vention, although nothing further was brought before them from Massachusetts, relative to Dr. Bass; the deputies from Maryland applied to the assembled bishops for the consecration of the Rev. Thomas John Claggett, D. D. who had been elected bishop by the convention of that state. Dr. Claggett was accordingly consecrated, during the session of the convention, in Trinity church, of the city in which they were assembled.*

The bishops, having reviewed the ordinal of the church of England, proposed a few alterations in it to the house of clerical and lay deputies; principally such as were necessary for the accommodating of it to local circumstances. The ordinal, thus reviewed, is now the established form for the consecrating of bishops and the ordaining of priests and deacons. K.

In September 1795, there was held another triennial convention, in the city of Philadelphia; at which were present all the bishops, except bishop Seabury. Besides other matters acted on, some canons were made; and a service was ordered for the consecrating of a church or chapel. It is substantially the same with a service composed by bishop Andrews, in the reign of James the First; and since commonly used by the English bishops in such consecrations; but without the authority of convocation or of parliament. During the session, there took place the consecration of the Rev. Robert Smith, D. D. rector

* Dr. Claggett was consecrated by bishop Provoost, who presided at this convention, assisted by bishops Seabury, White and Madison.

D

of St. Philip's, in Charleston, South Carolina; who had been elected by the convention in that state, their bishop.* L.

Between this and the next convention, there was consecrated the Rev. Edward Bass; again recommended from Massachusetts and New Hampshire: the certificate usually given on such occasions by the general convention, being in this instance given by a standing committee of that body; agreeably to a provision which had been made to that effect.†

And on the 18th of October of the same year, there was consecrated, in Trinity church in the city of Newhaven, the Rev. Abraham Jarvis, D. D., for the state of Connecticut.‡

There would have been a convention in Philadelphia, in September 1798: but the prevalence of epidemical disease preventing their assembling, the bishops, agreeably to a power vested in them when desired by a standing committee of the convention, summoned that body to meet, in the same city, on the 11th of June, 1799. On this occasion, the review of the articles was moved in the house of clerical and lay deputies. And a committee was appointed, who drew up a body of articles; which were not acted on, but ordered to be printed on the Journal,

* The consecration of Dr. Smith was by the presiding bishop, assisted by bishops Provoost, Madison and Claggett.

†The consecration of Dr. Bass was in Christ-church in the city of Philadephia, May 7th, 1797, by the presiding bishop, assisted by bishops Provoost and Claggett.

The consecration of Dr. Jarvis, was by bishop White, assisted by bishops Provoost and Bass.

as a report of a committee of one of the houses, to lie over for the consideration of the next convention; which was appointed to be in the city of Trenton, New Jersey. M.

It assembled there, in September 1801: when there was brought before the bishops present at it, three in number, the question of the admissibility of a resignation of the episcopal charge. A letter from bishop Provoost had been addressed to one of the bishops present, and by him laid before the house; stating, that induced by ill health and some circumstances of a domestic nature, he wished to retire from all public employment; and had therefore resigned, at a late meeting of the convention in New York, his jurisdiction of bishop in that state. In consequence of this resignation, the Rev. Benjamin Moore, D. D. who, on account of bishop Provoost's resignation of the rectory of Trinity church, in the city of New York, had been chosen to that place, was also elected to succeed to the episcopacy. The house of bishops, having taken this subject under their serious consideration, and doubting of the propriety of sanctioning episcopal resignation, declined any act to that effect. But being sensible of the exigency existing in the state of New York, they consented to the consecration of an assistant bishop: it being understood, that he should be competent in point of character to all the episcopal duties; and, that the extent in which the same were to be discharged by him, should be dependent on such regulations as expediency might dictate to the church in New York; grounded on the indisposition of bishop

Provoost, and with his concurrence. Conformably with the line of conduct thus laid down, Dr. Benjamin Moore, being duly recommended, was consecrated during the session, in St. Michael's church Trenton; and took his seat in the house of bishops.

In this convention, the important business of the articles was again taken up; and now, for the first time, authoritatively acted on. After repeated discussions and propositions, it had been found, that the doctrines of the Gospel, as they stand in the 39 articles of the church of England, with the exception of such matters as are local, were more likely to give general satisfaction, than the same doctrines in any new form that might be devised. The former were therefore adopted by the two houses of convention, without their altering of even the obsolete diction in them; but with notices of such changes as change of situation had rendered necessary. Exclusively of such, there is one exception; that of adapting the article concerning the creeds, to the former exclusion of the Athanasian.

It is further to be remembered, that, in regard to subscription to the articles, there is a considerable difference between the form required in the church of England, as laid down in her 36th canon; and that prescribed in the constitution of the American church. The latter form had so far acquired the approbation of the English prelates, as to be thought sufficient on the part of those who came to them for consecration, from America. N.

Throughout this narrative, it must have appeared, that the object kept in view, in all the consultations

held, and the determinations formed, was the perpetuating of the episcopal church, on the ground of the general principles which she had inherited from the church of England; and of not departing from them, except so far as either local circumstances required, or some very important cause rendered proper. To those acquainted with the system of the church of England, it must be evident, that the object here stated was accomplished on the ratification of the articles.

The next triennial convention was in the city of New York, September 11th, 1804. Canons were passed, extending to a greater variety of objects, than had been provided for before. An office was framed and ordered to be used, at the induction of ministers to the rectorship of churches. A course of ecclesiastical studies of candidates for orders, was prescribed by the bishops. And the constitution was altered, agreeably to a proposition made in the preceding convention and notified to the conventions in the states, so as that the future triennial conventions shall be in the month of May, instead of September. During the session, the Rev. Samuel Parker, D. D. rector of Trinity church, in Boston, was consecrated bishop in Trinity church, New York, in the room of bishop Bass, who had departed this life. There had also died, since the last convention, bishop Smith of South Carolina. And it was understood, that the Rev. Edward Jenkins, D. D. who had been elected to supply his place, had declined the station. Since the events here recorded,