From the present prospects of the school, the board entertain the hope, that it will be prepared to take a respectable rank among the similar institutions established by the church. The General Seminary in New-York has been for some time in succesful progress. A diocesan school in Olio is about to commence its operations abo, with encouraging prospects. Experence has proved, that there is ample pom and demand for the Theological school of Virginia. By its local convenience, and by its accommodation to the habits and manners of our southern country, it attracts, without conflicting with the interests of the General Seminary, a patronage and support which otherwise would be lost to the cause of the church. Many of the students now attached to it, would have attended no seminary, and probably would have been alienated from the church.

With the Bible chart before us, as delineated by our venerable church, we hope that the course pursued by the seminary will be honourable and prosperous to itself and the church; and that the students who may come forth from the institution, will be sound ministers of the church, combining the love of order and unity with that experimental acquaintance with the religion of the heart, and that zealous and faithful discharge of the ministerial functions, which alone can render them respectable and useful in the Lord's vineyard.

The trustees herewith present a copy of the Rules and Regulations which they have adopted for the government of the school.

CHAPTER I.

Of the Course of Theological Learning. The course of theological learning to be pursued in this seminary, shall embrace the following departments :

1. Oriental and Greek literature; comprising the knowledge which is necessary to the critical study of the Holy Scriptures in the original languages.

2. Biblical learning; comprehending whatever relates to the criticism of the sacred text.

3. The interpretation of the Scriptures; exhibiting the principles of Scriptural interpretation, and the meaning and practical application of the sacred writings.

4. The evidences of revealed religion; establishing the genuineness, authenticity, and credibility of the Scriptures; and a view of the character and effects of Christianity, of the various objections of infidel writers, with a refutation of them, and of moral science in its relations to theology. 5. Systematic divinity; presenting a methodical arrangement and explanation of the truths contained in the Scriptures, with the authorities sustaining these

truths; a statement and refutation of the erroneous doctrines attempted to be de~ duced from the sacred writings; and a particular view and defence of the system of faith professed by the Protestant Episcopal Church.

6. Ecclesiastical history; displaying the history of the church in all ages, and particularly of the Church of England and the Protestant Episcopal Church in this country.

7. The nature, ministry, and polity of the church; comprising a view of the nature of the Christian church, and of the duty of preserving its unity; of the authority and orders of the ministry; with a statement and elucidation of the principles of ecclesiastical polity, and an explanation and defence of that of the Protestant Episcopal Church; and also an exhibition of the authority and advantages of liturgical service, with a history, explanation, and defence of the liturgy of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and of its rites and ceremonies.

8. Pastoral theology and pulpit eloquence; explaining and enforcing the qualifications and duties of the clerical office; and including the performance of the service of the church, and the composition and delivery of sermons.

1. Every person producing to the faculty satisfactory evidence of his having been admitted a candidate for holy orders, with full qualifications, according to the canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, shall be received as a student in the seminary. All others may be admitted, who shall produce satisfactory evidence of religious and moral character, and of classical and scientific attainments, and in general of such dispositions and habits as may render them apt and meet to exercise the ministry.

2. Every student shall, on his admission into the seminary, subscribe his name to the following declaration, in a book to be kept for the purpose:-We, the subscribers, students of the Theological School of Virginia, do solemnly promise, with reliance on divine grace, that we will, during our connexion with the seminary, faithfully obey the laws thereof, and diligently prosecute all the studies, and perform all the duties, which, according to the rules of the institution, may be required of us;

and furthermore, that we will uniformly cultivate religious and moral dispositions and habits, and by every means within our proper sphere, endeavour to promote the reputation and interests of the seminary. 3. On the admission of a student, his name shall be entered in a book to be kept by the faculty for that purpose; and in appropriate columns, opposite each name, shall be recorded the time of admission of the students respectively, the time of their discontinuing attendance, and the cause of the same. And this list shall be laid before the trustees at their stated meetings.

4. The faculty, consisting of the bishop and professors, shall have the power of suspending or expelling any student, for reasons which they may deem sufficient. In the case of the expulsion of a student who is a regularly admitted candidate for orders in this church, or of his leaving the seminary without approved reasons, information of the fact shall be sent to the bishop, or where there is no bishop, to the standing committee of the diocese to which such candidate belongs. But as occasions may occur, when the prompt exercise of discipline may be required, the professors alone shall have the power to suspend a student from the school, until due notice shall be given to the bishop of the nature of his offence, and of the time appointed for the trial, if a trial be deemed necessary.

5. As mere theological learning, unaccompanied with real piety, is not a sufficient qualification for the ministry, it is declared to be the duty of every student, with an humble reliance on divine grace, to be assiduous in the cultivation of evangelical faith, and a sound practical piety; neither contenting himself with mere formality, nor running into fanaticism. He must be careful to maintain, every day, stated periods of pious reading, meditation, and devotion; and occasional special seasons for the more solemn and enlarged observance of these duties, together with that of such abstinence as is suited to extraordinary acts of devotion, having due regard to the days and seasons recommended for this purpose by the church. In order to excite just views of the nature, responsibilities, and obligations of the clerical office, he should frequently and carefully read over the services for the ordination of deacons and priests, with a view of making their contents the subjects of serious reflection, and an incitement to fervent prayer, that, if admitted to either of those offices, he may have grace to be faithful in the discharge of its duties. He must be regular in his attendance on the public service of the church, not only on Sundays, but also, as his studies and other duties will admit, on holy-days and prayerdays. Sundays, in particular, he should

consider as devoted, except the portions of them occupied in the stated services of the church, to the private use of means for his advancement in Christian know. ledge and piety. And with a view to the promotion of the same great object, it shall be the duty of the professors to commence their respective lectures or recitations with an office of devotion suited to the purpose, and to incorporate with their instructions, as opportunity is afforded, such advice and directions as may tend to the religious improvement of the students, and to their proper view of the true character and weighty obligations of the gospel ministry.

CHAP. IV.

Of the Course of Study.

1. The full course of study in this seminary shall occupy three years, each year comprising one session, commencing on the second Wednesday in October, and terminating on the second Wednesday in July. There shall also be a suspension of the exercises of the seminary on Christmasday, on Ash-Wednesday, on the week immediately preceding Easter, and on all days of thanksgiving or fasting appointed by the ecclesiastical or civil authority.

2. There shall be three classes in the seminary; the term of study in each of which shall be one year. The students who enter the first year, shall compose the third class; those advanced into the second year, the second class; and those into the third year, the first class.

Third Class.-This class shall pursue the study of Oriental and Greek literature; of Biblical learning and the interpretation of Scripture; of the evidences of revealed religion, and of Jewish antiquities.

Second Class.-This class shall continue the critical study of the Scriptures, and shall commence the study of moral science in its relation to theology, of systematic divinity, and ecclesiastical history.

First Class.This class shall finish the study of systematic divinity, of ecclesiastical history, and shall also complete the course of instruction in the nature, ministry, and polity of the Christian church, and in the Book of Common Prayer and canons of the church.

3. Every student shall, besides attending to the appointed recitations of his class, produce such expositions of Scrip ture, critical dissertations, sermons, or other compositions, as the professors shall direct. And one day in each week, the classes shall meet, with the professors, for the performance of the services of the church, the delivery of original sermons, and such other exercises as they may think proper.

4. Such arrangements shall be made by the faculty, as that each class shall attend some one of the professors at least once every day.

5. The professors in their respective departments shall use, as text books, such works only as are included in the course of study which has been, or may be, recommended by the house of bishops, or as may be approved by the faculty. And immediately after the close of each session, the professors shall give notice, in such mode as they may think proper, of the day of the commencement of the next session, and of the books which will immediately be used by the class which next enters the seminary.

6. In order more effectually to secure the benefits of the above course of study, every applicant for admission shall enter the seminary, in the third class, at the commencement of the first session; unless, upon examination by the faculty, he be found qualified to take his station in either of the other classes, or in the said third class, at any period after the com. mencement of its first session: in either of which cases he may be admitted accordingly, and be entitled to the same rank and privileges as the original members of the class into which he enters.

7. Every student in the seminary must be a member of one of the classes, and engage in all the studies which appertain to his class.

8. At the close of the second session in every year, the students shall undergo an examination on their studies by the faculty, in the presence of such members of the board of trustees as can be convened.

9. At the conclusion of the full course of study, each student who shall have sustained his examinations in a satisfactory manner, shall receive a testimonial of the same, signed by the professors, and countersigned by as many of the trustees as

may be convenient.

thodist churches in this place, for the liberal and kind offer of their churches for the use of the convention.

On motion, resolved, That the thanks of this convention be tendered to the citizens of this place, for their kind and hospitable attentions to the members of this convention during its session.

On motion, resolved, That the thanks of this convention be presented to the secretary and treasurer for their faithful services.

On motion, resolved, That the next meeting of the convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church for the diocese of Virginia, be held in Lynchburg.

On motion, resolved, That it shall hereafter be the duty of the trustees of the Theological Seminary, to make their report on the first day of each meeting of the convention.

On motion, resolved, That the Rev. William Meade, the Rev. William H. Wilmer, Dr. Carter Berkeley, Mr. William Mayo, and Mr. Philip Nelson, be, and they are hereby nominated to the General Convention, as trustees of the General Theological Seminary.

And then the convention adjourned, to meet again in the town of Lynchburg, on the third Thursday in May

next.

VALEDICTORY ADDRESS.

On the Sunday evening after the adjournment of the convention, the clergy stood around the altar, when the bishop thus affectionately addressed them :

At the close of every session of the convention, it has been our custom, my beloved brethren, to hover around the altar of the Lord Jesus; and while thus standing near the throne of our Almighty Parent, to take our leave of each other, and to supplicate God for a continuance of his blessing upon us, and upon the church committed to our care. For this practice, we have a precedent in the conduct of St. Paul, who, prior to his departure from Ephesus, called the elders of the church together, and imparted to them his pastoral admonition.

He first enjoined them to take heed to themselves. As stewards of the mys teries of Christ, intrusted with the dis pensation of the Gospel, he entreated them to take heed to themselves-to

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take care of their own vineyards-to cultivate their own minds, and to watch over their own conduct. This advice the apostle knew to be necessary, as it would have been unreasonable to suppose that they would be watchful over others, whose zeal did not influence them to take a prudent care of them selves.

After having thus cautioned them against the neglect of their own hearts, he told them to take heed to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost had made them overseers. As shepherds watch over their sheep, not only to pre vent them from straying away, but also to lead them into good pastures; so the ministers of Ephesus were charged with the superintendence of the people. Take a constant care-exercise an unceasing vigilance over the spiritual concerns of the congregations committed to your charge, lest beasts of prey should seize and devour them-lest Satan and their own corruptions should alienate their affections from the Almighty, and sink them in eternal ruin. "Watch ye in all things endure afflictions-do the work of evangelists-make full proof of your ministry."

The concern with which you are intrusted, remember, brethren, is the church of the living God-a church purchased with the blood of Christ-a purchase, which exhausted the treasury of heaven-a purchase, which cost the Son of God his life- -a purchase, which crimsoned Mount Calvary with blood -a purchase, which angels witnessed with drooping wings and throbbing hearts.

The neglect of your duty would involve in it the greatest guilt. Your neglect would amount to a contempt of that blood, with which the purchase of our salvation was made; and would stamp your characters with present disgrace, and consign you to eternal ruin. We are, most assuredly, to give an account of our stewardship. How dreadful will be the state of that clergyman, who, after having undertaken the superintendence of a congregation, withholds his pastoral attention, and permits the people intrusted to his care, not only to wander from the path of duty, but to plunge into destruction.

What will be his situation at that moment, in which the angel shall swear that time shall be no more-at that moment, when the earth and the sea shall give up their dead-at that moment, when every mortal, from Adam to his last born son, shall stand naked and defenceless before God? What, I ask you, will be the condition of a slothful wicked clergyman, at that tremendous hour?

See, advancing before the tribunal of heaven, some unhappy sinner, who, when the sentence of condemnation shall be pronounced, will charge the ruin of his soul to the man to whose pastoral care he had been confided. Blessed Jesus-may the condemned sinner say-I acknowledge that I have transgressed thy righteous laws; but, oh merciful God! my earthly pastor led me astray. At the time in which violated thy precepts, he proclaimed peace in my ears, and I believed his report. He sanctioned my aberrations by his own practices; and to him, in the face of an assembled universe, I charge the destruction of my precious soul. If misery will be the portion of every offender, my brethren, how aggravated will be the misery of a wicked clergyman! When sinners of a common description will call to the rocks to fall on them, a wicked clergyman will cry out in agony, Mountains, cover me from the presence of God.

On the other hand, how transporting will be the situation of a watchful shepherd-a faithful minister of religion. At that hour in which the heavens will be rolled up like a scroll, and the elements melt with fervent heat, a pious clergyman will arise from his tomb in peace and tranquillity. The happy spirit of some immortal being will proclaim him in the courts of heaven, as a man who had been faithful in the discharge of his duty. To him, blessed Jesus, I acknowledge myself indebted for an acquaintance with divine things. He instructed me in my duty-he taught me how to pray-his holy life and conversation reflected light upon my path; and it is through his instrumentality that I found the ways of religion pleasantness, and all her paths the paths of peace. To such a steward