There was a balance in hand, as reported to the last Convention, of $11 73; collected since last report from members of St. Philip's congregation, $110; received of St. John's Church, Colleton, as an annual subscription, $50; interest received since February 5, 1821, 281 75; cash due to the Bishop's common fund for stock bought, 426 83; in all $880 31. Laid out in stock $669; paid to the Bishop's common fund, three-fourths of the interest received per resolution of the Convention, Feb. 20, 1818, 211 31; in all 880 31. "The board of trustees further report, that collections in aid of the Bishop's common fund have been made in St. Philip's, St. Michael's, St. Paul's, and in Grace Church, Sullivan's Island, amounting to 389 30; subscriptions received from St. John's, Berkley, amounting to $80 00; and three-fourths of the interest received from the Bishop's permanent fund, 211 31; received for the Bishop's common fund $680 61. Amount of the permanent fund 8212 17. The book containing the account of the trus tees for the foregoing funds is laid upon the Secretary's table, for the inspection of the members of the Convention. Charleston, Feb. 4, 1822. (Signed) In behalf of the Board, NATHANIEL BOWEN, President of the Society for the Advancement of Christianity in So. Carolina." N. B. Since the above account was closed, there has been received for the Bishop's common fund, $250 from St. Philip's Church; and a donation of $150 from the Hon. Benjamin Huger, to the permanent fund. The Secretary made the following report: The Secretary of the Convention respectfully reports, That in conformity with a resolution of the 17th February last, he addressed a Circular Letter to the Vestries of the several Churches and Parishes in the Diocess, request ing their attention to the resolution, relating to the Bishop's fund, therein enclosed. Answers have been received from the Church on Edisto Island; St. John's, Berkley; St. James's, Goose Creek; St. John's, Colleton; and St. Philip's Church in this city. 66 as The Church on Edisto Island have directed their Treasurer to pay $50 per annum long as the Church may find it convenient to do so." The particular fund for which the appropriation is made, is not specified. From St. John's, Berkley, no written communication has been received; but the Rev. Mr. Ischudy has paid $80, in aid of the Bishop's common fund, being the first of five annual subscriptions, of some zealous members of his Church. The Chairman of the Vestry of St. James's, Goose Creek, states in his answer, that "their Church is in the lowest stage of poverty and depression; that their rector officiates without compensation; and that it is hopeless to resort to any of the modes of contribution proposed," in aid of the Bishop's fund. St. John's Church, Colleton, have resolved, "that $50 be annually paid out of the funds of that Church, towards the increase of the Bishop's permanent fund." They have likewise requested the minister of their parish to preach a sermon annually, in aid of the Bishop's common fund. No written answer has been received from VOL. VI. St. Philip's Church, but their Treasurer has paid 250 dollars, being an appropriation to the Bishop's common fund. The Secretary likewise reports, that a circular letter was sent to the Clergy in the Diocess, having parochial cures, requesting them to preach sermons in aid of the Bishop's common fund, pursuant to resolutions of the Convention, passed Feb. 20, 1818, and Feb. 17, 1821. Sermons have accordingly been preached, and collections made, in St. Philip's, St. Michael's, and St. Paul's Churches, in this city, and Grace Church, Sullivan's Island. St. John's Berkley, as before stated, have substituted an annual subscription in lieu of a sermon and collection. The letters received by the Secretary, accompany this report. Feb. 13, 1822. The foregoing reports were referred to a committee, whose report on the subject, being amended, was adopted as follows: That after due consideration, and much reflection, the committee are sorry to acknow. ledge their inability to devise any further, or more efficient, means of promoting the success of either the Bishop's permanent or common funds, than those recommended by a committee of the last Convention, and unanimously agreed to by that Convention. Although the measures then proposed, and adopted, may not have entirely answered the hopes and expectations of those who suggested them, the committee are happy to observe, that they have not been altogether unavailing. Whilst a small but gradual increase of the permanent fund has taken place, during the year, the contributions to the common fund have advanced nearly, it would seem, to 1000 dollars. And could the "Protestant Episcopal Society for the Advancement of Christianity in South-Carolina," feel themselves authorized, and be induced to contribute five or six hundred dollars to this last fund, we should probably attain, in part, the very desirable object embraced in one of the resolutions of the last Convention, and be enabled to appropriate the whole of the interest of the permanent fund, exclusively to the aug mentation of the capital of that fund. In this hope, and under this, if not perfectly satisfactory, yet consolatory view of the state of the Bishop's fund, the committee beg leave to direct the attention of the Convention to the Report of the Committee of the last Convention, on the same subject, and to recommend, that the present Convention adopt the resolutions then proposed, and agreed to; viz. 1. Resolved, that, (it being of essential importance to obtain distinctly the opinion of the several Episcopal Churches throughout the dio. cess, and ascertain their disposition to contribute, in one way or other, both to the present and permanent support of the Bishop's fund,) the standing committee do, at an early period, address the vestry of each church, earnestly requesting of them, to obtain and communicate the sense and disposition of their several congregations on the subject, and proposing to them to contribute by a per centage on the state tax of each individual-by a per centage on the income of each respective church-by a mo. derate tax on each pew-by a small, but speci fic, sum to be paid by each individual-by any other preferable mode; towards the support of the Bishop's fund. 26 2. Resolved, that the Convention renew, and specially recommend, the resolutions heretofore adopted by their predecessors; requiring that once in each and every year, at some suitable and convenient time, and favourable occasion, a sermon be preached in every church in this diocess, in aid of the support of a Bishop, until the Bishop's fund shall be adequate thereto: and that the sums collected be transmitted to the treasurer of the Protestant Episcopal Society, and be applicable to the immediate support of a Bishop. S. Resolved, that in the opinion of this Convention, it is highly just, proper, becoming and desirable, that St. Michael's Church should be aided and relieved from the unequal burden, to which they have been subjected, of almost exclusively supporting, and enabling the Bishop to bestow his pastoral attention to the different congregations of his diocess. 4. Resolved, further, therefore, as nothing under God is likely to tend more to the advancement and success of the church, than that the head of it should be authorized and ensbled to devote, at least a portion of his time, to its general concerns and interest, and to foster, encourage and excite, by frequent and alternate visits, the several congregations of this diocess; that it be the duty of the standing committee to make application to, and respectfully but urgently request, on the part of this Convention, the assistance of the Protestant Episcopal Society for the Advancement of Christianity in South-Carolina, (whose funds flow in a greater or less degree from the whole body of the members of the church,) in promoting this desirable and all important object. 5. Resolved, that this Convention duly appreciate, and highly approve, the liberal and truly Christian example afforded by the vestry and wardens of Crace Church, Sullivan's Island, and they sincerely hope that such an example will produce the most beneficial effects. 6. Resolved, whenever, from any other source or sources, a sum not exceeding 1500 dollars, can be otherwise raised to meet the additional expenses of the current year, occasioned to any particular church, by the circumstance of the rector thereof being the Bishop, that the whole of the principal and interest of any sums heretofore, or which may hereafter be, subscribed towards the Bishop's fund, be exclusively appropriated to the increase of the permanent fund. The parochial reports of the clergy, handed to the Bishop, read in Convention, and entered on the journal, agreeably to the canons, furnish the following aggregate: Baptisms (adults 33, children 157, not specified &1) 271-Marriages 82-Communicants 1513-Burials 162. Of those baptized, 27 adults and 10 children, and of the communicants 367, are specified as coloured.. The report of the Rev. John J. Tschudy, rector of St. John's, Berkley, closes with the following notice : In reporting once more on the instruction of the people of colour, I cannot forbear stating a fact, which to every unprejudiced mind must tend to recommend this labour of love. Among those whom I have instructed, and afterwards baptized, are two men, who from their frequent intoxication-nay, habitual drunkenness-had become almost useless to their owners, but who, since they have joined the church, have completely reformed, and are valuable to their mas ters. One has been a communicant upwards of three years, and within that period has never been known to be intoxicated once, though intrusted with a responsible office on the plantation, where he could not fail to be observed, yet where opportunities for indulgence would not be wanting; he therefore has given suffieient proof of his reformation. The other became a member of the church through baptism last May; and although he has not undergone the same length of trial, yet he lately gave a strong manifestation of the sincerity of his profession, by manfully resisting an inveterate habit, when opportunity threw temptation in his way; he has likewise regained the good will and approbation of his master. I have selected these instances in particular, as affording good evidence of the efficacy of religious instruction to this description of people; habitual drunkenness being of all vices the most difficult to be cured. The 10th article of the constitution of the Church in this diocess was amended so as to read as follows: Wilful error in religion, or deviation from the rubric of the church; charges of viciousness of life, and disorderly behaviour, may be exhibited against a clergyman to the State Convention; and on clear and sufficient proof thereof, by viva voce evidence, on oath duly administer ed in the Convention, or by a commission to take such, duly executed, such clergyman shall be pronounced guilty, or not guilty, as the Convention shall determine; and the Bishop shall proceed to admonish, censure, suspend, or de grade such clergyman, as, in his judgment, the nature of the case, or the usages, or interests, of the church may require. And he shall, in the name of the Convention, inform the vestry or congregation of the church in which such minister is officiating at the time, of such censure, suspension, or degradation. The Rev. Mr. Gibbes, from the committee to whom was referred the consideration of that part of the president's address, which relates to the establishment of a periodical religious paper, under the auspices of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this state, made the following report: That they do not deem it practicable or expedient, at the present time, to effect the ob ject recommended; and that it appears to them the chief purposes of utility, designed to be answered by the establishment of such a paper as is proposed, may be obtained through the medium of journals of a similar character, already published, in different parts of the United States; and they therefore respectfully offer the following resolution: Resolved, that it be recommended to the members of this Convention, and of the Episcopal Church in this state, to extend their pa tronage and support to the Gospel Advocate, published monthly in Boston, and the Christian Journal, published monthly in New-York, at the rate of two dollars each per annum, and to make those Journals the vehicle of any communications they may deem it advisable to make, relative to the concerns of the Episcopal Church in this state, or the United States, or the interests of religion in general. The above report was accepted. The Hon. Mr. Huger, from the committee to whom was referred so much of the Bishop's address, as relates to the Theological Seminary, made the following report: That they cordially unite with the Bishop in grateful and respectful remembrance of the late Mr. Sherred of New-York, whose munificent bequest has indelibly inscribed his name on our Theological Seminary, and erected for himself an imperishable monument in the hearts of all the members of our church. The amount of this bequest cannot at present be accurately ascertained, but at its highest estimate, with the addition of the collections hitherto made, it would not produce a sum equal to one-third of the endowment necessary for such an institution as is contemplated by the church, an institution adequate to her necessities, and equally respectable with the institutions of a similar nature, founded by other denominations of Christians in our country. Your committee, therefore, feel the force of the intimation from the Bishop, that if something has been done, much remains to be done. If a good foundation has been laid, the superstructure is yet to be reared. The beginning is auspicious, but the work is yet to be forwarded, and brought to a condition of stability. It may be added, that the pious and benevolent design of those who have contributed, will be in a great measure frustrated, unless they are seconded by large donations from the wealthy, or by an united effort of all the friends of the cause. In the latter case, though each contribution may be small, the aggregate will be considerable. Your committee, in common with the Bishop, have a heartfelt satisfaction in the recollection, that the business which occasioned the late special meeting of the General Convention was so happily adjusted, and they hail this result, as it promises prosperity to the Seminary, and must remove all reasonable doubts, (if indeed any could have been entertained) of its ultimate success, but chiefly as an evidence of that conciliatory spirit, which they trust will ever distinguish our Church, both in the intercourse of her members with each other, and in their copduct towards those of their Christian brethren, with whom they differ on some points of faith and worship. duce a salutary excitement in other diocessesThey trust, moreover, that the members of our Church throughout this diocess, will not be in sensible to the example of their brethren at the north, and in North-Carolina, and in turn become an example to others of more than accustomed zeal and liberality. Your committee deem it not irrelevant to express a hope, that the seasonable remarks of the Bishop on the obligation, and the peculiar necessity at this time, (when so many and va rious objects of beneficence are proposed,) of a discriminating charity, will lead to the inquiry, whether there be any purpose connected with the welfare of our church, which can present so many motives to the pious and benevolent as the Theological Seminary. The education of candidates for the ministry, and their multiplication, which will be the natural consequence of increased and gratuitous means for their education, must be at the foundation of all the measures which can be adopted for the protection and the propagation of our sound faith and rational worship. To call forth the resources of this diocess, in aid of the present purpose, your committee recommend 1st. That each minister, with the concurrence of his vestry, be requested to preach, within the year, in his own congregation, and also in such vacant congregations, with the concurrence of their respective vestries, as he may find it convenient to visit, a discourse, setting forth the views of the Church in relation to this subject, and the necessity of an united and liberal effort on the part of his hearers; to be followed by a collection, the amount of which shall be transmitted to the standing committee, to be by them forwarded to the treasury of the General Theological Seminary. 2d. That the members of this Convention individually, will welcome and aid in his arduous undertaking, the agent of the trustees of the Seminary, who is expected here for the purpose of making collections. 3d. That the Bishop be respectfully requested to prepare an address,* inviting zeal and liberality to the aid of this interesting enterprise; which address shall be printed with the journal, circulated on a separate sheet extensively, and read in the several churches on some Sunday preceding the delivery of the discourse for the benefit of the Seminary. report the result to the next Convention. In concluding, your committee trust that the length of this report will find an ample apology in the importance of the subject, and in the circumstance, that this diocess has assumed in relation to it a large share of responsibility. The above report was accepted. On recurring to the journals, both of the General and the Diocesan Conventions, the committee find that the proposal for the establishment of a General Theological Seminary origi4th. That the standing committee be instructnated in this Convention; that they recommended to carry into effect these resolutions, and to ed it to the attention of the respective diocesses in their individual capacity; and also, on repeated occasions, to the supreme council of the Church: that since the year 1814, every suc ceeding Convention has expressed an unanimous sentiment in favour of this measure; and that at the last Convention, the subject being impressively suggested by the address of the Bishop, they passed, among other resolutions, a declaration, as representatives of the diocess, that they would contribute their full proportion towards the endowment of the said Seminary. Your committee, therefore, cannot doubt, that the present Convention will feel an increased zeal in favour of this long cherished purpose, in consequence of the encouragement derived from recent events; and they trust, that as this is the first Diocesan Convention which has occur. red since the meeting of the special General Convention, our example may be such as to pro On motion of the Rev. Mr. Tschudy, resolved unanimously, as the sense of this Convention, that we highly approve of the manner in which the concerns of the Protestant Episcopal Society for the Advancement of Christianity in South-Carolina have been conducted; that we regard it as a useful instrument, under the Divine blessing, of re-organizing and re-establishing the decayed churches in this diocess, and re commend it to Episcopalians as a society worthy See our last number, p. 178. 1 of their highest confidence and most liberal patronage. It was resolved, on motion of the Rev. Mr. Tschudy, that the thanks of the Convention be presented to the board of trustees of the Protestant Episcopal Society for the Advancement of Christianity in South-Carolina, for their great attention to the Bishop's fund, committed to their trust by the Convention. On motion of Mr. Simons, the thanks of the Convention were presented to the President and Secretary, for their respective services. The committee appointed to examine the treasurer's accounts reported, that they had found the same to be correct, and that there remains in his hands a balance of 105 dollars 76 cents. The report was accepted, and the thanks of the Convention given to the treasurer for his services It was moved by Mr.J. M.Taylor, and agreed to, that the next meeting of the Convention be held on Wednesday, the 19th of February next. After prayers, by the Bishop, and the blessing, the Convention adjourned, Canons passed in the above Convention. Canon I. On the admission of Churches or Parishes into the Convention. Whenever a church, or parish, not now entitled to a representation, shall be desirous of uniting with the Convention of the Church in this diocess, they shall apply by letter to the Bishop, or when there is no Bishop, to the standing committee, stating the due organization of their church, the election of their vestrymen and church-wardens, their means or prospects for the support of a minister, and their willingness to conform to the constitution and canons of the General Convention, and the constitution and canons of the Convention of this diocess, which are now, or hereafter may be enacted by authority of the same. And at the Convention next succeeding the receipt of such application, the Bishop, or standing committee, shall communicate the same to the Convention, for their decision thereon. Should the Convention make a favourable decision, the said church shall then be considered in union with the Convention of the Church of this diocess, and delegates there. from may be immediately received. 'Canon II. On making Collections for the Bishop's Fund. Every minister having a parochial charge in this diocess, or his assistant, shall, at such time as he may deem proper, preach, annually, in every church under his care, a sermon on the nature and duties of the Episcopal Office; and at such time, the vestries of the churches in which such sermons shall be preached, are requested to make a collection in aid of the Bishop's common fund; or, in lieu of such collection, the minister and vestry of such church may substitute an annual subscription. The Church in this diocess consists of the Bishop, 21 Presbyters, and 7 Deacons; and 35 organized congregations. For the Christian Journal. IT may be proper to give a brief history of the Counsellor's life, before I offer a description of his last moments. He was left an orphan in childhood, and as it happens in too many similar instances, his future character and prospects became very much the sport of fortune. Having no paternal and controlling hand to guide him, at a very early age, he plunged into scenes of dissipation, and drank deep of the cup of sinful pleasure. The natural turn of his disposition perhaps made him an easier prey to the seductions of temptation, for his heart was of that unsuspicious and susceptible kind, that is easily moved by the solicitations of companions, and seldom resists the calls of pleasure when seconded by the voice of friends. Another circumstance perhaps contributed to render him a surer prey to the destructive syren. was called very soon into public life, and having chosen the popular side in the politics of his country, he quickly acquired an ascendency in them above his years. He Taking at all times an active part in these concerns, he was necessarily led into many scenes of temp tation. The profession also which he had chosen naturally increased his exposure. From the combined influence of all these causes, he became the slave of dissipation. His mental endowments were of a very respectable order, and had they received proper cultivation, he would probably have sion. To the acuteness and penetráranked among the first of his profestion of his mind must be ascribed the influence he so soon acquired in political concerns. But although he became the slave of dissipation, his course was not marked by peace and quietness. Besides the alloys that always accompany an excessive indulgence in sinful pleasure, his own conscience frequently placed obstacles in his way, from which he started back with fear. Several years since, I was witness to his experiencing great remorse and sorrow on account of his conduct, and I then had hopes that they were the of precursors a permanent reformation. But they vanished "like the morning cloud and early dew." Subsequently also at two or three different times, these sentiments appeared to return, and cause a temporary check in his career-but again they were as the faint flashes of the expiring ember which soon give place to darkness. After the last of these transient purposes of amendment had passed away, a dread sometimes came over my mind, lest a mine was forming that might one day overthrow his religious principles. I feared that "the axe was laid at the root of the tree," and that the period might come when he would be the open justifier of that course which, although he pursued, he had hitherto always condemned; that having walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and stood in the way of sinners, he might at last set down in the seat of the scornful. He seemed at times to treat religious subjects with a levity that gave me pain, and manifested a great unwilling ness to enter upon any conversation that might lead to them. But it pleased Almighty God to cut short his earthly career, before this consummation was effected, and to revive with increased rigour those wholesome impressions which had been so often discarded from his bosom. In 1820 he sent me a request that I would visit him as soon I conveniently could. I complied immediately, and found him labouring under a severe and incurable disorder, the consequence of his former dissipation. Sad and sorrowful were the feelings his appearance was calculated to excite. His pallid cheeks and swollen limbs, his sunken eye bereft of all expression but that created by disease and woe, his debilitated frame extended upon the bed, from whence, there was reason to believe, it would never arise, but to be borne to that silent mansion where it must rest till the judgment day; all exhibited the wreck of him whom we had lately seen enjoying health and strength, and who might have continued to enjoy them, had he not run the career of madness and folly. Aweful is the sight of the man cut off in the bloom of life, and by his own vices. It is true, we cannot but view with solemn feelings even the aged man passing the boundary of life, and entering upon the unknown scenes of eternity. He, however, has filled up the measure of his days; he falls like the fruit in autumn, and no violence is done to the regular and appointed order of Providence. But to behold youth, and health, and strength, all mowed down at once by the scythe which the man himself has whetted, is a sight from which we recoil with feelings which we cannot describe. But an antidote, in some measure to the feelings produced by the Counsellor's bodily appearance, existed in this circumstance, that his mind was in that frame which was suitable to his condition. Great indeed was his sorrow and contrition for his offences. Never have I witnessed an instance in which the mourning on account of sin appeared to be more deep, or to have a better claim to the title of that "repentance which is unto life, and needed not to be repented of." He described himself as the most unworthy of sinners, as having transgressed against light and against knowledge, against the dictates of his conscience, the strivings of God's Holy Spirit, and against every motive that ought to have weight with rational and accountable creatures. "My dear friend," said he to me, "you now behold me a wretched and miserable man, a man who has no right to look for mercy from God, a man who has abused the faculties of body and mind to the vilest of purposes, who has trampled wantonly upon the laws of his Maker, who has shut his eyes to his duty,and steeled his heart against the influence of all the good principles that he has ever imbibed." Tears of remorse rolled down his cheeks, and such was the evident distress of his mind, that it was impossible not to be moved. But although I was affected with feelings of pity, compassion and sorrow, there was not wanting also a sensation of real gratification, because I saw that he possessed a just sense of his condition. Sad and mournful as are our reflections when visiting the dying sinner, and especially one in a situation similar to his, yet what a weight is removed from our minds, when we find him truly and deeply penitent-his heart not striving to deceive itself-cherishing no delusive ideas of his comparative worthiness-not contrasting his conduct with that of some of his fellow-men, who |