in Europe, for the evangelizing of heathen nations. In my last annual communication, there was stated the fact, of there having been organized a society by the public wisdom of our church, for domestic and foreign missions. It has also been thought proper to make the city of Philadelphia, in this state, the seat from which the combined energies are to be put forth. Your bishop is aware of the weight of the claims lying on us, from the many places within our own diocess destitute of the means of grace. He, however, considers it as his duty to declare the opinion, that the objects stated have also their claims on us not to be disregarded, consistently with the extensive requisitions of Christian charity. It will be seen on attention to the constitution of the society, that every contributor has his choice of pouring his bounty either into the channel of the domestic, or into that of the foreign object; and while the opinion is here expressed, that the former was designed to be the most prominent, it is with the expectation, that in the disposal of what the public liberality may supply without the restraint of appropriation, the society will regard the latter object also in proportion to the means with which they may be furnished. At the last convention, a committee was appointed, who, in concurrence with the bishop, might make provision for the supply of destitute congregations. The committee have bestowed their attention on that important work, and with considerable effect; as it will lie on them to make report to the convention, the less may be said on the subject in this address. Before the concluding of the communication, the deliverer of it is desirous of stating the view which he takes of the very delicate department of administering the discipline of the church, especially in the painful task of noticing delinquency in any of his clerical brethren, in regard either to error in doctrine, or to immorality of life. On the first of these subjects, the danger of infringing on latitude of sentiment, in matters not extending to the denial of the essential doctrines of the gospel as held by our church, and assented to at ordination, ought to produce caution relative to such diversity, as may reasonably be thought to subsist, without detriment to the degree of uniformity exacted by our articles and our services; and yet, all considerate persons will be aware of the difficulty of determining the point, at which error ceases to be harmless. On the other of the two subjects, it so often happens, that there are propagated reports ascertained on inquiry to be without foundation, and it likewise so often happens, that when perhaps they are well founded, the reporters of them shrink from the bearing of testimony to what they will not be backward to affirm in ordinary conversation, that a bishop, however disposed to dissolve the connexion between the church and an unworthy clergyman, ought to be conscientiously awake to the danger of giving countenance to slander, especially, as rashness of this sort would unite, in his person, the character of an accuser with that of a judge. The embarrassment arising from both of these sources, has been considerably lessened by a canon passed in the General Convention of 1820, providing a process by which a minister may render his severance from the ministry his own act. It is a process less painful to his feelings, than that provided by the 26th and 27th canons of 1808; and, therefore, he has strong inducements to have recourse to it. The canon of 1820, however, has been sometimes misunderstood, as if purporting no more than suspension from the exercise of the ministerial function. For this reason, the notice of it is introduced at present; and the wish is expressed, that the well informed members of the church, and the clergy in particular, would make known, as oppertunity may serve, that a sentence, under the said canon, effects complete dismission from the ministry, and ought to operate as a caution against the considering of the party as an ordained minister: the authority conferred on him in ordination having ceased. I have nothing to add, brethren, but my wishes that your deliberations may be blessed to the good of the church, and the assurance of my hearty concurrence in what may have a tendency to that desirable object. WILLIAM WHITE. On motion of Mr. Read, the following substitute for the 24th regulation was adopted : "A treasurer of the convention, and a treasurer of the episcopal fund, shall be chosen upon the assembling of the annual convention of this diocess, who shall remain in office until the meeting of the next convention. They shall perform all the duties usually appertaining to the office of a treasurer.— Their accounts shall close on the 'Tuesday before the meeting of the convention, and shall be submitted to the examination of the standing committee of the diocess. And the said standing committee shall report thereon to the convention." Mr. John Read was chosen by ballot treasurer of the episcopal fund; and Mr. Thomas H. White treasurer of the convention. Mr. Meredith, from the committee on the subject of trustees of the General Theological Seminary, presented the following report: The committee appointed to inquire, and to report the number of trustees which this convention is entitled to nominate for the General Theological Seminary, agreeably to the constitution thereof, report That, by the constitution, each diocess is entitled to one trustee, to an additional trustee for every eight clergymen within its bounds, and to an additional trustee for every $2,000 contributed to the seminary, until the sum amounts to $10,000, and to one for every $10,000 exceeding the first. Applying this rule, it appears that the diocess of Pennsylvania is entitled in that character to one trustee; having thirty-two clergymen, it is further entitled to four trustees; and that the contributions to the establishment of the "Bishop White Scholarship," (in which there is an excess of $500 above the sum necessary for that purpose, being $2,000,) entitles it to one additional trustee-that besides this excess of $500, a considerable sum has been contributed, making, as there is reason to believe, in the whole, a sum sufficjent to entitle this diocess to one other trustee. The committee, therefore, propose, that this convention should nominate six trustees absolutely, and one upon the condition that it shall appear at the next meeting of the General Convention, that the total of contributions to the seminary from this diocess amount to, or exceed $ 4,000. W. MEREDITH, The following appointments were made: Delegates to the General Convention:-The Rev. James Abercrombie, D.D. the Rev. Levi Bull, the Rev. Jackson Kemper, the Rev. William A. Muhlenberg, Samuel Sitgreaves, Edward J. Stiles, John Read, William Meredith. Standing Committee -The Rev. George Boyd, the Rev. Jackson Kemper, the Rev. Gregory T. Bedell, the Rev. James Abercrombie, D. D. the Rev. Benjamin Allen, Richard Dale, John Read, Cornelius Commigys, Charles Wheeler. The parochial reports furnish the following aggregate:-Baptisms (adults 74, children 300, not specified 194) 568-marriages 137-funerals 348Sunday scholars 1,587-communicants 1,560. On motion of the Rev. Mr. Allen, resolved, that the next annual convention of this church be held at Norristown, Montgomery county. On motion of the Rev. Mr. Kemper, resolved, that the meeting of the next annual convention be on the first Tuesday after the first Wednesday in May. On motion of the Rev. Mr. Montgomery, resolved, that the thanks of this convention be returned to the Rev. Mr. Bedell, for his sermon delivered at its opening. On motion of the Rev. Mr. Clay, resolved, that the thanks of this convention be given to the friends of the church in Lancaster, for the hospitality and kindness experienced from them by the members of the convention. On motion of the Rev. Mr. Sheets, the committee appointed by the last convention in relation to the supply of vacant congregations, were called upon to report. The following is an extract from the report : "The committee appointed by the last convention to consult with the bishop upon some mode for supplying the vacant congregations in this state with occasional services, &c. beg leave to report, that very soon after the adjournment of the convention, a plan was formed, by which each vacant congregation, and each vicinity where it was supposed a few episcopalians could be found, might be visited from three to four times in the course of the year. This arrangement required that each clergyman in the state should devote two or three Sundays to missionary purposes. The plan received the approbation of the bishop, and was acted upon for some time with considerable effect. A correspondence was opened with most of the clergy of the diocess, several of them had made one or more journies, and others were preparing to go, when the committee felt it their duty, though with great reluctance, to limit, as far as possible, their future operations. A communication from the treasurer of the convention arrested their attention. They applied to the bishop and his council for advice, and immediately determined that no new arrangements should be made. This step was taken on the 13th of last December, on the following account :The committee, in making their plan, found it necessary, in order to accomplish the wish of the convention, that several clergymen should travel a considerable distance. Some of the most Interesting and promising of our new congregations are a great way off froni the residence of any parochial minister. Visits to these members of our church proved to be more expensive than was expected. The demands upon the treasury were increasing, and it was greatly feared that the accomplishment of 'the whole design would exhaust the funds before the meeting of the convention should arrive. "Although, therefore, all that the committee had anticipated has not been accomplished, they are gratified in stating that much good has been done. It remains for the convention to determine whether the present plan shall be pursued, or a new one be adopted. The following gentlemen were chosen to be nominated to the General Convention, as trustees of the General Theological Seminary:-The Rev. Jackson Kemper, the Rev. George Boyd, the Rev. James Montgomery, the Rev. Gregory T. Bedell, John Read, the hon. William Tilghman. The Rev. Benjamin Allen was chosen on the contingency that the diocess is entitled to another trustee. On motion, resolved, that the treasurer of the convention be authorized to pay such part of the expenses of the General Convention as may be apportioned to this diocess. From the list of clergy of the diocess, attached to the journal of the above convention, it appears that they are the bishop, twenty-nine presbyters, and four deacons. Total 34. From the list of congregations it appears that they are 44 in number. From the account of the treasurer of the convention, it appears that the receipts into the convention fund (including the $2,500 of " the Bishop White Scholarship" in the General Theological Seminary) for the past year, were $ 2,681 70, there being also a balance from last year, in favour of the fund, of $392 99; and the payments (including the amount of said scholarship, transmitted to New-York,) $2,755 92; leaving in the treasurer's hands a balance of $18 77, and, in the saving fund, the sum of $ 300. An Abstract of the Documents which accompanied the Report of the Committee for the Supply of vacant Churches. At Northumberland, the Rev. Mr. Sheets reports, there is scarcely the appearance of a congregation. He preached here three times, once in a brick church, a part of which belongs to the episcopalians. At Bloomsburg he baptized a child, administered the communion, and preached five times. Mr. S. likewise visited Jerseytown, Berwick, and Nescopec. He was absent three Sundays during the months of August and September, and preached during his visit 19 times. "Our congregations," says he, "have been good, and I would hope that the word has not altogether fallen to the ground. Many appear sincerely pious, and are, I trust, inquiring their way with their faces thitherward." The Rev. Mr. Clarkson visited Christ church, Huntington, Adams county, on Monday, the first of September, preached to a crowded and mixed congregation, and administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. During divine service great solemnity prevailed. A strong attachment to the church in every particular was evident. Five infants were baptized. The congregation consists of 25 families, who are desirous of having regular service. They are unable, at present, to raise more than $200, and would be satisfied with the third part of a clergyman's time. During the pastoral charge of the late lamented Rev. Mr. Woodruff, they had half his time and services and Carlisle the other. But the church at Carlisle being now supplied by the Rev. Professor Spencer, the Huntington congregation have formed a connexion with the church at York-the two churches being about 18 miles apart, and are ready to receive and encourage the application of any respectable clergyman.-The York congregation can raise about $ 300, exclusive of a very spacious and convenient parsonage house and garden, &c. I am thus particular, says Mr.Clarkson, at the request of one of the parties, acting for both, at once to show their desire for a pastor, and their ability to support one, however small at present, that no disappointment may ensue from exaggerated statements, which is too often the case. It is further suggested, however, that an increase of both the congregations, and consequently an increase of support, will take place as soon as a regular clergyman is settled among them. Mr. Clarkson paid a second visit to this congregation in December last, when the Lord's Supper was again administered, and a child baptized. The Rev. Mr. Boyd visited the county of Huntingdon in November. The episcopalians in the town of Huntingdon and its vicinity are numerous.Fifty-one persons, the most of whom have families, profess to belong to the church. The house of worship is at present owned by them, in union with the Lutherans and Presbyterians; but it is their intention, in the event of their being able to obtain the stated services of a clergyman, either to purchase the whole of the present building, or erect a new one. Twelve children were baptized here. Mr. Boyd officiated at Watersteet, nine miles up the Juniata, and found a few episcopalians-and learned, that at Race-town-branch, about 12 miles from Huntingdon, there were a few more. "On the 6th of November," says Mr. Boyd, "I left Huntingdon, and went to Mr. Cromwell's, in the neighbourhood of Shirleysburgh, where an appointment had been made for me to preach that evening. Mr. Davis, an aged and pious member of the church, at Huntingdon, accompanied me on my way about eight miles, who, at parting, with much feeling, begged that the friends of the Redeemer would remember their forlorn condition, and induce some zealous and pious minister to come and settle among them. On leaving this interesting neighbourhood, I was forcibly reminded of our Lord's words to his disciples, when he saw the multitude of his countrymen without any to show them the way of salvation, they fainted, and were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd: then saith he unto his disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.'-That this Scripture applies to the members of other churches, I will not venture to say, but it is literally true of episcopalians there. "On reaching Mr. Cromwell's, I found a number of persons assembled from the surrounding country, some of whom had come eight or nine miles. The place appointed for public worship was crowded by an attentive and serious congregation. At this time I baptized a child. "The prospects of the Episcopal Church in this section of the country are encouraging. Mr. Cromwell told me that he had no doubt a church might be built here, during the next summer, if they could procure the regular services of a clergyman one half, or even one third of the time." During this visit Mr. Boyd was absent three weeks. Report of the Rev. Mr. Allen. In obedience to the directions of the convention, I visited the church in the Valley, and the village of Hamilton. In the former, a strong attachment to the church was manifested, and a consider able congregation attended. Ten miles from the church, large congregations assembled in the woods, and some hopes are entertained, that, by the blessing of God, on the exertions of a venerable member of our flock, a house of worship will be erected. In Hamilton, a sum nearly adequate to the completion of a "house of prayer" has been subscribed, and it is believed a building will be put up. The Rev. Mr. Thompson visited Brownsville, Union-town, and Connelsville, in November. Some ten or fifteen years past, says he, there was not less than five congregations belonging to the church in the vicinity of Brownsville-one at West's church, six miles from Brownsville; one at Jackson's church, seven miles; one at MuddyCreek, eleven miles; one at Red-stone, twelve miles from Brownsville-the name of the other I forget these conVOL. VII. gregations, through the want of clergymen to settle in this part of the country, are nearly all gone to other denominations; yet, it is believed, if a missionary could be sent among them, many of them would return to the church. Report of the Rev. Mr. Dupuy.During the time of my absence, which was something more than two weeks, I preached at Reading, Sunbury, Northumberland, and Bloomsburg. At Reading I preached in the Lutheran church, by invitation from the Rev. Mr. Muhlenberg. The English inhabitants of the town attended generally-six or seven families attached to our communion reside there, besides several, I am told, well inclined to the church. An, episcopalian informed me, that a lot had been left many years since to the church. I went to see it. It is situated in the most central and valuable part of the town. It appears to me, from the opinion I have been enabled to form, that if missionary aid could be afforded, the episcopalians of Reading would be incited to raise a church. I have since heard, but I know not whether it be correct, that a missionary was sent to this place many years before the revolution, by the venerable society of the church of England. I am inclined to think, if the Society for the Advancement of Christianity would be willing to send a missionary there now, we should soon have the pleasure of seeing a new church added to our communion.. From Reading I proceeded directly to Northumberland, and preached there twice; I also preached twice at Sunbury. The people appear gratified in these places with visits from clergymen of our church, but have no hope of ever being able to settle a clergyman among them. |