants, and confirmed sixty five adults, all the slaves of the gentlemen above named. This was one of the most interesting confirmations I have held in my Diocese. Every thing conspired to make it so, its unexpectedness, the deep interest of the master and mistress of this property, the earnestness of the candidates themselves and its being, in a measure, the first fruits of the labors of the Rev. Mr. Ellis among that class of people. Two years ago, and these same people, who, under persevering instruction, were now voluntarily and gladly submitting themselves to the ordinances of the Church, had doggedly refused to even listen to the instructions which were offered them. This should be an encouragement to our young men especially, not to faint nor grow weary too soon in their efforts with this class of people.
On the 15th Feb. 1846, I admitted in Christ Church Macon to the Holy order of Deacons, Dr. William Flint. Dr. Flint is now absent from the Diocese, but will, I trust, yet feel himself at liberty to return and labor among us.
In March I made my visitation of Trinity Church, Columbus, and on Sunday, the 6th, confirmed fifteen persons on public and two in private. I found this Church, after an interval of two years, in a very flourishing condition, there having been a large accession both to the congregation and communion during that lapse of time.—Reckoning the communicants upon the Alabama side of the Chattahoochie, who really belong to Trinity Church, having been always attached to that fold, this Church ranks, in point of number of its communicants as second only to Christ Church, Savannah.—This is a most rapid increase when we remember, that only ten years ago it was the feeblest Missionary station in the Diocese. What room for encouragement to those who are always ready to despond respecting the progress of our communion.
From Trinity Church, Columbus, I proceeded to visit Western Florida and was back again at Montpelier towards the end of March. On Sunday, the 29th of that month, I admitted in Christ Church, Macon, Mr. Gardner Jones, late a licentiate of the German Reformed Church, to the Holy Order of Deacons. Mr. Jones is at present engaged in Teaching, but will be ready at any moment to take his post in the field of labor.
Passion Week was spent with my Churches in Savannah, enjoying with them that season of religious solemnity to every Christian heart. On Easter day I confirmed in St. John’s Church nine persons, two of whom were from Christ Church. The Rev. Rufus M. White is laboring very acceptably in St. John’s and Mr. Neufville still continues his labor of love among the people of Christ Church, with whom he has been identified for nearly twenty years.
On Sunday, the 19th April, I visited Christ Church, Macon, and confirmed in that Church twelve persons most of them in the very
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bloom of youth, devoting themselves as I trust, understandingly to the service of the Lord. One of the features of this confirmation which made it peculiarly interesting to the Rector of the Parish, was the circumstance that six of them were young men, who came prepared to give themselves heartily to the advancement of the interests of the Church and to uphold the Rector in his arduous duties.
This act closed one of the most laborious years which I have spent since my entrance upon the Episcopate, for in addition to the immense amount of travel which I have enumerated, nearly six thousand miles, I have been engaged, during all the intervals, in assiduous attention to the interests of the school at Montpelier and in conducting a correspondence almost enough in itself to occupy the time of a single individual. These things I mention not in a spirit of vain boasting, but to disabuse the mind of any who may suppose, that in retiring to Montpelier I was actuated by any expectation of greater ease or more rest. I have long since learned that the only rest for a Bishop is that which remaineth for him in common with the other people of God.
Since my last Conventional Address, I have transferred the Rev. Mr. Okeson to the Diocese of Indiana and the Rev. Richard T. Brown to that of Virginia. I cannot part from Mr. Brown without acknowledging the usefulness of his services while in Georgia and without confessing that much of the increase of St. Andrews Church, Darien, was due to his zeal and devotion. I have received into the Diocese the Rev. Richard Johnson from South Carolina and have ordained eight Clergymen, Messrs. Thackara, Mower, Ellis, Okeson, Williams, Smith, Fint and Jones, all of whom remain connected with the Diocese except Mr. Okeson. Our present number of Clergy is twenty-three.
Before closing this address I would again call the attention of the Churches of the Diocese to our Missions and to the Building Fund, upon which must very much depend the progress of our Diocese. The larger Churches must abate none of their zeal and the weaker ones must remember that it is a number of small rills which make up a large and flowing river. Let all, strong and weak, heartily unite in pouring into the Treasury of the riches wherewith God has blessed them and we shall be enabled to extend our borders in various directions where the way is opened before us, but which we cannot occupy for fear of embarrassment. The renewal of the Building Fund is also important as giving me the means of assisting weak Parishes in the erection of Church edifices, and without being felt by the individuals who contribute to it, it is felt most sensibly and seen most strikingly in the beautiful edifices which it has helped to rear in the last few years. The Church, in which you are now assembled, is one of the fruits of that arrangement.
In conclusion, my beloved Brethren of the Clergy, I would say to
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you, that all our efforts for the permanent establishment of the Church of God must be unavailing unless we plant it upon the preaching of the cross of Jesus Christ. The temptation lies heavily upon us to forsake that which God has instituted as his power and his wisdom unto salvation, and to place before immortal souls motives drawn from the earth, and arguments deduced from the reason or the fitness or the utility of things. But no motive will be constraining enough to change the natural man into the spiritual save the love of Christ and no reasons can avail with the corrupted Heart save those which are advanced by the Holy Ghost, when he takes of the things of Christ and shews them unto men. Unless these instrumentalities are faithfully used in the foolishness of preaching, and these agencies earnestly invoked in prayer, your labor will be all in vain and your words though full of reason and eloquence, but sounding brass and tinkling cymbals.
STEPHEN ELLIOTT JR.
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The Parochial Reports were read, and ordered to be printed, as follows:
CHRIST CHURCH SAVANNAH
Rev. Edward Neufville, D.D. Rector.
Baptisms—infants 24—adults 2 – – – – 26
Confirmed – – – – – – – 2
Marriages – – – – – – – 7
Burials – – – – – – – – 19
Communicants added 7—died 4—removed 3 – – 160
Sunday School-teachers 10—pupils 80.
Contributions:
To Diocesan Missions – – – – – $693,25
General Domestic Do. – – – – – 220,25
Foreign Do. – – – – – 85,62
Mission to the Jews – – – – – 85,00
________
$1084,12
Collections have also been made to the amount of $1318 for the reduction of the debt of the Church and about $200 for the erection of a Church at St. Mary’s.
The “Ladies Missionary Association”, “Female Missionary Society” and “Prayer Book, Bible and Tract Society” have, in their several departments, rendered important service to the interests, of the Church.
The condition of the Sunday School is very discouraging, especially in the Male department which has suffered greatly from the want of an adequate supply of teachers. Hence have resulted irregular attendance and diminished interest in the subjects of instruction.
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ST. JOHN’S CHURCH, SAVANNAH.
Rev. R. M. White, Rector
This Parish, after the resignation of the rectorship by the Bishop, was under the charge of the Rev. George White of Savannah until late in December. Upon my entering at that time on the duties of the rectorship I found the number of communicants—50
Added, including 3 transferred
from other Parishes, 8. Total — – – – 58
Baptisms, White infants 8 blacks 1 – – – – 9
Confirmations – – – – – – – 7
Burials – – – – – – – – 2
There is a Sunday School under the Superintendance of a Layman of the parish, with 13 teachers, an average attendance, (including the members of an infant Sunday School taught by a communicant) of 90 scholars. The children of the parish are catechised in church monthly.
The Asylum for orphan and indigent children is still maintained. The number of its inmates at present is 13, of which 2 are supported by a contribution from the poor fund of Christ Church, while private contributions are made to the same noble charity, by different individuals of that parish. The parish school is also in a flourishing state, with an average daily attendance of more than 50 scholars.
Contributions have been made as follows:
For Diocesan Missions – – – – $381,21
For Domestic Missions – – – – 60,60
“ The Mission to the Jews – – – – 30,00
“ The Church at St. Mary’s – – – – 81,00
“ The Education of Candidates for orders,
besides a joint collection in Christ Church – – 16,81
_______
569,62
There has been a new organ purchased at an expense of $500,00
_____
ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, AUGUSTA.
Rev. Edward E. Ford, D.D. Rector.
Baptisms. White—adults 2. Children, 20.
Colored—Children 3. Total – – 25
Confirmed, – – – – – – 11
Communicants—Added, including 6 transferred from other
Congregations 21. Died, 5. Removed 9. Present
number, – – – – – 101
Marriages, 7. Burials, 14.
Missionary Collections.—Amount of weekly Church offerings, devoted to Diocesan Missions, $87 89. Special collections for Diocesan Missions, $55 83. Collected under resolution of the last Convention, for paying the debt incurred by the Missionary Committee of Diocese, $100 75. Collection under the recommendation of the Bishops of the Church, and divided equally between Foreign and Domestic Committees of the Board of Missions, $111 75.
Good Friday collections for the Jews, $33 88.
The Schools are in a good condition. In the Parish School there is an average attendance of about forty children, who are making respectable progress under a very zealous and faithful teacher. The white Sunday School numbers about 100 children, under the direction of the Rector, as Superintendent, a Librarian, three male and seven female Teachers. A large addition to the Library has been made during the past year. The colored Sunday School contains about fifty children, under the Rector and four other Teachers, two male and two female.
Page 16
The children of the Congregation are catechised, in the Church, by the Rector, on the afternoon of the second Sunday in every month.
The attendance upon public worship is steadily increasing; and along with it an enlightened and principled attachment to the explicit and distinctive doctrinal teaching of the Prayer Book; which, as the best interpretation of holy scripture, is the standard by which the Rector, in conformity with his ordination vow in this particular, endeavors uncompromisingly to regulate his minstrations.
_____
CHRIST CHURCH, St. SIMONS.
Rev. Edmund P. Brown Rector.
The undersigned reports that during the last year he has been enabled in the possession of uninterrupted health to perform regularly the services of the Church among the charge over which in the providence of God he has been placed. During the year he has officiated occasionally by way of exchange and otherwise, at Darien, Brunswick, and at St. David’s Church in Glynn Co.
The experience of the past year has deepened the conviction that the arrangements of our ritual are eminently suited to the character and condition of the negro population in our midst. An increased and still increasing interest has been observed in the parish of the Rector, upon the part of those to whom it has been taught—an interest which abundently repays any amount of time and labour which their instruction in it may cost.—It has been my desire that the planters themselves, or some one from the family shall be engaged regularly in this work, and I trust ere long it may be accomplished.
For the purpose of defraying somewhat of the expenses connected with the purchase of an organ and the enlarging and repairing of the Church, a sewing society has been established, which has proved of good service not only in respect mentioned, but also it is believed in the increase of charitable and Christian regards upon the part of those who have attended.
Baptisms since last report,–infants 13
1 white, 12 colored. Marriages 1. Several are awaiting
the arrival of the Bishop for confirmation
Missionary contributions – – – $29,69
Communicants, white 19, colored 30 – – 49
_____
CHRIST CHURCH, MACON.
Rev. Seneca G. Bragg, Rector.
Baptisms—adults 3, Children 9, Total – – 12
Confirmations – – – – – – 13
Communicants—removed 7, Died 2, added, 14
Present Number – – – – – 75
Marriages – – – – – – 7
Funerals—adults 4(2 not of the Congregation), 1 child. 5
Contributions—in the Church and Congregation
for Missions within the Diocese, – – $133,35
For Missions within the United States (including
a collection—on Good Friday for the Jews,
amounting to $11) – – – – 68
For Foreign Missions – – – – 20
_______
$221,35
Contributions by the Ladie’s Association—to objects of Christian Benelovence within the Diocese, (nearly double their contributions of last year,) $312,00
Our Sunday School, and Parish Libraries, have been increased; and the general interests of the Church, and Congregation have been promoted, in a manner—which inspires us with gratitude for the past, and with hope for the future.
Page 17
TRINITY CHURCH, COLUMBUS.
Rev. Wm. D. Cairns, Rector.
Baptisms, adults, white 5, Coloured 2 – – 7
Infants 13 25 – – 38
Total – – – – – – – 45
Confirmed, white 16, coloured 1 – – – 17
Communicants, added, white 27, coloured 16, died 1,
removed 3, Total. – – – – – 125
Marriages, white 4, coloured 7, – – – 11
Burials, 2 adults, 1 infant, 1 coloured person – – 4
Collections for domestic Missions, – – $87
Diocesan – do – – 50
Special – – do – – 50
China – – do – – 25——212
Church debt and interest – – – 210
at “Offertory – – – – – 213
Bishop’s Fund &c., – – – – 115
______
Total $750
Of the Communicants of this Church 98 are white, and 27 coloured persons, and 19 white and 26 coloured communicants reside within the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Alabama. Should the effort, in progress, for the establishment of a Mission in Eastern Alabama prove successful, these will of course, be thereafter reported to the Convention of that Diocese. It is even now referred to “the Committee on the state of the Church,” to decide whether more than the 80 actually residing within the limits of Georgia should be reported to its Convention.
One communicant of this Church was “Ordained a Deacon” at the last Convention, and another has been admitted “a Candidate for orders” in the Diocese of Alabama.
_____
GRACE CHURCH, CLARKSVILLE.
Rev. B. F. Mower, Rector.
Communicants – – – – – 12
Confirmations – – – – – – 1
Marriages (colored) – – – – – 1
Burials – – – – – – – 1
Sunday School teachers 3, scholars 21 – – 24
Funds raised for Diocesan Missions – – $5,00
Ladies working Society – – – 45,00
Having remained in Milledgeville three Sabbaths after the convention of last year to supply the place of the absent Rector, I proceeded to Clarksville. During last summer, divine service was held every Sunday morning, and every other Sunday evening in Grace Church. Twice during each month on Sunday evening, I preached at a Methodist Church five miles from Clarksville. During the winter, on every Sunday afternoon, religious instruction has been imparted to the servants.
A parsonage has been purchased during the past year, and thirty two dollars have been given by the Ladies of the working society towards the furnishing of it.
_____
ST. LUKES CHURCH, MONTPELIER
Rev. R. Johnson, Rector.
I was called to the spiritual charge over which it is my privilege to watch, about the first of May last. The parish is a small one exclusive of the pupils belonging to the Institute, say some four families in all. The number of pupils has varied during the last year from 40 to 56, about half of this num-
Page 18
ber are under 14, the others are a little over that age. There have been two confirmations among the pupils and one baptism. Not connected with the school there have been two confirmations and one baptism of an infant. Divine service has been regularly performed every Sunday twice, on Ash Wednesday, on Good Friday and every day during Passion Week. The Rector flatters himself that the interest of the pupils on the subject of religion is increasing.
_____
ST. JAMES’ CHURCH, MARIETTA.
Rev. Thomas F. Scott, Rector.
Communicants added, – – – – – 9
Removed – – – – – – – 8
Present number – – – – – – 12
Baptisms (infants) – – – – – – 2
Confirmations – – – – – – – 9
Sunday school, Teachers 7, pupils 60. Total 67
Funds raised, for Parochial purposes – – $490,00
Communion offerings – – – – 24,77
For Female Seminary. – – – – 900,00
_________
$1414,77
The state of the Parish is decidedly prosperous. A portion of the removals reported are those now constituting our younger sister, the Church of the Ascension, Cass Co.
Our Sunday School has been very steady and interesting, and upwards of a hundred volumes have been added to the Parish Library, for which, as also for near a hundred dollars in cash we are indebted to the kindness of our brethren in Charleston and Augusta. We are also indebted to the kindness of the Rector and Vestry of Christ Church, Savannah for an Organ, which will be in use in a few days. Our Church is also being neatly enclosed, so that we now consider our fixtures complete.
Our Female Seminary, which is the property of the Vestry, has been quite successful. The rector has devoted a large portion of his time to its exercises, assisted by two competent Ladies, and an occasional Lecturer on the Physical Sciences. We trust our labor is not in vain, in endeavoring to impart a Christian education to the young Ladies committed to our charge. The number of pupils is thirty five. A commodious building is nearly completed exclusively for the School. Under the very heavy sacrifice of time and money thus demanded, the Rector looks confidently to God’s blessing, and the improvement of the rising race, as his only reward.
_____
EMMANUEL CHURCH, ATHENS.
Rev. Wm. Bacon Stevens, M.D. Rector.
Communicants (added 10, removed, 7, died 1.) 30
Confirmations – – – – – – 6
Baptisms – – – – – – 3
Funerals – – – – – – 1
The Sunday School which was suspended during the winter has just been resumed under flattering prospects.
At Lexington, where I preach once a month, there are 8 Communicants.
_____
ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH, DARIEN.
Rev. Thompson L. Smith, Minister.
Communicants, white 29—coloured 1, – – – 30
Baptisms – – – – – – – 1
Burials – – – – – – – – 1
A Sunday School was established last winter at which the children of the congregation have been instructed.
Page 19
The Church edifice is yet in an unfinished state.
The Church here though at present in embarrassed circumstances, yet by the blessing of God, has reason to look forward when it shall be more permanently established. Though much patience, prayer and perseverance must be exercised before the ardent desires of its friends can be realized.—The Lord pour upon us the dew of his blessing.
_____
ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH, MILLEDGEVILLE.
The Wardens Report, that on the 11th day of December last, this Parish was abandoned by its officiating Rector, and that the vacancy has not as yet been filled. They are sanguine however, that the effort now being made by the Vestry to procure the services of a regular Pastor, will result favourably; and that from the known character and moral worth of the individual who has been selected, a more thriving and permanent prosperity will await St. Stephen’s than heretofore.
No parochial Report was made to the Convention last year, on account of the absence of the Minister, which commenced in April and terminated in October. Nor have the present Wardens any data to report upon now, saving a record hastily prepared and left with the late Secretary of the Vestry, embracing (since the Report of 1844.)
Baptisms – – – – – – 20
Confirmations – – – – – 3
Marriages – – – – – – 1
Burials – – – – – – – 5
There is still a Sunday School in existence, and mainly indebted for its continuance thus long, to the exertions of two Teachers. It is hoped it will again prosper in proportion to its incalculable importance.
The Church is unembarrassed by debt; and the Vestry as soon as a Minister shall be instituted over the Parish, will take immediate steps to the purchase of a Parsonage.
J.S. THOMAS. \
C.J. PAINE. / Wardens &c.
___
ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH, MILLEDGEVILLE.
R.M. White, late Rector.
Owing to my absence at the north at time of the last Annual Convention, no report was then presented of the state of this Parish. During the Conventional year, ending in May, A.D. 1845, there were
Baptisms adults 2, children 14 – – – 16
Burials (not of the congregation – – – 3
My return to the parish was delayed, much beyond my expectation, to the month of October. After my return, and previously to my resignation of the charge of the parish in December last, there were
Baptisms, children – – – – – 5
Confirmations – – – – – – 3
Marriages – – – – – – 1
Burials (not of the congregation) – – – 2
Communicants, added 3, removed 3, number – – 17
Since my last report the congregation have exhibited much zeal in furnishing and beautifying their Church Edifice. The ladies held a fair early in December last, the proceeds of which, amounting to nearly $200, they applied to liquidating the balance due for the organ; the whole cost of which, (except a contribution from the Bishop) has been paid by them. The grounds in front of the Church have also been brought to beautiful order, at much expense, by the liberality of the members of the congregation.
Page 20
MISSION AT ST. MARY’S
Rev. J.A. Shanklin, Missionary.
Service have been regularly held at this station since my last report, and it is hoped that an increased interest in spiritual things has been the fruit of my labors. A contract for the erection of a Church has been closed and the work begun. Few in number and limited in means, we have been much blessed as a people and would thank God and take courage.
Communicants added 3, died 1, – – – 10
Baptisms, infants – – – – – 3
Funerals – – – – – – 3
Marriages – – – – – – 1
Missionary collection – – – – – $26
_____
ST. PETERS, ROME, AND CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION,
ETOWAH VALLEY.
Rev. O.P. Thackara, Missionary.
Communicants – – – – – 10
Baptisms – – – – – – 2
Funerals – – – – – – 3
Sunday School, Teachers 4, scholars—25 – – 29
Funds raised—for church purposes – – – $26,00
To defray the church debt – – – – 35,00
To general domestic missions – – – – 15,00
Contributions by the children of the Sunday school – 2,50
The field in which I have been labouring since last convention embraces the counties of Cass, and Floyd. Regular services have been held in Vann’s Valley and Rome, Floyd Co. and in Cassville and Etowah Valley, Cass Co. Occasional services has been held in other parts of the parish. During the fall and winter months I devoted one night in the week to the instruction of the negroes, and every Sunday afternoon have been appropriated to them. The services of the church have in general been well attended; and as the people have become acquainted with our services and Prayer Book their prejudices have given way. The church debt is still one hundred and thirty dollars. A note of one hundred dollars was taken up by the Rev. Thomas F. Scott of Marietta, there being no fund to meet it. I trust that this sum will be refunded him as soon as possible. Of the present prospect of adding large numbers to the church I cannot speak; but to one imbued with the motto of the Episcopal seal of this Diocese “in utrumque paratus, agree et pati—and that long and patiently” a harvest will come, though his successor may reap the fruits of it.
_____
MISSION TO BAKER COUNTY.
Rev. Wm. J. Ellis, Missionary.
I commend my labors in this county on the first Sunday in June, spending most of my time in Albany, in which place through the liberality of some of its citizens I have been enabled to hold the services of the Church in a very neat and comfortably fitted room, rented by them for that purpose.
In the county there have been confirmed (colored) – 65
Baptised by the Bishop, whites 4, infants, blacks 6 infants
39 adults
“ “ myself, blacks, 2 adults 5 infants, – 56
Burials, coloured – – – – – 1
Married do – – – – – 1
The coloured persons baptised and confirmed by the Bishop, were slaves, the property of two planters residing in the vicinity of Albany, who are worthy of all praise in that they feel themselves responsible to God for the spiritual condition of their people, and not being able to have the services of a clergyman, have diligently and faithfully instructed their slaves in the doctrines and
Page 21
duties of Christianity. The blessing of God has been upon their labors as is evidenced by the large numbers who giving every evidence of sincerity, came forward and solicited admission into the Church.
_____
OGEECHEE MISSION.
Rev. W.C. Williams, Missionary.
I entered on my duties at this point, on the 1st Sunday in Advent. I am engaged by several planters to labour among their negroes. There are not a dozen whites within the limits of the parish, so that my whole time is devoted to the blacks.
I have had service twice on Sunday, besides a weekly lecture, alternating between the different plantations. It has also been my practice to read one evening in every week to such as felt disposed to attend. On each of the plantations, schools have been established for the oral instruction of the children. One of the schools has long since been established by a lady of the parish who still continues her “labour of love” with great success. The other schools are under my own charge. The number of children connected with the schools is about eighty. The children learn and retain much better than is generally supposed, and any one who will devote himself to the work, with the determination not to be discouraged, will in the end find their labour amply rewarded. It is greatly to be desired that the example of the lady above refered to was generally followed, as it is impossible for the minister with several schools, and his other duties to give that attention to the young which they require. For permanent success among an ignorant people our chief hopes must be in the young, but if they are neglected or only partially instructed no lasting good can be expected.
The Liturgy has been introduced as fast as possible. The negroes seem much interested in the responsive parts of the service and I am convinced that the constant use of the Luitrgy amog them would be of the greatest benefit.
There must be many things to discourage in labouring among a people, where you have to meet continually the grossest ignorance and prejudice; but by the blessing of God I have had much to encourage and lead me to hope that the church will finally be established among them, to the glory of God and the salvation of their souls.
Every preparation is making on one of the plantations to erect a chapel for the negroes.
My official acts have been
Baptisms, adults, coloured – – – – 2
Marriages, coloured – – – – – 4
_____
REPORT OF THE REV. THEODORE B. BARTOW, IN CHARGE.
OF THE NAVAL ASYLUM, PHILADELPHIA.
Rt. Rev. and Dear Sir.
The Canon makes it my duty to report to my Diocesan, what clerical duties I have performed. Last summer I was working Curate to Rev. J.W. Brown, of Astoria, and Rev. Mr. Shelton of Newtown, preaching almost every Sunday and often in the week for them and other brethren in Brooklyn and New York, and the Parishes adjacent. In December, I was ordered to the Naval Asylum. I preach thrice on Sunday, twice in the Chapel and once in the Hospital, and have prayers morning and evening of every day. I have administered the Communion twice, have baptised one adult, presented three for confirmation to Bishop Potter on the 5th of April, have buried two and in four months and a half have been absent but four days on a visit to New Town.
Out of 110 sailors in this house, I have but four communicants. One was Paul Jones in the action with the Serapis. He is 87 years of age. Another of my communicants was in the Constitution in both her victories, and an-
Page 22
other, a marine, was at Bridgewater and Chippeway and Lundy’s Lane.—They are truly pious men. Several others belong to the Baptist, Methodist, Bethel, and Roman communions.
Very Respectfully, yours in the Gospel,
THEODORE B. BARTOW.
Philadelphia, April 29, 1846.
__________
The Standing Committee made the following Report which was accepted.
The Standing Committee of the Diocese beg leave to
REPORT.
That they have, within the past year, recommended for Deacon’s Orders, Messrs. William C. Williams, Thompson L. Smith, William Flint, and Gardner Jones, the latter having been formerly a Licentiate in the German Reformed Denomination
EDWARD NEUFVILLE,
President.
The Reports of the Treasurers of the Diocese and of the Missionary Committee were presented and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. Kenan obtained leave of absence after 12 o’clock tomorrow.
After Prayer by the Bishop, Convention took recess until 4 o’clock.
After recess, Convention met.
The Committee on unfinished business reported two resolutions, and an additional Article to the Constitution, offered at the last Convention and ordered to lie over until the present time.
After some discussion, it was
Resolved, That so much of the unfinished besiness as relates to the sixth Canon passed by the General Convention of 1844, and the amendment to the fourth article of the Constitution of the Diocese, be laid over until the next Convention.
The following article offered at the last Convention, as an addition to the Constitution, was taken up and passed.
Article 13. In all elections by ballot, a majority of votes shall be required for a choice.
The Committee on the admission of new Parishes made the following report, which was accepted.
The Committee on the admission of new Parishes beg leave to report, that no papers have been laid before them.
Convention proceeded to the election of Treasurers and Committees, which resulted as follows
Treasurer of the Diocese,
WILLIAM P. HUNTER, of Savannah.
Treasurer of Missionary Committee.
Rev. EDWARD NEUFVILLE D.D. Savannah.
Page 23
STANDING COMMITTEE.
Rev. Edward Neufville D.D. William B. Bulloch.
Rev. E.E. Ford D.D. T.B. Bartow.
Rev. Seneca G. Bragg. Robert M. Charlton.
MISSIONARY COMMITTEE
Rev. Edward Neufville, D.D. Robert M. Charlton.
Rev. Seneca G. Bragg. Joel Ives.
Robert Habersham.
Resolved, That 700 Copies of the Journal of this convention be printed under the direction of the Secretary, and that the Rules of order be inserted in the Appendex
After prayer by the Bishop, Convention adjourned to the hour of public worship tomorrow morning.
At night, Evening Prayer was read by Rev. J.A. Shanklin, and a sermon preached by Rev. R.M. White.
__________
Saturday Morning, 9th May 1846.
Morning Prayer was read by Rev. Benj. F. Mower, assisted by Rev. Dr. Stevens, and a sermon preached by Rev. W.J. Ellis.
After sermon Convention was called to order, and the Journal of yesterday was read and confirmed.
The Committee on Finance made the following Reports which were accepted.
The Committee on Finance, having examined the accounts current of the Treasurer of the Diocese referred to them, beg leave to
REPORT.
That after a careful examination of the accounts, the items are found to be supported by the proper vouchers.
In a communication from Mr. Wm. P. Hunter the Treasurer of the Diocese, of date the 4th May, 1846, he acknowledges the receipt of one hundred dollars, from the Treasurer of St. Paul’s Church, Augusta, as the balance due by that Church, on account of the Bishop’s Salary for the year 1845. This sum of $100 having been received by the Treasurer of the Diocese, after he had drawn up his account, is assigned by him as the reason for its not having been credited to St. Paul’s Church in his account current.
It is requested by the Treasurer of the Diocese, that an acknowledgment of the receipt of the above sum from St. Paul’s Church should be recognised in the report of the Committee on Finance and that said sum of $100, should be transferred to the new account. Making the aggregate amount debited to the Treasurer of the Diocese, to be $130,92 instead of $30,92, as appears in his account of 1846.
The above is respectfully submitted.
E.F. CAMPBELL, Chairman.
Page 24
The Committee on Finance, to whom the account of George J. Kollock, Esquire, the Treasurer of the Committee on Diocesan Missions was referred, desire to submit the subjoined
REPORT.
That a minute examination of the aforesaid account has been made and that the disbursements are found to be mostly sustained by appropriate vouchers. Such items as appear without vouchers, have been satisfactorily ascertained to be correct by other evidence.
Accompanying the account of George J. Kollock the Treasurer of the Committee on Diocesan Missions of date the 2d May, 1846, is a letter, acknowledging the receipt of twenty dollars from St. Paul’s Church, Augusta, to be applied to our Diocesan Missions. This amount it appears was not embraced in the account of the Treasurer, because not received, until after his account was closed, and is now to be transferred and debited to the Treasurer of Diocesan Missions in the new account. For the same reason, the sum of fifty dollars from Trinity Church, Columbus, was not included in the account of the Treasurer, this sum having been acknowledged to have been received directly by the Rev. Wm. J. Ellis, in part of his salary, but the receipt not furnished the Treasurer until subsequently to the closing his account.
The Committee on finance, before closing their Report, in reference to the account of the Treasurer of the Committee on Diocesan Missions, beg to call the attention of the diocese to the recommendation of the Committee on Finance of 1845, suggesting the propriety of raising a sum sufficient to discharge without delay, the liability incurred by the Bishop, for and on account of Diocesan Missions.
The Committee on Finance would beg leave also to call the attention of the several Parishes and of Missionaries within the Diocese, to the importance of furnishing to the proper offices, before closing their accounts, which constitute the basis of Reports to subsequent Convention, of payments and receipts of moneys, in time to enable them to appear as vouchers in the several accounts of the aforesaid officers.
All of which is respectfully summitted.
E.F. CAMPBELL.
Chairman.
__________
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 to
REPORT.
That the returns from the different Parishes and Missionary stations afford gratifying evidence of the steady increase and enlargement of the borders of the Church, through the Divine blessing on
Page 25
the labors of a faithful and efficient ministry combined with the active zeal and indefatigable efforts of a Bishop devoted to the interests of “all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made him overseer.” The liberal provision which has been made for sustaining the various departments of the Missionary enterprise shows that “the people” also “have a mind to work;” and the hope is confidently entertained that, under a continuance of these combined influences, our “cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad”—that “the Lord will comfort all the waste places of Zion and make her wilderness like Eden and her deserts like the garden of the Lord.”
The Parochial reports present an aggregate of
Baptisms (white infants 113—colored do 47 \
(white adults 14, colored do 38) / 212
Confirmed – – – – – 141
Communicants – – – – 803
Marriages – – – – – 42
Burials – – – – – – 59
Sunday School-teachers 56—white pupils 401—
coloured do 200
Contributions:–To Diocesan Missions – $1576,22
General Domestic – – – – 501,72
“ Foreign – – – – 788,22
Missions to the Jews – – – – 159,88
___________
$3026,04
All which is respectfully submitted. EDWD.NEUFVILLE,
EDWD. E. FORD,
SENECA G. BRAGG.
__________
The following Preamble and resolutions were presented, and after consideration were adopted.
The attention of the Delegates to the Diocesan Convention now in session having been invited by the Bishop to the expediency of raising by subscription a sum sufficient to defray the expenses of erecting a suitable Chapel for the accomodation of the young Ladies at the Montpelier Institute and of families in that neighborhood.
Resolved, That for the purpose of carrying into effect an object so highly commendable the members of this Convention are invited to commence this laudable work by at once subscribing and paying over to the Bishop of this Diocese at this time or within three months, such sums as may be affixed opposite their names as herewith subjoined.
Resolved, That the Clergy and Laity of this Diocese be and are hereby requested to commence and urge this object upon the several parishes where they reside.
Page 26
The following persons were elected Delegates to the General Convention.
Rev. Edward Neufville D.D. Hon. John M. Berrien.
Rev. Seneca G. Bragg. Edward F. Campbell.
Rev. Edward E. Ford D.D. Charles F.M. Garnett.
Rev. Wm. B. Stevens. Thomas Nelson.
Resolved, That the sincere thanks of this Convention be tendered to George J. Kollock, late Treasurer of the Missionary Committee, for his prompt and faithful discharge of the duties of that office.
Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be tendered to the Treasurer of the diocese for his prompt, efficient, and faithful discharge of the duties he has performed to the Church during the past year
Resolved, That the next Convention of this Diocese be held in Christ Church, Savannah, on the Thursday after the first Monday in May, 1847.
Leave of absence after this evening was granted Messrs. Ford, White, Mower, Shanklin, Parrott, Morgan, and Campbell.
The Bishop appointed Rev. Edmund P. Brown to preach the next Convention Sermon, and Rev. Rufus M. White to preach the Missionary Sermon.
After Prayer by the Bishop, Convention adjourned until 6 o’clock, on Monday Morning.
At night Evening prayer was read by the Rev. T.L. Smith, and a Sermon preached by Rev. J.A. Shanklin.
On Sunday Morning, an ordination was held by the Bishop, when, Rev. Benjamin F. Mower, and Rev. Wm. J. Ellis were admitted to the Priesthood. Morning Prayer was read by Rev. Drs. Neufville and Stevens, and the Sermon was preached by the Bishop. The Candidates were presented by the Rev. Edward E. Ford, who, together with Rev. Messrs. Neufville. Bragg, Stevens, and Scott, united in laying on of hands. The Bishop administered the Holy Communion, assisted by Dr. Neufville.
In the afternoon, Evening Prayer was read by Rev. W.C. Williams and a Sermon preached by Rev. O.P. Thackara.
At night after Prayer by Rev. Mr. Scott, the Missionary Sermon was preached by Rev. Edmund P. Brown, and a collection taken amounting to $37,75 in aid of Diocesan Missions.
__________
Monday Morning, 11th May 1846.
After Prayer by the Bishop, Convention was called to order.
The Journal of Saturday was read and confirmed.
After Prayer by the Bishop, Convention adjourned sine die.
STEPHEN ELLIOTT, JR.
Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia.
Thomas F. Scott, Secretary
Page 27
APPENDIX.
_____
CONSTITUTION
OF THE
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
IN THE DIOCESE OF GEORGIA.
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Article I.
The Church of this Diocese, as a constituent part of the protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America, accedes to, recognise, 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 where 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 Clergyman of 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 business of literary instruction, or disabled by reason of age or infirmity from exercising Clerical functions, shall be entitled to all the
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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 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 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
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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 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 of 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.
Article XIII.
In all elections by ballot, a majority of votes shall be required for a choice.
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CANONS.
Canon I.
Each Church duly represented in this Convention shall pay or cause to be paid into the hands of the Treasurer of the Convention
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the sum or 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 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, 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 degredation from the Ministry, the Bishop, or provisional Bishop, or should there be none, some neighbouring Bishop shall be required 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 provisions of this Canon, neglect or refuse to obey the citation, such neglect or refused 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 is shall be to take in charge the Missionary, Bible, and 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
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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 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 article of Association and 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 Congregation shall be considered as united to the Convention and subject to its decisions.
Section 2. The election 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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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 Treasurers. 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.
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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 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 re-consideration 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 the President shall leave the chair.
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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.
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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 5.
“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 know by the name of ____________ Church____________, and as such, do hereby acknowledge and aceede 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 Lond _________.”
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.”
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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 the Church, the other for that of the place.