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gregations, shows the due appreciation by the people of the services thus provided for them.

There are now eight churches waiting consecration because they are yet unpaid for, and three for other reasons, and nine churches yet incomplete, in process of erection.

It is my duty, before concluding, to speak of the administration of discipline within the year, as it has occurred among ourselves, and has been communicated to me by the bishops of other dio

eeses.

From the Bishop of Connecticut, I have received notice of the displacement from the ministry of Edwin W. Wiltbank, late a Presbyter of that diocese; from the Bishop of Ohio, of that of Sabine Hough; from the Bishop of Vermont, of that of William Henry Hoit; from the Bishop of Michigan, of that of Edward C. Hodgkin; from the Bishop of Pennsylvania, of that of Henry Major; from the Bishop of Illinois, of that of Edward J. Darken; from the Bishop of New Jersey, of that of Matthew Matthews; from the Bishop of Western New York, of that of John J. Okill; and from the Bishop of Massachusetts, of that of Reuben E. Taylor; all Presbyters respectively of the several dioceses named.

In this diocese, the refusal of the Rev. Joseph Trapnell, Jr., Rector of St. Andrew's Church, in this city, to permit me to administer the Sacrament of the LORD's Supper on occasion of my visitation of his church, and his subsequent publication of a correspondence in which he had expressed himself on the subject in unbecoming language, compelled me to lay the matter before the Standing Committee. Upon trial, he was found guilty of conduct incompatible with his character as a minister of CHRIST, with such qualifications of his guilt as induced me to resort to the lightest sentence known in the law of the Church, by the administration of reproof.

The stand taken in this matter before and since the trial of our reverend brother both by himself and by his friends, appears to me to call for legislation on the part of the Convention, providing

by positive enactment for the enforcement of the indubitable

right of the Episcopal office. matter to your attention, hoping the proper remedy for an evil that ginning.

I respectfully recommend the that your wisdom will provide needs to be checked in its be

There is but one other topic to which I will now advert-the revival during the past year of the Convocations of the clergy. Ever since my connexion with the diocese, I have felt their need, and have been preparing by inquiry and consultation with my brethren, to reorganize them' in such number and distributive arrangement as may best suit the present condition of the diocese. Having finally settled upon the districts in which the clergy could be periodically assembled with least inconvenience and most complete attainment of the advantage sought for them and for their flocks, I have been gradually organizing the several convocations, convening the clergy for a first meeting, stating to them the reasons for the measure and the objects sought by it, and asking their co-operation by providing themselves with the necessary simple machinery for stated periodical re-assemblage, a President, a Secretary, and some half-dozen by-laws regulating the time and place of meeting and the services and other business. The most kind and cordial co-operation has hitherto been afforded, and I believe that without exception the judgment of my brethren agrees with mine, that much advantage in every way both to ministers and people is to be looked for from a diligent and persevering prosecution of the plan. Convocations are now organized for Cecil, Kent and Queen Anne counties as one district; for Prince George's county as another; for Calvert and St. Mary's as another; for Somerset and Worcester as another; for Anne Arundel as another; and for Charles as another; the Convocation of Talbot, Caroline and Dorchester counties I hope to meet in June, and trust I shall be enabled to carry out the organization of the remainder of the diocese within the coming year. Thus far, the several Convocations have agreed on quarterly

meetings, transferred by an unsettled rotation to the several parishes, within the respective districts, at which public services of one, two or more days are celebrated. More than one of the Convocations have already set on foot measures for the prosecution of the missionary work within their border. My own. My own purpose is to attend each Convocation at least once, and if practicable twice, within the year. It will largely increase my journeyings, but, I think, proportionately add to the efficiency of my service to the diocese, and strengthen the ties which bind us all together, and tend to make us of one mind, one spirit and one heart.

That it may please our Heavenly FATHER, of His great mercy, to advance that blessed work in us, and increase in us more and more the unity of the SPIRIT in the bond of peace is my continual and most earnest prayer.

WILLIAM ROLLINSON WHITTINGHAM,

BALTIMORE, May 26th, 1847.

Bishop of Maryland.

On motion, Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to take into consideration that portion of the Bishop's Address recommending the action of the Convention.

Petitions asking leave of the Convention to organize new congregations under the titles of St. Mark's Church, Baltimore, and Christ Church, Hagerstown, were received, and referred to the Committee on new Congregations.

A petition from Trinity Parish, Carrol county, to alter bounds, was received and referred to the same Committee.

On motion, the Convention adjourned.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, May 26, 1847.

The Convention re-assembled at 4 o'clock.

The roll was called, and the minutes of the morning's proceedings were read, corrected, and approved.

The Rev. M. L. Forbes, the Rev. John F. Hoff, the Rev. R. W. Goldsborough, and the Rev. M. Lewin, not present this morning, answered to their names this afternoon.

The following lay delegates presented their testimonials and signed the declaration.

N. Christopher,

Wm. Lynch,

A. B. Davis,

George T. Martin,
Wm. G. Ridgely,
R. F. Hemsley,

S. N. C. White,

James Usher,

Henry Chamberlaine,
Parker H. Lee,

John H. C. Coffin.

The Rev. Mr. Bean asked permission of the Convention to have an entry made upon the journal, correcting an error which occurred in the printed journal of the last Convention, by which he was represented as voting in the affirmative upon the admission of of the delegate from Christ Church, Hagerstown, to a seat in the Convention, instead of the negative, which was his real vote, which permission was, on motion, granted.

A petition from several persons, members of Zion Parish, Prince George's county, and Queen Caroline Parish, Anne Arundel county, asking leave of the Convention to organize a new Parish, was received and referred to the Committee on New Congregations.

The Committee on the Election of Lay Delegates asked permission to sit during the session of the Convention, which was granted.

The Chair announced the following committee on a portion of the Bishop's Address :

Rev. Mr. McKenney,

66 Mr. Harrison,

66 Mr. Brown,

S. J. Donaldson, Esq.
Hon. Samuel Sprigg.

The Chair stated that the Rev. Dr. Johns having declined to serve on the Committee on Parochial Contributions, on account

of sickness in his family, the Rev. J. F. Hoff was appointed in his place.

On motion, Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to ascertain whether this diocese is not entitled to an additional number of Trustees in the General Theological Seminary.

committee.

The Rev. Robert Lloyd Goldsborough,

66 Samuel R. Gordon, and

Mr. Richard H. Owen, were appointed said

On motion, Resolved, That a special committee of five be appointed, consisting of three members from the Western, and two from the Eastern Shore, to ascertain in the course of the present conventional year, how much is due from each parish and congregation that is in arrears to the Convention, and to forward to the same an account of its indebtedness, that the several parishes that are in arrears may know what claims are made against them. The Chair appointed the

Rev. Mr. Miller,

66 Mr. Peck,

"Mr. Owen,

Mr. John Gibson, and

Mr. Henry Chamberlaine, said committee.

On motion, the Convention adjourned.

THURSDAY MORNING, May 27th, 1847.

The Convention met at 9 o'clock.

Morning Prayer having been previously said at 6 o'clock, and the Holy Communion administered at 8, the Bishop took the Chair and called the Convention to order.

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