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tions. Alfred L. Baury, John J. Robinson, Samuel B. Shaw, Silas Blaisdale, Stephen H. Tyng, Jordan Gray, Charles H. Alden, Alexander Jones, jun. and Benjamin C. Cutler, have been received to the order of Deacons; the Rev. Isaac Boyle, only, has been ordained a Presbyter.

Mr. Shaw, and Mr. Tyng, have had letters dimissory to the southern states. As an apology for the length of this report, you will please to remember, that it contains the transactions of two years. And, as it is the duty of the diocesan occasionally to give instructions to the clergy and people of his pastoral care, and no occasion can be more convenient for the purpose, than these addresses to the conventions of the clergy and laity; together with a brief narrative of the more material part of my official performances, I have intermingled some suggestions of a more practical nature; and will venture yet further to tax your patience, by commending two or three things to your present consideration.

whose faith and hearts are with us, are deterred from making an effort so hope less.

Another subject, demanding the deliberate consideration of this Convention, is a more competent provision for the Episcopate. It is a subject on which delicacy has heretofore constrained me to be silent. But the time, perhaps, has now arrived, when, without imputation of interested motives, I may, and ought to remind you, that the stability of our Church, and its prosperity, under God, very much depend on the decent support of all its ministrations, of which you well know the Episcopate is among the most essential. We have great reason to bless God for the pious liberality of a few individuals in the metropolis, and some other parts of this diocess. Without this providential supply, in all human probability, our efforts must have been wholly paralyzed. We, and all the succeeding generations who shall enjoy the benefit of these noble benefactions, ought not only to feel, but suitably to express our gratitude to the pious donors. To make the ministers of the Gospel rich, or to supply them with the means of luxury, would, generally speaking, be more likely to injure than to promote their usefulness. They ought to be examples of temperance, good economy, and selfdenial. Their circumstances should be that temperate mean, between want and abundance, which is reasonably competent to the faithful discharge of their many and very important duties. In a diocess which is large, a Bishop cannot do credit to his office, nor justice to his charge, whilst encumbered with the whole parochial duties of one church.

There is one subject which, in every address, and on every occasion, "in season and out of season," I think it my duty to keep constantly in view, and which I scarcely need add, is that of assisting our small poor parishes. In addition to what, "at sundry times, and in divers manners," I have said upon this point, permit me to call your attention to the hard case of those who, from a conscientious preference for the doctrines, worship, and discipline of the Protestant Episcopal Church, have withdrawn from other denominations, with whom, and from whom, they have been accustomed to receive much attention, and enjoy great privileges, and have formed themselves into societies, It is not, I trust, necessary even to according to our order and discipline; remind those who compose this Conand now find themselves, in a great vention, how essential to the prosperity degree, or altogether neglected. They of our churches is the diffusion of relihave none to encourage, none to in- gious knowledge, and chiefly "the first struct them: they rarely, if ever, hear principles of the doctrine of Christ." the words of life from the lips of our For this end, you will readily perceive ministers; they become at length dis- that we ought to have, throughout the heartened, and discontinue their efforts. whole diocess, one uniform and well Were they suitably and in season che-devised plan of catechetical instruction. rished, others would be encouraged to It should be, as I conceive, a systematic follow their example. But, as the case digest of the rudiments of Christian is, the contrary is the effect; many, theology, well calculated for instructing VOL. VI.

41

children in the Church Catechism; youth respecting confirmation; and young people, and all who need it, what is the nature, and what the benefits of receiving the Lord's Supper. Whether it is expedient for this Convention to appoint a committee, or to take any measures on this subject, you will judge.

In no one thing, as I conceive, can we better promote the interests of religion, than in selecting, encouraging, and aiding pious young men, of suitable qualifications, to labour as missionaries in the remote parts of this diocess. Or, if there be any one duty of still greater importance, it is, that all the members of our churches should be more frequent, and more earnest in our prayers to Almighty God, and the adorable Head of the Church, that he will send labourers into his harvest-pastors after his own mind; and that he will direct and prosper those who now are engaged in the sacred ministry. It is much to be feared that there is among us a very great deficiency in this duty, without which, you well know, all we do else is to little purpose. Our blessed Lord has particularly commanded us, as the most effectual means of obtaining labourers for his work, to apply directly, by prayer, to him, the Lord of the harvest. That he may inspire, direct, and hear our prayers, God mercifully grant through Jesus Christ.

ALEX. V. GRISWOLD.

Resolved, That so much of the Bishop's address as relates to the supply of vacant parishes, the support of the Episcopate, and a uniform system of catechetical instruction for the diocess, be referred to the Rev. Dr. Jarvis, the Rev. Mr. Morss, and the Rev. Mr. Leonard.

The above committee reported the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted :

Resolved, That the Bishop be, and he hereby is requested, to assign to the several rectors of parishes within the diocess, such missionary duties as he shall think expedient; and that it be, and it hereby is recommended to the several parishes, to form missionary societies auxiliary to such societies for

that purpose, as have been, or may be formed by the authority of the state Conventions.

Resolved, That a committee of three of the laity in each state in the diocess be appointed by this Convention to solicit subscriptions and donations to the Episcopal fund.

Resolved, That a committee of three of the clergy, in connexion with the Bishop, and under his direction and superintendence, be appointed by the authority of this Convention, to set forth a uniform system of catechetical instruction for the use of the diocess.

Conformably to the resolution on the support of the Episcopate, the following committees were appointed in the several states composing the diocess

In Massachusetts, Dudley A. Tyng, Thomas L. Winthrop, and George Brinley, Esqrs.

In Rhode-Island, Alexander Jones, Henry De Wolf, and Stephen Northum, Esqrs.

In New-Hampshire, the Hon. James Sheafe, the Hon. John Harris, and Ezra Jones, Esq.

In Vermont, the Hon. Daniel Chip man, the Hon. Jonathan H. Hubbard, and Alexander Fleming, Esq.

In the state of Maine, Robert H. Gardiner, Siraon Bradstreet, and Stephen Wait, Esqrs.

The next meeting of the Convention is to be held at Windsor, Vermont, on the last Wednesday of September,1823.

From the same, for October, 1822. Convention of New-Hampshire. THE Convention of the clergy and lay delegates of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this state, was held at Claremont, on the 22d of August, 1822.

The Rev. James B. Howe, President, and Albe Cady, Esq. Secretary.

The Rev. Charles Burroughs, the Rev. James B. Howe, the Rev. John L. Blake, the Hon. John Harris, and Nathaniel Adams, Esq. were elected to compose the Standing Committee of the Church for the ensuing year.

The Rev. Charles Burroughs, the Rev. Robert Fowle, the Rev. James B. Howe, the Rev. John L. Blake, Major Ezra Jones, the Hon. Samuel Green

Nathaniel Adams, Esq. and the Hon. James Sheafe, were chosen delegates to the Diocesan Convention, to be holden at Portsmouth, in said state, on the last Wednesday of September next.

The same clergymen, with Enoch G. Parrott, Esq. Dr. James F. Dana, the Hon. James Sheafe, and Samuel Fiske, Esq. were chosen delegates to the General Convention.

The committee to whom were referred the parochial retu..., .ported

"That the Church in this state, well known by her friends to have commenced as the two or three met together,' and to be at the present time but small, presents few interesting objects worthy of detail in an annual report. 'It is, however, satisfactory to be able to say, that her sun has not yet passed its meridian; and we may reasonably anticipate the time when her excellences may be more extensively known, and when her members will be inspired with a more ardent zeal in diffusing the influence of her doctrines and her worship.

"From St. John's Church, Portsmouth, the Rev. Mr. Burroughs reports twenty-seven baptisms, viz. eight adults, and nineteen children; deaths, fifteen adults, and three children; number of families about one hundred; communicants about ninety; that a Sunday School of about one hundred is attached to the society.

66 Union Church, at Claremont, continues still flourishing, and reports 120 families, 112 taxable persons, 620 souls, and 120 communicants; and, since the last Convention, 25 baptisms, five marriages, and 18 deaths. This church has received, as donations, a pair of silver cups from widow Alice Dustin, a silver flagon from Sanford Kingsbury, Esq. and also an elegant altar piece from William W.Clapp, Esq. of Boston.

"The church in Holderness reports 30 families, 150 souls, 20 communicants, and one Sunday School; and, since the last Convention, one baptism, one marriage, and three funerals.

"The Rev. Mr. Leonard, who officiates one third of the time in Trinity Church, Cornish, and administers the holy communion at that place once in two months, reports 40 communicants,

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"No sensible alteration has taken place at St. Thomas's Chapel, in Concord; but it is mentioned, with gratitude from that church, that an elegant service of plate, for the use of the altar, has been presented it by the pious munificence of individuals in Portsmouth.

"It is also mentioned as a matter of satisfaction, that, through the exertions of the Rev. Mr. Howe, an Episcopal society has been organized at Charles town, where there is a small permanent fund existing for its support.

"We likewise mention, that Mr. George Richardson, a graduate at Dartmouth College, and preceptor of the academy at New-Hampton, and who is a candidate for holy orders, has collected a respectable congregation at that place, under auspicious circumstances, where he has for sometime officiated as a lay reader.

"It is also understood, though no official information has been received, that within a few months a congregation has been collected at Colebrook, Coos County, and that the service and a sermon are read each Sabbath by a respectable lay gentleman."

The next annual Convention to be holden at Holderness, on the first Wednesday in October.

Abstract of the Proceedings of the

Sixth Annual Convention of the
Diocess of North-Carolina, held in
the Supreme Court-Room, City of
Raleigh, from the 18th to the 22d of
April, inclusive, A. D. 1822.

THE Convention was composed of the Right Rev. Bishop Moore, of Virgi nia, and having also episcopal superintendence of North-Carolina; seven Presbyters, four Deacons, and twentyone Lay Delegates, representing eleven parishes.

It was opened with Morning Prayer, conducted by the Rev. Richard S. Mason, Rector of Christ Church, Newbern; and a sermon by the Rev. John Avery, Rector of St. Paul's Church, Edenton.

The Rev. Richard S. Mason was elected Secretary.

Certificates of the organization of the following churches were produced and read, viz. St. Mark's Church, Halifax; Calvary Church, Wadesborough; Christ Church, Raleigh; St. Michael's Church, Iredell county; St. Peter's Church, Lexington, Rowan county; WhiteHaven Church, Lincoln county; and Smyrna Church, Lincoln county. The said churches were admitted into union with the Convention.

The parochial reports made to the Bishop, and entered on the journal, according to the Canons, furnish the following aggregate :-Baptisms (adults 7, children 72, not specified 64) 143— marriages 20-burials 54-communicants 370.

Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be tendered to the Rev. Mr. Avery, for his sound and excellent discourse delivered at the opening of the Convention.

On motion, resolved, That the Rev. Adam Empie, and the Rev. William Hooper, together with Messrs. John A. Cameron, Robert Strange, and Charles T. Haigh, be appointed members of the Standing Committee.

The Rev. Adam Empie, the Rev. John Avery, the Rev. William Hooper, the Rev. Richard S. Mason, Duncan Cameron, John A. Cameron, Moses Jarvis, and Dr. F.J. Hill, were elected delegates to the General Convention.

The Rev. William Hooper, as chairman of the committee appointed by the Missionary Society to draft the report, presented the following, which was read and adopted :—

The committee on the affairs of the Missionary Society, having examined into its proceedings for the last year, report

That the society, in the course of the last twelve months, has had the regular and occasional services of five missionaries; three in the western, and two in the eastern part of the state.

The Rev. Mr. Miller, during the last summer and fall, and the present spring, has laboured in several of the western counties, particularly those of Iredell, Lincoln, and Rowan, in conjunction with the Rev. Mr. Davis, and the Rev. Mr. Wright. He administered the holy communion in different places, and reports, from the several congregations, one hundred and twenty-two communicants. The Rev. Mr. Miller gives it as his opinion, that a favourable opening has been made in the above mentioned section of the state, and recommends the continuance of missionary labours in that field. He states, with regret, that accidental circumstances prevented any collections in behalf of the missionary fund; but thinks, that if the mission can be continued for one or two years, it will then be supported by the contributions of the people. He asserts, that the state of society is such, in that part of our country, that it is by missionary labours alone that the people can obtain the preaching of the Gospel, and the administration of ordinances.

The Rev. Robert Davis, since the last Convention, has laboured in the same district of country mentioned above, by the advice of the Rev. Mr. Miller. He has been enabled to organ-, ize, and bring into union with this Convention, four new congregations, and he confirms Mr. Miller's account of the propriety of keeping up the exertions of our missionaries in that quarter. He has had strong assurances made to him, that a considerable part of a missionary's salary will be contributed by the people, if they should be favoured with the services of one during another year. The committee regret to observe, that the labours of Mr. Davis have been somewhat interrupted by sickness; but they see much reason to commend his zeal and diligence, notwithstanding much bodily debility; and the prudence of his conduct in circumstances which much required it.

The Rev. Mr. Wright, also, during the last summer and fall, was in the service of the society in the western part of the state. He officiated chiefly at Wadesborough, in the county of Anson, (where a congregation has been formed,) but a part of the time in the

upper counties, in company with Messrs. Miller and Davis. These three missionaries report seventy-three baptisms, of whom fifteen were adults.

The Rev. Mr. Green, agreeably to the request expressed by the society at their last annual meeting, has, besides his regular ministrations at Williamsborough, his place of residence, officiated once a month at Warrenton, Halifax, Oxford, and Raleigh, and has met with encouragement. At Warrenton, particularly, it is very gratifying to learn, that an Episcopal church is erecting, and there is reason to believe that there will be at that place a very flourishing congregation.

The Rev. Mr. Sitgreaves, from the diocess of Pennsylvania, has been in the service of the society for about the last six weeks in the eastern part of the state. He reports favourably of the prospects of our Church in Washington and Halifax, but thinks that the hope of a church at Tarborough is past.

With respect to the funds of the society, it appears from the report of the treasurer that the disbursements of the past year have been upwards of $800, and have left in the treasury only 189 58 cents, exclusive of the collections of the present year; and it is probable that a full payment of the salaries of the missionaries will more than absorb the funds of the last year. The collections for the present year amount to only $210, and without some other resources than those at present in hand, it will be impracticable to employ even one missionary during the whole of the ensuing year. As the continued labours of zealous and devoted missionaries appear to be the only probable means of rearing our Church in those parts of the state where it has not hitherto been planted, the friends of our Church generally, throughout the dio cess, cannot be too earnestly besought and urged to contribute liberally towards this fund, which is now almost exhausted; and not only to pray fervently the great Lord of the harvest to send forth faithful labourers into this great field, but also to remember that the labourer is worthy of his meat. WM. M. GREEN, Committee. WM. HOOPER, S

On motion, resolved, That an annual contribution be made from each congregation in connexion with the Church in this state, to defray the necessary expenses of the Bishop's visitation, and the other contingent charges of the Convention.

Resolved, further, That the Secre tary of the Convention be, ex officio, Treasurer of the same.

The following report of the Standing Committee was read and adopted: The Standing Committee having, according to the resolutions of the Conventions of 1820 and 1821, taken into consideration "the propriety of organizing a society for the promotion of Christian knowledge, by printing and publishing such works as the society, by its officers, may think conducive to this effect," beg leave to report

That, in their opinion, the formation of such a society is highly expedient, and ought no longer to be delayed. And they, therefore, in pursuance of the resolutions above referred to, have drawn up the following preamble, constitution, and laws, which they herewith respectfully submit.

As the Protestant Episcopal Church in this state is still in its infancy, and many of her members living remote from the opportunities of instruction, are growing, or have grown up without any knowledge of her character and her distinctive principles; as some of these are more likely to be benefitted by instructions that come forth under the sanction of the Episcopal name, than by any other; and others, being unacquainted with her high claims to a primitive and scriptural character, are constantly in danger of being drawn off from her communion-(into some of those systems of heresy, which the corrupt heart of man is prone to prefer to the self-denying and pride-humbling doctrines of the cross, as exhibited by our Church)-as, too, it is our duty, as watchmen and shepherds, to prevent, if possible, these sheep from going astray, and to bring and keep all under the care of the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls-as this, at present, is, in a great measure, impracticable, except through the medium of religious tracts, those silent missionaries, which may be sent

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