JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
^jjirhj-lirst Initanl Cimnmifiim
OF THE
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH
IN THE
DIOCESE OF GEORGIA,
elc) uw ^(owUstib (iw'icfi/, oPai>annci^.
Commencing May 5th, 1853.
SaUanital):
W. THORNE WILLIAMS.
1 853.
GEO. N. NICHOLS, PRINTER, SAVANNAH,
?:
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
€l)itty-M Imutnl CoiiHpntion
OF THE
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH
IN THE
DIOCESE OF GEORGIA,
^ til/ QFcnxinnafvy
Commencing May 5th, 1853.
& ato antral):
VT. THORNE WILLIAMS
1853 ,
LIST OF
DIOCESE
THE CLERGY
OF THE
OF GE ORGIA.
The Right Rev. STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr., D. D., Bishop of
the Diocese, and Rector of Christ Church, Savannah.
BARTOW, THEODORE B., Chaplain of the Naval Academy,
Annapolis, Maryland.
BRAGG-, SENECA G., Assistant Minister of St. Luke's Church,
Montpelier. Post Office, Montpelier and Macon.
BROWN, EDMUND P., Rector of Christ Church, St. Simons,
and St. David's, Glynn county.
CLARKE, GEO. H., Rector of St. John's Church, Savannah.
FIELDING, JOHN, Principal of College, Beaufort, So. Ca.
FORD, EDWARD E., D. D., Rector of St. Paul's Church, Au¬
gusta.
GEORGE, J. H., Rector of St. Paul's Church, Albany, and Mis¬
sionary in Baker county.
GIBSON, JAMES D., Rector of St. Peter's Church, Rome, and
Missionary in Floyd county, Ga.
HABERSHAM, B. E., Rector of the Church of the Advent,
Madison.
HANCKEL, JAMES STUART, Rector of St. James' Church,
Marietta.
HARRISON, W. H., Rector of the Church of the Atonement,
Augusta.
HUNT, JOHN J., residing in Marietta.
JOHNSON, RICHARD, Rector of Zion Church, Talbotton.
KENNERLY, SHE ROD W., Missionary to the Negroes on Sa¬
vannah River.
LINEBAUGH, J. H., Rector of Emmanuel Church, Athens.
MACAULEY, GEO., Rector of St. Stephen's Church, Milledge-
ville.
MOWER, BENJ. F., Rector of Grace Church, Clarkesville.
NEELY, JOHN, Principal of the Richmond Academy, Augusta.
PERDUE, WILLIAM J., residing upon St. Helena Island, S. C.
SCOTT, THOMAS F., Rector of Trinity Church, Columbus.
SHANKLIN, JOSEPH A., Rector of Christ Church, Macon.
SMITH, THOMPSON L., Missionary in the city of Savannah.
WHITE, GEORGE, Missionary to LaGrange and West Point.
WHITE, RUFUS M., Rector of St. Luke's Church, Montpelier.
WILLIAMS, WILLIAM C., Missionary to the Negroes on the
Ogeechee River.
ZIMMER, WM. J., Rector of St. Philip's Church, Atlanta.
LIST OF LAY DELEGATES
OF THE
Thirty-first Annual Convention of the Diocese ot Georgia,
Christ Church, Savannah :—
john m. berrien,
wm. h. cuyler,
b. w. fosdick.
St. Paul's Church, Augusta:—
g. Mclaughlin,
j. C. carmichael,
james p. gardiner.
Christ Church, Macon:—
w. S. williford,
j. S. hutton,
h. k. green.
Trinity Church, Columbus:—
dan'l. griffin,
harvey hall,
robt. carter.
St. John's Church, Savannah:—
r. m. charlton,
j. s. fay,
wm. battersby.
St. James' Church, Marietta:—
thos. stewardson,
wm. root,
j. b. elmer.
St. "Peter's Church, Rome :—
dan'l. s. printup,
thos. m. berrien,
stephen m. wilson.
Church of the Atonement, Augusta:—
r. h. gairdner, jr.,
wm. k. kitchen.
Emmanuel Church, Athens:—
r. d. moore,
r. l. bloomfield,
d. n. judson.
Grace Church, ClarkesviUe:—
jacob waldburg,
geo. j. kollock,
r. w. habersham.
JOURNAL.
CHRIST CHDRCH, SAVANNAH, X
MAY 5th, 1853. }
This being the time and place appointed for holding the Thir¬
ty-First Annual Convention of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the Diocese of Georgia,
The Order of Morning Prayer was read by Rev. Thos. F.
Scott and Rev. E. E. Ford, D. D., and the Ante-Communion
Service by the Bishop.
The Convention Sermon was preached by the Rev. J. A.
Shanklin, from 2d Corinthians, vii ch. 11 v.
After Sermon, the Convention was called to order by the
Bishop, and the roll of the Clergy being called, the following
answered to their names:
Rt. Rev. Stephen Elliott, D
Rev. Seneca G. Bragg,
" B. E. Habersham,
" John J. Hunt,
" Geo. Macauley,
" J. A. Shanklin,
" W. C. Williams.
Certificates of the election of Lay Delegates were presented,
read and referred to the Rev. Dr. Ford, Rev. Mr. Shanklin, and
Rev. Mr. Hunt, who reported the following in due form :
Christ Church, Savannah—John M. Berrien, Wm, H. Cuyler,
B. W. Fosdick.
St. Paul's Churchy Augusta—G. McLaughlin, J. C. Carmichael,
James P. Gairdner.
Christ Church, Macon—W. S. Williford, J. S. Hutton, H. K.
Green.
Trinity Church, Columbus—Dan'l Griffin, Harvey Hall, Robt.
Carter.
St. John's Church, Savannah—Robt. M. Charlton, Joseph S.
Fay, Wm. Battersby.
. D., Bishop.
Rev. E. E. Ford, D. D.,
" W. H. Harrison,
" S. W. Kennerly,
" Thos. Scott,
" T. L. Smith,
6
St. James' Church, Marietta—Thos. Stewardson, Wm. Root, J.
B. Elmer.
St. Peter's Church, Rome—Daniel S. Pi'intup, Thos. M. Beni
en, Stephen M. Wilson.
Church of the Atonement, Augusta—R- H. Gai diner, Ji., Wm.
K. Kitchen.
The names being called, the following Delegates answered :
John M. Berrien, Wm. H. Cuyl r, B. W. Fosdick, J. C. Car-
michael, W. S. Williford, J S. Hutton, Robt. Carter, Joseph S.
Fay, Wm. Battei-sby, Thos. Stewardson, D. S. Printup.
There being a quorum of both Orders present, the President
declared the Convention duly organized.
The Rev. T. F. Scott was re-elected Secretary, and by con¬
sent of the Convention, appointed Mr. W. S. Williford his as¬
sistant.
The Rules of Order of the last Convention were adopted for
the government of this body.
The following Resolution, offered by Rev. Dr. Ford, was
adopted:
"Resolved, That Clergymen of other Dioceses, who may be
present, be invited to attend the sittings of this Convention."
The Rev. Dr. Ford and Rev. Messrs. Bragg and Siianklin
were appointed to carry the above into effect.
The Rev. Evv'd. Ingersoll, of the Diocese of Western New
York, was introduced and invited to the sittings of the Con¬
vention.
The following Committees were appointed by the Chair:
On the State of the Church—Rev. E. E. Ford, D. D., Rev.
Messrs. Bragg and Williams.
On Unfinished Business—Rev. Mr. Hunt, and Messrs. Steward-
son and Carter.
On Admission of New Parishes—Rev. Mr. Macauley, Messrs.
Cuyler and Battersby.
On motion of the Rev. Mr. Scott, the proposed amendment of
the General Convention to Art. 5 of the Constitution was referred
to a Special Committee, viz: Rev. Mr. Scott, Rev. Dr. Ford, Rev.
Mr. Harrison, Hon. J. M. Berrien, and Mr. J. S. Fay.
7
After Prayer by the Bishop, Convention adjourned to the hour
of public worship to-morrow morning.
At night, Evening Prayer was read by Rev. J. A. Shanklin,
and a Sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Ford.
Friday Morning, May 6, 1853.
• Morning Prayer was read by Rev. Mr. Williams, and a Ser¬
mon preached by the Rev. B. E. Habersham.
After public worship, the Convention was called to order by
the Bishop, and the roll called. Present as on yesterday, together
with Rev. E. P. Brown, and Messrs. Daniel Griffin, of Trinity
Church, Columbus, and G. McLaughlin, of St. Paul's Church,
Augusta.
The Minutes of yesterday were read, corrected and confirmed.
Certificates of the election of Lay Delegates were presented from
Emmanuel Church, Athens, and Grace Chui'ch, Clarkesville, which
were referred to the Committee on Elections, who reported the
following persons duly elected:
Emmanuel Church, Athens—R. D. Moore, R. L. Bloomfield, D.
N. Judson.
Grace Church, Clarkesville—Jacob Waldburg, G. J. Kollock, R.
W. Habersham.
Mr. Kollock appeared and took his seat.
Rev. S. G. Bragg offered the following Resolution, which was
adopted:
Resolved, That candidates for Holy Orders, who may be present^
be invited to the sittings of this Convention.
Mr. Henry K. Reese was introduced and invited to a seat in
the Convention.
The Parochial Reports were read and ordered to be printed in
the appendix to the Journal.
The Treasurer of the Missionary Committee presented his Re- •
port, which was received, read, and referred to the following
Committee: Messrs. Fosdick, Griffin and Battersby.
The Standing Committee presented the following Report, which
was received:
The Standing Committee respectfully report the following offi¬
cial acts since the last Convention of the Diocese, viz; They
8
have assented to the consecration of Rev. Dr. Wainwright, Pro¬
visional Bishop Elect for the Diocese of New York ; also to the
consecration of Rev. Dr. Hawks, Bishop Elect for the Diocese of
Rhode Island. They have signed the testimonials of Reuben D.
Nevius, a candidate for Deacon's Orders. They have recom¬
mended the Rev. Sherod Wesley Kennerly, a Deacon of this
Diocese, for Priest's Orders. They have recommended Mr. Hen¬
ry K. Reese, now a recognised Minister of the Presbyterian
Denomination, to be received as a candidate for Holy Orders in
the Church.
EWD. E. FORD, Prest.
The Special Committee, to which was referred the proposed
amendment to the 5th Article of the Constitution of the General
Convention, presented the following Report, which was received
and adopted :
The Committee to which was referred the proposed amendment
of Art. V of the Constitution, beg leave to report that they have
had the same under consideration.
The subject is one of great importance, not only in the con-'
struction of the individual Dioceses, and their Episcopal supervi¬
sion, but also in the constitution and proceedings of the General
Convention, composed as that body is of equal and independent
Dioceses. And while the Committee are of opinion that every
reasonable facility should be given for such an organization of the
several Dioceses as will best secure their prompt and faithful ad¬
ministration, they are equally anxious that this proceeding be so-
guarded as to screen the general Church from the baneful effects
of faction and ambition.
With the light now before them, the Committee are not pre¬
pared to pronounce a decisive judgment on this question, and
therefore recommend the following Resolution r
Resolved, That the subject be referred to the enlightened judg¬
ment of our Deputies to the General Convention, where the
various questions connected with it will be fully discussed.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS F. SCOTT, Chairman.
The Missionary Committee presented the following Report,
which was received and adopted :
The Missionary Committee of the Diocese beg leave to report
that during the year past they have received $1,616 12, gjid dis-
0
bursed $1,602,42, leaving $13,70 in the Treasury. The Committee,
in view of the wants of the Church, respectfully request the Rectors
to direct their attention more particularly to our own Diocese, as
the General Board has ceased to aid us.
The Treasurer of the Diocese presented his Report, which was
received and referred to the Finance Committee.
Mr. Geo. Parrott, former Treasurer of the Diocese, presented
a Report for the year ending May, 1852, which was received and
referred to the same Committee.
The Rev. Mr. Shanklin offered the following Resolution, which
Was adopted :
Resolved, That the Convention has heard with regret the death of
the Rev. L. M. Purdy, while temporarily officiating in this Diocese,
and tender to his family their sympathies in view of the bereave¬
ment.
The Rev. Thos. F. Scott offered the following Preamble and
Resolutions, which, at his request, were laid on the table, to be'
called up at some time during the present session :
Whereas, the number of candidates for Holy Orders throughout
the Church is very small, whether compared with the wants of the
existing congregations, or with the wide and promising field for
Missionary labour both Domestic and Foreign; and whereas, for
remedy of this evil our Saviour Christ commanded his disciples,
saying: " The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth
labourers into his harvest"—Therefore,
Resolved, That this injunction of our Lord be commended to
the special remembrance of the members of the Church in their
private and family prayers.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the General Convention
to insert a suitable petition in the Litany, or a prayer in some
part of the Order for Daily Morning and Evening Prayer, earnest¬
ly imploring this gift from our ascended Saviour.
On motion, the Convention adjourned, to meet at half-past 4
o'clock.
2
10
AFTERNOON SESSION.
4^ o'clock.
The Convention met. Present as this morning.
The Convention proceeded to the Annual Elections, which re¬
sulted as follows :
Treasurer of the Diocese :
Dr. Jaivies Cajiak.
Treasurer of the Missionary Committee:
Mr. J. S. Hutton.
Standing Committee:
Of the Clergy. Of the Laity.
Rev. Edw'd E. Ford, G. McLaughlin,
Rev. Seneca G. Bragg, Edw'd F. Campbell.,
Rev. Tuos. F. Scott, Chas. Duelle.
Committee on Missions:
Of the Clergy. Of the Laity.
Rev. S. G. Bragg, N. C. Munroe,
Rev. J. A. Shanklin, L. N. Whittle,
w. S. wllliford.
Deputies to the General Convention :
Of the Clergy. Of the Laity.
Rev. Edw'd E. For^, D. D. Jamfs Potter,
Rev. Seneca G. Bragg, R. H Gardiner,
Rev. Thos. F. Scott, P. M. Nightingale,
Rev. J. A. Shanrlin, Thos. M. Nelson.
On motion, Dr. J. Camak was invited to take a seat in this
Convention as a Delegate from Emmanuel Church, Athens.
The Finance Committee presented the following Report, which
was received and adopted :
The Finance Committee, to whom have been referred the ac¬
counts of the Treasurer of the Diocese of Georgia for 1S51-2, the
Treasurer of the Diocese of Georgia for 1852-3, and the Treas¬
urer of the Missionary Committee, report that these accounts have
been examined, and are correct,—the disbursements being ac¬
companied by the proper vouchers. The Committee regret to
perceive that there is a balance of $742 68 due to the late Trea¬
surer, and beg to recommend to the Convention to take measures
for its early payment, with interest.
The Rev. Mr. Macauley offered the following Resolution, which
was adopted:
11
Resolved, That the next Convention of the Church be held in
St. Stephen's Church, Milledgeville, commencing on Thursday
after the first Monday in May, 1654.
The Preamble and Resolutions offered by Rev. Mr. Scott, this
morning, were taken up, and the Preamble and first Resolution
were adopted. The second Resolution was laid on the table.
On motion, the Rule requiring the Convention to meet for busi¬
ness immediately after the Morning Session, was suspended for
to-morrow.
On motion, the Convention adjourned, to meet to-morrow at
half-past 1 o'clock.
At night, Evening Prayer was read by Rev. Mr. Habersham,
and a Sermon preached by Rev. Mr. Harrison.
Saturday, 7th May, 1853.
The Convention was called to order, and the roll called.
Present as on yesterday, together with the Hon. R. M. Charlton.
The Minutes of yesterday were read and confirmed.
The Bishop then read his Annual Address.
The Committee on the State of the Church presented the fol¬
lowing Report, which was received :
The Committee on the State of the Church beg leave to report,
that from an examination of the Parochial Reports made to the
present Convention, they have arrived at the following results for
the past year, viz:
For 1851. For 1852.
Baptisms—White 214, Colored 202, Total 416, 211, 359
Confirmations, 178, 38, 114
Communicants 1,120, 950, 1,068
S. School and Parish School Children 1,495, 1,050, 1,292
From a comparison of these results with those of the two
other intervening years since the last General Convention, as
above exhibited, it will be seen that there has been a steady and
a very encouraging increase, under each specification in the state¬
ment.
The following results are also shown by the Parochial Reports,
in several other particulars, which may be regarded as safe criteria
of the spiritual state of the Diocese:
1'2
Contributions.
For Diocesan Missions, $1,682 46
For Foreign " of Gen'l Board,...... 1,211 29
For Domestic " " 00
Collections and donations for various purposes, not included
in the above specifications, (and including Communion Alms,)
$6,295 72. This Ltter item, however, it is proper to state, is ex¬
clusive of sundry large sums, amounting to several thousand dol¬
lars, appropriated to parochial objects—such as the builJing of
churches and school-houses, an organ, the salaries of the settled
Rectors, and the quotas of the congregations towards the support of
the Episcopate. There has also been one church edifice conse¬
crated during the past year, and there are four now in process of
erection.
On the whole, the Committee cannot but see, in the foregoing
picture, manifest tokens of the continued favour and blessing of
the great and gracious Head of the Church, towards this portion
of his vineyard.
Respectfully submitted,
EDW. E. FORD, Chairman.
The Bishop having retired, Dr. E. E. Ford was called to the
Chair..
Hon. J. M. Berrien offered the following Resolution, "which
was adopted:
Resolved, That a Committee to consist of three persons, to be
appointed by the Chair, be raised for the purpose of obtaining
from the Bishop a copy of the Sermon delivered by him in St.
John's Church this morning, and that the same be inserted in the
journal of the proceedings of this Convention.
Committee—Judge Berrien, Dr. Cuyler, and Judge Charlton.
Rev. Mr. Scott offered the following amendment to the Canons,
which was adopted:
Canon 1. Every Church duly represented in this Convention,
shall pay, or cause to be paid, into the hands of the Treasurer of
the Convention, the sum of fifteen dollars annually, for defraying
the incidental expenses of the Convention.
On motion of Rev. Mr. Scott, the Committee appointed at the
last Convention to prepare a form of Parochial Report, was dis¬
charged, and the subject referred to the Bishop and the Standing
Committee.
13
The Bishop appointed the Rev. Mr. Hanckel to preach the
next Convention Sermon, and the Rev. Mr. Macauley his substi¬
tute; the Rev. Mr. Harhison to preach the next Missionary Ser¬
mon, and the Rev. Mr. Habersham his substitute.
On motion, the Convention adjourned sine die, after Prayer by
the Bishop.
Sunday, 8th May.
In the morning, the Bishop held an Ordination, when the Rev. S.
W. Kennerly was admitted to the Order of the Priesthood.
Morning Prayer was read by the Rev. Messrs. Ingkrsoll, Hunt
and Fokd. The Sermon was preached by the Rev. T. F. Scott,
and the Candidate presented by the Rev. S. G. Bragg. Rev.
Messrs. Ford, Ingersoll and Scott, also assisted the Bishop in
the Communion.
In the evening, after Evening Prayer by the Rev. W. C.
Williams, the Annual Missionary Sermon was preached by the
Rev. George Macauley, and a collection taken up for Diocesan
Missions, amounting to $168 50.
APPENDIX.
BISHOP'S ADDRESS.
Brethren of the Clergy and Laity:
The year which has passed over us since we were last assembled
together in council, has been filled with events replete with in¬
terest for those engaged in the battle for Christ and his Church.
Our own affairs have proceeded in their usual quiet routine, but
many of our sister Dioceses have been summoned to deep anxiety
and solemn mourning. And every day that we exist as a Church,
we are so much more closely bound together by ties which, I trust,
may never be dissolved, that our sympathies cannot but be
awakened for them in the keenest and most sensible form. May
our prayers accompany our sympathy for their support, their com¬
fort, and their deliverance.
The first blow which was struck by the hand of the Almighty
fell upon our neighbouring Diocese of South Carolina, which was
summoned to weep over the grave of her venerable Diocesan,
Christopher Gadsden. Although a long and severe illness had, in
a measure, prepared the Diocese for his dissolution, yet, when it
did occur, June 24th, '52, it caused an universal burst of lamenta¬
tion from all the Parishes under his Episcopal supervision, and
from none was it more sincere than from those which had not
originally acquiesced in his election. For whatever differences of
opinion may have existed between them, they felt an ever increas¬
ing confidence in his perfect honesty and godly sincerity, and
above all, in his untiring zeal for the interests of Christ's Church.
They might not conceive those interests to be exactly alike, but
they were more and more satisfied that he was free from all selfish
ends, and that he was ever urging forward plans and purposes
which he conceived likely to promote the kingdom of Christ and
the Church. Few men have lived in the American Church, who,
in the midst of temptations arising from a high position in society
and in the Church, have devoted themselves with more entire self-
1<»
denial to his duties, than Bishop Gadsden ; and besides the public
lamentation which was heard throughout his Diocese, the poor,
the afflicted, the widow, the orphan, and above all, the servants of
the large Church in which he so long acted as a devoted Priest, pour¬
ed out their more unobtrusive sorrows over his grave. He seemed to
have modeled himself upon such men as Wilson, and to have been
ever unwilling to nr rge the Parish Priest into the Bishop. To
the day of his death, he held the Rectorship to which he had been
called as Assistant Minister forty years before.
Not a month had passed away before another blow descended
upon the Church, and we were called to sympathizer with the Dio¬
cese of Rhode Island, whose Bishop was taken from her on the 20th
July, with the suddenness of a thunder-clap bursting from a clear
summer sky. He had gone to Maryland, the field of his mature
labours as a Presbyter, for the purpose of doing Diocesan duty for
Bishop Whittingham during his absence in Europe, when, in the
prime of life and in the flush of health, he was struck instantly to the
grave by apoplexy. It seems strange that he should have been
carried back to his ancient field of labour simply to die, and that
the Paris'i Church which had so long enjoyed his most useful and
blessed ministerial labours should have received his remains. The
prime of Bishop Henshaw's life had been spent in St. Peter's,
Baltimore, and seldom has any Parish Church in this country been
more spiritually blessed, because sel lom had any Parish Ghurch
heard the Gospel more plainly and more faithfully preached. His
removal to Rhode Island as Bishop was simply a transfer to his
earliest field of labour, where his name had been long embalmed as
a successful minister of Jesus Christ. He died with his harness
on, and has, we trust, received the Crown of Righteousness laid1
up for those who are kept by faith unto eternal life. Hfs Diocese
has, for the present, been placed under the Episcopal supervision
of the Bishop of Maine.
Two months more, and the news reached us of the death, on
the 20th Sept., of our venerable Father and Presiding Bishop,
Philander Chase, that toilsome, way-worn soldier of the Cross,
who was perpetually labouring while others entered into his labour,
who was incessantly sowing while others reaped the fruits of his
toil, who was ever moving Westward with the wave of emigra¬
tion, having no where, at times, to lay his head, no rest for the
soles of his feet. But he knew, when he commenced his work,'
what were the wages of a Christian Hero, and that he looked for,
17
that he reaped in rich abundance. God permitted him to see,
ere yet his eye was dim, or his natural strength abated, the fruits
of his ministry extending, like a bright arch, from the Atlantic to
the Mississippi. If joining him as he leaves, a half century ago,
his native land, a solitary Missionary, with his staff in his hand,
pointing forward, with prophetic foresight, to the wilderness of
the West, we now stand upon that distant hill, which he made his
final rest, the Pisgah of his age, and look out upon the Ministers,
the Cnurches, the Dioceses, the Bishops which lie, in unbroken
continuity and in spiritual prosperity, between us and the waters
whence he started, we feel that he might well call it the Hill of Jubi¬
lee, and taking up the strain of the Patriarch, say, " With my staff
passed 1 over this Jordan, and now am I become two Bands." Mer¬
cies surrounded him in his old age—the truth of God followed him
to his grave. He wTent forth "sowing besidi* all waters, often in
O O
tears, and he lived tocome again rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with
him." From the Hudson to the vine-clad hills of the Ohio—from
the Lakes to the deep jungles of Louisiana, he bore precious seed,
and those powerful States which extend athwart the Continent-all
bear the tracks of his footsteps; are all fragrant with the divine riches
which he imparted to them. He lived to see every thing his hand
had touched prospering—his sons and his s^ns' sons serving the
Lord—his Diocese spreading itself like a cedar in Lebanon—his
successor, a man after his own heart, consecrated and established;
and died, surrounded by all those he loved best, in his own home,
among his own children, looking out upon the broad land which
he had consecrated to Christ, through prayer and toil and suffer¬
ing, the acknowledged instrument of more good than almost any
other man, the Church has produced.
Again a few months, and the Church is troubled with the news
that another of her Bishops has gone, but, alas! not to his grave!
Painful rumours had, for a long time, been circulated, that the
Bishop of North Carolina was wavering in his allegiance to the
Church, and now the dreadful confirmation came-—dreadful for
him, dreadful for us—that he had abjured the Faith and practice
of the Catholic Church and had united himself with the Roman
apostacy. This confirmation came under his own hand, in a let¬
ter of resignation directed to the Convention of his Diocese,
statino- the reasons which had led him to this sad determination.
As this letter of resignation has not yer been acted upon by his
Diocese, it is not for lis to anticipate their action, but in connexion
3
38
with this grievous event, we may, without any violation of delica¬
cy or any infringement upon their rights, offer some views for oui
own consideration and benefit.
It seems to me, in the first place, that our dignity as a Church re¬
quires that we should receive this severe rebuke as a chastisement
from the hand of God, and that we should not attempt to cast it off
slightingly, nor to break its violence through pleas which cannot
be fully maintained. God intends that we should feel this blow
and suffer the humiliation which rightfully belongs to it. It has
been threatening us for some years, and if, during those years, the
indications of derangement were not sufficiently marked to call
for action on the part of his Diocese, it is very much like turning
aside a painful conclusion to plead it now that the act of apos'.acy has
been consummated. Besides, a system which could delude and
turn from their allegiance such minds as Newman's, and Ward's, and
Manning's, requires no such help as a deranged intellect to do its
work upon any one who will dally wjth its enticing falsehood. The
sooner we feel that it is a dangerous system—one in which the mosS
consummate wisdom of the natural man is combined with enough
of truth to make it intensely plausible—the better prospect shall
there be of our keeping outside the magic circle of the sor¬
ceress. Any man is in danger who becomes discontented with
the Scriptural principles upon which our Reformation was planted,
and sighs for practices and usages of which he thinks Protestantism
has unjustly deprived him. Such a man is in heart a Romanist, and
will sooner or later develope it within or without the Church. For
my own part, I prefer that men holding such views should at once
honestly declare their convictions, and go to their own place, and
I do not feel it necessary, however humbled I may be at their ac¬
tion, to seek for any other reason of their apostacy than the temp¬
tation which the natural heart finds in a system so perfectly
adapted to its desires after self-righteousness.
I would embrace this opportunity, likewise, of bringing to your
notice the views which I laid before you in the first Episcopal Ad¬
dress which I had the honor of delivering to your venerable body.
At the Convention of 1841, in commenting upon the Theology
which was then becoming current in the Church, and which has
led to the sad apostacy of the last five or six years, I said: " The
question for us to settle, as Ministers of the Episcopal Church of
the United States of America, deriving our succession and our
forms and our faith from the English Church, is whether any view®
IS
of doctrine or of practice that may be submitted to our considera*
tion, agree with her Articles, Homilies, Liturgy, Offices, and the
contemporaneous exposition of them during the eighty years in
which they were moulding. This is the only question for us; for
in conforming ourselves to the Protestant Episcopal Church, in
devoting ourselves to the Ministry with'.n her borders, in taking
the vows which were laid upon us in her Ordination, we limited
ourselves to the doctrines she had set forth and the practices she
had adopted. We clo^d the door, so far as we were concerned,
against all private innovation, even though it might be fetched in
from a remote antiquity. We determined to be satisfied with that
measure of Catholic antiquity which she thought fit, at her Re¬
formation, to retain and sanction; and in adhering strictly to her
embodied doctrine and her wonted practice, we cast no contempt
upon ancient Christianity, but only say that we prefer her judg¬
ment as a Church, in regard to it, over any that may be offered to
our acceptance, from whatever quarter. Catholic antiquity is no
longer an open question in the Church; for the sake of peace and
harmony, the Anglican Church settled the matter for herself, and
we deliberately sanctioned that settlement, by the selection of cer¬
tain doctiines which she deemed Scriptural and the retention of
certain forms which she was satisfied were prirc itive." From this
position, laid down the first year I came among you, I have seen no
reason to swerve—indeed, I have seen very much to increase my
confidence in it, and the more you consider the position, the moi-e
satisfied am I that you will perceive it to be the true ground for
every Churchman to plant himself upon. Whatever doctrines,
whatever usages, whatever phrases, whatever terms, whatever
imaginations he may find differing in any, the smallest degree, from
his Bible and his Prayer Book, let him at once reject as the tempta¬
tion to exercise his private judgment in opposition to the decisions
of his Church. It is not a question of the reception or rejection of
the voice of Catholic antiquity, but of the interpretation of that voice
by himself individually, or by the Church of which he is a sworn
soldier. Because the opinions and expressions from which a man
makes up his views of doctrine and practice are opinions and
expressions of the Fathers, it is none the less the exercise of his
private judgment as against the settled and expressed Faith of the
Church, if so be those views differ from her formularies and
usages. And here lies the fallacy of the whole matter, in assum¬
ing that our formularies are of modern date—the spawn of
22
day in Christ Church, Savannah, and upon the intervening Sun¬
days at Montpelier or other parts of the Diocese-
Sept. 30th, I baptized an infant in Early county, and on Sun¬
day, Oct. 3d, officiated in Americus, Sumter County.
On Sunday, Nov. 14th, I officiated in Emmanuel Church,
Athens, and in the afternoon confirmed four persons and baptized
one infant.
On Sunday, Nov. 28th, I officiated in Oglethorpe, Macon Coun¬
ty, having been accidentally detained there by the terrible inunda¬
tion which at that time affected the country.
In the beginning of December I resigned my position at Mont¬
pelier, and took charge of Christ Church, Savannah, to which I
was called upon the resignation of the Rev. A. B Carter. As
the Institute no longer needed my presence, and as the Divine
Head of the Church, by a series of remarkable providential cir¬
cumstances, seemed to point me back to my old position in Savan¬
nah, it no longer lay with me to place my wisdom in opposition to
the manifest will of God. With the consent of the Board of
Trustees I placed the Institute under the charge of a lady, well
tried and well known, Miss M. M. Buell, and invited the Rev.
Rufus M. White, who had just at that moment resigned the
charge of St. John's Church, to accept the Rectorship of the
Institute. These appointmet.ts, together with the continuance
of the Rev. Mr. Bragg at the Institute, should give parents
every confidence that such as the school has her tofore been,
such will it be hereafter. I commend it most heartily to the
Diocese, assuring it that the School has never been in finer
condition and praying it to use every exertion not to permit an In¬
stitution to go down which has been built up at the expense of so
much sacrifice and suffering.
On Saturday, the 8th of January, I examined Mr. Nevius for
Deacon's Orders, and Mr. Gallagher, of the Diocese of North
Carolina, for Priest's Orders, and on Sunday, the 9th, I ordained
Mr. Gallagher, at the request of the Standing Committee of North
Carolina, to the Holy Order of Priests, and Mr. Nevius to the
Holy Order of Deacons. I regret to state that I was unable to
retain Mr. Nevius in the Diocese. He was at once transferred to
the Diocese of Alabama.
On Sunday, the 23d January, I visited the plantation of Robt.
Habersham, Esq., under the Missionary care of the Rev. Mr. Ken-
23
nerly, preached, confirmed nine colored persons, and administered
the Holy Communion.
On Sunday, the 30th January, I baptized one adult in Christ
Church, Savannah, and confirmed ten persons.
On Monday, the 7th February, I buried Mrs. Dorothea Abra¬
hams, a worthy communicant of St. John's Church, who de¬
serves to be mentioned in this address because of her great
liberality to the Church and to the poor. Besides leaving a very
large amount to the widows and poor of the city of Savannah, she
bequeathed $1,000 to the Bishop of the Diocese in trust for the
erection of a Free Church for the poor and the stranger in the
city of Savannah. This amount has been augmented by the
cheerful subscription, on the part of members of Christ Church,
of an additional sum almost sufficient for such a building as we
shall require. It will be commenced very soon, and finished
probably early in the next year.
On Sunday evening, the 13th February, a Missionary meeting
was held in Christ Church, upon which occasion addresses wei'e
made by the Bishop of Shanghai, by Tong Choo Keyung, a Chi¬
nese convert, and by myself. It was an exceedingly interesting
feature in this meeting that we had face to face with us one of
those who had been called, through the instrumentality of the
Church, out of darkness into marvellous light, and that he could
plead for his countrymen in the plain, simple, earnest language of
devotion, as he had learned it in the School of the Mission. It
was indued very touching, and many a heart was opened to the
cause of the'Heathen through the clear yet simple statements of
this youth.
On Sunday, the 20th February, I crossed the Savannah River
into South Carolina, and officiated in the afternoon at the planta¬
tion of the Messrs. Cheves. I preached, confirmed thirty-five
negroes, and administered the Holy Communion. These planta¬
tions form a part of Mr. Kennedy's Mission, and I was requested
by the late Bishop of South Carolina to perform all official acts
among them.
Soon after the death of Dr. Gadsden, of South Carolina, I re¬
ceived an invitation from the Standing Committee of the Diocese
of South Carolina, inviting me to visit the Diocese and perform
such official acts as might be requested of me. I accepted the
invitation, feeling that it was but right that Georgia should return
to South Carolina those acts of official kindness which the lament-
24
ed Bowen had so often performed for her. In consequence of this"
acceptance, 1 visited Charleston, and spent ten days in the city^
officiating almost dhily and confirming in many of the Polishes of
the city. The returns of these official acts have been made to the'
Standing Committee of South Carolina.
O
On Sunday, April 10th, in the afternoon, I again crossed the
Savannah River, and officiated at the Fife Plantation, the proper¬
ty of the Messrs. Heyward, of South Carolina. I confirmed, at
this point, twenty-five colored persons. These plantations are also
under the charge of the Rev. Mr. Ivennerly, whose earnest and
devoted labours among these negroes are worthy of all praise.
On Sunday, the 17th April, I visited the Ogeechee Mission, ad¬
dressed the people, and confirmed twenty-nine persons—all
colored. This plantation is under the charge of the Rev. Mr.
Williams, whose close attention to these people has gained for him
their confidence and attachment. He is now reaping the fruits of
his long and laborious service.
Sunday, April 24th, was spent with the Church in Macon. I
preached three times on Sunday, and confirmed ten persons, four
of whom were colored. On Monday evening 1 preached again.
This Parish is in a very wholesome and growing condition.
Thursday, April 28th, I consecrated Zion Church, Talbotton,
and in the afternoon made an address upon Confirmation and
confirmed four persons in the Church and one sick person in pri¬
vate. The Church in Tidbotton is a very preffy house of worship,
erected enlirely through the indefatigable exertions of the Rev. Mr.
Johnson, who has spent several years in collecting tfte necessary
funds and putting up the building. During much of this time
Mr. Johnson was contending with very grievous sickness, which
very much retarded his operations. Should Talbotton become
connected with any of the existing lines of Rail Road, the Church
would increase therewith steadiness and certainty—otherwise, its
growth must be very slow and precarious, on account of the lim¬
ited number of its population.
Sunday, May 1st, I officiated in Trinity Church, Columbus, and
confirmed twelve persons, making, in this Parish, twenty-seven
during the year. It is in a very flourishing condition, and the
congregation must, ere long, enlarge its borders or stop its growth.
This closed my official acts for the ecclesiastical year.
Since the last Convention, I have not received any Clergyman
into the Diocese, and have transferred the Rev. Mr. Carter to
the Diocese of New York and the Rev. Mr. Nevius to that
of Alabama. Mr. Linebaugh, late of Louisiana, has accepted
a call to Emmanuel Church, Athens, and will take charge in
June next.
There have been several changes in the Parishes of the Diocese,
but of these you have been already informed in the progress of
this Report. Mr. Henry K. Reese, late an ordained Minister of
the Presbyterian Church, has been received as a candidate for
Orders. He is our only one.
I have given my consent, during the year, to the consecration
of the Rev. Jonathan M. Wainwright as Provisional Bishop of
the Diocese of New York, and also to the consecration of Dr.
Hawks as Bishop of the Diocese of Rhode Island. This last
Consecration was not held, in consequence of Dr. Hawks having
declined accepting the charge of Rhode Island.
And now, beloved brethren, trusting that our blessed Redeemer
will, according to his promise, be with you now and alway, I
commend you to his love and mercy.
STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr.,
Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia.
4
PAROCHIAL REPORTS,
CHRIST CHURCH—SAVANNAH.
RT. REV. STEPHEN ELLIOTT, JR., RECTOR.
The Rev. Abraham B. Carter, very much to the regret of the"
Congregation of Christ Church, was obliged to resign his Parish
in the month of July last. The undersigned, having been invited
to take charge of Christ Church, accepted the invitation to take
effect upon the 1st of December, 1852, officiating in the mean¬
while every alternate Sunday during the Summer and Fall. It
has been consequently a very broken year with the Parish and its
l'eturns are necessarily imperfect.
Baptisms—Adults 1—Infants 10, : : : : : 11
Confirmed, 10
Communicants—added 21 — died 2—i-emoved 1 — Present
number, :::::::::: 199
Marriages, 7
Burials, :::::::::: 7
Sunday School Scholars, : : ; : : : 88
Teachers, ; : : : : : : : : 15
Contributions.
Diocesan Missions, 629.03
Domestic Missions, ::::::: 43.0©
Foreign Missions, :::::::: 830.02
Education of Candidates for the Ministry, : : : 207.00
Communion Alms, ::::::: 439.15
•Special Collections—Brownsville, Texas, $50; Mr. Kel-
logg, Jubilee College, $136; for support of City Mis¬
sionary, $650; for new Organ, $3,000; for Mission
■Church, $1,250; ::::::: 5.086.00
Assessment for Bishop's Fund, ; : : : : 1.000.00
$8,234.20
Of the amount reported for Foreign Missions, the sum of $.57.25-
21
was contributed by the Sunday School, and $397.77 by the Chinese
Society. Of the amount reported for the City Missionary, $10
were subscribed by the children of the Sunday School.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH—SAVANNAH.
Communicants—Estimated, :::::: 100
Baptisms, 26
Marriages, 9
Burials, : 12
Contributions.
Foreign Missions, : : : : : : : : 50.00
Communion Alms, : : : t : : : 159.54
Diocesan Missions, : : : : : : : : 50 00
Episcopal Sunday School Union, : : : : : 55.00
Domestic Missions, ■: : : : ; 75.00
Bishop's Salary, :::::::: 250,00
Chinese Missions, :::::::: 24.00
Donations for other special objects, : : : : 550.00
Unappropriated, :::::::: 16.28
$1,229.82
The above sum comprises the weekly offerings of the Church,
{out of which is taken the quota required for the Bishop's salary,)
and other collections for religious or charitable objects. It does
not seem proper to the undersigned to include sums raised for the
building of the new Church, which has cost about $30,000, or for
its organ and other appurtenances. These are not subjects of
annual contribution, and therefore it has not seemed appropriate
to report them.
The general statistics of the Parish are necessarily imperfect.
About the middle of November last, the Rector, the Rev. Rufus
M. White, was attacked with serious and alarming illness, which
obliged him to leave his charge to benefit by a change of climate,
and soon aftor he resigned the Rectorship. The Church was
closed for several weeks, during which the Rev. Mr. Smith kindly
laboui'ed among the poor connected with it. It was afterwards
opened under the ministry of the Rev. Geo. White, and subse¬
quently continued by the Rev. Mr. Ingersoll, of Buffalo, N. Y.
The vacancy in the Rectorship, and the closing of the Church
for so long a period, had quite scattered the congregation, and
when religious services were commenced in the new Church edi¬
fice in March, it was almost like gathering a new one. The
Church, however, is rapidly filling up under the acceptable though
temporary ministrations of Mr. Ingersoll, and it has the prospect
with God's blessing, of wide and extending usefulness.
The Vestry has called to the Rectorship the Rev. Geo. H.
Clark, late of Glynn county. He has accepted the call, and,
Providence permitting, will enter upon his labours in a few days.
The undersigned avail themselves of the occasion to record
the regret of the Parish at the necessity which required the sever¬
ing of the pleasant ties existing between it and the late Reetor,
the Rev. Rufus M. White. His Christian life and doctrine, and
untiring labours while health permitted, had given so much satis¬
faction, and had been productive of so much good, as to excite
the deepest feelings of attachment and respect.
Signed, ROBT. M. CHARLTON, ) Wardens
JOS. S. FAY, f Wardens.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH—AUGUSTA.
REV. EDWARD E. FORD, RECTOR.
Baptisms—adults, 3—children, 39—total, : : : : 42
Confirmed, ::::::::: 7
Communicants—added, 12—died, 4—removed, 7—present
number, : - : : : : : : : : 139
Marriages—white, 7—colored, 3—total, : : : : 10
Burials, (including 9 not of the congi'egation,) : : 25
Sunday School—white, 100 children, under the Rector, a Li¬
brarian, 3 male and 6 female teachers—colored, 15 chil¬
dren, with 1 teacher.
Contributions.
Communion Alms, : : : : : : $342.73
Missions—Diocesan, collected after Missionary Sermon at last
•' Convention, :::::: 38.20
" Monthly offerings, : : : : : 215.29
" Of General Board, Advent offerings for Do¬
mestic Committee, : : : : 50.00
Epiphany offerings for Foreign Committee, 45.25—95.25
$348.74
29
Collections for General Protestant Episcopal Sunday School
Union, ::::::::: $32.00
For subscription to 50 copies of "The Children's Maga¬
zine," given to the Sunday School Children—for books
for Sunday School Instruction and for Sunday School
Library—for Prayer Books and Tracts, : : : 58.79
Quota for support of the Episcopate, : : : : 500.00
Donation to aid in building a Church at Cave Spring, Floyd
county, ::::::::: 120.00
Donation to aid in building a Church at Loudon, Tenn., 127.00
Collection in aid of candidates for Holy Orders, : 51.20
The Ladies' Working Association has, for the past year, de¬
voted the proceeds of its industry to the payment of the balance
due on the purchase of jthe house designed for a Church Orphan
Asylum. The house is now paid for, and the hope is entertained
that sufficient funds may be realized from this source, from other
donations, and from annual subscriptions, to authorize the opening
of the Asylum in the course of another year.
The children of the Parish are catechised monthly by the
Rector.
With the exception of about four months of cold weather, the
Morning Service has been held at an early hour, on Wednesdays
and Fridays, as also on the greater Festivals and the Saints' Days,
with an encouraging measure of attendance, and with a manifest
blessing.
TRINITY CHURCH—COLUMBUS.
REV. THOMAS F. SCOTT, RECTOR.
Communicants—reported last year, 110—added, 28—died,
2—removed, 2—suspended, 1—ordained, 1—present No., 132
Baptisms—adults, 3—children, 59—total, : : : 62
Confirmations, :::::: : : : 27
Marriages, : 4
Burials, :::: i : 1 : ^
Contributions.
For Diocesan Missions, : : •" : : : $247.89
For Foreign " : : : : : 85.00
For Domestic " : 5.00
$337.89
30
Amount brought up, : : : :
: $337.89
Rev. Mr. Breck's Indian Mission, : :
: 34.00
For Lima, Indiana, : : : :
: 21.00
Muscogee Bible Society, : : :
: 28.00
Sunday School Union and Books,
: 34.50
Parochial objects, : :
: 967.32
$1,422.71
Sunday Schools, 2. Teachers—male 12, female 13—chil¬
dren—boys 97, girls 138— : : : 260
The contribution for Rev. Mr. Breck's Indian Mission was made
by the Sunday Schools.
D uring the year a commodious room has been built, by the La¬
dies' Sewing Society, for the use of the Sunday and Parish Free
Schools, at a cost of about a thousand dollars, the larger part of
which they have already paid. Dnring the year they have raised
for that purpose $419.20.
The Parish Free School has been in operation nearly two years,
and owes its establishment mainly to the pious zeal of a female
member of the Church, who still devotes much time gratuitously
to its service. She is assisted by the regular services of another
pious lady, for whom a small salary is raised by a few gentlemen
of the Church. Several other ladies also render occasional assist¬
ance in this noble enterprise, which is dispensing the blessings of
a sound Christian education to a large number of children who
would otherwise be abandoned to ignorance and sin.
CHRIST CHURCH—MACON.
REV. J. A. SHANKLIN, RECTOR.
Baptisms—white adults, 2—colored adults, 2—white infants,
10—total, 14
Marriages, : : : : : : 2
Burials, 3
Communicants—added, 22—withdrawn, 3—died, 1—remov¬
ed, 1—present number, : : : : : 104
Confirmed—white, 6—colored, 4—total, : : 10
Sunday School—Teachers, 14—scholars, 100 white, 25 color¬
ed—average attendance, 61 white, 22 colored.
31
Contributions.
foreign Missions, $85.47
Diocesan Missions, : : • : 172.00
Parish and Church purposes, ; : : : 194.64
Sunday School Books, : : : : 38.20
Ladies' Association to Cave Spring Church $20,
other sources, $10 : : : : 30.00
Ladies' Association to Talbotton Church, : : 5.00
" " towards furnishing the Church, 515.27
(Making $580.27 given by this Association during the
year.)
From a few individuals towards paying off the Church
debt, :::::: 2.390.00
Total contributed by this Parish during the last year, $3,430.58
The children of the congregation are catechised monthly in the
Church, after Evening Prayer. It is the Rector's intention to
pursue the same course with the colored school. A service is
held throughout the year on Friday afternoon. The Psalter, Les¬
ser Litany and appropriate Collects are used, followed by a few
practical i*emarks.
The Rector reports with gratitude and pleasure the addition of
four colored communicants to his flock. The attendance of this
class upon our service has been increasing, and it is hopedtthat
a work has been commenced among them which will go on until
numbers are brought within the fold of a Church so admirably
adapted to their wants.
With a handsome and commodious Church, almost entirely
free of debt, a congregation working harmoniously together,
witlf'some tokens of the Divine presence among us, we Would
humbly bless the Lord for his goodness, and pray for grace to im¬
prove our privileges, and from this time forward to do more and
better for Christ and his Church than we have yet done.
ST. JAMES' CHURCH—MARIETTA.
REV. J. S. HANCKEL, RECTOR.
Communicants—removed, 1—dead, 1—present number, 51
Baptisms—children, 5 white, 2 colored—adult, 1 white—total, 8
Marriages—white,
32
Funerals—whites, 2—colored, 1—total, : : : 3
Sunday School—teachers, 8—5 female, 3 male—scholars, aver¬
age number, 50 to 60.
Contributions.
To Missions, :::::: $71.00
Communion Alms, : : : : 73.61
$144.61
st. peter'S church-Rome.
REV. JAMES D. GIBSON, RECTOR.
Number of families connected with the Parish, : : 18
Communicants—removed, 2—added, 3—present number, 26
Baptisms—infants, 12—adults, 1—total, : : : 13
Marriages, 1
Burials, (three of these not of the congregation,) : : 6
Sunday Schools, 2—teachers, 8—-scholars, white 65, colored 11, 76
Contributions.
Domestic Missions, : : : : : $7.00
Diocesan " : : : : : 8.80
Church pui'poses, : : ; : : 31.21
Communion Alms, : : : : 30.87
Offering of Sunday School children, : : : 4.06
$81.94
This Parish continues, by the blessing of the Lord, to increase
in strength. The attendance on the services of the Church is
more uniform, and the communicants seem more than ever to love
and prize her holy ways. One of those reported last year as ad¬
ded by immigration, has since deserted her altar and attached him¬
self to one of the congregations of the town. The Church erecting
at Cave Spring we hope to have ready for consecration in July.
Through the active and untiring zeal of a Church family resident
there, the means have been secured with the exception of about
three hundred dollars. During my absence in Augusta, last sum¬
mer, the Rev. Mr. Hunt, of Marietta, kindly took charge of my
Parish.
•
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH—ALBANY.
REV. J. H. GEORGE, RECTOR.
Communicants—whites, 24—blacks, 96—total, : : 120
Baptized-—adults, whites, 1—infants, whites, 7-—do. blacks,
11—total, :::::: 19
Deaths—adults, whites, 1—do. blacks, 8—infants, whites, 3—
■ blacks, 2—total, - : : : : 14
Marriages—whites, 1—blacks, 2—total, : : 3
Sunday School—teachers, 5—scholars, 22—total, : 27
Contributions.
For the Bishop's Salary, : : : : $50.00
" Gown for Minister, : : : : 25.00
" Buggy for " : : : : 150.00
*' Foreign Missions, by the servants, : : 2.57^
" Melodeon for the Church, ; : : 75.00
$302.57£
Since my last report, we have had but'few additions to our num¬
ber. In this respect, the parish remains much as it was. We
suffered very much last season from the general sickness which
afflicted the whole country. Some of the plantations suffered se-
verely; and some of the families in the vicinity of Albany were so
afflicted that they were not able, for months, to attend upon divine
■service. We have had but few deaths, however. The sickness, to¬
gether with some other untoward circumstances, has greatly retard¬
ed all our operations. Our Church buildings remain much as they
were. We have subscribed for the Church in this place some
$2,500, and the one in Mr. Nightingale's neighbourhood is in course
of erection. We have said so much in our former reports, that, in
future, we intend to be in deed what we have been in word, touch
iug this matter. The Church will be built.
It was very justly remarked by the Bishop, in his last annual
Address, that the Minister of St. Paul's Parish was extending his
work far beyond his ability, and that he greatly needed assistance.
In accordance with this suggestion, it was thought; best to organize
a new Parish, and give a distinct call to some Minister whom, God,
in his providence, may point out for the work. Accordingly, in
that part of the Parish most removed from Albany, and embracing
one of the most interesting communities in South-western Georgia,
a Parish has just been organized, including the plantations of Mr.
34
Nightingale, Judge Andrews, Messrs. Joseph and Jas. Bond,
Dr. Lawton and others. Delegates have been appointed to the
Convention to make application for admittance into the Diocese.
This Parish, as above stated, has a Church edifice in process of
erection. The Vestry has made liberal provision for a Minister,
and appointed a Committee to confer with the Bishop on that
subject;
In parting with these dear brethren, with whom we have lived
in the utmost harmony and Christian feeling for more than two
years, we tender to them our best wishes for their prosperity, both
temporal and spiritual, and b (.hem to rest assured, that though
we are sepai-ated from them ir_ body, we are with t.hem in spirit,
to sympathise with them in all their joys and in all their sorrows.
May the Great Head of the Church send them a Minister after his
own heart.
Up to this time, the Rector has been liberally supported by the
Parish; but, in consequence of the division, we shall be under
the necessity of looking abroad for aid. But we trust the day is
not far distant when we shall be again a self-sustaining Church,
and ready again to cut off a right arm or pluck out a right eye for
the good of the Church of Christ, which he purchased with his
own precious blood.
There is a growing desire, in all this section, to know more
of the Church; but we want labourers—the fields are already
white to the harvest. May the Lord send forth labourers into his
harvest.
CHURCH OF THE ATONEMENT—AUGUSTA.
REV. WM. H. HARISON, RECTOR.
Baptisms—adults, 2—infants, 9—total, : : : 11
Confirmed, :::::: 3
Marriages, ::::::: 2
Burials, :::::: 9
Communicants—added, 9—removed, 7—present number, 20
Contributions.
Communion Alms, : : : ; : $58.67
Weekly offerings, - 165.45
Special collections, - 64.88
$289.00
35
ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH—MILLEDGEVILLE.
REV. GEO. MACAULEY, RECTOR.
Baptisms—adults, 2—infants, 6—total, - - -8
Marriages, i
Burials, 2
Communicants—removed, 5—added, 4—present number, 11
Candidates for confirmation, - - -4
Contributions.
Diocesan Missions, ----- $14.00
Bishop's Salary, ----- 10.00
$24.00
This Parish has suffered exceedingly during the past year by
the removal of a number of interesting and efficient Church fami¬
lies; from this circumstance, the prospects of the Church are very
discouraging.
GRACE CHURCH—CLARKESVILLE.
REV. B. P. MOWER, RECTOR AND MISSIONARY.
Baptisms—infants, - ----- 2
Candidates for confirmation, - 2
Burials—white, 1—colored, 1—total, - - - 2
Marriages—white, 1—colored. 2—total, - - 3
Communicants—removed, 1—added, 2—present number, - 13
Sunday School—teachers, 8—scholars, 60—total, - 68
Offerings.
At the Holy Communion, ... - $42.75
For Diocesan Missions, - 46.65
" General Foreign Missions, - 5.00
« " Domestic " 5.00
" Parish School, ... - - $100.00
$199.40
There are two Sunday Schools, both in the country, which I
personally attend, and where ir.y services are gladly received.
One of them is held at the Parish School-House; the other at a
place eight miles from the village. The number of scholars in
both schools is given in the above report.
36
CHRIST CHURCH—ST. SIMONS.
REV. E. P. BROWN, RECTOR.
An increased interest in spiritual things, a regular attendance
upon the Lord's day, and an enlarged liberality, the Rector, with
thankfulness, can say, are the prominent facts in the history of
the past year.
Communicants—whites, 24—blacks, 39—total, - 63
Baptisms—adults, blacks, 4—infants, whites, 2—do. blacks, 12—
total, ------- 18
Confirmations—white, (in Savannah,) - 1
Awaiting confirmation—whites, 5—blacks, 12—total, - 17
Contributions.
For Church purposes, ----- $135
" Bishop's salary, ... - 25
" Missionary Society, 21
" Rector's salary, - - - - 210
ST. DAVID'S PARISH—GLYNN.
REV. E. P. BROWN, RECTOR.
Charge was taken of this Parish with the beginning of the
year. Although but few families are associated with it, this
Parish is of importance, because of the large number of negroes it
embraces—not less, perhaps, than twelve hundred—all of whom
are within the distance of from one to four miles from the Church.
They have been visited during the winter upon the plantations, but
this summer a regular service has been appointed for them at the
Church on every other Sabbath. For semi-monthly services, upon
the Sabbath, throughout the year, the Parish raises $225; for
Bishop's salary, $25. Communicants, 5.
2ION CHURCH—TALBOTTON.
REV. R. JOHNSON, RECTOR.
Baptisms—adults, whites, 1—infants, 2—not in the Parish, 4—
total,, ------- 7
]VI^rria,gq, - - ... - - 1
Confirmed, whites, ------ 5
:i 7
Candidates for confirmation, - 2
Communicants, white, - - - - 11
Sunday School—Teachers, ... - 5
" " Pupils, white, - - - -23
" " " colored, ... 16
The prospects of the Chm-ch in TaJbotton are more encouraging
than ever.
ADVENT CHURCH—MADISON.
ltEV. B. E. HABERSHAM, RECTOR.
Communicants—removed, 2—added, 1—present number, 9
" in an adjoining county, - - 2
Baptized, infant, ...... 1
Candidates for confirmation, .... 3
Marriages, ------- 2
Our progress as a congregation has been retarded by the want
of an appropriate place of worship. The Rector is now, how¬
ever, happy to communicate the approaching completion of a very
neat Church edifice, and to indulge the hope of greater encour¬
agement henceforth in his work.
To the Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia :
The undersigned, having been left in charge of St. Luke's
Church, Montpelier, from the first week in December last, to the
23d April, 1853, respectfully reports, that the number of
Communicants, at this date, is - - - - 10
Baptized, colored, ----- 1
Marriages, in the county of Monroe, 1
Burials—white, 1—colored, 1—total, - 2
Sunday School Scholars, ----- 40
Contributions.
From Communion Alms of St. Luke's Church to Diocesan Mis¬
sions, ------- $60
From Ladies' Missionary Society of Montpelier Institute, to
Diocesan Missions, ----- 55
$115
38
Amount brought lip, - - - - - $115
From the same Society to Foreign Missions—
In China, (for education,) ... $25
In Africa, " 20
In Greece, ------ 10— 55
Total, $170
On the 23d day of April, 1853, the Rev. Rufus M. White ai--
rived at Montpelier, and commenced the discharge of his duties as
Rector of St. Luke's Church and Montpelier Female Institute.
The School is in a favourable condition for future usefulness, if
sustained by the united efforts and the earnest prayers of its
friends among the Clergy and Laity of the Church.
SENECA G. BRAGG.
Montpelier Female Institute, 1
Monroe Co., Ga., April 23, 1853. j
ST. PHILIP'S CHURCH—ATLANTA.
rev. wm. j. zimmer, rector.
Families, (two non-resident,) - - - 15
Communicants—removed, 1—added, 6—non-resident, 6—pre- .
sent number, ----- 20
Baptized, (two infants,) ----- 3
Confirmed, - - - - - 3
Mamed, - - - - - - -»2
Buried—4 adults, not of the Parish—2 infants—total, 6
Contributions.
Communion collections, - $82.15
Diocesan collections, - - - - 48.30
Minister's Salary, from Pew Rent - - - 200.00
Sunday School—Teachers, ... 4
Pupils, about - - - 40
There is much to encourage me in this place. Though the
number of persons attending service is not larger than formerly,
yet it is more encouraging, as novelty now draws but few, and
it is therefore more Episcopal. Likewise, the number 'of pupils,
though not so large, is yet more encouraging, as our pupils have
resisted all temptations from other schools, there being now a Sun
day School attached to every sect in the city. Not six of this
number are the children of Episcopalians.
39
The Parish suffers much from the want of one or two male
communicants, there being none resident here.
I have asked leave of absence from my Vestry and the Mis¬
sionary Committee for six months, by the advice of several
physicians, who declare it absolutely necessary. I expect to
leave immediately, and return by the 1st of November. Should
my health justify it, I will return sooner, knowing the injury
which the Church must sustain by so long an interruption of
its*regular services. I offered to resign, but such a step does not
seem to meet either the wishes or judgment of my worthy Bishop
and my affectionate little flock. In the event a substitute cannot
be obtained, the probability is, that I shall feel it my duty to re¬
sign. Most of my congregation will be absent this summer.
CITY MISSION IN SAVANNAH.
REV. THOMPSON L. SMITH, MISSIONARY.
The undersigned entered upon his labours as Missionary in the
city of Savannah the 15th of last November. He found an ample
field, "white for the harvest." It was a vineyard calling loudly
for labourers, as all the regular Pastors of Churches in the
city had as much as they could do within the bounds of their
respective Parishes, and beyond this, the ground was unoccu¬
pied even by a single Missionary, who might minister to the poor,
the afflicted and the unfortunate, who had not been gathered into
any fold; and, besides, to look after the spiritual wants of stran¬
gers and adventurers, who were taking up their residence in our
daily increasing and prosperous city.
The occasional and random visits of first one and then another
of the regular Pastors, to see a sick pei-son in the suburbs, or to
search into the necessities of some unfortunate family in an un¬
frequented portion of the town—or, perhaps, to minister to a
dying man or woman at the Hospital, or to visit some outcast
criminal at the Jail—could effect but little towards answering the
real demands, or of carrying the Gospel to many souls perishing
in our midst, " without God and without hope."
A city numbering more than 20,000 souls needed a Missionary,
■whose entire labours and uninterrupted efforts could be brought
to bear on that portion of our population beyond the regularly or¬
ganized means of grace. This state of things was obvious to the
40
tttinds of all the Christians iti the Churches already established ;
and hence your Missionary found but little difficulty in obtaining
the necessary assistance and encouragement in the prosecution of
his labours in the cultivation of this field.
A salary towards his support was soon raised, and his first care
was to obtain a small sum for the erection of a suitable building for
a Free Episcopal Church, in which a congregation and a Sunday
school might be gathered, and where the free Gospel might be dis¬
pensed " without money and without price."
This desire, in the providence of God, was soon realized. Mrs.
Dorothea Abrahams, a benevolent communicant of St. John's
Chui'ch, whose heart '■ God had opened " to a deep sense of the
rich privileges and comforting hopes of the Gospel, long impressed
with the importance of a City Mission, in her last will and testa¬
ment, generously bequeathed the handsome sum of $1,000, (to be
placed in the hands of the Rt. Rev. Stephen Elliott, as trustee,)
for the erection of a Free Episcopal Church in some convenient
place in the city.
Encouraged by this liberal bequest, your Missionary made an
effort to raise an additional sum, by subscription; and he is glad
to be able to state that his efforts were crowned with eminent suc¬
cess, and the sum of $1,225 was raised in this way, obtained,
almost entirely in the congregation of Christ Church, making in
all $2,225. With this amount, it was deemed safe to purchase a
lot, which was immediately done, situated on the corner of West
Broad and Robert streets. A neat plan has been fuz-nished for a
small building by Messrs. Sholl and Fay, which is proposed to be
finished by the 1st of January next.
It is only necessary for your Missionary further to report, that
during the past few months of his labours, though somewhat in¬
terrupted in preparing the means for more efficient operations
in the future, and by parochial duties performed among the
poorer members of the congregations of St. John's and Christ
Church — the former having been deprived of the care of a
regular Pastor during the past winter and spring, and the Rector
of the latter being necessarily absent a portion of that time—yet
much of the destitute portions of the town has been visited by
him, and the wants of a goodly number supplied. The Hospi¬
tal has received his constant visits, and there have been occasional
services at the Jail, and frequent conversations have been had with
41.
ibe prisoners on their accountability to God, and the value of theif
precious souls.
Bibles and other good books have been furnished, both for the
Jail and Hospital.
The Missionary would take this opportunity of returning his
thanks to those benevolent members of Christ Church congregation
who so generously and materially aided him in his work. It only
furnishes another proof of the noble and high-souled generosity
which has ever characterized that congregation. Their ears have
never been deaf, either to the cries of the perishing heathen
abroad, or to the Macedonian calls at home. And thus, while they
have been foremost in lending a helping hand towards "preach¬
ing among the Gentiles the unsearchable i-iches of Christ," the
poor and needy, calling for help at their doors, have not been
sent empty away. *
SAVANNAH RIVER MISSION.
REV. S. W. KENNERLY, MISSIONARY.
Baptisms—adults, 63—children, 62—total, - - 125
Marriages, ------ 14
Burials, -------10
Confirmed, (colored,) - 69
Children connected with Mission Schools, - - 200
This Mission embraces seven plantations. Four of these plan¬
tations are within the limits of South Carolina. Of the baptisms
above reported, fifty-eight adults and sixty-three children were
within the limits of South Carolina; also, sixty of the confirma¬
tions.
The Missionary is happy to report the Mission in a healthy
and prosperous condition. He is fully warranted in so doing
from the increasing attention of the negroes to divine service, and
more especially from the increasing interest they manifest in the
Church service.
A little healthy, well directed sympathy and zealous effort on the
part of those who feel or should feel their responsibility as masters,
and are interested in the moral and religious elevation of the negro
slave, is all that is necessary to bring about results among these Afri¬
cans at our doors, which will be gratifying to the Christian philan¬
thropist, and which will tell, not only in Time, but wondrously in
42
Eternity. The Church, if she will vindicate her claim to be the
"One Catholic Apostolic Church," must, through her ministry,
" have the Gospel" preached to these poor. The Missionary
asks the prayers of the Church in behalf of the Mission.
OGEECHEE MISSION.
REV. W. C. WILLIAMS, MISSIONARY.
Baptisms—adults, colored, 35—infants, colored, 10—total, 45
Confirmed, colored, ----- 45
Communicants—added, 49— restored, 1 — suspended, 2—re¬
pelled, 2—present number, colored, - - - 90
Marriages—white, 1—coloi'ed, 11—total, - - 12
Burials—white, 1—colored, 19—total, - - 20
Pupils connected with the Mission Schools, - - 200
Contributions.
Diocesan Missions, ----- $5.30
Foreign Missions, - 29.00
Communion Alms, ----- 26.00
Total, ------ $60.30
The results of the past year have more than exceeded the most
sanguine expectations of the Missionary. A great degree of se¬
riousness has existed among the people during the entire year.
Candidates for Holy Baptism have continually presented them¬
selves, while of those who seemed devoted to other systems, all
have expressed their gratitude for the labours of the Missionary,,
and many have come forward and formally united themselves with
the Church. The night of prejudice has passed away, and, with
the continuance of God's blessing, the Church will reap an abun¬
dant harvest.
Last November we were visited with that desolating scourge,
the Cholera. But " God, in wrath, remembered mercy." The
ties which bound the Missionary to the people have been drawn
much closer; and a deep, and apparently, abiding sense of the
vanity of all things earthly, and the necessity of securing an "in¬
heritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away,"
seems to have been the happy result. We have found the " Lord
43
gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness."
He did indeed "return and repent, and leave a blessing behind
him."
Praised be the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, for these un¬
speakable mercies.
To the Rt. Rev. Stephen Elliott, Jr., D. D,
Bishop 0/ '"e Diocese of Georgia:
The subscriber, still with , .rochial charge, has been, since
the date of his last report, engaged mainly in his duties as Rector
of the Academy of Richmond County. He has, however, when
called upon, assisted the Rectors of both the Churches, that of St.
Paul's and that of the Atonement, either in officiating or preach¬
ing ; and has regularly aided the Rector of St. Paul's on occasions
of administei'ing the Holy Communion.
JOHN NEELY, Rector R. C. A.
Augusta, Ga., May 2d, 1853.
St. Mary's, April 28, 1853.
Rt. Rev. and Dear Sir :
It is my painful task to announce the death of our late Missiona¬
ry Clergyman, the Rev. L. M. Purdy, who died about 6 o'clock P.
M., yesterday. In addition to the ordinary attacks to which he was
subject, he had two very severe ones of an Apoplectic character,
which very briefly terminated his life. He is to be buried at 5
o'clock this afternoon, and as I leave town immediately after the
funeral, and to-morrow is our mail day, I must beg of you to ex¬
cuse this hurried and unofficial notice of his decease. Of the Vestry,
only Mr. Clarke and myself are in town.
We are now left entirely destitute. Pray remember our desti¬
tution.
"With much respect, I am,
Very truly yours,
MILLER HALLOWES.
Rt. Rev. Stephen Elliott, D. D., Savannah.
44
Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., £
April, 1853. S
The last report which I made to you, in pursuance of the Canon
of the General Convention, was in 1849. In that year I went
abroad in the flag-ship Independence, to the Mediterranean, and
returned in July last; and in November, I was sent to Annapolis,
Md., as Chaplain of the Naval Academy. During the last three
years, I have performed the following services:
Baptisms—adults, 2—children, 6—total, - 8
Marriages, ----- 3
Burials, - - - - - - 30
I administered the communion to - - 20 sailors
at public service on board the Independence. During the first
two summers, we had morning and evening prayers daily. The
commanders seemed fully aware of the value and need of seeking
God's blessing. When the winter came the public pi'ayers were
discontinued, and the religious men of the ship (of whom there
were an unusually large number, owing, in a gr£at measure, to the
zeal and love of a praying boatswain) met in the fore-passage for
prayers, and on three evenings of each week I delivered to them
a lecture, on which occasions the captain usually attended. After
the regular service and sermon on Sunday morning, I preached
on board the Mississippi at 1 o'clock, when we were in port to¬
gether, which was during the winter months, and frequently in
summer. When not in company with the other vessel, I had ser¬
vice for the Sick on board of our own ship, (every opportunity of
doing go6d being freely given by Commodore, and Captain, and
Lieutenants, and Surgeon.) In consequence of the care bestowed
on the spiritual welfare of seamen, both ashore and afloat, the
prayers of God's people, which have so long been offered in their
behalf, appear to be heard, and the character of sailors and of
officers has manifestly risen in its moral and religious tone. The
thorough professional education and self-denying habits acquired
at the Naval Academy, give promise of further improvement.
The religious sei'vices here are daily morning prayers and two
services on Sunday. The number of midshipmen and of acting
midshipmen here at present is about one hundred and twelve,
but that number will be much increased in the fall. The fact,
that the moral atmosphere which emanates from navy officers
gives its own character to our country abroad, and affects ma ten-
CONSTITUTION
OF THE
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH
IN THE
DIOCESE OP GEORGIA-.
Article I.—The Church of this Diocese, as a constituent part
of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of Ameri¬
ca, accedes to, recognises and adopts, the general Constitution of
that Church, and acknowledges its authority accordingly.
Art. II.—A Convention of this Church shall be held at such
time of each year and place as the previous Convention may ap¬
point, provided, however, that no Convention shall be opened for
the transaction of business unless there be present at least two
clergymen, and delegates from two congregations. And' in case
no Convention be formed, the standing officers of the last Con¬
vention shall hold their respective offices until successors shall be
appointed.
Art. Ill,—The Bishop, or, if the Episcopate be vacant, the
.Standing Committee, shall have power, when it appears requisite
for the good of the Church, to call a Special Convention, by a circu¬
lar letter to the several Churches. There shall not be less than
four weeks notice previous to the day appointed, and such meet¬
ing shall be holden when the authority calling it shall determine,
and at such Special Convention no other business shall be transacted
than that stated in the notice calling the Convention.
Art. IV.—The C&nvention shall be composed of Clergymen
and Laymen. Every Clergyman in good standing, regularly
settled, and continuously exercising clerical functions in any existing
Parish, or who shall have been for six months last past performing
missionary duties under the direction of the Ecclesiastical authori¬
ty of this Diocese, shall be entitled to the privileges of a member
of this Convention; and every duly recognised Minister of this
Church canonically resident for six months last past within the
Diocese, being engaged in the business of literary instruction, or
disabled by reason of age or infirmity from exercising clerical
functions, shall be entitled to all the privileges of a member of the
Convention, with the exception of a right to vote. Each chqrch
or congregation in union with this Convention shall be entitled to
47
a representation by one Lay Delegate or more, not exceeding three,
to be chosen from its own body, by the Wardens and Vestrymen
thereof; provided, however, that the Minister, or, in his absence,
the Delegate or Delegates present at any Convention, may supply
any vacancy in the delegation, if he or they should find, at the
place of meeting, a member or members of the congregation which
they are empowered to represent.
Art. V.—New Parishes may be admitted into union with this
Convention by a majority of votes; provided, that they shall have
laid before the Convention, written evidence, subscribed by the
Wardens, that they accede to the Constitution and Canons of this
Church, and are regularly organised by the ejection of two War¬
dens, and any number of Vestrymen at discretion, not exceeding
eight.
Art. VI.—Every meeting of the Convention shall be opened
with Morning Prayer, and a Sermon, delivered on the first day of
the Convention, by a Preacher appointed at the preceding Con¬
vention; a Sermon on Missions shall also be preached some time
during the sitting of each Convention, when a collection shall be
made in aid of Missions within the Diocese. The appointment of
both Preachers, with substitutes, shall be made by the Bishop, or,
in his absence, by the President of the Convention.
Aut. VII.—The Convention shall delibei-ate and act as one body,
unless when any member shall call for a division on any question,
in which case, each clerical member shall be entitled to one vote,
and the lay delegates of each congregation jozVZy to one vote;
and a majority of both orders shall be necessary to a decision.
Art. VIII.—The Bishop of the Diocese shall be ex-officio Presi¬
dent of the Convention. In case there be no Bishop, or, in his-
absence, a presiding officer shall be elected from among the clerical
members present.
Aut. IX.—At each annual meeting of the Convention, a Secre¬
tary and Treasurer shall be chosen, to hold their respective offices
until the next annual Convention, or until successors shall be ap¬
pointed. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive, or cause
to be received, at each annual Convention, the assessments upon1
the Parishes of the Diocese for defraying the incidental expenses'
of the Convention and the support of the Episcopate—and also to
pay the Bishop quarterly, in advance, the amount of salary
pledged to him by this Convention; making a faithful return of
all these his acts in his annual report to the Convention of this-
Church.
Art. X. A Standing Committee shall be chosen at each annual
meeting of this Convention, to consist of thro clerical and three
lay members; of the time and place of whose meetings due no¬
tice in writing shall be given to all the members thereof, at least
one week before the time of such meeting. At a meeting thus
notified, any four members shall constitute a quorum. The Stand¬
ing Committee shall meet as soon as practicable after their election,
and choose a President and Secretary from among their own num-
48
ber, and it shall be the duty of the President to call a meeting of
the committee whenever he shall be required to do so by any three
members of the committee. Vacancies in this committee, caused
by death, resignation, or otherwise, shall be supplied by the
suffrages of the remaining members.
Art. XI—The Convention shall annually elect four clergymen
and four laymen as deputies to the General Convention, and to any
special General Convention which may be held in the recess of
this Convention, who shall be empowered, in the absence of one
or more of their colleagues, to appoint, in the place of such dele¬
gate or delegates, any citizen or citizens of this State; provided,
that such citizen or citizens be a member or members of the Pro¬
testant Episcopal Church in this Diocese; or, if it be inconvenient
for any delegate or delegates topioceed to the place of meeting,
the Bishop is authorized to appoint others in their place. In case
of a vacancy in the Episcopate, the power hereby conferred on
the Bishop shall be exercised by the Standing Committee.
Akt. XII.—A proposition for altering and amending this Con¬
stitution shall be introduced in writing, and considered in Conven¬
tion, and if approved by a majority, shall lie over to the next
Convention, when, upon consideration again, if it be approved by
a majority of the Convention, it shall be adopted.
Art. XIII.—In all elections by ballot, a majority of votes shall
be required for a choice.
CANONS.
Canon I.—Each Church duly represented in this Convention
shall pay, or cause to be paid, into the hands of the Treasurer of
the Convention, the sum of fifteen dollars annually, for defraying
the incidental expenses of the Convention.
Canon II.—In case any clergyman of this Diocese shall be ac¬
cused of error in doctrine, immorality of life, or neglect, or trans¬
gression of any of the canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church
in the United States, or this Diocese, it shall be the duty of any
two or more clergymen, or of the wardens and vestrymen of the
Church of which he is Rector, or to which he may belong, who
shall have knowledge or belief of such misdemeanor, to represent
the same to the Bishop, or, in case there be no Bishop, to the
Standing Committee of the Diocese. In the event of such repre¬
sentation, it shall be the duty of the Bishop, or, if there be no
Bishop, the Standing Committee, if be or they shall deem the
charge or charges worthy of investigation, forthwith to notify the
accused of such charges, together with the time and place ap-
49
pointed for trial. The mode of trial shall be as follows: The
Bishop or Standing Committee, as the case may be, shall appoint
a number of Presbyters, not less than five, of whom the person
accused may select a majority, by whom to be tried. The result
of the trial shall be made known to the Bishop, or if there be no
Bishop, to the Standing Committee, who shall pronounce and exe¬
cute, or cause to be pronounced and executed, such sentence as
may be awarded, should the same by him or them be deemed just
and proper.
Should the sentence be suspension or degradation from the
Ministry, the Bishop, or Provisional Bishop, or should there be
none, some neighbouring Bishop, shall be required to pronounce
the same.
Should it be impossible to obtain from the Diocese the requisite
number of Presbyters to constitute a board of trial, the deficiency
may be supplied from a neighbouring Diocese.
Should any clergyman, accused and cited for trial according to
the provisions of this canon, neglect or refuse to ob-jy the citation,
such neglect or refusal shall be considered as an acknowledgment
of the truth of the charges preferred against him, and sentence
shall be pronounced accordingly.
Canon III.—The Convention shall appoint annually, by ballot, a
committee of two clergymen and three laymen, of which com¬
mittee the Bishop of the Diocese, when there is one, shall be
ex-officio chairmau; whose duty it shall be to take in charge the
Missionary, Bible, Common Prayer Book, Tract and Sunday
School operations of the Church in this Diocese; and it shall be
further the duty of this committee to make a full report of all
their proceedings to each succeeding annual Convention.
Canon IV.— It shall be the duty of the Vestry of each Church
in connection with this Diocese to pay, or cause to be paid, into
the hands of the Treasurer of the Convention, at each annual
meeting of the Convention, the amount of the assessment laid
upon the Churches respectively represented by them for the sup¬
port of the Episcopate of this Diocese.
Canon V.—Section 1.— Whenever any number of persons shall
associate to form an Episcopal Congregation, they shall adopt
articles of association for their government, in which they shall ac¬
knowledge and accede to the constitution, canons, doctrines,
discipline and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
United States, and the constitution and canons of the Diocese of
Georgia ; they shall assume a suitable name by which their Church
or Parish shall be designated, and elect two Wardens, and any
number of Vestrymen, at discretion, not exceeding eight. A cer¬
tified copy of the articles of association, and of the proceedings
at their adoption, signed by the Wardens, shall then be laid before
the Convention, and if approved by that body, delegates from such
congregation or Parish, may take seats in the Convention, and the
congregation shall be considered as united to the Convention and
subject to its decisions.
50
Section 2. The election of Wardens and Vestrymen in every
Parish thus constituted, shall take place annually on Easter Monday,
unless some other time be specified in the act of incorporation,
with the assent of the ecclesiastical authority of the Diocese.
RULES OF ORDER.
rule 1.—The business of each day shall be introduced by the
Order for Daily Morning Prayer and a Sermon.
Rule 2.—When the President takes the chair, no member shall
continue standing, or shall stand up, unless to address the chair.
Rule 3.—The order of doing business in the Convention shall
be as follows:
1. The appointment of a Secretary by ballot.
2. The appointment of the Committees of the Convention, and
Special Committees.
3. The Annual Address of the Bishop.
4. The reading of the Parochial Reports.
5. Reports from the Committees of the Diocese.
6. Reports from the Treasurers.
7. Reports from Committees appointed at the last Convention.
8. Reports from Committees.
9. Election by ballot, of Treasurers, Standing Committee of the
Diocese, Diocesan Missionary Committee, and Deputies
to the General Convention.
Rule 4.—When any member is about to speak in debate, or
present any matter to the Convention, he shall, with due respect,
address himself to the President, confining himself strictly to the
point in debate.
Rule 5.—No member shall absent himself from the service of
the Convention unless he have leave, or be unable to attend.
Rule 6.— No member shall speak more than twice in the same
debate, without leave of the Convention.
Rule 7.—A question, being once determined, shall stand as the
judgment of the Convention, and shall not be drawn into debate
the same session, unless with the consent of two-thirds of the
Convention: provided, always, that any member of the Conven¬
tion voting in favour of any question, may, on the same day in
which the vote is taken, or on the succeeding day, move a recon¬
sideration of said vote.
Rule 8—No motion shall be debated, or shall be considered as
before the Convention, unless seconded, reduced to writing, and
read by the Secretary.
Rule 9—When a motion is under consideration, no other mo¬
tion shall be made, except to amend, to divide, to commit, or to
postpone: a motion to adjourn, however, shall always be in order,
and shall be decided without debate.
51
Role 10.—A question on amendment shall be decided before
the original motion.
. RVle —'Every member who shall be present when the ques¬
tion is put, shall vote, unless personally interested, or excused by
the Convention from voting.
Rule 12.—When the Convention is about to rise, or adjourn,
every member shall keep his seat until the President shall leave
the chair.
STANDING RESOLUTIONS,
FOR PROVIDING A PERMANENT FUND FOR THE SUPPORT
OF THE EPISCOPATE, ADOPTED 1841.
Resolved, That, as it is important that the formation of a per¬
manent fund for the support of the Episcopate in this Diocese be
at once commenced, each Rector of a Parish is requested, annu¬
ally to call the attention of his parishioners to the subject, and
invite contributions for the object, in such mode as he may deem
most expedient. That the Standing Committee of the Diocese be
trustees of this fund, to whom all the collections are to be paid
over by the respective Rectors, and the amount thus paid over be
invested by the said trustees in what may appear to them the most
safe and profitable manner—the interest annually received to be
added to the principal, so that for the present the fund may be ac¬
cumulating. And further,
Resolved, That the Standing Committee, as trustees aforesaid,
be requested to report to each annual Convention the amount re¬
ceived during the year, the sources from which received, and the
manner in which the same is invested.
OF THE ORGANIZATION OF NEW PARISHES,
ADOPTED 1842.
Resolved, That in the organization of new Parishes, the follow-
ing form of declaration be recommended, and the meeting in
which it is adopted be held and conducted according to the pro¬
visions of Canon V:
" We, the subscribers, assembled for the purpose of organizing
a Church, (or Parish,) of the Protestant Episcopal Church in
county of and State of Georgia, after due notice
given, do hereby agree to form a Church (or Parish) to be known
by the name of Church, and as such, do hereby ac¬
knowledge and accede to the doctrine, discipline and worship, the
52
constitution and canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
United States of America, and the constitution and canons of the
same Church in the Diocese of Geoi-gia; and we do accordingly
appoint A B and C D to be the first Wardens, and E F, G H, I
J, to be the first Vestrymen of Church, to continue in
office until Easter Monday, A. D. , and until others be chosen
in their place. And an election of Wardens and Vestrymen shall
hereafter be held on Easter Monday of each successive year.
" Witness our hands at county of , and State of
Georgia, this day of , in the year of our Lord
ON THE USE OF CHURCHES,
ADOPTED 1842.
On motion, it was unanimously—Resolved, That it be recom¬
mended to the Vestries of our Churches in this Diocese to
discourage the use of the Churches under their care for all " un¬
hallowed, worldly, and common uses."
THE STYLE AND TITLE OF CHURCHES,
The proper style for a duly incorporated congregation is, " The
Rector, Church Wardens and Vestry, (or else the Church Wardens
and Vestry) of — Church in the first blank being
left for the name of the church, the other for that of the place.
FORM OF A CERTIFICATE.
This certifies, that at a meeting of the Rector, Wardens and
Vestry, (or Wardens and Vestry, if no Rector were present) of
, held on the day of , the following person,
(or persons, as the case may be,) viz : K L, M N, and O P, were
duly elected to represent this Church in the next Convention of
this Diocese, to be held in on the day of ,
18—.
The above certificate shall be signed by the Rector, if present,
or in his absence, by one of the Wardens or by the Secretary
of the Vestry.
SERMON,
PREACHED AT
THE CONSECRATION OF ST. JOHN'S CHURCH,
SAVANNAH,
ON SATURDAY, MAY 7TH, 1853,
BY RT. REV, STEPHEN ELLIOTT, D. D.f
BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE.
PUBLISHED BI ORDER OF THE CONVENTION.
Satoanna!):
W. THORNE WILLIAMS,
1853,
SERMON.
And, lo, I am with jou alwny, even unto the end of the world. Amen!
[Matthew, 28:20—last clause*
1 welve years ago, Congregation of St. John's, I consecrated to
the service of Almighty God, the humble building whose place thi»
beautiful Temple is intended to supply. We hoped, at that day,
that the time might come, when we should replace that edifice
with a nobler structure, but we scarcely dared to look for it at so
early a day. It was an off-shoot of the Mother Church, planted with
her seed, nurtured by her care, a tender and delicate plant, requir¬
ing the most careful culture, lest it should wither and die. But
watched over by holy and devoted men of God, supported in her
hour of need by faithful and noble-hearted Laymen, and, above all,
watered by the dew of God's blessing, she comes to-day, rivalling
her mother in the number of her worshippers, surpassing her in
the beauty ol her adornment. Let our first act be one of humble
adoration and heartfelt gratitude for such unmerited mercy, our
first song within this consecrated building, a song of thanksgiving
for blessings undeserved.
But with this song of thanksgiving there mingle sighs for those
beloved brethren who have fallen victims to their devotion in her
behalf. Upon such a day as this, we cannot forget the sainted
Gallagher,* who first watered this vineyard with his blood, who,
through weakness and sickness, won for himself a precious re¬
membrance among all those who loved the Lord Jesus in sincerity.
Pure in his character to a most remarkable degree, consistent in
his daily walk as a holy example to his people, assiduous in his
duties as a Pastor to the then little flock over which God had
placed him, earnest and faithful as a preacher of the unsearchable
riches of Jesus Christ, he lived among you a model of ministerial
faithfulness, an exemplar of what a follower of Christ should be.
He was too well prepared for Heaven to be left on Earth, and an
early grave, found by the way side, as he was returning to visit
his beloved people in this place, verified for him all the promises
upon which his faith had rested steadfastly and immoveably from
a youth. His memory will not die among you, so long a^s any
* Rev. John B. Gallagher*
56
remain who were the subjects of his pastoral love, and to-day, I
have ventured to re-open those wounds which Time has long
since closed.
It does not become us to speak of*the living as we speak of the
dead, but this beautiful building, erected mainly through his untir¬
ing and perseveiing zeal, forbids us to pass by the name of your
late Pastor,* the second victim of devotion, not merely to his own
people, but to his fellow creatures of every grade and station.
Were I to be silent, the very dust of the streets would rise up and
speak of his faithfulness. Wherever there could be found an ob¬
ject of compassion; wherever the poor, and the sick, and the
afflicted made their abode ; wherever the widow, the orphan, and
the stranger poured out the sorrow of their desolate hearts, there
was he, ministering, comforting, advising, praying, preaching ; if
perchance he might by the grace of God imitate his Saviour in
doing good alike to the bodies and souls of those for whom Christ
died. And as he was to the poor and the needy, so was he like¬
wise to the families committed to his charge. A faithful Pastor,
an earnest teacher of righteousness, an attentive friend, your fami¬
ly circles, one and all, speak of his affection and his care. Bat
God saw fit to strike him down in the midst of his woik, and
to separate him from you, at the moment when he was hoping to
enlarge the sphere of his usefulness through the increased accom¬
modation of this beautiful Church. Perhaps he had looked too
earnestly towards it as his rest, and God does not permit his ser¬
vants to find rest on earth. He teaches them continually that
there remaineth a rest.for the people; of God.
But besides the earnest labours of your Ministers, which have
helped, under the blessing of God, to build you up to your present
prosperous condition, it would have been, so far as the building of
this house was concerned, comparatively vain, but for the abound¬
ing liberality of those generous Laymen, who have given their
time, thgir talents, their money, in the richest profusion, for the
carrying out of this noble enterprise. As they sit before me, deli¬
cacy forbids that I should say more than express the th'anks of the
Church for their liberal zeal, and invoke the blessing of all the
good and the holy upon their heads for their generous work.
But, over and abftve all this work and labour and generosity of
man, there Was a higher Power presiding and controlling—that
* Rev. Rcfus &f. White.
57
Power who promised to be with you alway, unto the end of the
world. It was through his Spirit that his Ministers laboured—that
his servants increased—that gifts were poured out in profusion—
that event followed event, and circumstance circumstance, until
they giew up into this holy and beautiful house, where you and
your children shall worship. He has been with you hitherto, and
his promise is that he will be with you alway, to the end of the
world. Let us see if this Church, which we consecrate to-day,
embodies the tokens and signs of that with which our Saviour
promised alway to be, to the end of the world.
The first note which we offer as evidence that we are of that
Church with which Christ promised to be to the end of the world,
is soundness in the Faith. We place upon that Lectern the unmu-
tilated word of God, the sacred Canon of all antiquity, without
the addition, without the rejection of a single book, chapter, verse
or word. What the universal Church decided, in its best ages, to
have been writ by holy men of old, as they were moved by the
Holy Ghost, is contained within that volume, and we lay it there,
that out of it, the people may condemn us who minister at the
altar, if we speak that which is contrary to revelation—nay, that
itself, being daily read, may confute, through its truth and spirit,
ought wherein we may depart from the doctrine of the most
high God. We seal it not from the people; nor yet, while pre¬
senting it, do we dismiss them with scanty portions from its pages,
but every Lord's day are numerous passages of its History, its
Psalms, Its Prophets, its Evangelists, its Apostles, laid before you,
and, in the course of every year, is almost every part of its glorious
doctrine read in your hearing, that you may perceive, and know,
and judge, whether the ambassadors for God deliver you the mes¬
sage which they have received from on high.
But more than this—lest the love or admiration for man might
tempt you to follow the errors of a favourite rather than the truth of
the Bible, the Chyrch, of which we are consecrating a temple this
day, has laid upon the Table of the Lord a Book of Prayer, em¬
bodying in its Creeds, in its Liturgy, in its Offices, in its Articles,
all the great truths of the Gospel as she has gathered them from
the Scriptures, that you may be guided in your interpretation of
those writings by the concurrent opinion of the holiest men of the
times nearest the Apostles. She has adopted the most ancient
Creeds she has selected from Liturgies of the third, fourth and
fifth centuries all that was consentaneous and important—she has
8
58
composed prayers and forms of sacramental administration after
the closest fashion of her best days—she has arranged aiticles,
some affirmatory of the highest truths, some negativing the dead¬
liest errors, all embodied, as near as human language could be
adapted to divine, in Scripture phraseology, and to these, for fear
that her children might be led into the paths of error, has she limited
her ministry in their public services. And while this limitation
proves her anxious desire for the soundness of her children in the
faith, it in no wise interferes with the great design of public prayer
—nay, it rather keeps it within its just prerogative. For public
prayer is not designed to excite the feelings of the worshippers—
that is the province of preaching—and therefore needs not novelty
nor variety, nor curious art; these things would only turn the wor¬
shipper from his God to his Priest. Neither does it call for minute
particularity into the necessities and desires of individuals—that is
the province of private prayer—and such themes would only ex¬
cite curiosity and wonder, perhaps worse feelings, and turn the
worshipper from his God to his neighbour—but it is the combined
utterance to God, of thanks, of wants, of necessities which are
common to all, which are the same yesterday, to-day, and forever,
and which have been promised to those who shall agree together to
ask them in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. And when
we turn to the doctrines of this Book of Prayer, we find all the
important truths of revelation most clearly developed—the Trini¬
ty—the fall of man—his corruption in and through Adam—his
justification by faith in the atonement of Christ—his edification
into the stature of a perfect man in Christ Jesus, by the opera¬
tion of the Holy Ghost. Upon these great topics she utters no
uncertain sound, but every where confirms the truth as it has been
revealed in the Scriptures and witnessed from generation to gen¬
eration by the testimony of martyrs and witnesses.
The second note which we offer as evidence that we are a branch
of the Church with which Christ promised that he would be
alway to the end of the world, is a due administration of the sacra¬
ments. These sacraments has she determined, in strict accordance
with the commands of Christ, to be but two—Baptism and the
Lord's Supper—the only two that were ordained by Christ himself
—that were furnished with outward and visible signs of an inward
and spiritual grace. In the first of these, Baptism, she has determin¬
ed as to the time that it shall be administered to the children of all
who have been themselves baptized, and to this determination has
59
she come in agreement with the analogy of all the previous dispen¬
sations of G-od's establishment, wherein children were universally
admitted with their parents into a participation of the covenant-
in puisuance of the frequent intimation of Christ that he would
have little children to come unto him, for of such was the kingdom
of God, at the same time that he asserted roundly, that except a
rnan be boin of water and of the spirit he cannot see that very
kingdom—in imitation of the practice of the early Christians, who
best knew the mind of Christ and his Apostles, and who uni¬
versally brought their children to the laver of regeneration. As to
the mode, she has determined most wisely that it is indifferent, so it
be d one with water and with the formula which her Lord enjoined,
" in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost."
Those who desire immersion, she will immerse—those who prefer
to be poured upon, she will baptize after that fashion—those who
are satisfied with sprinkling, she will sprinkle, and for all these
diverse modes of the application of the water, she can show Scrip¬
ture evidence, as strong for the one as for the other—she can adduce
Church practice, varying according to the circumstances of time,
of place, of convenience. With regard to the other of these sacra¬
ments, the Lord's Supper, she has equally avoided the ultraism of
those who make it a sacrifice wherein Christ is anew offered by
the officiating Priest, and likewise of those who consider it noth¬
ing more than a mere memorial of the death and sacrifice of
Christ, which any other elements would as well have represented.
Avoiding these, she has carefully altered in her Communion Ser¬
vice the word Altar into Lord's Iable, to indicate that the
officiating Minister no longer stands there in the character of an
Jiicreus to offer up a victim, but as a Presbyter to invoke the
blessing of his word and holy spirit upon the creatures of bread and
wine, that through faith, those who partake thereof may obtain re¬
mission of their sins, and all other benefits of Christ's passion.
Nor has she dared change the elements which Christ himself has
pointed out, but consecrates the bread and wine and offers them
alike to all who are worthy, through repentance and faith, to par¬
ticipate in their holy reception. And thus the sacrament is not a
mass, nor yet a mere memorial, but it is a sacrifice of piaise and
thanksgiving, whereby are offered unto God ourselves, our souls
and bodies, a reasonable, holy and living sacrifice!
The third note which we offer as evidence that we are of that
Church with which Christ has promised alway to be, unto the
GO
end of the world, is the ministerial s2iccession. Nor is this an idle
matter, for it involves do less than the whole question, whether
there be any ministry at all. If the authority which Christ left
with his Apostles has been suffered to expire, whence hath it
been renewed % And if it hath not been renewed, where is the
ministry % What right hath one man more than another to bap¬
tize, to preach, to administer the sacraments, to absolve from sin?
Why may not each say to his neighbour, come and baptize
me—come and consecrate the elements and give me to eat and
drink of the body and blood of my Saviour. This seems prepos¬
terous—nay, blasphemous—and yet if there has not been a suc¬
cession in the ministry from the time of the Apostles—if the golden
chain has ever been broken at any point, at any time, this very
thing must have occurred, and having occurred, all ministerial
authority has ceased ; for an assumed authority can never have
become rightful, through how many soever links it may have
been transmitted. Unless each Minister can trace up to the
Apostles, he must reach a point at which the authority he exer¬
cises was usurped, and that usurpation must vitiate all that has
succeeded. But there is unbroken ministerial succession—there is
a chain that can be followed, link by link, up to the Apostles—
along which hath descended the authority which Christ inten¬
ded should be vested, for the ordinary purposes of his Church, in
the sacred ministry. We can give you name by name—Bishop
after Bishop, until we touch St. John at Ephesus, and St. James at
Jerusalem, and St. Mark at Alexandria, until we join on to the
very men on whose heads Christ laid his hands, xvhen he sent them
out and commanded them " to preach, to heal the sick, to cleanse
the lepers, to raise the dead, to cast out devils." The arrangement
of the three orders is broken no where—it commences with the
first establishment of the Jewish Church, when the High Priest,
the P riests and the Levites made up the ministry of the Temple—
it continues when Christ vviih his twelve and the seventy made up
the orders of ihe nascent Christian Church—the gap is instantly
filled, when Christ having ascended to the right hand of the
Father, left the twelve and the seventy on Earth, by the appoint¬
ment of Deacons—and as the Apostles died away, we find holy
men selected to fill their places, and Timothy and Titus performing'
those offices which Paul and Peter and James bad performed, and
bid to transmit them to others who should stand in their room, so
that the Fathers of the third and fourth centuries could boldly affirm
61
that there was not a See of any magnitude that could not trace
its Bishops up to the Apostles themselves. And what they said
then, we can affirm now; and however the succession may have
run at times through unworthy channels, that no more proves that
it came not from the Apostles, than the muddiness or even filthi-
ness of a stream in some particular part of its course, would satis¬
fy us that the pure water which we are drinking cannot be traced
through that very polluted spot up to its crystal fountain in the
mountain top! How vain is such argumentation against the
truth! Was Jesus Christ not the Messiah because he came
through Thamar and the wife of Uriah1? Did these unworthy
wombs pollute the promise so that the seed of the woman did not
bruise the serpent's head] Why the first principle of Pi-otestant-
ism is, that it is the office and not the man which has authority, and
that-so there be faith in the breast of the recipient, the unworthi-
ness of the Priest can effect no more than his owji condemnation!
These are the tokens and signs of such a Church as our Saviour
has promised to be with alway, to the end of the world. But this
promise is not unconditional. In the Epistle to the Romans,
the Apostle, in writing to them, says:—"And if some of the
branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert
graffed in among them and with them partakest of the root and
fatness of the olive tree, boast not against the branches; but if
thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt
say then, The branches were broken off that I might be graffed
in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou
standest by Faith. Be not high-minded, but fear. For if God
spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he spai'e not thee."
The only Church which shall stand forever is that which is called
in these verses of St. Paul, the Root of the Olive Tree. Particu¬
lar Churches, such as the Jewish Church, or the Roman Church,
or the Anglican Church, are only branches from that Root; the
first, the natural branch, the latter, the branches graffed in when
the other was broken off and cast away. When Christ therefore
promised that he would be with his Church alway, to the end of
the world, it was to no pai'ticular Church that he made this
promise—it was to any and every branch of the root, which he
mio-ht please to graff in. It gives warrant to no particular branch
of this Church of God to say that Christ will be with it alway, to
the end of the world, unless it preserve within itself the faith of
Abraham the righteousness of Faith, as it is called in the Scrip-
62
tares. Take, for example, the very Church to which this Epistle
was written, the Church of Rome, the very Church to which the
Apostle wrote the words, "Be not high-minded, but fear. For if
God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he spare not
thee," and see why it is that God's people were obliged to come
out of her. It was not because she had not the ministry, for that
she certainly has in all its orders. It was not because she had not
the sacraments, for she has preserved both those which Christ or¬
dained. It was not because she did not hold the great doctrines of
the Trinity and the Atonement, for no where are they more de¬
cidedly taught than within her bosom. It was not that she did not
possess and retain the Scriptures as the word and truth of God,
for she has faithfully kept them for the Churches which have
purged themselves of her abominations. It was because she Kad
overlaid the righteousness of Faith, and had thus become a cor¬
rupt branch, although God has not yet broken her off from the
root of the Olive Tree. It was upon this ground that the Reforma¬
tion planted itself, that Rome had abandoned the righteousness of
Faith ; and to sustain that abandonment, had added to all these
chaiacteristics of a true Church—the Ministry, the Sacraments,
the Scriptures—novelties not authorized by the word of God or
the customs of the Churches which had been planted by the
Apostles and their immediate successors. This was the mighty
lever which enabled Luther to overcome the thoroughly organized
system of Rome—which, in the hands of the martyrs of England
was moulded into the Church which yet stands a pure branch upon
the root of Abraham, maintaining its original principle of the
righteousness of Faith. Long may she do so, and be to the world
a city set upon a hill.
It is not for us, therefore, as a branch of the Church of which
Abraham is the root, to imagine that we shall be preserved be¬
cause we have an Apostolic ministry and the sacraments duly
ministered and the Scriptures unmutilated, unless we also retain
the faith of our father Abraham ! The Jewish Church had all
these things, and was besides the natural branch, but, through un¬
belief, it has been broken off and cast away. The Roma:i Church
has all these things, and yet the doom of Prophecy is upon her,
and the voice will come up from the Angel of God's vengeance,
crying mightily with a strong voice, " Babylon the great is fallen,
is fallen," and the proclamation will go forth, "Rejoice over her,
thou Heaven and the Holy Apostles and Prophets: for God hath
63
avenged you on her." We have all these things. Let us not be
high-minded, but fear—they will not save us if we lose that which
preserveth them all from corruption, the Righteousness of Faith.
Right Rev. STEPHEN ELLIOT I, Jr., I). D.
bishop of the diocese of georgia.
Post Office—Savannah.
Rev. THOMAS F. SCOTT, Columbus.
secretary of the convention.
Rev. EDWARD E. FORD, D. D., Augusta.
president of the standing committee.
Dr. JAMES CAMAK, Athens.
treasurer of the diocese.
Mr. J. S. HLJTTON, of Macon.
treasurer of the missionary committee.
Resolved, I hat the next Convention of the Church in this Dio¬
cese, be held in St. Stephen's Churchy Milledgeville, commencing
on Thursday after the first Monday in May, 1853.