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to, recognizes, and adopts the general constitution of that church, and acknowledges its authority accordingly.

Art. 3. Every convention shall be opened with prayer, and the celebration of the Lord's supper. And it shall be the duty of the bishop, either to deliver a charge or sermon, or to appoint one of his clergy to preach at the opening of each convention: and in case of a vacancy in the episcopate, the standing committee shall appoint.

Art. 4. The bishop shall preside in convention: but in case of absence, or of vacancy in the episcopate, the oldest presbyter present shall preside.

Art. 5. The bishop shall have power to call a special convention when he may judge it conducive to the good of the church; or when applied to for that purpose by the standing committee, or five presbyters. And in case of vacancy in the episcopate, the standing committee shall have power to call a special convention.

Art. 6. The convention shall be composed of both clergymen and laymen. Every officiating minister of this church, regularly appointed to the charge of a congregation in union with this convention; ministers employed as missionaries under the appointment of the eccle siastical authority; clerical instructors of youth in any seminary of learning in this state constituted by civil or ecclesiastical authority; and ministers whom age or infirmities prevent from exercising their clerical functions; shall be members of this convention. Each parish in this state, which shall have been received into union with the convention, shall be entitled to a representation in convention by one delegate; and if it shall consist of more than 50 families, by two; to be chosen by the parish. But before any delegate shall take his seat, he shall produce a certificate of his appointment, signed by the wardens or parish clerk. And onethird of the members of the clerical order, and 20 members of the lay order, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; but a smaller number may adjourn.

Art. 7. The clergy and laity in convention shall deliberate in one body; and on every question a majority of the

votes of those present shall decide. But if, upon any question, it be required by five members, the two orders shall vote thereon separately, and a concurrence of a majority of each order shall be necessary to give validity to any measure.

Art. 8. When the episcopate of this diocese shall become vacant by death or otherwise, the standing committee shall call a special convention, within three months from the time when such vacancy shall happen, at Hartford or New-Haven. And the time and place shall be notified in three or more respectable newspapers in this state, at least four weeks previous to said meeting: when the convention may proceed to an election, or adjourn to such time and place as may be deemed expedient.

Art. 9. The election of a bishop of this diocese shall be in the following manner :-The two orders shall separate, and the order of the clergy shall choose, by ballot, some fit and qualified presbyter for that office; and thereupon, such choice, shall be communicated to the order of lay-delegates; and if, on ballot, the person so chosen is approved by the lay order, he shall be declared to be duly elected. In the above mentioned election, a majority of each order shall determine a choice; provided that two-thirds of all the clergy entitled to vote be present, and twothirds of all the congregations entitled to vote be represented; otherwise, twothirds of the votes of each order present shall be necessary to determine a choice.

Art. 10. A secretary shall be chosen, immediately upon the opening of the annual convention, from the clerical members thereof. It shall be his duty to take minutes of their proceedings, to preserve their journals and records, to attest the public acts of the body, and faithfully to deliver into the hands of his successor all books and proceedings relative to the concerns of the church which may be in his possession. And it shall also be his duty to notify, through the channel of such public prints as may be designated by the ecclesiastical authority, the time and place appointed for the meeting of the succeeding or special convention.

Art.11. The standing committee shall be elected at the annual convention;

and shall be composed of five clerical members, who shall be rectors of parishes, or instructors of some seminary instituted by the ecclesiastical or civil authority of this state. The first memběr elected shall be president; and at their first meeting, which shall always be on the day of their election, they shall appoint a secretary, who shall keep a journal of their proceedings, subject to the inspection of the convention. Any three of the committee (the whole having been summoned) shall be a quorum, except for such purposes as, agreeably to their own rules or the canons of the General Convention, require a larger number.

Art. 17. The foregoing constitution shall be printed, and submitted to the consideration of the several parishes in this diocese, for their approbation: and if approved of by three-fourths of said parishes in their annual meetings, the evidence of which shall be by certifi cates under the hands of the clerks of the several parishes, the same shall become the constitution of the Episcopal Church of this diocese.

lowing aggregate:-Baptisms (adults The parochial reports furnish the fol31, children 165, not specified 297) 493-Marriages 219-Funerals 357 may-Sunday scholars 625-Communi

Art. 12. The secretary and standing committee of this convention shall be appointed by ballot, and shall continue in office until their successors shall have been appointed.

Art. 13. A treasurer shall be appointed by the convention, to continue in office during their pleasure; and it shall be his duty to receive and manage all funds which may at any time belong to this convention; and to lay before the convention an annual statement of all such funds.

Art. 14. Each order in convention shall appoint delegates to the General Convention by ballot; and the delegates thus appointed and confirmed by the concurrent vote of both orders in convention, shall continue in office three years, or the time that may intervene between the stated meetings of the General Convention.

Art. 15. No clergyman shall be sus pended, or receive any public censure from the bishop, or standing committee of this diocese, without having been adjudged thereto in the way to be provided for by canon.

Art. 16. This constitution shall be unalterable, except in the following manner:-A proposition for amendment shall be introduced in writing, and considered in convention; and if approved of, shall lie over to the next annual convention; and if again approved of in the next annual convention, by two-thirds of each order voting thereon separately, the amendment shall take place, and the constitution o altered shall be valid and obligatory.

cants 4063.

The bishop read the reports of the Rev. Stephen Beach, and of the Rev. Ashbel Steele, missionaries of the Society for the Promotion of Christian the ninth article of the constitution of Knowledge, made to him, agreeably to said society.

The following are the reports above referred to:

REPORT OF THE REV. STEPHEN BEACH.

To the President of the Society for the
Promotion of Christian Knowledge.
RIGHT REV. SIR,

The services of your missionary, for the last year, have been confined principally to the towns of Salisbury and Cornwall, in the county of Litchfield. In the month of May last, an Episcopal society was formed in Salisbury, and constituted according to law. The new church, which had been commenced the previous year, was consecrated on the 15th of September last, and set apart to the worship of Almighty God, by the name of St. John's Church. The event dispensed a joy among the friends of our church, which it would be impossible for me to describe; and particularly among the few ancient Episcopalians, who had long mourned over their destitute state. A new courage seemed to be inspired, and new hopes created, that the precious services of our church might be long continued and preserved in that part of our Saviour's vineyard; and I pray God that these hopes may not be disappointed. This newly constituted society seemed, in

its feeble state, to demand a great part of my attention. I have given to it two-thirds of my labours up to Easter. On the day of the consecration of the church in Salisbury, 16 persons received the holy rite of confirmation; and the congregation, so small at first, has been until this time gradually increasing in numbers. It has had to labour under many unpropitious circumstances, which at times have caused despondency; but there has been a gradually increasing attention to the services of the church, and a growing fondness for its usages. I am also consoled and encouraged with the belief, that the gress of genuine piety has kept pace with the outward prosperity of the church in that place. A Sunday school has been recently formed by the exertions of several benevolent ladies of the congregation, with a cheering prospect of doing much good. The number of scholars is 35. The number of fa

pro

milies belonging to the parish is 55; communicants 18; and baptisms, the last year, 13.

The share which your missionary has had, under God, in producing these results, is to him a source of the highest gratification, as well as of gratitude to that Being in whose hands he is; and he trusts the society who have employed him in these labours of love, will derive, from a review of the part it has taken, a further confidence in the usefulness and importance of the institution. Its bounty has contributed to bless the people of Salisbury, and to establish, we hope, permanently there the institutions of our apostolic church. They will ever cherish an unfeigned gratitude for the aid it has received from your society, and for the benefits it has received from the disinterested exertions of the Rev. Mr. Andrews, in effecting this pleasing result. This instance alone is sufficient to establish the high claims of your society to the patronage of all the sincere friends of our church, and to warrant liberal contributions to its funds. And your missionary cannot but indulge an ardent hope, that the fair prospects of the society in Salisbury may not be suffered to languish; but that your society will still continue its aid, and for a little

time longer strengthen the hands and encourage the hearts of the members of our church in that place; when it is believed that the society there, having overcome their present embarrassments, will be able to provide for themselves, and in their turn replenish the funds of your society, from which they have derived so much aid. STEPHEN BEACH.

REPORT OF THE BEV. R. WARNER.*

Under the direction of the bishop, I visited the associated parishes of Simsbury and Granby on the 29th of March,

A. D. 1823.

In Simsbury I immediately commenced parochial duties. But in consequence of a temporary connexion be tween the Rev. Mr. Samuel Griswold, at Granby, I officiated there but two of the eastern diocese, and the parish Sundays, (one in June and the other in August,) until the beginning of Decem

ber.

Since which time, with very few exceptions, I have, by the grace of God, performed divine service, and third Sundays of the month at Granby, preached alternately, on the first and and on the second and fourth at Simsbury.

When there have been five Sundays in a month, I have officiated on the fifth, either at Case's Farms, Wetaug, Canton, Hartland, or Southwick, in Massachusetts. At all which places I have been cordially received, and have enjoyed the satisfaction of addressing large and attentive congregations.

Notwithstanding the number of Episcopalians at present constituting the parishes where I have the honour and the happiness to officiate, is comparatively small and considerably dispersed,

yet the churches are generally well attended-except when the weather is unfavourable to those who are sometimes denominated "Fair-weather Christians."

The parish of Simsbury, during my residence among them, have purchased

*The Rev. Ransom Warner has received but little assistance from the society, and has not been considered in its service during the last year. He received some aid on his first visit to the parishes spoken of in this report; and on this account we have taken the fiberty to insert it in the journals.

a convenient parsonage, made considerable improvements on their glebe, secured their stipulated amount of the assessment for the increase of the bishop's fund, and procured stoves for the church, and other convenient appendages.

The parish in Granby have levied a tax for the purpose of repairing their house of worship; and have paid over their assessment for the increase of the bishop's fund, according to an arrange ment made with the Rev. Mr. Jewett, agent for that business. The ladies have also furnished a table with hassocks, and elegantly cushioned a pew for the convenience and accommodation of their clergyman.

The ladies of Simsbury have done the same.

All things considered, much has indeed been done-much yet remains. A few names have been added to the church-a few souls, in a spiritually thirsty land, have tasted the bread of life, and have seen that the Lord is good and gracious.

A great door and effectual is opened. unto me: but there are many adversaries. Therefore, pray ye for me, that my strength fail not.

RANSOM WArner.
Simsbury, May 31, 1825.

REPORT OF THE REV. A. STEELE.
To the Right Rev. Thomas C. Brownell,
Bishop of the Diocese of Connecticut,
and President of the Society for the
Promotion of Christian Knowledge.
RIGHT REV. SIR,

According to the directions given me, I proceeded to the eastern part of the diocese, and commenced my labours in the village of Pauquatanuck, in New London county, about the middle of May, 1824. Here I found a destitute parish, formerly respectable, and one of the oldest in the diocese, but by a long series of discouraging events, now so much reduced, as scarcely to be able to number twelve families. Under these circumstances, as no other public worship had been, for many years, regularly supported in the place, religion in general was in a very low state. On commencing my labours in this place, a Sunday school was immediately organized, consisting of eight teachers,

and about 40 scholars, which was afterwards eminently blest to the edification of both teachers and children. By the regular ministrations of the church one half of the time, and the zealous exértions in the Sunday school, the influence of religion, under the divine blessing, soon began to revive, and the congregation gradually increased in number, piety, and zeal.

After preaching, and making the necessary arrangements in Pauquatanuck, I next proceeded to Jewit City, where there had formerly been an Episcopal society, but which, by the removal of most of its members, had for some time ceased to be operative. The object of my visit to this place, was to revive, if practicable, the society; and to officiate there a part of the time. The house, erected professedly for Episcopal worship, is very commodious, built of stone, but not yet completed. The shares in the building, formerly valued at $ 30 each, are now principally owned by individuals of the congregational order; a part of two families only remaining in the place, belong to our church. Here, in connexion with Pauquatanuck, I continued to officiate regularly for about three months, until prevented by sickness; when the house became occupied by a congregational society newly organized.

In the meantime I visited the parish in Brooklyn, and preached twice to a small, but respectable congregation.

On recovering from an illness of about four weeks, and continuing my labours at Pauquatanuck as before, I next proceeded to visit various other places, destitute of regular preaching, to ascertain whether some other society could not be organized, so as to connect with that in Pauquatanuck. Pursuing this plan, after visiting and preaching in several places, it was thought that Mystic, a flourishing village at the head of Mystic creek, would be the most favourable. Accordingly there, and at Pauquatanuck, I continued to officiate alternately during the remainder of the year. The congregation at Mystic, though mostly unacquainted with our service, was respectable, always attentive, and we trust, edified.

These are the principal places which

your missionary visited; and these constituted the field of his labours during his mission.

Agreeable to this statement, I officiated in Pauquatanuck, including exchanges with the Rev. Mr. Paddock, 26 Sundays, besides & times on other occasions; in Jewit City, 6 Sundays; in Brooklyn, 1; in Glastenbury, 1; in Preston, at different places, 2, besides 3 times on other occasions; in Mystic, 11 Sundays; in New-London, in exchange with the Rev. Mr. Judd, 2, and 3 times on other occasions-in all, 63: administered the ordinance of baptism to 15-4 adults, and 11 children; performed the burial office three times; and that for matrimony, once.

In relation to the present situation of the societies which your missionary has visited, he is glad to state that, on the whole, they are gradually improving. The society in Jewit City, as was before observed, has for some time ceased to operate. Its members have mostly removed: the building remains unfinished: and another denomination occupies the ground.

The society in Brooklyn, though much reduced in numbers, from recent divisions, is now apparently disposed to reconcile all differences, and to unite in the support of a minister a part of

the time.

The society in Pauquatanuck has now increased to about 20 families; besides many others from other denominations, who contribute to its support. The zeal of some few in this society is rarely equalled. Among these, instances of individual exertion and munificence might be mentioned, which would fully testify the high value they set upon the ministrations of the church; but their's is that silent exertion which seeketh not to be known, and which finds its best reward in those treasures which they hope to lay up in heaven. Still, however, their means are small; and they greatly need further assistance. Whether a society will finally be organized at Mystic, must depend on a due use of the appropriate means.

On the whole, your missionary begs leave to add, that though his efforts have been more feeble, and the success attending them much less, than he had VOL. IX.

anxiously desired, and ardently prayed; yet for whatever success has attended them, there is to him abundant cause of thankfulness to the great Head of the church, that such humble means have been in any way blest to the building up of the waste places of our Zion. The low state of religion in many places which he visited, often afforded but a gloomy prospect-a prospect more gloomy than was supposed to exist in this diocese. By the blessing of God, these appearances, in some places, have in a measure been changed. And while in others their continuance furnishes a subject of deep regret, it furnishes also a strong argument for still further exertions in their behalf. Here is missionary ground, even within the borders of our own state. Here is a "field white already to harvest," a field which calls loudly for active and zealous labourers. May the God of the hearvest raise them up and send them forth, as the necessity of the case requires. All of which is respectfully submitted to the consideration of the bishop, and of the society, by their servant in the ministry, A. STEELE.

Hartford, June 1st, A. D. 1825.

ed the standing committee:-The Rev. The following gentlemen were electTillotson Bronson, D. D. the Rev. Harry Croswell, the Rev. Daniel Burhans, the Rev. Reuben Sherwood. the Rev. Nathaniel S. Wheaton, and

On motion by Mr. James M. Goodwin, resolved, that the thanks of this convention be presented to the Rev. Mr. Gilbert, for his sermon delivered before this convention, and to the Rev. Mr. Judah, for his sermon delivered before the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, and that copies of the same be requested for insertion in the Magazine.

The committee appointed at the last convention, to collect and record the acts and proceedings of the convention, from its organization, made the following report:

The committee appointed to collect and record the votes and proceedings. of the convention, from the period of its formation to the present time, beg leave to report:—

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