during our separation, and who has brought us together again, on this occasion, under so many circumstances of mercy. Since the last Convention I have visited twenty-eight_Parishes, in eleven of which no services which pertain exclusively to the Episcopal office, were required. Should my health be preserved, I hope to visit all the Parishes of the Diocese, during the current season:-a tour of duty which, with few exceptions, I have been able to accomplish each year since my withdrawal from the charge of Washington College. But it becomes a question of considerable moment, whether such frequent visitations are really useful to the Parishes? I certainly deem it useful annually to become acquainted with the conditien of each particular Parish: and it affords me, personally, much gratification annually to meet each of my brethren of the Clergy, in his own domestic circle, to see the faces of my brethren of the Laity, and to enjoy the hospitality and kindness which, on such occasions, I never fail to experience. Yet it may reasonably be questioned, whether such frequent visitations do not diminish the interest which would otherwise be attached to them? I would especially call the attention of the Clergy and of the Convention to this question, in reference to the holy rite of Confirmation. When that rite is administered annually, there will be, of course, but a small number to receive it. Does not the smallness of the number sometimes detract from the interest which the clergyman and the congregation would otherwise attach to the administration of it? When it is felt, too, that the rite may be received the very next season, does not this consideration sometimes lead to a postponement of the preparation for it to another, and another, and another year? And do not such frequent visitations sometimes become rather opportunities for the gratification of private friendship, than occasions for the performance of official duties? The question here presented is one on which my own mind is not yet definitively settled. I leave it with my brethren for their future consideration and ultimate counsel. Of the twenty-eight Parishes visited since the Convention held in October last, confirmations have been held in the following, viz. : I have to report the following ordinations to the holy office of the Priesthood, since the last meeting of the Convention, viz.: The Rev. William Watson, in Trinity Church, Northfield, on the 17th of October: the Rev. Thomas S. Savage, in St. Michael's Church, Naugatuck, on the 23d; and the Rev. Eben Edwards Beardsley, in St. Peter's Church, Cheshire, on the 24th of the same month: the Rev. Samuel M. Emery, in Trinity Church, Chatham, on the 14th of May; and the Rev. Albert Spooner, in St. James' Church, New London, on the 25th of that month. On the 21st of May, in Christ Church, Norwich, I admitted Mr. Alfred Lee, late a member of the senior class in the General Theological Seminary, to the Holy Order of Deacons; and this day I have admitted the Rev. Edward J. Darken, and the Rev. William Warland, Jr., to the Holy Order of Priests. But one Church has been consecrated, in this Diocese, since our last meeting-Trinity Church, in the Parish of Northfield. Two others-St. John's Church, Bridgeport, and St. John's Church, New Milford-are nearly ready for consecration; and four more are in the progress of erection. The changes which have taken place in the location of the Clergy, are less numerous than during the preceding year. The Rev. Amos B. Beach has taken a dismissory Letter, and removed to the diocese of New York. The Rev. Josiah M. Bartlett has resigned the Parish of Brooklyn, on account of ill health. The Rev. Silas Blaisdale has accepted the charge of the Parish of Salem, and removed to that place. The Rev. Jacob L. Clark has removed to Waterbury, having been appointed to the Rectorship of that Parish. The Rev. William A. Curtis has resigned the charge of the Parish of Windham. The Rev. Thomas J. Davis has removed to the Parish of New Britain. The Rev. William Jarvis has resigned the Rectorship of Trinity Church, Chatham, on account of protracted ill health, and the Rev. Samuel M. Emery has been appointed his successor. The Rev. Mr. Eastman has resigned the Rectorship of Grace Church, Saybrook. The Rev. William Watson has accepted the Rectorship of St. Peter's Church, Plymouth, and has removed to that place. The Rev. Dr. Wheaton has accepted the Rectorship of Christ Church, New Orleans, and has been succeeded in the Presidency of Washington College by the Rev. Silas Totten, late a Professor in that Institution. The number of officiating Clergy in the Diocese has been considerably increased by accessions from other Diocesses. The Rev. Hilliard Bryant, of the Diocese of New York, and late a Missionary to Greece, is now officiating in the Parishes of Milton and Bradleyville. The Rev. Thomas Clark, from the same Diocese, is officiating in the Parish of Huntington. The Rev. Charles Cleveland, with dismissory Letters from the Diocese of Vermont, has been appointed to the charge of St. John's Church, East Windsor. The Rev. William Warland, Jr., with dismissory Letters from the Diocese of Massachusetts, is officiating as Minister of Grace Church, Saybrook. The Rev. Mr. Snow, from the last mentioned Diocese, has been appointed to the Rectorship of the Parishes of Northfield and Bethlem, and has accepted that charge; and the Rev. Caleb I. Good, from the Diocese of Pennsylvania, has accepted and entered on the Professorship of Ancient Languages in Washington College. The Rev. Thomas S. Savage has been received into this Diocese, with a dismissory Letter from the Bishop of Virginia, and is now, with great self-devotion, officiating as a Missionary on the coast of Africa. Shortly after the last session of Convention, the Rev. Reuben Ives, of Cheshire, departed this life. He died in a good old age, after many years of arduous service in the ministry. Thus the early fathers of the Church in this Diocese, a Mansfield, a Tyler, a Shelton, a Bronson, a Prindle, and an Ives,— are called to give an account of their stewardship to the Great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, while a younger generation has entered on their labours. May we not fall behind them in faithfulness, and zeal, and love for the Church of Christ, which he purchased with his blood! The following persons are now candidates for holy orders in this Diocese, viz:-David Ogden, George A. Sterling, James Madison Thompson, (a coloured man in Liberia,) Solomon G. Hitchcock, Ferdinand Rogers, William B. Ashley, Henry Fitch, Andrew H. Cornish, Abel Nichols, Thomas G. Salter, William Payne, N. S. Richardson, William G. Hyer, Stephen Reed, Isaac H. Tuttle, J. Henry Elliott, Charles Prindle, Paschal P. P. Kidder, Thomas Clapp Pitkin, Martin Moody, Zebadiah Hyde Mansfield, James Rosevelt Bailey, Alonzo B. Chapin, Henry B. Sherman, and James D. Mead, -25. Mr. Warner Hoyt and Mr. Edwin M. Van Deusen, candidates for orders in this Diocese, have been transferred to the Diocese of Maryland. During my late visit to New Orleans, I consecrated the new edifice of Christ Church, in that city, and confirmed thirteen persons. I also confirmed twenty persons in the Church at Mobile, on the 26th of February last. I have thus laid before you, brethren, a general account of the affairs of the Diocese, including a summary statement of the Episcopal duties I have performed since the last Convention. From the facts thus presented, in connexion with the Parochial Reports, and the Report of the Secretary and Treasurer of the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, you will be enabled to form a tolerably correct estimate of the condition of that portion of the Church of Christ entrusted to our more especial care. I desire more particu→ larly to call the notice of the Convention to some considerations connected with the last mentioned Report, and to the instrumentality of that Society in promoting the growth of the Diocese. It is now almost eighteen years since I was called to my present charge. At that time, there were only seven Parishes capable of supporting the entire ser vices of a Clergyman. There are now twenty-four of this class, and the additional seventeen Parishes have nearly or quite all been aided, in some stage of their progress, by the funds of the Society for the promotion of Christian Knowledge. Nine more Parishes, which a short time since were united in pluralities, have been enabled, by grants of from fifty to one hundred dollars each, from the same Society, to enjoy, for the past year, the exclusive services of their several Pastors. It is trusted that nearly all these Parishes will soon be strong enough to dispense with such assistance. Ten more Parishes, at the least, might be added to this class, if the Society was enabled to afford them the same amount of assistance. Twelve weaker Parishes have received assistance from the Society, of from thirty to one hundred dollars each,—all but two of which have enjoyed the services of a Clergyman at least half of the time. Brethren, these are interesting statistics. I hope they will arrest the attention of the Clergy and Laity of the Diocese, and draw their reflections to a subject which has hitherto engaged, I fear, too little of their interest. When they see how much has already been done by the Society, with the blessing of God on the limited means at its disposal; when they consider how much yet remains to be done within the Diocese, and of which much may assuredly be effected by the ordinary blessing of Divine Providence on human exertions; I trust they will become engaged in the work with a spirit and a zeal proportioned to its importance. A Parish, with only occasional services, may have its existence prolonged, and under favourable circumstances may perhaps be increased; but it can never be expected to attain a due degree of external prosperity, or of internal spirituality, till it shall enjoy the entire and exclusive services of a Pastor. To this consummation our efforts should be steadily directed, in caring for the welfare of that portion of the Church committed to our charge. Out of about ninety Parishes in the Diocese, it appears that only thirty-three yet enjoy the entire services of a Pastor,-and nine of these through the assistance of the Society. The remainder are united in pluralities, of two or three in a cure. Several of them, indeed, have long been without any regular supply. To give each Parish in the Diocese its appropriate Pastor, would require more than forty additional Clergymen. But, in addition to these considerations, there are more than sixty towns in the State, in which no Episcopal congregation has yet been organized. In the present state of the religious community, when the unfounded prejudices against the Episcopal Church are so rapidly melting away before the steady light of her example, and when the alternate extravagances and apathy, the fluctuations and divisions, which have prevailed among other Christian denominations, have created so general a distrust in their stability and correctness, I do not hesitate to say, that there is hardly one of these towns, possessing any considerable population, where an Episcopal Parish might not readily be established, with promising prospects of success. In the infancy of such Parishes, missionary assistance would doubtless be required. Nearly all our existing Parishes have been fostered and built up in this way; and there can be no reason to doubt the efficacy of a method which has hitherto proved so successful. In many of the towns to which I have here alluded, a considerable portion of the inhabitants live in the habitual neglect of public worship on the Lord's day ;— not so much for the want of public religious ministrations in their vicinity, as from a want of confidence, or of interest, in those ministrations. It is firmly believed that the doctrines and worship of the Episcopal Church would meet a more favourable reception, and that the establishment of her institutions in those towns would produce a salutary improvement in the religious and moral state of their population. Much interest has been justly felt in the support of Missions in the Western States. There is indeed a great destitution of the means of sound religious instruction in those States; but I know of no portion of the western country where new congregations can be more readily organized, or more speedily and successfully built up, than in many towns in the State of Connecticut. It is not my purpose, however, to make invidious comparisons. I would not weaken the interest which is taken in the religious welfare of any portion of our country, nor check the sympathy which is felt for the privations of the inhabit ants of heathen lands: my sole object is to call your attention to works of charity that are near us,-even at our doors, and within our own household. There is another topic which I have often brought to the notice of the Convention, and which I cannot cease to reiterate till I see the Diocese fairly awakened to its importance :-I allude to the education of our youth, under auspices favourable to the interests of the Church. It is well known to you, how much the Church has suffered, and how much her growth has been retarded, by the prevalence of adverse influences. It is well known to you, that many of our primary schools are even now tinctured with this adverse influence, and that many of our books of elementary instruction are deeply imbued with it. If we can see no immediate remedy for these evils, they may perhaps be checked, by a due exercise of parental vigilance and caution. But in regard to our higher seminaries of learning, we have in some good degree thrown off the shackles of dependence. In reference to this point, I take leave to congratulate the Convention on the successful issue of our exertions for the resuscitation of the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire. Since our last meeting, that Institution has recommenced its operations with distinguished success; and, under its present efficient Principal, it bids fair to become an important auxiliary to Washington College, and an instrument of great good to the Church. Other, more private schools, are in successful operation, under the charge of individual Clergymen, which will coöperate, in their several spheres, to the same useful ends. I also take leave to congratulate the Convention on the present auspicious prospects of Washington College. It was feared, indeed, that the resignation of the Rev. President Wheaton, who had devoted several years of faithful labour in its service, might prove injurious to its prosperity. But the Board of Trustees promptly supplied the vacancy, by the appointment of the Rev. Silas Totten, a gentleman in whose talents, learning, discretion, zeal, and piety, the Church may repose implicit confidence. The large accession of students, which has marked the commencement of his administration, is but an earnest, I trust, of the success which will continue to attend it, and of the future prosperity of the College. I earnestly recommend the Institution to the liberal support and patronage of the Church, as one of the most efficient instruments for increasing her ministry, extending her influence, and advancing her prosperity. The interests of the Church Scholarship Society are intimately connected with those of the College, and with the increase of the Church. On this subject I expressed my sentiments so fully, in a charge delivered at the last annual Convention, that I trust I need only recall the Institution to your remembrance, and again commend it to your fostering care. The Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, the Episcopal Academy, Washington College, and the Church Scholarship Society, all derive their origin from the deliberations of the Convention of this Diocese. They have all afforded convincing evidence of the wisdom and forecast which led to their establishment, and have all been eminently useful to the Church. To the parent which brought them into existence, and to the Church whose interests they subserve, they may justly look for favour and support. The more general Institutions of the Church,-the Theological Seminary, the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, and the Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union, derive their existence from the General Convention. Instituted for the benefit of the whole Church, they are entitled to the support of every portion of it; and I trust that this Diocese will never be found backward in sustaining Institutions which have already given such undoubted earnest of their subserviency to the cause of the Redeemer. But, Brethren, though it is an important object of our legislation to advance the external prosperity of the Church, we are constantly to bear in mind that all this prosperity is hollow and deceptive, unless it be attended by a proportionate degree of internal spirituality. Hence, in all our efforts to promote the former object, the advancement of the latter is to be kept steadily in view. In our legislation for the Diocese, in all our measures for the welfare of the several Parishes, in all our pastoral labours, in all our prayers to the throne of grace, and in the entire ordering of our private lives, it should be our great concern and hearts' desire that the external growth of the Church should be attended with a corresponding increase in the prevalence of evangelical principles and practical piety. New Haven, June 13, 1837. THOMAS CHURCH BROWNELL. On motion, Resolved, That the Rules of Order followed by the last Convention be adopted as the rules for the present Convention. RULES OF ORDER. 1. The business of every day shall be introduced by prayer. 2. When the President takes the chair, no member shall continue standing, or shall afterwards stand, unless to address the chair. 3. No member shall absent himself from the service of the Convention, unless he have leave from the house. 4. When any member is about to speak in debate, or deliver any matter to the Convention, he shall rise from his seat, and without advancing, shall with due respect address himself to the President, confining himself strictly to the point in debate. 5. No member shall speak more than twice in the same debate, without leave of the house. 6. A question being once determined, shall stand as the judgment of the Convention, and shall not be again drawn into debate during the same session. 7. While the President is putting any question, no one shall hold private discourse, stand up, walk into, out of, or across the house, or read any book. 8. Every member who shall be in the Convention when any question is put, shall, on a division, be counted, unless he be particularly interested in the decision. 9. No motion shall be considered as before the house, unless it be seconded, and reduced to writing when required. 10. When any question is before the Convention, it shall be determined on before any thing new is introduced, except for adjournment. 11. The question on a motion for adjournment shall be taken before any other, and without debate. 12. When the Convention is to rise, every member shall keep his seat until the President leave the chair. On motion, Resolved, That the Clergymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church, belonging to other Dioceses, and candidates for Holy Orders, who may be in town during the session of this Convention, be admitted to a seat in the same. Pursuant to this resolution, the Rev. Charles W. Bradley, Rev. William H. Walter, of the Diocese of New York, and Mr. A. B. Chapin, took their seats in the Convention. The Rev. Dr. Jarvis presented his report as Treasurer of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; which, on motion, was referred to a Committee to be audited. Messrs. Foot and Adams were appointed the Committee. The Rev. Dr. Jarvis also presented a statement* on the behalf of the same Society, which was accepted, and the following resolutions were proposed and adopted. * This statement will be found in the Appendix devoted to the affairs of said Society. |