At the request of the Bishop, the Convention proceeded to the choice of four lay members to serve with the Bishop on the Committee of which he had been made Chairman. Several gentlemen were nominated, and upon taking the votes, s were declared to be duly elected. The following report was submitted: The committee to which was referred the Canon, entitled "Of vacant Parishes or Congregations," report that, in their opinion, some provision is necessary to be made for the condition of things contemplated by the proposed Canon. There are, in the diocese, many parishes and congregations now vacant, which have been for a considerable period of time without the services of the Church, and it does not appear that our Vestries have succeeded, if indeed they have earnestly sought to do so, in providing for their wants. The committee have not perceived any objection to the details of the proposed Canon, unless perhaps it may be desirable to restrict its operation so as to provide that, the vacant parishes shall be supplied by those clergymen settled nearest to them, so far as this can be done with advantage, consistently with the discretion confided to the Bishop. The committee therefore recommend the adoption of the proposed Canon, with the following amendment, after the word practicable in the 4th line, in the 2d Section, insert "preference being given in the selection of clergymen to supply such vacancies to those residing in adjoining parishes, so far as by the Bishop may be deemed advisable." THOMAS ATKINSON, The minority of the Committee asked and obtained leave to read a report, accompanied by a resolution, recommended as a substitute for the proposed Canon. The undersigned, a minority of the Committee on the Canon entitled, "Of vacant Parishes and Congregations," begs respectfully to report: That by the existing law and usages of the Church, the vestry of every parish or congregation has "full power and authority" to choose a Rector, not only to assume the permanent charge of such parish or congregation; but "from time to time," according to the necessities of the particular case. That the 30th Canon of the General Convention of 1832, which provides for the election and institution of ministers into parishes and churches, has also left the supply of said parishes and churches to their respective Vestries. And that, as under this present system, a larger number of ministers is now settled in the diocese than ever before-there can be, in the opinion of the undersigned, no reason for any new regulations upon the subject. He therefore presents the following resolution : Resolved, That inasmuch as the Canons of the General Convention, and the laws of the State of Maryland recognize the "full power and authori ty" of the Vestries of all parishes and congregations to supply themselves, whether temporarily or permanently, with such ministerial services as they may select no action on the part of this Convention tending to the withdrawal of that authority and power from the Vestries, is necessary or proper. All of which is respectfully submitted, JOSHUA PETERKIN. On motion, that the proposed substitute be adopted. The motion was lost. The question recurring on the adoption of the proposed amendment of the Committee, it was decided in the affirmative, and the Canon as amended, was then adopted, as follows: CANON. Of Vacant Parishes or Congregations. SECTION 1. When a parish or congregation becomes vacant, it shall be the duty of the vestry forthwith to give notice thereof to the Bishop, or if there be no Bishop, to the President of the Standing Committee. SEC. 2. The Bishop, or if there be no Bishop, the President of the Standing Committee, shall take such order for the supply of every vacant parish or congregation as in each case may be practicable, preference being given in the selection of clergymen to supply such vacancies to those residing in adjoining parishes so far as by the Bishop may be deemed advig able, it being expected that the parish or congregation so supplied will defray the expenses incident to such services. SEC. 3. It shall be the duty of the clergy, whether with or without parochial cure, their expenses being borne, and having, if in charge of a congregation, the consent of the vestry of the same, to comply with such requisitions as the Bishop, or if there be no Bishop, the President of the Standing Committee shall make on them for services in order to the supply of vacant parishes or congregations. On motion, the Convention adjourned. FRIDAY AFTERNOON, June 2, 1848. The Convention re-assembled at 4 o'clock. On motion, the call of the roll was dispensed with, and the Secretary allowed further time to prepare the minutes of the morning's session. On motion, Resolved, That the special committee appointed by a resolu tion of the Convention of 1847, (Journal, p. 41) to ascertain the amount of the arrears due by parishes to the Convention Fund, and to forward to them an account thereof, be continued until the next Convention, with instruction to report a proper assessment upon such parishes and churches as have not been assessed, making the same conform as nearly as they can to the assessment reported to the Convention in 1838, by the committee to graduate the Convention Fund, and with the further instruction to enquire whether the annual expenses of the Convention are not susceptible of some retrenchment. The Executive Committee of Missions presented their annual report, which was read, and on motion, ordered to be printed in the appendix to the journal. On motion, Resolved, That when this Convention adjourns this evening, it adjourn sine die. It was moved that the next Convention be held in St. John's Church, Hagerstown. The following substitute was offered and adopted: Resolved, That the next annual Convention be held in St. Paul's Church, Baltimore. On motion, Resolved, That the Convention go into the election of an Executive Committee of Missions, and that the election be made viva voce. The following named gentlemen were nominated, and declared to be duly elected: Rev. Wm. E. Wyatt, D. D. 66 Alfred A. Miller, 66 Thomas Atkinson, Samuel I. Donaldson, Hugh Davey Evans, James Mason Campbell, Esqs. The Chair appointed the Rev. Mr. Leakin a member of the committee on arrearages of parishes, &c. in place of the Rev. Mr. Peck, who is about removing from the diocese. On motion, Resolved, That the thanks of the Convention be tendered to the Secretary and assistant Secretary for their services. Resolved, That the sum of $50 be appropriated to the Secre tary for having the journal transcribed. Resolved, That the Secretary be instructed to have the usual number of copies of the Journal published. Resolved, That the sum of $20 be paid to the Sexton of St. Paul's Church, for his attendance on this Convention. On motion, Resolved, That the reports of minorities of committees made to this Convention be spread upon the Journal. On motion, Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to ascertain whether there are any vacancies in the number of Trustees of the General Theological Seminary, to which this diocese is entitled. The committee reported that the last Convention elected two Trustees more than the diocese was entitled to, and that at the General Convention in 1847, the names of the Rev. Samuel Buel, (who had then removed from this diocese,) and Henry Chamberlaine, Esq. were dropped. The Rev. Samuel C. Kerr has since removed from the diocese, leaving one vacancy. Henry Chamberlaine, Esq., was nominated to fill said vacancy, and declared to be duly elected. The Committee on the state of the Church, made the following report: In returning to the President the parochial reports which he placed in their hands, the Standing Committee respectfully inform him that they find in the reports, as far as they have been able to examine them in the short time allowed, nothing requiring any further notice of the condition of the Church than is presented in the official notice of the Bishop. ROBT. W. GOLDSBOROUGH, President pro. tem. On motion, the Convention proceeded to elect a Board of Trustees of the Fund for Superannuated and Infirm Clergy men. |