rculated of the ephemeral growth of some neighboring Parish, under the auspices of a popular preacher; and it is fondly imagined that mere popular preaching will produce the same effects in every Parish, and that these effects will be permanent. The ardent and restless members of the Parish become uneasy.

Dissatisfaction and

complaints increase, till the Clergyman finally deems it expedient to Master's vineyard. Something like this has probably occurred withrelinquish his station, and seek for service in some other part of his in the observation of most of you who hear me.

So far as

well as

changes in the location of Clergymen are necessary,

they are to be submitted to like any other necessary evil. The best the pastoral relation indissoluble, unless by ecclesiastical authority. When a Parish is able to support a Clergyman, due care should be taken in the selection, and then the settlement should be made for life, and solemnized by the appropriate form of Institution. Under such circumstances, trivial causes of alienation will be disregarded; and the minister and his people, like man and wife, considering their connexion as permanent, will feel themselves impelled, by wisdom as charity, to overlook each other's defects, and bear with each other's infirmities. But, apart from such considerations, it is by long continued intercourse, that the Clergyman learns to adapt his ministrations to the various wants of his people, and that those mutual attachments are contracted and fostered, which sweeten the performance of the Pastor's duties, and give efficacy to his labors and instructions. I know of no situation more interesting than that of the aged Pastor, who has devoted his ministration to the same flock, from his early manhood. The most of them he has admitted to the fellowship of Christ's Church, in their infancy, by Baptism.He has taught them their Catechism, and conducted their youthful steps "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." He has in due time brought them forward to ratify their baptismal vows in the solemn rite of Confirmation. Many of them he has united in holy matrimony. He has baptized their children, and perhaps their children's children. To many of them he has statedly administered the bread of life, and to all of them he has, from week to week, declared the glad tidings of salvation. He has ministered over the graves of parents, of husbands, of wives, of children; and to the afflicted and the sick, he has dispensed the consolations of the Gospel. Would to God, my Brethren, that the salutary influence of these interesting relations were more generally felt, and more fervently cherished! In the prevalence of such sentiments we should find the best antidote to the evil we deplore.

The following persons are now candidates for Holy Orders, in this Diocese, viz: Oliver Hopson, Allen C. Morgan, William Walter, Robert A. Hallam, David G. Tomlinson, Thomas S. Davis, Robert M. Bartlett, Saml. Starr, jr. Saml. Lewis, Jas. G. Bolles, Caleb P. Ives, Isaac Smith, John D. Smith, Augustus F. Lyde, James Rich

mond, and George F. Cook. to the Diocese of Va.

Fitch W. Taylor has been transferred

This encouraging number of candidates is owing, in a great degree, to the establishment of Washington College; eleven of them being Alumni of the Institution. Nine of the number are now pursuing their studies at the General Theological Seminary of our Church, and two more of them expect to join the Seminary at the commencement of the next term. I doubt not but the intimate connexion of these two Institutions, and the subserviency of both to the best interests of the Church, will become more manifest from year to year. During the past year, the Theological Seminary has numbered on its list of students eleven Alumni of Washington College. In the ensuing year it will probably receive five or six more.

I

But, Brethren, notwithstanding the influence of these, and other kindred institutions, it is a fact that the spontaneous growth of the Church, far outstrips the tardy increase in the number of our Clergy. I have reverted to the number of vacant Parishes in this Diocese. am sorry to add that the state of other Dioceses exhibits similar, or even greater destitutions. Unless great additions shall be made to the number of our Clergy, the natural growth of the Church must be checked, and even many of our existing Parishes must decline. Would that the members of our Church were roused to a consideration of the importance of these facts! I would rejoice to see those parents who are able to afford their sons the advantages of a public education, careful to imbue their minds with the solemn truths of religion, and to make them feel that the self-denial and self-devotion which the sacred office demands, is no more than Christian duty requires. The Clergy too, should contribute their influence to increase the number of candidates for Holy Orders. In almost every Parish there may be found some youth of piety and talents, who by suitable encouragement and counsel, or by pecuniary aid in acquiring a competent education, might be brought forward to fill the scanty ranks of the ministry. It is, however, on the youth in the less affluent ranks of society, who have not been exposed to the temptations of wealth and ambition, that we must mainly depend, to supply the wants of the Church. But these youth cannot obtain the requisite education without pecuniary assistance. I regard education societies, therefore, as of paramount importance to the Church. Indeed there is no other resource on which we can rely. The Church Scholarship Society organized by the Convention of this Diocese, has answered all the reasonable expectations of its founders. Some of its fruits are evinced in our present encouraging list of Candidates for Holy Orders. Other youth of high promise are now in a course of collegiate education, by the aid of its funds. I recommend the Society to the increased patronage of the members of our Church, as one of the most beneficent objects to which their bounty can be applied. When similar Institutions shall be established in all the other Dioceses, or when adequate provision is otherwise made for assisting the education of pious youth, we may expect to see a daw

of brighter prospects for the Church. Well educated young men of piety and zeal will soon be found resorting, in abundance, to our Theological Seminary; which will then be enabled to exert all that efficiency for which it was designed. Our vacant Parishes will be supplied with suitable pastors. Our Missionaries will seek out the scattered members of our Church in the remote regions of the West, and her institutions will be established in every portion of our country.

The Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, in this Diocese, has been so long established, and its salutary influence in sustaining our feeble Parishes, and in the establishment of new ones, is so well known, that I need say nothing to recommend it to your continued patronage. It is designed to advance the interests of that portion of Christ's Church, which he has in his providence assigned to our special care. We are required to exercise this care by that precept which makes it the Christian's peculiar duty to provide for his own household.

But the great law of charity makes it our duty also, to take an interest in the welfare of every brother. Upon this principle the General Missionary Society commends itself to our attention. I am happy to perceive that this beneficent Institution is beginning to excite a general interest in the Church. The spirit of Missions appears to be spreading throughout our borders; and, as I believe it to be a favorable indication of spiritual health, I rejoice to see this Diocese participating in its genial influence.

My Brethren of the Clergy,-it had been my intention to avail my. self of this occasion, to address to you a Charge, on some topics which cannot be suitably discussed in an Address like the present. Being prevented by bodily infirmity, I hope to perform that duty at the next Convention, should it please Divine Providence to spare my life to that period.

In the mean time, let us be admonished by the dispensations of the past year, to devote ourselves with increasing diligence, and with fervent zeal, to the duties of our high calling. Since our last meeting the shafts of death have been peculiarly fatal, in the thin ranks of the Clergy. Though we have been mercifully spared, yet no fewer than eight of our brethren of an adjoining Diocese, have been called to give an account of their stewardships, to the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls. Within the same period, two distinguished Fathers of our Church have been withdrawn, who had stood foremost among the defenders of her principles, and the promoters of her interests; and whose loss will be felt in every Diocese in the Union. The death of one of these lamented Fathers, comes peculiarly near His animating Visitations to our Churches, during the va cancy in the Episcopate of this Diocese, and the disinterested services he then performed, will long be held in grateful remembrance.Most of you were personally acquainted with him-have enjoyed his hospitality, participated in his friendship, and admired his private

to us.

virtues. And you have all been witnesses of the zeal, the ability, and the success with which he devoted himself to the duties of his sacred office. While we cherish the memory of his private virtues, and his eminent services to the Church, let us be admonished by his death, to prepare for our own departure. Let us cultivate a deep sense of our accountability to God. Let us humble ourselves under the consciousness of our numerous defects and frailties. Let us supplicate the aids of Divine Grace, to assist us in the performance of our sacred duties. Let us devote all our powers to bring our fellowmen into the way of salvation by Jesus Christ;-and may we ourselves be saved by his atoning blood.

Hartford, June 1, 1831.

THOMAS CHURCH BROWNELL.

The following amended Constitution of the Society for the Promo. tion of Christian Knowledge, which was proposed for adoption at the last Convention, and laid over for the consideration of this, was read, and, on motion adopted unanimously.

ART. 1. This Society shall be called "THE CONNECTICUT PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE.”

ART. 2. 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 of the Standing Committee shall be the Secretary and Treasurer of the Society.

ART. 3. 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. 4. The Secretary shall keep a register of the names of the members and donors, with the amount of their contributions; and a record of the collections made in congregations or by Auxiliary Societies.

ART. 5. All monies received for the benefit of the Society, shal be subject to the order of the Board, and shall be by them appropri ated to the purposes specified in Article 3.

ART. 6. Persons contributing one dollar annually shall be members of the Society: those who contribute five dollars at one time shall be members for life; and those who contribute twenty dollars shall be patrons.

ART. 7. There shall be divine service, and a sermon, or addresses, delivered at every annual session of the Convention, and a collection made for the benefit of the Society.

ART. 8. The Board shall make an annual report of their proceedings to the Convention; and the Treasurer shall also make a repor

of the state of the funds, which reports, or so much of them as the Convention may direct, shall be entered on the Journals.

ART. 9. 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.

The report of the Treasurer of the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, was read and accepted. (See Appendix, No. 2.)

The Parochial Reports required by the 45th Canon of the General Convention of 1808, were then handed in and read.

Resolved, That the Secretary of this Convention be the Treasurer of the Convention Fund.

The following report of the proceedings of the Standing Committee, was presented and read:

Abstract of the proceedings of the Standing Committee, between the Con ventions of 1830 and 1831.

NEW-HAVEN, June 2, 1830. At a meeting of the Standing Committee, composed of the following gentlemen: the Rev. Messrs. Croswell, Wheaton, Sherwood, Judd, and Humphreys; the Rev. N. S. Wheaton was chosen Secretary. Adjourned.

NEW-HAVEN, June 3d.

At a meeting of the Standing Committee-all the members being present-testimonials were presented by David G. Tomlinson; on which he was recommended to the Bishop to be received as a candidate for holy orders. Adjourned.

HARTFORD, August 3. At a meeting of the Standing Committee-present, the Rev. Messrs. Croswell, Wheaton, Sherwood, and Humphreys-Charles W. Bradley presented the usual testimonials, and was recommended to receive the holy order of Deacons; and Thomas J. Davis was recommended to be admitted as a candidate.

The chairman laid before the Committee, the documents required by the canons, relative to the election of the Rev. William M. Stone to be Bishop of the Diocese of Maryland: whereupon the usual certificate was signed by all the members present, and directed to he forwarded to the President of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Maryland. Adjourned.

HARTFORD, August 4th.

At a meeting of the Standing Committee-present, the Rev. Messrs. Croswell, Wheaton, Sherwood, and Judd-Edward Jones and Gustavus V. Cæsar, pupils of the African Mission School, presented their testimonials, and were examined by the Committee. Adjourned.