surplus of your means would not be more than adequate to the supply of her necessities. To the supply of these, and these only, let that surplus now be devoted. We wish you not wholly to confine your charities, either temporal or spiritual, within the pale of your own communion, but there, at the least, let them begin. Turn not the stream of your benevolence into many and various channels, until it has first fully watered and refreshed your own enclosure; then, when this is accomplished, let it also extend its refreshing influence to others. It is doubtless our duty, "as we have opportunity, to do good unto all men," but it is epecially our duty to do good to those who are of the same "household of faith." The apostle has stigmatized as "a denier of the faith, as worse than an infidel," the man who "provides not for those of his own household," and the remark is not more justly applicable to the natural than it is to the spiritual family. To the support then of that spiritual family with which you are connected, first contribute with a devoted heart and a willing hand; when its wants are fully supplied, then seek another depository for your contributions to the cause of God.

In conclusion, brethren, suffer us once more to entreat your zealous cooperation in this "work of faith and labour of love," and especially your union with us in fervent prayer to our common Lord, that he would indeed establish our Zion on "the Rock of Ages;" that he would "make fast the bars of her gates, and bless her children in her;" that he would make her "an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations."

"We commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified through the faith that is in Christ Jesus."

N. B. Communications relative to the state or prospect of the church, may be addressed either to the secretary of the convention, Dr. Thomas I. Wray, Augusta, or the president of the standing committee, the Rev. Hugh Smith, Augusta.

VOL. VII.

On motion, it was resolved, that the Right Rev. N., Bowen, D. D. bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the state of South-Carolina, be, and hereby is, respectfully invited by this convention to perform episcopal offices in this state, under the regulations prescribed by the 20th canon of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America; and that a copy of this resolution be addressed to him by the secretary of this convention.

The following articles are appended to the journal of the above convention: Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Georgia;

As it was unanimously adopted by a convention of the said church, holden in the city of Augusta, oh the 28th day of February, 1823: provided, however, that nothing therein contained shall be so construed as to contravene any part of the constitution or canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

Article 1st.-The several congregations of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this state, now represented in this convention, shall be considered as one church or diocess; to be known and designated by the name of the "Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Georgia," with a view to an union with the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

Art. 2d. Any congregation of said church in this state, not now represented in this convention, by making application to the convention for admission, shall, on acceding to this constitution, be received into union with this church or diocess.

Art. 3d.-A convention of this church shall be held on the third Monday in April, 1824, and on the same day of each succeeding year, at such place as the previous convention may appoint: provided, however, that no convention shall be opened for the transaction of business, unless there be present at least two clergymen, and delegates from two congregations. And in case no

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convention be formed, the standing officers of the last convention shall hold their respective offices until successors shall be appointed.

Art. 4th.-All clergymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church, of regular standing, residing and statedly officiating in this state, shall be considered (ex officio) members of the convention. Each congregation în union with this church shall be entitled to a representation by one lay delegate, or more, at discretion, not exceeding three; to be appointed by the church-wardens and vestry of the congregation to which such delegate or delegates may respectively belong.

Art. 5th.-Every convention shall be opened with divine service and a sermon; the preacher to be appointed by the previous convention.

Art. 6th.-The convention shall deliberate and act as one body, unless when any member shall call for a division on any question; in which case each clerical member shall be entitled to one vote, and the lay delegates of each congregation jointly to one vote: and a majority of both orders shall be necessary to a division.

Art. 7th. At every meeting of the ¡convention, a president shall be chosen from among the clergy, until a bishop be appointed for the diocess, who shall then be (ex officio) president of the

convention.

Art. 8th-At each annual meeting of the convention, a secretary and treasurer shall be chosen from among the members thereof, each to hold his re'spective office until the next annual convention.

Art. 9th.-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 four weeks before the time of such meeting. At a meeting thus notified, any four members (provided one be a clergyman) shall form a quorum.

The standing committee shall meet as soon as practicable after their election, and choose a president and secretary from among their own number;

The standing committee shall have power to call special conventions of this church whenever peculiar circumstances may render it necessary: provided at least four weeks notice of the time and place of holding such convention, shall be given in writing to all the clergymen, and all the congregations connected with this church.

The general powers and duties of the committee shall be such as are designated by the general constitution of the church.

Art. 10th. The convention shall in all cases elect its officers by ballot, each clergyman to be entitled to one vote, and each congregation to one vote, to be expressed by its delegation.

Art. 11th. After the close of this convention, no alteration of this constitution shall be made, but at an annual meeting of the convention; and then, only with the concurrence of at least two thirds of the members present.

Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Georgia, passed in the first Convention of said Church, in February, 1823.

Canon 1st. Whenever any number of persons in this state shall associate to form an episcopal church, and shall elect two wardens, and any number of vestrymen at discretion; and shall properly signify their association for this purpose, to the officers of the standing committee, or to the bishop, if there be one, they shall be recognized as an episcopal congregation duly organized, subject, however, to the usual discipline of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this state: and it is hereby recommended to all congregations that may be thus organized, to obtain as early as possible a legislative act of incorporation.

Canon 2d. Whenever a special convention of this church shall be called, it shall be the duty of the president of the standing committee, in giving notice of

the meeting, to specify the business for which such convention is called.

Canon 3d. It is hereby required, that every settled minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this state, shall keep an accurate register of the marriages, baptisms, and funerals he has solemnized during the last year, stating the names of the parties married, and the date of the marriage; the date of the child's birth and baptism, with the names of the parents and sponsors; the names of the persons interred, and also the names of the communicants of his church; and that he shall render to the convention, at each annual meeting, a written account of the same.

Canon 4th.-Each church duly represented in this convention shall pay, or cause to be paid, into the hands of the treasurer of the convention, the sum of fifteen dollars annually, for defraying the incidental expenses of the convention.

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

Article 1st. This society shall be denominated "The Protestant Episcopal Society for the General Advancement of Christianity in the State of Georgia."

Art. 2d. The objects of the society shall be the extension of the ordinances

of the church to its destitute members in the different parts of the state, and the distribution of Prayer Books and religious tracts.

Art. 3d. The society shall be composed of such members of the convention, for the time being, and other persons, as shall have complied with the terms of membership,

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

Art. 4th. Of the amount of life subscriptions, only one fourth shall be placed in the disposable fund; the other three fourths shall constitute a permanent fund, which shall be pro

perly invested as soon as it shall amount to one hundred dollars, and of which the interest only shall be annually added to the disposable fund. Not more than one fourth of the annual disposable fund shall be expended in the purchase of Prayer Books and tracts; the other three fourths, if required, shall be devoted to missionary purposes.

Art. 5th.-The_standing committee of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this state, for the time being, shall constitute a board of trust for this society. The president and secretary of that committee shall be respectively the president and secretary of this society. and the treasurer of the convention shall be its treasurer.

Art. 6th.-There shall be an annualmeeting of this society, at the place appointed for the annual convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this state, at five o'clock p. m. of the first day of the meeting of the conven tion-due notice of which shall be given to all the members.

Art. 7th. The society shall annual ly present to the convention an account of its proceedings.

Art. 8th.-The constitution of this society may be altered by the vote of a majority of the members present at, any annual meeting.

N. B. Communications to the society during the present year, must be addressed either to the Rev. Hugh Smith, Augusta, president of the society; or to Edward F. Campbell, esq. Augusta, the secretary. Donations or subscriptions to the society may be forwarded to either of these gentlemen, or to Dr. J. B. Read, Savannah, the treasurer of the society.

For the Christian Journal.

Convention of Maryland

We congratulate the Protestant Episcopal Church at large; we congratulate the diocess of Maryland, and its highly estimable bishop, on the result announced in the following communication.]

IN the diocess of Maryland considerable excitement had been produced by an attempt to establish a diocesan seminary, independent of the General

Theological Seminary located in NewYork; and during the last year much discussion had taken place on the subject. The church was therefore prepared to express her sentiments on this point; and a body of laymen, of high character and of commanding talents, appeared in the convention. The clergy too were more numerous than at the former meeting. The result of their deliberations was, that the seminary was discontinued, and the obligation on the part of those who had subscribed obliterated.

[The following was published during the meeting of the Convention]

To the Clerical and Lay Members of the Convention of the Diocess of Maryland.

PERHAPS no convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Maryland ever met under circumstances so interesting as those under which you assemble. In deciding the question of a diocesan school, you are to decide a point involving the most momentous consequences to your own diocess, and to the Protestant Episcopal Church at large; and the eyes of that church are

upon you.

The diocess of Maryland is one of the most important in the union. The whole state regularly divided into pa rishes, and subdivided into chapels; the bulk of the population originally episcopal; past recollections still operating with many in favour of the church of their fathers; with a clergy active, pious, and zealous; with a laity inferior to those in no diocess, in intelligence, in attachment to the church, and in attention to her concerns; with a bishop whom to know is to revere for apostolic and primitive piety; for a heart frank and generous, and that knows no guile; for an intellect clear and vigorous; and for that theological knowledge which is derived from the pure fountain of primitive truth: assiduous, faithful, unwearied in his duties -what a happy diocess might be that of Maryland? She might indeed be a fair place the joy of her sister churches. Alas! she now excites their deepest sorrow and solicitude. For division

distracts her councils, embitters the tempers of her members, arrays brother against brother, layman against layman, clergyman against clergyman, and a majority of the convention against their bishop! If the sainted Ignatius, he who drew his lessons from the beloved disciple, he to whom Christians appeal to for testimony to the divinity of their Master, and of whom churchmen boast as a decisive witness to their apostolic episcopacy-if he were now to come among you, would he not, with even more earnestness than he did to the church at Smyrna, direct to you the admonition-" Do nothing of what belongs to the church without the bishop?"

And what is it which thus raises among you this fell demon of discord? Would it be believed, that when, after years of ineffectual effort, and of distraction, and of division, the highest authority of the church with unprecedented unanimity had established a ge neral theological school, uniting in its behalf the wishes, the prayers, and the efforts of the whole church; organized on the most fair and just principles, giving to every diocess an influence proportionate to its members and its contributions-when every friend of the church indulged the hope that its efforts and its wealth, liberally devoted to this seminary, would secure for her a learned and pious clergy, worthy of her high character, and would most powerfully advance her union and herpeace would it be believed, that this would be chosen as the moment to establish a diocesan seminary in the state of Maryland ?-thus frustrating the hope so piously and ardently che rished, of union in the counsels of the church, and the efforts of her members, on the great subject of theological education.

Is this measure constitutional? Admitting the original right of each diocess to establish a theological seminary, may it not be argued with some plausibility, that this right was controlled by the act of the General Convention establishing a general institution? Unless we admit that the acts of this body are paramount to diocesan legislation, there is an end to the general govern

ment of the church. Now, neither in the constitution establishing the general seminary at New-York, nor in any act of the convention which framed the constitution, is there any recognition of diocesan seminaries. On the contrary, the constitution giving power to establish branch schools, would seem to sanction the opinion that diocesan schools were precluded. Not so, in the case of the diocesan school at NewYork that was a measure contemplated before the establishment of any general seminary. And when the general seminary was removed from New-York to New-Haven, there was an express declaration by New-York, of her intention to establish a seminary; and recognition on the part of the bishops of her right so to do. And one great reason for this measure was, that the former constitution of the general seminary was not framed on fair and just principles. This objection is removed by the present constitution; and New-York gave up her local views, and cordially united in the general in stitution. The cases of Maryland and New-York then are not similar.

Is a diocesan school in Maryland EXPEDIENT?

It is wanted-You have scarcely any candidates to educate, and have not the prospect of many.

But admitting that you had, is it best, as some say, to educate them at home? Surely no in the general seminary, mixing with students from various parts of the union, would not the minds and the views of your candidates be enlarged? and would it not be of importance to them to form acquaintances and friends among those who, in various parts of the church, are to be their future associates in the ministry?

Have you funds for a seminary? Suppose that you have; are there not more urgent objects, and more immediately important-the support of your clergy, the erection and repair of your churches, to which these funds might be devoted ?

Can you expect your seminary, in any degree, to equal the general seminary? Surely not-neither in funds, nor in number of professors, nor of students. And will Maryland be content

with an institution whose lustre will be thus eclipsed?

Do you object to the expense at New-York?—But, in a short time, such provision, it is expected, will be made, by furnishing a house for boarding the students, that the expenses there will be very inconsiderable.

Do you fear that your candidates will receive an erroneous bias in their theological views and feelings? What! can you not trust a seminary, the trustees of which are the bishops of the church, and clergymen and laymen nominated by the state conventions, and approved of by the General Convention? Is not a leading professor in that seminary a clergyman, whom you have thought of procuring for your diocesan seminary? Ask the students, whether any attempt is made unduly to influence them on the religious topics that divide the church? In the city of New-York there are, and probably always will be, clergy of differ ent theological views; and the students have a fair opportunity of judging and choosing for themselves. Besides, may there not be a change in Maryland, and the diocesan seminary fall under the control of those who maintain different sentiments from its founders?

I beseech you then pause before the step be taken, that in a degree will sunder you from the church in the Union; that will hold up the diocess of Maryland, a degraded and disgusting spectacle, the scoff of her enemies, the ob ject of commiseration and grief to her friends-torn by divisions, a majority of her clergy and laity acting in direct opposition to their bishop, and a respectable minority of their brethren. Listen to healing counsels-postpone at least the measure of a diocesan se minary, till the operation and character of the general one be fully ascertained. Destroy not at once the hope so ardently cherished, that the members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, concentrating their efforts in favour of a general institution, thus constitute a bond of union and of strength, and raise a proud monument of their zeal and liberality; and in pro viding a learned and pious clergy, would secure, under the blessing of her Di