6. The sixth meeting was held at Hartford, March 24th 1840; present the Rev. Dr. Croswell, the Rev. Mr. Burgess, and the Secretary. The President of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of South Carolina, having announced to this Committee the election of the Rev. Dr. C. E. Gadsden, as Bishop of South Carolina, the requisite testimonials were signed. The Rev. Henry Beers Sherman and Benjamin M. Yarrington, Deacons, were severally recommended for Priests' Orders. Pascal P. Kidder, and Sheldon Davis, received testimonials for Deacons' Orders.

7. The seventh meeting was held at New Haven, June 8th 1840; present the Rev. Dr. Croswell, the Rev. Mr. Burgess, and the Secretary. The Standing Committee in conference with the Bishop, performed the duty required of them by Canon xi. (1839) in preparing an accurate list of Clergymen entitled to seats in the Convention. They then adjourned till 8 o'clock, P. M., of the same day, when they signed the testimonials of Geo. - L. Foote, A. B., Washington College, recommending him to the Bishop for Deacons' Orders, and those of the Rev. Abel Nichols, Deacon, recommending him for Priests' Orders.

Adjourned sine die.

SAMUEL FARMAR JARVIS, Secretary.

The Treasurer of the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, then made a Report, which upon motion was referred to an auditing Committee.

Col. Elisha Tracy and Joseph N. Clark, Esq., were appointed this Committee.

On motion, Resolved; That Joseph Backus, be appointed to assist Dr. Jarvis in receiving the monies for the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge.

On motion of Rev. Mr. Chapin, Resolved, That the Secretary be appointed the Treasurer of the Convention.

The Rev. Mr. Short, from the Committee appointed at the last Convention to revise the Constitution of the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, made a Report, which upon his own motion was laid on the table to be taken up to-morrow.

Treasurer of the Convention Fund, Reported the state of the fiuances, which report was referred to the auditing Committee.

On motion, Resolved; That the Rev. Mr. Short, be appointed to receive the sums due from the several Parishes, on the assessment for making up the deficiency in the Bishop's salary.

On motion of the Rev. J. L. Clark, Resolved; That immediately after divine service to-morrow morning, the Convention will proceed to hear the Parochial Reports, and continue to hear them until they are finished.

A Communication from the Connecticut Medical Society, was read and referred to a Committee, composed of the Rev. Messrs. Chapin, and Burgess, and C. Nichols, Esq.

The House then proceeded to the appointment of a Standing Committee for the ensuing year, which resulted in the choice of Rev. HARRY CROSWELL, D. D., Rev. S. FARMAR JARVIS, D. D., LL. D., Rev. GEO. BURGESS, Rev. FREDERICK HOLCOMB, D. D., and Rev. Wm. C. MEAD, D. D.

The Committee on the admission of new Parishes, made the following Report which was accepted, and the Parish therein named, admitted into union with this Convention.

The Committee on the admission of new Parishes into union with the Church of this Diocese, beg leave to Report, that they have examined the documents presented in reference to the organization of the new or revived Parish in the town of Harwinton, and find the same to be full and satisfactory, and recommend this Parish for admission into union with this Convention. FREDERICK HOLCOMB. WM. WATSON,

THOMAS S. SHELTON.

Martin Cook, a Delegate from the Parish of Harwinton, appeared and took his seat.

The Auditing Committee reported that they had examined the accounts of the Treasurer, of the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, as well as the accounts of the Treasurer of the Convention Fund, and found them both correct. Report accepted.

On motion of the Rev. Dr. Mead, Resolved; That so much of the Bishop's Address as relates to the subject of education, be referred to a Committee, with instructions to enquire and report whether any and if any, what measures are necessary to render the educational system of the Church, more efficient.

Rev. Drs. Jarvis and Totten, and Rev. Messrs. Beardsley, Burgess and Hallam, were appointed this Committee.

The Rev. Mr. Chapin, offered to the consideration of the Convention, two Canons, which were read and referred to a Committee on Canons. Rev. Dr. Croswell, Rev. Mr. Chapin, and Judge Bassett, were appointed this Committee.

Adjourned to meet to-morrow morning, at 8 o'clock.

ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL, WEDNESDAY MORNING, 8 O'CLOCK.

The Convention having been called to order by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Brownell, Morning Prayers were read by the Secretary. The roll was then called, the minutes of the preceeding day read and accepted, and the Convention proceeded to the reading of the Parochial Reports.

Mr. D. K. Crofüt appeared and took his seat as a Lay Delegate from Christ Church Reading.

The Parochial Reports being finished, the Secretary presented a Communication from the New York State Temperance Society, which was ordered to be laid on the table.

The Committee on Canons made a Report which was read, and the first Canon recommended by them was taken up, and after considerable discussion, a motion prevailed to lay the Report on the table.

Resolved; That when this Convention adjourn, it adjourn to meet in this place at 3 o'clock, P. M.

The Rev. Mr. Short offered to the consideration of the Convention, a Canon defining the qualifications of persons entitled to vote in Parish Meetings; which upon his own motion was referred to the Committee on Can

ons.

The Rev. Mr. Chapin was excused from serving on the Committee on Canons, and the Rev. Jacob L. Clark appointed in his place, Adjourned. CHAPEL, 3 O'CLOCK, P. M.

The Convention met pursuant to adjournment, when Mr. Samuel Jarvis, a Delegate from St. Paul's Church, Norwalk, and Mr. Norman A. Bidwell, a Delegate from St. Peter's Church, Oxford, appeared and took their seats. The Rev. Mr. Chapin offered the following Resolutions which after a brief discussion were severally passed.

1st. Resolved; That this Convention approves of the transfer of the Chronicle, made by the Editor, with the advice and consent of the Supervising Committee; and also, of the change made in the title and character of the advertising page.

2nd. Resolved; That we renew to the present publishers, the pledges made. to the Editor as the former publisher; and pledge ourselves as individuals, to use whatever means we can consistently with our situation and circumstances, to extend its circulation, and promote its interests.

3d. Resolved; That should the Publishers of the Chronicle find it cousistent with their own interests to enlarge the paper, they be requested to do so, and that they may be permitted to make such changes, in its form and contents, as the Editor and Supervising Committee shall deem expedient.

The Report of the Committee for revising the Constitution of the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, was called up, and being accepted, the following Constitution was adopted.

CONSTITUTION

OF THE

SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, ADOPTED 1818, AND AMENDED 1822, 1825, 1830, 1831 AND 1840.

ARTICLE 1. This Society shall be called. "The Connecticut Protestant Episcopal Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge."

ART. 2. The Society shall be considered as comprehending all the members of the Church in this Diocese, and shall be represented for all purposes by the members of the Convention.

ART. 3. The Bishop of the Diocese shall be ex-officio, President of the Society; and the Bishop and the Standing Committee shall constitute the Board of Directors. The Secretary and Treasurer of the Society shall be appointed by the Board.

ART. 4. The Board shall meet as often as the interests of the Society may require; and may take such measures as they may think expedient to obtain funds. They shall employ Missionaries within the Diocese; and may cause to be procured and distributed, or sold, Bibles, Prayer Books, and Religious Tracts, in such manner as they may think proper.

ART. 5. All monies received for the benefit of the Society, shall be sub

ject to the order of the Board, and shall be appropriated to the purposes specified in Article 3. But any congregation or individual shall be allowed the privilege of designating the Church, station, or object to which one half of their contribution shall be applied; and it shall be appropriated by the Board accordingly.

ART. 6. The Board shall make an annual report of their appropriations and other proceedings to the Convention; and the Treasurer shall also make a report of the state of the funds, including the names of the several Parishes, which annually contribute, with the amount of their contributions; and also a statement of any donations received from individuals; which reports, or so much of them as the Convention may direct, shall be entered on the Journals.

ART. 7. At every Annual Session of the Convention, a Sermon shall be preached before the Society.

ART. 8. No alteration shall be made in this Constitution, without having been proposed to the Convention, at least one day before it is acted upon: and the Convention alone shall have power to make alterations.

On motion, Resolved; as the opinion of this Convention, that it is highly improper and inexpedient, to encourage the introduction into Schools or private families, any edition of the Holy Scriptures varying from the authorized English version, received and acknowledged in the Protestant Episcopal Church.

The Rev. Dr. Jarvis from the Committee on that part of the Bishop's Address, which relates to the subject of Education, presented the following Report which was accepted, and the accompanying resolutions passed.

The Committee to whom was referred so much of the Bishop's Address as relates to the subject of education, beg leave respectfully to report, that their deliberations on the subject have resulted in the following views and resolutions.

There can be, they apprehend, but one opinion in the Church as to the general principles of its educational system. No intellectual cultivation can be safe, either for the welfare of the individual, or of civil society, unless it be accompanied by, and indeed based upon, religious cultivation. If our nation were united in those great principles of Apostolic faith and order which we hold as Churchmen, the education of all the children of the American republic, would assume a more exalted and perfect character, than any to which it can attain in the present divided state of religious opinion and practice. But unhappily, there is no prospect of religious union; and the question as regards our children is, shall they be deprived of the intellectual advantages offered by the Connecticut Public Schools, improved as they are likely to be by the untiring exertions of intelligent and experienced men, because they will there have no religious instruction, and be exposed to the danger of influences hostile to sound and primitive Christianity. The Committee deliberately answer, No. They do not indeed disguise from themselves the magnitude of this danger. It is confessedly great; but like all the other evils which intercourse with the world produces, it is to be met by correctives, and increased exertions on the part of parents, guardians, masters, sponsors and pastors. While the children attend the public schools, let the parents or other guardians, redouble their diligence to fortify the minds of their children against these extraneous impulses. Let mothers especially devote a portion of every day to religious instruction, in hearing their children repeat "the Creed, the Lord's prayer and the ten Commandments, and all other things which a Christian ought to know and believe, to his soul's health." Where the mothers are incapable of this, let it be done by those pious persons who

acquire the right and the privilege of parental supervision, by becoming sponsors. Let masters instruct their apprentices, and above all, let the Clergy be active. Let the Sunday Schools be conducted entirely under the direction of the Parish Clergy, assisted by such persons as they may appoint for that purpose. Let them be careful to exhort parents to co-operate with them, and see that all the children of their parishioners attend punctually and steadily. Let it be understood that the lessons for the Sunday School are to be learned at home during the week, and that if they are not learned the parents or other guardians are responsible. In this manner we may diminish an evil which we cannot entirely remedy. Let the Clergy of each Parish visit the public schools; and let it be known that they feel it to be their right and their duty to inquire if any measures are taken in them, by sectarian teachers, or by other children to lead astray the tender lambs of their folds. We have a right as Churchmen to guard our children; a right common to all, and generally recognized. Let us not from timidity, or from any other cause, refrain from exercising it.

After children have passed beyond the common schools, the whole subject assumes a different aspect. Such of them as are designed for Classical education, go next to Academies and Colleges. Let Churchmen patronize their own institutions. All similar institutions are now by tacit and common consent, under the influence of particular denominations. If we send our children, where their religious faith is in danger of being perverted, we have no one to blame for it but ourselves. Let the Clergy exert themselves by persuasion and remonstrance, to induce the laity in their respective cures, not to sacrifice to convenience or to fancied intellectual advantages, the spiritual welfare of their children. Let there be if possible in each County, an Episcopal Academy or other school established; and let these serve as preparatory schools to Washington College. Let the College obtain that place in the hearts of Connecticut Churchmen, which it deserves to have. Let it be made the center from which sound Church principles shall emanate through the whole Diocese. Let us by united efforts make it what it ought to be; and we shall soon perceive by its reflex action, the vigour which under God's blessing it will diffuse through the Diocese. Nay further; from the influence of a Connecticut population flowing constantly into the new States of our union, the Church at large is interested in supporting our institutions. The Episcopal Academies and Schools, and Washington College are situated at the very springs of emigration. In proportion as sound Church principles are extended in Connecticut, a healthier stream will flow, and flow more abundantly so as to make glad the city of our God. In conclusion, the Committee recommend to the Convention to adopt the following resolutions:

1. Resolved; That it be recommended to all parents, guardians, and masters who have apprentices entrusted to their care, and sponsors who by the consent of parents have presented their children for Holy Baptism that they redouble their care and diligence in teaching their children themselves the first principles of the doctrine of Christ; and that they use like care and diligence in seeing that their children attend punctually and steadily the Sunday Schools of their respective Parishes.

2. Resolved; That it be recommended to the Clergy to take the entire oversight and charge of their Sunday Schools, appointing such persons only to be teachers in the same, as by examination or otherwise, they may know to be pious and competent to instruct.

3. Resolved; That it is the duty of every member of the Church in this Diocese to unite in establishing or improving if already established Episcopal Academies or other schools, for the higher instruction of youth, and not to expose the children of the Church to be perverted by sectarian influences.