and zeal in behalf of the church, in obtaining contributions for this fund.

"6th. That it be recommended to every parish, in which there is an Episcopal congregation, and in which no funds, or insufficient funds have been provided for a minister, to agree to pay, each member of the congregation, a certain per centage on the amount of his general tax, or to adopt any other mode, which may be deemed most advisable to raise a permanent fund for the decent support of a minister; the said fund to be allowed to accumulate, until there shall be an income therefrom, sufficient for the object proposed; and that the monies, received on this account, be transmitted to the treasurer of the board of trustees of the Pro. Epis. Society, to be invested by the trustees of the said board in bankstock, government-securities, or other property, in trust for the ministers of the parishes, from which the said sums shall be received, respectively; and that the funds, received as aforesaid, shall be appropriated to the support of the ministers aforesaid, who shall always be obliged to comply with the rubrics and canons of the Pro. Epis. Church in South-Carolina, as authorized and sanctioned by the authority of the convention of the same.

"7th. That the treasurer be allowed such compensation, as the board of trustees shall deem proper."

The convention adjourned until to-morrow at 11 o'clock.

Saturday, February 21, 1818.

The convention met; and prayers were read by the Rev. John Jacob Tschudy.

The minutes of yesterday were read.

The following resolution was proposed by Major Carr, but rejected by a very large majority: "Resolved, that the delegates from this convention to the general convention be requested to propose to that body an alteration of the twentieth canon, so as to require the several Bishops to visit the churches of their respective Diocesses, once in each year at least."

Resolved, on motion of the Rev. Dr. Dalcho, that the thanks of the convention be tendered to the Rev. Dr. Gadsden, for his able and impartial discharge of the duties of president of this convention, during a highly interesting and important session.

Whereupon the Rev. President rose, and addressed the convention: which address was, on motion of the Rev. Mr. Muller, respectfully requested of the president by an unanimous vote, in order to be inserted on the journals, and is nearly as follows:

"GENTLEMEN,-I thank you for your approbation; and I hope I may be permitted to indulge my feelings in expressing to you my thanks for the support you have given to the chair, and, what is of more consequence, and still more gratifying to me, the support you have given to the church. At no convention, has your time been so long and constantly employed. At no convention, has more talent, learning and eloquence been exhibited. It is pleasant, and a cause for gratitude to God, to behold those powers of the mind, which have adorned and blessed our country in private and

public life, in a civil and military capacity, in congress, in the legis lature, and on the bench, here brought into the service of the church. In the days of primitive Christianity it was said, not many mighty, not many noble are called; but may we not hope, that we have arrived at the dawn of that brighter period, of that predicted period, when the rich, and the wise, and the honourable shall embrace the gospel, and the banner of the cross shall wave triumphantly over the world?

"At no convention has there appeared more zeal and unanimity, attachment to the true principles of the church, and liberality of sentiment, and so strong a disposition to contribute generously to the support of religious institutions. This temper may be expected to draw down the blessing of Almighty God on his church. Under its influence, the church of your fathers and your affections, cannot but flourish. Her waste places will be restored; and religion, in the march of civilization to the west, will cause the wilderness and the solitary place to be glad thereof, and that moral desert to rejoice and blossom as the rose. Permit me to observe, that this zeal is the sure basis of your individual prosperity, and that of your country; for the promise of God is absolute: Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase; so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Happy are the people, that are in such a case; yea, blessed are the people, who have the Lord for their God.

"It is a pleasant reflection, that this zeal has been excited by the wants of the church, and has appeared when most needed. It seems to have been excited by the greatest calamity, which could have befallen our church. It seems as if the death of that distinguished man, our good Bishop, has excited a proper solicitude for the church in every breast, as if every man felt himself called upon to step into the breach, and to place the church upon that elevation, which would render her, hereafter, less liable to be affected by individual deaths. May you carry this zeal to your homes, and may it spread throughout your respective parishes! May it animate the bosom of every member of the church! I cannot but consider, that this good feeling is an answer to the frequent and ardent prayers of our late Bishop,-an answer to the prayers of the pious in behalf of the church, excited by his unexpected loss, -an answer to the prayers of several of the members of the convention on this occasion.

"My brethren, the scenes of time must close: The scenes of eternity will soon open upon us. We must all appear at another convention. At that day, weary and heavy laden with the burden of sin, I doubt not that some of you will recur, with satisfaction, to the transactions of this convention. May all of you be enabled to say: Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds, which I have done for the house of my God, and the offices thereof. It is the wish of my heart, and it shall be my ardent prayer, that every one of you may obtain mercy at that day, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Resolved, on motion of Mr. Brisbane, that all the Journals of this Convention be published in a volume, by subscription; and that the President appoint a committee of three, for the purpose of obtaining subscriptions to that end, and of superintending the publication.

Whereupon the Rev. Dr. Dalcho, and Messrs. Brisbane and Bay were appointed the committee.

After prayers and the blessing, the convention adjourned.

APPENDIX III.

SECT. I.

CANONS

FOR THE

GOVERNMENT OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH, IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ADOPTED IN GENERAL CONVENTION.

TO WHICH ARE ANNEXED,

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCH; AND THE COURSE OF
ECCLESIASTICAL STUDIES.

CONSTITUTION

Of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America.

Art. 1. There shall be a general convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, on the third Tuesday in May, in the year of our Lord, 1808, and on the third Tuesday in May in every third year afterwards, in such place as shall be determined by the convention; and special meetings may be called at other times, in the manner hereafter to be provided for: and this church, in a majority of the states which shall have adopted this constitution, shall be represented, before they shall proceed to business; except that the representation from two states shall be sufficient to adjourn; and in all business of the convention, freedom of debate shall be allowed.

Art. 2. The church in each state shall be entitled to a representation of both the clergy and the laity; which representation shall consist of one or more deputies, not exceeding four of each order, chosen by the convention of the state; and, in all questions, when required by the Clerical and Lay Representation from any state, each order shall have one vote; and the majority of suffrages by states shall be conclusive in each order, provided such majority comprehend a majority of the states represented in that order; the concurrence of both orders shall be necessary to constitute a vote of the convention. If the convention of any state should neglect or decline to appoint clerical deputies, or if they should neglect or decline to appoint lay-deputies; or if any of those of either order appointed should neglect to attend, or be prevented by sickness or

any other accident, such state shall, nevertheless, be considered as duly represented by such deputy or deputies as may attend, whether lay or clerical. And if, through the neglect of the convention of any of the churches which shall have adopted, or may hereafter adopt this constitution, no deputies, either lay or clerical, should attend at any general convention, the church in such state shall, nevertheless, be bound by the acts of such convention.

Art. 3. The Bishops of this church, when there shall be three or more, shall, whenever general conventions are held, form a separate house, with a right to originate and propose acts, for the concurrence of the house of deputies, composed of clergy and laity; and when any proposed act shall have passed the house of deputies, the same shall be transmitted to the house of Bishops, who shall have a negative thereupon; and all acts of the convention shall be authenticated by both houses. And, in all cases, the house of Bishops shall signify to the convention their approbation or disapprobation (the latter, with their reasons in writing) within three days after the proposed act shall have been reported to them for concurrence; and, in failure thereof, it shall have the operation of a law. But until there shall be three or more Bishops as aforesaid, any Bishop attending a general convention shall be a member ex officio, and shall vote with the clerical deputies of the state to which he belongs; and a Bishop shall then preside.

Art. 4. The Bishop or Bishops in every state shall be chosen agreeably to such rules as shall be fixed by the convention of that state; and every Bishop of this church shall confine the exercise of his episcopal office to his proper diocess or district; unless requested to ordain, or confirm, or perform any other act of the episcopal office, by any church destitute of a Bishop.

Art. 5. A Protestant Episcopal Church in any of the United States, not now represented, may, at any tine hereafter, be admitted, on acceding to this constitution.

Art. 6. In every state, the mode of trying clergymen shall be instituted by the convention of the church therein. At every trial of a Bishop there shall be one or more of the Episcopal order present; and none but a Bishop shall pronounce sentence of deposition or degradation from the ministry, on any clergyman, whether Bishop, or Presbyter, or Deacon.

Art. 7. No person shall be admitted to holy orders until he shall have been examined by the Bishop and by two Presbyters, and shall have exhibited such testimonials, and other requisites as the canons in that case provided may direct. Nor shall any person be ordained until he shall have subscribed the following declaration : "I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation: and I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrines and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church in these United States." No person ordained by a foreign Bishop shall be permitted to officiate as a minister of this church, until he shall have complied with the canon or canons in that case provided, and have also subscribed the aforesaid declaration.