Brethren, the Clergy and Laity of the Convention,

In reviewing the affairs of the diocess, in the year that has elapsed, since we were last assembled in convention, it is a prominent and pleasant fact, that the Church of this Diocess has, after an interval of many years, been again represented in the General Convention of the Pro. Epis. Churches in the U. S. As a member of this body, this Diocess has a joint interest with the other Diocesses in the common prosperity of the Church. And you will learn with pleasure, that the result of this interview of the different parts of the whole body, was a grateful persuasion, that the Churches in this country were rising in their strength, and putting on their beautiful garments; and that there was ground to hope that the Lord God would dwell among them.

The time spent in attending the general convention, and the diminution of the number of our clergy in the city, have rendered it difficult for him, who addresses you, to make as many episcopal visitations, as his own inclination would have dictated, and the condition of the Diocess seemed to require. In the last year he has made one visit to St. John's, Berkley; one to St. Bartholomew's; two to Christ Church; two to Columbia; three to Camden; one to Clarendon ; one to St. Matthew's; and one to St. James', Santee. In most of these parishes, and also in St. Philip's Church and in St. Michael's Church in this city, the rite of confirmation has been administered, according to the order of the Church. In conformity with a canonical requirement it is stated to you, that the number confirmed in the last year was about one hundred and eighty.

In the course of these visitations, it has been a source of much pleasure to observe, that the doctrines of the Church are, by those who take any lively interest in her welfare, very generally embraced in their purity. The form of sound words is held fast, it is believed, by the serious members of our community; and there is perhaps as good a degree of unity of faith among them, as exists in any part of the universal Church, of the same extent and means of information.

There is also a growing attachment to her order. It is gratifying to remark, with relation to this particular, that the ancient practice of administering baptism in public, has, in many parishes, been happily restored. Whether we consider the import of this sacrament, or the structure of the office for the administration of it, or the beneficial effects upon our congregations of publicly administering it, this restoration of the primitive usage of our Church is cause for much gratulation to those who love her prosperity. Attention too is paid by the clergy, in a degree which is highly commendable, to the important duty of instructing children in the catechism, a duty in which parents and guardians may advantageously co-operate with their ministers, by preparing their children for this exercise and sending them to it. And not till the day of the consummation, can it be manifest, how much both they and their offspring may have cause to rejoice in the faithful discharge, through their co-operation, of this part of the ministerial functions.

It were to be wished that as much could be said of the zeal of our community, as may be said of the soundness of its faith, and its attachment to the order of the Church. But the waste places in many parts remain entirely desolate; and there is not everywhere manifested a desire to strengthen the things which are ready to die -Some efficient zeal, however, exists. It is mentioned with peculiar gratification, that the infant Society in Columbia, under many difficulties and discouragements, have erected a convenient and respectable building, which has been duly consecrated to the purposes of Christian worship, by the name of Trinity Church. From the situation of this Church, near the college of the state, and at the seat of government, the pleasing hope arises that in this temple will be reared many future ministers of the Church; and that hence there will be diffused, into regions which it has not yet reached, a knowledge of her faith and worship; and also in time to come, a stated enjoyment of them.

In this city, the greater part of a century had elapsed since any Church had been erected by the Episcopal community. An attempt has recently been made by a zealous part of this community, to build here another temple to the honour of Jehovah-and when we think of the number of members of our denomination, who have no accommodations for attending public worship, and behold other temples, under the zeal of their builders, rising up in rapid succession around us, it is mournful to witness the silence which pervades the unfinished walls of the Third Episcopal Church. It stands, and in its silence would seem to say, is it nothing unto you, all ye that pass by? As a common concern, it is an object of the charity of all Episcopalians-and in this assembly it need not be asked, what charity is more noble or more useful, that that which builds Churches for the worship of the Most High God, our Redeemer ?

Since the last meeting of the convention, Mr. Thomas Frost was regularly received as a candidate for holy orders. This gentleman, a native of this city, and a son of one of its former clergymen, and Mr. Maurice Harvey Lance, heretofore announced as a candidate for holy orders, have at the opening of this convention, been admitted to the order of Deacons. The Rev. Christian Hanckel has, in the course of the year, been admitted to the order of Priest. From these seasonable additions to her ministry, the Church it is expected will, under the blessing of heaven, derive many advantages. But here our joy is chilled. We needed not the contemplation of these accessions, to remind us of the preceding diminu tion of the number of the clergy. One of our first emotions, on assembling in this place, sprang from a recollection, that our brother, the late beloved Rector of St. Philip's Church, would be with us no more. It pleased God, after having granted him, in answer we hope to the prayers of the Church, nearly two years of health and increased usefulness in his station, to take him early in the summer, by an unexpected death, to the reward of his labours-to a rest from all his cares-Cut off in the midst of life, his exit admonishes as, my brethren of the clergy, to do, while it is called to

day, whatever good deeds we can for the house of our God, and for the offices thereof. Short, at the longest, is the time we have for contributing our exertions for the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom. But the death of our brother affectingly reminds us of the uncertainty of our time. The remembrance we bave of his popular talents, uncommon piety, and amiable disposition, teaches us, that even the goodly qualities, which make us most earnestly desire the lives of our friends, cannot shield them from the arrows of death. Be ye then also ready.

To his place, as Rector of St. Philip's Church, has succeeded the Rev. Christopher Edwards Gadsden; of whose election to the place, notice has been received by me from the Vestry of that Church, and will be transmitted to the secretary of the convention.

So far, brethren of the clergy and laity, as my observation has extended, it appears that one principal cause of the decayed state of many parishes in this Diocess, is the want of funds. In one parish, that of St. John's, Berkley, a laudable attempt has been made to provide a substitute for the funds (by means of which the ministrations of the temple were formerly supported,) by a subscription of a per centage upon the produce of the current year. The attempt it is probable will succeed. Were some such plan adopted in the vacant parishes, for affording that decent and certain maintenance for the ministers of the gospel, to which the gospel itself entitles them, it might, under the blessing of the Almighty, facilitate the restoration, to these parishes, of the ordinances and worship of our holy religion.

Till funds for the purpose are provided, it would seem the busieess must rest upon missionary labours, and the gratuitous services of the clergy of the Diocess. The latter, in the last year, have been cheerfully and frequently rendered, agreeably to an arrangement made by the clergy among themselves, that each one would visit one or more of the destitute parishes, as often as would be consistent with his obligations to the parish with which he was particularly connected. Of the labours of missionaries, the Church in this Diocess has had little opportunity to know the value. Those, which have been enjoyed by any of our Churches, have been provided by the Pro. Epis. Soc. for the Advancement of Christianity in So. Ca. whose funds are in an infant state, and by no means adequate to the good purposes it might accomplish. As promising the best human means of strengthening and extending the Church, in this state, it is very desirable that this society should have the aid of all the friends of our institutions, for increasing its funds and the number of its members. Its last annual report, shortly to be published, will, it is hoped, be circulated by the agency of the laity, as well as clergy, to diffuse a knowledge of the society in their several Parishes.

In concluding this statement of the affairs of the Diocess for the last year, it cannot but occur to the observation of every one, that the harvest truly is great, but in common with all the members of the community, it is felt with regret by him who addresses you, that the labourers are few. There is an increased number of young

gentlemen who are preparing themselves for the ministry, by those academical studies, to which our Church wisely requires them in the first instance, to give their attention. But, though the prospect of these future accessions to the ministry produces some animating expectations, piety may be well called upon to offer in every parish her prayers to the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

Charleston, Feb. 22, 1815.

THEODORE DEHON.

Resolved, on motion of the Rev. Mr. Campbell, that for the better diffusing a general knowledge of the state of the Church amongst her members, it be expedient, that the annual address of the Bishop to this convention be read in the different Churches, as soon as it can conveniently be obtained.

The following resolution was moved by Mr. Kershaw :Resolved, That the next annual convention of the Pro. Epis. Church of So. Ca. be held in Trinity Church, Columbia.

Whereupon it was moved by Gen. Read, that the aforesaid resolution be postponed; which motion was lost.

It was then moved by Judge Grimke, and adopted, that the resolution be amended by striking out the word "annual," and adding these words, on the first Thursday of December next.

The resolution, thus amended, was carried.

The following resolution was moved by the Rev. Mr. Campbell: Resolved, that it be a standing rule of this convention, that the services thereof shall be closed by the Bishop with any of the collects, which he may select, and his blessing.

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It was then resolved, on motion of the Rev. Dr. Dalcho, that the word prayers be inserted instead of " any of the collects, which he may select;" and the resolution, thus amended, was unanimously carried.

Resolved, on motion of the Rev. Mr. Gadsden, that the secretary write again to those Churches, which have taken no notice of the last circular, which was addressed to them respecting the pecuniary concerns of the convention.

After prayers and the Episcopal benediction, the convention adjourned till the first Thursday of December next, to meet in Trinity Church, Columbia.

TWENTY-EIGHTH CONVENTION

Of the Pro. Epis. Church in So. Ca. held in Columbia, on the 7th & 8th Feb. 1815.

List of the Clergy and Lay-Delegates who attended the convention. CLERGY.

The Right Rev. Theodore Dehon, D. D. Bishop of the Pro. Epis. Church in So. Ca. Rev. John B. Campbell, Rector of St. Helena's

Beaufort; Rev. Christopher E. Gadsden, D. D. rector of St. Philip's ; Rev. Christian Hanckell, rector of Trinity Church, Columbia; Rev. Maurice Harvey Lance, Deacon; Rev. John Jacob Tschudy, rector of St. John's, Berkley.

LAY-DELEGATES.

St. Philip's-Thomas Corbett.

Prince George's, Winyaw-Joseph Blyth, Thomas R. Mitchell, F. A. Deliesseline.

St. Helena's, Beaufort-James Stuart.

St. Thomas and St. Dennis-Thomas Ashby, Andrew Hasell. Edisto Island-Benjamin Bailey.

Trinity Church, Columbia-Hon. Theodore Gaillard, Jolin Spencer Man, Edward Fisher, Mr. Guignard.

Claremont Hon. Thomas Waties, Benjamin G. Joor.
Camden--James S. Deas.

COLUMBIA, Thursday, Dec. 7, 1815.

This being the day appointed for the annual meeting of the con vention of the Pro. Epis. Church, in the state of So. Ca. several of the Clergy and Lay-Delegates, attended in Trinity Church, at 11 o'clock, when Divine Service was performed by the Rev. Christian Hanckel, and a sermon, suitable to the occasion, preached by the Rev. Christopher E. Gadsden, D. D. To these usual solemnities was added the celebration of the Lord's Supper, ac cording to a standing rule of the convention.

After divine service, the Bishop took the chair.

The following Clergy, members of the convention, appeared, and the following lay-delegates presented certificates of their appointment, which were read and severally approved.

St. Michael's-Right Rev. Theodore Dehon, D. D.

St. Philip's-Rev. C. E. Gadsden, D. D. Thomas Corbett.
Prince George's-Rev. Maurice H. Lance, Joseph Blyth, Tho.

R. Mitchell, F. A. Deliesseline.

St Helena, Beaufort-Rev. John B. Campbell.
St. John's, Berkley-Rev. John Jacob Tschudy.
Edisto Island-Benjamin Bailey.

Claremont Thomas Waties, Benjamin G. Joor.

Trinity Church-Rev. Christian Hanckell, Theodore Gaillard, John Spencer Man, Edward Fisher.

It appearing that a quorum was assembled, the convention proceeded to the election of a Secretary and Treasurer by ballot; when it was found, that the Rev. Mr. Tschudy was unanimously elected.

The journal of the last convention was read.

The convention adjourned until to-morrow at 11 o'clock.

Friday, Dec. 8, 1816.

The convention met, and prayers were read by the Rev. Dr. Gadsden.