county; Edmund J. Lee, Christ Church, Fairfax parish; Thomas Nelson, Monumental Church, Richmond; Wilson C. Selden and Lewis T. Berkeley, St. James's Church, Shelburne parish, Loudoun; Edward Colston, Norborne parish, Berkeley county; Thomas Marshall, Leeds parish, Fauquier county; Win. Bolling, parish of St. James, Northam, Goochland; John Hooff, St. Paul's Church, Alexandria. And the committee further report, that the following persons appear to have been duly elected, but their certificates are not in the form prescribed by the canon, viz. : William Radford, Russell parish, Bedford county; Francis R. Hanson, Newport parish, Isle of Wight; John Nelson, St. James's parish, Mecklenburg. On motion, Resolved, That the report of the committee appointed to examine the certificates of the lay delegates be received and approved; and that those who were duly elected, but whose certificates were not properly authenticated, be admitted to seats in this Convention. On motion of Rev. William F. Lee, Resolved, That the following rules of order, adopted by the last Convention for the government of their proceedings, be the rules of proceeding during the present Convention. 1. The business of every day shall be introduced with prayer. 2. When the president takes the chair, no member shall continue standing, or shall afterward stand up, except to address the chair. 3. No member shall absent himself from the service of the house unless he have leave, or be unable to attend. 4. When any member is about to speak in debate, or deliver any matter to the house, he shall, with due respect, address himself to the president, confining himself strictly to the point in debate. 5. No member shall speak more than twice in the same debate without leave of the house. 6. A question being once determined shail stand as the judgment of the house, and shall not be again drawn into debate during the same session, unless with the consent of two thirds of the house. 13. None of the rules of order shall be suspended without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present. 14. The president shall, in his discretion, select a pew within the limits of those allotted for the use of the members, which pew shall be appropriated for the accommodation of visiting clergymen and students of the Theological School, who may be invited to the same by the president without any special application to the Convention. In conformity with the fourteenth rule of the Convention, Rev. James Milnor, D. D., of the Diocess of New-York, and the Rev. J. P. K. Henshaw, of the Diocess of Maryland, and others, were invited to take seats with the members of the Convention. On motion by Mr. Hugh Nelson, of Fredericksville parish, Resolved, That a committee be appointed to examine the condition of the funds of the Theological School of this diocess, and to suggest and report to this Convention the best practicable means of enlarging the funds of the institution, so as to promote the design of making the school adequate to the reception and instruction of such pious young men as may present themselves to this institution as future candidates for the ministry. Committee on the Theological School-Robert P. Waring, John T. Clark, Thomas Marshall, Edward Colston, Hugh Nelson, Rev. John Grammer, and Rev. Nicholas H. Cobbs. Ordered, That the Rev. Adam Empie, D. D., Rev. George Lemon, Rev. H. W. Ducachet, M. D., Rev. Nicholas H. Cobbs, Philip Nelson, and John Nelson, Esqrs., and Dr. Isaac Winston, be a committee to take into consideration the state of the church in this diocess, and report thereon to this Convention. Ordered, That Rev. Charles Dresser, Rev. Charles H. Page, and Rev. John P. M.Guire, be a committee to examine the parochial reports. Ordered, That Mr. Thomas Nelson, Rev. J. E. Jackson, and Rev. Franklin G. Smith, be a committee to examine the treasurer's accounts. Ordered, That Rev. Edward C. M-Guire, Rev. John H. Wingfield, and Col. John Stuart, be a committee to examine the fund for the sup7. While the president is putting any ques-port of widows and orphans of deceased clergytion, the members shall continue in their seats, and shall not hold any private discourse. 8. Every meinber who shall be in the house when any question is put, shall, on a division, be counted, unless he be personally interested in the decision. 9. No motion shall be considered as before the house unless it be seconded, and, when required, reduced to writing. men. Ordered, That Mr. Edmund J. Lee, Mr. Rawleigh W. Downman, and Mr. John Nelson, be a committee to examine the accounts of the treasurer of the fund for the permanent support of the episcopate in this diocess. And the Convention adjourned till to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock. THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1832. The Convention met according to adjourn 10. When any question is before the house, it shall be determined upon before any new subject is introduced, except the question of adjournment, and was opened with prayer by the Right Rev. Bishop Moore, D. D., who took the chair as president. ment. 11. The question on a motion of adjournment shall be taken before any other, and without debate. 12. When the house is about to rise, every member shall keep his seat until the president shall leave the chair. Mr. Hilary Baker, a delegate from Christ Church, Richmond, appeared and took his seat. The Rev. William F. Lee having withdrawn, Hilary Baker was appointed secretary pro tem. The Rev. E. R. Lippit appeared and took his seat. A memorial was received from the vestry of St. Paul's Church, Norfolk borough, which was read, as follows: To the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Virginia, assembled at Alexandria. Norfolk, Va., 7th May, 1832. BRETHREN, The great increase of worshippers at Christ Church, in the borough of Norfolk, has rendered it impossible for all to be accommodated there who are attached to the doctrines and worship of the Episcopal Church, and it has been deemed advisable to organize another congregation without delay. In pursuance of this design, subscriptions have been raised to repair the old church belonging to the parish, and a vestry, after due notice, elected, composed of Wm. H. Thompson, George Rowland, Richard B. Maury, Alexander Galt, and Alpheus Fobes. We, the said vestry, therefore pray to be recognised by the Convention of the diocess, as representing the new congregation, under the style and title of "St. Paul's Church, Norfolk," and also that Richard B. Maury, our delegate to the Convention, be admitted to a seat in that body. Signed by order and in behalf of the vestry, by We tion in Norfolk, I visited the eastern shore of Virginia, attended by the Rev. Mr. Goldsmith. commenced our labours in Eastville, in the county of Northampton, at which place, being indisposed myself, Mr. Goldsmith preached in the evening. We then proceeded to the county of Accomack, in company with Mr. Gunter, where I preached in St. James's Church on Sunday, the day of May, to a large congregation, and administered the Lord's Supper and the rite of confirmation. In the afternoon of the same day Mr. Goldsmith preached in Onancock to a respectable and attentive auditory. and The next day, agreeably to appointment, I met a small congregation in another district of the parish; upon which occasion Mr. Gunter read prayers and I preached. As I had made an appointment in St. George's Church the subsequent day, we attended for the purpose of divine worship, when prayers were read by the Rev. Mr. I preached to a numerous and deeply impressed congregation. Having finished our labours in Accomack, we returned to Northampton, and held divine service in Hungar's Church; on which occasion Mr. Gunter read prayers and the Rev. Mr. Goldsmith preached. We then returned to Eastville, where, on the day after our arrival, I consecrated a handsome brick church :-prayers were read by Mr. Gunter, and a sermon suitable to the occasion was delivered by myself. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered, On motion, Resolved, That the prayer of the and nine persons were confirmed. The church petitioners be granted, and that their lay dele-in Eastville, for its neatness and symmetry, regate, Mr. R. B. Maury, who presented a certifi-flects great credit upon the members of our comcate of his appointment, be admitted to a seat in this body. ALEX. GALT, R. B. MAURY,! Wardens. The report of the treasurer of the fund for the relief of the widows and orphans of deceased clergymen was presented, and referred to the committee appointed to examine the same. The report of the treasurer of this Convention was presented, and referred to the committee appointed to examine the same. The Rev. John Cook, of St. Martin's parish, Hanover, appeared and took his seat. Mr. George W. Nelson, a delegate from the same parish, produced a certificate of his appointment, and was admitted to a seat in the Con vention. Mr. Robert Thompson, a delegate from Nelson parish, Nelson county, and Mr. Malcolm M.Farland, from Cumberland parish, Lunenburg county, attended and took their seats. munion in that neighbourhood. It was erected by the generous contributions of a small number of the wealthy part of that community, who, with their descendants, I sincerely pray, may reap the advantages arising from their pious exertions. During my stay on the eastern shore, I suffered much from bodily indisposition; and I should consider myself deficient in gratitude were I not to express my thanks to the people for their attention to my wants, and to Mr. Goldsmith for his unwearied efforts in contributing to my comfort. Having thus discharged my duties in those counties, I recrossed the bay, and returned to Richmond. In the month of July I visited the city of Williamsburg, lectured in the evening at the house of Mr. Peachy; preached, and administered the Lord's Supper the Sunday following, in the church, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Empie, and confirmed fifteen. I then embarked for Alexandria, at which place we held an association. On that occasion we were joined by a number of the clergy of this diocess and of Maryland, and were assisted in our labours by the Rev. Dr. Henshaw and the Rev. Mr. Johns, of Baltimore, and Rev. Dr. Bedell, of Philadelphia. To say that our meeting at that time was instructive and agreeable, would be expressing myself in lan The report of the treasurer of the Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocess of Virginia was presented and referred to a committee to examine the same, consisting of Dr. Wilson C. Selden and Mr.guage too faint for the occasion. A spirit of great John Stuart. The Right Rev. Bishop Moore, D. D., in pursuance of the 45th canon of the General Convention, delivered the following address :In compliance with the duty imposed on me by the church, I shall now present you with a view of those episcopal duties in which I have been engaged during the past year. Inclination loudly prompted me to extend my labours, but advanced years and bodily infirmities have obliged me to move in a very small circle, and to leave some duties which I should gladly and willingly have perfortned to my Right Rev. brother, Bishop Meade. Immediately after the close of the last Conven fervour and devotion appeared to animate every bosom; the congregations were deeply solemn and attentive, and overflowing;-many were awakened to the consideration of eternal things, and openly avowed their love and gratitude to the Almighty. It would rejoice my heart, brethren, to witness a similar evidence of divine influence in every parish in the diocess. As a proof of the devotional feeling which prevailed, more especially among the young, I with pleasure announce to the Convention that I confirmed, during my visit, upwards of ninety persons. An ordination was also held in St. Paul's Church, on which occasion I admitted to deacons' orders Fred. D. Goodwin, Cyrus Hamilton Jacobs, William P. C. Johnson, Job Sidney Swift, J. Loring Woart, and William | Virginia since your last annual meeting. I availed M. Jackson. In February last I admitted to deacons' orders in Christ Church, Richmond, Mr. Parke F. Berkeley, when the Rev. William F. Lee preached, and assisted me in the adininistration of the Lord's Supper. In the month of April I made a pastoral visit to Charles City county, in company with the Rev. Mr. Peet, at which time I consecrated a church in that parish, which has been completely repaired by the efforts of the people, and hand-firmation to twelve persons. By recent intellisomely fitted for the public worship of Almighty God. On that occasion Mr. Peet read prayers, and I preached to a numerous and attentive auditory, and administered the Lord's Supper to thirty. nine devout members. It is with pleasure I inform the Convention that a second church in the same county will be ready for consecration by my return to Richmond. In Charles City county we have had no comfortable place in which to assemble since my residence in this diocess; but as the members of our communion in that district have thus evidenced their attachment to the church by preparing places for the worship of Almighty God, I have no doubt that a clergyman of piety, industry, and competent talents would meet with a welcome reception and a suitable support; and that our Zion, which has been cloaked in sackcloth for the last thirty years, would put on her beautiful garments, and the courts of the Lord's house be filled with devout worshippers, and resound with the praises of the ever-living God. I have thus, brethren, given you a view of my episcopal labours since the last Convention, and shall reserve what I have further to say for the valedictory address, with which our meeting will be closed on Sunday evening. The Right Rev. Bishop Meade, D. D., also delivered an address, narrating the episcopal duties performed by him during the past year, as follows: To the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocess of Virginia, assembled in Alexandria, May 16, 1832. DEAR BRETHREN,-The narrative of episcopal duties performed by me within our bounds during the past year will be very brief, for those duties were few in number. You will recollect that during the last summer my services were called for by the newly-organized diocesses of Kentucky and Tennessee. A compliance with those occupied nearly three months, and of course withdrew me during that period from the scene of my ordinary labours. The detailed account of duties performed in these infant diocesses was presented to the proper authorities thereof, and having been duly spread before the public, need not be now repeated. So long an absence from my parish and family will, I am sure, be accepted as an excuse for the postponement of some visits which I intended to make to parishes within our own diocess. Nevertheless, it was my purpose to spend the two months immediately preceding this our meeting in visiting some of the middle counties of the state, according to the wish of Bishop Moore; but it pleased Providence to prevent the execution of the same, by sending sickness on some members of my family, under circumstances which required my presence at home. With divine permission, I expect to enter upon the proposed tour in a short time after the rising of this Convention. I now proceed to make mention of those acts performed by me in the diocess of myself of the opportunity presented by my visit to the western country, to make some appointments for the benefit of our congregations in Staunton and Kanawha. At the former place I expected, according to previous notice, to find a new church ready for consecration; but in this was disappointed, unavoidable circumstances preventing its completion. I reached Staunton on the third of May, and, tarrying there a part of two days, preached twice, and administered the rite of congence from the diligent pastor of that congregation, I learn that the church in Staunton is com pleted, and that another in the county bids fair to be ready for consecration and use in a short time. From Staunton I proceeded to Kanawha, reaching Charlestown on the following Saturday. In that place and the neighbourhood I spent five days, pleaching seven times, administering the coinmunion twice, and baptizing six children. During the last fall the members and friends of our church in that region obtained the services of the Rev Frederick Goodwin, who is now with us to render a more specific account of the condition of that portion of our Zion. From Kanawha I proceeded to the duties which awaited me in the west. Through God's good providence I was enabled to perform all that was required of me, and permitted to return in health and safety to my family and people by the last of July. If any good shall result from the labours performed, I shall consider them light indeed, and not worthy to be mentioned. A few weeks after reaching home, and on the 21st of August, I was called to the pleasing task of consecrating to the service of God a new and very excellent church in Berryville, within my own parish. Myself and people were much encouraged by the presence of a number of brethren from different parts, who for three successive days and nights were engaged in offering up solemn prayers to Heaven, and delivering faithful and animated exhortations to large and attentive congregations. On the last day, which was the Lord's day, the sacrament of baptism was administered to one adult, the rite of confirmation to seven persons, the office of deacon was conferred on Mr. Chaplin Hedges, and the Lord's Supper was distributed among a large number of communicants. A few days after the above-mentioned services I attended an association in Winchester, where our exercises were also continued for three days and nights, closing on the Sabbath with the administration of the rite of confirmation to eight persons, and the Lord's Supper to a goodly number of communicants. In the month of Sep. tember I was called to visit the churches in Fauquier, Culpepper, and Fredericksburg. My duties commenced in Culpepper. The Rev. Mr. Woodville, the Rev. Mr. Lemon, Mr. Zachariah Meade, and Mr. George Smith were present. During the two days and nights we were together, it was felt to be good that we were there. With the rising sun we repaired to the house of God, where a number of devout people met with us. In the forenoon, afternoon, and evening, we renewed our assemblies, and waited still upon God. It is hoped our intercessions, prayers, and exhortations were not in vain. The earnest desires which already existed in many hearts, were, we trust, increased and confirmed into holy resolutions. On the second day the rite of confirmation was administered to eighteen, and was followed by the Lord's Supper. From Culpepper I proceeded in company with the Rev. Zachariah Meade to Fredericksburg, where a spiritual feast awaited us. For some months before the religious state of that parish had been est. deeply interesting. The rector traces the commencement of that happy revival with which his people have been blessed to serious impressions made upon the minds of some of the young members of his congregation at the Convention in Norfolk. The impressions were soon communicated to others, and spread from heart to heart, until a general and very deep concern pervaded the congregation. Meetings for religious exercises became more frequent in the church, the lectureroom, and private houses. The anxieties of souls hungering and thirsting after righteousness, loudly called for every effort from the minister and the pious members of his church. The result was such as must give joy to every friend of religion. God perfected praise out of the mouth of babes; young men and maidens were converted to the Lord; even the old were born again; the zeal of Christians was stirred up; infidelity was amazed, vice stood abashed, scoffers became mute; all ages, characters, and classes flocked to the house of God as a place of deep and all-absorbing interSuch was the condition of the church in Fredericksburg when I was called upon to assist in the admission of a number of new converts to all the privileges of the church of God. It was indeed a most delightful and triumphant season to myself and the brethren assembled on the occasion. Often did we meet together with people who evidently felt that it was good for them to be there, who delighted to sing together in hymns, and psalms, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in their hearts to the Lord. We felt that it was good for ourselves to be there, that our faith and zeal might be improved. On the Sabbath we were privileged to hear the renewal of solemn baptismal vows in the rite of confirmation uttered by more than seventy persons, from the age of fifteen to threescore and ten. We have good reason to believe that these vows were made in sincerity and truth, with enlightened understandings and sanctified affections. No methods were used to produce a spurious excitement, and hurry to an open profession of religion those who might be under its influence. Such a revival as this may God grant to all our churches. I have only to add, that on the evening of the day when this interesting scene occurred the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered, and Mr. Seneca Bragg and Mr. Stewart were admitted to the order of deacons. The morning service, sermon, and rite of confirmation, occupied so large a portion of the day, that it was thought expedient to defer the remaining exercises until the evening. On leaving Fredericksburg I proceeded to Fauquier, where I preached at Warrenton on Tuesday, at which time thirteen persons were con firmed. On the two following days I preached in the upper part of the county at the Cool Spring meeting-house, and intended to have held a con firmation and administered the Lord's Supper on the third day, but was arrested by the hand of sickness, which for some weeks disabled me from all duty. Much sooner than I deserved it pleased Providence to raise me up from the bed of sickness, and enable me to engage in his service. The first public act performed after my recovery was the bestowing of priests' orders on the Rev. Mr. Bragg, which was allowed before the canonical period, with a view to his entering into the services of the Missionary Society in a distant part of our country. His ordination took place in the new church at Berryville, on Sunday, November 13th, 1831. From that time till the month of April my services were confined to my own parish. On the 12th of April I set out to visit, according to appointment, one of the churches in Hampshire; but in consequence of the sickness of my horse, was unable to reach the place of appointment. I was obliged to retrace my steps, in order to fulfil an engagement at Mill Creek on Saturday, the 14th. This I was enabled to do, as well as to reach Martinsburg, and preach there the same evening. On the following morning, which was the Sabbath, I preached again at Martinsburg, baptized a child, confirmed two persons, and administered the communion. At night I preached to a large congregation in the country at Mount Zion Church, and the next day preached again, baptized one adult and confirmed two persons, and administered the communion. I am happy to inform the Convention that the Rev. Mr. Johnson has been chosen rector of this parish, and will enter immediately on his duties. On the following day I proceeded to Shepherdstown, where I preached in the evening, and also the next inorning. From thence I went to Charlestown, where I also preached twice, and on the second occasion confirmed nine young and interesting disciples of our Lord. On the following Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, being the season set apart for the special consideration of the suf ferings, death, and resurrection of our Lord, the services were held at the chapel in Frederick parish and the church at Berryville, by the Rev. William Jackson and myself, on the last of which days, in the church at Berryville, I baptized one adult, confirmed seven, and administered the Lord's Supper to the communicants of the parish. The last services performed were at Leesburg, on my way to this place, where I preached on Saturday evening, Sunday morning and evening, besides addressing the teachers, parents, and children of the flourishing Sunday School in that place. On Monday morning, before I left there, a meeting of a few friends of the measure assembled, and commenced a subscription for a new and larger church. One thousand dollars were subscribed, which, with other means already in hand, and what may certainly be expected from others not present, almost ensures the object of the meeting. Such, brethren, are the only services I have been able to render to the church in aid of our beloved father, to whose assistance you have called me. WM. MEADE, Assist. Bishop of Virginia. The secretary received the following contributions from sundry parishes in this diocess for Contingent Fund, and towards the remuneration of Bishop Moore for his episcopal services, viz. :— 500 0.00 6 00 0 00 10 00 6 00 5 00 10 00 12 00 9.00 5 00 000 12 00 15 00 $54 50 | Report of the Trustees of the Theological Seminary 12 00 of the Diocess of Virginia. In presenting again to the Convention a report 12 00 of the condition and prospects of the Theological Seminary, the trustees are permitted to indulge in a higher tone of congratulation than they could on any former occasion assume. The blessing of God has been crowning our feeble efforts with a most cheering measure of success; and the prospect of seeing the spiritual desolation of our Zion removed, and her walls supplied and built up by faithful and efficient labourers, is brightening upon us with a rapidity which gives ripeness to our hopes, assurance to our faith, and new energy to our exertions. The Lord is evidently calling the attention of the pious youth of our church to the consideration of the duty of dedicating themselves exclusively to his service in the ministry of the gospel. The number of students in our seminary during the last year has exceeded by nearly one third that of any previous period. Ten have been ordained since the last meeting of our Convention, and seven are expected to undergo examination for orders during our present session. Here is therefore an increase of seventeen to the number of our clergy within one year; an increase which we may reasonably expect will advance with the rapidity of a geometrical proportion, and soon silence the urgency of that cry for help which falls with such constant and painful vibrations upon our ears from almost every quarter of our land. It is no longer visionary to hope, that before another generation shall have wholly passed away, every parish in our diocess may be blessed with a regular ministration of the word of life and the ordinances of our church-and the prospect of such a consummation of our hopes is calculated to enkindle the liveliest emotions of gratitude to God, who has so graciously sustained and encouraged us amid the many difficulties which have threatened to overwhelm us. But, although our cause for gratitude is most abundant, we are not permitted to forget that it is through the instrumentality of human means that the divine purposes are effected. While God is by his spirit working upon the hearts of the youth of our church, and awakening in their bosoms the holy desire of ministering to the spiritual wants of their fellow-creatures; to us is given the honour, and on us devolves the duty, of supplying the means for improving to the highest measure of efficiency the talents with which they have been intrusted. And these means must be enlarged in proportion as the number of those to whom they are to be applied is increased. The increase during the past year in the number of students who are preparing for the ministry in our seminary, renders an enlargement of that institution indis 10 00 5 00 6 00 0 00 12.00 7.00 5 00 8 00 10 00 9 00 12 00 500 5 00 5 00 5 00 8.00 0 00 0 00 10 00 pensably necessary. The building heretofore erected for the general purposes of the seminary is at present insufficient. It is capable of accommodating only twenty students, while the number at this time connected with the institution is thirty. Of these several have been under the and disadvantage of obtaining lodgings in the necessity of submitting to the great inconvenience adjacent country. And it is the painful duty of the board to state, that one young man has been compelled to withdraw from the unpossibility of procuring accommodations, and that there is reason to fear that others have been deterred by the same cause from connecting themselves with this seminary. Under these circumstances, the trus tees have felt themselves constrained to order and make arrangements for the erection of another building, of equal dimensions with that at present occupied. And it is from the efforts of Christian |