"The committee, consisting of lay-delegates, one from each church now represented in the convention, to whom was referred the resolution to inquire into the expediency of establishing a fund for the support of a Bishop, and to suggest such plans, as they may deem advisable for the benefit of the church, report, that it is expedient to raise a fund for the support of a Bishop; and they recommend the following resolutions: "1st. That it is expedient to raise a fund by subscription, to be called the Bishop's permanent fund, for the support of a Bishop of the Diocess of the State of South-Carolina; "And they recommend, that one or more persons be appointed in each parish of the Diocess, by the president of the convention, whose duty it shall be to call upon the Episcopalians in his parish, and to transmit such monies as he shall collect, to the treasurer of the Pro. Epis. Society for the advancement of Christianity in So. Ca. to be by him invested in bank-stock, government-security, or otherwise, as the board of trustees of that society shall deem expedient. "That the certificates of stock, or evidences of property purchased, shall be in the incorporated name of the society, in trust for the Bishop's permanent fund. "That not more than three-fourths of the annual income of the said fund shall be applicable to the support of a Bishop, and that the remainder shall go toward the accumulation of the fund. "2d. That, whenever the annual income of the fund liable to appropriation, shall amount to more than the sum of $4000, the excess shall be at the disposal of the convention of this state; and the Bishop shall then immediately cease to be the rector of any particular church, unless the restriction be removed by the convention; "And that it be recommended to address a circular letter to each person, who may be appointed as above-mentioned, stating the views and designs of the convention, as regards the Bishop's permanent fund; and that this letter be signed by the members of the committee. "3d. That within five months from this time in the present year, and that in every year hereafter, a sermon shall be preached in every church in this Diocess, in aid of the support of a Bishop, until the Bishop's fund shall be adequate thereto; and that the sums collected be transmitted to the treasurer of the Pro. Epis. Society, and be applicable to the immediate support of the Bishop. "4th. That the Pro. Epis. Society for the advancement of Christianity in South-Carolina, and the Society for the Relief of the Widows and Orphans of the Clergy of the Pro. Epis. Church in the State of South-Carolina, be requested to contribute to this object. 5th. That the Rev. Mr. Muller be requested to deliver to the treasurer of the Pro. Epis. Society the money, notes and orders, received by him on account of the Bishop's fund; and that the thanks of the convention be given to Mr. Muller for his exertions and zeal in behalf of the church, in obtaining contributions for this fund. "6th. That it be recommended to every parish, in which there is an Episcopal congregation, and in which no funds, or insufficient funds have been provided for a minister, to agree to pay, each member of the congregation, a certain per centage on the amount of his general tax, or to adopt any other mode, which may be deemed most advisable to raise a permanent fund for the decent support of a minister; the said fund to be allowed to accumulate, until there shall be an income therefrom, sufficient for the object proposed; and that the monies, received on this account, be transmitted to the treasurer of the board of trustees of the Pro. Epis. Society, to be invested by the trustees of the said board in bankstock, government-securities, or other property, in trust for the ministers of the parishes, from which the said sums shall be received, respectively; and that the funds, received as aforesaid, shall be appropriated to the support of the ministers aforesaid, who shall always, be obliged to comply with the rubrics and canons of the Pro. Epis. Church in South-Carolina, as authorized and sanctioned by the authority of the convention of the same. "7th. That the treasurer be allowed such compensation, as the board of trustees shall deem proper." The convention adjourned until to-morrow at 11 o'clock. Saturday, February 21, 1818. The convention met; and prayers were read by the Rev. John Jacob Tschudy. The minutes of yesterday were read. The following resolution was proposed by Major Carr, but rejected by a very large majority: "Resolved, that the delegates from this convention to the general convention be requested to propose to that body an alteration of the twentieth canon, so as to require the several Bishops to visit the churches of their respective Diocesses, once in each year at least." Resolved, on motion of the Rev. Dr. Dalcho, that the thanks of the convention be tendered to the Rev. Dr. Gadsden, for his able and impartial discharge of the duties of president of this convention, during a highly interesting and important session. Whereupon the Rev. President rose, and addressed the convention which address was, on motion of the Rev. Mr. Muller, respectfully requested of the president by an unanimous vote, in order to be inserted on the journals, and is nearly as follows: "GENTLEMEN,-I thank you for your approbation; and I hope I may be permitted to indulge my feelings in expressing to you my thanks for the support you have given to the chair, and, what is of more consequence, and still more gratifying to me, the support you have given to the church. At no convention, has your time been so long and constantly employed. At no convention, has more talent, learning and eloquence been exhibited. It is pleasant, and a cause for gratitude to God, to behold those powers of the mind, which have adorned and blessed our country in private and public life, in a civil and military capacity, in congress, in the legislature, and on the bench, here brought into the service of the church. In the days of primitive Christianity it was said, not many mighty, not many noble are called; but may we not hope, that we have arrived at the dawn of that brighter period, of that predicted period, when the rich, and the wise, and the honourable shall embrace the gospel, and the banner of the cross shall wave trium, phantly over the world? "At no convention has there appeared more zeal and unanimity, attachment to the true principles of the church, and liberality of sentiment, and so strong a disposition to contribute generously to the support of religious institutions. This temper may be expected to draw down the blessing of Almighty God on his church. Under its influence, the church of your fathers and your affections, cannot but flourish. Her waste places will be restored; and religion, in the march of civilization to the west, will cause the wilderness and the solitary place to be glad thereof, and that moral desert to rejoice and blossom as the rose. Permit me to observe, that this zeal is the sure basis of your individual prosperity, and that of your country; for the promise of God is absolute: Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase; so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Happy are the people, that are in such a case; yea, blessed are the people, who have the Lord for their God. "It is a pleasant reflection, that this zeal has been excited by the wants of the church, and has appeared when most needed. It seems to have been excited by the greatest calamity, which could have befallen our church. It seems as if the death of that distinguished man, our good Bishop, has excited a proper solicitude for the church in every breast, as if every man felt himself called upon to step into the breach, and to place the church upon that elevation, which would render her, hereafter, less liable to be affected by individual deaths. May you carry this zeal to your homes, and may it spread throughout your respective parishes! May it animate the bosom of every member of the church! I cannot but consider, that this good feeling is an answer to the frequent and ardent prayers of our late Bishop,-an answer to the prayers of the pious in behalf of the church, excited by his unexpected loss, -an answer to the prayers of several of the members of the convention on this occasion. "My brethren, the scenes of time must close: The scenes of eternity will soon open upon us. We must all appear at another convention. At that day, weary and heavy laden with the burden of sin, I doubt not that some of you will recur, with satisfaction, to the transactions of this convention. May all of you be enabled to say: Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds, which I have done for the house of my God, and the offices thereof. It is the wish of my heart, and it shall be my ardent prayer, that every one of you may obtain mercy at that day, through Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Resolved, on motion of Mr. Brisbane, that all the Journals of this Convention be published in a volume, by subscription; and that the President appoint a committee of three, for the purpose of obtaining subscriptions to that end, and of superintending the publication. Whereupon the Rev. Dr. Dalcho, and Messrs. Brisbane and Bay were appointed the committee. After prayers and the blessing, the convention adjourned. APPENDIX III. SECT. I. CANONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH, IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ADOPTED IN GENERAL CONVENTION. TO WHICH ARE ANNEXED, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCH; AND THE COURSE OF CONSTITUTION Of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America. Art. 1. There shall be a general convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, on the third Tuesday in May, in the year of our Lord, 1808, and on the third Tuesday in May in every third year afterwards, in such place as shall be determined by the convention; and special meetings may be called at other times, in the manner hereafter to be provided for: and this church, in a majority of the states which shall have adopted this constitution, shall be represented, before they shall proceed to business; except that the representation from two states shall be sufficient to adjourn; and in all business of the convention, freedom of debate shall be allowed. Art. 2. The church in each state shall be entitled to a representation of both the clergy and the laity; which representation shall consist of one or more deputies, not exceeding four of each order, chosen by the convention of the state; and, in all questions, when required by the Clerical and Lay Representation from any state, each order shall have one vote; and the majority of suffrages by states shall be conclusive in each order, provided such majority comprehend a majority of the states represented in that order; the concurrence of both orders shall be necessary to constitute a vote of the convention. If the convention of any state should neglect or decline to appoint clerical deputies, or if they should neglect or decline to appoint lay-deputies; or if any of those of either order appointed should neglect to attend, or be prevented by sickness or |