In consequence of an application from the church in North Carolina, in which a convention had been held, the said church was considered as having acceeded to the ecclesiastical constitution. From the time of the revolutionary war, there had been but temporary supplies of the ministry, in a few places; but some clergymen, recently settled in the state, in connexion with some influential lay gentlemen, had taken active measures for the revival of our communion.

The presiding bishop, made report of sundry matters committed to him, by the last convention. They were the certifying to the venerable society (in England) for the Propagation of the Gospel, of certain facts in favour of the church in Vermont, relatively to lands of which the titles were vested in the society-the taking of measures, relatively to the organizing of the church beyond the Alleghany mountains, and the republishing of the journals of this church from the beginning. The first and the last had been carried into effect, and the other had been attended to, as far as circumstances would permit. The thanks of the house were voted to the presiding bishop.

Relatively to the last mentioned subject, the house of bishops saw cause, to record their opinion as follows:

Resolved, that it be recommended to the Episco pal congregations in the states referred to in the above communications, where conventions are not already organized, to organize conventions, which

may be received into union with this convention, and, when expedient, may unite, according to the canons, in the choice of a bishop, having jurisdiction over those states; and that this convention have received with much satisfaction information of the measures which have been already adopted in the state of Ohio, for the organization of the Church in that state.

Resolved, that though the measure of a convention comprising sundry states in the western country, may be a measure of temporary expediency, it cannot be authorised by this convention consistently with the general constitution of the church, which recognizes only a convention of the church in each

state.

Resolved, that it be earnestly recommended to the authorities of this church, in each state respectively, to adopt measures for sending missionaries to our destitute brethren in the western states: such missionaries to be subject to the direction of the ecclesiastical authority of the state or states in which they may officiate.

Resolved, that the presiding bishop be requested to transmit the foregoing resolutions to such person or persons as he may judge proper."

This resolve was carried into effect, partly by a canon made during the session, and partly by a forwarding of the contemplated communications.

The several bishops made reports on the sense of the church in their respective dioceses, on the subject of a theological school. There was diversity of opinion, but the general sense, in both houses, was

F

in favour of a general school; which on the proposal of the house of bishops, and with the consent of the house of clerical and lay deputies, was determined to be instituted in New York. For the carrying of the design into effect there was chosen a committee, consisting of members of both houses. On the part of the house of bishops, there were chosen bishops White, Hobart, and Croes; and on the part of the house of clerical and lay deputies, Drs. Wharton, Harris, and How, honourable Rufus King, Charles Fenton Mercer, Esq., and William Meredith, Esq.

The house of bishops thought it expedient, to make a solemn call on the attention of the clergy in relation to the 22d canon, which enjoins on them diligence in catechetical instruction and lectures. The bishops consider these as among the most important duties of clergymen, and among the most effectual means of promoting religious knowledge and practical piety.

It being represented to the house of bishops by bishop Hobart, that the congregation of du St. Esprit in the city of New York, having joined the communion of the episcopal church, with their minister, who had lately received episcopal ordination, which congregation consisted originally of protestant emigrants from France; and there being many to whom the French language is still more familiar than the English, it is expedient that they be furnished with the Liturgy in the former language; and that there is such a Liturgy, not sanctioned by this convention; it was recommended to the said bishop to

cause the said French Liturgy to be examined, in order to ascertain how far the translation is correct; and to confirm the use thereof, with such amendments and improvements as the case may call for; and to declare it to be the Liturgy which may be used by any minister of this church who may officiate in a congregation to whom the French language is familiar.

The bishops issued the following call on the members of this church; and sent it to the house of clerical and lay deputies, to be there read: which was accordingly done:

"The house of bishops, solicitous for the preservation of the purity of the church, and the piety of its members, are induced to impress upon the clergy the important duty, with a discreet but earnest zeal, of warning the people of their respective cures, of the danger of an indulgence in those worldly pleasures which may tend to withdraw the affections from spiritual things. And especially on the subject of gaming, of amusements involving cruelty to the brute creation, and of theatrical representations, to which some peculiar circumstances have called their attention,--they do not hesitate to express their unanimous opinion, that these amusements, as well from their licentious tendency, as from the strong temptations to vice which they afford, ought not to be frequented. And the bishops cannot refrain from expressing their deep regret at the information that in some of our large cities, so little respect is paid to the feelings of the members of the church, that the

atrical representations are fixed for the evenings of her most solemn festivals."

On the question referred by the last convention, to be reported on in this, relatively to the copy-right of the Book of Common Prayer; the measure was considered as disapproved of, so far as opinion could be ascertained.

A proposed change in the ecclesiastical constitution, was referred to the several state conventions. It was to change the time of the triennial meeting to the 1st Tuesday in October.

The house of clerical and lay deputies proposed to the house of bishops, the designating of a standard copy of the Old and New Testaments. It was too late to enter on the business, and "the house of bishops deeming the fulfilment of the request of the house of clerical and lay deputies, on the subject of an authentic edition of the Holy Bible, a matter requiring very serious attention and deliberation, resolve, that its members will give such attention and deliberation to the subject, previously to the next meeting of the general convention, and report at the said meeting.

The table of degrees of consanguinity and affinity, prohibitory of marriage was again referred; and a committee was appointed on the subject, bishops White, Kemp, and Croes.

There passed three canons. The first was the limiting of the operation of the 2d and 37th canons, so far as regarded the states westward of the mountains. The professed reason, was, the providing of