might suppose, yet in some degree) it affects the freedom of private teaching, especially of counsel, warning, and rebuke. In some degree, it alters the relation between the shepherd and the flock, by introducing reciprocities and mutual accountabilities, delicate and difficult to manage without lowering and secularising the views and feelings of the respective parties. Both in city and in country, it requires the congregation or parish to be larger and spread over a more extended surface, than it ought to be with reference to the nature of pastoral oversight, and the amount of time and labor requisite for its due exercise. Well do I know how some among my brethren are overworked, in their faithful efforts to satisfy their consciences in the care of flocks large enough, or if small, scattered over a district of sufficient extent, to afford full occupation for three or four. I am but too painfully reminded daily, how niggardly the Church among us provides for ministerial labor and oversight for her children, in comparison with that primitive standard which is supported by sufficiently clear intimations of Scriptural authority. Nevertheless, tasked beyond your ability as I know that most of you are, I dare not withhold the word of exhortation, in view of the crying need of those for whom we jointly minister, and the demands of the times in which we live. In the name of HIм who bought them for His own, I entreat you to look after the sheep of CHRIST more closely still than you have ever yet done. In proportion as ungodliness and iniquity abound, let your labors be more abundant, to prevent or roll back their inroads upon the Church of GOD, and to save from the cankering tooth of profane and vain babblings every soul, from the greatest to the least, of those committed to your trust. Go in and out among them, as the instruments of GOD to increase their knowledge and confirm their faith, to convince the sinner, and to build up the believer in a holy life. To the parent and the child, to the husband and the wife, to the master and the servant, to the citizen and the magistrate, to the rich man and the poor, apply in their several stations and relations the words of faith and of good doctrine. Let each feel that God has cared for his soul, by providing not only a messenger to call him, and a watchman to give him warning, but a steward to feed and nourish, and a pastor to guide and rule him. Magnify your office, by your diligence in its discharge. Commend and enforce your authority by showing your sense of the account that is to be rendered of it. So, by testifying both publicly and from house to house, repentance toward GoD and faith toward our LORD JESUS CHRIST, you shall be pure from the blood of all men, and be prepared to give an account of your stewardship with joy. HE Which may He grant, who brought again from the dead our LORD JESUS, that great Shepherd of the sheep; and through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us perfect in every good work to do His will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through JESUS CHRIST: to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. [7 ounces.] CONTRIBUTIONS For Diocesan and other purposes should be paid as follows: MISSIONS, TO FRANCIS J. DALLAM, Esq., office of the Equitable Insurance Com; (specifying distinctly whether for Diocesan, or General Domestic, or Forei FOR THE EPISCOPAL FUND, TO WILLIAM J. ALBERT, ESQ., 2744 Baltimore Street, Baltimore. FOR THE PRAYER BOOK, HOMILY AND TRACT SOCLE To NOAH RIDGELY, Esq., S. Howard Street, Baltimore. FOR THE COLLEGE OF ST. JAMES, To Dr. HERVEY COLBURN, 206 Baltimore Street, Baltimore. FOR THE FUND FOR SUPERANNUATED CLERGYME TO JOHN GLENN, Esq., Court House Lane, or Charles Street, Baltic The next Convention will be held in St. Paul's Church, TIMORE, on the last Wednesday in May, 1847. T JOURNAL Band OF THE FIFTY-NINTH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN MARYLAND: HELD IN ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, BALTIMORE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 26TH; THURSDAY, MAY 27TH; FRIDAY, MAY 28TH; BALTIMORE: H. COLBURN, BOOKSELLER & STATIONER, 206 BALTIMORE STREET. Printed by Jos. Robinson. |