progress has been made within the last twelve months, for the collecting the arrearages due to the Fund, notwithstanding the earnest appeals made to the vestries of the diocese prior to and since the last Convention. The receipts of principal have been small, and those of the interest very far below the requirements of the Board. The statement of the Treasurer accompanying this report, will shew that $1,684 02 of principal, and $684 46 of interest, have within the last year been paid, and but $995 42 contributed, in reply to that part of the circular of the Board which requested the continuance of contributions equal to 50 cents for each communicant in the diocese. On reference to the summary of the parochial reports appended to the journal of the last Convention, it will be seen that there are 5892 communicants in the diocese. The small sum asked from each of them, if faithfully paid, would produce $2,946 00, while in fact the sum paid in is less than one-third of this sum, and making the average amount of contribution not more than 17 cents for each communicant. The Board feeling confidence in the ability of the parishes to meet the demand upon them, and also the willingness of the parishes to comply with it if properly proceeded, cannot but deeply lament, as well as condemn, the apparent apathy of those whose duty it is to attend to these matters, and from whose omission and neglect, by which the trustees are now placed in a condition which will cause present serious embarrassments to them and the Bishop. The permanent Fund, so far as received, has been judiciously invested. It now amounts to $27,583 50, and yields an annual revenue of $1,592 24, exclusive of $48 25 interest on a note in the possession of the Board. The temporary Fund heretofore under the control of the Board, and by the use of which, with the partial payments from the parishes for communicants, the trustees have been enabled thus far to meet the exigencies of the diocese, is now nearly exhausted. Unless, therefore, the interest on the subscriptions be punctually paid, which is hardly to be expected in all instances, the deficiency must be supplied from other means. What other means could be so readily attainable, as the small contribution asked for from the several parishes and churches? It is believed by the trustees, that if rectors and vestries would conscientiously attend to the collection of these mites, no difficulty would be experienced in obtaining them. Although it would appear to be the duty, as it was contemplated it should be, of the vestries of the several parishes and congregations, to act as agents for the collection of the arrearages of subscriptions, experience has demonstrated that no reliance is to be placed on them. By referring to the original subscription lists, it will be seen that the payments of the money subscribed were to be made to the vestry of each parish or congregation, and the Board therefore had a right to look to the vestries for some exertions to realise these subscriptions. In this there has been much of disappointment, as with a few exceptions, very little attention has hitherto been paid to the repeated applications of the trustees. The Board in conclusion recommend this subject to the serious consideration of the Convention, and earnestly invoke the body to adopt some decisive measure by which the subscriptions now due may be collected or secured, and further subscriptions to the Fund be obtained. Resolved, That the trustees of the Episcopal Fund be authorised to appoint one or more agents for such terms as they may agree on, for the collection or properly securing of the arrearages due, and also for obtaining additional subscriptions to the fund. The Hon. E. F. Chambers tendered his resignation as one of the Trustees of the Episcopal Fund, which was, upon motion, accepted. The following letter was read and the resignation accepted. Rt. Rev. and Dear Sir: In consequence of my affliction, (loss of sight,) I am compelled to request you to notify the Convention of the necessity of my resigning the offices of Trustee and Treasurer of the Protestant Episcopal Fund of the Diocese of Maryland. I am very truly and respectfully yours, To the Rt. Rev. W. R. WHITTINGHAM. BALTIMORE, May 27th, 1846. JACOB ALBERT. On motion, it was Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention are hereby tendered to Jacob Albert, Esq., for his useful services gratuitously rendered as Treasurer of the Episcopal Fund. Hon. E. F. Chambers, and William J. Albert, Esq., were nominated, and elected trustees of the Episcopal Fund. On motion, William J. Albert, Esq. was unanimously elected Treasurer of the Episcopal Fund. The following report was received, and on motion read and accepted. The Board of Trustees of the fund for superannuated clergymen, beg leave to report, that they have during the last year repeated their application to the different parishes of the diocese to aid the fund entrusted to them, and have received various contributions in answer thereto, the amount of which will be reported by their treasurer. Only one application has been made to them for relief, which however has not been decided on for the want sufficient evidence in the case. The Board has provided a series of regulations for its own guidance, of which they solicit the approval of the Convention. The regulations were read, as follows, and on motion, approved. For the more efficient transaction of the business of this committee, the following By-Laws are enacted and adopted: 1. The Bishop being ex-officio a member of the committee, shall, when present, preside at its meetings. In his absence, the senior presbyter in attendance shall take the chair. 2. The committee shall meet annually, as soon as may be convenient after the adjournment of the Convention, and at such time and place as the Bishop may appoint, for the purpose of organization and transaction of business. A meeting shall likewise be held on the day preceding the stated meeting of the Convention, for the purpose of making up the accounts and report of the committee,-and special meetings may be called from time to time, by the Bishop or any two members of the committee. Notice of such special meeting shall be given to every member by the Secretary. 3. At the first annual meeting, a Secretary shall be appointed from the clerical members, whose duty it shall be to minute the proceedings of the committee, and conduct its correspondence. 4. A Treasurer shall be appointed from its lay members, who shall keep the accounts of the committee, and receive, by the advice of the Board, invest, and distribute its funds. 5. Stated annual collections are essential to promote the objects of the committee. It shall therefore be the duty of the Secretary annually, in the month on March, to address a circular to the members throughout the diocese, requesting them to take up collections in their respective congregations on Easter day of every year, for the benefit of the committee. 6. The consent of a majority of the members of the committee shall be required to authorise an appropriation of its funds, and no appropriation shall be valid at the meeting at which it may have been first proposed, unless by the consent of all the members of the committee. This rule shall not embrace appropriations for incidental expenses, which may be authorised by a vote of a majority of members present, at any meeting. The following reports were read and accepted: The Committee on Accounts respectfully report, that they have examined the Treasurer's accounts, and find the same to be correct. ALFRED A. MILLER, T. J. DORSETT, The committee to whom was referred the accounts of the Treasurer of the Diocesan Missionary Society, beg leave respectfully to report, that they have examined them, and find them correct. They recommend that the thanks of the Convention be tendered to the Treasurer for his valuable services. On motion, Resolved, that the thanks of this Convention bet presented to C. C. Jamison, Esq., for his valuable services as Treasurer of the Executive Committee of the Board of Missions. On motion, Resolved, That the next annual Convention be held in St. Paul's Church, Baltimore. The committee on Parochial contributions reported the following resolutions, which, on motion, were adopted. The Committee on Parochial contributions would submit to the Conven→ tion the following resolutions: Resolved, That a special committee be appointed to ascertain in the course of the present conventional year, how much is due from each parish and congregation that is in arrears to the Convention, and to forward to the same an account of its indebtedness, that the several parishes that are in arrears may know what claims are made against them. Resolved, That the same committee be authorised to assess the new parishes and congregations which have not heretofore contributed towards the Convention Fund, according to the rule governing in the case, if there be any, or else according to the best of their judgment, and report to the next Convention. JOHN OWEN, For the Chairman. The Committee on Parochial Contributions reported that the following parishes have paid the sums annexed to each: St. Matthew's Church, Prince George county, St. John's Parish, Washington county, St. John's Church, Howard District, St. James's Parish, Baltimore county, St. Anne's Parish, Annapolis, William and Mary Parish, Charles county, Trinity Church, Upper Marlborough, Charles county, Prince George Parish, Montgomery county, St. Bartholomew's Parish, Montgomery county, Christ Church, Harford county, St. Stephen's Church, Anne Arundel county, Christ Church, Baltimore, Great Choptank Parish, Dorchester county, St. Stephen's Parish, Cecil county, Spring Hill Parish, Somerset county, Church of Ascension, Washington city, Trinity Church, Washington city Christ Church, Queen Caroline Parish, Anne Arundel county, Coventry Parish, Somerset and Worcester counties, St. James's Parish, Anne Arundel county, Christ Church Parish, Queen Anne county, King and Queen Parish, St. Mary's county, |