June 22. To cash received from Rev. William Norwood, Monumental church, quota for 1840, July 29. To cash received from Capt. Thomas Pettus, Cornwall parish, Charlotte county, for Contingent Fund, Aug. 11. To cash received from Rev. A. Shiras, Wickliffe parish, Clarke county, Decr. 1. To cash received from Bishop Meade, from Hungars parish, Northampton county, for Contingent Fund for 1839 and 1840, $1742 00 76.00 6 00 10 00 30 00 1841. Feb. 25. To cash received from Rev. Mr. Armstrong, Wheeling, (per Bishop 40 00 To cash received from Rev. Wm. Norwood, for Christ church, Norfolk, 59 50 June May 16. By cash paid Bishop Moore, expenses to Norfolk and Portsmouth, 20. By cash paid J. W. Randolph & Co. for Check book, 24. By cash paid Bishop Meade's order to Rev. William Norwood, By cash paid Bishop Meade's travelling expenses and Postage, 8. By cash paid Rev. Z. Mead, Secretary, travelling expenses to and from 11. By cash paid Bishop Moore, Annual payment by Convention, $10 00 12.00 1 25 20 00 600 00 100 00 15.00 300 00 13. By cash paid Rev. Z. Mead, for door keeper of Convention at Char- 10 00 July 15. By cash paid Rev. Z. Mead, for publication of Journal of 1840 at office of Southern Churchman, 173 09 Oct. 10. By cash paid Bishop Meade per receipt, 50 00 Nov. 18. By cash paid Bishop Moore, hack hire to M. Howell, 21 00 Dec. 1. By cash paid Bishop Meade, expenses per receipt, 30 00 25 1.00 1841. By cash paid postage on check on Charlestown (June 8,) May 11. By cash paid Bishop Moore, expenses to Convention, 18 19 50 $10 50 June 1840, 2.50 By cash paid Bishop Moore, expenses to Seminary in 18.00 By cash paid Bishop Moore, expenses to Cumberland, June 1840, 1 50 Rev. J. E. Jackson presented the following: The Committee to whom was referred the account of the Treasurer of the "Fund for the relief of the Widows and Orphans of deceased clergymen" of the Episcopal Church in Virginia beg leave to report: That the account of the Treasurer has received such examination as is in the power of the Committee to make, and it appears that the amount of funds invested is $10,568 32; and the amount in hand uninvested remaining in the hands of the Treasurer is $30. The Fund for the relief of the Widows and Orphans of deceased 1840. With JOHN HOOFF, acting as Treasurer. June 5. To cash paid Hilary Baker, Treasurer, draft to E. I. Lee, Jan. 20. To cash loaned on note, bearing interest, $60 00 538 91 487 50 273 50 294 82 200 00 58 00 $1912 73 1810. CR. May 14. By old account for balance, $598 91 Aug. 7. By cash on account of loan to Education Society, 250 00 Oct. 1. By cash dividend in Farmers Bank Alexandria, on 147 shares, 220 50 48 00 Dec. 19. By cash dividend Bank Potomac, for May, 1840, 4 shares, 12 00 10 00 "20. By cash 3 months interest on do. 1841. April 2. By cash dividend Farmers Bank Alexandria, 147 shares, 20. By cash on account of loan, "28. By cash 6 months interest on bond, $1600, May 3. By cash dividend Bank Potomac on 4 shares, 220 50 487 50 7 32 48 00 10 00 $1912 73 Mr. Hugh Hamilton presented his credentials as Lay Delegate from St. James' Church, Culpeper, and took his seat in the Convention. THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND HIGH SCHOOL. Rev. Alexander Jones read the following reports, all of which were subsequently received and adopted. REPORT. The Trustees of the Episcopal Theological Seminary and High School in Virginia, report, that through the good providence of God, the Institutions under their direction, are in a condition so prosperous, as to call for the devout thankfulness of the Church in Virginia. Though still needing the liberal benefactions of the Church for their full completion, they are unincumbered by debt, and are admirably fulfilling the holy and exalted purposes for which they were founded. The blessing of God has most evidently rested upon them, and they give the happy promise of not only being the nurseries of our Church, but of extending its influence and blessings to every part of the state of Virginia. Already are decayed and waste places revived, renewed and improved by heralds of the cross instructed and prepared at one of these institutions, and even beyond the limits of the Diocese, the sons of this school of the Prophets, are filling high stations in the Church, and also proclaiming the truths of the glorious Gospel of the grace of God upon the shores of foreign and distant lands. The great Missionary enterprise, undertaken by many of those whom the Church in Virginia has nursed and educated, has thus, by her, been most nobly sustained, and we trust her love and zeal will, in these respects, as in others, abound yet more and more. The Theological Seminary as will be seen by the annexed reports of Faculty and Professors has a large increase in the number of its students. It will also there be seen that the students have pursued their prescribed studies with commendable diligence and progress. They have now the additional assistance of the Rev. Dr. Sparrow, whose valuable services the trustees have succeeded in obtaining and have elected him to fill the Professorship of Ecclesiastical History. The Trustees knowing the gentleman they have selected to be eminently qualified for his duties, consider his appointment as an important accession to the Seminary, and believe it will conduce to its increased success. The Theological Seminary of Virginia, having now four well qualified Professors, and presenting ample means for acquiring a thorough education for the ministry of the Gospel, at an expense not so great as some, and lower than any others possessing the same advantages, stands upon an equal footing with any other Institutution of the kind belonging to the American Protestant Episcopal Church, and it should continue to claim the deep interest and earnest prayers of the Diocese of Virginia. In their report respecting the High School the Trustees have great cause to recommend sincere gratitude to the giver of every good and perfect gift. When this school was last presented to the notice of the Convention, the experiment was just begun, the number of its pupils was small, and its buildings and accommodations were imperfect and contracted. Now the Trustees having the experience of another year, can with confidence report that the experiment works well. They have been enabled, without incurring any debt, to add a large and commodious building to those originally purchased, and to provide them with every necessary convenience. The number of scholars is now as large as they have provided for, or have contemplated receiving-it is one hundred and one. Of the whole number that has been received, twenty have been confirmed and seven more are candidates for that Apostolic rite. Having attended the recent examinations, they have been much gratified with the proficiency of the young gentlemen in their studies, and feel perfectly satisfied that their instructors have used great care and faithfulness in their attention to their pupils. Thus the great purpose had in view in the establishment by the Church of this important Institution has been obtained. Our youths, the children of the Church, receive an education suitable for the business of life, under the efficacious influences of our holy religion, without the dangers too generally attached to Seminaries of learning in our land. The Church still acts as their faithful and tender guardian, and the enemy which "goeth about as a roaring lion" tears them not away from her bosom. For the course of study and other particulars, the Convention is referred to the annexed report of the principal, the Rev. W. N. Pendleton. Dr. Sparrow as will be seen by that report, is to give a large portion of his time to the High School. This accords with the intention of the Trustees, and has their approval. The Trustees conclude their report with a brief and general statement of the funds of the Theological Seminary. They are all invested in good stocks and bonds, and amount to $28,620. Balance of cash on hand with the Treasurer $146 64. The Faculty of the Seminary, respectfully report, that during the present session the persons whose names follow have become members of the Institution, viz: All whom are members of the Junior Class, except Mr. Bosley, who has dissolved his connection with the Seminary, and is pursuing his studies privately. Mr. Herbert Morris, a candidate in Virginia, a member of the Middle Class. Edw. Lounsberry, candidate in Virginia. Alanson Phelps, M. Macfarland, Ohio. All whom are members of the Senior Class, except M. Macfarland, ordained in April last. The whole number of Students at present is thirty-nine. Senior Class 8, Middle Class 14, Junior Class 17. All which is respectfully submitted. By order of the Faculty, E. R. LIPPITT, Secretary. REPORT OF THE PROFESSOR OF SYSTEMATIC DIVINITY AND TEACHER OF PULPIT ELOQUENCE. To the President of the Board of Trustees of the Theological Seminary of Virginia: The undersigned, Professor of Systematic Divinity and Teacher of Pulpit Eloquence in the Seminary, would beg leave respectfully to report, that he has pursued the same course of instruction the present session as heretofore, and that the Students under his care, have in general, been punctual in their attendance on the various exercises, and he trusts have made good progress in their studies and preparation for the work of the ministry. RUEL KEITH. REPORT OF THE PROFESSOR OF CHURCH POLITY, &C. During the current session I have instructed the Senior Class in Church Polity, making use of the text books heretofore enumerated in my annual report to the Trustees. At present the class is reading the fifth book of Hooker's Ecclesiastical Polity. I had the Middle Class under my charge in Ecclesiastical History until the arrival of Dr. Sparrow. The class had advanced to the period of the Reformation. I design to complete the course of Church Polity, and to give to the Senior Class an abridged course of instruction in Pastoral Theology. E. R. LIPPITT. REPORT OF THE PROFESSOR OF BIBLICAL LITERATURE. The Professor of Biblical Literature begs leave to submit a similar report to the one made last year. The class under his charge have pursued the prescribed studies, and made the usual progress. Through the good providence of God, he has been enabled to discharge punctually his duties. The Middle Class have, in Greek, read the Epistles to the Romans and Hebrews, and the Pastoral Epistles to Timothy and Titus. In Hebrew they have studied the Prophecies of the Messiah. The Junior Class have critically read the Greek Harmony of the New Testament, together with the New Testament Grammar of Professor Stuart. It is expected that they will finish the Harmony by the close of the Session. In Hebrew they have studied the Hebrew Grammar of Professor Stuart, and select passages from the Pentateuch, together with many of the Psalms. They have read an amount in the Historical books equivalent to the whole of Genesis. They also have been regularly examined on the principles of Interpretation and Hebrew Antiquities, having gone through the works of Ernesti and Jahn on those subjects. They have read Critical Essays on the principal difficulties and apparent discrepancies of the Evangelists, and been orally lectured on the most important subjects in the department, and referred to the best means of information. I would only add that a private class has been formed for the study of the Psalms, which s read about forty. All which is respectfully submitted. J. PACKARD. REPORT OF THE PROFESSOR OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. The Professor of Ecclesiastical History would respectfully report to the Board of Trustees, that about a week after his arrival in Alexandria, he commenced his duties in the Seminary. As however the interval since then has been but four weeks, he can do little more than state, that his work has been begun, and at the point where his respected predecessor left it. He hopes at some future day to be more particular in rendering an account of his duties to the Board. Respectfully submitted. REPORT OF THE REV. W. N. PENDLETON, PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL. To the Board of Trustees of the Episcopal Theological Seminary and High School of Virginia: In cheerful compliance with a duty devolving on me at this season, I submit to you the following report of the progress and condition of the Institution over which I preside. At the time of the report which I submitted twelve months ago on a similar occasion, this institution then, but recently begun, was in operation on only a limited scale, though as was mentioned, measures were in progress towards the more complete system which is now established. It was my privilege then to announce, in connection with the prospects of the School and the system in operation, the cheering intelligence that the divine blessing had been signally manifested towards the incipient enterprize, in the direction of a kind Providence, whereby an unusual number of well trained and worthy youths, had been brought together as the first pupils of the Institution, and in the gracious visitation of that Holy Spirit which impresses human hearts with a conviction of sin, of righteousness and of judgment to come, and which guides to a saving knowledge of the truth as it is in our Lord Jesus Christ. The extent of that blessed influence could not then be reported with accuracy. I feared to speak of more than ten as expected to take their stand on the Lord's side, but the event proved better than that fear. Twenty out of the thirty youths then with us, after a sufficient period of examination and probation, were at the close of the session in July last, admitted to the rite of confirmation, and sealed their profession of the Saviour's service by receiving the Holy Communion: and I rejoice to be able to add that they have without any serious exception, continued to live up to the present time agreeably to their holy profession. Previous to the close of the last session in July an examination was held, at which some of your body were present, and which it is perhaps just for me here to mention as having been singularly satisfactory in evincing no ordinary skill and fidelity on the part of the teachers, who, under divine providence were associated with me. During the summer the large building designed for the accommodation of the members of the school, was completed, and by the 1st October arrangements were sufficiently matured for the reception of one hundred pupils. It was found that reasonable accommodations could be furnished for that number, and although a less number had been contemplated, yet it seemed to be impracticable, in doing what appeared to be right, and what was believed to be the intention of the Trustees, to exclude many worthy and importunate applicants so long as there was room for them. One hundred were therefore engaged; additional teachers of good report were also employed, and on the first of October, the second year of our Institution under happy auspices-its organization consisting of myself, with five regular assistants, as instructors and governors, and of one hundred students of various ages, from twelve years up to man's estate, and of like variety of mental attainments. Cheered by the success, through the smiles of Heaven, of the preceding year, we entered upon the graver and more arduous duties of the second year-with diffidence encouraged by hope, and although, as it must occur to the thoughtful and experienced, such a work could not progress without many difficulties, trials, cares and anxieties to those conducting it, yet again is it my great privilege to inform you of my conviction that our work has not been in vain, and that blessings from on High still attend us. One of the first events of importance which occurred after the opening of the session, was the death of an interesting youth from Petersburg. He had brought with him the seeds of disease, was unwell when he arrived, and though assiduously attended from the first moment when his indisposition was known, he never recovered. This dispensation distressing to us, and more full of sorrow to his immediate friends, was doubtless designed by the Almighty for good-and it was, we have reason to believe, the means of deeply impressing the hearts of some of our number. From that time a growing seriousness was observable in one and another, and another, and as the session has advanced several have been led to godly repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps some will present themselves for confirmation on the ensuing Sunday, and two others, who within the present session have been turned to the Lord-have been called away to other situations, by what seemed to be the bidding of duty. Besides these there is reason to believe that not a few others have been taught solemn lessons of reflection, by the affecting dispensation spoken of, and by other providences which they have witnessed during the year; and that through the instrumentality of scriptural truth, so fully opened to them daily and weekly; and by means of habitual devotions which they attend and share, the Holy Spirit is effectually impressing and enlightening their minds. Considering the number of pupils, and the unyielding principles of our government, serious punishments have been very rare during the session, and a very gratifying spirit of subordination and harmony has prevailed in the Institution, and we hope it is a result of endeavoring to practice in our administration, the wisdom and love set forth in the Bible. |