estant Episcopal Church in this commonwealth | send deputies to the said Convention, consisting be put off until to-morrow.

The Convention adjourned till to-morrow, 10 o'clock.

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 1785.

Mr. Lee, from the committee appointed to examine and report the certificates of appointment of the sitting members, reported, That the said committee had, according to order, examined the same, and had come to some resolutions thereupon, which were read.

of clergy and laity.

3. That associated congregations in two or more states may send deputies jointly.

4. That in every state where there shall be a bishop consecrated and settled, he shall be considered as a member of the said Convention, ex officio.

Resolved, That this Convention cannot bind themselves on the subject of the fourth article, until the same shall be revised at the next General Convention at Philadelphia, and reported to

Ordered, That the said resolutions lie on the the next Convention. table.

The Convention, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a committee of the whole Convention on the draught of the instructions for the deputies to the General Convention; and after some time spent therein, Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Braxton, from the said committee, reported, That the committee had gone through the business to them referred, and had made several amendments, which he was ready to report when the Convention should be pleased to receive them. Resolved, That the Convention will on Monday next receive the said report.

The Convention, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a committee of the whole Convention on the rules for the order, government, and discipline of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia, and after some time spent therein, Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Braxton reported, That the committee had, according to order, taken under consideration the business to them referred, and had made some progress therein, but not having had time to go through the same, he moved that the committee have leave to sit again.

Resolved, That the Convention will on Monday next again resolve itself into a committee of the whole Convention on the rules for the order, government, and discipline of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia.

Resolved, That the several orders of the day be put off until Monday next.

The Convention adjourned till Monday next, 10 o'clock.

MONDAY, MAY 23, 1785.

Mr. Randolph, from the committee to which the proceedings of the Convention holden at New-York were referred, reported, That the committee had, according to order, had the same under consideration, and had come to some resolutions thereon, which were read and agreed to as followeth :

Resolved, That this Convention are willing to unite in a general ecclesiastical constitution with the members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the other states of America.

Resolved, That this Convention do accede to the following recommendations of the late Convention at New-York, as fundamental principles in the said ecclesiastical constitution :

1. That there shall be a General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America. 2. That the Episcopal Church in each state

Resolved, That this Convention cannot accede to the sixth article, recommended as a fundamental principle of the said ecclesiastical constitution.

Resolved, That this Convention will however accede to the mode of voting, recommended in the sixth article, with respect to the Convention to be holden at Philadelphia, reserving a right to approve or disapprove their proceedings.

The Convention, according to the order of the day, proceeded to consider the amendments made to the instructions for the conduct of the deputies appointed to attend the General Convention at Philadelphia, and, having made some other amendments, agreed to the instructions, as followeth :

Gentlemen,-During your representation of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the General Convention, we recommend to your observance the following sentiments concerning doctrine and worship. We refer you, at the same time, for these and other objects of your mission, to our resolutions on the proceedings of the late Convention at New-York.

Uniformity in doctrine and worship will unquestionably contribute to the prosperity of the Protestant Episcopal Church. But we earnestly wish that this may be pursued with liberality and moderation. The obstacles which stand in the way of union among Christian societies are too often founded on matters of mere form. They are surmountable therefore by those who, breathing the spirit of Christianity, earnestly labour in this pious work.

From the Holy Scriptures themselves, rather than the comments of men, must we learn the terms of salvation. Creeds, therefore, ought to be simple: And we are not anxious to retain any other than that which is commonly called the Apostles' Creed.

Should a change in the liturgy be proposed, let it be made with caution: And in that case let the alterations be few, and the style of prayer continue as agreeable as may be to the essential characteristics of our persuasion.

We will not now decide what ceremonies ought to be retained. We wish, however, that those which exist may be estimated according to their utility; and that such as may appear fit to be laid aside, may no longer be appendages of our church.

We need only add, that we shall expect a report of your proceedings to be made to those whom we shall vest with authority to call a Convention.

Done in Convention this 22d day of May, in the year of our Lord 1785.

On a motion made, Resolved, That it be recommended to the several vestries to ascertain, by the best means in their power, the number of the members of the Protestant Episcopal Church within their respective parishes, and report the same to the next Convention.

The Convention, according to the order of the day, proceeded by ballot to the appointment of deputies to attend the General Convention, to be holden in Philadelphia in September next; and Mr. Harrison, Mr. Randolph, Rev. Mr. Burgess, and Rev. Mr. Shield, were appointed a committee to examine the ballots, who, having withdrawn and examined the same, reported, That they had found the numbers for the several persons balloted for to be as followeth :

For Rev. David Griffith, 71; John Page, Esq., 67; William Lee, Esq., 43; Rev. Samuel S. M'Croskey, 38; Rev. Robert_Andrews, 35; Carter Braxton, Esq., 33; Rev. John Bracken, 2; Rev. John Burgess, 2; Bryan Fairfax, Esq., 1; Dr. James Taylor, 1.

And it appearing from the report that the majority of the whole Convention were in favour of Mr. Griffith, Mr. Page, Mr. Lee, and Mr. M'Croskey,

prepare an address to the members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, reported, That the said committee had prepared such an address; which was read and agreed to, as followeth :The Address of the Convention to the Members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia.

For more than eight years our church hath languished under neglect. We will not, however, believe that her friends have revolted, and therefore trust that a knowledge of her present condition will rekindle their former affections.

Religion does not invite by inducements from eternal interest alone; society feels her benignity in remedying the defects of laws. Secret injuries to social rights escape the censures of government. From the constitution of human affairs, human wisdom cannot be certain, that an antidote applied to one evil will not produce another; and many are the duties of imperfect obligation, which no legislative provision can enforce. Nor can society at all times furnish incitements to virtuous conduct by rewards; and even if this were practicable, the most enlightened tribunal on earth could not be assured of the purity of the motive which gave birth to the action rewarded. Religion, on the contrary, fixes the eye of conscience on deeds however remote from public view; arrests the hand of vice by holding forth the responsibility of man to his Creator; rescues benevolence from the vortex of self-love; administers self-complacency, that

Resolved, therefore, That the Rev. David Griffith, John Page, Esq., William Lee, Esq., and the Rev. Samuel Smith M'Croskey, be appointed deputies to the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, to be holden at Philadelphia on the Tuesday before the feast of St.highest prize of merit; and withholds it in spite Michael next.

The Convention, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a committee of the whole Convention on the rules for the order, government, and discipline of the Protestant Episcopal Church; and after some time spent therein, Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, That the said committee had, according to order, had under their consideration the business to them referred, and had made some progress in the same, but that not having had time to go through it, he was directed to move that the said committee have leave to sit again.

Resolved, That the said committee sit again

to-morrow.

A letter from his excellency the Governor, directed to the President of the Convention, and enclosing an extract of a letter from Count de Rosencrone, respecting the means of procuring ordination of American clergymen in Denmark, was, together with the said extract, read and ordered to be referred to a committee: And a committee was appointed of Mr. Braxton, Mr. Page, Rev. Mr. Davis, and Rev. Mr. Shield. Resolved, That the order of the day for the Convention to resolve itself into a committee of the whole Convention on the state of the church be put off until to-morrow.

The Convention adjourned till to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1785.

of partiality when it is not due.

From the earliest day, and in every clime, has the efficacy of religion been acknowledged. Under various forms have her benefits been solicited, and we have enlisted ourselves under the banners of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Let us not then desert this object of our choice, but, conscious of her scriptural authority, devote ourselves to her relief.

Of what is the church now possessed! Nothing but the glebes and your affections. Since the year 1776, she hath been even without regular government, and her ministers have received but little compensation for their services. Their numbers are diminished by death and other causes, and we have as yet no resource within ourselves for a succession of ministers, Churches stand in need of repair, and there is no fund equal to the smallest want.

By the favour of Providence, indeed, the Protestant Episcopal Church is incorporated by law, and under this sanction are we now assembled. We have accepted the invitation of a Convention, lately holden at New-York, to send depu ties to another to be holden at Philadelphia in the fall. We shall not enter into a revision of doctrine and worship, until their return and report of the sentiments of those of our communion with whom they may be associated. We have, however, organized the government of the church.

But whither must our labours tend without your assistance? To contempt they cannot; Mr. Page, from the committee appointed to for we have the consciousness of aiming at our

common welfare alone. To almost every thing under the sun belongs a crisis, which, if embraced, stamps our endeavours with success-if lost, with ruin. In this situation does our church now stand: and why do you hesitate? Are the doctrines of our church less excellent than at any former period? Have you embraced the persuasion of that church, to abandon it in the hour of difficulty? Common justice requires that those who profess themselves to be members of a society, should unite in cherishing it; and let us not be the only example of a religious association withering from the want of support from its own members.

But do not believe that by thus exhorting you to zeal for our church, we mean to provoke an aversion to other Christian societies. It is vain to expect unanimity among mankind; and who can with confidence declare himself infallible? We rather conceive that Christians of every denomination, who are sincere in their opinion, are not less our brethren for maintaining different tenets. It is our duty to be ready to unite upon principles consistent with the gospel, and bring the Christian Church to unity, as nearly as conscience will permit.

The Convention, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a committee of the whole Convention on the rules for the order, government, and discipline of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and after some time spent therein, Mr. President resumed the chair, and Mr. Harrison reported, That the said committee had, according to order, had the said rules under consideration, and made several amendments therein, which were read and agreed to; and the rules, as amended, were ordered to be fairly transcribed and read to-morrow.

Resolved, That the committee of the whole Convention on the state of the church be discharged from sitting again.

On a motion made,

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Convention that the Canons of the Church of England have no obligation on the Protestant Episcopal Church within this commonwealth.

Resolved, That until the farther order of the Convention, the liturgy of the Church of England be used in the several churches throughout this commonwealth, with such alterations as the American Revolution has rendered necessary. The Convention adjourned till to-morrow morning, 10 o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 1785.

We therefore entreat you in the most solemn manner, we conjure you by all the ties of religion, to co-operate fervently in the cause of our church. Should these our earnest efforts be The rules for the order, government, and disabortive, we shall always with truth call the cipline of the Protestant Episcopal Church, havSearcher of hearts to witness, that the downfall ing been fairly transcribed, were read, and the of the Protestant Episcopal Church is not to be blanks filled up: And then it was resolved unannamed among our offences, and to this admoni-imously that the said rules do pass, as followtion shall we ever appeal. eth:

Ordered, That immediately printed.

copies of the address be

Resolved, That it be recommended to the several vestries to take the most effectual measures for procuring by voluntary subscriptions a competent support for the incumbents of their respective parishes; and to report the result of their endeavours to the next Convention.

The proceedings of a vestry holden for North Farnham parish, April 9, 1785, were laid before the Convention.

Ordered, That they lie on the table.

Rules for the Order, Government, and Disci pline of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia.

1. Conventions shall be holden annually on the fourth Wednesday in May, in the city of Richmond: Provided nevertheless, That if a sufficient number of members to form a Convention shall not attend on the said day, any fourteen then assembled shall have power to adjourn.

2. A person shall preside in Convention with the title of president, who shall always be a bishop, when there is one properly consecrated and settled in this church, till which time a president shall be appointed by the Convention out of their own body. If more than one bishop is found necessary in this church, they shall preside alternately.

The Rev. T. Davis, from the committee to whom were referred the letter from his excellency the Governor, and the extract of a letter from the Count de Rosencrone, reported, That the said committee had, according to order, had under consideration the papers to them referred, and had come to some resolutions thereon, 3. A secretary shall be appointed by the Conwhich were read and agreed to, as followeth :-vention, and dismissed by them at their pleasResolved, That the thanks of this Convention ure, who shall take an oath of office, keep a recare due to his excellency the Governor for this ord of their resolves and proceedings, and have mark of his attention to their interests, and that the records in his custody so long as he shall the President of the Convention be requested to continue in office. write a letter expressive of their thanks, and to assure him that they have a proper sense of the indulgence granted by his Danish majesty to the Episcopalians of these United States.

Resolved, That the deputies be instructed to communicate to the General Convention at Philadelphia the contents of the Count de Rosen

crone's letter.

4. Standing rules shall be established for the preservation of decorum, and the orderly management of business.

5. All questions, whether they relate to the order, government, discipline, doctrine, or worship of this church, or to any other matter which is properly before the Convention, shail be determined by a majority of votes.

6. At all future Conventions, each member | person who hath been ordained by a bishop of the Church of Rome may also be received as a minister, who shall produce satisfactory testimonials respecting his ordination, morals, and conduct-renouncing the errors of that church -take the oath, and subscribe as aforesaid.

(whether minister or layman) shall, previous to hs admission, produce a testimonial of his being regularly appointed, which testimonial shall be signed by one or both of the church-wardens or by the clerk of the respective vestries.

7. All the ordinances and other proceedings of the Convention shall be attested by the secretary.

8. The clergy of several neighbouring parishes, not less than three nor more than ten, shall assemble in presbytery annually on the second Wednesday in April, at some convenient place in the district, to be appointed by a majority of the ministers in the same district: One in each district shall be appointed by the Convention to preside in their meetings with the title of visiter, who shall annually visit each parish in his district-shall attend to and inspect the morals and conduct of the clergy-shall see that the canons and rules of the church are observed, and that no abuses are practised-shall admonish and reprove privately those clergymen who are negligent, or act in an unbecoming manner, and shall report yearly to the bishop, if there be one, or, if there be no bishop, to the next Convention, the state of each parish in his district, noting down the offenders and their offences.

9. The clergy who shall minister in this church shall be the three orders of bishops, priests, and deacons.

10. Every person hereafter to officiate in this church as a bishop, shall be nominated by the Convention; and having received episcopal consecration before he enters on his office, shall take the oath of allegiance to this commonwealth, and subscribe to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Virginia: And no person shall be received into the church as a bishop until he shall have completed the 30th year of his age.

11. As we conceive the office of a bishop, according to the true Apostolic institution, differs in nothing from that of other ministers of God's Word, except in the power of ordination and confirmation, and the rights of superintending the conduct of the clergy, and of precedency in ecclesiastical assemblies, that office shall accordingly be so exercised in this church: And every bishop, after his promotion to the episcopal order, shall continue to hold a parish and to do the duty of a parish minister, except when he is necessarily employed in the discharge of his episcopal office.

12. No bishop shall inflict any censure upon, or exercise any power over the clergy under his inspection, other than he is allowed to do by the laws and institutions of this church made in Convention.

13. No priest or minister shall hereafter be received into any parish within this commonwealth unless he first produce to the vestry sufficient testimonials of his having been regularly ordained a priest by some Protestant bishop take the oath of allegiance to this commonwealth, and subscribe to be conformable to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Provided, That any

14. No minister shall hereafter be received into a parish who does not first produce to the vestry satisfactory testimonials of his morals, conduct, and conversation, from the person or persons appointed by the Convention to inquire into such matters and grant such testimonials.

15. The right of presentation or appointing ministers to serve in the parishes shall continue in the vestries, and each vestry shall choose its own minister.

16. Every person to be ordained priest or deacon, by any bishop of this church, shall first produce testimonials of his good morals and orderly conduct from the clergy, assembled in the district where he for some time last resided, and from the vestry of the parish where he last lived: Provided there be in the district a sufficient number of clergymen to form a presbytery, otherwise a testimonial from the minister and vestry of his parish, or from the vestry alone, if the parish is vacant, shall be deemed sufficient: Provided also, the candidate is not an inhabitant of some other state, and intended to minister in some parish or congregation in a neighbouring state of the sufficiency of these testimonials, as well as of the literary and other qualifications of the candidates, the bishop shall be the judge, and shall approve or reject at his discretion.

17. No person shall be admitted to priest's orders until he shall have completed the twentyfourth year of his age, and is assured of the willingness of some parish or congregation to receive him as their minister, to be certified from under the hands of the church-wardens, and attested by the clerk of the vestry.

18. Every person approved of by the bishop, whether for priest's or deacon's orders, shall be ordained according to the form prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer, &c., directed to be used in this church. But no person shall be ordained priest until he has served six months in the office of deacon.

19. No person shall be ordained a deacon until he shall have completed the twenty-first year of his age.

20. No person having deacon's orders only shall be allowed to hold a parish. But a deacon may, during a vacancy, officiate in a parish, if chosen by the vestry to do so. He shall preach the gospel and baptize. He may assist in administering the sacrament of the Lord's supper, but not consecrate the elements. He may solemnize marriages, and shall attend to the situation and circumstances of the poor where it may be necessary.

21. A person may be ordained a deacon though he shall have no assurance of being called to minister in a parish or congregation, provided his testimonials and qualifications are satisfactory to the bishop.

22. A deacon may minister as a probationer

or missionary under the direction of the Con- | determined by lot. vention or the bishop.

The oldest clergyman in

orders shall preside as judge. On conviction of the minister, the court shall report the facts and state the evidence to the Convention, who shall proceed without delay to pronounce such sentence as a majority of them shall think the offence deserves; which shall be either reproof, suspension, or dismission.

30. No vestryman shall sit on the examina

23. It being directed by the incorporating act that church-wardens shall be appointed, it shall be their duty to superintend the building and repairing of churches and other buildings belonging to the parish-to see that they are done agreeably to the directions of the vestry and according to contract-to restrain and check disorderly behaviour during time of worship-tion of a minister belonging to the parish to prosecute, under the direction of the vestry, wherein such vestryman resides. The examipersons offending in such instances-to furnish nation shall be held in the parish where the acbooks, ornaments, surplices, elements for the cused minister officiates, and at a place to be sacrament, and every other thing judged ne-appointed by the vestry. The judges shall apcessary by the vestry, out of the church revenues, and to have, together with the minister, the care of and superintendence over the churches and burying-grounds. Church-wardens are to be considered as the acting part of the vestry, who are to see their orders and resolutions carried into execution and they are to report the state of the parish to the bishop and visiter at their visitations.

24. The parish clerk shall be appointed by the minister and vestry, and displaced by them whenever his services are not satisfactory to the people whenever he shall neglect his duty, or otherwise misbehave himself.

25. Sextons shall be appointed by the vestries, and dismissed by them when they think proper. It shall be their duty to keep the keys of the church, subordinate to the minister or churchwardens, to keep the church in decent order, and to have the charge of the books, ornaments, and other necessaries.

26. Bishops shall be amenable to the Convention, who shall be a court to try them, from which there shall be no appeal. On all such occasions a president shall be chosen by the Convention to sit as judge, and they shall also appoint a clerk to the court.

27. All accusations against a bishop, as such, shall come from the vestries; but no accusation against a bishop shall be received unless three vestries join in the complaint. All complaints against a bishop shall be lodged with such persons as may be appointed to call a Convention, and a copy of the charge or charges to be brought against him shall be communicated to him in writing at least two months before the trial. Counsel may be employed on both sides; and none but legal evidence shall be admitted.

28. Disorderly, scandalous, and immoral conduct, neglect of duty, a disregard to the rules and canons of the church, or taking a bribe to grant either ordination or a recommendation for a vacant parish, shall be considered as offences in a bishop, for which he may be brought to trial, and, on his being convicted of any of these, he shall be reproved, suspended, or dismissed, at the discretion of the court.

29. Courts shall be instituted to examine into complaints exhibited against ministers or deacons, to consist of six members, viz., three clergymen and three vestrymen, from the nearest and most convenient parishes, one from each. The appointment of the said vestrymen shall be

point a clerk occasionally for such examinations. 31. Complaints against a minister shall be received from the vestry of the parish where the minister officiates, and from no other person or persons whatever. They shall be signed by a inajority of a vestry, without which no complaint shall be received. They shall be directed to the bishop, or to the persons who may be vested by the Convention with authority to receive such complaints, and to direct courts of examination. In every complaint the offence or offences shall be stated, and the minister shall be furnished with a copy of the charges brought against him, and with notice of his intended examination, at least one month before the examination. Vivâ voce evidence only shall be admitted, and that on oath; and counsel may be employed on both sides.

32. Disorderly, scandalous, and immoral conduct; neglect of duty; a disregard to the rules and canons of the church; or taking a bribe to recommend either for ordination or a parish, are to be considered as among the offences for which a minister may be brought to trial.

The

33. The bishop, or persons vested with authority for this purpose, shall, on receiving a complaint against any minister, immediately institute a court, as before described, to examine into the complaint, and shall take care that the ministers and vestrymen who are to compose the court shall be informed in time. bishop or persons so vested with authority shall cite the accused person before the appointed court, which shall (unless the accused person is prevented from attending by sickness) proceed to examine the testimony against the of fender, and take the depositions of the witnesses. They shall then report the case, with the testimony, to the Convention at their next meeting, who shall, if they think proper, proceed to pass sentence against the accused person at their discretion: Provided, That no sentence shall be other than reproof, suspension, or dismission.

34. Deacons behaving in a scandalous, disorderly, or immoral manner, or who neglect the duty they have undertaken, shall, on full and satisfactory proof, be suspended, or silenced by the bishop, until the sense of the Convention shall be known. And the salary accruing during the suspension of a minister or deacon, who is afterward found guilty, shall go to the vestry for the use of the church.

35. Bishops shall visit the different parishes under their inspection once in three years at