JOURNAL
OP
*
THE PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
TOHTM (EKM^VIEimKM '
OF THE
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHTJHCH;
IN TIIE
>
DIOCESE OF ALABAMA;
HELD IN CHRIST CHURCH, IN THE CITY OF TUSKALOOSA,
ON FRIDAY, MAY 7, AND SATURDAY, MAY 8,
A. D. 1841.
TO WHICH IS PREFIXED,
A LIST OF THE CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE.
TUSKALOOSAi
PRINTED AT TIIE MONITOR OFFICE, SY M. D. BLADE.
1841.
LIST OF THE CLERGY
op the
(DIP
entitled to seats in
THE CONVENTION.
The Rev. Thomas A. Cook,
Rector of Trinity Church, La Fayette; and Missionary,
The Rev. F. R. Hanson,
Rector of St. John's Church, in the Prairies, Greene County.
The Rev. R. G. Haas, (.Deacon,)
Teaching in Dallas County.
The Rev. William Johnson,
Rector of St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County.
The Rev. N. P. Knapp,
Rector of Christ Church, Tushaloosa.
The Rev. F. B. Lee, (Deacon,)
Rector of St. Paul's Church, Carlowville ; and Missionary.
The Rev. S. S. Lewis,
Rector of Christ Church, Mobile.
The Rev. J. E. Sawyer,
Rector of St. Paul's Church, Greenshorough ; and Missionary.
The Rev. J. J. Scott,
Rector of St. James's Church, Livingston; and Missionary.
The Rev. Litclen B. Wright,
Rector of St. Paul's Church, Selma ; and Missionary.
The Rev. James Young,
Rector of Trinity Church, Florence, and St. John's Church, Tuscumbia ; and
Missionary.
The following Clergymen arc in ecclesiastical connexion
with the Diocese :
The Rev. Caleb S. Ives,
Rector of Christ Church, Matagorda, Texas; and Missionary,
The Rev. Andrew Matthews, «
JOURNAL
of the
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION,
Tuskaloosa, May 7, 1841
This being the day appointed by a Resolution of the last
Convention of the Diocese of Alabama, for the next annual
Meeting of the same, a number of the Clergy and Laity assem-
bled at 9 o'clock, A. M. in Christ Church in the City of Tuska¬
loosa, the same having been appointed as the place of meeting.-
The Convention having been called to order, the Rev. N. P.
Knapp was requested to take the Chair, and Mr. J. B. Nixon
was appointed Secretary pro tempore. The Secretary then
proceeded to call the names of such Clergymen as were enti¬
tled to seats in the Convention, when the following gentlemen
were found to be present, and took their seats as members, viz;
Rev. F. R. Hanson, William Johnson, S. S. Lewis, N. P. Knapp,
•J, E. Sawyer, J. J. Scott, and James Young.
The following gentlemen presented Certificates of their re¬
spective appointments as Lay-Delegates, and took their seats
accordingly:
Christ Church, Tuskaloosa, E. W. Peck,
C. M. Foster,
L. S. Skinner,
H. A. Snow,
F. A. P. Barnard.
Christ Church, Mobile,
... R. Maynard,
J. B. Nixon.
St. John's Churchin the Prairies, Greene County, A. B. Winn.
St. Paul's Church, Greensborough,
St. Peter's Church, 'Lowndes County,
St. James' Church, Livingston,
E. G. Benners.
Dr. W. H. D. Hall.
II. R. Thornton,
Dr. A- M. Garber-
0
A constitutional quorum being present, the Convention was
declared duly organized. It then proceeded to the election ot
officers by ballot, when Rev. S. S. Lewis was elected Presi¬
dent, and Rev. N. P. Ivxaep, Secretary.
The President having taken the Chair, the Convention a-
dopted the following-
RULES OF ORDER.
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 President, or by a clerical member ap¬
pointed by him ; 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 Con¬
vention shall be—First. The appointment of a President, (if
there be no Bishop, or if he be absent,) 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 certificates 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 Con¬
vention duly organized.
Rule 3. The further order of business shall be as follows :
1. The appointment 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 Standing Committees, viz: the Committee on the state of the
Church—the Committee on Finance—the Committee on Unfi¬
nished Business. 5. The annual address of the Bishop, if there
be one, and he be present. G. The annual communication of
the Standing Committee of the Diocese. 7. The reports of
Committees appointed at the last Convention, with instruction
to report to this Convention. 8. The reading of the Parochial
reports. 9. The election of the standing committee of the Dio-
7
cese, by ballot. 10. The election of delegates to the General
Convention, by ballot. 11. Reports to be called for. 12. Mis¬
cellaneous 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 pre¬
sent any subject to the Convention, he shall, with due respect,
address himself to the President, confining himself strictly to
the matter before the Convention.
Rule 6. No member shall absent himself from the sessions
of the Convention, unless he have leave from the President, or
be unable to attend.
Rule 7. No member shall speak more than twice upon the
subject in debate, 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 : Pro¬
vided, however, that any member of the Convention voting in
the affirmative, may, on the same day in which the vote is ta¬
ken, move for a re-consideration of the said vote.
Rule 9. No motion shall be debated, or be considered as be¬
fore the Convention, (except a motion to adjourn,) unless se¬
conded, and reduced to writing 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.
8
A recess was then declared for the celebration of Divine
Service. Morning Prayer was read by Rev. J. J. Scott, as¬
sisted by Rev. James Young, who read the Lessons; and a Ser¬
mon was preached by Rev. J. E. Sawyer.
After Service, the following Standing Committees were ap¬
pointed by the President, viz :
On the State of the Church.—Rev. Messrs. SawYER, Scott
and Hanson.
On Finance.—Messrs. E. W. Peck J. B. Nixon, H. R. Thorn¬
ton. E. G. Benners, W. H. D. Haul, and A. B. Winn.
On Unfinished Business.—Rev. F. R. Hanson and R. May-
nard.
The amendments to the Constitution, proposed at the last
Convention, and approved by the constitutional majority, were
taken up for final consideration; and, after much discussion upon
the sixth article, were fully ratified by the Convention.
The Convention then adjourned until half past three o'clock.
Friday Evening, (half past 3 o'clock.)
The Convention met pursuant to adjournment.
The Committee on Canons, appointed at the last Convention,
reported that they had prepared a New Code of Canons, which
they begged leave to submit to the Convention, They were
read by the Secretary, and
On motion, it was
Resolved, That they be published with the Journal as Proposed Canons, to
be acted upon at the next Convention.—(See Appendix.)
The Committee appointed to consider the expediency of
forming a Society for the relief of Widows and Orphans of de¬
ceased Clergymen, made the following
REPORT:
The Committee to whom was referred a resolution of the last
Convention, in reference to the formation of a Society for the
9
r 1 tef of the Widows and Orphans of the Clergy of this Diocese,
beg leave to Report;—That having had the same under consi¬
deration, they recommend to the Convention the adoption of the
annexed Resolution?.
Respectfully submitted,
J. J. SCOTT, Chairman.
1. Resolved, That this Convention is of opinion that such a Society as that
•contemplated by the resolution of the last Convention, is of great importance to
the prosperity of this Diocese; but that while weightier subjects, involving spi.
ritual interests, are before us, it is thought inexpedient to take this in hand.
2. Resolved, That this Convention, fully impressed with the importance of
providing some permanent means of relief for the families of the less favored de¬
ceased Clergy, Whose lot may be cast among us—having neither temporal inheri¬
tance nor dependance—recommend to the clergy and Laity of the diocese at large,
the immediate formation of a voluntary association which may answer this end.
On motion, the Report was accepted, and the annexed reso¬
lutions were adopted.
The Secretary of the last Convention, J. B. Nixon, Esq. pre¬
sented the following
REPORT:
That, by order of the Convention at its last annual session,
he communicated certain resolutions of the Convention to the
Rt. Rev. Thomas C. Brownell, D. D., Bishop of Connecticut,
and the Rt. Rev. Leonidas Polk, Missionary Bishop of Arkan¬
sas, whose respective answers to his communications he begged
leave to submit to the Convention.
On motion, his Report was accepted, and the following let¬
ters were ordered to be spread on the Journal.
To John B. Nixon, Esq. Secretary of the Convention of the Diocese of Alabama.
Dear Sir :—I have received, through you, the Resolutions of the Convention,
held at Mobile, in April last—releasing me, at my request, from the Episcopal
charge of the Diocese, and thanking me for the small amount of services which
I have been able to render it.
I beg you to assure the Convention of the gratification 1 have received from
my intercourse with the Diocese, and of my earnest prayer to the Great Head of
the Church for its prosperity and spiritual welfare..
THO'S. C. BROWNELL,
Bishop of the Diocese of Connecticut,
Hartford, June 4, 1840.
A
10
Columbia, Tcnn. June 17, 1840.-
To J no'. F. Nixon,. Esq.
Dear Sir;—Your communication, covering a resolution'
of the Convention of the Diocese of Alabama, by which that Diocese is placed!
under my " full Episcopal charge and authority," with the accompanying invita¬
tion to accept the same, has been received.
I duly appreciate the feelings which have prompted the passage of this resolu¬
tion—and accept the ciraKge, with the earnest prayer that the Great Head of the
Church may bless the connexion, to the promotion-of his own glory, and the good
of his people.
With kind regards to yourself personally, and the Convention you represent,,
I remain, Dear Sir,
Respectfully, your ob't scrv't,
LEONIDAS POLK.
The Rev. James Young presented the following Articles- of
Association of Trinity Church, Florence, and requested that
said Church might be admitted into union with this Convention.
articles of association
OF TRINITY CHURCH, FLORENCE, ALABAMA.
Whereas, we the undersigned persons, together with' others, have associated to¬
gether for the purpose of forming and establishing a Church in which the worship-
of God shall be conducted according to the faith and discipline of the Pt. Epis..
Church of the U. S. of America, and have for that purpose formed-a-congregation,
at Florence, in the State of Alabama—and now, this April 17th, 1840, worshiping,
in Florence, we do hereby declare the following to be the objects, articles, and
conditions of our Association.
Article 1. The name of the Association shall be the Rector, Wardens and-
Vestrymen of Trinity Church.
Art. 2'. This Church acknowledges itself to be a member of, and to bclohg to
the Prot. Epis. Church in the State of Ala. and the Prot. Epis. Church in the
U. S. of America: As such it accedes to, recognises and adopts the constitution,
canons, doctrine, discipline and worship of the Prot. Epis. Church in the State
of Ala. and of the Prot. Epis. Church in the U. S. of America, and acknowledges
their authority accordingly.
Art. 3. Any member of this Church or association, who shall disclaim, or re¬
fuse conformity to the said authority, shall ccasc to be a member of this associa¬
tion, and shall not be elected, or vote in the election of Vestrymen ; or exercise
II
<&iiy office or function in, concerning, or connected with the said Church or Asso.
ciation.
Art. 4. The rents and revenues of this Association shall be (from time to time)
applied to the maintenance and support of the Rector, Ministers and officers of
the said Church, Church and Church Yard, and Parsonage house and other houses,
which now do or may belong to the said Association, and to no other purposes
whatever.
Art. 5- The said Association, or Church, or Trustees in whose name their
property shall be vested, shall not by deed, or by any other means, without the
■consent of ,the Bishop of the Prot. Epis. Church in whose Diocese this Church
shall, for the time canonically be, under his hand—or (in case of a vacancy in the
Episcopal office,) of the standing committee ef the said Diocese, by a major
number thereof, under their hands, previously had and obtained—grant, alien, or
•otherwise dispose of, any lands, messuages, tenements or hereditaments in them
vested for the use and benefit of the said Church or congregation; nor charge nor
encumber the same to an}T person whomsoever.
Art. 6. The Rector of this Church shall be elected by the Wardens and Ves¬
trymen in open meeting duly convened for that purpose. The Vestry of this
Church shall consist of not less than two, nor more than seven persons, members
of the said Church, or attendants upon her services, who shall continue in office
one year, and until others be chosen ; and the election of said Vestrymen shall
be made annually, on Easter Monday, by a majority of such persons, worshippers
in the said Church, and not disqualified under the second of these articles,—as
shall appear by the Vestry books to have paid for two successive years immediately
preceding the time of the election, the full rent of a pew in the said Church :
Provided, That until the expiration of two years from the Easter Monday next
after the opening of the said Church edifice for regular worship, any worshippers
in the said congregation, who shall have contributed and paid any sum to the sup¬
port of the Rector ox Minister thereof and not disqualified as above, shall be enti¬
tled to vote at the election ; and if the election of Vestrymen be not effected on
Easter Monday, it may take place on any subsequent dav; notice to that effect be¬
ing given publicly to the congregation on the Sunday immediately preceding the
same.
Art. 7. No person shall be Rector, or Minister or Assistant Minister of this
Church, or alLowed to execute any of the functions of the same, unless he shall
he recognized by the Bishop in whose Diocese this Church shall canonically be;
or, if there he no Bishop, by the standing committee of the Prot. Epis. Church
in the State of Alabama, as a Minister of the Prot. Epis. Church in good standing.
And this Church shall not he used for any other purpose than the celebration of
12
Divine Worship according to the usages of the Prot. Epis. Church, by a Minister
thereof.
Art. 8. The said Vestry shall have power to elect two Church Wardens, and
such other officers as may be required by the Canons of the Prot. Epis. Church in
the U. S. of America, or by the constitution and Canons of the said Church in
Ala. or shall seem to them to be necessary—they shall exercise all other powers
customarily belonging to their office, and in case of a vacancy in the Rectorship,
shall exercise all the powers, by these articles vested in the Rector, Wardens and
Vestrymen: Provided always, That it shall be the duty of the said Wardens and
Vestrymen to elect another Rector to supply such vacancy as soon as conven¬
iently may be.
Art. 9. In case of the dissolution of this Association for any cause whatever,
the lands, tenements, and other estate, real or personal, if such there be, shall vest
in the Bishop of the Prot. Epis. Church, in whose Diocese this Church may, at
the time, be, and his canonical successors; to be by him and them held in trust fqr
the benefit of a future congregation of members of the Prot. Epis. Church, which
may be formed in the same vicinity, and upon the same principles as the present
congregation and this Association. JAMES YOUNG.
R. H. Madra, Secretary.
On motion, the foregoing Articles were accepted, and the
said Ch arch was admitted into union with this Convention,
The Parochial Reports were then called for, and read by
the Clergy in alphabetical order.
st. John's church, in the prairies, greene county.
The Rector of this Parish reports, that Divine Service has
been performed in the Parish Church, nearly every Sunday
since the last annual Convention ; and there appears to have
been a gradual improvement in both the spiritual and tempo¬
ral interests of the Parish. Two have been added to the com¬
munion of the Church—making the present number of com¬
municants, including colored persons, eighteen.
Baptisms—Adult, 1— Infants, 11, 12
Marriages, (colored persons,) 2
Funeral, 1
Communicants, (added 2,) 18
F. R. HANSON, Rector.
May 3d, 1841.
13
st. peter's church, lowxdes coukty.
There is no material change in the state or prospects of this
congregation, since the last Report to the Convention. Those
who are attached to the Church are as firmly so as they were;
and those who are still without, are as indifferent as ever.
The following is extracted from the Parish register.
Baptisms, (2 colored,) .' 9 Adults.
" (1 " ) 7 Infants.
Total, 16
Communicants, (3 colored,) . 8
Burial, 1
Service has been performed every Sunday, except a few,
when sickness prevented. The Communion has been admin¬
istered on the first Sunday of each month.
• WM. JOHNSON, Rector.
christ church, tuskaloosa.
Baptisms—(Adults, none,)—Infants, 8
Marriages, * 1
Funerals, . 5
Communicants,' (added 6—removed 4;) 22
Confirmations, None.
Sunday School—Pupils, 25
" " Teachers, 5
Collection for Domestic Missions, $20 75
Collections for Charitable purposes, 95 05
The condition of the Parish has not undergone much change
during the past year. It continues to be prosperous and en¬
couraging. Though yet small, it is increasing in numerical
strength, in liberality, and, it is believed, in attachment to the
doctrines and worship of the Church.
The Minister has held regular services, and preached twice
on Sundays throughout the year ; and once on Christmas and
Good Friday, having been absent on Ash Wednesday. Extra
services were held on Wednesdays and Fridays during the sea¬
son of Lent, and every day but Saturday in Passion Week.—
14
There are several'candidates for confirmation, waiting a visita¬
tion of the Bishop in charge of the Diocese.
N. P. KNAPP, Rector.
christ church, mobile.
When the Minister of this Church casts his thoughts back
six years, and recollects that then there were but twenty-eight
communicants, and that the congregation could then be held in
7 o o
a house not half the size of the present beautiful edifice, which
they have recently erected,/with a liberality that never tires—
and which the constantly increasing number of worshippers
demanded,—he feels impelled to raise his heart in gratitude to
the Supreme Head of the Church for the " great things" which
He has done for them.
The new Church was consecrated to the worship of Almighty
God—Father, Son, and Holy Ghost—by the Right Reverend
Leoxidas Polk, D. D. provisional Bishop of the Diocese, on the
second Sunday in Lent. The holy rite of Confirmation was
also administered to seventeen persons, one of whom belong¬
ed to another Parish. There, probably, would have been as
many more candidates for that solemn rite, if the Bishop had
not arrived nearly a month earlier than he was expected.
There are, at this time, two flourishing Sunday Schools con¬
nected with the Parish; one of which is held in the Parish
Church, in the morning ; the other in the afternoon, in a hired
room in the upper part of the City.
The exercises of the 4 colored School, which had been sus¬
pended during the winter, were commenced again, a few Sun¬
days ago, under very favorable auspices.
During the past winter, the Church has been furnished with
a large and elegant Organ, at a cost of about three thousand
dollars; more than half of which was raised by private subscrip¬
tion; with Cushions for the Pews, and with Cushions and
Hangings for the Desk and Pulpit. The Ladies of the Parish
furnished the Desk with a beautiful Bible and Prayer Book.
In view of these great blessings, the Minister feels and ac-
o o
knowledges his gratitude to his people for the liberal and aflec-
15
tioiiatc manner in which they have sustained him, and for the
zeal which they have manifested in beautifying the House of
the Lord ; and he would pray more earnestly than ever to the
Lord of the Harvest, for the outpouring of the blessed Spirit of
God, and for the increase of pure and Evangelical Religion;
never forgetting, " in all our doings," that, unless they be ac ■
companied by the good Spirit of God, they will avail nothing ;
but that, when they are so accompanied, they must prove
mighty, through God, to the conversion and salvation of the
Soul.
The following sums have been appropriated :
For Domestic Missions, $250
For Foreign Missions, 50
For the Sunday Schools, 325
For Bibles, Prayer Books, and Tracts, 50
For the Parish Library, 3:50
The Ladies' Sewing Society have contributed for )
the purchase of books for the desk & for a Surplice $ 90
$915
The Statistics of the Parish are as follows :
Communicants, (died 3 ; removed 34 ; added 40).... 177
Baptisms—(adults 2 ; infants 38,). 40
Persons confirmed, 17
Marriages, 29
Funerals, 24
Sunday School Teachers of School. No. 1—Male ) ^3
11—Female 13, )
Scholars registered—Males 89—Females 89,) 170
Sunday School Teachers of School No. 2—Male 4 ) g
Female 5,
Scholars registered—Male 25—Female 54; 79
The Sunday School Library contains 490 vols.
The Parish Library contains about 300 vols.
SAMUEL S. LEWIS.
Mobile, April 30,1841.
16
sTi Paul's church, greensborougII.
The Rector of St. Paul's Church, Greensborough, Reports—
that sinoe the last Convention of the Diocese, he has celebrated
seven Baptisms, two Marriages and three Burials. The pre¬
sent number of Communicants is about sixteen-
The Congregation has erected, during the past yea1*, a sub¬
stantial brick edifice for Public Worship, which reflects credit
upon their taste and liberality. They have procured an Or¬
gan, and are steadily advancing towards the completion of
those arrangements, which pious usage has appropriated to the
Worship of the Almighty in his visible Church.
The Rector finds in these things, cause for gratitude, hoping
that the Great Head of the Church, will continue to watch over
and bless His work.
J. E. SAWYER.
st. jamies' church, livixgston.
Baptisms, (infants,)...: 3
Confirmed, (by Bishop Polk, in Mobile,) 1
Funerals, 5
) No. in last Report, 28
{ , . { No. added, 3
Communicants, > AT ,. , ' , , _
j l\o. died and removed, 5
J Present No 24
No. of Families, about 16
Remarks.—One of the deaths above reported, was that of ail
intelligent and pious young Church-man, who had for some time
been a Vestry-man, and the Junior Warden of our Church.—•
He was also a Delegate to the last Convention, and while in
Mobile, for that purpose, he was unexpectedly summoned home)
to attend on a sick member of his family, who, I am happy to
say, recovered; but he was suddenly removed from the com¬
munion of Saints on earth, to the society and fellowship of just
men made perfect in Heaven. I believe that this (as well as
other instances of death among us,) has been overruled, in an
especial manner, for the benefit of the living.
The incumbent of this Parish, cannot refrain from recording
in this Report, his gratitude to God, for whatever of success,
17
has attended his exertions in behalf of Christ and the Church.
Building on " no man's foundation," but attempting to put up
a new edifice, he is not discouraged that so little has, as yet
been accomplished. Pursuing the figure, he can say, with
some degree of confidence, that the materials are in active
preparation for the future superstructure.
Amid some inconveniences, and not wholly without opposi¬
tion, I have endeavored to inform the minds of the people as to
the distinctive features of the Church, and preaching " Christ
Crucified," to all who have attended on my ministry, 1 have good
evidence that a few have become Church-men, and that 0-
thers, who had already " chosen the-better part," have become
more firmly wedded to.the Gospel in the Church.
It is due to the ladies of the congregation, as well as toothers,
who cheerfully assisted them, that I should here state, that, (af¬
ter a preparation which they regret had not been longer,) on
Tuesday of Easter-week, they had a Fair; the proceeds of
which, $414 12, they have deposited in the hands of our Trea¬
surer, as an appropriation towards building a Church edifice.
In this matter the Parishioners seem deeply interested, and I
hope the result will be favorable.
J. J. SCOTT, Rector.
TRINITY CHURCH, FLORENCE ] & ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, TUSCUMBIA.
I took charge of these young Parishes on the first day'of
December last, and have officiated regularly on alternate Sun¬
days, at Florence and Tuscumbia.
In Florence there is a comfortable brick Church edifice, yet
unfinished, however. The congregation is slowly increasing
in number, and our general prospects withrespectto the Church
are decidedly improving.
- The number of Communicants in this part of my charge is 11
Baptisms, infant, 1
Burials 1
At-Tuscumbia, the same number of communicants as at Flo¬
rence, appears on the Parish register.
The communion has been regularly administered on the 1st
B .
18
Sunday of every month, except the last, when the absence of the
Warden of St. John's Church, Tuscumbia, subjected us to dis¬
appointment.
Eleven dollars have been collected for domestic missions,
JAMES YOUNG, Missionary.
REPORT
Of the Rev. Caleb S. Ives, Missionary to Matagorda, Re¬
public of Texas.
I have labored regularly and uninterruptedly in the same
field I occupied the last year, with the following exceptions.—
On the first, second, and third Sundays in August, I was, from
an attack of bilious fever, unable to officiate, and on the se¬
cond Sunday in September, I was unable to do so from inter¬
mittent fever. On the fourth Sunday of August,—on the third
of September—the first and fourth of October, 1 was, for the
above causes, only able to read the morning service. On the
first Sunday in May, and the second in October,—the room
and seats—the use of which the Masonic Lodge of this place
gratuitously affords us—were otherwise occupied ; so that we
had no services on those days. The first four Sundays in De¬
cember, I was absent on a tour to our seat of government,
where I went to regain the health and strength I had, by the
above mentioned fevers, lost. During this tour, I preached
twice in Austin—administered the communion—and also bap¬
tism to one adult, (a lady,) and to two infants ; and on my re¬
turn, I preached once in Bastrop.
On such of the Festivals and Fasts as it is customary to do
so, and on the first Sunday in each month, I have administered
the Holy Communion, except interrupted by the same causes
which I have already mentioned, as preventing my officiating
altogether.
We have now, by the favor of God, a Church almost com¬
pleted ; that is, almost ready for lath and plastering, which
is as far as our means will allow us to go. The building
is a plain, yet very respectable one—(of wood)—with Church
room sufficient for the whole town, for the present. The ma-
19
terials were procured, and fitted for erection, in New-York,
and shipped out to us. The Church has already cost us at
least $3,500, a third or more of which we have raised here
among ourselves, and for the rest we are indebted to the mu¬
nificence of our brethren in the United States. And here, I
avail niyself of the opportunity, of rendering, in the name of
our Parish, our heart-felt gratitude to those, who have so gene¬
rously aided us in this good work, and in our time of need.
We are daily looking for the arrival of Bishop Polk, from
the United States, to consecrate the Church, to administer con¬
firmation, and to do all other things needed to build us up in
the faith of the Gospel. We have now, nine or ten ready for
confirmation.
Baptisms, (adults,) 7 ; white children, 20; colored, 14; to¬
tal, 41. One of the adults was baptized by immersion. Mar¬
riages, 5. Funerals, 6. Communicants, 12—besides 4 remov¬
ed. Of these, 8 have been added the last year—5 new ones,
and 3 by removals to the place. Sunday School Teachers, 9.
Scholars, 38.
As is the case in all communities, there is here a lamentable
deficiency in attending to the great concern of a preparation
for death; yet I most devoutly thank God, that there is here and
there one among us, who would be wise unto salvation,
who comes out and devotes himself to God, and thus gives his
influence in favor of the Gospel of Christ. We are, moreover,
at amity with ourselves, notwithstanding occasional attempts to
the contrary ; and the whole community, with very few ex¬
ceptions, are interested in the establishment and progress of
the Church. Indeed, my heart glows with gratitude to God,
in saying, that when the present state of things, as regards the
Gospel and the Church of Christ, is compared with what it was
when I came here, I consider this a bright spot.
The following Report was received after the Convention had
adjourned ; and, by order of the President, was placed upon
the Journal.
20
report op trinity church, la fayette.
Baptism, (infant,)
Communicants, (in town, 6—country 2)
Funerals, (infants,) *
Marriages,
1
8
2
2
Our Church has been gradually increasing through the course
of the past year ; but such is the general gloom that hangs over
all classes of society, that all financial aid—so necessary in an
infant Parisj^—has been entirely cut off from us; and we have
been laboring, with hope deferred, until we have almost given
up all idea of seeing a comfortable ^Church erected for some
years. This is the main point, (next to a calm, rational expo¬
sition of the Scriptures,) at which I have aimed. So far as to
outward deportment, remarks have already been made, highly
creditable to the Church. Surrounded as we are, by the gross-,
est corruptions, it is extremely difficult to maintain the dignity*
as well as the spirit of Christ's religion. Our present tempo¬
rary Church is about a quarter of a mile from the town, and
by no means as agreeable as we could desire; but we have
reason to be thankful that, hitherto, the Lord hath helped us.
The Report of the Standing Committee being next in opder,
was presented by Rev. Wm. Johnson, Secretary.
As the Standing Committee were unable to Report to the
last Convention, on account of the absence of the Secretary,
who had the papers, the present Report will embrace their
proceedings since the report presented to. the Convention of
1839.
At a meeting of the Standing Committee held in Selma, May 1839, the Rev,
S. S. Lewis was appointed President, and the Rev. L. B. Wright, Secretary of
said ccmmittee for the ensuing year.
At the same time and place, the Rev. L. B. Wright was appointed to preach
the annual sermon before the convention, and the Rev. R. G. Hays his substitute.
THOMAS A. COOK, Rector.
Attest:
LUCIEN B. WRIGHT, Secretary.
At a meeting of the Standing Committee held in Mobile, April 27th, 1840,
21
the Rev. S. S. Lewis was elected President, and the Rev. Wm. Johnson, Secre.
tary of said committee,
Attest; ^ WM, JOHNSON, Secretary.
At a meeting of the Standing Committee held at Mobile, April 29th, 1840,
the Rev. Julian E, Sawyer was appointed to preach the annual sermon before
the convention, and the Rev. N. P. Knapp his substitute.
Attest; WM. JOHNSON, Secretary.
At a meeting of the Standing Committee, held in St. Peter's Parish, Lowndes
county, Sept. 17th, 1840, the Rev. J. J. Scott was appointed special agent to soli¬
cit contributions to the Bishop's fund, in the room of the Rev. S. S. Lewis, ap¬
pointed by the Convention, who will not be able to perform the duty—the Con¬
vention haying authorized the Committee, in such event, to supply his place.—
The Committee also appointed each Parochial Clergyman an agent in his own
Parish, to solicit contributions to the same object.
At the same time and place, was laid before the Standing Committee a letter
from the Bishop of Tennessee to the President of the Committee, notifying him
that he had displaced from the Ministry of the Church the Rev. John H. Nor-
ment, for causes not affecting his moral standing,
A letter was also laid before the Committee from the Bishop of New-Jersey,
giving the canonical notice that he had displaced from the Ministry the Rev.
John Purdue, M. D. a Deacon of the Diocese of New-Jersey.
The Committee at this time also forwarded their consent to the consecration
of the Rev. Wm. R. Whittingham, D. D. as Bishop of Maryland; and the Rev.
Stephen Elliott, D. D. as Bjshop of Georgia,
Attest; WM. JOHNSON, Secretary.
The Convention then proceeded to the election of a Stand¬
ing Committee of the Diocese for the ensuing year. After se¬
veral ballotings, the following gentlemen were elected, viz:
Rev. S. S. LEWIS,
" N. P. KNAPP,
" J. E. SAWYER,
Messrs. R. MAYNARD,
E. W. PECK,
A. B. WINN.
The Convention then elected, by ballot, the following Dele¬
gates to the General Convention, viz:
22
Rev. S. S. LEWIS,
« L. B. WRIGHT,
" N. P. KNAPP,
" J. J. SCOTT,
Messrs. R. MAYNARD,
M. J. CONLEY,
A. B. WINN,
A. C. JONES.
The Treasurer made the following Report, which, on mo¬
tion, was referred to the Committee on Finance.
Thk Diocese oe Alabama, in account current with John B.
Nixon, Treasurer.
__
-To cash paid Rev. W. Johnson, per resolution of Con- ?
vention, (Voucher 1,) >$38 00
To cash paid Rev. F.R.Hanson, do. 2, 15
" " " Langdon & Barker, on acc. printing 400 \
copies of Journal of the Convention of £
1840, 3,
" " " Christ Church, Mobile, balance charged
by it, 4,
" " " Langdon & Barker's draft on me, favor }
Richard Maynard, on account print- >
ing Journal of Convention, 5, 5
" " " Giles M. Mallett, late Treas. bal. due him,
" " " sundry postages, 2 19
" " " for Stationary, 3 00
" Balance to new account, 10 06
1840, April 29.-
" " 30.
" June 22.
July 9.
16.
Sept. 28.
Dec. 31.
50 00
49 25
34 00
5 50
$205 00
\ 15
0Q
CR.
1840, April 25. By cash rec. from Parish Christ Cburch, Tuskaloosa,
assessment 1839,
" " 27. " " " from Parish St. Peter's Church, Lowndes
co, assessment, 1839, $10
from the same, 1840, 10
" St. John's Ch. Prairies, ass. 1840,10
June
July
Sept.
15.
9.
17.
28.
St. Paul's Ch. Greensboro' " 13
Christ " Tuscaloosa,
" " Mobile,
St. James'" Livingston,
St. John's " Tuscumbia, 1839,
-45 09
15 00
100 00
20 00
10 00
$205 00
1841—By amount due the Diocese of Alabama, $10 06.
Mobile, 7th May, 1841. J. B. NIXON, Treasurer.
23
ASSESSMENTS UNPAID.
Year assessed.
1838- Parish St. Paul's Church, Greensborough, assessed, $15
St. John's "
Montgomery,
10
St. Paul's "
Greensborough,
15
Christ "
Wetumpka,
10— 35
St. John's "
Montgomery,
10
St. Paul's "
Selma,
10
do. "
Carlowville,
10
Trinity "
La Fayette,
10
Christ "
Wetumpka,
10
St. Michael's "
Marion,
10
Trinity "
Demopolis,
10— 70
Total, $120
J. B, NIXON, Treasurer.
On motion,
Resolved, That the delinquent Parishes he released from the Assessments
charged in the above account.
A motion to adjourn until to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock,
was lost.
On motion,
Resolved, That a Committee of three Clergy-men and two Lay-men be appoint,
ed, to inquire into the expediency of going into the election of a Bishop for this
Diocese, at this Convention.
The President appointed the following Committee:
Rev. J. E. SAWYER,
" J. J. SCOTT;
" JAMES YOUNG,
Messrs. E. W. PECK,
A. B. WINN.
The Convention then adjourned until to-morrow morning at
9 o'clock.
Saturday Morning, May 8.
Convention met at 9 o'clock, After Prayer by the Presi¬
dent, the Minutes of yesterday were read and approved.
24
The Committee oti the State of the Church, through their
Chairman, Rev. J. E» Sawyer, made the following Report:
report on the state of the church.
The Committee on the State of the Church beg leave to Re¬
port to the Convention, that from an inspection of the Parochial
Returns, which have been submitted to them, they have been
induced to form a favorable estimate of the ecclesiastical affairs
of the Diocese.
The Church seems steadily, though slowly increasing in tem¬
poral prosperity and spiritual holiness, which afford the best
security for its permanent establishment. But while this cheer¬
ing evidence is permitted us by a gracious God, the Committee
are constrained to reiterate their laments, that We are yet with¬
out a Diocesan Bishop to guide and strengthen our efforts to
promote the prosperity of our branch of God's Holy Catholic
Church. This deficiency in our organization is an unhappy
anomaly, which requires the Convention to put forth all its en¬
ergies to remedy, as expeditiously as possible. We may then
hope to see our beloved Zion extend her borders, and array
herself in all the beauty and strength of majesty and true Holi¬
ness.
The following are the annual statistics of the Diocese :
Baptisms, 113
Confirmations, (in one Church) 17
Marriages, 34
Funerals, .53
Communicants, 291
Sunday Schools—Teachers, 39
" " Scholars, 312
Collection for Religious purposes, $1015 90
The Convention would farther express their strong sense of
the necessity of a full representation of the Parishes of the Dio¬
cese in its Annual Convention; especially, at this time, while
yet in its infancy, and when questions of permanent interest are
likely to be presented for its action. This is' a duty and privi¬
lege, which, as zealous Church-mcn, we should discharge with
35
iromptitude and pleasure, although accompanied by inconve*
nience and personal sacrifice.
J. E. SAWYER, Chairman.
The Committee on Finance, to whom was referred the Re*
port of the Treasurer, reported as follows :
REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE.
The Committee on Finance, to whom was referred the Re¬
port of the Treasurer, have examined the same, and find it cor¬
rect.
The only remaining duty to be discharged by the Commit¬
tee is, to provide for the current, expenses of the Diocese. To
meet hose expenses, your Committee would recommend the
following assessments upon the different Churches in the Dio¬
cese ; which it is believed, will be amply sufficient for that pur¬
pose, to-wit:
Christ Church, Mobile, $50 00
Christ Church, Tuskaloosa, 12 50
St. John's Church, in the Prairies, Greene co. 7 50
St. Paul's Church, Greensboro', Greene co 7 50
St. John's Church, Montgomery, 5 00
Trinity Church, Demopolis, 5 00
St. Paul's Church, Selma, • • • 5 00
St. Peter's Church, Lowndes County, 5 00
Christ Church, Wetumpka, ... * .. 5 00
Trinity Church, La Fayette, 5 00
St. Paul's Church, Carlowville, 5 00
St. Michael's Church, Marion, • 5 90
St. John's Church, Tuscumbia, ... . y 5 00
St. James' Church, Livingston 5 00
St. Luke's Church, Cahaba, 5 00
Christ Church. Hayneville, 5 00
Trinity Church, Florence, 5 00
Making, $142 50
All which is respectfully submitted,
E. W. PECK, Chairman.
3
28
On motion, the above Report was accepted.
Rev. Mr. Hanson, from the Committee on Unfinished Busi"
ness, reported verbally, that there was no unfinished business
before the Convention.
Inquiry having been made respecting the agency for raising
a fund for the support of a Bishop, Rev. Mr. Scott reported,
that in pursuance of a resolution of the last Convention, he had
been appointed the substitute of the Agent for collecting contri¬
butions to a Bishop's fund; and that on inquiry, it was not
deemed expedient to attempt making collections for that pur¬
pose, in the present depressed state of the pecuniary resources
of the Diocese.
The Committee appointed to consider the expediency of e-
lecting a Bishop at the present Convention, were, on motion,
permitted to retire and prepare their Report.
After a short recess, Rev. Mr. Sawyer, on behalf of said
Committee, reported to the Convention, that they had come to
the conclusion, though not with entire unanimity, that it was in¬
expedient to proceed to the election of a Bishop at this time.
A motion having been made and seconded, that the report be
accepted, inquiry was made for the reasons which moved the
majority of the Committee to this conclusion; when it appear¬
ed that there were two principal reasons which influenced their
minds : first, the supposed want of canonical right to elect a
JBishop at this Convention, on the ground that the 2d section of
Canon 1 of the General Convention of 1838, could not be com¬
plied with. Second—Mie want of available means of support¬
ing a Bishop at this time.
The Committee having expressed their opinions individually
upon these points,—on motion, the Convention went into a
committee of the whole, Rev. Mr. Sawyer in the chair. The
whole subject having been fully discussed, the committee rose
and reported progress ; when it was found that they concurred
in the Report of the Special Committee, viz : " that it is inex¬
pedient to go into the election of a Bishop at the present Con¬
vention.
The question being put, the Report was accepted by the
27
Convention, voting by orders, in pursuance of a constitutional
call for such vote.
On motion, the Convention adopted the following resolutions,
viz :
1. Resolved, That it be the duty of each Parish in union with this Diocese, to
report, through their Minister, if there be one officiating in the Parish, and if
there be no Minister, then by the Vestry of said Parish, what sum they will se¬
verally pledge to the Convention for the support of a Bishop.
2. Resolved, That each Mi nister in this Diocese be required to report to the
next Convention what sum may probably be realized by individual donations in
his Parish, or elsewhere, for the same object.
The Convention then went into the election of two Trustees
of the General Theological Seminary , when, on nomination,
Rev. S. S. Lewis and Hon. E. W. Peck were elected viva voce.
On motion,
Resolved, That the next Annual Convention be held in the City of Mobile, on
the third Thursday in February, 1842.
On motion,
Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be tendered to the citizens of
Tuskaloosa, for their hospitality and politeness extended to the members of the
same.
Resolved, That the Secretary cause 400 copies of the Journal of this Conven¬
tion to be printed.
Rev. Mr. Hanson being called to the Chair, it was
Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be presented to the President
and Secretary, for the faithful and impartial manner in which they have discharg¬
ed their respective duties.
After joining in prayer by the President, and receiving his
benediction, the Convention adjourned, to meet in the City ol
Mobile, on the third Thursday in February, 1842.
S. S. LEWIS, President.
Attest, N. P. Knapp, Secretary.
29
THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE
FB.OTESTAHT EPISCOPAL CHTJS.CH,
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 them¬
selves and their posterity, the advantages of the Ministry and
Ordinances of the Church, do ordain and establish this Consti¬
tution.
Article 1. This Church hereby accedes to the authority of,
and recognises, and adopts the Constitution and Canons of the
General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
United States of America.
Article 2. There shall be an annual Convention of the
Church, to be held at such time and place as shall have been
designated by the next preceding Convention.
Article 3. The Bishop, or if the Episcopate be vacant, the
Standing Committee shall have power, when it appears requi¬
site for the good of the Church, to call a Special Convention by
a Circular Letter to the several Churches. There shall not be
less than eight weeks' notice previous to the day appointed, and
such meeting shall be holden where the authority calling it
shall determine; and at such Special Convention, no other bu¬
siness shall be transacted than that stated in the notice calling
the Convention.
Article 4. The Convention shall be composed of all Minis¬
ters of this Church in regular standing, who may at stated times,
30
officiate in any Congregation in this Diocese,and of Lay mem¬
bers, consisting of a delegation from each Parish.
Article 5. In all matters which shall come before the Con¬
vention, the Clergy and Laity shall deliberate in one body ;
and in voting, the Clergy shall vote by individuals, and the
Laity by congregations: and a majority of the votes of the
two orders, jointly, shall be decisive ; but if in any case it bet
required by any two Clergymen, or by the delegation of any
two Parishes, the two orders shall vote separately, in the man¬
ner aforesaid, and the concurrence of a majority of each order,
shall be necessary to constitute a decision. In case of electing
a Bishop, the two orders shall always vote separately, agree¬
ably to tne mode last prescribed.
Article 6. The election of a Bishop in this Diocese shall be
made in Convention. The election shall be conducted as fol¬
lows : The Clergy shall vote by ballot for some suitable per¬
son for the office of Bishop, and m the primary election, six
Presbyters shall be present in Convention?who shall have been
in ecclesiastical connection with the Diocese, at least twelve
months prior to the election, and shall have officiated in some
Parish or Parishes, which is, or are, in union with this Conven¬
tion, during the said time ; and in all elections thereafter, a ma¬
jority of the Clergy of the Diocese shall be required to deter¬
mine the choice. The nomination then made shall be commu¬
nicated to the lay members, who shall proceed to vote by bal¬
lot, whether to receive or reject it, a majority of whom shall
be necessary to confirm the election.
Article 7. The Bishop of the Church in this State shall be
ex officio President of the Convention, and in case of his ab¬
sence, or if there be no Bishop, a President, pro tempore, shall
be elected from among the clerical members present. A Secre¬
tary who shall also be ex officio, Treasurer, shall be annually
chosen, who shall keep a correct journal of the proceedings,
and also a correct account of all monies he may receive, to be
annually submitted to the Convention. It shall also be his duty
to give a written notice to every Clergyman and Parish in the
Diocese, of the time and place of meeting of every Convention.
"Art. 8. The Standing Committee, consisting of not mor6
' than three Clergymen and three Laymen, shall be appointed
at each annual meeting of the Convention, for the pqrposes ex¬
pressed in'the Constitution and Canons of the General Conven-
'tion. Vacancies in the Committee, caused by death, resigna¬
tion, or'otherwise, shall be supplied by the suffrages of the re¬
maining members. Two Clerical members and one Lay mem¬
ber of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
Art. 9. 'Every Convention shall be opened with prayer, and
"a sermon; and the Preacher shall be nominated by the Bishop,
and if there be no Bishop of the Diocese, by the Standing Com-
'mittee.
Art. 10. A proposition to alter this Constitution^ must be
made in writing, and approved by two-thirds of the Conven¬
tion. It shall then lie over to the next Convention, and then,
if approved by a majority of the two orders of Clergy and Lai¬
ty, (voting separately) the amendment shall become a part of
'the Constitution.
3i
PROPOSED CANONS.
CANON I.
Of the Vestry of a Church.
Sec. 1. In every Church of this Diocese, there shall be an an¬
nual election, on Easter Monday, of a Vestry, consisting of not
less than five, and not more than eleven members, who shall
continue in office until their successors are chosen. Two of these
Vestrymen shall be appointed to serve as Wardens ; one of
whom shall be designated by appointment, the 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 be¬
longing to the Parish, perform such other duties as shall be le"
gaily assigned 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, no person shall be entitled to
vote, who has not signed the Articles of Parochial Association;
or who is not a holder or renter of one entire Pew; and When
two or more persons shall hold or rent a Pew, they shall be en¬
titled jointly to one vote. In those Parishes in which there are
no Pews held or rented, no individual shall be entitled to vote
who is not a contributor to the Church, to such an amount as
the respective Parishes shall appoint.
Sec. 3. No person shall be elected a Vestry-man, who is not
a Pew-holder, or a qualified voter in the Parish for which he is
elected.
Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Vestry to take charge of
the property of the Church—to regulate all its temporal con¬
cerns—elect and call a Minister, and provide for his mainte-
82
nance—to keep order in the Church during the celebration of
Divine Worship—and in general, to act as helpers to the Mi¬
nister, in whatever is appropriate to lay-men, for the further¬
ance of the Gospel; it being understood always, that the spi¬
ritual concerns of the Church are under the exclusive direction
of the Minister, in subordination to the ecclesiastical authority
and laws of the Diocese.
It shall be the duty of the Wardens especially, to provide the
elements of the Lord's Supper—to collect the alms at the ad¬
ministration for the same—to keep and disburse such alms in
case the Church is destitute of a Minister—and, while the
Church is destitute of a Minister, to provide for the celebra¬
tion of public worship, and the instruction of the congrega¬
tion by occasional clerical services, or by lay-reading, as cir¬
cumstances may permit.
(Parishes now incorporated, are excepted from any parts of
this Canon interfering with their articles of association, or by¬
laws.)
CANON II.
Of admitting a Church or Parish into union lOith 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 clerical or lay-member thereof.
And no Parish or Church shall be entitled to a lay-delega¬
tion, until any assessment made by the Convention shall have
been paid to the Treasurer of the Convention.
CANON III.
Of a quorum; in Convention.
Three members of the clerical order, and a delegate, or dele¬
gates of the lay-order from four churches, shall, together, con¬
stitute a quorum for the transaction of business ; but a smaller
number may adjourn.
CANON, IV.
Of attendance on Convention, and requisites for the admission
of Lay Delegates.
It shall be the duty of all Clergymen entitled to seats in the
33
Convention, to attend the same, and of every church or coilgfc*
gation in union with this Diocese, to send a number (not ex¬
ceeding five) of Lay-Delegates to the Convention ; who shall
be chosen by the Vestry from the communicants of the Church*
if possible, or from such persons, of good moral character, as
are entitled to vote in the election of Vestry-men.
CANON V.
Of Delegates to the General Convention.
The Convention shall elect, at a regular annual meeting,
four Clergymen, who shall be Presbyters entitled to seats in
the Convention, and four lay-men, who shall be communicants,
in good standing, of some Church in union with the Diocese—
or persons of good moral character connected with such Church,
as delegates from this Diocese to the General Convention; who
shall continue in office until their successors be chosen.
And it shall be the duty of the delegates elect, to make known
to the Bishop, or if there be no Bishop, to the President of the
Standing Committee, at least thirty days before the meeting of
the General Convention, whether they will attend, or not, to
the duties of their office.
In case any of said delegates shall decline to attend the Gen-
'eral Convention, the Bishop, or (if there be no Bishop) the Pre¬
sident of the Standing Committee, may appoint as many of
each order as may be necessary to constitute a full representa¬
tion of the Diocese.
CANON VI.
Of the Term of Office of Delegates, Spc.
The Officers of this Convention, and the Delegates to the
Gleneral Convention, shall continue in office, and exercise their
respective functions for one year ; and until another election
take place.
CANON VII.
Of Special Conventions.
When a Special Convention shall be called, it shall be the
D
34
duty of the Secretary, in issuing the notification, to specify the
business and purpose for which the Convention is called.
CANON VIII.
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 interests
of the Church, is a duty, hereby enjoined, with which no slight
obstacle should be allowed to interfere : and it is recommended
to the different Parishes in this Diocese to make provision for
the expenses incurred by their respective Ministers in attend¬
ing the Convention.
At the opening of every Convention, the names of the Cler-
gy entitled to seats therein, shall be called over, and the absen¬
tees noted.
CANON IX.
A List to be made of the Ministers in the Diocese.
Sec. 1. Before the meeting of every Convention of this Dio-
cse, the Bishop, or if there be no Bishop, the Clerical members
of the Standing Committee, shall cause to be prepared a list of
all Clergymen canonically resident in the Diocese, annexing
the names of their respective cures or parishes, or stations as
Missionaries; or of the institutions of learning in which they
•are engaged ; and the places of residence of such as are
not employed in either of the ways above mentioned; spe¬
cifying at the same time who, of either class, are Deacons:
but no Clergyman while suspended from the ministry shall
have a place on such list. And such list shall be laid before
the Convention 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 Se¬
cretary of the Ceneral 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 fourth article of the Constitution, by the Con-
35
vention itself; whether his name be inserted in the list afore¬
said, or omitted.
CANON X.
Of the Secretary of the Convention.
Sec. 1. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Conven¬
tion, in pursuance of the seventh article of the Constitution, to
send to every Minister of a Parish in union with this Conven¬
tion, (or to the Wardens thereof, if the Parish be destitute of a
Minister,) at least four weeks before the next meeting of the
Convention, a written notification of the time and place of said
meeting. Said notification shall also contain the assessment
laid upon the Parish for the expenses of the Diocese.
Sec. 2. In conformity to the Canon of the General Conven¬
tion, on this subject, he shall transmit annually to each of the
Bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United
States, and to the Secretary of every Diocesan Convention, a
copy of the Journal of the Convention of this Diocese, (as well
as of any charge or pastoral letter recently published,) and to
the General Convention, a certificate of the appointment of cle¬
rical and lay delegates.
He shall also forward to the Treasurer of the General Con¬
vention, on or before any meeting thereof, seventy-five cents
for each Clergyman within this Diocese, according to the pro¬
vision of the Canon for defraying the expenses of the General
Convention—such sums to be charged to the Diocese, in his ac¬
count as Treasurer of the Convention.
CANON XI.
Of receiving a Clergyman into a Parish or Church.
The authority to receive any Clergyman into a Church or
Congregation in this Diocese, shall be vested in the Vestry
and Church Wardens, if there beany ; otherwise, in the con¬
gregation which supports him, and receives the benefit of his
ministry: Provided, That no Clergyman shall be admitted to
the^pastoral charge of any Church or Congregation in this Dio-
30
cese, unless he first produce to the Vestry and Church Wardens,
or to the Congregation, if there be no Vestry, &c., a Certificate
from the Bishop, or (in case there be no Bishop,) from the
Standing Committee, that he has presented Letters of Orders,
and Testimonials of Religious and Moral Conduct, as required
by the Canons of the General Convention, and that his Letters
of Orders, and Testimonials of Religious and Moral Conduct,
are by him, the Bishop, or by them, the Standing Committee*
approved,
CANON XII.
Of Parish Registers and Reports.
Sec. 1. Every Clergyman of this Diocese shall keep a Re¬
gister of all the Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages and Fune¬
rals solemnized by him, or, in his Parish, by any other Episco¬
pal Minister ; specifying the names, and times of birth of the
children baptized, together with the names of the parents and
sponsors ; the names of the adults baptized; and also the wit¬
nesses of the baptism ; the names of those confirmed, and by
whom ; the names of the parties married ; and of persons bu¬
ried ; and also the time when each rite was performed.
This Register shall be kept by the Minister, in a book to be
provided for that purpose, and belonging to the Vestry of each
Church; 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 the Church under his charge, and
whether by removal from some other Parish, or otherwise.
Sec. 3. Every Minister of the Diocese 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 Bi¬
shop,) 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, of the
37
number of Communicants; specifying the number of removals-*
deaths, and additions from other Churches, or otherwise, dur¬
ing the same time ; and also of the number of Pupils and
Teachers connected with the Sunday School; and of all contri¬
butions for benevolent objects, by subscription or public collec¬
tions ; together with a concise statement of whatever other
matters may be important in showing the state of the Parish.
Sec. 4. In every case wrhere a Parish is destitute of a Mi¬
nister, the Register contemplated by this Canon, 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 Convention,-if there be
no Bishop, by the Wardens of the Parish.
CANON XIII.
Of preparing a Report on the State of the Church.
In conformity to the recommendation of the General Con¬
vention, (Canon VII. 1835,) a Committee of the Convention of
this Diocese, shall be appointed at the regular meeting of the
same, next before every stated meeting of the General Con¬
vention, to draft, with the advice and approbation of the Bishop
(if there be one,) a Report of the State of the Church, to be
presented to the General Convention.
CANON XIV.
Of the Trial of a Clergyman, not being a Bishop.
Whenever any Clergyman of this Diocese, (not being Bishop
thereof,) shall become liable to presentment and trial, accord¬
ing to the provisions of any Canon of the General or Diocesan
Convention, the mode of proceeding shall be as follows :
Sec. 1, The trial shall be on a presentment in writing, ad¬
dressed to the Bishop of the Diocese, (or to the Clerical Mem¬
bers of the Standing Committee, if there be no Bishop,) specify¬
ing the offences of which the accused is alleged to be guilty,
with reasonable certainty as to time, place, and circumstances.
Such presentment may be made by the majority of the whole
38
Vestry of any Church of which the accused is, or has been, a
Minister, or by any two Presbyters of the Diocese, entitled to-
seats in the Convention, or by a Board of Inquiry appointed as;
follows:
Whenever from public rumor or otherwise, the Bishop, (or
the Clerical Members of the Standing Committee, if there be
no Bishop,) shall have reason to believe that any Clergyman is
under the imputation of having been guilty of any offence or.
misconduct, for which he is liable to be tried, and that the in¬
terest of the Church requires an investigation, it shall be his (or-
their) duty to appoint three persons, two of whom shall be
Presbyters, to examine the case; and if there be, in the opinion,
of a majority c-f them, sufficient ground for presentment, they
shall present the Clergyman accordingly.
Sec. 2. A presentment being made in any of the modes above
prescribed, the Bishop, or the Clerical Members aforesaid, if
there be no Bishop,—may dismiss- it, if the facts charged shall
not appear to him (or them) to constitute an offence; or if it
allege facts some of which do, and some of which do not, con¬
stitute an offence, he (or they) may allow it in part, and dis-
miss the residue, or may allow it to be amended.
When it shall be allo wed in whole or in part, the Bishop, (or
the Clerical Members aforesaid) shall cause a copy of it to be
served on the accused, and shall also nominate six Presbyters
(if there be six in the Diocese) and if there be not six in the Di¬
ocese, then any number more than three, who shall be entitled
to seats in the Convention, and cause a list of their names to be
served on the accused, who shall within ithirty; days after such
service, select three of them, and notify their names in writing
to the Bishop, (or Clerical Members aforesaid:) and if he shall
not give such notification within the said thirty days, the Bishop
or Clerical Members aforesaid, shall select three: and in either
case, the three selected Presbyters shall constitute a Board for
the trial of the accused.
Sec. 3. The Board^shall meet at such time and place as the
Bishop, or, if there be no Bishop, the Clerical Members afore-
39
. ixtiy shall direct, and shall have power to adjourn from time td
time, and from place to place (within the Diocese) as they shall
think necessary.
Sec. 4. A written notice of the time and place of their first
meeting, shall be served at least thirty days before such meet"
ing, on the accused, and also on one of the persons making the
presentment, and upon such person as may be appointed to
conduct the prosecution.
The Bishop, or the Clerical Members aforesaid, shall appoint
a suitable person to prosecute the case.
Sec. 5. If a Clergyman presented, after having had dne no¬
tice, shall not appear before the Board of Presbyters appointed
for his trial, the Board may nevertheless proceed as if he were
present, unless for good cause they shall see fit to adjourn till
;another day.
Sec. 6. At their first meeting the Board shall choose a Pre¬
sident from their own body, and a Secretary from their own
body or otherwise, as they shall determine.
Sec. 7. When the Board proceed to trial, they shall hear
such evidence as may be produced ; and shall cause the oral
testimony to be written down by the Secretary, and together
with the depositions and other evidence read upon the trial, to
be carefully preserved ; and shall cause a full record to be kept
of their proceedings.
The President shall be authorised, at the desire of either par¬
ty, to administer an oath or affirmation to the witnesses ; and
the examination of the witnesses, and all the proceedings of the
trial shall be in public, if desired by the accused, and not other-
wise.
No Layman shall be permitted to advocate for either party
in the trial, though both parties may, at their option, consult le¬
gal or other advisers.
Sec. 8. Application being made to the Bishop, (or clerical
members aforesaid, if there be no Bishop,) by either party,
'shewing satisfactorily that any material witness cannot be pro¬
cured upon the trial, he (or they) may appoint some Clergy-
40
MAn Or Layman as Commissioner to take the testimony of stioh
Witness; and the party so applying shall give to the other par¬
ty, at least six days notiee of the time and place of taking the
testimony. And if the person on whom the notice shall be
served, shall reside more than forty miles from the place of ex¬
amination, an additional day's notice shall be given for every
twenty miles of the said distance. And both parties may at¬
tend and examine the witness ; and the questions and answers
shall be reduced to writing, and signed by the witness, and
shall be certified by the Commissioner, and enclosed under his
seal, and transmitted to the Board ; and shall be received by
them as evidence.
A witness examined as aforesaid, may be Sworn by the Com¬
missioner.
Sec. 9. The Board having deliberately considered the evi¬
dence, shall declare their decision on the charges contained in
the presentment, in a writing signed by the whole Board, if the
accused be declared guilty, or by a majority of them, if other¬
wise,—distinctly stating whether the accused is guilty or not
guilty of such charges respectively ; and also stating the sen¬
tence which, in their opinion, should be pronounced.
A copy of such decision shall be, without delay, communica¬
ted to the accused, and also to the persons making the present¬
ment. And the original decision, together with the evidence,
shall be delivered to the Bishop, if there be one ; who shall pro¬
nounce such canonical sentence, as shall appear to him to be
proper ; provided the same shall not exceed in severity, the
sentence recommended by the Board ; and such sentence shall
be final.
If there be no Bishop, the said decision, with the evidence,
shall be [delivered to the Clerical Members of the Standing
Committee, who shall submit the same to some convenient Bish¬
op, whose judgment in the case, with the limitation aforesaid,
shall be final.
Before pronouncing any sentence, the Bishop shall summon
the accused, and any two or more of the Clergy, to meet him
41
such time as may, in hi3 opinion, be most convenient, in some
Church to be designated by him, (always within the Diocese,)
Which shall, for that purpose, be open to all persons who may
choose to attend ; arid the sentence shall then and there be
publicly pronounced by the Bishop. But the Bishop, (if he
shall be satisfied that justice requires it, may grant a new trial
to the accused ; in which case, a new Board of Presbyters
shall be appointed, the proceedings before whom shall be con¬
ducted as before-mentioned.
Sec. 11. All notices and papers contemplated in this Canon*
may be served by a surnmoner or summoners, to be appointed
for the purpose by the Bishop, (or clerical members aforesaid*
as the case may be,) and whose certificate of such service shall
be evidence thereof. In case of service by any other person,
the fact shall be proved by the affidavit of such person. A
written notice or paper delivered to a party, or left at his last
place of residence, shall be deemed a sufficient service of such
notice or paper.
Sec. 12. If a Clergyman presented, shall confess the truth of
the charges contained in the presentment, before the appoint¬
ment of a Board for his trial, it shall be the duty of the Bishop
of the Diocese, or of the Bishop to whom the matter shall have
been referred by the clerical members aforesaid, to proceed to
pass sentence, in the manner above specified, as soon as may
be convenient after proper notice of such confession.
CANON XVI.
Of alterations in the Canons and additions thereto,
No proposed alteration of, or addition to the Canons, shall
hereafter be considered by the Convention, unless at least one
day's previous notice thereof l>e given in open Convention ; nor,
unless by unanimous consent, unti7 such alteration or addition
shall have been referred to, and reported upon by at least two
Presbyters and two Laymen . 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
5
42
such case, the same, unless negatived by a majority of the mem"
bers present, shall lie over for consideration until the next am
nual meeting of the Convention.
CANON XVII.
Repealing former Canons.
All former Canons of this Convention are hereby repealed.
CANONS
OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
IN THE DIOCESE OF ALABAMA,
Chiton 1. The Vestries of the several Congregations composing the Church in
this State, and if there be no Vestry, the Congregations shall, in such manner,
and at such tines as they may deem proper, elect a number of Delegates, not ex¬
ceeding five, to represent them in the Convention of the State, and to serve for
the term of one year, vho, before they shall be permitted to take their seats in
the Convention, shall proJuce a certificate of their election.
Canon 2. Two members of the clerical order, and a delegate or delegates of
the lay order, from three Churcu.s shall, together, constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business, but a smalle: number may adjourn.
Canon 3. The representatives of any congregation hereafter organized within
this State, shall be admitted to a seat in tUs Convention, by a vote of the same.
Canon 4. When a Special Convention is called, it shall be the duty of the Se¬
cretary, in issuing the notification, to specify tht business and purpose for which
the Convention is assembled.
43
Canon 5. Whereas, the regular attendance of the Clergy at the meetings of
the Convention is of essential consequence to the interest of the Church, this du.
ty is hereby enjoined on them; and it is recommended to the different Parishes
to make provision for the expenses incurred by their respective ministers in at¬
tending the Convention. At the opening of every Convention, the names of the
Clergy entitled to seats therein, shall be called over, and the absentees noted.
Canon 6. To the intent that the Church in this State may not be unrepresent¬
ed in General Convention, the clerical and lay delegate or delegates, who may
be hereafter nominated thereto, shall, in the absence of one or more of their col¬
leagues, be empowered to nominate and appoint, in the place of such absent De¬
legate, any citizen or citizens of the State: Provided, that such citizen or citi¬
zens, is, or are, a member or members of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Canon 7. The officers of this Convention, and the deputies to the General
Convention, shall continue in office, and exercise their respective functions for
one year, and until another election take place.
Canon 8. The President of the Convention may make any motion whioli he
shall judge conducive to the good of the Church, and may deliver his sentiments
on any proposition before the Convention, but he shall not vote unless upon an
equal division.
Canon 9. The approving or receiving any Clergyman into a Church or Con¬
gregation in this State, shall be vested in the Vestry of the Church, or the Ves¬
try and Church Wardens, as the case may be, having authority so to do; and
where there is no Vestry and Church Wardens, in the congregation which sup¬
ports him, and receives the benefit of his ministry : Provided, that no Clergy¬
man shall be admitted to the pastoral charge of any Church in this State, unless
he first produce to the Vestry having such authority, or the Vestry and Church
Wardens, as the case may be, a certificate from the Bishop, or in case there be
no Bishop, a certificate from the Standing Committee, that he has presented let¬
ters of orders, and testimonials of religious and moral conduct, as required by the
Canons of the Goneral Convention ; and that his letters of orders and testimo¬
nials of religious and moral conduct, are by him, the Bishop, or by them, the
Standing Committee, approved.
Canon 10. Of the forming a Church or Parish.—No Church or Parish shall
be received into union with this Diocese, unless the articles of Association, au¬
thenticated by the Chairman and Secretary of such Association, be presented to
this Convention, by a Clerical or Lay member thereof. " And no Parish or
Church shall be entitled to a Lay delegation, until any assessment made by the
Convention shall have beenpaidfo the Treasurer of the Convention
Canon 11. Of $&0scntv.ents.—Every trial of a Clergyman in this Diocese fof
misbehavior, jiSS be, on presentment, made to the Bishop, or if there be no Bi¬
shop, to the clerical members of the standing committee, signed by two-thirds of
the whole Vestry of any Church, of which the accused Is, or has been a Minister,
Qf by any two Presbyters of the Diocese, or by the Convention of the Diocese.
Canon 12. Of the trial of a Clergyman.—For the trial of every Clergyman,
the Bishop, or if there be no Bishop, the Clerical members of the Standing Com¬
mittee, shall appoint six Presbyters, (if there be six in the Diocese,) and if there
be not six in the Diocese, then any number more than three, for trying the ac¬
cused person ; from which number, the accused person shall choose three, who
shall be constituted a Board for the trial of the accused person.
The Bishop, or Clerical members aforesaid, shall fix the time and place of trial,
of which at least a month's notice shall be given to the person accused, and should
he neglect or refuse to attend, the trial shall proceed. The Board thus constitu¬
ted, shall examine fully the charges alleged, and keep a minute and accurate re;
cord of the testimony of the witnesses, and of every question and proceeding that
comes before them. No charge shall be substantiated on the testimony of less
than two witnesses. On the examination of any witness, should the, accused
party require it, an oath or affirmation shall be administered by a magistrate.—
In all questions, a unanimous vote of the Board shall be necessary to conviction.
Having come to a decision, the Board shall communicate their decision to the
Bishop or Clerical members aforesaid ; and also, in case they have found the ac¬
cused guilty, the sentence which in their opinion should be pronounced. A cer-"
tified copy of the record of their proceedings shall be laid before the Bishop, and
his judgment in the case be final, and should there be no Bishop of the Diocese',
the clerical members shall submit the record, decision and proposed sentence, to
some convenient Bishop, whose judgment in the case shall be final.