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In the church in Manlius village I have officiated on three fourths of the Sundays during the past year, on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and Good-Friday, and on funeral occasions; and, during the summer past, have often called up the children and youth for instruction in the catechisms.

The Church in this place has had many diffioulties to encounter; but a number of additions have been made to the Church, and the latter part of the present year has, in a religious point of view, exhibited better prospects than have been since I have been in this place. A steady perseverance only can prove successful. The number of communicants has increased to 74. The baptisms have been four adults, and the whole number 18. The burials have been seven.

At Lenox parish, in addition to the three Sundays already mentioned, on one Sunday after two services in Manlius, I there held a third, preached, and administered the Lord's Supper, and a number of times have preached there on week days.

The Church meet on every Lord's Day, read prayers and approved sermons; and a pious young layman, who has been there until lately, has taught the children the Church Catechism, the Explanation and Enlargement, and has taught the youth the Catechism on Confirmation, which has been attended with good effects, and some additions have been made to the communion.

Having arranged their pecuniary concerns, and always having had the disposition, they now find themselves able to afford some support, as formerly, to a minister.

The report of the Committee for Propagating the Gospel in the State of New-York was accepted by the Convention.

There was submitted to the Convention the following

Report of the Trustees of the Episcopal Fund. The Trustees of the Fund for the support of the Episcopate in the diocess of New-York, respectfully report to the Annual Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, that the Fund now amounts to the sum of twenty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty-six dollars and twenty cents; viz. in sundry bonds and mortgages, being the same held at the last meeting of the Convention $17,548 4 1,500 0

Six per cent. Stock United States,

Loan of 1813

Six per cent. Stock State of NewYork, Loan of 1817

Bond of the Rector, Wardens, and Vestry men of Trinity Church, dated Nov. 17th, 1820 Interest outstanding on bonds and mortgages Cash deposited in the Phenix Bank Cash in hand

950 0

2,000 0

642 1 1,140 91 175 24

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Together with the above report, were exhi bited the account current of the treasurer of the board, and a list of the bonds on which the money of the fund is loaned.

The report and the accompanying documents were accepted and approved by the Convention.

A vacancy having occurred in the Trustees of the Episcopal Fund, by the decease of Mr. Joshua Jones, it was supplied by the appointment of Mr. Henry M'Farlan.

The following gentlemen were elected Dele gates to the General Convention:

The Rev. David Butler, the Rev. Thomas Lyell, the Rev. Benjamin T. Onderdonk, the Rev. Orin Clark, the Honourable Philip S. Van Rensselaer, Richard Harison, Esq. the Honourable Morris S. Miller, John Wells, Esq.

The following gentlemen were elected the Standing Committee of the Diocess:--

The Rev. William Harris, D. D. the Rev. Thomas Lyell, the Rev. William Berrian, the Rev. Henry U. Onderdonk, M. D. Richard Harison, Esq. William Ogden, Esq. Colonel Nicholas Fish, Henry Rogers, Esq.

The following gentlemen were elected members of the Committee of the Protestant Episcopal Church for Propagating the Gospel in the State of New-York, of which the Bishop is, ex officio, chairman:-

The Rev. Thomas Lyell, the Rev. Henry J. Feltus, the Rev. John M'Vickar, Dr. John Onderdonk, Thomas L. Ogden, Esq. Hubert Van Wagenen.

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On motion, it was resolved, that it be, and it hereby is recommended, that the address of the Bishop of this diocess, delivered at the annual Convention, be read by every clergyman to his congregation, and, in congregations where there is no clergyman, by their lay readers, if there be any.

The amendment of the first article of the constitution, by substituting the words, second Tuesday in May, for the words, “third Tuesday in October," approved by the last Conven tion, was confirmed by this, and the article altered accordingly.*

Canons passed in this Convention, 1821.
CANON I.

Concerning the Missionary Fund. Any congregation of this diocess shall be con sidered as duly complying with the first Canon of 1796, although there shall not take place in the said congregation the sermon and collec tion prescribed by the said Canon, provided there be raised, annually, in the said congregation, a contribution to the Missionary Fund of this diocess, by means of an association formed for that purpose by the members thereof, or of subscriptions or donations otherwise raised among them. But it shall, nevertheless, be the duty of every minister, to preach a sermon, and have a collection made, according to the said Canon, if the amount of contribution raised in the other modes above specified should, in his judgment, render it proper.

The amount of all contributions by any congregation, in aid of the missions of this Church,

* On the subject of this alteration, and for the reason of its not being carried into effect, see an article headed "Convention of New-York," page 158 of our last number. Ed. C.J.

shall be reported to the next succeeding stated Convention, and entered on its Journal, The Canon of 1813, entitled, "For the Increase of the Missionary Fund," is hereby repealed

CANON II.

Concerning the Episcopal Fund.

There shall be, annually, in every church and chapel in this diocess, a sermon preached on the rights and duties which are peculiarly Episcopal, in which the minister shall lay before his congregation the dignity and usefulness of the office of a Bishop, and the necessity of supporting it by their voluntary contributions; which sermon shall be followed by a collection, in aid of the Episcopal Fund raised in this diocess, agreeably to the seoond Canon of 1796; the amount of which collection shall be reported to the next succeeding stated Convention of the diocess, and entered on the Journal of the same.

The management and care of the Episcopal Fund shall be intrusted to the five trustees ap-. pointed agreeably to a resolution of the Convention of this diocess of 1818. All money be longing to the said Fund shall be loaned upon security of real estate, or invested in stock of the United States, or of the State of NewYork, or of the City of New-York, at their discretion; and all securities and investments shall be taken or made in the names of the said trustees, or the survivors of them, expressly in trust as part of the said Fund. A statement of the said Fund, and of the securities of the same, shall be exhibited at every stated meeting of the Convention, signed by the said trustees, or a majority of them. These trustees shall hold their office during the pleasure of the Convention, which shall, from time to time, supply all vacancies.

The Fund thus raised and managed shall be permitted to accumulate, without diminution, until its annual profits become adequate to the support of a Bishop; and then, by mutual consent of the Bishop of this diocess for the time being, and the Convention, the Bishop shall hold uo parochial cure, but shall devote himself entirely to the duties which pertain to the Episcopal office.

The second Canon of 1796, entitled "Directing a Sermon to be preached, and a Coltection made for the Episcopal Fund," is hereby repealed.

CANON III.

Providing for a Diocesan Fund. Whereas it is indispensable to provide a Fund for defraying the necessary expenses of the Convention, and particularly the expenses of those of the clergy who may have to travel a considerable distance to the place of the meeting of Convention; it is hereby earnestly recommended to every congregation in this diocess, to pay to the secretary of the Convention thereof, on or before the day of the annual meeting of Convention, a contribution of not less than one and a half per cent. on the amount of the respective salaries of their clergymen. One half of the amount thus contributed, if neces sary, shall be appropriated, under the direction of the Convention, exclusively towards defraying the necessary expenses of clergy men attending the Convention from a distance; and the remain der shall be appropriated to defraying the contingent expenses of the Convention. Provided, VOL. VI.

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Attested,

Benjamin T. Onderdonk, Secretary.

The Standing Committee have attached to the Journal of the above Convention the following notice:

The Standing Committee, finding that the several Canons respecting admission to Holy Orders are not sufficiently understood, deem it proper to publish the following summary of them :

I. Concerning the admission of Candidates. 1. "Every person who wishes to become a candidate for orders, shall give notice of his intention to the Bishop." And, (Canon VII.)

2. Before he can be admitted as such by the Bishop, he must "produce to him a certificate from the Standing Committee;" in order to obtain which he must, if not personally known to the Committee, lay before them the following testimonial:

"To the Standing Committee of the Diocess of New-York.

"We believe that A. B. hath lived piously, soberly, and honestly; that he is attached to the doctrines, discipline, and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church; and, further, in our opinion, he possesses such qualifications as will render him apt and meet to exercise the ministry to the glory of God, and the edifying of the Church" (Canon VII.) [Date.]

The Canon does not state by whom this testimonial to the Committee shall be signed; but they will prefer the signatures of the minister and vestry of the parish where the applicant resides; and they will expect the signatures of at least one minister, and three respectable laymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

3. He must also "lay before the Standing Committee a satisfactory diploma, or certificate, from the instructors of some approved literary institution, or a certificate from two presbyters, appointed by the Bishop to examine him, of his possessing such academical learning as will enable him to enter advantageously on a course of theology." (Canon VIIÏ. of 1820.) II. Concerning admission to Holy Orders.

1. A candidate, before he can be ordained Deacon, must "exhibit to the Bishop a testimonial of the Standing Committee;" in order to which he must lay before the Committee the following testimonial:

"To the Standing Committee of the Diocess of New-York.

"We do hereby testify to the piety, good morals, and orderly conduct, for three years last past, of A. B. and that he hath not, as far as we know and believe, written, taught,

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2. A Deacon, before he can be ordained Priest, must "exhibit to the Bishop a testimonial of the Standing Committee;" and in order to obtain this, he must lay before the Committee, the evidence of the fact, and the time, of his ordination as Deacon, and with it, a testimonial in the form above recited; except that the words "for three years last past" must be altered to "since his ordination as Deacon." The above testimonial, whether of a candidate to be ordained Deacon, or of a Dea con to be ordained Priest, must be signed by "the minister, (if there be one,) and by [a majority of the vestry of the parish where the applicant resides," they having such evidence as they deem satisfactory, personal knowledge not being essential. (Canon XII.) But,

3. The applicant, whether for Deacons' or for Priests' orders, "shall also lay before the Standing Committee testimonials to the same effect with the above, signed by at least one respectable clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, from his personal knowledge of the candidate for at least one year." (Canon XII.)

N. B. The above regulations apply to or dinary cases. When peculiar circumstances exist, a farther reference to the Canons will show the course to be pursued.

Communications to the Standing Committee may be addressed to the Secretary, the "Rev. Henry U. Onderdonk, to be left at No. 50 Vesey-street, New-York."

The list of clergy of the diocess contains the names of the Bishop, 65 Presbyters, and 15 Deacons, besides that of a Presbyter of Vermont, who officiates one third of his time in this diocess. It is also stated that Mr. Eleazar Williams, a young man of Indian extraction, a candidate for holy orders, is licensed by the Bishop as a lay-reader and catechist, to officiate in the Mohawk language, in St. Peter's Church, Oneida Castle, Oneida county, the congrega tion of which is composed of Indians; and employed by the Committee for Propagating the Gospel in the State of New-York in those capaeities, and likewise as a schoolmaster among the Indians.

The number of congregations in the diocess is 124.

The following address of Bishop Bowen,drawn up in compliance with a request of the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of South Carolina, is appended to the Journal of the Proceedings of that Convention held in February last. We did not intend to publish it until it could be inserted in its proper place in the abstract of those proceedings, which will appear in our next number. The importance however of the address itself, the irresistible manner in which the claims of the seminary are urged, and the calls now about to be made on Episcopalians in aid of the institution, have induced us to depart from our original intention, and to give it a place in the present number.

Address on behalf of the Protestant Epis copal Theological Seminary, to the Members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in South-Carolina.

BRETHREN,

A RESOLUTION of the late Convention of our Church, in this state, embraced, as you will have found in the report of a Committee of that body, specially appointed to consider and report on the subject, has made it my duty to address you in behalf of the seminary instituted by the General Convention for the education of young men to the ministry. This institution, as you have already learned, has, by a late happy arrangement, made with great unanimity by a special meeting of from New-Haven to the city of New-York, the General Convention, been removed where a liberal bequest of the late Jacob Sherred, Esq. of that city, together with funds which had been created by the Convention of the diocess of New-York for a seminary of its own, will be appropriated to its support, and where, cousequently, we trust, it has now obtained a permanent local habitation.

The generous benefaction which the affectionate zeal of Mr. Sherred for the Church has occasioned, opens a new source of encouragement to the hopes and efforts of the friends of the important interest in behalf of which it has been made, and authorizes the strong presumption, that it will now flourish and prosper with the glory of the Lord conspicuously inscribed upon it. Hitherto, no small discourage ment has been inseparable from the difficulty of inducing such a concert of operations, and such unity of opinion and feeling, with respect to various matters connected with the erection of a general semimary of theological education, as would ensure a useful efficacy to any individual contribution to its funds. This is now happily removed. The provision of Mr. Sherred is a sure foundation, on which it remains for the members of the Church at large to erect their own superstructure, and on which, whatever is placed, will rest, with all the security of good that in human enterprizes and undertakings can be reasonably expected. The call of the Church, therefore, on its members, the general reasonableness and propriety of which could never have been questioned, is now enforced by every circumstance necessary to the satisfaction of those to whom it is addressed. The seminary with the means now possessed must exist. It must impart, in some degree, at least, the benefits of a regular, systematic, ministerial education. Still, its resources must be inadequate to the good which every member of the Church must desire, that of extending those benefits through all her borders, and from the centre to the

remotest circle of her influence, without that assistance from the Church at large, which in every instance in which it is rendered, may now confidently be expected to be efficacious towards the important end contemplated. It is for such assistance, therefore, that an appeal is now made to the love of God and man, in the mind of every member of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this state. It is an appeal which cannot, we trust, be made in vain It must awaken considerations in every mind to which it is brought, that will for bid it to be indifferent to its success.

Brethren, behold the Church, in whose bosom your fathers fell asleep, and were gathered to their fathers, the Church in which you enjoy the happy privileges of members of Christ, children of God, and in heritors of the kingdom of heaven; behold the Church, for whose true interest and honour you cannot but cherish the most animated concern; behold it in danger, in some not distant day perhaps, of distraction in its councils, diversity in its doctrines, schism in its government, for want of such community of sound education among its ministers as will lead them to act, and teach, and minister in all things which become them on sound common principles, and with common feelings worthy of their office. To the unity of this household of faith, so honourable in its character, so beautiful in its system, so worthy of that Divine Head and Lord, with the garment of whose righteousness it is clothed, to the unity of this one body, of which you being many are members, which of you can be indifferent, without dishonour to your calling, and the conscious ness of the displeasure of him, in whose honour and glory you know and feel, that all your religious sensibilities should

centre?

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It is also a consideration which the appeal now made must call into influence in its favour, that a more effectual and a more generally attainable education for the ministry of our Church is indispensable, in order that its honour may not suffer, and its influence be lost, amidst the general advancement and prosperity of the various other interests of life and of society, crowning them with splendour and distinction. The name and character of our country have progressive ly gained upon the honour of the proudest nations of the other hemisphere; and the tribute, however reluctantly, has been rendered to the successful zeal with which the arts of elegance, as well as convenience, and all that is useful and honour. able in science, have been prosecuted in this comparatively new scene of action to the buman powers. Has the character of the Christian ministry in the Church (of which, humble as may be its condition, we are proud to assert our membership)

maintained its correspondent rank, and secured its proportionate increase of ho nour? is a question which we know not that we can confidently solve in the affirmative. May not the apprehension be en tertained, that in this respect the circumstances which arose, on the dissolution of the national relations which constituted our Church part of that of the parent country, have long operated a gradually deteriorating effect! Has not, therefore, the time fully come which calls for an ef fort of no ordinary kind, that we may re flect the light of a character back to that Church which may cause her, if not to glory, at least not to be ashamed in the remem. brance that we come out from her? You will not hesitate to admit, my Brethren, that without other means and opportunities of ministerial education than we now possess, (notwithstanding here and there a splen did instance of excellence, in spite of all our disadvantages, extorting admiration and honour) it is in vain for us to hope for this. And is it not equally vain that we should hope to escape without them the dishonour that must be reflected on our Church, from a ministry too little furnished for their Master's work, and too little qualified to get honour upon his cause by their assertion of his truth against its gainsayers, or their defence of his Church against such as oppugn its faith, and reproach its institutions?

As yet, perhaps, we feel not this evil: for, as yet, I know not that we are required to admit any insufficiency, other than is common to human infirmity, in the general body of our ministry, to the duties which attach to it, or any defect of character which can subject it to contempt. On the contrary, we cannot but see great cause of thankfulness to him who is Head over all things to his Church, that he has caused the desire to take upon them this office and ministry, to possess the hearts of men so generally willing to urge their way through all the difficulties and obstacles which lie in the path of preparation for its work, and so able to surmount them with honour to themselves, and credit to their calling. But, is it possible for us, at the same time, not to perceive the dan ger of this evil with which existing cir cumstances so seriously threaten us? The number of our ministers, you are abun. dantly aware, is insufficient for the work which Providence seems to have prepared for them. While each, therefore, in every station, has a portion of this work allotted to him, equal, and much more than equal to his individual time and strength, who shall be found to render the attention to those, seeking to be qualified for this work, which will effectually aid them to become able and apt for it, according to the increasing demands and expectations of a community continually advancing

with an almost unexampled rapidity, at once in religious knowledge, and in all literature, science, and refinement?

But I feel, Brethren, that I need not insist on the obvious considerations which justify the demand on the love of Christ and his Church, in the minds of his people within our communion, in behalf of which I address you. Let me only further remind you, that it is not in reason to be expected, that half the number of labourers requisite for the field which Providence here has opened, and is continually opening, can be procured without an institution such as that which is contemplated. Gratuitous education for the ministry, and a gratuitous maintenance during the season of such education, is among the objects for which it is desired, by its means, as far as possible to provide; that thus encouragement may be extended to many, willing to dedicate themselves to the work of Christ, in the service of the sanctuary, for want of which they may be compelled into other occupations, and lost irretrievably to this.

With such considerations, then, (on which I have been fearful to enlarge) to enforce its claim, may I not have rightly said, as I have said, that the object contemplated cannot address itself in vain to the people of our communion? Can they be insensible to the benefits to be expected from its accomplishment, so unspeakably desirable and important? Can they, how ever widely scattered and separated, be indifferent to the common interest and welfare of that one body which, minister ing to every part its supply of life and power, demands of every part alike, its faithful ministration to the necessities of the whole? Can they be insensible to the honour of the Church, of which they are members, as consisting so essentially in the character of those in it who minister and serve the altar? Can they be unwil ling that here there should be burning and shining lights, in whose light all may rejoice and confide to guide and cheer them in the path of immortality? Can they refuse to minister to God's glory, of the ability which God giveth, and share with one another the honour of setting forth that glory in the character and labours of a ministry "rightly instructed into the kingdom of heaven" thoroughly furnished for their work, and so qualified to assert and maintain the truth as it is in Jesus, as to teach the wisest and the greatest among whom it is their lot to serve their Master, to reverence his name, and seek the salvation that is in him? Can they be so unmindful of the interests of the young, as to feel no anxiety, that they should have a character of Christian ministry before them, calculated, as they adwance into maturity, to inspire them with the reverence necessary to win or constrain

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their sober and considerate regard to the things of God and heaven? Or, can it be possible for any mind to overlook the ob vious danger of contempt and neglect, on their part, of all that is sacred and eternal, justified by a reference to too little instructed teachers and ministers of such things?

Brethren, on a subject which so readily bespeaks its own interest in the hearts of the friends of Christ and his cause, I have said more, perhaps, than was necessary. Let me crave your indulgence, for seeming to importune your attention, to that from which you would not be thought willing to withhold it. It is manifestly, too manifestly to need to be proved, a great interest of Christianity, and of the Church founded in its doctrine, that means should be provided here, such as in all other churches and religious communities are provided, for the more complete and systematic instruction of those who dedicate themselves to Christ as his ministering servants. Who would not rejoice in putting it forward to the utmost of his power? Who can seriously contemplate it, and not perceive in it one of those occasions of contributing, while it is in the power of his hand to do so, to the promotion of the Divine glory and human happiness, which, worthily improved, must leave its beatify ing influence in our bosoms, against that day of our necessity, when we shall turn dissatisfied from every thing, the thought of which cannot cheer and animate our spirits in their preparation for eternal scenes?

In behalf and by desire of the Convention. NATHANIEL BOWEN,

The Address of the Board of Directors of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Soeiety of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, to the Members of the said Church.

Brethren,

We respectfully state to you, that we have entered on the trust committed to us by the late General Convention, and now solicit your benefactions for the carrying of their design into effect.

We refer, for a developement of the views of the Convention, to the constitution of the society, to be appended to this report; from which it will appear, that there are the two objects of Domestic and Foreign Missions.

Had no other than the former been attempted, there would have been a wide range for the display of zeal and of endeavour. It is proba bly known to those who will be the readers of this address, that there was a time, within the memory of many living, when, in consequence curring with the want of the means of continu of the troubles of the Revolutionary, War, coning the ministry among ourselves, the far greater number of our congregations were destitute of pastors; and, indeed, in a state an proaching to annihilation. Althougli, under

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