JOURNAL
OF THE PROCEEDINGS
•OF THE
Jfinetcentl) Annual (Hoinmjtion
OF THE.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
IN THE
■
DIOCESE OF ALABAMA,
HELD IN ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, GREENSBORO",
On tlic 8III, tDlh and 11 Hi of May, 18 50.
©U0caloosa:
PRINTED RY J. W, WARREN, " OBSERVER " OFFICE,
J 1850.
LIST OF CLERGY
IN
THE DIOCESE OF ALABAMA.
In :
RIGHT REV. N. H. COBBS, D. D., Bishop of the Diocese, Tuscaloosa.
Rev. J. M. BANISTER, Minister of Trinity Church, Demopolis, and St.
Andrew's, Marengo.
Rev. R. A. COBBS, Minister of St. David's Church, Dallas County.
" *G. F. CUSHMAN, Minister of St. Johh's Church in the Wilderness,
Russell County.
" W. J. ELLIS, Minister of St.Luke's, Cahawba & St. Peter's, Lowndes.
" D. D. Flower, Minister of St. Luke's Church, Jacksonville.
" Rev. J. S. MARBURY, Minister of St. Paul's Church, Greensboro'.,
44 J. A. MASSEY, Minister of Trinity Church, Mobile.
" *J. M. MITCHELL, Assistant Minister of Christ Church, Tuscaloosa.
" *T. A. MORRIS, Teaching in Mobile.
" J. H. MORRISON, Minister of St. John's Church, Montgomery.
" E. C. MURDAUGH, Minister of Union Parish, Marengo and Perry Co's.
" W. A. STICKNEY, Minister of St. Michael's Church, Marion.
in %iltnuance :
Rev. N. P. KNAPP, Minister of Christ Church, Mobile.
" H. C. LAY, Minister of Church of the Nativity, HuntsvDle.
" F. B. LEE, Minister of St. Paul's Church, Carlowville,
" J. M. ROBERTSON, residing near Huntsville.
" WM. SCULL, Minister at Auburn and Salem.
" J. T. B. SMITH, Minister of Trinity Church, Florence, and St.
John's, Tuscumbia.
" O. H. STAPLES, Teacher of Female School, Mobile.
« THOMAS A. COOK, Talladega.
» J. H. TICKNOR, Columbus, Ga,
" *R. G. HAYS.
[*] Deacons.
JOURNAL
of
THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, GREENSBORO', i
Ascension Day, May 9, 1850. j
This being the time and place appointed for the meeting of
the Nineteenth Annual Convention of the Diocese of Alaba¬
ma, the celebration of Divine Service commenced at 11
o'clock, A. M. Morning prayer was read by the Rev. Mr.
Stickney. The Ante-Communion, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop,
and the Annual Convention Sermon was preached by the
Rev. Mr. Murdaugh, from the words—"But grow in grace,
and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To him be glory, both now and forever, Amen"—2d. Peter,
3d chapter, 18th verse.
The Holy Communion was administered by the Bishop to
the Clergy and many of the Laity, assisted by the Rev. Mr.
Marbury in distributing the elements.
After the benediction, the Convention was called to order
by the Rt. Rev. Bishop N. H. Cobbs, D. D., who, after prayer,
presented the list of Clergy canonically connected with the
/ Diocese :
N. H. Cobbs, D. D., residing in Tuscaloosa.
Rev. J. M. Banister, Trinity Church, Demopolis.
" R. A. Cobbs, St. David's, Dallas County.
" Thos. A. Cook, Talladega.
" *G. F. Cushman, St. John's in the Wilderness, Russell Co.
" W. J. Ellis, St. Luke's, Cahawba.
" D. D. Flower, St. Luke's, Jacksonville.
" *R. G. Hays.
" N. P. Knapp, Christ Church, Mobile.
" H. C. Lay, Church of the Nativity, Huntsville.
" F. B. Lee, St. Paul's, Carlowville.
" J. S. Marbury, St.. Paul's, Greensboro'.
" J. A. Massey, Trinity Church, Mobile.
" *J. M. Mitchell, Assistant Rector, Christ Church, Tuscaloosa.
" *T. A. Morris, Teaching in Mobile.
" J. H. Morrison, St. John's Church, Montgomery.
" E. C. Murdaugh, Union Parish, Union Town.
" J. M. Robertson, Huntsville.
" Wm. Scull, Auburn and Salem.
" J. T. B. Smith, Tuscumbia and Florence.
" O. H. Staples, Teaching Female School, Mobile.
" W. A. Stickney, Missionary, Marion.
" J. H. Ticknor, Columbus, Ga.
[*] Deacons.
Their names were called by the Secretary, and the fol¬
lowing answered thereto :
Rt. Rev. N. H. Cobbs, D. D.
Rev. J. M. Banister,
" R. A. Cobbs,
" D. D. Flower,
" J. S. Marbury.
Rev. J. M. Mitchell,
" J. H. Morrison,
" E. C. Murdaugh,
" W. A. Stickney.
The list of Parishes was then called, and Testimonials of
Delegates were presented from St. John's Church, Montgom¬
ery ; Christ Church, Tuscaloosa ; St. Paul's Church, Greens¬
boro'; St. Luke's Church, Jacksonville ; St. Andrew's Church,
Macon, and referred to a Committee appointed by the Presi¬
dent, to-wit: Bev. Messrs. Morrison, Stickney and Banister.
, The Committee having examined the Certificates, reported
them in due form, and the following gentlemen entitled to
seats in Convention :
St. John's Church, Montgomery, THOMAS B. TAYLOR,*
WILLIAM H. TAYLOR,
Christ Church, Tuscaloosa, JOHN R. DRISH,
JOHN N. CRADDOCK,
EDWARD F. COMEGYS,
E. W. PECK,
CARTER R. HARRISON,
St. Paul's Church, Greensboro', ISAAC CROOM,*
ROBERT B. WALLER*
AUGUSTUS BARNUM,*
CHARLES L. STICKNEY *
AUGUSTUS BENNERS*
St. Andrew's Church, Macon, HENRY A. TAYLOE,*
St. Luke's Church, Jacksonville, GEORGE HOKE.
DANIEL HOKE *
Their names were called, and the following delegates
answered thereto:
Messrs. Taylor,
" Croom,
" Waller,
Tayloe.
Messrs. Barnum,
" Stickney,
Benners,
A Constitutional quorum being present, the President de¬
clared the Convention duly organized.
On motion, the Convention proceeded to the election of a
Secretary. Henry A. Tayloe was nominated and re-elec¬
ted to that office. Leave being granted, A. Benners was
appointed Assistant Secretary.
The Convention then adjourned until 9 o'clock, to-morrow.
[*] Delegates present.
6
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, GREENSBORO',)
Friday, 9 o'clock, A. M. j
The Convention met pursuant to adjournment.
After prayer by the Rt. Rev. President, on motion, the Rules
of Order of the last Convention were adopted.
The roll of the Clergy and Lay Delegates was then called.
Rev. Messrs. Cushrian, Ellis and Massey, and Mr. Daniel
Hoke, Delegate from St. Luke's Church, Jacksonville, ap¬
peared and took their seats.
Certificates of Lay Delegates were then presented from
the following Parishes, viz:—St. Stephen's Church, Eutaw ;
Trinity Church, Demopolis ; St. James' Church, Livingston ;
St. Paul's Church, Selrna; St. Luke's Church, Cahawba ; St-
David's Church, Dallas County ; Union Parish, Marengo and
Perry Counties ; Christ Church, Mobile ; and referred to the
Committee on Certificates of Lay Delegates.
The Rules of Order were suspended, and on motion, the
1st Rule was amended,—the words—" a sermon and the ad¬
ministration of the Holy Communion" being inserted.
Rule 1. The business of the first day of the Session of every Convention
shall be introduced by the Morning Service of the Church, read by the Presi¬
dent, or by a clerical member appointed by him; a Sermon and the adminis¬
tration of the Holy Communion; and that of each succeeding day by such
prayers as he may select from the Liturgy.
Rule 2. The order of transacting the business of the Convention shall be
—First, the appointment of a President (if there be no Bishop, or if he be ab¬
sent,) and a Secretary, pro tern. The Secretary shall then call in alphabetical
order, the names of the Clergy entitled to seats. He shall next call the
Churches entitled to representation, when the Delegates shall lay their certifi¬
cates on the Secretary's table. These shall be referred to a Committee of
three, who shall forthwith examine them and report to the Convention. A
constitutional quorum having 'been found present, the President shall declare
the Convention duly organized.
Rule 3. The further order of business shall be as follows: 1. The appoint¬
ment of a President from among the clerical members present, (if there be no
Bishop, or if he be absent.) 2. The appointment of a Secretary. 3. The
consideration of the application of Churches or Parishes for admission into
union with the Convention. 4. The appointment, by the President, of Stand¬
ing Committees viz: the Committee on the state of the Church—the Commit¬
tee on Finance—the Committee on Unfinished Business. 5. The annual
Address of the Bishop, (if there be one, and he be present.) 6. The annual
Communication of the Standing Committee of the Diocese. 7. The reports of
Committees appointed at the last Convention, with instructions to report at
this Convention. 8. The reading of Parochial Reports. 9. The election of
the Standing Committee of the Diocese, by ballot. 10. The election of
Delegates to the General Convention, by ballot. 11. Reports to be called
for. 12. Miscellaneous business.
Rule 4. When the President takes the chair, no member shall continue
standing, or shall stand up unless to address the President.
Rule 5. When a member is about to speak in debate, or present any
subject to the Convention, he shall, with due respect, address himself to the
President, confining himself strictly to the matter under consideration.
7
Rule 6. No member shall absent himself from the sessions of the Con¬
vention, unless he have leave of the President, or be unable to attend.
Rule 7. No member shall speak more than twice upon the subject in de¬
bate, unless he have leave of the Convention.
Rule 8. A question being once determined, shall stand as the decision of
the Convention, and shall not be again discussed, unless with the consent of
two-thirds of the Convention; Provided, however, that aiiy member of the
Convention voting in the affirmative, may, on the same day in which the
vote is taken, move for a reconsideration of the same vote.
Rule 9. No motion sball be debated, or be considered before the Conven¬
tion, (except a motion to adjourn,) unless seconded, and reduced to writing
(if requested) by the mover, and read by the Secretary.
Rule 10. When a motion is under consideration, no other motion shall be
made, except to amend, to divide, to commit, or to postpone. A motion to
adjourn, however, shall always be in order and decided without debate.
Rule 11. A question on amendment shall be decided before the original
motion.
Rule 12. Every member who shall be present, when the question is put,
shall vote, unless he be personally interested, or be excused from voting by
the Convention.
On motion, the lit. Rev. President appointed the Rev. G.
F. Cushman and Mr. C. L. Stickney, a Committee to exam¬
ine the Journal of the last General Convention, and report if
there be any thing therein requiring the action of this Con- *
vention.
Committee on Certificates of Lay Delegates, reported the
- Certificates from the following Parishes in due form, to-wit:
St. Stephen's Church, Eutaw; Trinity Church, Demopolis;
St. James' Church, Livingston; St. Paul's Church, Selma;
St. Luke's Church, Cahawba; St. David's Church, Dallas
County; St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County ; Union Par¬
ish, Marengo and Perry Counties, and Christ "Church, Mobile.
The following persons were reported by said Committee as
entitled to seats in the Convention as Lay Delegates:
From St. Stephen's Church, Eutaw... S. J. CHAPMAN,*
WM. F. PIERCE,
THOMAS H. HERNDON,
GARDNER ELLIOT, '
GUSTAVUS A. WYSER,
ALEXANDER JARVIS, '
JOHN H. COPP.
From Trinity Church, Demopolis,... .HENRY W. REESE,
WILLIAM C. ASHE,
O. H. PRINCE,
JOSEPPI PACKARD,
CHAUNCEY COON,
F. S. LYON*
From St. Luke's Church, Cahawba,.. S. B. CROCHERON*
From Union Parish, Marengo & Perry, DAVID MINGE,*
JAMES L. PRICE*
THOMAS A. HARRISON,
G. W. R. MINGE,
JOHN M. LANGHORNE.
Delegates marked thus [*] were present.
8
From St. Peters Church, Lowndes, Co. JOHN P. BROUN,*
R. P. MeCORD*
PAUL LEE,
JOHN ADAMS.
From Trinity Church, Mobile, T. LESESNE,
C. A. BRADFORD,
A. L. HADEN,
GEORGE F. BOONE *
WILLIAM H. DAVIS*
From St. David's Church, Dallas Co. JOHN AMBLER SMITH,*
N. B. PEGUES,*
A. W. ELLERBE,
From Christ'Church, Mobile, HENRY STICKNEY,*
W. M. GARROW,
T. H. LEWIS,
F. W. McCOY,
HINDMAN BARNEY.
From St. Paul's Church, Selma, W. WADDIL, Jr.,
A. G. MABRY*
J. R. PURNELL.
From St. James' Church, Livingston,. S. U. SMITH,
S. W. MURLEY*
GEORGE SAUNDERS.
The names of Delegates being thereupon called, the fol¬
lowing gentlemen appeared and took their seats :
Messrs. Chapman Messrs. Boone,
" Minge, " Davis,
" Broun, " Mabry,
" McCord, " Crocheron,
" Lyon, " Stickney,
" , Ellerbe, " Murley.
The President appointed the following Standing Committees :
Committee on the stale of- the Church.—-Rev. Messrs. Massey, Morrison,
Marbury, Murdaugh, Banister, Stickney and Ellis.
Committee on Finance.—Messrs. Taylor, Minge, Croom, Tayloe, McCord,
Stickney, Boone, Ellerbe, Mabry, Hoke and Murley.
Committee on Unfinished Business.—Rev. D. D. Flower, Rev. R. A. Cobbs,
Rev. J. M. Mitchell.
Upon application of St. John's Church, Elyton, it was
admitted into union with the Diocese.
ELYTON, May 5th, 1850.
We, the undersigned, being desirous to organize a Parish at this place to
be called St. John's Parish, do promise to conform to the doctrines and disci¬
pline of the Protestant Episcopal Church as established in the Diocese of the
State of Alabama.
Agreeable to Canon 2nd, 1842, we certify that the above Articles of As¬
sociation have been duly signed by the members of St. John's Parish.
NATHANIEL HAWKINS, Chairman.
Thomas W. Earle, Secretary.
Delegates marked thus [*] were present.
9
Rev. Mr.-Massey presented the Report of the Bible, Tract,
and Prayer Book Committee.
BIBLE, PRAYER BOOK, TRACT & S. SCHOOL COMMITTEE
In account with Thomas Lesesne, Treasurer,
1848. ' DR.
May To paid for Account Book, $ 73
23 " " freight on two boxes received ) 4b1 nr
per Georgia from N.York, Uj
Drayage and. wharfage on same, 20 1 25
June 19 " Discount on Georgia and South Car-)
olina Bank Notes for $30, a 1 p c. £
'• '■ paid for Mobile Bank Check on N. i
York, remitted to J. C. Butler, > 84 25
Agent, on acc't )
" Daniel Dana, Agent, in full,...... 15 75
$100 00
Premium on check, 1 p c,........ 1 00 101 00
Nov. " paid freight on Books received per )
Emblem from New York, $ 0
Drayage and wharfage, 25 1 30 <
1849
June 28, " paid for check on New York remit- ) 0
ted J. C. Butler, Agent, in full,.. ^
'• paid Daniel Dana, Agent, in full, 47 50 '
$70 04 (
Premium on cheek, 1 p c. 70 • 70 74
Nov. " paid freight on Books received from } _
New York, per Pilgrim, £
Drayage and Wharfage, 30 1 35
1850.
May 7, Balance carried down,: 22 56
$199 25
Books on hand 1st May, 1850, at T. Lesesne's Office—67 Bibles ; 9 do.;
20 Testaments; 6 do.
At W. Strickland's Store—:2l2 Prayer Books; 42 Packages of. Tracts ;
52 Catechisms, No. 1; 62 Catechisms, No. 2; 9 Catechisms, No. 3; 50
Catechisms, No. 4 ; 188 Union Primers; 144 Question Books; 2 Libraries,
100 vols. each.
1848. CR.
May 3, By ree'd by the hands of Rev. J. A. Massey, from )
Bishop Cobbs,
" From Trinity Church, Mobile, 10 $30 00
9. " Rec'd from F. B. Lee, Carlowville, 3 30
17, " Ree'd by the hands of Rev. J. A. Massey, from Rev. Mr.
Lay, Huntsville, : 10 00
20, " Rec'd from Rev. Mr. Linebaugh, Selma, 5 00
29, " " " Stickney, Marion, 5 25
Jan. 17, « « Mr. Knapp, Mobile, 46 00
10
Aug. 17, By rec'd from Rt. Rev. N. H. Cobbs, collection in May, at St.
1849. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, 6 00
Jan. " Rec'd from Rev. R. A. Cobbs, Dallas County, 20 00
" •' H. Barney, for two Prayer Books, 5 00
March 6, " Dr. Anderson for half dozen Prayer Books and
one bundle Tracts, 3 50
Rec'd from S. Stickney, for Books taken by him, 1 50
" Mr. Morris for one bundle Tracts, 25
Jan. 27. " Rev. Mr. Knapp, for one Prayer Book, 25
Rec'd by the hands of Rev. Mr. Massey, from Christ Church
Pensacola, 10 00
Rec'd from St. Paul's Church, Greensboro', 10 00
" Dr. Anderson, 10 00
" A: Smith, 1 00
" Rev. J. A. Massey, for Books sold by him, $1 55
Aug. 6, " " " 1 50 3 05
" '• Judge Garrow, for one Sacra Privata, $0 25
1 Conversion of St. Paul, 25 60
Oct. 25, " H. Barney, for 1 Prayer Book, ' 57
Jan. 4,1850. " Mr. Adams, for 3 Prayer Books, 1 40
April, " Rev. J. A. Massey, for 2 Pr. Books, sold by him, 1 50
" Trinity Ch. Mobile, by hands Rev. Mr. Massey, 25 00
$199 25
May 7, By balance brought down, in hands of Treasurer,........ 22 56
E. E. , THOMAS LESESNE.
Mobile, 7th May, 1850.
Memorandum.—Balance in hands of Treas. as above, $22 56
Amount due the Committee, about *60 00 82 56
Deficient, about, 57 46
Amount due by the Committee 140 02
To D. Dana, Agent, for invoice, $81 20
" J.C.Butler, " " 58 82
$140 02
Rev.Mr. Massey then presented the Report of the Standing
i Committee of the Diocese.
| The following have been the official acts of the Standing Committee of
j this Diocese during the past year. June 26th, 1849, the Canonical consent of
j the Standing Committee was given in favor of the consecration of the Rev.
I W. M. Green, D. D., as Bishop of the Diocese of Mississippi. On the same
j day. Rev. J. H. Ticknor, was recommended to the Bishop for Priest's Or-
i ders. August 3d, 1849, consent required by Canon, was given by the Stand¬
ing Committee to the consecration of the Rev. Geo. Upfold, D. D., as Bishop
of the Diocese of Indiana. December 18th, 1849, Mr. John M. Mitchell
was recommended to the Bishop, to be ordained Deacon. All which is
respectfully reported.
J. A. MASSEY, Secretary of S. C. of Ala.
* Of the amount due the Committee, Rev. Mr. Knapp will pay $40 for Christ Church.
11
Parochial Reports were then read, which not being com¬
pleted at 11 o'clock, the reading was suspended, and the
Convention took a recess for Divine Service ; and after ser¬
vice, was again called to order, and the Bishop read his An¬
nual Report and a Charge to the Clergy, which upon motion^
were referred to the Committee on the state of the Church : |
THE BISHOP'S ANNUAL REPORT. ' |
Having been mercifully spared to meet again with the brethren in a Con- j
vention of the Diocese, I would, in compliance with Canonical requisition, i
now present you with the following account of my services and labors during
the past year:
May 3, 4, 5, and 6—Attended the annual meeting of our Convention in
Selma, preached, administered the Communion, and confirmed four persons.
This Convention was well attended, was a very harmonious and pleasant
meeting, and I trust a profitable one.
May 13—Preached in Tuscaloosa and admitted George F. Cushman to
the order of Deacons. The candidate was presented by the Rev. C. F.
Peake. Prayers were read by the Rev. D. D. Flower.
May 14—Received from the Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey, notice
of the displacement from the Ministry of S. M. Meade, a Deacon.
May 19 and 20—Visited Montgomery, preached several times, confirmed :
fourteen persons, and admitted Thomas A. Morris, to the order of Deacons.
May 22—Visited Mt. Meigs, preached and confirmed two persons. I
May 23—Visited Tuskegee and preached. In this healthy and pleasant
town, something might be done for the Church if we had in the Diocese
Ministers enough to keep up regular services.
May 24—Visited Auburn, preached, and confirmed six persons. In this
town it is hoped that a Church may in time be built.
May 25—Visited Crawford, the Court House village of Russell County,
and preached. j
May 26 and 27—Consecrated a Church in Russell County by the name of j
St. John's in the Wilderness, and administered the Communion. During
this visit, read the burial service over a colored man, and addressed a large
concourse of negroes assembled on the occasion. During the same visit, I
confirmed an aged servant.
May 30—Went to Eufaula, and preached. At that time there was no
Minister of the Church officiating in the Town. In the fall the Rev. G. F.
Cushman was established there as a Missionary, and I trust that his labours
have tended to the building up of the Church.
1st. Saturday and Sunday in June—Visited Marion, preached several
times, and confirmed five persons. j
2nd. Sunday in June—Preached in Tuscaloosa : and here I would remark, |
that when not engaged in travelling through the Diocese, I have generally |
officiated twice on a Sunday in Christ Church, Tuskaloosa.
2nd. Sunday in July—In Christ Church, Tuscaloosa. Baptized three chil¬
dren.
3d. Sunday in July—Confirmed three persons in Christ Church, Tuscaloosa.
July 27th—Read the Burial Service over the body of the Rev. C. F. Peake,
who was carried off in the morning of his days by Pulmonary Consumption.
In the death of this devoted, energetic, and efficient Minister, the Diocese has
sustained a most heavy loss. I have known but few men so well qualified |
for usefulness. He was fast getting into successful operation a Diocesan
School for boys, in which he was deeply interested, and which, if he had lived,
would have proved a blessing to the Diocese. By his death the School has !
been necessarily suspended, nor have I as yet been able to obtain a suitable j
Clergyman to re-establish and superintend it.
12
28th July—Rcc'd. from Bp. Mcllvaine, notice of the suspension of the Rev.
A. M. Tontul, for contumacy.
Sept. 29—Confirmed in Christ Church, Tuscaloosa, two persons.
Oct. 1st—Baptized in Christ Church, Tuscaloosa, one Adult, and two In¬
fants.
13th Oct.—Visited Prairieville, preached twice, and confirmed three per¬
sons. Also admitted to the Order of Priests, the Rev. J. H. Ticknor. The
following Presbyters were present, and assisted in the imposition of hands ;
viz : the Rev. J. M. Banister, the Rev. W. J. Ellis, the Rev. E. C. Murdaugh,
and the Rev. R. A. Cobbs.
Oct. 21—Baptized in Tuscaloosa one Adult and three Children, all colored
persons. At the same time confirmed four colored persons.
Oct. 23d—Visited Elyton, preached twice. In this Town I hope, to see the
Church established in a short time. There is an open door for usefulness.
1st Sunday in Nov.—Visited Huntsville, consecrated the Church of the
Nativity, preached four times and confirmed three persons.
2nd Sunday in Nov.—Went to Tuscumbia and Florence, preached twice
in each place, and confirmed one person in Florence, and two persons in
Tuscumbia.
4th Sunday in Nov.—Went to Eutaw, and the Forks of Greene—preach¬
ed several times, baptized two children, and confirmed one person.
6th Dec.—Visited Woodville, preached, and confirmed four persons.
2nd Sunday in Dec.—Went to Greensboro', preached several times, and
confirmed six persons, of whom one was a colored girl.
20th Dec.—Baptized in Tuscaloosa one Adult, colored person, and three
colored children.
Jan. 1st, 1850—Received from Bishop Otis, notice of his having-displaced
from the Ministry, Samuel Shernell, a Deacon.
Jan. 15th—Received from Bp. Gadsden notice of the displacement of Je-
dediah Huntington from the Church.
3rd Sunday in Jan.—In Christ Church, Tuscaloosa, admitted to the Order
of Deacons, John M. Mitchell. The candidate was presented by the Rev. J.
M. Banister, and the sermon was preached by the Rev. J. S. Marbury.
1st Sunday in Feb.—Visited Demopolis, and preached twice.
2nd Sunday in Feb.—Went to Mobile, preached in the morning in Christ
Church, in the afternoon in Trinity Parish, and again at night in Christ
Church. Also held a special confirmation in Trinity Parish, for the purpose
of confirming a Lady from Pensacola.
Ash Wednesday—Preached in Trinity Parish, Mobile.
1st Sunday in Lent—Visited on my way to Jackson, Miss., orne old friends
Church Hill, and preached in the Parish Church.
2nd Saturday and Sunday in Lent—In compliance with a call from the
Presiding Bishop, went to Jackson, to assist in the consecration of Dr. Green,
the Bp. elect of that Diocese. On Saturday the Church in Jackson was
consecrated, the sermon on the occasion being preached by myself. On
Sunday, the Rev. Dr. Green was consecrated Bishop of the Diocese. The
Sermon was preached by Bp. Otey. Bishops Otey, Polk, Freeman, and my¬
self assisted in the imposition of hands. Having long known Dr. Greene, I
hope I may be excused for remarking that I consider Mississippi highly fa¬
vored in having such a man for a Bishop.
3rd Sunday in Lent—Again visited Mobile. In the morning preached in
Trinity Parish and confirmed fifteen persons. In the evening preached in
Christ Church, and confirmed twelve persons, of whom three were colored
persons.
15th March—Admitted W. T. Walthall, a candidate for Orders.
• 19th March—Visited Eutaw, preached, and baptized two infants.
20th March—Preached at Burton's Hill, in the Forks of Greene.
13
21st March—Went to Gainesville, but in consequence of the inclemency
of the weather, had no opportunity to hold service. In this Town we have
some members of the Church, and it is my purpose to connect it with Liv¬
ingston, as a Missionary Station.
23d March—Went to Livingston, and preached.
25th March—Preached in'Bethlehem Meeting House in Greene county.
1st Sunday after Easter—Visited Talladega, preached twice, and baptized
an infant. Here a Parish has been organized, and the prospects of the Church
are improving.
9th April—Visited Jacksonville, preached several times, and confirmed two
persons.
13th April—Went to Elyton, but in consequence of high water was pre¬
vented from arriving in time to fulfill my appointment.
2nd Sunday after Easter—Visited Jonesboro', and preached. It is my pur¬
pose to make this Town a Missionary Station in connection with Elyton, if a
Missionary can be obtained to occupy it.
16th April—Received from Bp. Upfol i not ice of his having withdrawn the
preaching License of G. L. Roberts, a Deacon, for infidelity to his Ordina¬
tion vows.
April 20th—Visited Woodville, and preached.
3rd Sunday in April—Preached in St. Michaels.
April 22 and 23—Visited St. David's, preached twice and confirmed one
person. On the occasion, I was gratified to meet with the Rev. Mr. Mar¬
shall, of the Diocese of South Carolina, who was kind enough to read
prayers.
April 25 and 26—Went to Cahawba, but in consequence of the absence
of the Rev. W. J. Ellis, no appointment had been made for service.
4th Sunday after Easter—Being detained by the rains and prevented from
going to St. Peter's, I remained in Cahawba and preached twice.
April 30—Went to Pleasant Hill in Dallas County, and preached.
May 2—Visited Carlowville, preached twice, and confirmed one person.
5th Sunday after Easter—Visited Selma, and preached twice. I regretted
to find this very promising field of labor still without a minister.
May 7—Visited Marion, preached, and confirmed five persons, of whom
one was a colored person. The occasion was an 'interesting one, from the
fact that four of the persons were youths belonging to a school connected
with the Parish, and conducted on Church principles, and one that promises
to exert a most happy influence in the cause of the Church and of true
religion.
Such is a brief account of my labors during the past year. Since the
last Convention, I have been enabled to visit every congregation in the Di¬
ocese but one, and have used all the influence of my personal attention in
order to have Ministers called to our vacant stations. Although I have
travelled more than 5,000 miles, and have had to encounter unusual difficul¬
ties on account of inclement weather, bad roads, and swollen streams, yet
I have been mercifully permitted to enjoy good health, and have cause to
thank God, not only for his general goodness, but for some special eviden¬
ces of his providential care.
The changes that I have to report among the clergy, are as follows: The
Rev. J. H. Linebaugh, has removed to the Diocese of Louisiana ; the Rev.
T. S. Savage has been transferred to the Diocese of Mississippi; the Rev.
J. H. Ticknor has removed to the Diocese of Georgia, but is still canonical-
ly connected with that of Alabama, and the Rev. A. S. Smith, has removed
to the Diocese of Virginia. The Rev. Thomas A. Morris, has been ordained
Deacon, and is teaching in Mobile^ and performing to some extent, Missiona¬
ry duty ; the Rev. G. F. Cushman has been ordained a Deacon, and is offici¬
ating as Missionary in Eufaula; and the Rev. J. M. Mitchell, having been
14
ordained a Deacon, lias been acting as an assistant to the Rector of Christ
Church, Tuscaloosa. Besides the melancholy event of the death of the
Rev. C. F. Peake, to which I have alluded in a former part of this address,
I should also mention the death of the Rev. C. S. Ives, who, though for
many years a resident of Texas, was canonically a Presbyter of this Dio¬
cese. He was a faithful, devoted minister, eminently useful in his labors,
and one who by his zealous and self-denying labors, literally wore himself
out in the service of his Lord and Master. In reference to these various
changes, I would remark that whilst it is sad and discouraging to lose from
the Diocese the labors of Ministers whom I esteem and love, yet I will do
all in my power to fill up the stations that have been left vacant. In the
present destitution of Ministers, I should almost give up in despair if it were
not for my faith that God will mercifully watch over his Church, and that
He will yet raise her up from her present weak and low estate. I would
earnestly ask of the members of the Church that the ministerial wants of
the Diocese be frequently remembered in their prayers to Almighty God,
who by his good Spirit must put it into the hearts of men to dedicate them¬
selves to the work of the ministry.
I am gratified to learn from our worthy and energetic Secretary, Mr. H.
A. Tayloe, that he has met with a good measure of success in soliciting
subscriptions for the permanent Episcopal Fund, having been engaged in
that duty during the past year, in compliance with a resolution of the last
Convention. By his zeal and industry, that Fund has been raised to about
Ten Thousand Dollars, and as many members and friends of the Church
have not yet been applied to, I would respectfully recommend that his agen¬
cy be continued. I am now convinced that if proper measures be taken,
the fund can be so far increased as in a few years to relieve the Parishes of all
assessments for the support of the Bishop. I should do injustice to my feel¬
ings if I did not here express my gratitude for the active zeal of Mr. Tayloe,
and for the liberality of those who have contributed to the fund.
I am happy to say to the Convention, that the Diocesan Female School,
which I have long wished to have established, will go into operation on the
first day of January next, under the care of the Rev. Wm. Johnson, in the
town of Tuscaloosa—a large and convenient building having been bought
by the members of the Church in Tuscaloosa for that purpose. Mr. John¬
son is a clergyman well known in tins Diocese, of established reputation, a
ripe scholar, an experienced Teacher, a sound Churchman, and in all respects
eminently qualified for the important and responsible office which he proposes
to undertake. I would therefore earnestly recommend the contemplated
school to the confidence and patropage of the friends and members of the
Church in the Diocese. Our daughters will here be favored with the highest
literary advantages, and at the same time be thoroughly instructed accord¬
ing to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Protestant Episcopal
Church.
I would respectfully call the attention of the members of the Church to the
importance of taking measures for the establishment of Rectories in their
several Parishes; as one of the best and most economical modes of
supporting the Ministry of the Gospel. It is often times a subject of com¬
plaint, and perhaps sometimes justly so, that Ministers are restless and
discontented, and are frequently leaving their Parishes; thereby discouraging
the members and weakening the cause of the Church. Now it should be re¬
membered that Ministers are not mere hirelings working for wages, but gen¬
erally men of education, of refined and cultivated feelings, justly deserving
and naturally expecting some degree of consideration and respect; that often¬
times they come into their Parishes as strangers: and that therefore it is not to
be wondered at, that seeing no sympathy or interest manifested in their
comfort; having perhaps no definite place of residence provided, they should
15
be discouraged, and from a feeling of despondency, seek a new field of labor.
Now in many places with a little effort and perseverance, Rectories might be
provided, and then the Minister of the Parish would have a home feelivg
which would serve as a check to dissatisfaction and restlessness, and which
would naturally incline him to remain stationary and contented. And when
a Clergyman is thus situated the interest and sympathy of a congregation
will be more apt to be drawn out towards him, and their kind feelings devel¬
oped towards him in contributing in various ways to' the domestic supplies
and comfort of himself and family. These incidental and voluntary contribu¬
tions to the comfort of his family are far more gratifying to the feelings of a
Minister than the payment of his plighted salary. They show to him that lie
is thought of and cared for by his people, and there then springs up in his bo¬
som a feeling of attachment and affection for his people ; a feeling that con¬
tributes eminently to his happiness, to his energy and to his usefulness. Ah !
how often are there to be found, those who are critical and fault-finding to¬
wards their Minister, exacting a great deal from him in the way of attention
and visiting, who have never shown any interest in his comfort >; who though
rioting in enjoyments and luxuries, have never asked nor cared to know how
their Minister was clothed or fed or furnished with the necessary means for
usefulness and efficiency. It would be well'if these things were more fre¬
quently considered, and that congregations should remember that whilst they
justly require attention, their Ministers have a right to look for sympathy and
kindness.
Before closing this Address, I would make a remark or two on the general
state of the Church in these United States. The past year has been one of
trial and mortification to the Church, from the various evidences of unsound¬
ness and infidelity that have been developed within her borders. Whilst
these melancholy occurrences of defection should be a stern rebuke to the
pride and vain glorious boasting knd to the insidious and pharisaical compar¬
isons in which we have too freely indulged, they should teach us a lesson of
warning which we should be careful to remember and to respect. We clear¬
ly see that the peace and safety of the Church depend upon a strict adherence
to the teachings of the Prayer Book, and to the mode of conducting the wor¬
ship of the Church as established by the common law of usage. When peo¬
ple become restless and dissatisfied with the established usages and worship
of the Church, and go behind the Prayer Book even to the period of the dark
ages, to justify innovations, they plainly show that there is something wrong
in themselves; they prove that they have an undutiful and rebellious spirit,
and that their deference and zeal for antiquity and catholicity is nothing more
than the indulgence of an obstinate and perverted self-will. It is not to be
wondered at, that such persons, and well indeed that it is so, meeting with no
sympathy in their efforts at reform, and justly encountering the censure and
opposition of the sound and the sober part of the Church, become disaffected
and embittered, and leave the Church under the plea of being persecuted, sim¬
ply because they cannot have their own way and be independent of those
whom they ought to respect and obey. And yet amid the discouragement
and mortifications of the times, there is this to comfort and encourage us as
to the future, that the great body of the Church is becoming more thoroughly
united in opinion and practice, and that however there may be minor differ¬
ences there is one general acquiescence in the belief that the Protestant Epis¬
copal Church is to us in these United States the one-true-Catholic-and-Apos-
tolio-Church, and that it is our bounden christian duty to conform to her doc¬
trine, discipline, and worship, as set forth in her articles and offices, her
homilies and canons.
N. II. COBBS,
Bp. Prot. Ep. Ch. in Ala.
A CHARGE TO THE CLERGY, BY THE BISHOP OF ALABAMA.
The undersigned, cherishing as he hopes, an earnest desire for the increase
of true piety within the bounds of his Diocese, and at the same time wish¬
ing to comply with the injunctions of the 27th Canon of the General Con¬
vention, would respectfully and affectionately address a brief word of exhor¬
tation to the Clergy, in the way of a charge on a single point of duty, which
he regards of great practical importance—the duty of diligently urging upon
their congregations the reverent and scrupulous observance of the ceremo¬
nies and sacraments of the Church. We live in an age that is eminently
irreverent—-in which the great popular tendency is to disregard divine insti¬
tutions—to undervalue and to throw off all the forms of devotion, however
sanctioned by age and wisdom—and to make religion consist in inward
emotions and exercises—in abstract theories and speculations. It is not
generally regarded as an act of duty, of christian obligation, to give expres¬
sion to the feelings and purposes of the heart through the ceremonies and
sacraments of the Church. The consequence is, that the preaching of the
word, however able and faithful and zealous, is to a very great extent, labor
spent in vain. However much there may be from time to time of religious
convictions and purposes awakened in the bosom of the members of a con¬
gregation by the spirit of God accompanying the ministration of the word ;
yet these convictions and purposes not being developed and fastened by the
formal signs and pledges of the sacraments of the Church are continually
evaporated, and the minister of the Gospel, as year after year rolls round—
sees after all his labor and prayers, and exhortation no addition to the num¬
ber of his communicants—no increase in the zeal and spirit of his congrega¬
tion—no evidence of the influence of the Church around him.
Now, in very many cases, this cold and barren state of things exists,—not
because the word hath not been faithfully and ably preached ;—nor is it be¬
cause the spirit of God hath not accompanied the preaching of that word, but
because the young and tender principle of life formed in the soul by the
new creating power of the Holy Ghost has not been duly fed and cherished
and strengthened through the divinely appointed ordinances of the Church;
—because the outward development has not kept pace with the inward work
of grace on the heart;—in a word, because the new life formed in the soul
is suffocated and starved to death for want of air, and light, and food. In
order therefore, to obviate this evil, and to make the ministry of the' word
more efficient and useful, let there not only be sound evangelical preaching—
the clear setting forth of the great doctrine of salvation through the merits
and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ; but let there be constantly and
diligently urged as a duty, the observance of the ceremonies and sacraments
of the Church, as the appointed means to elicit, to strengthen, to fasten, and
to secure the pious and holy impressions caused by that preaching;—let not
only good seed be carefully planted, but let it be duly protected by proper
hedges and fences;—let not only faith be preached according to the teach¬
ings of the Church as the great principle of the sinner's justification ;—but
let it be distinctly and earnestly urged that that faith must be externally de¬
veloped, otherwise it will be vapid and inoperative ;—that an unwillingness
to give the outward sign of expression, is an evidence of a defect or an
error in the inward principle of faith. In this way, by inculcating the
necessity of the outward development through the ordinances of the Church,
as well as by distinctly teaching the fundamental and vital truths of the
Gospel, the preaching of the word will be instrumental of greater and more
17
permanent good pious impressions will be retained—holy resolutions,
being formally ratified, will serve as a bond and a pledge to prompt to
watchfulness and to secure fidelity and perseverance ;—the good seed being
protected and nursed and looked after, will neither be rooted out of the
ground nor blown away by the winds ;—and the faithful minister of the gos¬
pel will have his heart gladdened and his energies quickened by seeing his
congregations not only gaining in numerical strength, but growing in grace
and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. And here in confirmation
of these views', the undersigned would remark, that amongst those christian
societies around us, which claim to be eminently spiritual and evangelical, and
are remarkable for their seasons of large ingatherings—one prominent feature
in their services—and one of the efficient means of their success is the urging
of a decided and prompt expression of the inward emotions and purposes of
the heart, by complying with some prescribed sign or token of manifestation.
Again, he would earnestly press the importance of regularly instructing
the Children of our congregations in the doctrine, discipline and liturgy of
the Church, and of inculcating upon them the obligation and the benefit of
reverently observing the forms and offices which the Church in her wisdom
and piety has provided. It is melancholy to observe how large a portion of
the baptized children are ignorant of the Church, and careless of her sanctions
—are irreverent in their attendance upon the sanctuary, and wordly minded
and irreligious in their lives. One great reason of this discouraging state
of things is the general neglect of the forms and the offices of the Church.
By this neglect, children imbibe the spirit and conform to the habits of the
irreligious world around them ; they become irreverent, undutiful, and even
ashamed of their christian vows and obligations; they thus stifle their reli¬
gious sensibilities; they do violence to their moral feelings and principles
—they resist the motions of the Holy Spirit of Grace; and by ceasing to
use the offices of Religion, they gradually lose the influence of the Gospel
on their lives—and unhappily in many cases become hardened, reprobate,
lost. Now in order to guard against these fearful evils, let parents be urged
to be careful and conscientious in having their children well instructed in the
catechism ; let them see to it that their children are trained up with great
reverence for the Church as a Divine Institution, and in the familiar use of
her offices. Let it be pressed as the first and great duty of parents to bring
up their children in the worship and fear of God. Let children be taught to
unite in the services of the Church, reverently, solemnly, and under standing¬
ly. Let them learn that it is not only a gross impropriety of manners—but
a sinful thing to be light and irreverent in the house of God, or even to fail
to unite in the worship offered to his name. In this way children would
grow up, not as heathens and pagans, but as well instructed and dutiful
members of the Church ; they would be respectful, reverent and devout in
their attendance upon the sanctuary, they would rise superior to the fearful
influence of false shame, their religious sensibilities would be kept tender
and delicate-, the pious purposes formed in their souls by the Holy Ghost
would be confirmed and established, a wall of defence and protection would
be thrown around them, and they would thus become, through the grace and
mercy of God, renewed in the spirit of their minds, and consistent in their
lives, a comfort to their Parents, and an ornament to the Church of Christ.
We can never hope to see the Church grow and flourish, and come up to
the full measure of her usefulness and influence till our children are taught
reverently to respect the Church, the authority, the institutions, and the Min¬
istry of the Church; devoutly to unite in her prescribed worship; to re¬
gard her Sacraments as divinely appointed means of grace—and therefore
to look upon-the due reception of those Sacraments not only as. A duty, but
as a privilege, an honor, and a blessing. N. H. COBBS,
Bp. Prot. Ep. Church, in Ala.
18
The reading of Parochial Reports was then resumed and
concluded ; and on motion,, said Reports were referred to the
Committee on the state of the Church :
CHRIST CHURCH, TUSCALOOSA—Rt. Rev. N. H. Coees, Rector,
Rev. J. M. Mitchell, Assistant.
Baptisms; White, adults 1, infants 8-, Total, 9
Colored, adults 3, infants 6, —
Confirmations; White, 5, colored, 6,
Marriages; White, J, colored, 1,
Deaths; White, 4,.» .
Communicants; White, added 8, removed 5, present number,.
Colored, added 6, " "
Sunday'Schools; Teachers 7, scholars, white, 25,.............
Library; Number of Books,
Communion; Number of times administered—the first Sunday
in each month and on the larger Festivals.
Offerings at Communion, about
Divine Service; Number of times celebrated—generally twice every Sun¬
day, and once every Wednesday and Friday, and on the principal Fes¬
tival and Fast days.
With few exceptions, services have also been held for the negroes onee
every Sunday.
The weekly offertpry established last year is still kept up, and the sitting's
of the Church are all free.
9
II
2
4
47
7
32
200
TRINITY CHURCH, DEMOPOLIS—J. M. Banister, Rector,
Baptisms; White, adults, , infants, 2, Total, 2
Colored " " 0
Confirmations; White, , colored " 0
Marriages; White, , colored, , " 0
Deaths, White, , colored, " 0
Communicants; White, added 1, colored , died , removed, 4. 14
Sunday Schools; Teachers 6, scholars, about 20, colored ,.. .. " 28
Library; Number of Books, about 200 vols.
Communion; Number of times administered, 3
Offerings at Communion, 0
Collections, $33
Divine Service usually twice every Sunday, when roads and weather
would allow.
This Paiish is still without a Church building. The Ladies of the Parish,
by their perseverance and industry, have made eight or nine hundred dollars,
which is now in hand as a building fund. It is supposed that the work will
be commenced some time this summer or fall.
ST. LUKE'S CHURCH, CAHAWBA—Rev. W. J. Ellis:
Baptisms; White, adults, , infants, 12, . Total, 12
Deaths; White, 2, colored, " 2
Communicants; White, added, 5, died, , removed . Present No. 10
Communion; Number of times administered, 6
Collections, ^ $40
I have been absent from both of my Parishes nearly four months. In
Apalachicola I held service forty-two times and preached thirty-two times.
19
ST, ANDREW'S CHURCH, MACON—J. M. Banister.
Baptisms; White, adults, , infants, Total, 0
Colored, infants, 11, ................. " 11
Confirmations; White, 2, colored, " 2
Marriages; White, , colored, " 0
Deaths ; White, 1,'colored, , " 1
Communicants ; White, added, -2, died 1, removed, 2,.......... " 14
Sunday School; Teachers 4, scholars, white, 18, col'd. " 18
Library; Number of Books, 0
Communion ; Number of times administered, 3
Offerings at Communion, ....... $5
Collections, $75
Divine Service; Number of times celebrated—usually twice every Sunday,
that rain or bad roads did not prevent a congregation.
ST. DAVID'S CHURCH, DALLAS COUNTY—R. A. Cobbs,
Baptisms ; White, infants, 3, 3
Colored, infants, 10, to
Confirmations ; White, 1, 1
Deaths; White, 1, 1
Communicants ; White, added 3, present number............ 13
Colored, removed, 1 " " ............ 3
Sunday School; Teachers, 5, scholars, col'd. 50, 50
Communion; Number of times administered, 7
Offerings at Communion, $76 60, of which $43 35 were for spe¬
cial purposes.
Divine Service; Number of times celebrated—at the Church, 39,
at other places, 33, total,. 72
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS, RUSSELL CO.
Geo. F. Cushman, Deacon, officiating.
Baptisms ; White, adult, 1, 1
Colored, infants 13, .. ...... 13
Confirmations; No visitation.
Communion; Not administered, the Minister being in Deacon's orders.
Communicants ; White, added, 1, present number,............. 3
Divine Service ; Number of times celebrated, ....... 8
I took charge of this Parish on the first of January last, and have officiated
there once on each alternate Sunday since. The congregations are respecta¬
ble and attentive. There are in the Parish several persons to be confirmed.
* Connected With this Parish, is a large congregation of servants for whom
I have had service and a sermon each Sunday, and on many occasions, two.
They are much interested in the services. Among them are many communi¬
cants ; and it would have been quite easy to report a large number of candi¬
dates for confirmation to this Convention. But it is better to hasten slowly
than to retrace our steps. Another year we trust the statistics will show a
visible return for the very lively interest which their owners manifest in their
spiritual welfare. By patient instruction they have learned the Creed, the
Lord's Prayer and the Catechism of the Church. They have a Church edi¬
fice of their own, St. Cyprian's, and it is my purpose to devote an increased
portion of my time to them, if it please God, during the ensuing year.
In addition to the above services, I desire to report the baptism of two
white infants in another Diocese, and the celebration of Divine Service forty
times before I entered upon any regular charge.
20
CHRIST CHURCH, MOBILE—N. P. Knapp.
Baptisms; White, adults, 7, infants, 41, Total, 48
Colored, adults, 1, infants, 1, " 2
Confirmations; White, 9, colored, 3* " 12
Marriages ; White, 9, colored, , 9
Deaths; White, 16, colored, , 16
Communicants; White, added, 24, died, 2, removed 9. Present No. 164
Colored, added, 1, died, , removed, . " " 4
Sunday Schools; Teachers, 20, scholars, white, 100, col'd. 20. Total, 120
Library; Number of Books, . 300
Communion; Number of times administered, 15
Offerings at Communion, $339,50
Collections; For domestic Missions, 257,00
S. S. Bishop Polk Miss. Society, for education of heathen youth, 100,00
Divine Service—Number of times administered, 177
The condition of the Parish is very encouraging. The congregation is
large and attentive, and the income of the pew rents is upwards of one
thousand dollars greater than it was at the close of the year ending on
Easter day, 1849.
The word of God has been effectual to the conversion of some souls from
the way of error to the way of truth and godliness, and to bringing them
into communion with the Church.
The number of communicants reported, does not embrace all perhaps
who sometimes commune at our altar. But it is a fair showing of our
strength. More persons would have been confirmed, had the Bishop's visit
been postponed till Easter. Some were prevented from presenting them¬
selves by sickness and other causes. And there are now several candidates
waiting the visitation of the Bishop.
Divine service is celebrated twice on Sundays, except during the summer
months, when there is but one service in the Church. On two Sundays in
each summer month, the Rector has evening service in the country. The
Church is open for prayers every Wednesday morning, and for service and
sermon every Friday night during the cooler half of the year.
A Bible class for the members of the Church generally, has been organ¬
ized, which meets at the house of the Rector every Thursday evening. It
has been well attended and promises to be interesting and useful.
The Sunday School has been visited frequently and catechised. It is in
a flourishing condition.
The Sunday School for colored persons is not very well attended. It is
, under the efficient management of one of our intelligent and pious laymen,
and it is hoped that more of the servants of our people will be brought
within reach of the instruction so ably and so willingly offered.
The Rector regrets, that he cannot consistently, with urgent duties at home,
attend tire Convention, but under his disappointment is sustained by a recol¬
lection of many undeserved mercies for which he returns thanks to God.
N. P. KNAPP.
ST. JOHN'S, TUSCUMBIA—J. B. T. Smith.
Baptisms; White, adults, , infants, 8, Total, 8
Confirmations; White, , colored, 2, " 2
Marriages; White, , colored, 2, " 2
Deaths ; White, , colored, 1, " 1
Communicants; White, added,2, died, 1, removed, 3. Pres. No. 10
Communion ; Administered monthly,
Divine Service ; Celebrated 30 times.
21
ST. LUKE'S CHURCH, JACKSONVILLE—D. D. FLOWER.
Baptisms ; White, adults, 1,* infants, 7, Total, 8
Colored, adults, , infants, , " 0
Confirmations; White, 2, colored, " 2
Communicants; White, added, 4, died, , removed, . Present No. 11
Colored, added, , died, , removed, , " " 1
Sunday Schools; Teachers, , scholars, white, 15, colored, 2,. .Total, 17
Communion; Number of times administered, 12
Offerings at Communion, $15,19
Collections; For Bp's salary, Bp's fund, &c 15,36
Divine Service; Number of times celebrated, 136
CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY, HUNTSVILLE—H. C. Lay, Rector.
Baptisms; White, adult, 1, infants, 5, Total, 6
Colored, adults, 3, infants, 4, " 7
Confirmations; White, 3, " 3
Marriages; Colored, 1, " 1
Deaths ; White, 4, " 4
Communicants; White, added, 8, (6 from other cures,) died, 2,
removed, 1. Present number, 29
Sunday School; Teachers 5, scholars, 40, ^ 40
Communion; Number of times administered, 12
Offerings at Communion, $50 10
Additional Poor Relief dispensed by the Minister of the Parish, $77 00
Contributed to Domestic Missions, $67 25
" Diocesan Missions, 23 00
" Bible Society, 17 00
Divine Service celebrated 96 times.
The Rector of this Parish has been disabled by sickness for one half of
the past year ; during that time his duties have been discharged by the Rev.
Mr. Robertson, to whom the undersigned has been, and continues to be much
indebted for supplying his lack of service. The undersigned deeply regrets
that he cannot meet with his brethren in Convention; considerations of duty
alone detain him at home. HENRY C. LAY.
TRINITY CHURCH, MOBILE—J. A. Massey, Rector.
Baptisms; White, adults, 7, infants, 31, Total, 38
Colored, adults, 1, infants, , " 1
Confirmations; White, 16, colored , " 16
Marriages ; White, 15, colored , " 15
Deaths; White, 35, colored, , _ " 35
Communicants; White, added, 34, dismissed, 1, died, 2, removed 8, " 125
Sunday Schools ; Teachers, 11, scholars, white, 70, " 70
Library ; Number of Books, .. " 205
Communion, Number of times administered, 15
Offerings at Communion, $138 30
Collections, ..$144. 35
Divine Service; Number of times celebrated, 177
The Free School of the Parish, which is an object of increasing inter¬
est to the congregation, and to Episcopalians in Mobile generally, numbers
105 scholars, taught by two young ladies.
* Of St. John's, Ely ton.
±
22
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, SELMA—Rev. J. H, Linebatjgh, late Rector.
Baptisms; White, adult, 1, infants 3, Total, 4
Confirmations; (for the Parish) " 3
Communicants; added, 3. Present number, " 37
Marriages ; (white,). . " 2
Deaths, " 2
Sunday School; Teachers, 4, scholars, 30, " 34
Services twice every week.
Communion; administered monthly.
To the Rt. Rev. N. II. Cobbs, D.D., Bp. Prol. Ep. Church in Alabama :
Rt. Rev. and Dear Sir :—-The above is a statement of the condition of
this Church up to the time that I resigned it, in November. The want of
support, equal to the wants of my family, alone induced the step of resign¬
ing the post assigned me in the Lord's vineyard. To resign a connection
so dear to me, and filled with so many cherished feelings and associations,
was the most painful act of my life. The struggle was more painful than I
anticipated. I never can forget, and hope and pray I may never desire to
forget the happy relations, and pleasant state of feeling, which always sub¬
sisted between my parishioners and myself, as also between my Bishop and
brethren of the Diocese of Alabama, and myself. I shall carry with me
through life, as a sacred and cherished treasure, the recollection of the kind
and fraternal feeling ever manifested toward me by my brethren, but par¬
ticularly by my first and venefated Diocesan.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, GREENSBORO'—J. S. Marbury, Rector.
Baptisms; White adults, 2, infants, 4, Total, 6
Colored, adults, , infants, 4, " 4
Confirmations ; White, 6, colored, 1, " 6
Marriages, White, 1, .. " 1
Deaths; White, 4, colored, 2, , ••••.. " 6
Communicants; White, added, 5, removed, 1, " 60
Colored, " 1, died, 1, " 2
Sunday School; Teachers, 3, scholars, • • •' " '30
Library; Number of books, " 300
Collections, $159 65
In consequence of ill health the Rector was compelled to be absent seve¬
ral months in the past year from his charge. He cannot therefore report an
accurate account of services performed. The Parish it is h'oped and believed,
is still advancing. In addition to the other contributions, $200 have been
expended in repairing the Church.
Norfolk, VA.,May 1st, 1850.
Rt. Rev. and Dear Sir :—Being still canonically connected with the Di¬
ocese of Alabama, it becomes my duty in view of the approaching Annual
Convention to be held in Greensboro', to make my annual Report to you.
Having no parochial charge, I, of course, have no regular services to report.
During the period of my residence in Columbus, Miss., it was my custom to
preach on three Sundays in the month at as many different places of wor¬
ship in the surrounding country. On the first Sunday in the month I usually
assisted the Rector of St. Paul's Church, Columbus, in the administration of
the Communion and very frequently preached for him.
A. S. SMITH.
23
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, MONTGOMERY—J. H. Morrison.
Baptisms; white, adults, 5, infants, 25, Total, 30
Confirmations; White 14, colored, 1, " 15
Marriages; white, 6, colored, " 6
Deaths ; white, 2, colored, " 2
Communicants ; White, added, 20, died, 1, removed, 9. Pres. No. " 68
Colored, added, 1, died, , removed " "5
Sunday Schools; Teachers, 6, scholars, white, 40, colored, ,.. " 40
Library ; Number of Books,.... 200
Communion; Number of times administered—at Montgomery
11 times, Mt. Meigs 1, 12
Offerings at Communion, ■ $75 05
Collections ; For DorrtOstic Missions, $90 ; Diocesan, $2,50 ; Sun¬
day School, $16 ; for building a Church at Auburn, $73; Christ¬
mas Collection for permanent Bishop's Fund, $30,75; Collection
for the same object by the Agent, $1006. Total, $1,217,25
Divine Service ; Nuumber of times celebrated—Montgomery, 120
times, Mt. Meigs, 20, Robertson's, 1, Prattville, 2, Tallassee, 1.
Total, 144.
In addition to what has been stated above, the Rector would remark that
there has been a considerable increase of the congregation during the past year.
The services at Mt. Meigs have been well attended, and the prospects of
the Church at that pQint are considered favorable.
The wish has long been entertained to have a regular service for the blacks.
A commencement has lately been made, which the Rector hopes to be able
to continue.
UNION PARISH, MARENGO AND PERRY COUNTIES,
E. C. Murdaugh, Rector.
Baptisms; white, adults, 3 infants, 3, Total, 6
Colored, adults, , infants, 9, " 9
Confirmations; White, 4, " 4
Marriages; White, 4, colored, 4, " 8
Deaths ; White, 2, colored, 2, " 4
Communicants ; White, added, 9, removed, 4, " 35
Colored, " , " , " 15
Communion; Administered about 8 times.
Collections, $425
Divine Service usually celebrated twice on Sunday—in the morning for
white—afternoon for colored congregations.
In regard to Sunday Schools the Minister reports that several members of
the congregation are still engaged in catechising colored children. A hand¬
some lot in Union-Town, of nearly three acres, has been lately presented to
the Parish by four or five individuals.' On this lot it is proposed to build a
Rectory. More than 1,100 have been subscribed for the purpose of building
the Rectory.
TRINITY, FLORENCE—J. B. T. Smith.
Baptisms ; White, adults, , infants, 2, ..... Total, 2
Colored, adults, , infants, 12,.. " 12
Confirmations ; White, 1, colored, f 1
Deaths; White, 5, colored, ,....: " 5
Communicants; White, added, 2, died, 1, removed, 2. Pres. No. v 14
Communion ; Administered monthly.
Divine Service; Celebrated 45 times.
24
AUBURN CHURCH—Wm. Scull.
Baptisms ; White, adults, 1, infants, 9, Total, 9
Confirmations ; White, 5, colored, 2, « 7
Marriages ; White, 1
Deaths; White,!, colored, 2,., " 3
Communicants ; White, added, 7, died, , removed, 3. Pres. No. " 9
Communion; Administered 9 times.
Divine Service ; Celebrated about 200 times.
St. John's in the Wilderness, and Tuskegee; on account of their distance
from me, I have relinquished: of the Perry, the Rev. Mr. Cushman has taken
charge.
ST. MICHAEL'S, MARION—W. A. Stickney.
Baptisms ; White, adults, 2, infants 7, col'd. adults, 2, infants, 9, Total, 20
Confirmations ; White, 9, colored, 1, " 10
Marriages; White, 1, colored, " 1
Deaths ; White, 2, (not communicants,) • " 2
Communicants ; White, added, 6, removed, 2, col'd. added, 1. Pt. No. 25
Sunday School; Catechist, 1, scholars, white, 18, Total, 19
Communion; Administered 20 times.
Offerings at Communion, .' $127 00
Divine Service ; Celebrated 308 times.
I would add, that the above offerings were made generally at special notice,
to be applied to the chancel of a new temporary house of worship, which is
to be Church property for the Parish School now twelve months in opera¬
tion. In addition to all the Festival and Fasts of the Church, Morning and
Evening Prayers have also been offered on the Litany days, unless ill health
prevented, or hot weather. When hindered in this latter way, the full ser¬
vice is generally used in the household of servants and boys.
The attendance on these week day services is small; but this does not
make the duty less on either party; and I only regret that for the present
the services cannot be increased in frequency. *
Columbus, Geo., May, 1850.
To the Rt. Rev. N. II. Cobbs, D.D., Bishop of the
Protestant Episcopal Church, in the Diocese of Alabama:
In conformity with the canon in such cases provided, I have to report, that
on the 3d of March last, constrained by important duties, I retired from the
Parishes of St. Stephen's and St. Mark's, and became Assistant Minister of
Trinity Church, Columbus Geo. My canonical relations to the Diocese re¬
main unchanged; and I still hope Providence may permit a return to, or
near to, the field of my first labors. It may be here added, that J have ser¬
vices every Sunday night in the village of Girard, Russell Co. Ala. These
services are well attended by a congregation which seems desirous of such
regular and certain instruction as the Church affords,
Since the last Convention, owing to the lateness of my ordination to the
priestly office, and to inclement weather on the appointed days, I hiffe admin¬
istered the Holy Communion only seven times. I have Baptised one Adult
and three Infants, (1 Negro :) Buried two Infants, (1 Negro:) Married too
couples.
Held public services, generally followed by preaching, one hundred and
sixteen times. This includes all services up to the present date.
So
Commending my late Parishes, until their wants shall be supplied, to the
care and sympathy of the neighboring Clergy, whose " labor Shall not be in
vain in the Lord."
I am, very Respectfully,
YourBro. in the Gospel,
J. H. TICKNOR.
The Convention then adjourned until 4 o'clock, P. M.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, Friday, 4 o'clock, P. M.
Convention met pursuant to adjournment.
Wm, H. Lucas, from St. John's Church, Montgomery, ap¬
peared and took his seat as Lay Delegate.
Reports of Treasurer were presented, and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
The Certificate of the election of Delegates from St. John's
Church in the Prairies, was presented and referred to the
Committee on Certificates, who, having examined the same,
reported it as in form, and the following persons duly elected
to represent said Parish in Convention, to-wit: R. W. With¬
ers, David W. Broadnax and H. C. Robertson.
The unpaid assessments in said Parish being, on motion,
in part remitted, D. W. Broadnax appeared and took his seat.
The amended Constitution, which was reported to the" last
Convention, was then submitted to this Convention for final
action.
The same being approved by a majority of the two orders
in Convention, voting separately, Was accordingly adopted.
The following amendments to said Constitution were then
proposed, and being approved by two-thirds of the Conven¬
tion, stand over to be submitted to the next Convention, to-wit:
Proposed amendment to Article 3—Every Clergyman
in Ecclesiastical connection with the Diocese, shall be entitled
to a seat and vote in the Convention : provided said con¬
nection shall have been of six months duration.
Proposed amendment to Article 10—Every Convention
shall be opened with prayer, a sermon and the administra¬
tion of the Holy Communion—the preacher to be appointed
by the Bishop, or in case of vacancy in the Episcopate, by
the Standing Committee.
The Report of the Treasurer of the Society for the Relief
of disabled Clergymen, and Widows and Orphans of de¬
ceased Clergymen, was presented, and referred to the Com¬
mittee on Finance.
On motion, the Convention adjourned until 9 o'clock, to¬
morrow morning.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, 1
Greensboro', Saturday 9 o'clock, A. M. J
Convention met pursuant to adjournment.
The minutes of the preceding day having been read and
approved, the Committee appointed to examine the Journal
of the last General Convention, made the following Report:
The undersigned, Committee upon the Journal of the last General Con¬
vention, have attended to the business entrusted to them, and beg leave to
report that there is nothing in the Journal aforesaid, requiring the action of
this Convention, except the following proposed amendment to the Constitu¬
tion of the Church, which the General Convention has referred to the Con¬
ventions of the Dioceses for their approval or otherwise.
"Resolved, The House of Bishops concurring, that it is expedient to alter
Article 1 st, of the Constitution of this Church, so far as it fixes the time of
the meeting of the General Convention thereof, by striking out the words
"thefirst Wednesday in October" and substituting the words "the first
Wednesday in September."
All of which is respectfully submitted,
GEO. F. CUSHMAN, Ch'n.
C. L. STICKNEY.
Greensboro', May 11, 1850.
On motion, the Convention unanimously concurred in its
assent to alter Article 1st of the Constitution of the Church
as suggested by the Resolution of the General Convention.
Rev. J. A. Massey, presented the following Resolutions:
Resolved, That this Convention has heard with grateful pleasure of a gift
made the Church in this Diocese of a valuable piece of property in the city
of Mobile, and that the thanks of the Church are due, and are hereby return¬
ed to the generous donors, Messrs. Wm. R. Hallett, Nathaniel Williams,
Geo. Poe, Jr., A. J. Ingersoll and James Campbell.
Resolved, That the thanks of the Convention be returned to Mr. George
Cleveland, formerly of this Diocese, by whose persevering and successful
efforts to secure the consent of the donors, this property has been secured
to the Church. 1
Which, on motion, were unanimously adopted.
Rt. Rev. Bishcp Cobbs presented the Report of the Execu¬
tive Committee of the Diocesan Missionary Society :
The Executive Committee of the Diocesan Missionary Society, report to
the Convention, that during the past year they have contributed towards sus¬
taining three very worthy Ministers laboring in the Diocese, and have made
a small appropriation to a fourth Clergyman for extra services in a new Mis¬
sionary field. The Committee are mpre and more convinced of the impor¬
tance of the Diocesan Missionary Society in extending the' influence of the
Church in the Diocese of Alabama. The state of the funds belonging to
the Committee will appear from the accompanying report of the Treasurer.
N. H. COBBS, CKn. of the Committee.
27
THOMAS W. McCOY, Treasurer,
In account with Diocesan Missionary Society of Alabama.
1849. DR.
May, 1, To balance, by report to Convention of this date, $584 67
" 18, Cash from St. Paul's, Greensboro,' 30 00
" St. David's, Dallas, 22 00
" St. Paul's, Selma, 31 40
" Christ Church, Tuscaloosa, 28 68
" St. Paul's, Carlowville, 5 50
Nov. 28, " Tuscumbia, 3 00
" Florence, 5 15
" Huntsville, 17 10
" Fork of Greene, (rec'd 37 00) 11 58
1850.
Feb. 13, " St. Andrew's, Macon, 19 50
Ap'l. 17, " St. David's, by Rev. R. A. Cobbs,. . 15 00
" 24, " " Trinity Ch. Mobile, Rv. J. A. Massey 42 00
1849. CR.
May 18, By cash pd. Bp. Cobb's order, Rev. J. H. Ticknor, (of 6 May) $50 00
June 25, " " Rev. Win. Scull, (of 22 May). 100 00
Dec. 8, " " Rev. J. H. Ticknor, (of 1 Aug) 50 00
" 11, " " Rev. D. D. Flower, (of 3 Dec.) 25 00
" 28, " " Rev. J. H. Ticknor, (of 26 Nov) 100 00
By balance carried down, 490 58
1850. $815,58 815 58
May 7, To balance on hand, say, $490 58
E. E. THOMAS W. McCOY, Treasurer.
Mobile, May 7, 1850.
On motion the Report was received.
The following persons were nominated and elected mem¬
bers of the Diocesan Missionary Committee :
Rev. J. S. Marbury, Rev. E. C. Murdaugh, Rev. J. M
Banister, Messrs. Tayloe and Barnum.
On motion, Tiios. W. McCoy was unanimously re-elected
Treasurer of said Society.
The amended Canons, as reported to the last Convention,
were now submitted to this Convention for final action.
Canon I, Sec. 1st, was adopted without amendment.
Section 2, was amended to read thus :—In electing a Yes-
try any person shall be entitled to vote who is a holder or ren¬
ter of one entire pew, or is a contributor to the Church to
such an amount as the respective Parish shall appoint.
When two or more persons shall hold or rent a pew, they shall
be jointly entitled to one vote. In forming new Parishes
no person shall be entitled to vote, who has not signed the
Articles of Parochial Association.
Section 8, was amended by striking out all after the words
"for which he is elected," and inserting as follows : "provided
that no person shall be qualified to act as a Vestryman who
does not believe in the truth of the Holy Scriptures."
Canon I, as amended, was then adopted.
The Agent of the Bishop's Fund made the following Re¬
port :
Rt. Rev. N. H. Cobbs :
Your agent begs leave to report to this Convention, that in obedience to
his appointment and resolution of the Convention, he has visited nearly all
the Parishes in the Diocese during the past year, soliciting contributions to
the Permanent Bishop's Fund of this Diocese ; and that he has succeeded
in obtaining in notes and cash, the amount of $16,849,75, and that his ex¬
penses amounted to $69,70, leaving $10,780,05 subject to the order of this
Convention. He regrets to report the receipt of so small an amount from
the Christmas offerings—collections having only been taken up in four Par¬
ishes out of seventy-eight organized Parishes in the Diocese, and amounting
to only 79,20. What more appropriate occasion can be afforded to solicit
Contributions to aid in the maintenance of the Apostolical Head of the
Church in this Diocese than when we assemble together to worship and re¬
joice at the Nativity of our Saviour—the Divine Head of our Holy and '
Apostolic Church ? At a time when all hearts are open, I am sure if the
opportunity were offered many would freely contribute to the aid of so worthy
an object. I take this occasion to return my thanks for the uniform kindness
and courtesy extended to me by the friends of the Church and others, whilst
I was engaged in the pursuance of the above object.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
HENRY A. TAYLOE, Agent.
He herewith presents a list of contributors to the Perma¬
nent Bishop's Fund, as part and parcel of this Report:
CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS.
St. John's Church, Montgomery, - - $30 75
St. Luke's Church, Jacksonville, - , - - 5 00
St. David's Parish, Dallas County, - - - 20 00
Christ Church, Tuscaloosa, - - - 23 45
$79 20
ST. DAVID'S.
John Ellerbe,
A. W. Ellerbe, -
J. J. Pegues,
E. H. Pegues, Mrs.
N. B. Pegues,
James H. Dubose.
R. A. Cobbs,
E. Irby, Miss.,
H. Pegues, Mrs., •»
E. P. Ellerbe,
J. A. Smith, annually,
$150
00
200
ic
25
u
200
a
50
a
200
it
50
u
50
u
50
u
200
it
10
«
/
-$11
85 00
$1264 20
29
i
*
Brought forward, - - -
$1264 20'
carlowville.
!
H. L. Alison, .
$50 00'
IE. M. Lee, - - / -
50 •'
W. W. Lang, . . .
50 "
Francis J. Lee, -
25 . "
,
J. Martin Lee, - -
50 "
J. H. Alison, ....
20 "
Theodore B. Lee, ...
35 "
Benjamin Reynolds, ...
25
$
305 00
pleasant hill.
Thedosia Hunter, Mrs.,
$35 00
W. B. Townsend, 1 -
25 "
$ 60 00
st. peter's, church hill.
W. H. Chambliss, -
$25 00
Paul Lee,
40 "
R. P. McCord, ....
75 "
John Adams, ....
50 "
J. P. Broun,
100 "
Edward A. McCord, -
25 "
$
315 00
christ church, hayneville.
A. Douglass, . .
$15 00
N. Cook, - -
.25 "
G. C. Thurber, -
25 "
$ 65 00
st. Paul's, church, selma.
S. B. Gee, Mrs., -
$10 00
W. Waddill, ....
75 "
A. G. Mabry, -
75 "
A. White, -
50 "
J. W. Strong, ....
25 "
William Lowry, - -
10 "
William Jamieson,
2 50
J. R. Purnell, -
50 00
A. G. Jeffries, ...
25 "
Mrs. Smith, ....
100 "
M. S. Gardner, Mrs. ...
50 "
W. Ickes,
50 "
J. Morgan, ....
30 "
Mrs. Jeffries, ....
25 "
$577 50
. «
§2586 70
.
30
Brought forward, » -
st. lure's church, cahawba.
" C. C. Pegues, -
W. E. Byrd, - - -
John A. English. -
G. R. Evans, - - -
R. H. Stoutenborough, -
W. A. Bean, ...
R. H Smith,
E. W. Perrine,
$2586 70
$50 00
50 00
25 00
50 00
25 00
50 00
25 00
50 00
$ 325 00
st. john's church in the wilderness, - $ 200 00
st. pauls, church, greensboro'.
F. G. Stickney,
A. L. Pickens,
Avery, Mrs.
Pasteur, Mrs.
A. Barnham,
R. C. Randolph,
Israel Pickens, ,
John L. Charles,
Charles L. Stickney,
Isaac Croom,
David Minge,
C. Stith,
W. A. Christian,
R. W. Nicolson.
Henry S. Key,
J. M Langhorne,
David W. Pitts,
Richard H. Adams,
G. W. H. Minge,
$50 00
50 00
25 00
10 00
50 00
200 00
26 00
100 00
70 00
250 00
-$831 00
union parish.
- $100 00
62 50
- 100 00
62 50
62 50
62 50
25 00
125 00
- 125 00
-$ 725 00
st. stephen s church, eutaw.
J R. Evans,
W. F. Pierce,
A. Wyser,
S. J. Chapman,
Alex. Jarvis.
C. H. Williams,
Mortimer Jordan,
$20 00
100 00
100 00
100 00
50 00
-$ 370 00
jonesboro
$50 00
50 00
-$ 100 00
$5137 70
31
Brought forward, - - « $5137 70
'^elyton.
E. H. Hawkins, - - - $ 50 00
st. mark's church, greene county.
John G. Friend, - - - $100 00
William P. Gould, - - 150 00
J. J. Thornton, - - - 125 00
■ -$ 375 00
st. joiin's in the prairies.
H. C. Robertson, . - - $ 50 00
st. john's church, tuscumbia.
W. H. Newsom, - - - $ 50 00
(jurist church, tuscaloosa.
Rt. Rev. N. H. Cohbs,
- $100
00
M. Tuomey,
50
00
S. G. Leach,
25
00
John Marrast,
100
00
Cash,
5
00
■$ 280 00
trinity church, demopolis.
F. S. Lyon, - - - $ 50 00
trinity church, florence.
M. H. Armistead, Mrs
J. B. T. Smith,
Mary Hood, Mrs.
$25 00
50 00
50 00
125 00
church of the nativity, huntsville.
John M. Robertson, - - $100 00
C- C.Clay, Jr. - - 62 50
S. Cruse, - - - . 62 50
J. Y. Bassett, - - - 37 50
James Wilson, - - - 20 00
Henry C. Lay, - - 10 00
C. C. Clay, Sen. - . - 160 00
John W. Clay, - - . 62 50
Francis J. Levert. ... 100 00
R. B. Norvill, - . . 25 00
T. S. McCally, - - - 100 00
M. C. Betts, Mrs. - - 25 00
G. P. Beirne, - - - 300 00
— Skeggs, (annually) - " 5 00
$1060 00
$7177 70
on
o4
Brought forward, - ' - - - $7177 70
christ church, mobile.
W. P. Hammond, - $300 00
R. R. Stockdeil, - - - 2 50
Cash, - - » 5 00
John Reynolds, - - - 10 00
J. Emanuel, - . 10 00
Franklin W. McCoy, - - 10 00
G. W. Moore, - - 5 00
James Tait, . - - 5 00
Charles F. Stickney, (annually) - - 10 00
William M. Garrow, - - 100 00
William II. Ross, - - 5 00
H. O. Brewer, - . • - 5 00
A. Brooks, Mrs. - . 2 00
Henry Farrarr, (annually,) - 5 00
Emanuel Jones, - ■ - 300 00
Wm. Alderson, - 100 00
Mrs. King, - - - 2 50
James M. Battle, •• - 300 00
Samuel G. Battle, - . - 300 00
George Martin, - - 200 00
$1677 00
TRINITY CHURCH, MOBILE,
Rev. J. A. Massey, - - , • $150 00
C. A. Bradford, - - 125 00
T. Lesesne, ... 100 00
A. S.Haden, - - - 150 00
J. F. Jerrett, (annually,) - - 20 00
Robert Oowan, - - 3 00
Wm. Rix, - - 5 00
Dade W. Thompson, - - 1 3 00
Wm. K. Thurber, - • - 25 00
J. J. Adams, (Steamer Mary Clifton,) - 25 00
S. B. Allen, - - - 5 00
Capt. Johnson, of the Steamer Lowndes, Jr. 25 00
•' Cox, " " Emperor, - 25 00
$661 00
st. john's church, Montgomery.
C. T. Pollard, - - - $250 00
Rev. J. II. Morrison, - - 20 00
R, A. Calclough, - - - 25 00
T. B. Taylor, » - - 200 00
G. F. Taylor, « - - 150 00
Wm. Knox, - . - - 150 00
A. R. Bell, . - 25 00
A. P. Pfister,. - - . 20 00
M.M. Conley, - - 100 00 .
Thomas Welsh, - - 30 00
Hugh N. Crawford, - - - 25 00
R. J. Thorn, Jr., - • 5 00
' A. G. Gooch, - - 5 00
-$1005 00
$10520 70
33
Brought forward,
$10,520 70
ST. JAMES' CHURCH, LIVINGSTON.
L. H. Anderson,
$200 00
st. Andrew's church, macon.
G. P. Tayloe,
Wm. Bell, Jr.,
$100 00
w in, j3eu, Jr.,
Thomas Jeffries,
Mrs. Tayloe,
31 25
5 00
62 50
■$198 75
Deduct Travelling expenses,
$10,919 45
69 70
$10,849 75
On motion, the following Resolutions were adopted ;
Resolved, That the report of H. A. Tayloe, Esq., the agent for the Bishop's
Fund be received, and that the thanks of this Convention be returned to
said agent for his unremitting exertions, and his highly valuable services in
collecting subscriptions to the said fund.
Resolved, That said agency be continued for the ensuing year, and that
he be requested to continue his efforts in collecting in aid of the Bishop's
Fund.
The report was referred to the Committee on Finance.
The Committee on Unfinished Business made the follow¬
ing Report:
The Committee on Unfinished Business respectfully report that they
have examined the Journal of last Convention, and find nothing requiring
the action of this Convention.
Which, on motion, was received and the Committee dis¬
charged.
The following Resolution was offered and adopted :
Resolved, That when this Convention adjourns, it shall adjourn to meet in
St. John's Church, Montgomery, on the 2nd Thursday in May, 1851.
Certain Resolutions from the Vestry of the Church of the
Nativity, Huntsville, were presented and referred to the Com¬
mittee on Finance.
The Convention then took a recess for Divine Service.
After Divine Service the Convention resumed its business.
John D. Phelan appeared and took his seat as delegate
from St. Michael's Church, Marion.
On motion, the Convention proceeded to ballot for mem,-
bers of the Standing Committee. Two of the Clergy requir¬
ing the vote to be taken by orders, the Rev. Mr. Banister
D. D. FLOWER, Chr'n.
34
j was appointed teller to take the vote of the Clergy, and Mr.
| A. W. Ellerbe to take the vote of the Laity. The vote
j being taken and counted, the Rev. Messrs. Knapp, Massey
and Morrison of the Clergy, and Messrs. Lesesne, Alison
and Boone, of the Laity, were declared duly elected.
The Convention then proceeded to the election of Dele-
j gates to the General Convention, voting as before, by orders.
The votes being counted, the following gentlemen were de¬
clared duly elected:—Messrs. Morrison, Knapp, Banister and
Lay, of the Clergy—Messrs. Tayloe, Conleyj Benners and
Taylor, of the Laity.
On motion, the following gentlemen were re-elected Trus¬
tees of the Bishop's Fund:—Messrs. Croom, Tayloe and
Pierce.
On motion, the Rev. F. B. Lee, Rev. N. P. Knapp, and
Messrs. Alison, A. W. Ellerbe and Simpson, were elected
members of the Standing Committee of the " Society for the
Relief of Disabled Clergymen, and the Widows and Orphans
of the Clergy of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the
Diocese of Alabama."
The Convention proceeded to the election of Lay mem¬
bers of the Bible, Tract, and Prayer Book Committee.
Messrs. Lesesne, Jones and Hammond were elected.
The Convention adjourned until 4 o'clock p. m.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, GREENSBORO,' )
Friday, 4 o'clock, p. m. j
The Convention met pursuant to adjournment.
Rev. Mr. Morrison was called to the chair by the Pres¬
ident.
The Committee on Finance made the following Report:
The Committee on Finance report the different accounts referred to them,
correct, the particulars of which will appear in the Journal.
The following is recommended as a basis for the assessment of the dif¬
ferent Parishes, for the payment of the Bishop's salary, and also the annexed
assessment for contingent expenses, and that the delegates be requested to
settle before the adjournment of the Convention:
Bishop's Assessment. Contingent Expenses.
Christ Church, Mobile,
$400,00
$25,00
Christ Church, Tuscaloosa,
.125,"
8, «
St. John's Church, Montgomery,
St. Paul's Church, Greensboro'
.200,"
8, «
. 130, "
4, "
Union Parish, Marengo and Perry .Co's,
..100, "
4, "
' St. Andrew's Church, Macon,
. .80, "
4, "
St. Paul's Church, Selma,
. .65, "
4, "
St. John's Church in the Prairies,
.. 20, "
4, "
St. James' Church, Livingston,
. .50, "
4, "
Chui-ch of the Nativity, Huntsville,
. .92.80
4, "
St. Peter's Church, Lowndes,
. .25,00
4, "
St. Paul's Church, Carlowville,
..25, "
4, "
St. John's Church, Tuscumbia,
. .20, "
4, «
Trinity Church, Florence,
St., Luke's Church, Cahawba,
. .25, "
4, «
. .25, "
4, "
St. David's Church, Dallas Co
. .50."
4, "
Trinity Church, Demopolis,
.. 30, "
4, «
St. John's Church, in the Wilderness,..
.. 25, "
4, "
St. James' Church, Eufaula,
.. 25, "
4, "
St. Stephen's Church, Eutaw,
. .30, "
4, "
Trinity Church, Mobile,
.100, "
4, "
St. Mark's Church, Greene,
.. 40, "
4, «
St. Michael's Church, Marion
. .30, "
4, "
St. Luke's Church, Jacksonville,
.. 25, "
,4' "
St. John's Church, Elyton,
. . 20, "
4, "
$1777,80
$131,00
The Committee recommend thats Trinity Church, Lafayette; Christ
Church, Wetumpka; Christ Church, Hayneville, and Trinity Church, Dallas
County, be entirely released from any assessment, and that all arrearages be
remitted.
36
The Committee recommend the adoption of the following
Resolutions, viz :
1. That the Agent of the Bishop's Fund be authorized to deduct from
the funds in his hands, the sum of sixty-nine dollars and seventy cents, the
amount of travelling expenses incurred by him in the prosecution of his ap¬
propriate duties, under the resolution of the last Convention, and that he
pay over the balance of the fund collected into the hands of the Trustees of
the Bishop's Fund.
2. That the Trustees of the Bishop's Fund be directed to pay to the
Treasurer of the Convention, annually, the amount of interest upon the do¬
nations of the different Parishes to the amount of their assessments.
3. That wherever the interest on the donation of a Parish exceeds the as¬
sessment, the surplus be added to the permanent fund.
4. That the notes given by persons in the Parish of the Church of the Na¬
tivity at Huntsville to the Bishop's Fund, be credited with the interest ac¬
cruing thereon to 1st May 1850.
5. That wherever any Parishes have subscribed to the Bishop's Fund, such
an amount, that the interest thereon equals their assessment, they be releas¬
ed from any further assessment.
6. That the interest upon the contributions from the different Parishes, be
credited upon their assessments.
BISHOP'S FUND,
In account with H. A. Tatloe, Treasurer.
1849.
May 3, By Christ Church, Mobile, $500 00
" Christ Church, Tuscaloosa, 200 "
" St. John's Church, Montgomery,,... 200 "
" St. Paul's Church, Greensbbro',. ■ •. 150 "
" St. Andrew's Church, Macon, 100 "
" Union Parish, Marengo and Perry, 100 "
" St. Paul's Church, Selma, 50 "
" St. James' Church, Livingston, 50 "
" St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, 25 "
" St. Paul's Church, Carlowville, 50 "
" St. Luke's Church, Cahawba, 50 "
" St. David's Church, Dallas County, 50 "
" Trinity Church, Demopolis, , 25
" St. Stephen's Church, Eutaw, 40 "
" Trinity Church, Mobile, 50 "
" Church of the Nativity, Huntsville, 50 "
$1690 00
June 15, By St. Mark's Church, Greene Co 22 50
Aug. 11, " " " 10 41
Sep. 27, " St. John's Church in the Wilderness, 25 "
Nov. 12, " St. John's Church, Tuscumbia, 25 "
" Trinity Church, Florence, 25 " $107 50
1849. DR. $1797 50
May 5, To paid Rt. Rev. N. H. Cobbs, §1690 00
Sep. 27, " " " 30 "
Nov. 12, " 2 " 50 " $1770 00
By balance,
$27 50
37
CONTINGENT FUND,
1848. In account with Henry A. Tayloe, Treasurer,
Oct. 10, By balance, $60 85
1849.
May 5, " St. James' Church, Montgomery, $8 00
" St. Paul's Church, Greensboro', 4 "
" St. Andrew's Church, Macon,. .. *. 4 "
" Union Parish, Marengo and Perry, 4 "
" St. Paul's Church, Selma, ; ... 4 "
" St. James' Church, Livingston, 4 "
" Church of the Nativity, Huntsville, 4 "
" St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, 4 "
" St. Paul's Church, Carlowville, 4 "
" St. Luke's Church, Cahawba, (1848) 4 "
" St. David's Church, Dallas County,.' 4 "
" Trinity Church, Mobile, 4 "
" St. Michael's Church, Marion, 4 "
$56 00
" St. Luke's Church, Cahawba, (1847) 2 "
Sept. 25, " St. John's Church in the Wilderness, 5 "
Nov. 12, " St. John's Church, Tuscumbia, 16 "
15," Christ Church, Mobile, 25 "
" Christ Church, Tuscaloosa, 8 " 56 00
1849. DR. $172 85
May 5, To paid Sextons of St, Paul's Church, Selma, $ 5 00
Aug. 1, " " for Printing .Journals, 145 " '
" " Expenses, postage and freight, 2 15 152 15
Balance, $20 70
SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF DISABLED CLERGYMEN, AND
THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS OF DECEASED CLERGYMEN,
1849. In account with H. A. Tayloe, Treasurer.
May 1, By balance, $37 16
5, " Subscription from members, $145 00
" St. Paul's Church, Greensboro', 5 "
" A. Benners, •. 5 "
19, " Note of $164,50—Int'st. $26,32, collected, 190 82
2-1, " F, G. Stickney, 10 00
J'ne, 30 " Cash per Rev. T. S. Savage, 8 "
" Turner Wilson, 10 40
Aug. " J. P. Broun, 5 00
1850.
Jan. " Jesse P. Taylor, 10 "
April 16," Rev. R. A. Cobbs, 5 *"
" " St. David's Parish, 15 "
21," Interest collected, 10 26 419 48
1849. DR. $456 64
May 19, To Note due this date, $345 82
June 10, " " " " 10 40'
1850.
Apr. 25, " " " " 100 45 456 67
Balance,
03
38
securities held by the treasurer.
One note dated March 3d, 1848, ;.. $128,35
" May 19, 1849, 345*82
" " April 25,1850, 100 45
" June 2, " 10 40
$585 02
Which on motion was unanimously accepted.
The Trustees of the Bishop's Fund made their "Reportas
follows:
To the Rt. Rev. N. R. Cobbs, D.D :
Dear Sir :—The Trustees of the Bishop's Fund beg leave to make the
following report. The Trustees hold the following notes :
One Note first of March, 1848, (Land payment) $132 00
" fifth of March, 1849, " " due 5th
March, 1850, with interest added, 135 90
" Due 20th May, 1851, 375 00 ■
165 00
> " " 140 25
" Dated May 13,1848, 158 37
" Two years interest on $132 21,12
Land payment paid March, 1850, $116,00, 137 12
$1243 64
Christmas Offerings received at Convention, ..79 20
$1322 84
There is one land payment of $108, due 1st Feb. 1851.
Ori motion, it was accepted.
The President having resumed the chair, the Committee on
the State of the Church made the following Report:
The Committee on the State of the Church beg leave to report, that in
reviewing the history of the Diocese for the past year, with the aid of the
Bishop's Address and the Parochial Reports, they find much to encourage
and urge every Minister and member of our Church to renewed efforts in
future. As several of the Parishes have not furnished their annual reports,
the Committee are not able to state definitely the actual increase of the
Church. But it can be safely said, that it has been quite as great as during
any previous year. The present number of communicants is nearly 150
more than reported at the last Convention, and there are we trust, evident
signs of an increase both of those who attend with greater frequency on
the services of the Church and of devout and thorough Churchmen.
The most painful circumstanceiof the past year is the loss of Clergymen,
both by death and removal to other Dioceses. When our ranks are thinned
by the former cause, however much we mourn, we can but bow with sub¬
mission to the divine will. But when by the latter, wTe are disposed to com¬
plain. And without meaning, in the smallest degree to impugn the mo¬
tives of those who have gone from us, we think there is good reason to
doubt whether Ministers often increase their usefulness by changing their
field of labor. As a general thing the Minister who stays longest in the
same Parish will be likely to bring most souls to Christ. We are satisfied
that if the Clergy now belonging to the Diocese, would consider themselves
as sent by the Great Head of the Church, to their present homes, and as
pledged to remain in them, unless forced to leave them, the Church would
39
go forward with tenfold greater rapidity during the next five years than
during the past five. Your Committee believe that there is no one thing of
so great importance to the healthy progress of the Diocese as the perma¬
nency of her Clergy : and they can but ask the liberty, therefore, of trying to
impress it upon their brethren.
There is nothing else which requires at this time the special notice of
your Committee. They most heartily approve of every word of the
Bishop's Charge and Address, and would recommend the publication of
a thousand copies of the Charge, and that every Minister in the Diocese'
be required by resolution of the Convention, to read to his congregation
in the Church at such time during the present year as they shall think best,
both the Charge and the closing portion of the Address, (commencing
with the reference to Rectories.)
All which is respectfully submitted.
Which report was accepted.
The Convention the'n proceeded to the further considera¬
tion of the Canons.
Canon II, was adopted without amendment.
Canon III, Sec. 2nd, was amended by adding the follow¬
ing clause—"Nor*shallany Parish be entitled to Lay Delega¬
tion, which shall be in arrears six m-onths in the payment of
the salary of their Minister, which may hereafter accrue."
The whole Canon thus amended was adopted.
The following was adopted as a substitute for Canon IV,
to-wit:—" The qualification for a Delegate to the Convention
shall be the same as for a Vestryman: except only, that no pe¬
cuniary contributions shall be a necessary qualification."
Canon V, the words—" and have subscribed the form re¬
quired in Canon IV," were stricken out, and the Canon thus
amended was adopted.
Canon VI, was adopted without amendment.
Canon VII, was amended by striking out the words—" and
the absentees noted," and then adopted.
Canons VIII, IX and X, were adopted without amend¬
ment* '
Canon XI, was amended by inserting the words " and
sacrament," after the word "rite,"in line 9th of sec. 1st, and
thus amended was adopted.
Canon XII, adopted without amendment.
Canon XIII, sec. 1st, 3rd line, the. words " clerical members
of the" "were inserted before the words "Standing Com¬
mittee."
Sec. 3, 2nd line, the words "by furnishing him a copy,"
were inserted after the word "accused.',
Sec. 4, 11th line, the word " from" was stricken out and the
words " not of," inserted after the word " latter."
Sec. 4, 21st line, the words "by the Standing Committee,
or" were stricken out.
See. 7, 1st line, the words " clerical members of the" were
inserted before the words " Standing Committee."
40
Same sec. 6th line, the words " five days" were stricken out
and the word " such" inserted after the word " party."
Same sec. 7th line, the words " as the Bishop shall require,"
were inserted after the word " deposition."
The whole Canon thus amended was then adopted.
Canons XIV, XV and XVI, were stricken out.
The following (to be numbered Canon XIV) was adopted
as a substitute for Canon XVII:
" Communicants who neglect to receive the Lord's Supper
to be suspended.
Any communicant who shall neglect for twelve months
successively to partake of the Lord's Supper, having oppor¬
tunity, shall be admonished by the Min'ister, and on failure to
participate when occasion again offers, shall be suspended."
The following (to be numbered Canon XV,) was then pro¬
posed and adopted, to-wit:
"No proposed alteration of, or addition to the Canons,shall
hereafter be considered by the Convention (unless by unani¬
mous consent) without at least one day's notice thereof in
open Convention; nor shall such alteration or addition be
adopted during the same Convention, if two thirds of the
votes of both orders shall not concur therein, but in such case
the same shall lie over for consideration until the next annual
meeting of the Convention."
Canon XVIII, (to be numbered Canon XVI) was then
adopted
The Canons as amended were then finally adopted.
Bev J. H. Morrison presented the following preamble and
resolutions, which were unanimously adopted.
Whereas, Since the meeting of our last Convention, it having pleased
Almighty God, to remove from the scene of thfeir earthly labors, the Rev. C.
F. Peake, and the -Rev. C. S. Ives, therefore: *
Resolved, That while we bow with submission to the will of an All-wise
Providence, we deeply lament their departure as a loss to ourselves and to
the whole Church.
Resolved, That we will ever cherish their recollection as truly sincere
, and humble-minded Christians, sound and consistent Churchmen, and faith¬
ful Ministers of the one Catholic and Apostolic Church.
On motion, Resolved, That the' Secretary be required to
have five hundred copies of the Journal of this Convention
printed for distribution.
On motion, Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention
be tendered to the Session of the Presbyterian Church, for
their kindness in tendering the use of their Church for public
"Worship.
Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be tendered
to the citizens of Greensboro' and neighborhood for their
hospitality.
41
Ordered—That the Treasurer of the Diocese pay to the
Sexton of St. Paul's Church, Greensboro', five dollars for
services rendered during this Convention.
After prayer and the benediction by the Bishop, the Con¬
vention adjourned sine die.
HENRY A. TAYLOE, Secr'y.
AUGUSTUS BENNERS, As't Secr'y.
Divine Service was celebrated Morning and Evening during the sit¬
ting of the Convention.
On Sunday, May 12, Morning Prayer was read by the Rev. J. M. Mitch¬
ell ; the Anti-Communion service read, a sermon preached, and the Holy
Communion administerd by the Rt. Rev. Bishop, the Rev. Messrs. J. S.
Marbury and W. A. Stickney, assisting in the distribution of the elements.
In the Afternoon, Evening Prayer was read by the Rev. W. A. Stickney ;
a sermon preached by the Rev. J. H. Morrison, and the rite of confirmation
administered by the Bishop to ten persons.
At Night, prayers were read by the Rev. E. C. Murdaugh, and a sermon
preached by the Rev. W. J. Ellis.
On Monday, May 13, Morning Prayer was read by the Rev. J. A. Massey;
a sermon was preached by the Rev. G. F. Cushman, and the Bishop confirmed
three persons.
The next Annual Convention, will be held in St. John's Church, Mont¬
gomery, on the second Thursday of May, 1851.
6
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
IN THE DIOCESE OF ALABAMA.
The Clergy and Laity of the Protestant Episcopal Church
in the Diocese of Alabama, for the purpose of promoting the
cause of religion and piety, establishing order, and securing
to themselves and their posterity, the advantages of the min¬
istry, and ordinances of the Church, do ordain and establish
this Constitution:
Article 1. This Church hereby accedes to the authority,
and recognizes and adopts the Constitution and Canons of the
General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in
the United States of America.
Art 2. There shall be an annual Convention of the Church,
to be held at such time and place as shall be designated by
the next preceding Convention.
Art. 3. The Convention shall be composed of Clergymen
and Laymen. Every clergyman in ecclesiastical connexion
with the Diocese, being a Minister or assistant Minister of
some Parish within the same, or a Missionary under
the direction of the ecclesiastical authority thereof, or be¬
ing a President, Professor or Tutor in some Institution of
learning recognized and approved by this Convention, or be¬
ing unable to discharge the duties of the ministry on account
of age or infirm health, or a chaplain in the Army or Navy,
shall be entitled to a seat and vote in the Convention. The
Laymen shall consist of any number of Delegates, not exceed¬
ing five from each Parish, chosen by the vestry thereof from
the Church within the same.
Art. 4. Four members of the Clerical order and the dele¬
gations of four Parishes shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business: but a smaller number may adjourn.
Art. 5. The Bishop shall be President of the Convention.
If he be absent, or if there be no Bishop, the Convention shall
choose a President pro tempore, from the Presbyters present.
The Bishop may make any motion which he shall judge con¬
ducive to the good of the Church ; but shall not enter into de¬
bate ; and he may deliver his sentiments on any subject, after
43
it has been discussed, before a vote thereon. He may call
special Conventions at whatever times and places he may
think necessary. In case of a vacancy in the Episcopal office,
this power shall be exercised by the Standing Committee.
Art. 6. A Secretary shall be chosen at each annual meeting
of the Convention, who shall remain in office until the next
election of a Secretary. His duty shall be to make minutes
of their proceedings, to preserve their journals and records, to
attest the public accounts of the body, and faithfully to deliver
into the hands of his successor, all books and papers relative
to the concerns of the Convention which may be in his pos¬
session.
Art. 7. In Convention the Clergy and Laity shall deliber¬
ate and vote as one body. But if it be required by two Cler¬
gymen, or the delegation of two Parishes, the two orders
shall vote separately, in which case, each Clergyman shall
cast one vote, and the delegation of each Parish one vote,
and a majority of the votes of each order, thus cast, shall be
decisive. In electing a Bishop the Laity shall vote by Par¬
ishes, as herein provided.
Art. 8. The election of a Bishop shall be made in Conven¬
tion, in the following manner ; The Clergy shall nominate by
ballot, some fit and qualified clergyman of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in the United States for that office, the
votes of a majority of that order being necessary to constitute
a choice. Such nomination shall be communicated to the
Lay Delegates, and b.e considered by them; and if, on a bal¬
lot, it shall appear that the person so nominated is approved
by a majority of the Parishes represented, he shall be then de¬
clared duly elected.
Art. 9. The Standing Committee, consisting of not more
than three Clergymen, and three Laymen, shall be elected at
each annual meeting of the Convention. Vacancies in the
Committee, caused by death, resignation, or otherwise, shall
be filled by the remaining members. A majority shall consti¬
tute a quorum.
Art. 10. Every Convention shall be opened with prayer,
and a sermon; and the preacher shall be appointed by the
Bishop, or by the Standing Committee.
Art. 11. A proposition to alter this Constitution, shall be
made in writing, and if approved by two-thirds of the Con¬
vention, shall be submitted to the next Convention; if ap¬
proved by a majority of the two orders therein, voting sepa¬
rately, it shall be adopted : the Constitution, so altered, shall
be valid.
CANONS OF THE DIOCESE OF ALABAMA,
ADOPTED IN 1850.
CANON I.
of the vestry of a parish.
Sec. 1. In every Parish, there shali be. an annual election
on Easter Monday, or on such day thereafter as the Parish
may appoint, of a Vestry, consisting of not less than three-
and not more than eleven members, who shall continue in
office until their successors are chosen. Two of the Ves¬
trymen shall be appointed to serve as Wardens, one of whom
shall be designated as Senior Warden of the Parish. The
Vestry shall elect a Secretary, whose duty shall be to take and
record the minutes of their proceedings, attest the public acts
of the Vestry, preserve all records and papers belonging to the
Parish, perform such other duties as shall be legally assigned
to him, and faithfully deliver into the hands of his successor
all books and documents belonging to the Parish, that may be
in his possession. ^
Sec. 2. In electing a Vestry^ qny person shall be entitled to
vote who is a holder or renter of one entire pew, or is a
contributor to the Church to such an amount as the respective
Parish shall appoint. When two or more persons shall hold
or rent a pew, they shall be jointly entitled to one vote. In
forming new Parishes, no person shall be entitled to vote,
who has not signed the Articles of Parochial Association.
Sec. 3. No person shall be elected a Vestryman, who is not
a pew-holder, or a qualified voter in the Parish for which he
is elected; provided that no person shall be qualified to act
as a Vestryman who does not believe in the truth of the
Holy Scriptures.
Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Vestry, to take charge of
the property of the Church, to regulate its temporal concerns,
elect and call a Minister, and provide for his maintenance; to
keep order in the Church during the celebration of Divine
worship, and in general, to act as helpers to the Minister, in
whatever is appropriate to Laymen, for the furtherance of the
Gospel. It shall be the duty of the Wardens especially, to
provide the elements of the Lord's Supper, to collect the alms
at the administration of the same, to keep and disburse such
alms in case the Church is destitute of a Minister, to provide
for the celebration of public worship, and the instruction of
the congregation by occasional clerical services, or by lay
reading, as circumstances may permit. Parishes now incor-
45
porated, are excepted from any part of this Canon interfering
with their Articles of Association, or By-Laws.
CANON II.
OF ADMITTING A CHURCH OR PARISH INTO UNION WITH THIS DIOCESE.
No Church or Parish shall be received into union with this
Diocese, unless the Articles of Association, authenticated by
the Chairman and Secretary of such Association, be presented
to the Convention by a member thereof.
CANON III.
OF ATTENDANCE ON CONVENTION, AND TITLE OF A PARISH TO LAY DELEGATES.
Sec. 1. It shall be the duty of every Parish in union with
the Convention, to send a number, not exceeding five, of Lay
Delegates to the Convention, who shall be chosen by the Ves¬
try from among the parishoners.
Sec. 2. No Parish shall be entitled to a Lay Delegation,
until all assessments upon the same, tnade by the Convention,
not specially remitted, shall have been paid to the Treasurer
thereof; nor shall any Parish be entitled to Lay Delegation,
which shall be in arrears six months in the payment of the
salary of their Minister, which may hereafter accrue.
CANON IV.
QUALIFICATION OF DELEGATES..
The qualification for a Delegate to the Convention shall be
the same as for a Vestryman: except only, that no pecuniary
contributions shall be a necessary qualification.
CANON V.
CERTIFICATES TO BE PRESENTED BY DELEGATES.
Delegates to the Convention from the several Parishes
shall present a certificate, signed by the Secretary of the Ves¬
try, or by the Rector, or by one of the Wardens, in the fol¬
lowing form:
This certifies, that at a meeting of the Vestry of
Church, held on day of , A, B and C, were duly
elected Lay Delegates to represent the same in the Conven¬
tion of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the Diocese of
Alabama, to be holden on the day of ■——, in the year
of our Lord
CANON VI.
OF DELEGATES TO THE GENERAL CONVENTION.
The Convention shall elect, at a regular annual meeting,
Delegates to the General Convention, who shall continue in
office until a new election shall be made.
46
CANON VII.
of attendance of the clergy on conventions.
The regular attendance of the Clergy at the meetings of
the Convention, being deemed of great importance to the in¬
terests of the Church, is a duty with which no slight obstacle
should be allowed to interfere. And it is recommended to
the Parishes to make provision for the expenses incurred by
their respective Ministers in attending the Convention. At
the opening of every Convention, the names of the Clergy
entitled to seats therein, shall be called over.
CANON VIII.
a list to be made of the ministers in the diocese.
Sec. 1. Before the meeting of every Convention, the Bish¬
op, or if there be no Bishop, the clerical members of the
Standing Committee, shall cause to be prepared a list of all
the Clergymen canonically, resident in the Diocese, annexing
the names of their respective cures or parishes, or stations as
Missionaries, or of the Institutions of learningin which they
are engaged; and the places of residence of such as are not
employed in either of the ways above mentioned; specifying
at the same time who, of either class, are Deacons: but no
person, while suspended from the ministry, shall have a place
on such list. And such list shall be laid before the Conven¬
tion immediately after it shall have been called to order, and
the names of the clerical members called therefrom. The
same shall be appended to the journal, and sent to the Secre¬
tary of the General Convention.
Sec. 2. When the right of any Clergyman to a seat in the
Convention is disputed, it shall be determined, according to
the provisions of the Constitution, by the Convention itself,
whether his name be inserted in the list aforesaid, or omitted.
CANON IX.
of the treasurer of the convention.
The Secretary shall be, ex officio, Treasurer of the Conven¬
tion, until a Treasurer is elected. He shall forward, in due
time, to the Treasurer of the General Convention, the amount
assessed upon the Diocese for the contingent expenses of the
General Convention.
CANON X.
of receiving a clergyman into a parish.
No clergyman shall be admitted to tfye pastoral charge of
any Parish, unless he first produce'to the Vestry thereof, a
certificate from the Bishop, or in case there be no Bishop,
from the Standing Committee, that he has presented satisfac¬
tory testimonials that he is an accredited Minister* of the
Church, in good standing.
47
CANON XI.
of parish registers and reports.
Sec. 1. Every Minister shall keep a register of all die bap¬
tisms, confirmations, marriages, and funerals solemnized by
him, or in his Parish by any other Minister, specifying the
names and times of birth of the children baptised, together
with the names of the parents and sponsors; the names of
the adults baptised, and also the witnesses of the baptism; the
names of those confirmed, and by whom; the names of the
persons married and of persons buried, and also the times
when each rite and sacrament were performed. This register
shall be kept in a book to be provided for that purpose, and
belonging to the Yestery in each Parish, which book shall be
called the Parish Register, and shall be considered as a part
of the records of the Parish.
Sec. 2. In addition to the register above named, the Minis¬
ter of each Parish shall keep a list of the communicants and
families within his cure, specifying the time when the former
became communicants of his Parish, and whether by removal
from some other Parish, or otherwise.
Sec. 3. Every Minister shall; on or before the first day of
every annual Convention, deliver, or cause to be delivered to
the Bishop of the Diocese, or if there be no Bishop, to the
President of the Convention, a statement of the number of
baptisms, marriages, funerals and confirmations, within his
cure, since the last Convention—and also the number of com¬
municants—specifying the number of removals, deaths, and
additions from other Churches, or otherwise, during the same
time : and also of the number of pupils and teachers con¬
nected with the Sunday School, and of all contributions for
benevolent objects, by subscription or public collection: to¬
gether with a concise statement of whatever other matters
may be important in showing the state of the Parish.
Sec. 4. In every Parish destitute of a Minister, the register
shall be kept by some person appointed by the Vestry for that
purpose ; and the annual parochial reports shall be presented
or forwarded to the Bishop, or the President of the Conven¬
tion, if there be no Bishop, by the Wardens of the Parish.
CANON XII.
of the division of a parish.
When any portion of a Parish in connexion with this
Convention shall desire to be separated from the Parish to
which they belong, and to be erected into a new Parish, they
shall first secure the consent of the Parish, adopt Articles of
Association, and apply to the Convention for admission. In
case the Parish should not consent to the proposed division,
48
the portion seeking for it shall make known the fact to the
Convention, and the Convention shall then decide upon the
expediency of separation.
CANON XIII.
trial of a clergyman,
Sec. 1. In order to bring a Clergyman to trial before an
Ecclesiastical Court, a charge shall be made in the first place,
to the clerical members of the Standing Committee, in writing,
under the proper signature of at least two persons, one of whom
shall be a Presbyter of this Diocese. And if the Standing
Committee shall deem the offence charged, as coming within
the offences enumerated in the Constitution and Canons of
this Diocese, or of the General Convention, and that it ought
to be presented, they shall present the same to the Bishop, in
the following form : -
To A. B.; Bishop of the Diocese of Alabama :
The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Alabama, respectfully represent,
that C. p. has been accused under the hand of E. F. and G. H,. [here recite
the charge or charges;] and the Committee are of opinion that there is suf¬
ficient ground for presenting the said C. D. for trial, agreeably to the Canon
> in such case made and provided.
[Signed by the Standing Committee.]
Sec. 2. But nothing herein contained, shall be regarded as
interfering with the duty of the Bishop to institute an inquiry
on his own motion, according to the 37th Canon of the Gene¬
ral Convention.
Sec. 3. A presentment being made, the Bishop shall com¬
municate the same to the accused, by furnishing him a copy,
and shall proceed to form a Court for his trial, in the follow¬
ing manner : At a time and place designated by the Bishop,
of which reasonable notice shall be given to the accused,
with a written summons to attend, the names of all the Pres¬
byters entitled to seats in Conversion shall be placed in a box,
and eight names shall be drawn therefrom by some person
having no supposed bias in the case, in the presence of the
accused, or his agent appointed in writing, or if neither attend,
in presence of two witnesses chosen by the Bishop: A list
of the names so drawn shall be made as they are called, and
a copy thereof given to the accused, or left at his usual place
of abode—from which list he shall within thirty days, select
five names and give notice thereof to the Bishop. The Pres¬
byters whose names are reported as thus selected, shall con¬
stitute the Court for the trial of the accused.
Sec. 4. The Court shall hold its session at such time and
place as the Bishop may appoint, and shall have power to ad¬
journ from time to time, and from place to place, within the
Diocese. If it fail to meet on the day appointed, it shall
49
stand adjourned to the next day, and from day to day, for the
space of three days, if it be not sooner formed; and if the
whole number do not attend, and it appears probable that a
full attendance cannot be had, those of the Court who may
be present, being not less than three (3,) shall proceed to trial.
The Court shall appoint a President and Secretary, the first
from their own body, and the latter not of their own body;
and before proceeding to trial, shall ordain and declare the
rules by which the trial shall be conducted. It shall cause
the oral testimony for and against the accused to be written
down by the Secretary, and, along with the depositions and
other evidence read upon the trial, to be carefully preserved ;
and shall cause a record to be kept of its proceedings. Some
officer authorized by law to administer oaths, may be called
upon by the council to administer an oath, or affirmation to
the witnesses; and the trial shall be in public, if desired by
the accused.
Sec. 5. A written notice of the time and place of meeting
of the Court shall be served upon the accused, or left at his
usual place of abode, (if he be not found) at least thirty (30)
days before such meeting: and like notice shall be given to
the Standing Committee, who by their President, or someone
whom they may appoint to perform that office, shall collect
and present the evidence in support of the accusation, and
otherwise appear in behalf of the prosecution.
Sec. 6. If the accused do not appear, the Court may pro¬
ceed to trial in his absence, or, for good cause shewn, may
adjourn the trial to another day; and if he refuse, or decline
to appear, the Court shall report him to the Bishop for contu¬
macy, who thereupon, shall pass upon him sentence of sus¬
pension from the Ministry; but such sentence may be revised
by the Bishop, if the accused, within three calendar months,
shall report to him that he is prepared to undergo his trial, and
shall appear for that end, before the Court; and if he do not
so report and appear, the Bishop, in view of the charges in
the presentment, may pass against him sentence of degrada¬
tion from the Ministry.
Sec. 7. Upon the application of the clerical members of the
Standing Committee, or the accused, to the Bishop, setting
forth that the attendance of a material witness cannot be had,
he shall appoint a Clergyman or Layman, as a Commissioner
to take the deposition of such witness ; and the party apply¬
ing shall give to the other party such notice of the time and
place of taking the deposition as the Bishop shall require. If
the party to whom such notice is to be given, reside more
than forty miles from the place appointed for taking the depo¬
sition, an additional day, exclusive of Sunday, shdll be al-
50
lowed for every twenty miles. • The examination shall be in
writing, and signed by the witness ; and the deposition, cer¬
tified by the Commissioner, and transmitted under seal, to the
Court.
Sec. 8. "When the trial shall be gone through, the Court
shall declare, in a writing, to be signed by the several mem¬
bers, or a majority of them, their decision on the charges
contained in the presentment, distinctly stating whether they
find the accused guilty, or not guilty,; and if guilty, sugges¬
ting what sentence, in their opinion, ought to be pronounced.
They shall forward the decision, together with the evidence,
and the record of the proceedings, to the Bishop; whereupon,
the Bishop shall pronounce such sentence as shall to him ap¬
pear proper, and such sentence shall be final. But if, in the
opinion of the Bishop, the accused ought to have a new trial,
he shall have power to award it; imwhich case a new Court
shall be convened, before which the proceedings shall be con¬
ducted as before provided.
Sec. 9. If at any time the accused shall confess the truth of
the charges, the Bishop, (such confession being made to him,
or being certified to him by the Court,) shall proceed to pass
sentence; and if, when put upon his trial before the Court,
the accused shall neither admit, nor deny the charges, he shall
be regarded as pleading not guilty.
Sec. 10. It shall be the duty of the Bishop to report to the
Convention, at its next session, after the trial of a Presbyter,
or Deacon, as herein provided, the finding of the Court and
his sentence thereupon.
CANON XIV.
communicants who neglect to receive the lord's supper to be suspended.
Any Communicant who shall neglect for twelve months
successively to partake of the Lord's Supper, having oppor¬
tunity, shall be admonished by the Minister, and on failure to
participate when occasion again offers, shall be suspended,
CANON XV.
alterations of the canons and additions thereto.
No proposed alteration of, or addition to, the Canons shall
hereafter be considered by the Convention (unless by unani¬
mous consent) without at least one day's notice thereof in
open Convention; nor shall such alteration or addition be
adopted during the same Convention, if two-thirds of the votes
of both orders shall not concur therein, but in such case the
same shall lie over for consideration until the next annual
meeting of the Convention.
CANON XVI.
All former Canons are hereby repealed.
DIOCESAN OFFICERS.
Standing Committee :
Rt. Rev. N. H. Cobbs,
President Ex-officio and Life Member.
Rev. N. P. Knapp, President, Mobile.
Rev. J. H. Morrison, I George F. Boone,
Rev. J. A. Massey, | H. L. Alison, '
Thomas Lesesne.
Missionary Committee:
Rt. Rev. N. H. Cobbs, Ex-officio President.
Rev. J. S. Marbxiry, I Henry A. Tayloe,
Rev. E. C. Murdaugh, | A. Barnum,
Rev. J. M. Banister.
Treasurer, Thos. W. McCoy, Mobile.
Trustees of the Bishop's Fund :
Isaac Croom, Greensboro',
H. A. Tayloe, Macon,
W. F. Pierce, Eutaw.
Delegates to the General Convention:
Rev. N. P. Knapp, I Henry A. Tayloe,
Rev. J. H. Morrison, | M. J. Conley,
Rev.' J. M. Banister, J A. Benners,
Rev. H. C. Lay, T. B. Taylor.
Bible, Prayer Book, and Tract Sunday School Committee:
Rev. N. P. Knapp, I Thomas Lesesne,
Rev. J. A. Massey, | Emanuel Jones.
W. P. Hammond.
Secretary and Treasurer of the Convention:
Henry A. Tayloe, Macon, Marengo Co.
~77T
ABSTRACT OF THE PAROCHIAL REPORTS.
NAMES OF PARISHES.
Cluist Church, Mobile,
Christ Church,|Tuscaloosa,
St. Paul's Church, Greensboro",• •• •
Trinity Church, Deinopolis,
St, John's Church, Prairies,
St. James' Church, l.ivingston,
St. John's Church, Montgomery,■ • • ■
St. Michael's Church, Marion,-
St. Peter's Church, Lowndes Co.
St. Paul's Church, Selma,
St. Luke's Church, Cahawba,
St. Paul's Church, Carlowville,
St. John's Church, Tuscumbia,
Trinity Church, Florence,
Church of the Nativity, Huntsville,-•
St. David's Church, Dallas Co
St. Andrew's Church, Macon,
Union Parish, Marengo and Perry, - • •
St. James' Church, Eufaula,
St. John's, in the Wilderness,
St. Stephen's Church, Eutaw,
Trinity Church. Mobile,
St. Mark's Church, Greene Co.
St. Luke's Church, Jacksonville,- • ■
St. lolins's Parish, Elyton,
Auburn Church
0)
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$230 91
PRESENT MINISTERS.
Jg697 JO Rev. N. P. Knap]).
100 00;Rl. Rev. N. H Cobbs.
150 65-Rev. J. S. Marbury.
33 00 Rev. J. M. Banister,
j Vacant.
I Vacant.
200 75;Rev. J. IT. Morrison.
127 OojRev. W. A. Stickney.
Rev. W. J. Ellis.
Vacant.
40 00 Rev. W. J. Ellis.
Rev. F. II. Lee.
J lit v. J. II. T. Smith.
211 25 Rev. II. C. Lay.
76 60! Rev. II. A. Cobbs.
00 CO Rev, J. M. Banister.
425 00 Rev. li. C. Murdaugh.
Rev. G. F. Cushman.
Vacant.
Rev. J. A. Massey.
Vacant.
Rev. D. D. Flower.
iVacanr.
Rev. Win. Scull.
$2,402 9j!