DIOCESE OF GEORGIA.
T W ENTY-SE YENTH
GAD GAD do J* dip
Jn
M DCCC XLIX.
Resolved,, That the next Annual Convention of the Church in
this Diocese be held in Zion Church, Talbotton, unless that be the
year of the centennial anniversary of Christ Church, Savannah ; in
which case, the Bishop shall have power to call the meeting of
Convention in that place.
J
Jorawi-L
OF THE
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
TWENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION
OF THE
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHUKCH,
IN TI1E DIOCESE OF GEORGIA,
HELD IN CHRIST CHURCH,
MACON, GEORGIA,
Commencing oil the loth day of May, 1849,
MARIETTA, GEORGIA :
JrRlifTED AT THE ADVOCATE OFIICS.
1 8 4 9.
L.IST OF THE CLERGY
of the
Protestant Episcopal Cliurch,
IN THE DIOCESE OP GEORGIA.
Rt. Rev. STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr., D. D., Bishop of the Diocese,
residing at Montpelier—Post Office, Macon.
Rev. THEODORE B. BARTOW, Chaplain U. S. Navy.
" SENECA G. BRAGG, Assistant Rector of St. Luke's Chnrch,
Montpelier--Post Office, Macon.
" #EDMUND P. BROWN, Rector of Christ Church, St. Simon's
Island.
" WILLIAM D. CAIRNS, Rector of Trinity Church,Columbus.
" JOHN FIELDING, Beaufort, S, C.
" *EDWARD E. FORD, D. D., Rector of St. Paul's Church,
Augusta.
" JAMES D. GIBSON, Deacon, Missionary at Rome.
" WILLIAM D. HARLOW, Rector of the Church of the Mes¬
siah, St. Mary's.
il JOHN J. HUNT, Missionary at Atlanta and Jonesboro'—Post
Office, Marietta.
" RICHARD JOHNSON, Rector of Zion Church, Talbotton.
« WILLIAM JOHNSON, Rector of St. Stephen's Church, Mil-
ledgeville.
" *GARDINER JONES.
" GEORGE MACAULET, Deacon.
" #BENJ'N F- MOWER) Rector of Grace Church, Clarkesville.
« *EDWARD NEUFVILLE, D. D., Rector of Christ Church, Sa¬
vannah.
" WILLIAM J. PERDUE, Deacon, Athens.
" THOMAS F. SCOTT, Rector of St. James' Church, Marietta.
" JOSEPH A. SHANKLIN, Rector of Christ Church, Macon.
" THOMPSON L. SMITH, Rector of Emmanuel Church, Athens-
" *GEORGE WHITE, Marietta.
« RUFUS M. WHITE, Rector of St. John's Church, Savannah.
" WILLIAM C. WILLIAMS, Missionary to the Negroes on
Ogechee River—Post Office, Savannah.
« *J. A. WOODWARD.
• -Not present at Convention
LIST OF LAY DELEGATES
to the
Twenty-Seventh Annual Convention,,
DIOCESE OF GEORGIA:
From Christ Church, Savannah:
^Robert Habersham,
R. R. Cuyler,
*George Jones.
From St. Paul's Church, Augusta:
#Edward F. Campbell.
*R. H. Gardiner,
George Parrott.
From Christ Church, Macon :
N. C. Munroe,
L. N. Whittle,
W. S. Williford.
From Trinity Church, Columbus:
*Elias Hall,
#Thomas M. Nelson,
*John A. Deblois.
From Grace Church, Clarkesville:
#Jacob Waldburg,
#Richard W. Habersham,
*George J. Kollock.
From St. Stephen's Church, Milledgeville :
#John J. Thomas,
#John R. Cotting,
#W. S. Rockwell.
From St. James' Church, Marietta:
William Root,
*Samuel C. House,
*Henry H. Stotesbury.
From St. John's Church, Savannah :
*John W. Nevitt,
George S. Harding,
*George Johnson.
From Emmanuel Church, Athens:
R. D. Moore,
James Camak, '
Edward P. Clayton.
From St. Luke's Church, Montpelier:
Thomas W, Collins.
From the Church of the Messiah, St. Mary's :
*Miller Hallows,
*James M. Smith.
From Zion Church, Talbotton: A. G. Perry man
* Not present at Convention.
JOURNAL.
CHRIST CHURCH, Macon, >
10th May, 1849. 5
This being the lime and place appointed for holding the
Twenty-Seventh Annual Convention of the Protestant Epis¬
copal Church in Georgia, the order for Morning Prayer was
read by the Rev. Thomas F. Scott, and the Convention Ser¬
mon was preached by Rev. Jos. A. Shanklin, from Malachi
3: 16.
After Sermon, the Convention was called to order by the
Bishop, and the list of the Clergy being called, the following
answered to their names:
Rt. Rev. STEPHEN ELLIOTT, D. D. Rey- THOMAS F. SCOTT,
Rev. SENECA G. BRAGG, '« ios. A. SllANKLIN,
" JOHN J. HUNT, " WM. C. WILLIAMS,
" RICHARD JOHNSON. " WILLIAM JOHNSON.
Certificates of the appointment of Lay Delegates were
presented, and referred to Rev. Messrs. Bragg, Hunt and
Wm. Johnson, and upon their report, the following Delegates
answered to their names:
From St. Paul's, Augusta—George Parrott.
From Christ Ch urch, Macon—N. C. Munroe, L. N. Whittle.
From St. James', Marietta—William Root.
From "Emmanuel Church, Athens—Dr. James Camak.
From St. Luke's, Montpelier—Thomas W. Collins.
A quorum being present, the President declared the Con¬
vention duly organised.
It was Resolved, That the Rules of Order of the last Con¬
vention be adopted for the government of this body.
Rev. Thomas F. Scott was unanimously re-elected Secre¬
tary of the Convention.
6
JOURN4L.
Hie following Standing Committees were announced by
the President:
On the State of the Church—Rev. Messrs. Bragg, Hunt,
and R. Johnson.
On Unfinished Business—Rev. W. Johnson, Messrs. Whit¬
tle, and Collins.
• On Finance—Messrs. Munrpe, Parrott, and Root.
On the admission of new Parishes—Rev. Mr. Williams,
and Messrs. Whittle, and Camak.
After Prayers by the Bishop, Convention adjourned to
the hour of public worship to-morrow morning.
At night, Evening Prayer was read by Rev. Wm. John¬
son, and a Sermon preached by Rev. Thomas F. Scott.
' FRIDAY MORNING, 11/A May, 1849.
Morning Prayer was read by *Rev. Richard Johnson, and
a Sermon preached by Rev. William C. Williams.
After public worship, Convention was called to order, and
the roll called. Present as on yesterday, together with Rev.
William D. Harlow, Rev. Thompson L. Smith, and Rev.
Rufus M. White; Richard D. Moore and Edward P. Clay¬
ton, from Emmanuel Church, Athens; and William S. Wil-
liford, from Christ Church, Macon.
Certificates of the election of Lay Delegates were pre¬
sented from Christ Church, Savannah; St. John's Church,
Savannah; Grace Church, Clarltesville; Church of the Mes¬
siah, St. Mary's, and Zion Church, Talbotton, which were
referred to the Committee on Elections, upon whose report
the following Delegates answered to their names: Geo. S.
Harding, from St. John's Church, Savannah, and A. G.
Perryman, from Zion Church, Talbotton.
The minutes of yesterday's proceedings were read and
confirmed.
It was Resolved, That candidates for Holy Orders pres
ent, be invited to attend the deliberations of this Convention,
The Bishop then read his Annual Address :
bishop's address
«
Bielh ten of the Clergy and Laity:
It is with sincere gratitude to the disposer of all human
events, that, at the close of another Ecclesiastical year, I am
permitted to consult with you in reference to the temporal and
spiritual welfare of that portion of Christ's Church which
has been allotted to my care. There is one heavy draw-back,
however, to the pleasure which generally attends these re¬
unions, arising out of the absence of so many familiar faces,
whom disease and accident and domestic afflictions have kept
away from our sacred meeting. May the Holy Ghost, the
Comforter, be with them in their hours of suffering, and
while he fills us with Wisdom and spiritual understanding foi"
the performance of our active duties, enable them to glorify
their Lord in bearing patiently all that he may send upon
them.
We cannot look out upon the world, under the aspect it has
worn for the last fifteen months, without feeling that God is
indeed troubling the nations. IIow the events which arc al¬
most daily startling us by their suddenness and importance
stand connected with the great chain of Apocalyptic prophe¬
cy, this is neither the time nor place to discuss; but considered
in a practical point of view, they should fill us with fervent
thanksgiving for our exemption as a Nation and as a Church
from such disturbing influences, and with sober watchfulness
lest that day come upon us as a thief in the night. Especial¬
ly should the Ministers-ef the Church, the watchmen upon the
towers of Zion, watch to see what the Lord is saying to the
nations, and make it plain to those who look to the Priest's
lips for knowledge, and who seek the law at his mouth. It
is not for us, my beloved brethren in the Ministry, who are
entrusted with an inspired book of unfulfilled prophecy, to
suffer such movements, religious and political, as are shaking
the world from its old foundations, to <pass unregarded and
unstudied. And while I would earnestly deprecate any rash
or presumptuous application of passing events to the yet un¬
fulfilled prophecies of the Bible, I commend those prophecies-
8
BISHOP'S /YDDREiSS.
to your especial study and meditation at this moment. If
the wisdom, which cometh from on high, be faithfully sought
in your communings with him who was in the spirit in the
Isle of Patmos, you need not fear being misled by* crude in¬
terpretations, or carried away by unhallowed theories. The
promise is yours for unfulfilled prophecy as for every other
part of the inspired writings, that it is "profitable for doc¬
trine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteous¬
ness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly fur¬
nished unto all good works."
Besides the call to the study of prophecy, which these rap¬
idly occurring and widely spreading movements make upon
the Ministers of the Church, they likewise warn all who pro¬
fess themselves the servants of Christ to arm themselves with
the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
and to be prepared to work while it is called to-day. We
know not how soon, my beloved brethren, whether of the
Laity oi4 Clergy, we may be involved in this shaking of the
nations, and be obliged to witness for Christ under circum¬
stances giving us no time for preparation either in knowledge
or spiritual wisdom. Now, while the hand of the Lord is yet
withheld from us, is it our duty to "cast away the works of
darkness, and put upon us the armour of light," so that when
the distress of nations shall reach us, we may be found ready
to rejoice in tribulation, if need be, for Christ's sake. The
wars and rumors of wars, the perplexity of nations, the
famine, the pestilence, the heresy, the schism, that are coming
to us daily upon the lightning's wings, are calling us to humili¬
ation, to godly fear, to special prayer, to fresh devotion to
our work. May we all receive the warning, and rejoice that
it has been given us through God's mercy and grace.
During the session of the last Convention at Marietta, I
baptized an adult, and confirmed two persons. These official
acts are noticed here because performed after the delivery of
my last annual address.
I commenced my official acts for the Ecclesiastical year,
which has just closed, at Augusta, where I remained several
iays, and confirmed one person. This Parish continues in a
^ry flourishing and increasing condition, cuid although suffer-
BltJllDFS ADDRESS. # 9
mg ju&t now from the distressing accident which has befallen
its esteemed and devoted Rector, it has passed through too
many hours of darkness to permit any depression to rest
•upon it 'from this temporary trouble. The blessing of the
Lord has rested so largely upon it, that it may well say " shall
1 receive good of the' Lord, and shall I not receive evil V
On Sunday, May 28th, I consecrated St. Philip's Church,
Atlanta, upon which occasion I preached the consecration
xejrmon. This is $ small, but neat Church edifice, erected
at a moderate cost, but yet quite large enough to accommo¬
date any congregation that may be formed even in that rapid¬
ly increasing town for many years to come* The Rev. J. J.
Hunt is the Missionary at that point.
'And here let me observe, that the- policy which has been
pursued ut Atlanta in erecting a small, but cheap Church,
is t|iat which should guide us in carrying' forward a weak
Diocese, like ours* It is not likely that the Episcopal Church'
will increaise rapidly in any of the towns or villages of a
Diocese so unaccustomed to its forms or usages, and in many
places Mr piejudiced against its teaching. Our progress
must necessarily be slow, and a generation must elapse be¬
fore we.can expect to have even a fair> hearing before the
people. In the mean tinie that generation must be mader
acquainted with the Church, must learn that she unites truth
of doctrine with all her other recommendations, and that she
i4 not obnoxious to the charges which are so freely lavished
upon her. Cheap Churches, erected at as many points as
we can maintain .Missionaries, are the means, -under God,
for the. removal of this intense prejudice—leaving it to a
future generation to build edifices more Suitable to the
growth of the "cong-iegation and the increase of the Church,
l'roni six: to ei<,ht hundred dollars will suffice to complete
mk h Chinch budding* as we need at present—thus avoiding
debt upon the building, and reserving the funds of the Church
foj; the support of our Missionaries.
Eaily in July, I commenced my visitation of the Churches
lying beyond the Chattahoochee, spending several days at
Mai it Ha, pleaching and nltending the examination of the
School c< line tied u ith Jim It gives me great pleas-
x
il
ADDRESS"
ire to sLiUy thai tins Parish is making a very sure increase#
nid now feels strong enough to cast olf our Missionary care,
ind tyke lier place among the Churches which feel that " it;
s more blessed to give than tp receive." The examination
>f the School satisfied me of its continued efficiency and
de^seduess. I confirmed one'person upon this occasion.
On Wednesday, July 5th, I held service during the evening
ii the parlour at the.Rowland Springs, where a small con¬
gregation was collected for the occasion, aftd on Thursday,
I uly 6, officiated at the Church of the Ascension, Etowah
ralley, Cass county. Only a .small congregation was col-
ected, as the notice had been very short, and it was an im-
iortant moment with the Farmers. The Church I found in
vood repair, but I regret to say that the parsonage has suf¬
fered somewhat from deeay and ill usage. Uninhabited as
t has been for several years, much of this was unavoidable,
jut a part was evidently the result of wanton aggression.
Mr. Smith, the then Missionary in Cass and Floyd counties,
leld regular services at this point, and. his- report will give
the result of those labors. I was not called upon to perform
:iny official acts at this Church.
On Fridayrthe 7th July, I officiated, according to appoint¬
ment, at the house of Mr. George, a Candidate for Orders
in the Diocese. , Many of the neighbors were gathered to¬
gether to witness, for the first time, the services of the
Church, and the admission of three persons by confirmation
into the Church. Seldom have I enjoyed a service more, or
been more gratified than I was upon that occasion.
On Saturday, July 8, I commenced a series of services at
Rome, in Floyd county, during which time I baptized a child,
and confirmed one person. Throughout these ministrations
in Cass and Floyd counties, I w as accompanied by the Rev.
Mr. Scott of Marietta, and the Rev. Mr. Smith, the acting
Missionary. During this \isit to Rome, a plan was adopted
for the Church edifice, \v hich has since been progressing as
vapidly as the collection of funds would admit. Since this
visitation, those counties have been without a Missionary, in
consequence of the transitu of Mr. Smith to Emmanuel
Church, Athens.
r.irnor ^ addrc ■-
II
•During the fu<-t woi k in luiu'st, I p'liJ my lir-'it t t (he
Church uL Athens, and officiated 01 Sunday^ .August 6
0 w ing to tlic condition of the Parish, it being in t^c act of
separating from its lnte Pastorp the Rev. Dr. Stevens, there
were no candidates for confirmation. At a meeting of the
Vestry held during my visit, a call was made of the Rev
Thompson L. Smith as Rector, which resulted in his accep¬
tance of the place, and his resignation as a Missionary of the
General Church.
On the second Sunday of November, I held the usual
autumn confirmation in the Chapel at Montpelier, when seven
persons were confirmed, four of whom were pupils of the
Institute.
Pn the first Sunday in March, 1849, I preached in St.
Stephen's Church, Milledgeville, confirmed two persons, and
administered the Holy Communion. This congregation
maintains its original number of communicants.
Easter week was spent with Trinity Church, Columbus.
1 found the Rev. Mr. Cairns upon a bed of intense suffering,
which *so affected his nervpus system as to induce a danger¬
ous condition of fever. I could not leave him in such state
of pain and danger, and remained with him and his people
a fortnight. I found a very interesting dags of fifteen can¬
didates for .confirmation, a'nd it woulfl have been still larger,
had the Rector been enabled to prepare his people up to the
day of my arrival. Rut prostrated as he was upon a bed of
anguish, he could only commend feuch as he had previously
prepared to the prayers of the Church, and the laying on of
hands. With this interesting condition of his Parish wak
r^ingled the chastening hand of God, and I was called upon
to commit to the earth the remains of -one of the original
communicants of the Parish, a devoted and whole-hearted
woman,* who, from the beginning, had consecrated herself
and her affections to the Church and its children. It is but
meet that she should be remembered here, as this now flour-
ishinf parish owes mlich to the energy and single-minded
ness of this earnest woman.
* Misrt JVIarv h.
12
bishop's address-
It w&s my purpose to lig.ve visited /VpaliichiroLi imuiedi
ately after the close of my ■services at Columbus, but my
detention at that point, and our approaching Convention,
warned me not to winder too far from home. I regret this
the more, as a large class was awaiting confirmation in that
place.
On Sunday, the 6th May, I visited Zion Church, Talbot-
ton, and found the Chur<?h edifice at that station sufficiently
advanced to admit of services being held within its walls*
It is a very beautiful Gothic Church, in fine keeping "as far
as it is finished, and reflecting great credit upon the taste
and architectural skill of the Rector, the Rev. Richard John¬
son, who designed and superintended its whole construction.
When completed it will be fin ornament to the Diocese. l\Tr.
Johnson has collected a very respectable congregation, three
©f whom were confirmed as tha first fruits of liis labor.*
I have riot been able from circumstances beyond my con¬
trol to visit the Churches in Savannah, and upon the sea¬
board, during this Spring. J will endeavor to make it up
at some future time by laboring among them for a season.
During the past year, I have transferred the Rev, W. B.
Stevens to the Diocese of Pennsylvania, the Rey. Owen P,
Thackara tp the Diocese of Rhode-Island* and the Rev.
Wmf J. Ellis to the Diocese of Alabama. "The two last
named Clergymen had not been laboring within the limits
of our Diocese for a yeg,r or more before their transference.
I have not received any Clergymen into the Diocese upon
letters, although the Rev. Mr. Cleveland, of Vermont, has
served the Parish of St. David's, Glynn county, during the
winter.
Since our last Convention, Mr. J. II. George, a Minister
of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. B. E- Habersham of El¬
bert county, and Mr. James D. Gibson, a Licentiate of the
Methodist Church, have been received as Candidates for
Orders. Mr. Terry has been transfer! ed as a candidate
from the Diocese of Virginia. These, together with Messrs.
Gahagan, Perdue and Macauley, ^even in ail,, make up oui
number of Candidates for Orders.
This influx of young mon into the Ministry of the Church
BISHOP*ri vr»DRESS.
rs
a matter winch lias Ion# lain near my heiit, and v.liich (iod
seems to have brought about, suddenly iis it Avere, and in
his own good time, leads ine to draw your attention to the
subject of our Diocesan Missionary funds, and to urge upon
the Ministry and the Laity an earnest co-operation in theijf
increase. We cannot expect that Parishes in the act of or
ganization, or for a few years afterwards, will do much to¬
wards1 the support of the Ministry. The congregations
collected through this Diocese conceive themselves to be
conferring a sufficient favor, if tliey receive and attend upon
the ministrations which are offered them. The sum appro¬
priated by the J)omestic Committee of our General Mis¬
sionary Society is but a pittance, and can go but very little
wq^- towards the maintenance of our Ministers. We must
depend upon ourselves, therefore, if we desire the Church
to extend her borders; and I trust that oui; Parishes will
make, it a matter of special effort to increase- our annual in¬
come, so that the Missionary Committee may likewise in¬
crease the number of Missionaries. It casting a henvy
burden upon the Missionary Cominittee to expect them to
l>e aptive in the duties assigned them as you* representat¬
ives, and yet cleny them the means of sustaining that ac¬
tivity. It is but natural that they should1 catch the spirit of
the Church, and sink with them into a letfi.lrgy, winch shn II
be satisfied with things a$ they are,, and despair of any fu¬
ture progress. Besides laying upon that. Committee flic
laboj- of superintending the whole work of the Diocese, you
likewise impose upon its Treasure® the necessity of unceas¬
ing struggle to supply the wants ef the Missionaries. All
this can be prevented by a little foresight i and I would urge
upon the Parishes which are able to contribute towards this
fund, and which of them i& not able to contribute something,
to se© that a fair proportion of their collections is made to
circulate through this channel. It is but a poor generosity
yvhich sends its contributions to distant Dioceses, or even to
the Heathen, while its own Missionaries, brethren with
whom we are accustomed to take sweet counsel, are left
hampered and embarrassed in their work. I fear not lo
«peak plainly in this matter, because you all know my deep
U
BWlor'S VDDRE^S.
interest in Missions at large; but it is* lieeessar) hereto say*
that the .Missionary Committee rnuuot consent to enlarge
its work, until it can «oe its way clearly to a "prompt meet¬
ing of the liabilities it may incur. It is nothing less than
cruelty, cruelty felt* in the keenest manner by a man of sen¬
sibility, to subject a Missionary to pecuniary embarrass¬
ment, who has gone forward in full -confidence that you
would, sustain him in his labof and work of love. Five
hundred dollars a year to support a man, ofttimes with a
wife and family, who is obliged to maintain a respectable
appearance, and is liecessarily subjected to extraordinary
expenses of which a layman can know nothing, is but little,
at best—but when that little is paid irregularly, there are
■but few who can make it sufficient for their absolute waits.
There is no service upon earth so poorly recompensed as
that of a Clergyman. Educated generally in the highest
manner, gifted" for the most <parf with talents which would
have well served him in other occupations, forbid by the
Canons of the tJhurch to undertake any work which may
interfere with the sacredncss of his Holy office, you are yet
satisfied to. givp such men a. salary which would be scpffed*
at if offered to a competent clerk iaany store of respecta¬
bility, and even tlflat is gitcjja grudgingly. It were better
for the Church to .say at once to her Ministry, that they must
imitate to the letter those who founded the early Christian
Churches, and go forth depending upon Him who fcedeth
the ravens—for then, at least, they would incur no liabili¬
ties, and would understand from the very beginning their
position in worldly matters. And it is no answer to all this
to say, that it is paid in the end—for before that end comes,
who can tell the anxiety of mind, the personal harassment,
the pecuniary obligation, to which that Missionary has been
subjected, nay, perhaps, the actual injury which his work
has suffered from a cause honestly beyond his control. If
the love of Christ did aiot constrain the Ministry of the
Church,, we should all be tempted, from the highest to the
lowest, to leave the world to itself, and give it up to its
idols. And if these remarks are true here in this Diocese*
which has been liberal to a high degree, by rontjwrisou, I
TOURxMAt.
15
leave yon to init r what is 1 lie st.tte of things elsewhere,
where that libeiahly has not been dispensed.
Commending you, Brethren of the Clergy niul Laity, to
that Lord who has promised to be with liiw Church always
even to the end, 1 unite jour attention to the necessary
business for which we ar« convened.
STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr.
Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia
After the Bishop's Address, the Parochial Reports were
t eadand ordered to be printed:in the appendix to the Journal.
The Standing Committee made the following1 report, which
was accepted:
Thq Standing Committee of the Diocese of Georgia report, that
tfiey have recomipended to the Bishop, to bq received as Candidates
for. Orders, Messrs. James H. George, James D. Gibson, and B. Elliott
Habersham ; and for ordination as Deacoiis, Messrs. W. J. Perdue,
George Macauiey, and James T). Gibson.
Edw'd, NEUFViLLfi, President.
Savannah, May 8th, 1849.
The Treasurers of the Diocese and of the Committee* ot^
Missions presented their annual reports, which were received
and referred to the Coinmittee on Finance*
The Committee on Unfinished Business made the follow¬
ing report, which was accepted :
The Committee on Unfinished Business report, that they find no
unfinished business on the Journal of the last Convention.
Convention proceeded to the annual elections, which re¬
sulted as follows:
FOR STANDING COMMITTEE.
Of the Clergy. * Of the Laity.
Rev. Edward Neufville, D. D. William B. Bulloch.
Rev. Edward E; Ford, D. D, William P. Hunter,
Rev. Seneca G. Bhagg. Robert M. Chailton,
COMMITTEE ON MISSIONS.
Of the Clergy. Of the Laity.
Rev. Edward Neufville, D D, N. C. Munroe,
Rev. Joseph A Slianlvllu. Win. S. Wdliford,
L. N. Whittle
|l> JOURNAL.
UNGATES TO THE GENERAL CONVENTION\
Of the Clergy. Of the Laily.
ilwv, Edward Neufville, D. D. James Potter,
t lie v. Seneca G. Bragg, * Hon. John M. Berrjen,
Rev. JEdward E. Ford, JD. D. N. C. Munroe,
Rev. Thomas F. Scott. Thomas M. Nelson.
After Prayers by the Bishop, Convention adjourned to the
Ijuur of public worship to-morrow morning,
* At night* Evening Prayer was read by IteVj William P.
Williams, and a Sermon preached by Rev. John if, Hunt.
SATURDAY MORNING, 12th May, 1849.
Mornihg Prayer was read by He v. John X Hunt, p.nd a
Sermon preached by Rev. William D. Harlow.
After public vvoj-ship, Convention was called to order, and
the rolj -railed.. Present, as on .yesterday* together with
Richard R. Cuyler, from Christ Church, Savannah. f
ThA Committee on the slate of the Church made the fol-#
k>vv*ng report, \Vhich was accepted >
The Committee on the stale of the "Church respectfully report,
that they find, in the Parochial and other reports, gratifying evidence
of the continued blessing of the Lord# in various portions of the
DiofJesp. y et, they are convinced, that more might be done for the
advancement of the cause of Missions, within the State t>f Georgia,
if the Clergy and Laity w onld •combine their energies, and employ
thcii means, with u special rogai'd to that object. They trust, that
the recent and siH.'ce«£lul eifort in the? youngest Parish of the Diocese
will stimulate all, who desne the prosperity of Zion, to sustain and
encourage the small, but increasing n.umber of devoted laborers in
the field of Diocesan Missions. The events and trials of the past
year admonish us tu -"do quickly1' ^nd faithfully what our hands
hnd to do,11 in obedience to the command of our Redeemer,,
Seneca G. Bragg^ Chairman.
The Committee on Missions presented their report, which
was received, and on motion, it was
JxeaolvtiU That r!i«i report of the Missionary Committee
bereierud back Io the ComniiHce, with ijisti actions to re¬
port only the present slate of the Missionary treasury and
its necessities.
JOURNAL.
The Committee then made the following report, which was
adopted :
The Committee on Missions report, that the sum of $1,282 73
haS been contributed by the Churphes of the Diocese, within the
last year, which has been disbursed among the several Missionaries,
as will more fully appear from the report of the Treasurer of the
fund, and that there is a balance due the different Missionaries, up to
this time, of $29S 84.
To support the Missions at St. Mary's, Athens, Floyd and Cass,
Atlanta, Clarkesville, St. Simon's, and Talbotton, during the year, will
require thd sum of $1,500, which, added to the amount now due,
will make the sum of $1,800, to be raised in the Diocese for Mis-
siohs during this year. Your Committee feel the great importance
not only of raising this amount during the year, but that it be done
at the earliest possible day, and that the payments be made to the
Missionaries promptly at the end of each quarter.
Stephen Elliott, Jr., Chairman of the Committee.
It was Resolved, That it be recommended to the Commit¬
tee on Missions for the Diocese to correspond with the Rec¬
tors of the different Churches, and ascertain what amounts
they will severally be able to contribute to Diocesan Missions
tor the year ; and that the Committee of Missions make only
suck appointment of Missionaries as they will have ti reason¬
able probability of promptly paying from the amounts that
may be thus ascertained.
Convention proceeded to the election of Treasurers, w hich
resulted unanimously as follows:
Treasurer of the Committee on Missions—William S. Wil-
liford, of Macon.
Treasurer of the Dtoeese-^-G eorge Parrott, of Augusta.
After Prayers by the Bishop, Convention adjourned to half
past three o'clock, P. M»
SATURDAY, O'C/od, P. 31.
Convention met—present as in the morning. The minute*
of the morning's? session weie read and confirmed.
Resolved, That the next Annual Convention of the Church
in this Diocese be held in Zion Church, Talbotton, unless
that be the year of the centennial anniversary of Christ
Church, Savannah ; in which case, the lJishop shall have
fiower to call ihe meeting of Com ention in that place.
IS
JOURNAL.
The Committee on Finance made the following report,
tvhich was accepted:
The Comjnittee on Finance, to whom was referred the accounts
of the Treasurer of the Diocese and the Treasurer of the Missionary
Committee, respectfully report,--that they have carefully examined
each account, and find both accounts correct, every charge supported
by a proper voucher. Geo. Parrott,
Macon, Ga.x May 12, 1849. William Hoot.
Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be hereby
tendered to the Rev. Edward Neufville, D. D., late Treasu¬
rer of the Committee on Missions, for his faithful and effi¬
cient labors in the duties of that office. •
Resolved, That six hundred copies of the Journal of this
Convention be printed under the direction of the Secretary.
The Committee to whom Article !XI. of the Constitution
was referred during1 last Convention, was continued.
Rev. Richard Johnson! was appointed to preach the next
Convention Sermon, and Rev. W. 0. Williams his substi¬
tute.
Rev. William Johnson was appointed to preach the next
Missionary Sermon, and the Rev. T. L. Smith his substitute.
After Prayers and Benediction by the Bishop, Conven¬
tion •adjourned sine die«
STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr.
Bishop of the Diocese.
Thomas F. Scott, Secretary.
»
At night, Evening Prayer was read by l£ev. J. A. Shank-
liny and a Sermon preached by Rev. T. L. Smith.
On Sunday Morning, the Tiishop held an ordination, when
Mossrs. W. J. Perdue, George Macauley and James D.
Gibson were admitted to the Holy Order of Deacons.
Morning Prayei* was read by Rev. Thomas F. Scott, and
the Sermon preached by Rev. AY. Johnson; Mr. Gibson
was presented by Rev. flilr. Bragg, and Messrs. Perdue and
Macauley by Rev. Mr. Scott, who also assisted the Bishop
at the Communion.
In the afternoon, Evening Prayer" was read by Rev. T.
L. Smith, and a Sermon preached by Rev. Mr. Gibson.
At night, after Prayers by Rev. Mr. Scott, the Missiona¬
ry Sermon was preached by Rev. Richard Johnson, and a
collection taken up in aid of Diocesan Missions, amounting
to $50.
PAROCHIAL REPORTS.
19
AlPPlilNIOQX,
PAROCHIAL REPORTS.
Christ Church, Savannah.
Rev* Edward JYeufviUq, D. DRector.
JJaptisms—white infants 19, colored 3— t 22
Marriages - r - - .9'
Burials - J - - - 28
£orximunioants—died 1, removed 17, added!8— - - KJO
Sunday School-r-Teachers 13, pupils 90— - - J( 3
Colored Sunday School—Teachers 15, pupils 150-- - - 1G5
-CoNTRiwnojys-r-To Diocesao Missions, - - 749 3(>
Domestic do. r - - 187 00
Foreign " do. - - 330 00
Church at Rome, Floyd county, - - 100 00
Education of Candidates for Orders, • 145 70
SI,512 06
The Ladies' Missionary Association haS furnished more than one
third of the amount contributed to Diocesan Missions,
The children,of the Sunday School have supplied (included above
in the aggregate return) $25 to»the Chinese, $20 to the African, ar.ri
$5 to Diocesan Missions. And the children of the colored Sunday
School have made their annual contribution of $20 for the support
and education of" a,ch.ild in Africa.
The "Chinese" and the ".African" Societies have contributed $325
and $150 respectively to the objects of their organization, which are. I
jiot comprised in the above return.
The Female Bible, Prayer Book and Tract Society has raised du¬
ring the past year, and appropriated to the gratuitous distribution of
Books and Tracts, the sum of $150.
The Sunday School continues to be under the immediate superin-
tendance of the Rector, who, although he has failpd in his efforts to
enlist the services of more than one male teacher, is ably supported
by a band of devoted Jadies who are unwearied in their attentions,
regulaf in their attendance, faithful in their instructions, respected by*
their pupils, and very highly esteemed of all for their work's sake.
A young man whose childhood was trained in this nursery of the
Church, has taken charge of the Sunday School library, and success¬
fully interested himself in obtaining a new supply of books, amount¬
ing to nearly two hundred volumes.
The children of the congregation were, as usual, catechized openly
in the Church on every Sunday afternoon during the season of Lent;
and it was a subject of congratulation that within the previous twelve
jnonths not a single death had occurred among them.
The remaining indebtedness of the Church has recently been can¬
celled—all its obligations, including $1,000 to the Bishop's fund, fully
met—and other evidences of outward prosperity afforded, the memo¬
rial of whijeh the Rector here records with a grateful heart,
20
PAROCHIAL REPORTS.
St. John's Church, Savannah.
Rev. R. M. White, Rector.
Baptisms—adults 5, children 27— - - - 3SS
Communicants—added 10, received from other Parishes7, removed 11,
died 4, suspended 1—present number ... 101
Marriages ----- 5
Burials - - . " ^
CoN-cammoNs of the Congregation for purposes external to our Parochial ope-
Jmions;—-ToDiocesan Missions - 195 68
* General Domestic Missions - - 63 91
Foreign Missions - - - 50 94
Education of Candidates for Orders - - 70 43
Church building fund at Rome - - 50 00
Do. dp. at Atlanta, - - 25 00
Biahop's salary ... 250 00
$705 9G
Besides this, those good wolTcsof alms-deeds find christian charity,
which were engaged in bylhe Parish, when it was under the pastoral
charge of our present Diocesan, are still cheerfully maintained ; and
with their accustomed noblexhristian spirit, the Rector and Congre¬
gation of the older Parish in the city still aid us in carrying them out.
"fhe Parish is believed to be in A state of steadily healthful- progress.
We have lost during the past yeartin unusual number from our com¬
munion list by removal, including persons whose loss we have great
cause to regret. A number of'personS are.awaiting confirmation at
the next Episcopal visitation,
The Rector has introduced into the Parish with the present Eccle¬
siastical year, the Observance of all those other days besides Sundays,
for which a special service has been provided in the Book of Common
Prayer. He has done this with the hope that the observance of these
holy days wilj both prove good to the religious growth of the congre¬
gation, and also conduce to the important object of bringing them to
an intelligent appreciation of the Tact, that all the appointments and
observances of the Church, even those most objected to* are scriptural
and evangelical in their character; so that, thus growing in their at¬
tachment to the Church as it is, they may be the less easily moved
?iway from it, either by assaults from without, or injudicious and un^
warrantable measures within.
St. Paul's Church, Augusta.
Rev. Edward E. Ford, D. DRector.
Baptisms—children 30, adults (1 colored) 6—total 36
Confirmation - - - . 1
Communicants—added 11, died2, removed 8, repelled 2, seceded from
the Church 1—present number - 113
Marriages 7; Burials (9 not of the Congregation) - - "21
Collections—Communion alms - $203 33
For Missions and Missionary objects:
Foreign Missions of General Board - - 91 14
Domestic Missions - - - 27 00
Diocesan Missions - - - 64 59
Donation to aid in building a Church at Rome - 100 00
The same for building a Church at Atlanta - - 28 6''
The number of Sunday School children is, nominally, W0 although
PAROCIIUL RETORTS.
21
the actual attendance falls short of that numbe*. These are under the
direction ol, Ihe Rector, a Librarian, three male and six female Teach¬
ers, Ihe colored Sunday School may beset down at an average of
about 35, under three teachers. Catechizing monthly by the Rector
in thfe Church, There is a class of about fourteen preparing for con¬
firmation.
Christ Church, Macon.
Rev. J. Jl. Shanklin, Rector. ^
Baptisms—adult 1, infants4—total - 5
Confirmed • x - - . (T
Communicants—added 13, removed 5, died 3—present number - 85
Marriages - - , - - 3
Funerals - 4
Sunday School—registered scholars 68; average attendance about - 50
Contributions—To Foreign Missions - $91 35
Domestic do. * - - - 91 80
Diocesan . do. - - 70 00
Jewish do. - - 2 00
Offerings of Sunday School for education of a child in Africa 9 29
For Church at Rome - r 100 00
Sunday School for increase of Library <- - 8 11
Other purposes - - - 81 78
Ladies' Association % • - 351 00
Total ..... $805 33
Of the amount made by the ladies, $81 hav« been appropriated to
Missionary and other benevolent purposes.
The Rector bears his grateful testimony to the harmony of spirit
which pervades his charge, and to the uniform kindnegs he has receiv¬
ed at the hands of his people.
A work of grace, it is believed, has begun among the young of the
congregation, and it is our earnest prayer that it may deepen and ex¬
tend until every soul has been brought within its saving influence.
During the year a monthly Missionary lecture and collection lias
been established, and thus far lias been attended by happy results in
the increasing interest and more liberal contributions to this good cause.
The children of the congregation are catechised monthly in. the
Church after Evening Prayer.
Trinity Church, Columbus.
Rev. William D. Cairns, Rector*
Baptisms—adults (white 7, coloured 1) 8 ; infants (white 37, coloured
25) 62—total 'j!
Confirmed - " " " .
Marriages - - . . " " " t
Burials—adults 6, 1 coloured; infants 2-— *
Communicants—added 18, removed 3-*, suspended 1 {coloured), or*-
duined 1, died 3—total numberremaining - - *51
Collections—At "Offertory" - on
Special donations - - -
Domestic Missions - - .
Foreign Missions - - ^ °°-2'0 m
Total
322 38
PAROCHIAL REPORTS*
A special effort to pay the last remnan^ pf our Church debt, 5U0 dollars,
now in progress, and it is believed happily successful, has prevented om
lisuaTcollection for Diocesan Missions. Hereafter we hope to perform
this, no less Faithfully than all our other duties'.
This Church has been twice saved during the past year, by the interpo¬
sition of Divine-ProVidence, from destruction by iire during the burning
of the stables adjacent to it. We trust that further danger is now remov¬
ed by an erection of brick instead of wood.
The Rector of this Church is again under the painful necessity of leav¬
ing his people, for how long a season he cannot tell, from considerations of
health. His prayer is that the blessed God 'lin whose hands are the is¬
sues Of life and death," will so order events as that they tnay more cer¬
tainly conduce to his own 'glory in the everlasting welfare "of His servant
and people.
A special acknovvledgeme"t is here deemed to be due from the Rector,
for the more than fraternal kindness of his Bishop to himself and other
^ick in his Parish, during the vyfrote" period of thp Bishop's late protracted
visit; for'besides the. dutip» peculiar to his office, owing to thd extreme
illness of the Rector, the entire care of the Parish was devolved on him.
St. Stephen's Church, Milledgeville,
Rev*. Jim. Johnson, Rector.
Baptisms—coloured adults - - - - k2
Confirmations ----- 2
Communicants - - - - - 16
Burial - I
Amount of alms at communion - -$20 85
St, James' Church, Marietta.
Rev. Thomas F. Scott, RectorP
Pommunicants—removed 2, added 15—present number - - 30
Baptisms—adult 1, infants 12—total 13
Confirmations - - - - - 3
Marriages (coloured) - - - - * 2
Funerals - - - - 4
Collections—For Diocesan Missions ■« - " $65 66
Domestic do. - - - 11 05
Foreign do. - - - 6 00
At Offertory - - » - G6 33
For Convention fund - - • 10 00
For Bishop's fund - - - 45 00
Sunday School children for library - 5 20
$209 81
The collections 4iere reported as made.at the Offertory, and for Diocesan
Missions, embrace the sums contributed at the Convention of 1848. The
communion offerings are reported only to the first of March.
At an expense of some $1,500, a very neat and substantial Parsonage
Jias been erected for the Minister's family, so that the former buildings
may be devoted exclusively to school purposes.
At Easter, the Parish ceased to be a Missionary station ; and at the
Rector's suggestion, his salary is raised entirely by contributions made af
the Offertory, on occasions of administering the communion.
PAROCHIAL RjfcpORttf.
The Female fcseuiiiiary still prospers. Under the general supervision of
t ie Rectoq, it is now placed under the care of Mr. .Benjamin Green and
lamily, whose faithful labors, combined with the experience of their assis-
^n^\en^-^e ^'ie Institution to the increased confidence and patronage of
the friends of Christian education.
I he Sunday School, under the conduct of the Rector as superintendent,
and six teachers, continues to be an important means of usefulness in the
1 arish. Two classes of coloured persons, mOsfly adults, are taught on
Sunday afternoon, by th'e Rectof and a male communicant of the Church.
Considerable additions hate beeri made to .the Sunday School and Parish
libraries. The Vestry have laid out a cemetery on their lands for the u&c
of the congregation, which they design to enclose And arrange in a neat
afid becoming style.
The Rector also reports a most interesting visit recently made to Van's
\ alley, in Floyd county, The communion was administered in the neat
little log chapel, and two adults were baptised by immersion, which we
trust art; but the first fruits of God's blessing vouchsafed t6 the devoted
labors of a young female communicant.
Emmanuel Church, Athens,
Rev, Thompson L. Smilh, Rector.
Baptisms—infants none, adult 1— - • 1
Candidates for Orders * 1 " ^
Marriage - - - - 1
Burial - - 1
Communrcants—removed 3, added 8—total - 25
Collections—For Church purposes since 15'th.Sepf. $15 05
For Missions - - - - 8 50
o For Missionary Sdciety - - - 3 55
Total - - - - - N*
Cfrace Church, Clarkesville,
Rev. Benjamin F. Mower, Rector.
Baptisms—adult 1; infants, white 2, colored 1*- ~ i
Awaiting confirmation - - " *
Burials—adulfs, white 2, colored 1; children, white 3, colored 1— 7
Sunday School—scholars 35, teachers G— - 41
rnvTRimirloNS—To Diocesan Missions, through Mission bo* $11 50
ContriburlONs XO ^ ^ by quarterly collections 30 01-41 51
Foreign Missions - - - 1 47
Domestic do. - - - ^40
Communion-offerings - - - 43 5b
$92 94
Services have been held in this Church regularly etery Sunday morning
throucrho.it the past year. On Christmas day, Ash-Wednesday and Good
Fndav the Church was open for divine worship. 1 he afternoons of Sun¬
days have been employed, part of the time, in imparting religious instruc-
tmn to prisoners ill ffao], pait uf the time in preaching to the blacks, and
onice January last m attending a Sunday School composed ol twenty-five
Scholars three miles fiom the village. The effect of the ministrations m
gaol was, through God's blessing, the conversion and baj.libm of one who
24
parochial reports.
has been sentenced to the Penitentiary for the space of two yeara. The
young man referred to was convicted of manslaughter.
During the past year, the occasional offices of the Church have been
called for and given, oftener than any tune during my ministry here. The
sick have been visited and prayed with, the mourners have been comforted,
and the distressed in mind pointed to the only source of comfort and con
solation.
To thq ladies of this Church, much credit is due for their efficient labors.
Through their exertions, principally, a tine-toned organ ha"s been purchas¬
ed during the past year, which adds greatly to thd solemnity and at¬
traction of our services. Thpy have now taken in hand to paint the
Church both within and without, and to furnish appropriate hangings for
the pulpit and reading desk.
Ever since the establishment of this Parish, schools have been carried
on in the country around, held on Sundays, and one or two days in the
week^by female communicants of our Church. In this way, children have
bedn taught to read and write, and to understand their duties both to¬
wards Cod and man. Durfng the past winter a Parish school has been
established in the village. For the first month of its existence, it was
held at the Parsonage and was taught two days, in the week. Since the
first of April, it has been carried on foe five days in the week, and for five
hours every day, by a teacher, employed for the purpose. The attempt to
do good through this instrumentality, has met with encouraging success.
The scholars number at the present time over thirty.
St. Luke's Church, Monfpelier*
Rt. Rev. Stephen Elliott, Jr., D. D., Rector.
It-iv. Seneca G. Bragg, Assistant Rector.
Baptisms—White adult 1, white infant 1-— - - - 2
Confirmations—pupils of the school 4, teacher i, and 2 other persons— t
Marriages • 3
Burials—white adult (not of the Parish) 1, colored adult 1— - 2
Communicants - - - 15
Contributions - $'250 00
In this portion of the Lord's vineyard, His goodness has been manifest¬
ed in many ways during the past year. It is hoped that a still larger
measure of divine grace may descend upon it the ensuing year, through
the instrumentalities employed for the advancement of Christian education.
Churdi of the Messiah, St. Mary's..
Rev. IVni. D. Harlow, Rector.
Communicants at the beginning of the year 23—added by removal 2,
lost by death 1—present number » - 23
Baptisms—adult 1, infants 11—total" 12
Marriages - - - - 2
Burials—2 not of the congregation— ... 3
Lord's Supper administered, times - - - 11
(Sermons preached, about - - 90
Contributions—Fieiglit on and putting up t>l organ - $32 00
Communion alms, &c, - 33 0(1
Foreign Missions* - 7
Domestic do. - - 11 GO
Diocesan do - 4 6b
Total .... ——
PAROCHIAL REPORTS.
Besides a feeble state of health during the most of the past year, I was
prevented from the discharge of the duties of my station for more than two
months by a severe attack of illness. From this cause, while little haa
been accomplished to outward appearances, my conscience bears me wit¬
ness that I have done my duty to the people of my charge, if not to tny
God; and I trust He will accept the humble offerings which have beeri
made in his name. On account of opposition from various quarters, our
coloured Sunday School has been discontinued. The school for the white
children is in a very languishing state, and from certain causes seems not
to be revived. However, the Parish, on the whole, is in rather a prosperous
condition. The attendance on th^ regular Sunday services is now
greater than at any previous time Since the organization of the Church in
this place. Young men, who have heretpfore not been in the habit of at¬
tending divine worship, are now not only of bur congregations, but regu¬
lar contributors to the support, of the Minister. One of our members has
presented the Church with a handsome set of books for the desk and pulpit,
and we have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of a surplice as a
gift from the Rev. Rector of Christ Church, Savannah. The Hector
would take this opportunity also to express his gratitude to some kfnd ladies
of the same Parish for a very substantial present to himself.
St. Mary's, Ga„ May 7; 1849.
St. David's, Glynn County.
Rev. C. Cleveland, Officiating.
Services were resumed in this Parish on the twenty-second Sunday pilef
Trinity. In consequeijce of the illness and absence of some families, the
congregations continued small, until some time after Christmas, when they
became more regular and fhll.
There have been no ordinances administered, except that of the Lord's
supper, which has been celebrated twice. There are, however, candidates,
it is supposed, both for baptism and confirmation. *
A Parsonage has been purchased, but so entirely out of repair as to be
unsuited for residence. The gentlemen of the Vestry have therefore con¬
cluded to build anew. The season is, however, so far advanced that it
cannot be completed for the occupation of the present Minister. I there¬
fore have resigned the Parish into the hands of Rev. Mr. Bartow, of the
Navy, who, being on a visit to his friends in the neighborhood, has kindly-
consented to officiate at St. David's until the first of May, when the term
of my engagement expires. Hoping that my successor may be more suc¬
cessful and more blessed, I commend this Parish and all her interests to
the good providence and grace of God.
Passion Week, 1849.
Atlanta and Jonesboro\
liev. John J. Hunt, Missionary.
During the pasL year, our services at these stations have been, fiom va¬
rious causes, interrupted arid irregular. The reasons for this have been at
different times stated to the Missionary Committees.
The building at Atlanta iepoited ab in progress, was consecrated on the
28th May lact° By the kindness of fnends, it has been furnished wifh
books lamps, a very handsome communion service, and a good bel'- At
the time of its c6mpletion, all the sub&criptionr>and pledges had not be^u
reahted, but relying on then redemption, the Vestry, at my solicitation, as-
C
!6 PAROCHIAL REPORTS.
•
umed the payment of the balance due. To the generous and repeat-*
td liberality of three congregations, we are particularly indebted, and
ve trust grateful, for the means to meet these engagements. We are
ret about one hundred dollars in arrears, and having done as we bel¬
ieve what we could, still ask for this sum the aid of our brethren*
if they are unable to afford us this, it becomes an individual engage-
nent, and must be met. Our outward estate secured, we may hope
hat faithfulness and activity will be followed by the blessing of God,
ind the improvement of our spiritual condition. The number of com-
nunicar.ts has been reduced by removals to three-
Ogecliee Mission.
Rev. IV. C. Williams, Missionary.
Baptisms—adults, coloured 4 ; infants, coloured 3— - *t
Marriages - - - - - 1
Burials—whites not of the Mission 3, coloured 16— - -19
Communicants—added 6, repelled 1— - 14
Pupils connected with the Mission schools, about - J 120
Contributions—Africa - -+ * $10 00
Other purposes - -> - 17 50
The prospects of the Mission are more encouraging than they have
ever been. It is hoped and believed that much has been done towards
Ihe removal of prejudice and' preparing the way for more extended
usefulness. The attendance on the services of the sanctuary has been
more regular, and there seems to be more interest in eternal things.
If the hopes of the Missionary are not at once realized, he will not be
surprised ; for a knowledge of the people among whom he labors*
warns him not to be too sanguine of immediate results*- but he feels
assured that if the Church will sustain the efforts now making for this
benighted class, the day is not distant when a rich harvest will be the
reward of her prayers and labors.
Zion Church, Talbotton,
Rev. Richard Johnson, Rector and Missionary.
Baptisms—3 adults, 4 children— - 7
Confirmations - - - - 3
Communicants ... - g
Remarks.—In July last the Rector began for the first time to use the
whole of the Church service in the court house. Except when (the
Rector has been called from home on public business, divine service
Jias been performed every Sunday. The Church building was, used
for the first time on Good Friday, since which time the services of the
Church have been as regularly and fully performed as in any Church
in the Diocese. The Rector is daily more and more encouraged in
this his field of labor.
Ascension, Cass County, and St. Peter's, Rome.
Rev. T. L. Smith, late Missionary.
ASCENSION.—Communicants, the number small; candidates for confir¬
mation, two ; confirmations, three; baptisms, infant one, adults two.
ST. PETER'S.—Baptism, infant, one ; confnmation, one.
The Church building referred to in the Bishop's address, I am in-
treasurer's report. 27
formed, is partly finished, and in part paid for. The pledges from the
different Churches have nearly all been paid. They are much in want
of a regular Minister; and the field without doubt a very promising one.
Report of Rev. Theo. B. Bartow, U, S. Navy.
The term of my duty'at the Naval Asylum expired on the first of
October. Since my last report, I have married one couple, baptised
two children, and buried five adults. After being detached, I supplied,
vacant Churches both in Pennsylvania and New York, and am at
present in charge of St. David's, the Vestry having consented to their
Rector's return to his friends on account of the ill health of his family.
Hopeton, Glynn county, April 11, 1849.
Report of the Rev. Edw'd Neufville, D. D.
TREASURER OF THE COMMITTEE ON MISSIONS.
RECAPITULATION.
dr.
Contributed by Christ Churchy Savannah, - - 471 40
" Ladies'Missionary Association, Savannah, 277 96
" St. John's Church, Savannah, - - 195 68
" Christ Church, Macon, - - u 70 00
" St. James', Marietta, - - 67 32
" St. Paul's, Augusta, - - - 66 00
" Trinity Church, Columbus, « - 60 00
" Grace Church, Clarkesville, - - 41 52
" St. Luke's, Montpelier, - - 27 00
" Church of the Messiah, St. Mary's, - 3 00
" St. Michael's, Springfield, - 2 85
$1,282 73
cr.
Paid to Rev. J.J. Hunt, for year ending Nov. 1848, at $300 per annum, 300 00
" Richard Johnson, on acc't of year ending Jan. 1,1849, at
$300 per annum, - r - 226 18
" T, F. Scott, on acc't of balance due up to last Convention, 4109
"• " 41 of year ending April 1849, at $250, 215 46
»< Thompson L. Smith, for eight months' services, at $300
per annum, in Cass county, to Oct. 1848, - 200 00
" Benj. F. Mower, for year ending May 1849, at $150, 150 00
" W- D. Harlow, for year ending Feb. 1849, at $150, 150 00
$1,282 73
58 treasurer's report.
THE DIOCESE OF GEORGIA,
IN ACCOUNT WITH W. S. WILLIFORD, TREASURER.
1848. DR-
Hay 16. To cash paid quota for expenses of General Convention 1847, 23 00
it w.T. Williams,reprintof Journals 1827and'28,19 00
Tune 28. #" " T. P. Scott, Sec'ry, for printing Journal 1848, 90 00
fuly 4. " " Rt-Rev. S. Elliott, Jr., on acc't salary for 1848, 150 00
3ct. 9. " " " " draft, " 445 00
tfov. 28. " " " 11 " " 250 00
1849.
raIi 29 " " " " " 305 00
ft.pril 16. " " " " " " 500 00
Slay 10. V " Rev. T. P. Scott, for balance on printing Jour-
• nal 1848, - 10 00
" " " " incidental expenses of Sec'ry 15 00
Balance carried forward - 290 92
$2,097 92
1848. CR.
May 11. By cash received from W. P. Hunter, late Treasurer, by
" Rev. Mr. Shanklin, - 12 92
" ' " " St. James' Church, Marietta, expen¬
ses Convention 1848, $10
" " "• Emmanuel, Athens, " 10
" " " St. Paul's, Augusta, • " 10
" " 'f St. John's, Savannah, " 10
" 'f '' St. Stephen's, Milledgeville, " 10
May 13. " " 'e Christ Church, Macon, " 10
«' " " St. Philip's, Atlanta, " 10
May 16. " " " Christ Church, Savannah, " 10
" <( " Trinity, Columbus,
" from Trinity Church, Columbu
Bishop's salary 1848, t
June 28, " St. James', Marietta, "
Oct. 5. " Christ Church, Savannah,
Nov. 20. " " ,! "
1849.
Jan. 29. ct " " Macon, in full,
Feb. 9. '' " " Savannah, in full,
April 14. " St. Paul's, Augusta,
May 10. «' .St. James', Marietta, on account,
11. " St. John's, Savannah, ''
1849.
3VIay 11, By balance brought forward,
c(
io—90 oa
oifi
account
of
- 100 00
U
<c
25 00
tc
it
500 oa
tc
tc
250 00
U
tc
300 00
tc
tc
250 00
tc
tc
300 00
U
tc
20 oa
tC
tt
250 00
$2,097 92
- 290 92
W. S. WILLIFORD,
Treasurei of the Diocese of Georgia
E. E.—Macon, Ga., May 11,1849.
CONSTITUTION.
29
©©TOTQTiyJ¥[}®Kl
OF THE
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
IN THE DIOCESE OF GEORGIA.
ARTICLE I.-—The Church of this Diocese, as a constituent part of the Pro¬
testant Episcopal Church of the United States of America,Recedes to, recog¬
nises, and adopts the General Constitution of that Church, and acknowledges
Ms authority accordingly.
ARTICLE II. A Convention of this Church shall be held at such time of
«ach year and place as the previous Convention may appoint: provided, how
ever, that no Convention shall be dpened for the transaction of business unless
there be present at least two clergymen and delegates from two congregations.
And in case no Convention be formed, the standing officers of the last Con¬
vention shall hold their respective offices until successors shall be appointed.
ARTICLE III.r-^The Bishop, or, if the Episcopate be vacant, the Standing
Committee, shall have power, when it appears requisite for the good of the
Church, to call a Special Convention, by a circular letter to the several Churches.
There shall not be less than four weeks notice previous to the-day appointed,
and such meeting shall be holden when the authority calling it shall determine,
and at such Special Convention no other business shall be transacted than that
Stated in the notice calling the Convention.
ARTICLE IV.—The Convention shall be composed of Clergymen and Lay¬
men. Every Clergyman in good standing, regularly settled and continuously
exercising clerical functions in an existing Parish, or who shall have been six
months last past performing missionary duties under the direction of the Ec¬
clesiastical authority of this Diocese, shall be entitled to all the privileges qf a
member of this Convention ; and every duly recognised Minister of this
Church canonically resident for six months last past within the Diocese,being
engaged in the business of literary instruction, or disabled by reason of age or
infirmity from exercising clerical functions, shall be entitled to all the privi¬
leges of a member of the Convention, with the exception of a right to vote.
Each Church or Congregation in union with this Convention shall be entitled
to a representation by one Lay Delegate or more, not exceeding three, to be
chosen from its own b<fey by the Wardens and Vestrymen thereof: provided,
however, that the Minister, or. in his absence, the Delegate or Delegates pres¬
ent at any Convention, may supply any vacancy in the delegation, if he or
they should find, at the place of meeting, a member or members of the Con¬
gregation which they are empowered to represent.
ARTICLE V.—New Parishes may be admitted into union with this Con¬
vention by a majority of votes: provided, that they shall have laid before th^
Convention written evidence, subscribed by the Wardens, that they accede to
the Constitution and Canons of this Church, and are regularly organized by
the election of two Wardens, and any number of Vestrymen at discretion, not
exceeding eight.
ARTICLE VI.—Every meeting of the Convention shall be Opened with
Morning Prayer, and a Sermon, delivered on the first day of the Convention,
by a Preacher appointed at the preceding Convention; a Sermon on Missions
shall also be preached some timeduringthe sittingof each Convention, when a
collection shall be made in aid of Missions within this Diocese. The appoint¬
ment of both Preachers, with substitutes, shall be made by the Bishop, or, m
his absence, by the President of the Convention.
ARTICLE VII.—The Convention shall deliberate and act as one body,
unless when any member shall call for a division on any question, in w nc
case each clerical member shall be entitled to one vote, a"dthe 1lay deleSf e.®
of each congregation jointly to one vote; and a majority of both orders snau
be necessary to a decision
30
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE VIII.—The Bishop of the Diocese slmll be ex officio President
of the Convention. In case there be no Bishop, or, in hia absence, a presiding
officer shall be elected from among the clerical members present.
ARTICLE IX.—At each annual meeting of the Convention, a Secretary
and Treasurer shall be chosen, to hold their respective offices until the next
annual Convention, or until successors shall be appointed. It shall be the duty
of the Treasurer to receive, or cause to be received, at each annual Convention
the assessments upon the Parishes of this Diocese for defraying the incidental
expenses of the Convention and the support of the Episcopate—and also to pay
to the Bishop quarterly, in advance, the amount of salary pledged to him by
this Convention; making a faithful return of all these his acts in his annual
report tq the Convention of this Church.
ARTICLE X.—A Standing Committee shall be chosen at each annual
meeting of this Convention, to consist of three clerical and three lay members;
of the time and place of whose meetings due notice in writing shall be given
to all the members thereof at least one week before the time of such meeting.
At a meeting thus notified, any four members shall constitute a quorum. The
StandingjCommittee shall meet as soon as practicable after their election, and
choose a President and Secretary from among their own number, and it shall
be the duty of the President to call a meeting of the committee whenever he
shall be required to do so by any three members of the committee. Vacancies
in this committee, caused by death, resignation, or otherwise, shall be supplied
by the suffrages of the remaining members.
ARTICLE XI.—The Convention shall annually elect four clergymen and
four laymen as deputies to the General Convention, and to any special Gene¬
ral Convention which may be held in the recess of this Convention, who shall
be empowered, in the absence of one or more of their colleagues, to appoint in
the place of such delegate or delegates any citizen or citizens of this State:
provided, that such citizenor citizens be a memberor members of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in this Diocese; or, if it be inconvenient for any delegate or
delegates to proceed to the place of meeting, the Bishop is authorized to appoint
others in their place. In case of a vacancy in the Episcopate, the power hereby
conferred on the Bishop shall be exercised by the Standing Committee.
ARTICLE XII.—A proposition for altering and amending this Constitu¬
tion shall be introduced in writing, and considered in Convention, and if ap¬
proved by a majority, shall lie over to the next Convention, when, upon con¬
sideration again, if it be approved by a majority of the Convention, it shall
be adopted.
ARTICLE XIII.—In all elections by ballot, a majority of votes shall be
required for a choice. •
CANONS.
31
CANONS.
&1 ten dollars annually for defraying the incidental expenses oflhe Convention.
CANON II—In case any Clergyman of this Diocese shall be accused of
error in doctrine, immorality of life, or neglect or transgression of any of the
canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, or this Dio¬
cese* 11 shall be the duty of any two or more Clergymen, or of the Wardens
and Vestrymen of the Church of which be is Rector, or to which he maV be¬
long, who shall have knowledge or belief of such misdemeanor, to represent
the same to the Bishop, or, in case there be no Bishop, to the Standing Com¬
mittee of the Diocese, In the event of such representation, it shall be the duty
of the Bishop, or, if tliere be no Bishop, the Standing Committee, if he or they
shall deem the charge or charges worthy of investigation, forthwith to notify
the accused of such charges, together with the time and place appointed for
his trial. The mode of trial shall be as follows: the Bishop, or Standing
Committee, as the case may be, shall appoint a number of Presbyters, not less
than five, of whom the person accused may select a majority, by whom to be
tried. The result of the trial shall be made known to the Bishop, or, if there
be no Bishop, to the Standing Committee, who shall pronounce and' execute,
or cause to be pronounced and executed, such sentence as may be 'awarded'
should the same by him or them be deemed just and proper. '
Should the sentence be suspension or degradation from the Ministry, the
Bishop, or Provisional Bishop, or, shoaid there be none, some neighboring
Bishop, shall be required to pronounce the same.
Should it be impossible to obtain from this Diocese the requisite number of
Presbyters to constitute a board of trial, the deficiency may be supplied from a
neighboring Diocese.
Should any Clergyman accused and cited for trial according to the provis¬
ions of this canon, neglect or refuse to obey the citation, such neglect or refusal
shall be considered as an acknowledgment of the truth of the charges preferred
against him, and sentence shall be pronounced accordingly.
CANON III.—The Convention shall appoint annually, by ballot, a com¬
mittee of two Clergymen and three Laymen, of which committee the Bishop
of the Diocese, when there is one, shall be ex-officio chairman ; whose duty it
shall be to take in charge the Missionary, Bible, Common Prayer Book, Tract
and Sunday School operations of the Church in this Diocese ; and it shall be
further the duty of this committee to make a full report of all their proceedings
to each succeeding annual Convention.
CANON IV.—It shall be the duty of the Vestry of each Church in connex¬
ion with this Diocese to pay, or cause to be paid, into the hands of the Treas¬
urer of the Convention, at each annual meeting of theConvention,the amount of
the assessment laid upon the Churches respectively represented by them for the
support of the Episcopate of this Diocese-
CANON' V Section 1. Whenever any number of persons shall associate
to form an Episcopal Congregation, they shall adopt articles of association for
their aovernment, in which they shall acknowledge and accede to the consti¬
tution^ canons, doctrines, discipline and worship of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the'United States, and the constitution and C^7c0,f^
Georgia ■ thev shall assume a suitable name by which their Church or Parish
shall be designated, and elect two Wardens and any number of Vestrymen at
St retn?^ exceeding eight. A certified
and of the proceedings at their■adoption, from such
laid before the Convention, and if approved by that body deleft s a_
rongiegation or palish may take seats in the on3® j subject to its decisions,
turn shall be considered as united to ie vpstrvmen in every Parish thus
Skction 2. The election ot Wan e"» Vestr^rojn 1»ev«y ^ ^
constituted, shall take place annua:lly ° 0 h tl abscnt of the ecclesiasti-
lirne be specified in tl.e act of mcoiroiation, witn tne abs.
Cr<l authority of the Diocese.
$2
STANDING RESOLUTIONfc.
STANDING RESOLUTIONS,
For providing a Permanent Fund for the support of the Episcopate
Adopted 1841.
Resolved, That, as it is important that the formation of a permanent fund
for the support of the Episcopate in this Diocese be at once commenced, ea6h
Rector of a Parish is requested, annually, to call the attention of his parisluon
ers to the subject, and invite contributions for the object in such mode as he
may deem most expedient. That the Standing Committee of the Diocese be
trustees of this fund, to whom all the collections are to be paid over by the re
spective Rectors, and the amount thus paid over be invested by the said trus¬
tees in what may appear to them the most safe and profitable manner—the in¬
terest annually received to be added to the principal, so that for the present the
flind may be accumulating. And further,
Resolved, That the Standing Committee, as trustees aforesaid, be requested
to report to each annual Convention the amount received during the year, the
sources from which received, and the manner in which the same is invested.
Of the Organization of New Parishes, adopted 1842.
Resolved, That in the organization of new Parishes, the following form of
declaration be recommended, and the meeting in which it is adopted be held
aiid conducted according to the provisions of Canon V:
" We, the subscribers, assembled for the purpose of organizing a Church
[or Parish] of the Protestant Episcopal Church in , county of , and
State of Georgia, after due notice given, do hereby agree to form a Church [or
Parish] to be known by the name of —— Church, , and as such, do here¬
by acknowledge and accede to the doctrine, discipline and worship, the con¬
stitution and canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States
of America, and the constitution and canons of the same Church in the Dio¬
cese of Georgia ; and we do accordingly appoint A B and C D to be the first
Wardens, and EP, G H, I J, to be the first Vestrymen of Church, to con¬
tinue in office until Easter Monday, A. D. , and until others be chosen in
their place. And an election of Wardens and Vestrymen shall hereafter be
held on Easter Monday of each successive year.
" Witness our hands at , county of , and State of Georgia, this
day of ——, in the year of our Lord ."
On the use of Churches, adopted 1842.
On motion, it was unanimously—Resolved, That it be recommended to
the Vestries of our Churches in this Diocese to discourage the use ot the
Churches under their care for all " unhallowed, worldly and common uses."
The Style or Title of Churches.
The proper style for a duly incorporated Congregation is, " The Rector,
Church Wardens and Vestry, (or else the. Church Wardens and Vestiy) ot"
Church in ." The first blank being left for the name of the
Church, the other for that of the place-
Form of a Certificate,
Of Appointment as a Delegate to the Diocesan Convention.
This certifies, that at a meetingof the Rectoi, Wardens and Vestry, for War¬
dens and Vestry, if no Rector were present,) of , held on the
day of , the following person (or persons, as the case may be,) viz. K
L, M N and O P, were duly elected to repie^ent this Church in the next Con¬
vention of this Diocese, to be held in , on the day of , 18—
The above certificate shall be signed by the Rector, if present, or in hi& ab¬
sence, by one of the Wardens or Secretary of the Vestiy.
Right Rev. STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr., D. D.,
Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia ?
Post Office, Macon.
Rev, THOMAS F. SCOTT, Marietta,
Secretary of the Convention.
Rev. EDW'D NEUFVILLE, D. D., Savannah,
^President of the Standing Committee.
Mr. GEORGE PARROTT, of Augusta,
Treasurer of the Diocese.
Mr. W. S. WILLIFORD, of Macon,
Treasurer of the Missionary Committee.