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Hiotographic

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTEK.N.Y. M5«0

(716)872-4903

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1 2 3

! QV

MINUTES

or A

CONFERENCE OF THE BISHOPS

QUEBEC; TORONTO, NEWFOUNDLAND, FREDKRICTON,

AND MONTREAL.

HOLDEN AT QUEBEC,

FROM SEPT. 24tJ[ TO OCT. IST, 1851.

MONTREAL :

tINTED BY JOHN LOVELL, ST. NICHOLAS STREET.

1862.

OBDEB OF SUBJECTS.

Paob

1. General Declaration 3

2. Convocation 4

3. Church Membership 5

4. Canons 6

5. Articles and Formularies 7

6. Division of Services 8

7. Psalms and Hymns 8

8. Offertory 8

9. Holy Communion 9

10. Marriages 9

11. Registers 10

12. Intercommunion with other Reformed Churches 10

13. Education 11

l4.*Deacons 14

15. Maintenance of the Clergy 14

16. Conclusion 15

I GENERAL DECLARATION.

We the undersigned, Bishops of the North American
Colonies in the Province of Canterbury, having had
opportunity granted to us of meeting together, have
thereupon conferred with each other respecting the
trust and charge committed to our hands, and certain
peculiar difficulties of a local nature which attach to
the same.

We desire, therefore, in the first place, to record our
thankfulness that we have been so permitted to assem-
ble, and our sense of the responsibility lying upon us
before GOD and the world to promote the Glory of His
great name, to advance the kingdom of His Son, to
seek the salvation of immortal souls, and what we
feel to be inseparably united with these objects, to
establish and extend, wherever there is a demand for
her services, the system, the teaching, the worship, and
the ordinances of the United Church of England and
Ireland.

We feel that, in the prosecution of this great work,
we are surrounded by many discouragements, embar-
rassments and hindrances, which, by the grace of GOD,
we are prepared patiently to encounter, and, while
they may be appointed to continue, patiently to endure,

but for which, nevertheless, it is our duty to seek all
lawful remedy, if such remedy is to be found.

We have therefore prepared the statement which
follows, of our views in relation to these subjects of
our care and solicitude ; and we desire to commend
it to the favorable consideration of our Metropolitan,
His Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, in the
hope that he may be moved to assist us in obtaining
relief from those evils of which we have to complain*
as well as to counsel us in the disposal of questions
which come before us in the exercise of our Episcopal
duties.

II. CONVOCATION

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In consequence of the anomalous state of the Church
of England in these Colonies with reference to its
Gi35>;ral Government, and the doubts entertained as
to the validity of any Code of Ecclesiastical Law, the
Bishops of these Dioceses experience great diflficulty
in acting in accordance with their Episcopal Commis-
sion and Prerogatives, and their decisions are liable
to misconstruction, as if emanating from their indi*
vidual will, and not from the general body of the
Church; we therefore consider it desirable, in the
first place, that the Bishops, Clergy, and Laity of the
Church of England in each Diocese should meet
together in Synod, at such times and in such manner
as may be agreed. Secondly, that the Laity in such

Synod should meet by representatioD, and that their
Eepresentatives be Communicants. Thirdly, it is our
opinion that, as questions will arise from time to time
which will affect the welfare of the Church in these
Colonies, it is desirable that the Bishops, Clergy, and
Laity should meet in Council under a Provincial
Metropolitan, with power to frame such rules and regu-
lations for the better conduct of our Ecclesiastical
affairs as by the said Council may be deemed expedi-
ent Fourthly, that the said Council should be divided
into two houses, the one consisting of the Bishops of
these several Dioceses under their Metropolitan, and
the other of the Presbyters and Lay Members of the
Church assembled (as before mentioned) by represen-
tation.

Upon these grounds it appears to us necessary that
a Metropolitan should be appointed for the North
American Dioceses.

in. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP.

Doubts being entertamed who are to be regarded
as Members of the Church of England in these Colo-
nies, and as such, what are their special duties and
rights, we are of opinion that Church Membership
requires (1) admission into the Christian Covenant by
Holy Baptism, as our Lord commanded, " in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost ;"
(2) that all Church Members are bound, according

*;» •

to their knowledge and opportunities, to consent and
conform to the rules and ordinances of the Ohurch, and
(8) according to their ability, and as GOD hath blessed
them, to contribute to the support of the Church ; and
specially of those who minister to them in holy
things. Upon the fulfilment of these duties, they
may, as Ohurch Members, claim at our hands and at
the hands of our Clergy generally, all customary ser-
Tices and ministrations.

We cheerfully recognize the duty and privilege of
preaching the Gospel to the poor, and of allowing to
those who can make us no worldly recompense the
same claim upon our services, in public and in private,
which we grant to the more wealthy members of our
flocks.

We are further of opinion that Church Members in
full communion, are those only who receive with their
brethren the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, at the
hands of their lawful ministers, as directed and en-
joined by the Canons and Rubrics of our Prayer Book.
Persons chosen as representatives of any Parish or
Mission to attend any Synod or Convocation, should
in every case be Members of the Church in full Com-
munion.

IV. CAl^ONS OF 1603-4.

Although it is confessedly impossible imder existing
circumstances to observe all these Canons, yet we

are of opinion that they ehoulcl be complied with bo
far as is lawful and practicable. But inasmuch as
the retention of rules which cannot be obeyed is
manifestly inexpedient, and tends to lessen the respect
due to all laws, we hold that a revision of the Canons
is highly desirable, provided it be done by competent
authority.

V. ARTICLES AND FORMULARIES.

Whereas the multiplication of sects, among those
who profess and call themselves Christians, appealing
to the same Scriptures in support of divers and con-
flicting doctrines, renders a fixed and uniform standard
and interpretation of Scripture more than ever neces-
sary, we desire to express our thankfulness to
Almighty GOD for the preservation of the Book of
Common Prayer, our entire and cordial agreement
with the Articles and Formularies of our Church,
taken in their literal sense, and our earnest wish (as
far as in us lies) faithfully to teach the doctrines and to
use the offices of our Church in the manner pre-
scribed in the said Book. And we desire that all the
Members of our Church should accept the teaching
of the Prayer Book, as, under the guidance of the
Holy Spirit, their best help in the understanding of
Holy Scripture, and as the ground work of the
religious education of their children.

VI. DIVISION OF SERVICES.

We are of opinion that the Bishop, as ordinary,
may authorize the division of the Morning Service^
by the use of the Morning Prayer, Litany, or
Communion Service, separately, as may be re-
quired ; but that no private Clergyman has authority,
at his own discretion, to abridge or alter the Services
or Offices, or to change the Lessons of the Church.

: >

VIL PSALMS AND HYMNS.

Whereas the multiplication in churches of different
Hymn Books, published without authority, is irregular
in itself, and has a tendency to promote division among
us, we are of opinion that a judicious selection of
Psalms and Hymns by competent authority would
tend much to the furtherance of devotion and to the
edification of pious Churchmen.

VIII. OFFERTORY.

We are of opinion that it is desirable and seemly,
and would tend to a uniformity of practice among us,
that whenever a collection is made after Sermon, in
time of Morning Prayer, the Offertory Sentences should
be read, and the Prayer for the Church Militant should
be used.

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IX. HOLY COMMUNION.

We hold it to be of great importance that the
Clergy should attend to the directions of the Rubric
which precede the administration of the Holy Com-
munion, respecting " open and notorious evil livers,
and those who have done wrong to their neighboui's
by word or deed, and those also betwixt whom they
perceive malice and hatred to reign/' and that the
Members of the Church should signify to the Minister
their intention to present themselves at tlie Holy
Table, especially when they arrive in any place as
strangers, or when, being residents in such place, they
are purposing to communicate lor the first time. ^Te
conceive that it would greatly promote the welfare of
the Church, if all our members, who may be travelling
from one place to another, were furnished with a cer-
tificate of their membership and of their standing in
the Church.

X. MARRIAGES.

We hold that a Clergyman knowingly celebrating
marriage between persons, who are related to each
other within the prohibited degrees set forth in a
table of degrees published by our Church in the year
of our Lord GOD, 1563, is acting in violation of the
laws of Gqd and of the Church, and is liable to cen-
sure and punishment : and that persons who contract

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euch marriages Bhould not be admitted to the Holy
Oommunion, except upon repentance and putting away
their sin. And W3 recommend that the aforesaid
" Table of Prohibited Degrees " should be put up in
every Church in our Dioceses. We are further of
opinion that injustice is done our Church in withholding
from our Bishops the power of granting mairiage
Licences which is exercised by the Bishops of the
Boman Catholic Church : and that in several Dioceses
great irregularities, and grievous evils, prevail in con-
sequence of Ihe defective state of the Maniage Law.
We also hold that the Clergy of our Church should ab-
et^ from celebrating a marriage between persons,both
oi whom professedly belong to another Communion,
except in cases where the services of no other Minister
can be procured.

XI. KEGISTERS.

We would earnestly recommend to the Clergy of
our Dioceses (even though it should not be required by
ihe Civil Law) to keep accurate Registers of Marriages,
Baptisms, and Burials, ia their several Parishes or
Missions.

Xn. IM-ERCOMMUNION WITH OTHER RE-
FORMED CHURCHES.

We are of opinion that it is much to be desired that
there should be no let or hindrance to a full and free

Commtmion between ourselTea and other Reformed
Episcopal Churches; and therefore that where we
derive our orders from the same source, hold the same
doctrines, and are yirtually united as members of the
same body of Christ, those impediments which (as
we are advised) are now in force through the operation
of the Civil Law, ought to be removed.

XIII. EDUCATION.

THER RE-

(a) General.

Whereas systems of Education are very generally
introduced and supported in these Colonies, either
(1) excluding religious instruction altogether jfrom the
schools, or (2) recognizing no distinction between
Roman Catholics and Protestants ; whereby no oppor-
tunity is afforded us of bringing up the Children of
our Communion in the special doctrines and duties of
our Faith, to the manifest depravation of their religi-
ous principles, and with crying injustice to the Church
of England, we desire to express our decided con-
viction : —

(1.) That all Education for the members of our
Church should be distinctly based on the revealed
Religion of the Old and New Testaments, with spe-
cial reference to their duties and privileges as by
baptism regenerate, and made GOD*S Children by
adoption and grace.

(2,) That all lawful and honorable methods should
be adopted to n^qye the Colonial Legislatures to make
grants to the Church of England as well as to the
Bpnian Catholics, and other religious bodies, as they
require it, and according to their numbers respeqtively,
for the education of the members of their own Com-
m anion.

{b) Sunday Schools,

(1.) We desire to express our sense of the impor-
tance, in the existing state of the Church, of Sunday
Schools, especially in large Towns, and we thankfully
i^cknowledge the benefits which have resulted from
the labors of pious teachers bpth to tliemselves and
to their scholars, under proper direction and superin-
tendenpe* In every possible case, the Sunday School^
should be under the personal direction and superinten-
dence of the Minister of the Parish or District : or
otherwise the Minister should appoint the teachers,
choose the books, and regulate the com*se of instruction ;
that there be no contradiction between the teaching of
the School and the Church. All Sunday Scholars
should be instructed in the Church Catechism ^nd
regularly taken to Church.

(2.) We would carefully guard against the assump-
tion that instruction in the Sunday School, even by the
Minister of the Parish may be allowed to supersede the
directions of the Rubrics and Canons and on the duty of

should
to make
s to the
as they
ctively,
n Com-

impor-
Siinday
.nkfully
sd from
^es and
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rict: or
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nictipn ;
?hing of
Icholars
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,ssump-
L by the
ede the
duty of

catechizirtg' in Church : for we distinctly irecbgniz^ and
affirm as well the gi-eat importance, as the sacred
obligation, of those directions.

Schools for the higher Classes of both sexes are
much required with particular reference to assisting
the Clergy in the education of their own Children.

(d) Collegiate Institutions,'

Although we coiisider it of great importance that' •
each Bishop should connect with his Diocese some
College or like Institution fot the special training and
preparation of young men for the Ministry of the
Church; we believe that one University for the
North American Provinces with foundattens for eadh
Diocese on the model of the two great Universities^,
will be required to complete an Educaitional System,
as well for Lay Students in every department of
Literature and Science, as for the Students in Theology'
and Candidates for the sacred Ministry.

(e) Training for the Ministry,

In addition to the general studies pui^sued in the
College or University, we deem it highly desirabler
that Candidates for the Ministry should apply them-
selvies, under competent direction, to a systematic

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course of reading in Theology for at least one whole
year, or longer if possible, previous to their taking
Holy Orders ; and that they should likewise be instruct-
ed in the duties of the pastoral ofQce, in correct
reading and delivering of Sermons, in Church Music,
Architecture, &c.

(/) Diocesan and Parochial Libraries*

We deem it very desirable also tliat Libraries
should be formed in every Diocese under the direction
of the Clergy, both for the Clergy themselves and for
their parishioners.

XIV. THE ORDER OF DEACONS.

We would wish to discontinue the practice which
the necessities of the Church have sometimes forced
upon us, of entrusting large independent spheres of
duty to young and inexperienced men in Deacons*
Ordera, deeming it desirable that every Deacon should,
if possible, be placed under the direction of an expe-
rienced Priest.

XV. MAINTENANCE OF THE CLERGY.

A tl

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While we hold it to be the duty of Christian
Governments to maintain inviolate whatever endow-
ments have been lawfully and religiously made for
the establishment, support or extension of the Christian

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sir taking
3 instruct-
Q correct
ch Music,

Libraries

direction

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rs.

ice which
les forced
spheres of

Deacons*
on should.

an ezpe-

tRGY.

Christian
3r endow-

made for
i Christian

Religion ; and while we acknowledge, with heart-felt
gratitude, the aid given to our missions by the Venera-
ble Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in
Foreign Parts to whose fostering care and bounty the
Church in these Colonies owes,under GOD, its existence
and means of usefulness, we desire to record our con-
viction that the Ordinances of the Church will never
be rightly valued, nor its strength fully developed,
until the people, for whose benefit the Clergy minister
in holy things, furnish a more adequate support to
the Institutions and to the Clergy of their Church.

Further, as the Society, in consequence of numerous
and increasing claims in all parts of the world, is
compelled gradually to withdraw its aid, we desire to
impress on all our flocks the duty of fulfilling their
obligations in respect of the payment of their Ministers ;
and, with a view to this object, we recommend that
the Churchwardens in each parish or mission should
furnish every year to the Bishop a written return,
duly certified by themselves and by the Clergyman,
of the sums paid towards his support for the current
year.

XVI. CONCLUSION.

Lastly, while we acknowledge it to be the bounden
duty of ourselves and our Clergy, by GOD'S grace
assisting us, in our several stations, to do the work of
good evangelists, yet we desire to remember that we

htlye most solemnly pledged ourselves to fulfil this
^^ork of our ministry, according to the doctiinie and
discipline of the Church of England, and as faithful
Biibjects of Her most Gracious Majesty Qiieeh Victoria,
**unto whotrl the chief goverameiit of alV estates of
this r^alm,. whether they be ecclesiastical or civil, in
all causes doth appertain, and is not, nor ought to be,
subject to any foreign jurisdiction." And T^e canno^
fdrbear expressing our unfeigned thankfulness to Al-
mighty GOD that He has preserved to us, in this'branch
of Christ's Holy Church, theassurahce of an Apostolic
commission for our Ministerial calling; ancl, togJEiiher
'With it, a confession of pure and catholic truth, and the'
fulness of sacramental grace. May He graciously be
pleiised to direct and guide us all in the use of these
precious gifts, enable us to serve Him in unity of
spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of
life, and fihally bring us to His Heavenly Itingdbin
throfugh Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Signed;)

G. J. QUEBEC.

JOHN TORONTO.

EDWARD NEWFOUNDLAND.

JOHN FREDERICTON.

F. MONTREAL.

» ful&l' this
)ctrlne and
as faithiful
Jii Victoria,
estates of
or civil, in
ught to be,
"w^e cannot
ess to Al-
this'brahcli
Apostolic
I, together
h, arid the
piously be
3 of these
I unity of
iusness of
om

DLAND.