was held out as a desirable object. Intermediate circumstances having prevented the acting on this business, it was again held out as a matter to be kept in view.

On the same journal there was recorded a measure, designed to obtain from the society (in England) for Propagating the Gospel, a legal title to lands in Vermont; originally appropriated for the episcopal church in those states, but vested in that society in trust. All proceedings in this business was suspended, at first by the circumstance that the necessary documents were not in preparation; and since, by the occurrence of the war.

In consequence of a communication to the bishops proposing to them, what was considered as a profitable improvement in the Book of Common Prayer; they proposed to the house of clerical and lay deputies a declaration, that it was not intended to bring the Book under review during this convention. And in consequence of a communication proposing to the bishops, to give their sanction to a work on a subject of great importance in religion, they made it a rule of their house, that in future, no application of this sort shall be considered as regularly before them: and they proposed to the house of clerical and lay deputies, a declaration to the same effect. The house of clerical and lay deputies signified, their concurrence in the proposals, with their thanks, for what they called "the judicious course adopted in reference to these subjects."

A question was moved in each of the houses, as to the propriety of establishing a theological school, to be exclusively under the patronage of the general convention. The subject was referred to a future meeting of the body; and in the mean time, measures were to be taken to ascertain the general wish on the subject, in each of the states.

A proposal was also made, to grant an exclusive copy-right of the Book of Common Prayer, for a valuable consideration. This also was delayed, under the same provision for the ascertaining of the general sense of the church; and with it, advice in law.

As at each of the last two conventions, a pastoral letter was drawn up by the house of bishops, and read in the house of clerical and lay deputies.

The convention appointed their next triennial meeting to be in the city of New York. R.

Agreeably to appointment at the last general convention, there assembled another in the city of New York, on the 20th of May 1817. There were present all the bishops: the house then consisting of bishops White, Hobart, Griswold, Dehon, Moore, Kemp, and Croes. The occasion was opened by a discourse from bishop Griswold.*

* During the recess of the convention, Dr. Kemp had been consecrated on the 1st day of September, 1814, in Christ church, in the city of Brunswick, New Jersey, by the presiding bishop, assisted by bishops Hobart and Moore. And Dr. Croes had been consecrated on the 19th day of November, 1815, in St. Peter's church in the city of Philadelphia, by the presiding bishop, assisted by bishops Hobart and Kemp.

In consequence of an application from the church in North Carolina, in which a convention had been held, the said church was considered as having acceeded to the ecclesiastical constitution. From the time of the revolutionary war, there had been but temporary supplies of the ministry, in a few places; but some clergymen, recently settled in the state, in connexion with some influential lay gentlemen, had taken active measures for the revival of our communion.

The presiding bishop, made report of sundry matters committed to him, by the last convention. They were the certifying to the venerable society (in England) for the Propagation of the Gospel, of certain facts in favour of the church in Vermont, relatively to lands of which the titles were vested in the society-the taking of measures, relatively to the organizing of the church beyond the Alleghany mountains, and the republishing of the journals of this church from the beginning. The first and the last had been carried into effect, and the other had been attended to, as far as circumstances would permit. The thanks of the house were voted to the presiding bishop.

Relatively to the last mentioned subject, the house of bishops saw cause, to record their opinion as follows:

Resolved, that it be recommended to the Episco pal congregations in the states referred to in the above communications, where conventions are not already organized, to organize conventions, which

may be received into union with this convention, and, when expedient, may unite, according to the canons, in the choice of a bishop, having jurisdiction over those states; and that this convention have received with much satisfaction information of the measures which have been already adopted in the state of Ohio, for the organization of the Church in that state.

Resolved, that though the measure of a convention comprising sundry states in the western country, may be a measure of temporary expediency, it cannot be authorised by this convention consistently with the general constitution of the church, which recognizes only a convention of the church in each state.

Resolved, that it be earnestly recommended to the authorities of this church, in each state respectively, to adopt measures for sending missionaries to our destitute brethren in the western states: such missionaries to be subject to the direction of the ecclesiastical authority of the state or states in which they may officiate.

Resolved, that the presiding bishop be requested to transmit the foregoing resolutions to such person or persons as he may judge proper.

This resolve was carried into effect, partly by a canon made during the session, and partly by a forwarding of the contemplated communications.

The several bishops made reports on the sense of the church in their respective dioceses, on the subject of a theological school. There was diversity of opinion, but the general sense, in both houses, was

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in favour of a general school; which on the proposal of the house of bishops, and with the consent of the house of clerical and lay deputies, was determined to be instituted in New York. For the carrying of the design into effect there was chosen a committee, consisting of members of both houses. On the part of the house of bishops, there were chosen bishops White, Hobart, and Croes; and on the part of the house of clerical and lay deputies, Drs. Wharton, Harris, and How, honourable Rufus King, Charles Fenton Mercer, Esq., and William Meredith, Esq.

The house of bishops thought it expedient, to make a solemn call on the attention of the clergy in relation to the 22d canon, which enjoins on them diligence in catechetical instruction and lectures. The bishops consider these as among the most important duties of clergymen, and among the most effectual means of promoting religious knowledge and practical piety.

It being represented to the house of bishops by bishop Hobart, that the congregation of du St. Esprit in the city of New York, having joined the communion of the episcopal church, with their minister, who had lately received episcopal ordination, which congregation consisted originally of protestant emigrants from France; and there being many to whom the French language is still more familiar than the English, it is expedient that they be furnished with the Liturgy in the former language; and that there is such a Liturgy, not sanctioned by this convention; it was recommended to the said bishop to