That there is no book containing the proceedings of the convention, nor any manuscript records, from the first organization of the church in this diocese, down to the year A. D. 1824. The only evidence in regard to the proceed ings of the convention, consists of the printed journals. With the exceptions of the Rev. Philo Perry, and the Rev. Dr. William Smith, all those gentlemen who have discharged the duties of secretary of the convention, are now living. Were the proceedings of the convention transcribed into a suitable book, almost all of them could be attested by persons now living. No means have been provided for defraying the expense of procuring a book, and writing the votes and proceedings of the convention. The committee deem it of much importance, that the church should possess an authentic book of records of the proceedings of this convention, to which they and posterity may safely resort; and they earnestly recommend the subject to the consider ation of the convention, while the means are within their power. In a few years it may be too late. All which is respectfully submitted.

ASHBEL BALDWIN, BURRAGE BEACH.

Hartford, June 2d, 1825.

The above report was accepted. The Rev. A. Baldwin, and Burrage Beach, Esq. expressed their willingness to undertake the labour of transcribing the acts, &c. of the convention. And thereupon, on motion by the Rev. Bethel Judd, the following resolution was adopted :

Resolved, That this convention do appoint the Rev. Ashbel Baldwin, and Burrage Beach, Esq. a committee to record the votes and proceedings of this convention, from its organization to the present time, in a book to be furnished by the treasurer of the convention for that purpose.

On motion by the Rev. B. Judd, resolved, That it be recommended to the wardens and vestry of the several parishes in this diocese, to provide a suitable gown for the use of the officiating clergyman.

Resolved, That the bishop be re

quested to provide a suitable form of certificate of baptisms, confirmations, matrimony, and communion.

The committee on the convention fund reported the following resolution, which was adopted :

Resolved, That the several parishes shall annually pay to the convention fund at the rate of fifty cents on every one hundred dollars, paid to their respective clergymen as their annual salary.

On motion by the Rev. Mr. Hull, resolved, That the resolution of this convention, passed June, 1823, laying an assessment of fifty cents on every one hundred dollars of the salaries of their respective clergymen, together with the names of the parishes which have complied with said resolution, and of those which have neglected it, be read by the secretary.

Resolved, That those parishes which have neglected to pay the assessment of 1823, for defraying the expenses of the convention, be requested to pay the same to the treasurer immediately.

The following gentlemen were elected officers of the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge :

The Right Rev. T. C. Brownell, D. D. LL. D. (ex officio) president; the Rev. Tillotson Bronson, D. D. 1st vice-president; Hon. Samuel W. Johnson, 2d vice-president; John Beach, Esq. recording secretary; the Rev. Harry Croswell, corresponding secretary; William M'Crackan, treasurer.

Directors.-The Rev. Daniel Burhans, the Rev. Ashbel' Baldwin, the Rev. Asa Cornwall, the Rev. Truman Marsh, the Rev. Birdsey G. Noble, the Rev. Nathaniel S. Wheaton; Burrage Beach, Esq. John L. Lewis, Esq. Samuel Tudor, Hon. Seth P. Beers, Jirah Isham, Esq. John S. Peters, M. D. Daniel Putnam, Esq. Hon. William Moseley, Nathan Smith, Esq. Andrew Kidston, Joel Walter, Richard Adams, Jeremiah Hoadly, Calvin Butler, Esq. Lyman Bronson, James M. Goodwin, Gilbert Totten.

On motion by the Rev. D. Burhans, resolved, That this convention regards with much satisfaction the revival of the Churchman's Magazine, and re

Canons passed in the above convention.

CANON :-Declaring the offences, for which a Clergyman may be brought lo trial.

Disorderly and immoral conduct, vicious, or unseemly diversions, neglect of duty, disregard to the constitution and canons of the general, or state convention, a deviation from the rubrics, and disseminating, or countenancing opinions which are contrary to the doctrine of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, are offences for which a clergyman may be brought to trial.

CANON: Of the manner in which a Clegyman shall be brought to trial. In order to bring a clergyman to trial before an ecclesiastical court, a charge shall be made in the first place to the standing committee, in writing, under the proper signature of at least two persons, one of whom shall be a presbyter of this diocese. And if the standing committee shall deem the of fence charged, as coming within the

offences enumerated in the canons of the diocese of Connecticut, or of the general convention, they shall present the same to the bishop, in the following form:

To A. B. Bishop of the Diocese of
Connecticut,

The standing committee of this diocese respectfully represent, that C. D. has been accused, under the hand of E. F. and G. H. of [here recite the charge, or charges,] and the committee are of opinion, that there is sufficient ground for presenting the said C. D. for trial, agreeably to the canons in such case made and provided.

[Signed by the standing committee.] Whereupon the bishop shall summon nine presbyters to meet, at some time, not within ninety days, at some place within the county where the accused 'shall reside or officiate, for the time being; five of whom shall be sufficient to constitute a court for the trial of the' charge, or charges. If more than five of the persons summoned shall appear, the accused may object to any individuals over that number, at his own discretion. If no objection be made, the whole number present shall sit on the trial.

The biskop shall forthwith give notice to the standing committee, of the time and place of the meeting of the court. And the standing committee shall act as prosecutors in the case; and at least sixty days before the trial, shall furnish the accused with a copy of the presentment-notice of the time and place of trial-and a specification of the facts on which they expect to maintain the charges. And the accused, at least thirty days before the trial, shall furnish the standing committee with a statement of the grounds of his defence, on each specification.

At the time fixed for the trial, the members of the court shall choose a president from their own number, and a secretary, either from their own number or otherwise, as they shall see fit; and they shall, before they proceed, adopt and declare rules by which the trial shall be conducted: Provided, however, that no layman shall act as ad vocate for either party on the trial;

though both parties may, at their option, employ or consult legal or other advisers.

If the accused shall neglect or refuse to appear, or to answer to the charges in the manner herein prescribed, the court shall order judgment to be entered against him by default. But if he shall appear, the court shall proceed to a fair and impartial hearing of the whole matter, and shall adjudge him guilty, or not guilty, according to the evidence and if guilty, the sentence which, in their opinion, ought to be pronounced.

The secretary shall keep a record of all the proceedings-containing a copy of the presentment-of the specifications-of the notice to the accused, and of his answer-with a statement of all the evidence, both oral and written-and the final judgment of the court: and an attested copy of this record shall be forthwith delivered to the bishop. If the judgment be not guilty, the bishop shall give a certificate of acquittal to the accused, embracing a copy of the presentment and specifications: and the accused shall not be subjected to a second trial on the same facts. If the court judge him guilty, on one or more points at issue-the bishop may disapprove the judgment, and order a new trial, stating his grounds for such decision: or he may approve the judgment; and in that case he shall, within thirty days, proceed to such ecclesiastical censure as the case may, in his opinion, require -whether it be admonition, suspension, or degradation from the ministry.

The clergy in the diocese of Connecticut are 46 in number, including the bishop, and the congregations 74.

For the Christian Journal.

Abstract of the Proceedings of a Convention of the Diocese of Maryland, held in St. Paul's Church, Balti more, June 1st, 2d, and 3d, 1825. THE Convention was composed of the Right Rev. Bishop Kemp; thirtyfive presbyters; eight deacons; and thirty-seven lay delegates, representing

thirty-six parishes; and was opened with morning prayer, read by the Rey, John G. Blanchard, deacon, of St. Ann's, Annapolis; a sermon, preached by the Rev. Timothy Clowes, LL. D. of St. Paul's parish, Kent county, and principal of Washington college, Chestertown; and the administration of the holy communion by the bishop.

The Rev. William E. Wyatt, D. D. was elected secretary, and Mr. Thomas Billopp, appointed assistant secretary. The bishop delivered the following address.

My Reverend Brethren of the Clergy, and Gentlemen of the Laity,

I appear again before you, to give an account of my official acts during last year, and to bring to your notice such occur? rences as may enable you to form a correct judgment of the condition of the diocese. day of June, I passed over the bay into Soon after the convention, on the 28th Cecil county, and on the next day conse crated to the service of Almighty God, a new church, as parish church of St. Stephen's parish. This is a beautiful little edifice, finished in the true style and manand bell. The ladies too, have supplied ner of an Episcopal church, with a steeple it with a neat surplice. I preached the consecration sermon myself, and was assisted in the service by the Rev. Mr. Weller, the rector, and the Rev. Mr. twenty-two persons. Smith, of Shrewsbury. I also confirmed

On the 30th, I preached in St. Ann's church, near Middletown, and confirmed twelve persons. This church is in the state of Delaware, but in-as-much as there is no bishop in that diocese, and the Rev. Mr. Weller had visited the congregation and prepared them for confirmation, I agreed to perform that holy ordinance. tine parish. The church is in a state of The day following, I visited St. Augus ruin, so that we held divine service in the monished them to build a church, which, vestry-room. I preached and earnestly adfrom the appearance of the country, and the respectability of the congregation, they seem fully able to accomplish. They have occasional services by the Rev. Mr. Weller.

On the 7th day of July, I held an ordination in St. Peter's church, in the city of Baltimore, when Mr. H. Nelson Gray was admitted to the holy order of deacons. The ordination sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Henshaw, and the candidate presented by the Rev. Dr. Wyatt.

On the 13th of October, I ordained in and Mr. John G. Blanchard, deacons. On St. Paul's, Baltimore, Mr. John Claxton

ern Shore, and the Rev. Mr. Cooper, from Kentucky, has assumed the superintendance of a private school in Anne Arundel county.

The Rev. Mr. Parker, from Virginia, now acts as a chaplain to Crook's manufactory, in Baltimore, and superintends a numerous and flourishing Sunday school.

The Rev. Mr. James Lawrence Yvonnet, after finishing his theological course of study at the General Seminary, with high approbation, and having received deacon's orders, visited St. Paul's parish, in Queen Ann's county, from which he immediately received a call. Desirous to see his pa. rents, before he should decide upon a settlement, he returned to the state of New-York; when, in a little time, he was numbered among the dead, and the church deprived of one of her sons, who for piety, learning, and talents, promised to be a useful and distinguished minister.

These are the changes and settlements that have taken place among the clergy, during last year. The following remarks have been made as well during this as former years, and I think it my duty to state them to the convention.

In every church that I have visited I have preached, and often performed the morning or evening service. I have also administered the sacrament of the Lord's supper and confirmation. In all parishes, however, in which the clergymen are priests, I shall decline administering the sacrament, although it will give me much pleasure to do it when the ministers are deacons, or when the parishes are vacant.

I have also observed, with great regret, that the ante-communion service, as it has of late been termed, is regularly omitted in many of our churches. That the commandments of God should be sounded in the ears of the people, with great solemnity, every Lord's day, is surely desirable. And while the portions of scripture select ed for the epistles and gospels, recognize and illustrate all the prominent articles of Christian faith, the prayers form a series of devotions through the whole year, which imply a sincere belief in the doctrines of the Gospel, as well as aspirations of heart, for its great spiritual blessings. And it is evident, that if men, under the perform ance of the other services, could swerve from the doctrines of the church, they never could do so, if they sincerely and devoutly join in the devotions of the antecommunion service. Besides, it has been the opinion of some of the most wise and religious members of the church, that while this service is retained, the church can never materially deviate from the doctrines of the Gospel.

The rubrick, which directs the use of this service, it has been said, is equivocal and uncertain. This might be admitted, if we were not so happy as to possess, not

only the living testimony, but the written opinion of the presiding bishop of the church, who, in all the alterations and changes of the Book of Common Prayer, that were made at the organization of the American church, took a leading and interested part. In my judgment this is decisive, and sure I am, that the church can never condescend, with this opinion before her eyes, to wink for any length of time at such an irregularity.

Should it be asserted, that sometimes a clergyman may be placed under such circumstances, as to render it indispensable occasionally to practise some irregu larities in the service, it is an unfair and an unwarrantable conclusion, that occasional deviations sanction uniform irregularities, and particularly when the churches are at all times comfortable, and where the services and the usages of the church ought to be maintained in all their excellence and order.

In virtue of the authority vested in me by a canon of this church, passed in convention in the year 1823, I issued a circular letter, addressed to those clergymen, who were most convenient to vacant or decayed parishes. In this letter, I requested them to direct the attention of the members of the church to organize vestries, and manage the concerns of their parishes, so as to enable them to employ ministers, that they might enjoy all the advantages and comforts of divine worship, religious instructions, and the ordinances and sacraments of the church of Christ.

The returns which I have received enable me to state to the convention, that there are some vacant parishes which, with proper regulations, might be made well able to support ministers; there are several decayed parishes, some of which might be induced to erect churches or repair the old ones, and provide for divine worship; and there are large districts of country in which we have neither churches nor worship. In some of these, we have members who seem to manifest a disposition to build churches.

From this view of the condition of the churches in this state, it appears to me that two missionaries, one on the Eastern and another on the Western Shore, might be profitably employed.

I have also, during the last year, issued a pastoral letter, addressed to the members of the church, a copy of which I presume most of you have seen. Still I have reserved some copies for those who may not have received it.

On the 27th day of July, I attended a meeting of the trustees of the General Theological Seminary, in the city of NewYork. There were present on that occasion, the bishops of Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New-Jersey, and Maryland, with