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Art. 8. A Book of Common Prayer, administration of the sacraments, and other rites and ceremonies of the church, articles of religion, and a form and manner of making, ordaining and consecrating Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, when established by this, or a future general convention, shall be used in the Protestant Episcopal Church in those states which shall have adopted this constitution.*

Art. 9. This Constitution shall be unalterable, unless in general convention, by the Church, in a majority of the states which may have adopted the same; and all alterations shall be first proposed in one general convention, and made known to the several state conventions, before they shall be finally agreed to, or ratified, in the ensuing general convention.

Done in the General Convention of the Bishops, Clergy and Laity of the Church, the 2d day of October, 1789.

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CANONS

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

CANON I.

Of the Orders of Ministers in this Church.

In this Church there shall always be three orders in the Ministry, viz. Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

CANON II.

Of the Election of Bishops.

No Diocess or State shall proceed to the election or appointment of a Bishop, unless there be at least six officiating Presbyters residing therein, and who, agreeably to the Canons of the Church, may be qualified to vote for a Bishop, a majority of whom at least shall concur in such election. But the conventions of two or more Diocesses or States, having together nine or more such Presbyters, may associate and join in the election of a Bishop.t

* Addition to the 8th Art. of the Constitution made by the Gen. Con. 1811. No alteration or addition shall be made in the Book of Common Prayer, or other Offices of the Church, unless the same shall be proposed in one General Convention, and, by a Resolve thereof, made known to the Convention of every Diocess or State, and adopted at the subsequent General Convention.

+ CANON limiting the operation of the 2d and 37th Canons, passed in Gen. Con. 1817.

In the event of there being a Bishop consecrated for any State or States, westward of the Alleghany mountains, it shall be lawful for the Episcopal congrega.

CANON III.

Certificates to be produced on the part of the Bishops elect.

Every Bishop elect, before his consecration, shall produce to the Bishops to whom he is presented for that holy office, from the Convention by whom he is elected a Bishop, and from the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies, in General Convention, certificates, respectively, in the following words, viz:

Testimony from the Members of the Convention in the State or Diocess from whence the Person is recommended for Consecration. We, whose names are underwritten, fully sensible how important it is that the sacred office of a Bishop should not be unworthily conferred, and firmly persuaded that it is our duty to bear testimony on this solemn occasion, without partiality or affection, do, in the presence of Almighty God, testify that A. B. is not, so far as we are informed, justly liable to evil report, either for error in religion, or for viciousness in life; and that we do not know or believe there is any impediment, on account of which he ought not to be consecrated to that holy office. We do moreover jointly and severally declare, that we do in our consciences believe him to be of such sufficiency in good learning, such soundness in the faith, and of such virtuous and pure manners, and godly conversation, that he is apt and meet to exercise the office of a Bishop, to the honour of God, and the edifying of his Church, and to be an wholesome example to the flock of Christ.

The above certificate shall be presented to the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies in General Convention.

Testimony from the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies in General Convention.

We, whose names are underwritten, fully sensible how important it is that the sacred office of a Bishop should not be unworthily conferred, and firmly persuaded that it is our duty to bear testimony on this solemn occasion, without partiality or affection, do, in the presence of Almighty God, testify, that A. B. is not, so far as we are informed, justly liable to evil report, either for error in religion, or for viciousness of life; and that we do not know or believe there is any impediment, on account of which he ought not to be consecrated to that holy office; but that he hath, as we believe, led his life, for three years last past, piously, soberly, and honestly.

tions in Pennsylvania and Virginia, westward of the said mountains, or for those of either of the said states, to place themselves, with the consent of the Bishops of these States respectively, under the provisionary superintendence of the Bishop the first referred to; the 37th Canon to the contrary notwithstanding. Further; it shall be lawful for such congregations in Pennsylvanian, and for those in Virginia, the majority in each case concurring, to unite in convention with the church in any western state or states. These provisions are to cease whenever the consent for the continuance of them, on the part of the Bishop of the Church in Pennsylvania, or in Virginia, as the case may be, with the approbation of the General Convention, shall be withdrawn. In the case above referred to, the number of Clergymen specified in the second Canon, shall not be requisite.

CANON IV.

Of Standing Committees.

In every State or Diocess there shall be a Standing Committee, to be appointed by the Convention thereof.

CANON V.

Of the Consecration of Bishops in the Recess of the General Convention.

If, during the recess of the General Convention, the church in any state or diocess should be desirous of the consecration of a Bishop, the Standing Committee of the church in such state or diocess may, by their president, or by some person or persons specially appointed, communicate the desire to the Standing Committees of the churches in the different states, together with copies of the necessary testimonials; and if the major number of the Standing Committees shall consent to the proposed consecration, the Standing Committee of the state or diocess concerned, may communicate the evidences of such consent, together with the other testimonials, to any three Bishops of this church, who may thereon proceed to the consecration. The evidences of the consent of the different Standing Committees, shall be in the form prescribed for the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies in General Convention; and without the aforesaid requisites, no consecration shall take place during the recess of the General Convention.

CANON VI.

Of the age of those who are to be Consecrated or Ordained. Deacon's Orders shall not be conferred on any person until he shall be twenty-one years old, nor Priest's Orders on any one until he shall be twenty-four years old. And no deacon shall be ordained priest, unless he shall have been a deacon one year, except for reasonable causes it shall otherwise seem good unto the Bishop. No man shall be consecrated a Bishop of this church until he shall be thirty years old.

CANON VII.

Of Candidates for Orders.

Every person who wishes to become a candidate for orders in this church, shall give notice of his intention to the Bishop, or to such body as the church in the Diocess or State in which he intends to apply for orders may appoint, at least one year before his ordination.

No person shall be considered as a candidate for orders in this church, unless he shall have produced to the Bishop of the Diocess or State, to whom he intends to apply for orders, a certificate from the Standing Committee of said Diocess or State, that they believe, from personal knowledge, or from testimonials laid before them, that he hath lived piously, soberly and honestly; that he is attached to the doctrines, discipline and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church; and further, that in their opinion he possesses

such qualifications as may render him apt and meet to exercise the ministry to the glory of God, and the edifying of the church.

With this enumeration of qualifications it ought to be made known to the candidate, that the Church expects of him, what can never be brought to the test of any outward standard-an inward fear and worship of Almighty God; a love of religion and sensibility to its holy influence; an habit of devout affection; and, in short, a cultivation of all those graces which are called in Scripture, the fruits of the Spirit, and by which alone his sacred influences can be manifested.

The Bishop may then admit the person as a candidate for orders.

In any State or Diocess where there is no Bishop, the Standing Committee may, on the evidence aforesaid, admit the person as a candidate; unless the person should be desirous of being considered as a candidate for orders in some state or diocess where there is a Bishop.

A candidate for orders may, on letters dimissory from the Bishop by whom he was admitted as a candidate, be ordained by any other Bishop of this Church.

CANON VIII.

Of the conduct required in Candidates for Orders.

The Bishop, or other ecclesiastical authority who may have the superintendence of candidates, for orders shall take care that they do not indulge in any vain or trifling conduct, or in any amusements most liable to be abused to licentiousness, or unfavourable to that seriousness, and to those pious and studious habits which become those who are preparing for the holy ministry.

CANON IX.

Of the Learning of those who are to be ordained.

No person shall be ordained in this Church until he shall have satisfied the Bishop and the Presbyters by whom he shall be examined, that he is well acquainted with the Holy Scriptures, can read the new testament in the original Greek, and give an account of his faith in the Latin tongue; and that he hath a competent knowledge of natural and moral philosophy and Church history, and bath paid attention to composition and pulpit eloquence, as means of giving additional efficacy to his labours. It is also declared to be desirable, that every candidate for orders should be acquainted with the Hebrew language. But the Bishop, with the advice and consent of all the clerical members of the Standing Committee of his diocess, may dispense with the knowledge of the Latin and Greek languages, and other branches of learning not strictly ecclesiastical, in consideration of certain other qualifications in the candidate peculiarly fitting him for the Gospel ministry.

CANON X.

Of the preparatory Exercises of a Candidate for Deacon's Orders.

There shall be assigned to every candidate for Deacon's Orders four different examinations, at such times and places as the Bishop

to whom he applies for orders shall appoint. And if there be a Bishop within the State or Diocess where the candidate resides, he shall apply to no other Bishop for ordination without the permission of the former. The examinations shall take place in the presence of the Bishop, and as many Presbyters as can conveniently be convened, on the following studies prescribed by the Canons, and by the course of study established by the House of Bishops.*

At the first examination-on some approved treatises on natural philosophy, moral philosophy, and rhetorick, and the Greek Testament; and he shall be required to give an account of his faith in the Latin tongue. At the second examination on the books of Scripture: the candidate being required to give an account of the different books, and to explain such passages as may be proposed to him. At the third examination-on the Evidences of Christianity, and Systematic Divinity. And at the last examination on Church History, Ecclesiastical Polity, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Constitution and Canons of the Church, and of the diocess or state for which he is to be ordained. In the choice of books on the above subjects, the candidate is to be guided by the course of study established by the House of Bishops. At each of the forementioned examinations he shall produce and read a sermon or discourse, composed by himself, on some passage of Scripture previously assigned him; which sermon or discourse shall be submitted to the criticism of the Bishop and Clergy present. And before his ordination, he shall be required to perform such exercises in reading in the presence of the Bishop and Clergy, as may enable them to give him such advice and instructions as may aid him in performing the service of the Church, and in delivering his sermons with propriety and devotion.

If the candidate should not reside convenient to the residence of the Bishop, the Bishop may appoint some of his Presbyters to conduct the above examinations; and a certificate from these Presbyters, that the prescribed examinations have been held accordingly, and satisfaction given, shall be required of the candidate. Provided that, in this case, the candidate shall, before his ordination, be examined by the Bishop and some of his Presbyters, on all the above named studies.

In a Diocess where there is no Bishop, the Standing Committee shall act in his place for the purpose of carrying into effect this Canon; and in this case the candidate shall be examined, by the Bishop to whom he applies for orders and his Presbyters, on the studies prescribed by the Canons.

A Clergyman who presents a person to the Bishop for Orders as specified in the Office of Ordination, without having good grounds to believe that the requisitions of the Canons have been complied with, shall be liable to ecclesiastical censure.

CANON XI.

Of the preparatory Exercises of a Candidate for Priest's Orders. A candidate for Priest's Orders shall, before his ordination, be required to undergo an examination in presence of the Bishop,

See course of ecclesiastical Studies annexed to the Canons.

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