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TO THE EIGHTH CONVENTION OF THE EASTERN DIOCESE, AT WINDSOR, IN VERMONT, SEPTEMBER 25, 1823.

ONCE more, Christian friends, does the Lord's goodness, in permit

ting the convention of this diocese to assemble, under circumstances of continued prosperity, and increasing hopes, demand the renewal of our gratitude and praise. The Lord's work in our hands, in a general view, is yet advancing; and the portion of his vineyard, committed to our oversight and care, still enjoys the smiles of his kind protecting providence. The general state of these churches, however, differs so little from what it was the last year, that, in discharging this duty which our canons assign me, it is not necessary to be so particular as on some former occasions. The changes, whether calamitous or favourable, which have occurred, and those of my official transactions more generally interesting, it will be proper to notice.

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During the last year the numbers confirmed in our churches have been unusually small. We have frequent cause, and never more than on the present occasion, to notice and lament the too general neglect among our people to avail themselves of those comforting testimonials of God's mercy and salvation so graciously offered in the ordinances of Christianity. The evil originates, no doubt, in a want of regard for its holy doctrines; in too great indifferency respecting the one thing needful. At the present season, there is, generally speaking, less appearance of pious zeal, and concern for the spirituality of religion, than at some former seasons; but the Lord, we trust, has yet among us a faithful, praying people.

A few only have been ordained to the sacred ministry. Messrs. Elijah Brainerd, Lot Jones, John West, Theodore Edson, and William T. Potter have been admitted to the order of deacons; and the Rev. Alfred L. Baury has been ordained a presbyter. To the list of candidates for holy orders have been added the names of Daniel L. B. Goodwin, Benjamin C. C. Parker, Charles Dresser, Joseph S. Covell, Ethan Allen, and Henry W. Ducachet. Respecting the gentleman last mentioned, it will be proper, both for information, and to prevent misapprehension, to state, that, during the greater part of a year, he was a candidate in the diocese of New York. A short time before the meeting of the general convention last May, I received an official notification from the bishop of that diocese, that he had refused 2 GOSPEL ADVOCATE, VOL. IV.

to give Mr. Ducachet orders. Our canons do not, in such case, prohibit an application elsewhere; and he applied to the standing committee of the state of Rhode Island, requesting to be admitted as a candidate here. That standing committee, consisting of eight respectable and judicious members, all met in council on this difficult and interesting question, and gave it, I have good reason to believe, a faithful examination. I had previously written to the bishop of New York, informing him of Mr. Ducachet's application to this diocese, and requesting a statement of the objections against his receiving orders. A long, particular, and very friendly answer was promptly returned. This correspondence has also been laid before the standing committee. Mr. Ducachet produced abundant testimonials to his talents, piety, good morals, and respectability of character. With a view to the Christian ministry he had relinquished a successful practice in an honourable profession. The ground on which he had been rejected was violence of temper, and his having used language injurious to the characters of individuals. Some instances of this, not to be justified, were produced; but not, in the judgment of our standing committee, to a degree which ought to debar him from being admitted as a candidate for the ministry in this diocese. He was accordingly recommended; seven of the committee signed his testimonials. He is not ordained, but received, as other candidates, on probation; should any reasons hereafter appear why he ought not to receive orders, they will be duly considered.

I desire, also, it may be distinctly, and very carefully understood,that in thus receiving him as a candidate, there is not intended, and ought not to be implied, any manner of censure or even disapprobation of what was done by the ecclesiastical authority in the other diocese. The highly respectable bishop, who presides there, undoubtedly did what he conscientiously believed the honour of the Church, and the cause of religion required; and very possibly has acted a wiser part than myself. This case is becoming publick and well known. If in any thing I have done wrong, I can, by such misconduct, injure no character but my own. There may be reasons for refusing a man orders in one diocese, which are not of equal weight in another. And that men should differ in judgment is one of the most common things in life. A number of judges who hear a cause, with the same evidence of facts, and the same arguments of counsel before them, are often in their decisions divided, and, in many cases, equally divided. Each one acts conscientiously according to his own best judgment, without designing or even thinking of any censure upon the opinions of those who judge differently. And I can truly say that should our brethren, in any other diocese, judge that one who had been rejected in this, might be useful in the ministry among them, and should ordain him, I should be pleased, rather than offended; should sincerely pray that he might not disappoint their expectations, and should rejoice to hear of his well doing.

During the sitting of the last general convention, with reference to this case, the opinion of the house of bishops was requested. From what was said on the subject I was the rather inclined to the course

which I have since pursued. The presiding bishop, whose opinion is always highly, and very justly esteemed, stated in writing his view of the general question; but not in such terms, or under such supposed circumstances, as, in my apprehension, to include the present case. In all the cases he put, it was supposed that the second bishop applied to is to be a judge of the other's conduct; he views it as "predicating an ordination on the ground of the unreasonable severity, and, as it would be termed, tyranny, of another bishop." In such a case my judgment would coincide with his. But such is not my view of the present case. I am not called, nor am I authorized to judge of the principles, or character, or official conduct of another bishop. My part, in this business, is not to decide whether Mr. Ducachet ought to have been ordained in another diocese; but whether he may with propriety be received as a candidate in this. Permit me, then, to repeat that I do not, and that I ought not, to judge, nor do I in this case entertain any opinion contrary to Christian charity, respecting the "heterodoxy or injustice of a brother bishop." With such a view of the case, I see no need of "taking the advice of some brother bishops" farther than I have done. Their advice on this and every important point will ever be heard by me with pleasure, and, I trust, respectfully, and duly regarded. If Mr. Ducachet were now ordained, on the score of his being or having been a candidate in the other diocese, the case would be materially different; but, as the case is, he is received on trial, and, like other candidates, to be ordained or not as he is found worthy.

This, undoubtedly, is a question of some importance; and must be decided with impartial regard to ecclesiastical discipline, and to the character and claims of an individual. We must respect the honour of the Church, that we neither bring it into contempt by enervating its just authority, nor give countenance to the prejudice which unhappily exists respecting its arbitrary exercise of power. Chiefly must we regard the interests of religion; the prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom. The utmost vigilance should unquestionably be used respecting the character and qualifications of those admitted to holy orders. This requires not only the exercise of all the wisdom given us, but we are devoutly to pray the Lord of the harvest to send such labourers, as he approves: we must look in faith and earnest supplication to him, who knows and rules the hearts of men. Νο Christian is authorized to hope, nor ought he to expect that our churches will or can be well supplied with clergymen, except he often and fervently prays to God to send them. And if we sec churches vacant, or, what is worse, filled with disqualified or unfaithful ministers, our first thought should be whether we have been faithful. Have we used the means and efforts which our Lord has given and directed for preventing such great evils? Have we prayed as we ought to "the Lord of the harvest?"

In November last, Trinity church, in Claremont, and St. Paul's, in which, through the Lord's goodness, we are now convened, were dedicated to the service of Almighty God. The day after this church

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