Protestant Episcopal 
 Church in the U.S.A. 
 DioceBe of Pa. Society for 
 Advp.ncement of Christianity 
 
 The First Report of the 
 Board of Trustees 
 
 KX59I8I 
 ..T4A6 
 
• 
 
THE 
 
 FIRST REPORT 
 
 BOARD OF TRUSTEES 
 
 SOCIETY OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH 
 
 Advancement of Christianity in Pennsylvania. 
 
 Made at the Anniversary of the Society, January 6, 18J3. 
 
 WITH THE 
 
 CONSTITUTION OF THE SOCIETY 
 
 A LIST OF ITS MEMBERS. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY. 
 
 William Fry, Printer. 
 1813. 
 
FIRST REPORT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 BOARD OF TRUSTEES. 
 
 In compliance with that article of the Constitution, 
 which directs, that, " at every anniversary, the Board 
 of Trustees shall lay before the Society a report of their 
 proceedings during the preceding year, shall exhibit a 
 full and accurate view of the state of the funds and other 
 property, and inform the members of any matters rela- 
 tive to the objects of the Society which may be inte- 
 resting to them;" the Board of Trustees submit to the 
 Society their first Report. 
 
 When it is recollected, that little more than eight 
 months have elapsed since the organization of the Soci- 
 ety was first contemplated, and that in the establishment 
 of all similar institutions, difficulties are to be encoun- 
 tered, the means of removing or overcoming which ex- 
 perience alone can suggest, the most sanguine promoter 
 of the objects proposed could scarcely expect, that more 
 had yet been accomplished than in some degree to pre- 
 pare the way for exertion during the ensuing year. 
 
 It is therefore with great pleasure that the Trustees 
 feel themselves authorized to state, that much which it 
 was at first supposed could not be undertaken, until the 
 institution had arrived at some degree of maturity, has 
 already been performed, and to congratulate the Society 
 
4 
 
 upon the pleasing prospects of success in the laudable 
 design for which they were associated, which the short 
 period already elapsed has opened to them. 
 
 Among the various objects which were presented to 
 the consideration of the Trustees, none appeared to them 
 more important than that of endeavouring " to afford as- 
 sistance to such churches in the state, whose members 
 were not sufficiently numerous or wealthy to support 
 established ministers, by sending missionaries for their 
 spiritual comfort and assistance." To this, therefore, 
 their attention was early directed. The first steps to- 
 wards effecting it, appeared to be, to render the exist- 
 ence and views of the Society generally known through- 
 out the state; to obtain correct information relative to 
 the situation of the Episcopal congregations in it; the 
 opportunities afforded to their members of attending 
 divine worship, and to ascertain in what places the la- 
 bours of a missionary would be most useful. For this 
 purpose letters were addressed by the Corresponding 
 Secretary to members of the church, residing in the dif- 
 ferent parishes in the state, soliciting the desired infor- 
 mation, and enclosmg copies of the Constitution of the 
 Society. From several of them answers were received, 
 expressing great satisfaction in the establishment of 
 such an institution, a conviction that the labours of its 
 members would be eminently useful in turning many to 
 righteousness, and promising to co-operate in promo- 
 ting their views. The information obtained, however, 
 was far from being as ample as was desired. The know- 
 ledge of the writers was confined to the particular dis- 
 tricts in which they resided, and the number of com- 
 munications was not sufficient to enable the Trustees to 
 form an opinion as to the situation of the church in any 
 
considerable portion of the state. Those communica- 
 tions however were fully sufficient to convince them 
 that the harvest was indeed ready, and that labourers 
 only were wanting. It was therefore determined, as the 
 state of the funds authorized the measure, to endeavour 
 to obtain the services of a clergyman of suitable talents 
 and acquirements to visit those churches in the state, in 
 which there were no settled ministers. A committee was 
 accordingly appointed for that purpose, and immedi- 
 ately procured the ready and cheerful consent of the 
 Rev. Dr. Joseph Pilmore and the Rev. Jackson Kem- 
 per to give their services in this first attempt of the 
 Society to advance the interests and to diffuse the 
 blessings of Christianity. No selection could have been 
 more judicious. The character of these gentlemen, and 
 their situation as officers of the Society, justified the 
 belief, that they would be enabled to extend a know- 
 ledge of its views, to produce and confirm a sympathy 
 of feeling highly requisite to insure snceess, and to ob- 
 tain that information which was so essentially necessary 
 to direct its future operations. The mission of the Rev. 
 Dr. Pilmore, from his engagements in the city of Phila- 
 delphia, was necessarily confined to the counties adja- 
 cent to it, and was very limited in its duration. In con- 
 sequence of the arrangements made by the Trustees 
 (with the approbation of the Rector and Vestry) to sup- 
 ply the place of the Rev. Mr. Kemper in the united 
 churches of the city, he was enabled to be absent during 
 a period of three months, and to visit the most remote 
 districts of the state. Ardently desirous of promoting 
 the views of the Society, and to effect the object of his 
 mission, every exertion has been made by him for those 
 purposes. The result of his labours will best appear 
 
from the report made by him upon his return, which 
 will be laid before the Society.* 
 
 Another object proposed by the Constitution of the 
 Society, that of providing means for the education of 
 young men willing to devote themselves to the chris- 
 tian ministry, has also received from the Board of Trus- 
 tees that consideration which its importance merited. 
 They were sensible however that while the importance 
 of the subject claimed their early attention, it also re- 
 quired the most mature deliberation. Although deeply 
 impressed with the conviction, that no part of the de- 
 sign of the institution would have a greater influence 
 upon the prosperity of the church, than that " of taking 
 by the hand youths of genius and piety who need the 
 fostering aid of benevolence, and are meet to be trained 
 up for the ministry," they were duly sensible that while 
 they were considering what was desirable, it was neces- 
 sary to keep in view the resources of the Society, in or- 
 der that the measures which they might adopt should 
 be practicable. It was deemed expedient, therefore, un- 
 til the funds were increased, and they were thereby ena- 
 bled to afford more efficient aid to the candidates for the 
 sacred office, that a committee should be appointed, 
 whose duty it should be to take under their particular 
 charge and care, all books of which the Society may 
 become possessed, either by loan, gift or purchase, 
 (those excepted which shall be procured for the pur- 
 pose of distribution) and to grant the use of them under 
 suitable regulations to candidates for the ministry of the 
 church. That they should report from time to time to 
 
 * It has been deemed proper to publish some extracts from Mr. 
 Kemper's report for ihe information of those members who were 
 not present at the general meeting of the Society. See Appendix. 
 
the Board the titles of such books as in their opinion 
 may be necessary, with those in the possession of the 
 Society, to form a complete hbrary for the study of the- 
 ology, that order may be taken for the procuring of the 
 same; and that they should inform themselves of the 
 situation and circumstances of such youths of genius 
 and piety " as are desirous of preparing themselves as 
 candidates for the ministry, but need the fostering aid 
 of the society for that purpose," and communicate the 
 same to the Trustees, that suitable aid might be ex- 
 tended to them. Sensible, however, that the diffidence 
 which accompanies genuine worth, might induce an un- 
 willingness to apply for assistance in any pursuit, how- 
 ever meritorious, the committee were directed not to 
 disclose the name of any candidate in whose behalf ap- 
 plication should be made, unless with his approbation. 
 These measures appeared to be all which the Board, 
 during the infancy of the institution, could with pru- 
 dence adopt. They undoubtedly required the lapse of a 
 considerable period of time, before in consequence of 
 them, any very efficient aid would be afforded to the 
 candidates in their theological studies; but it was hoped 
 that they would at least serve as the basis of a system 
 which, as the funds of the Society increased, would af- 
 ford to those students who could not otherwise procure 
 them, a ready access to those works, the study of which 
 is deemed necessary by the House of Bishops to qualify 
 a candidate for orders, and to render him a more useful 
 advocate of the gospel of the Redeemer. Subsequent 
 occurrences induce the Trustees to hope that the only 
 objection lo the plan proposed, that of the delay which 
 would attend its completion, will be in a great degree 
 removed. Information having been communicated to 
 
8 
 
 them, that a very valuable collection of theological 
 books, many of them exceedingly rare and difficult to 
 be procured, is owned by the vestry of the united 
 churches of the city of Philadelphia, and by them de- 
 posited in St. James's church, a committee was appoint- 
 ed to make a respectful application to that body for the 
 use of those books under such regulations as might be 
 deemed necessary to preserve them from loss or injury. 
 There is every reason to believe that at the first meet- 
 ing of the vestry the permission solicited will be granted 
 by them. That collection, with the addition of some 
 more modern works, which it is hoped will be presented 
 to the Society, or may be purchased from their funds, 
 will form a library not merely sufficient for the educa- 
 tion of students in theology, but copious enough to in* 
 dulge to the fullest extent a laudable zeal and curiosity 
 in their studies. 
 
 By the sixth article of the constitution, the Trustees 
 are directed to submit their proceedings to the inspec- 
 tion of the state Convention, in order to affiard an oppor- 
 tunity for their opinions and remarks. That duty was 
 accordingly performed at the annual meeting of the con- 
 vention in May last, and it affiards the Trustees the most 
 sincere satisfaction to state that the objects and views 
 of the Society received the unqualified approbation of 
 that highly respectable body; and that as a proof of 
 their desire to co-operate in promoting them, they re- 
 signed to the Society their right to a sum formerly col- 
 lected for the support of missionaries, in consequence 
 of which two hundred and eighty-seven dollars and 
 thirty- eight cents have been received by the Treasurer. 
 The following is an extract from their proceedings, 
 transmitted by them to the Board of Trustees. 
 
9 
 
 *' Extracts from the minutes of the twenty-eighth 
 ** convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the 
 " state of Pennsylvania. 
 
 " A letter was received from the Board of Trustees of 
 " the Protestant Episcopal Society for the Advancement 
 " of Christianity in Pennsylvania, enclosing copies of 
 " their address and constitution. 
 
 " The letter and the constitution of the Society having 
 " been read, on motion it was unanimously resolved, 
 *' That this Convention have received with much plea- 
 " sure, information of the establishment of the Protes- 
 " tant Episcopal Society for the advancement of Chris- 
 " tianity in Pennsylvania; that they give their unquali- 
 *' fied approbation to so laudable an institution; and 
 " promise to co-operate with them in promoting their 
 " grand and benevolent designs. 
 
 " It having been stated that the sum of two hundred 
 " and seventy dollars, or thereabouts, formerly collecred 
 <' for a plan to be thereafter instituted for the support 
 " of missionaries is now in the hands of a gentleman 
 " who is ready to pay it as this Board shall direct, 
 
 " Resolved, that this Convention do hereby resign 
 " their right to the said sum, and request that it may 
 «' be paid to the Treasurer of the Protestant Episcopal 
 " Society, and for the use of said Society." 
 
 The funds of the institution, upon the extent of which 
 its usefulness materially depends, claimed and received 
 the early attention of the Board of Trustees, It is evi- 
 dent that whatever may be the wishes or zeal of the of- 
 ficers of the Society, without the liberal contributions 
 of its members, nothing effective can be done. It is a 
 matter of gratification therefore, that the funds of the 
 institution have been quite as great as at its commence- 
 
 B 
 
10 
 
 ment could have been expected. It appears from the 
 Treasurer'^ Report, that the amount received since the 
 twenty- seventh day of April last, when the Society was 
 organized, is two thousand seven hundred and eight dol- 
 lars two cents. Of this suni nine hundred and fifty dol- 
 lars arise from life subscriptions, one thousand two hun- 
 dred and seventy-five dollars from annual subscriptions, 
 one hundred and forty- eight dollars fifty cents from do- 
 nations, forty-seven dollars fourteen cents from the con- 
 tributions of distant churches received by the Rev. Mr. 
 Kemper during his mission, and two hundred and 
 eighty-seven dollars thirty-eight cents have been re- 
 ceived in consequence of the resolution of the conven- 
 tion of the state, as mentioned in a previous part of this 
 Report. Of these receipts one thousand five hundred and 
 ninety dollars have been permanently invested in five 
 shares of the stock of the Philadelphia and Lancaster 
 turnpike; one hundred dollars in the purchase of prayer 
 books; six hundred and twenty -nine dollars two cents 
 have been disbursed in the various expenses of the So- 
 ciety; and three hundred and eighty-nine dollars remain 
 unexpended in the hands of the Treasurer. The sum 
 actually expended by the Society in their mission has 
 been very small, as the services of Mr. Kemper were 
 proffered without any other remuneration than his actual 
 disbursements. The expenses of the Society in future 
 years must naturally be much greater than during the 
 past, as their operations will be more extensive, and 
 will include a salary to the missionaries. The informa- 
 tion of which they are now possessed respecting the 
 state of the church in the different parts of the common- 
 wealth will enable them to direct their efforts with the 
 greatest effect, and to a great extent. Whether the an- 
 
11 
 
 iiual receipts will hereafter l:>e adequate to the demands, 
 cannot now be said: but while the liberality of the whole 
 christian world is exerting itself in carrying the light of 
 the gospel to distant regions, and diffusing it among 
 heathen nations, it is not to be feared that it will be suf- 
 fered to become extinct in any part of our own land, 
 and among a people upon whom the name of Christ has 
 been already named. Nor while all other classes of 
 christians are strenuously active in extending their re- 
 spective denominations, is it to be apprehended that 
 Episcopalians alone will intermit their exertions to build 
 up their own church, and establish their own people, in 
 their most holy faith. 
 
 Desirous of effecting, as far as the state of the funds 
 would admit, all the objects of the association, the Trus- 
 tees have purchased at an average price of less than 
 fifty cents a copy, a number of copies of the book of 
 Common Prayer — of which some have been already 
 distributed. Arrangements have been made for the dis- 
 tribution of the remainder, and of such religious tracts, 
 and other works of approved reputation, as may tend to 
 the advancement of Christianity. Sensible of the impor- 
 tance of this part of the plan of the Society, the direc- 
 tion of it has been entrusted to a committee, whose at- 
 tention will be devoted to its accomplishment. 
 
 In pursuance of the direction of the last article of the 
 Constitution, application has been made by the Trus- 
 tees, in the mode prescribed by law, for a charter of 
 incorporation. The committee to whom that duty was 
 assigned have reported, that a charter will be obtained 
 during the present term of the supreme court, and the 
 usual rights and privileges of incorporated bodies be 
 thereby secured to the Society. 
 
^2 
 
 While the Trustees derive the most sincere satisfac- 
 tion from being enabled to submit so favourahie a state- 
 ment of the pi ogress of the important work committed 
 to their charge, and while they cherish the hope that, 
 aided by that Being without whose assistance all human 
 exertions are vain, their successors will establish upon 
 the foundation already laid, a system which will tend to 
 enlarge the bounds of the Redeemer's kingdom upon 
 earth, they cannot close their Report without suggest- 
 ing, that the fulfilment of that hope must, under God, 
 materially depend upon the continued exertions and 
 persevering zeal of the present members of the Society. 
 Although the instiiution has considerably advanced in 
 strength, it is still in its infancy. Upon the character 
 which shall be established, and the exertions which shall 
 be made during the ensuing year, its future success 
 may depend. The Trustees however deem it unneces- 
 sary to suggest to the members, motives for persever- 
 ance in the work they have commenced. They are con- 
 vinced, that to those whose sole object in associating 
 themselves was to promote the spiritual welfare of their 
 fellow beings, it will be sufficient to state that only per- 
 severance is required to complete their design. They 
 feel assured that to advance the interests of an institu- 
 tion of which the only limit to its usefulness is the limit 
 of its means, the exertions of its members will not be 
 wanting. And if one fellow mortal is, in consequence 
 of those exertions led from the shades of spiritual dark- 
 ness to the cheering sunshine of gospel light, — if ihey 
 receive the blessing of but one who was ready to perish^ 
 they will be amply rewarded. 
 
 January 6th, 1813. 
 
 WILLIAM WHITE, President. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 PREVIOUS to Mr. Kemper's leaving the city, the 
 Bishop favoured him with the following letter of intro- 
 duction. 
 
 " The Society for the advancement of Christianity in 
 this state, having agreed with tht Rev. Jackson Kemper 
 to visit certain churches within the same, nou' destitute 
 of pastors, I hereby declare my approbation of his mis- 
 sion to the said churches: it being also understood, as 
 well by the Society as by myself, that he is to extend 
 his ministry to neighbourhoods, in which there may be 
 no churches; and yet resident Episcopalians to whom 
 his ministry may be useful. 
 
 " I certify to the churches and to the vicinities which 
 he may visit, that he is a clergyman in deacon's orders, 
 and of approved faith and morals: confiding that they 
 will receive him with affection and respect, and afford 
 him all the aid which shall be in their power, to carry 
 the rehgious design of liis visits to them into effect. 
 
 " And it is my request to the parochial clergy through 
 whose cures he may travel, and to whom he may com- 
 municate the object of his mission, that they will fur- 
 nish him with whatever information may be serviceable 
 to him in the important mission on which he has en= 
 tered; and especially in regard to any unsupplied places 
 in their respective neighbourhoods, in which his preach- 
 ing may be the mean, under God, of raising congrega- 
 tions. 
 
 WILLIAM WHITE, 
 
 Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the com- 
 monwealth of Pennsylvania." 
 
14 
 
 He likewise received from the Bishop a letter of in- 
 structions, which was his guide in all the communica- 
 tions he had with the different congregations he visited, 
 and to which, as required, he has returned a Report. 
 
 " Philadelphia, August 8, 1812. 
 <' Rev. and Dear Sir, 
 
 *' I enclose a list of our vacant congregations. These 
 are to be considered as primarily the objects of the mis- 
 sionary labours on which you are entering: not how- 
 ever to the exclusion of other places, in which your 
 preaching may be the mean of raismg congregations. 
 Besides, whatever further information I may receive 
 from you on your return, as the result of your own ob- 
 servations and reflections, I shall be especially desirous 
 of being informed on the following heads: 
 
 *' 1st, At what places and at what times you shall 
 have preached, and have performed divine service du- 
 ring your mission. 
 
 *' 2d, How many adults and how many infants you 
 shall have baptised, and at what places. 
 
 "3d, How many persons there are in each church or 
 neighbourhood visited, who are communicants, or are 
 desirous of becoming such in case of opportunity. 
 
 •' 4th, In regard to each place, whether, in case of a 
 visit by me for the administering of the rite of confirma- 
 tion, there be the prospect of such a visit's being pre- 
 ceded by the visits of any nearer clergyman, for the 
 purpose of preparation. 
 
 " 5th, What may be supposed in the power of any 
 church, towards the raising of a support for a settled 
 minister among them. 
 
 " On the above subjects, I shall expect a report from 
 you on your return; and am, in the mean time, with 
 
15 
 
 my wishes and prayers for the success of your ministry 
 in this department, and for your health and safety, 
 
 Your's affectionately, 
 
 WILLIAM WHITE." 
 
 Mr. Kemper found many Episcopalians scattered 
 throughout the state. In some places there are remain- 
 ing merely the fragments of congregations which were 
 once numerous and flourishing. There is every reason 
 however to believe, that these could soon be revived, 
 and that the apparent apathy which now prevails would 
 give place to a lively zeal for the interests of religion, if 
 a few pious clergymen could be induced to settle among 
 thf m in the capacity of missionaries from the Society. 
 Surely it becomes, may we not say, the absolute duty 
 of those whom the i\.lmighty has blessed in their tem- 
 poral concerns, and who have an opportunity of enjoy- 
 ing all the privileges of Christianity, to do good, espe- 
 cially unto those who are of the household of faith, by 
 enabling them to possess equal advantages with them- 
 selves. , 
 
 The following extracts are from the conclusion of 
 Mr. Kemper's report. 
 
 " 1 have all along considered my mission merely as a 
 journey of discovery, during which I was to endeavour 
 to obtain as accurate a knowledge as possible of the real 
 situation of our church. To have examined fully into 
 this subject would have occupied six months instead of 
 three; but I trust I have brought home sufficient infor- 
 mation to encourage the Society in its laudable endea- 
 vours, and to sanction the utmost exertions that can 
 possibly be made in this best of causes." 
 
 " I have no doubt but that at this time six, or even 
 eight missionaries might be constantly and most use- 
 
IS 
 
 fully employed among those who are professedly Epis- 
 copalians. The expenses of these missionaries would 
 not be so great as might at first view be imagined, for 
 many of them would be nearly, if not entirely, supported 
 by the people among wliom they officiated." 
 
 " From Pittbburg I went to Brownsville in Fayette 
 county. At this place and its neighbourhood there are 
 a number of Episcopalians. I officiated here twice on 
 Sunday the 13th, in the Methodi-bt meeting. In the af- 
 ternoon the Rev. Mr. Ayers assisted me by reading 
 prayers. In the vicinity of this place there are five Epis- 
 copal churches; not one of which is situated more than 
 twelve miles from it. It is a long while since these build- 
 ings have been opened for the performance of our ser- 
 vice, and since those endeavours have been used which 
 are necessary to preserve them from dilapidation." 
 
 " There are seven churches near Philadelphia, which 
 in all probability, during the whole of this winter, will 
 be destitute of clergymen." 
 
 " Let not the Society feel disposed to withhold their 
 aid, or to limit the utmost exertions that are in their 
 power, because they are not pressed and solicited by the 
 vacant congregations to affiurd them relief. Upon such 
 a principle, Christianity never would have been propa- 
 gated. As we are able, so we should be willing, and re- 
 joice at the opportunity, to seek the almost lost sheep 
 of that fold to which we have the happiness to belong. 
 They will receive our missionaries in the first place with 
 politeness, and soon with joy. 
 
 *' I cannot but think that the establishment of our 
 church in the whole western part of the United Slates 
 will depend in a great measure upon this Society. The 
 advancement must he gradually from the east. Let the 
 
17 
 
 church be but fairly established at the conflux of the 
 Monongahela and Alleghany, and in thai neighbour- 
 hood, and there is no fear but that many of its profess- 
 ing members who are scattered through Ohio, Ken- 
 tucky and Tennessee, will yet be firmly settled in the 
 faith of their fathers.'* 
 
 " The languishing state of the churches which I vi- 
 sited have deeply interested me; perhaps more particu- 
 larly so, as I feel confident that the Society is able, with 
 the blessing of the Almighty, to revive and nourish 
 them.'* 
 
 The Honourable William Tilghman and James Milnor 
 and William Meredith, Esquires, are a committee ap- 
 pointed to receive applications from those who are de- 
 sirous of assistance in the prosecution of their theolo- 
 gical studies. 
 
 These gentlemen have likewise the care of the libra- 
 ry, and will gratefully receive donations in books from 
 all those friends of Episcopacy who are inclined to assist 
 the Society in the formation of a complete theological 
 library. 
 
CONSTITUTION. 
 
 ARTICLE I. 
 
 THE name of this Society shall be " The Society of 
 the Protestant Episcopal Church for the Advancement 
 of Christianity in Pennsylvania." Its object is the pro- 
 motion of christian knowledge, learning and piety, in 
 this state. 
 
 ARTICLE n. 
 
 The officers of the Society shall be a president, three 
 vice presidents, twenty trustees, a treasurer, a corre- 
 sponding secretary, and a recordmg secretary, who, to- 
 gether, shall form a board, to be denominated, " The 
 Board of Trustees;" any five of whom shall form a quo* 
 rum for the transaction of business. The bishop shall, 
 ex officio, be president of the society. The other officers 
 shall be appointed by ballot at the anniversary meeting 
 of the society, and a plurality of votes shall constitute 
 a choice. 
 
 Clergymen of the church, resident in the city or 
 county of Philadelphia, members of the society, and 
 entitled to a seat in the state convention, shall be trus- 
 tees of the society, in addition to the trustees to be 
 elected as aforesaid, and with similar powers — provided 
 they do not exceed nine in number — and when they 
 exceed that number, it shall be confined to the nine 
 eldest in settlement. 
 
 Vacancies in the offices of the society, shall be filled 
 by the board of trustees, until the annual election next 
 succeeding the happening of such vacancies. 
 
20 
 
 ARTICLE III. 
 
 Every member of the society shall, during member- 
 ship, pay annually in advance to the treasurer, the sum 
 of five dollars, for the use of the society. Such persons 
 as shall at any time pay fifty dollars, or more, shali be 
 members of the society for life without the annual pay- 
 ment; such donations as the pious and benevolent may 
 at any time make, for the promotion of the purposes of 
 the society, shall also be received by the treasurer; and 
 the trustees shall cause a record to be kept of the names 
 of all such benefactors, with an account of their dona- 
 tions. 
 
 ARTICLE IV. 
 
 The lands or other real estate which the society may 
 at any time acquire, shall be devoted to furthering their 
 general objects; and shall be held, occupied, appropria- 
 ted and disposed of in such manner as the by-laws and 
 resolutions of the society may direct. 
 
 ARTICLE V. 
 
 There shall be annually a meeting of the society in 
 Philadelphia, on the feast of the Epiphany; on which 
 day, or on such other day, and in such church as shall 
 be appointed by the board of trustees, a sermon, suita- 
 ble to the occasion, shall be preached before them, by 
 such clergyman as shall have been appointed for that 
 purpose by the board of trustees; after which a collec- 
 tion shall be made for the increase of the funds of the 
 society. The rectors of other churches shall be invited 
 to have services performed, and collections made, for 
 the benefit of the institution, on such days and in such 
 manner as may be agreeable to the proper parochial au- 
 thority; and whenever the feast of the Epiphany shall 
 
2i 
 
 fall on Sunday, the secular business of the society shall 
 be performed on the day after. 
 
 ARTICLE VI. 
 
 The board of trustees shall hold stated meetings at 
 the least four times a year, and may hold adjourned 
 meetings when necessary. — Special meetings may be 
 called by the president, or in case of a vacancy in the 
 presidency, by the senior vice-president, or by a majo- 
 rity of the board of trustees; but when special meetings 
 are called, the time and place of meeting, and the sub- 
 jects proposed to be considered, shall be previously no- 
 tified to the members; and no other subject shall be 
 discussed or acted upon at such meeting unless there 
 be at least twelve members present. To the board of 
 trustees shall be committed the care of the society^'s 
 funds, and the transaction of its entire business. They 
 shall have power, according to their discretion, and as 
 the funds will allow, to distribute copies of the Bible, 
 the book of Common Prayer, useful religious tracts^ 
 and other works of approved reputation; to send forth, 
 under the sanction and direction of the ecclesiastical 
 authority of the diocese, missionaries to those places 
 within this state, where there is ground for the expecta- 
 tion that their labours will be useful in spreading the 
 truths, and promoting the practice of the holy morality 
 of the gospel — to take by the hand youths of genius 
 and piety, who need the fostering aid of benevolence, 
 and are meet to be trained up for the ministry of the 
 church, and see that they be properly educated: and in 
 general to adopt and execute such measures, as in their 
 best judgment they shall deem good and practicable for 
 the accomplishment of the purposes of the society. 
 
22 
 
 ARTICLE VII. 
 
 It shall be the duty of the board of trustees, at every 
 anniversary, to lay before the society a report of their 
 proceedings during the preceding year; to exhibit a full 
 and accurate vicM' of the state of the society's funds, 
 and other property; and to inform them of any matters 
 relative to the objects of the society, which may be in- 
 teresting to its members. A copy of their proceedings 
 shall be annually sent to the secretary of the council of 
 advice, in order to give opportunity for any opinions or 
 remarks of the bishop, or of that council, or of the state 
 convention, to whose inspection they shall be always 
 open. 
 
 ARTICLE VIII. 
 
 The members of the society, resident within any 
 county or town in this state, other than Philadelphia, 
 may form themselves into corresponding societies, to 
 communicate with the parent society; and as a part of 
 it, and under its direction, to aid in promoting the ge- 
 neral object. 
 
 ARTICLE IX. 
 
 This society being intended to assist, but not in any 
 degree to interfere with, or intrench upon the establish- 
 ed authority of the church, in promoting her interests 
 and advancement in Pennsylvania, it is hereby declared, 
 thcit in V: ha lever shall be done, that authority shall be 
 recognized and conformed to. 
 
 ARTICLE X. 
 
 The constitution shall not be altered, unless it be at 
 an annual meeting, with the consent of two thirds of the 
 members then present, and in the niofie prescribed by 
 law; and the object of the society shall never be changed. 
 
23 
 
 At a meeting of the Society, held at St. James's Church, 
 on Wednesday, the 6th of January, J 813, the follow- 
 ing officers were elected for the present year: 
 
 Right Rev. William White, D. D President. 
 
 Rev. Joseph Pilmore, D. D. "^ 
 
 Chief Justice William Tilghman, V Vice-Presidents. 
 
 William Meredith, Esq. J 
 
 John Perot, Treasurer. 
 
 Rev. Jackson Kemper, Corresponding Secretary. 
 
 Charles N. Bancker, Recording Secretary. 
 
 TRUSTEES. 
 Rev. John Andrews, D. D. Paul Beck, junr. 
 
 Robert Blackwell, D. D. Thomas H vie, 
 Joseph Hutchins, D. D. Thomas W. Francis, 
 James Abercrombie, D. D. Edward Penington, 
 
 Joseph Turner, 
 James Wilibank, 
 
 Hon. James Milnor, 
 
 Caleb P. Wayne, 
 
 John C. Stocker, junr. 
 
 Thomas Cumpston, 
 
 P. F. Glentworth, M. D. 
 
 William Murdock, 
 
 Richard North, 
 
 James S. Smith, 
 John B. Wallace, 
 Richard Peters, junr. 
 John Claxton, 
 Levi HoUingsworth, 
 Richard Dale, 
 John Inskeep, 
 Ephraim Clark, 
 John Robbins. 
 
 LIST OF SUBSCEIBERS. 
 
 LIFE 
 Thomas Armat, 
 Richard Bailey, 
 Paul Beck, junr. 
 Thomas Burke, 
 William Challoner, 
 Joseph Clark, 
 William Davidson, 
 Jane Duche, 
 Thomas W. Francis, 
 Edward Gray, 
 
 SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 Thomas M'Euen, 
 Hon. James Milnor, 
 J John Myers, 
 Lewis Neill, 
 Benjamin Rush, M. D. 
 James Stokes, 
 Bankson Taylor, 
 C. Justice William Tilghman, 
 Peter Van Pelt, 
 X John B. Wallace. 
 
 '-^t_-*^</» A-^tiJLy^ 
 
 (r 
 
24 
 
 ANNUAL 
 Rev. James Abererombie, D. 
 William Adams, 
 Samuel Anderson, 
 Rev. John Andrews, D. D. 
 Rev. John Armstrong, 
 Michael W. Ash, 
 John Ashburner» 
 John Ashburner, junr. 
 
 Sarah Baird, 
 
 William J Baker, 
 
 Charles N. Bancker, 
 
 Charles Barrington, 
 
 Richard Barrington^ 
 
 B. S. Barton, 
 
 Esther Barton, 
 
 William Bethell, 
 
 William I. Bell, 
 
 William S. Biddle, 
 
 Charles Biddle, 
 
 Charles Biddle, junr. 
 
 Thomas Biggs, 
 
 Horace Binney, 
 
 Mary Binncy, 
 
 John Bioren, 
 
 Rev. Robert Blackwell, D. D, 
 
 Edward Bowlby, 
 
 Samuel F. Bradford, 
 
 George Bringhurst, 
 
 Sarah Browne, 
 
 Rev. Levi Bull, 
 
 Sarah Bunner, 
 
 Edward Burd. 
 
 Charles Caldwell, 
 Joseph Carson, 
 Catherine Chew, 
 Benjamin Chew, 
 Elizabeth Chew, 
 Mary Clapier, 
 
 SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 D. Jacob Clark, 
 Ellis Ciark, 
 Benjamin Clark, 
 Catharine Clark, 
 Ephraim Clark, 
 John Claxton, 
 Curtis Clay, 
 Jacob Clement, 
 Jacob Clement, junr. 
 Joseph Cooper, 
 Collin Cooper, 
 Thomas Cooper, 
 John Coulter, 
 Israel Coulter, 
 Esther Cox, 
 John R. Coxe, M. D. 
 Jane Craig, 
 Thomas Cumpston, 
 William Currie, 
 John Curtis. 
 
 Richard Dale, 
 Hugh De Haven, 
 Peter De Haven, junr. 
 Hugh De Haven, junr. 
 Peter De Haven, 
 John Delaveau, 
 Phebe Dickinson, 
 Mary Donaldson, 
 J. M. Douglass, 
 James H. Dundas, 
 John Du Puy. 
 
 James Eccles, 
 John Elliott, 
 Lewis Ellmaker, 
 Elisha N. English, 
 Issachar Evans, 
 Robert T. Evans, 
 Manuel Eyre. r 
 
25 
 
 Thomas Fenton, 
 Robert Fielding, 
 Mary Fisher, 
 Samuel I. Fisher, 
 Elizabeth P. Fisher, 
 Willing Francis, 
 John Francis, 
 Thomas Francis, 
 George Harrison Francis, 
 Charles Francis, junr. 
 
 James Gamble, 
 
 Richard George, 
 
 James Gibson, 
 
 John Gibson, 
 
 P. F. Glentworth, M. D. 
 
 Robert E. Griffith, 
 
 Francis Gurney, 
 
 Thomas Hale, 
 Jacob Hall, 
 David Hall, 
 Margaret Hamilton, 
 Andrew Hamilton, 
 James Hamilton, 
 Charles W. Hare, 
 John Harland, 
 Jane Htirland, 
 George Harrison, . , , ^ 
 Henry Harrison, j/jm^ ./. 
 Henry Hawkins, 
 Samuel Hazlehurst, 
 Stephen Henderson," 
 Bernard Henry, 
 Robert Heysham, 
 Henry HoUingswofth, 
 Levi Hollini^sworth, 
 f I. C. Hommunn, 
 Hannah Hood, 
 Joseph Hopkinsonj 
 Joseph Huddeli, ■ 
 
 D 
 
 Joseph Huddeli, junr. 
 Samuel Humphreys, 
 James Y. Humphreys, 
 John Hunt, 
 Rev. Joseph Hutchins, D. D. 
 
 Catharine Ingles, 
 John Inskeep, 
 Isaac Jones, 
 Thomas Jones, 
 Joseph Jones, 
 Alphonso C. Ireland, 
 
 John Keene, 
 Samuel Keith, 
 Rev. Jackson Kemper, 
 Henry H. Kennedy, 
 Walter Kerr, 
 James King, 
 James P. Kingston, 
 William Kirkham, 
 Daniel Knight, 
 
 Knight, 
 
 Henry Kuhl, 
 
 Daniel Lammot, 
 Rebecca Leaming^ 
 Thomas F. Learning, 
 John Lohra, 
 Peter Lohra, 
 Sampson Levy. 
 
 Margaret M'Call. 
 
 Judith M'Call, • .; 
 
 Margaret M'Call, 
 
 George vV. M'Coy, 
 
 William M^Kenzie,^.^ ; . ..^^ 
 
 John INlarkland, ^;. .j./i r,,; ..|^jn 
 
 James Moyes, 
 
 John Markoe, 
 
 James Matthews, 
 
 John Massey, 
 
26 
 
 Edward Meade, 
 William Meredith, 
 Ann Meredith, 
 Mary Miercken, 
 Benjamin Mifflin, 
 Alexander Milier, 
 Juliana Miller, 
 John Millei , jun. 
 Richard Milne, 
 William Milnor, jun. 
 Austin Montgojuery, 
 James Monti;:omery, 
 Frederick Montrnollinj 
 Thomas Moore, jun. 
 Marmaduke Moore, 
 John W. Morrell, 
 Robert Morrell, 
 Anna Morris, 
 Benjamin Morris, 
 Mary Muhlenberg, 
 William Murdock, 
 Alexander Murray, 
 James Musgrave. 
 
 Joseph Norman, 
 Richard North, 
 Stephen North. 
 
 George Oakley. 
 
 John B. Palmer, 
 
 John Parham, 
 
 Edward Penington, 
 
 Margaret Pepper, 
 
 John Perot, 
 
 James Perot, 
 
 Edward Perot, 
 
 Richard Peters, jun. 
 
 William Phillips, 
 
 Rebecca Phillips, 
 
 Rev. Joseph Pilmore, D.D. 
 
 Richard C. Potter, 
 John Poulson, 
 Charles A. Poulson, ^ 
 Elizabeth Powel, 
 
 JoiiM H, Powel, i . i fijju.-i^i;:; 
 
 Henry Pratt, ■'■^nvrl liuX'lI 
 Samuel Price, I 
 
 John M. Price. :T 
 
 ■ -J 
 Condy Raguet, 'J 
 
 Robert Ralston, 
 
 Sarah Ralston, .aJdmsO somvil 
 William Read, ^looO hu:fi:)iil 
 Geortje iieinholdt^ ' -^ fsnrrul 
 Ann Ritchie, < ado\ 
 
 John Robbins, • /'i .T: 
 
 Samuel I. Robbins, ''oJT 
 
 Thomas Roberts, : c 
 
 James Robertson, 
 Samuel Robinson. 
 
 cloorX 
 James Sawer, '■ '■■ 
 
 William Schlatter, 
 Henry S. Sheaff, 
 John D. Sheaff, ■ y.n.J. 
 
 John B. Simmons, , ..iO 
 
 George Simpson, tj.lol 
 
 H. Simpson. oii/;L 
 
 doJ. r.fk^'j, s. Skerrett. (-iO 
 
 -E. and A. Smart, 
 The Miss Smiths, 
 William Smith, jJs-'>H huatr^P. 
 Richard Smith, 'broil no.'- o:h: 
 Daniel Smith, .'n-Il ! -JT 
 Frans. G. Smiih^ 
 Dockeray Smith, 
 James S. Smith, 
 George Summers, 
 Crooke Stevenson, 
 John C. Stocker, 
 Margaret Stocker, 
 
27 
 
 Anthony Stocker, 
 John C. Stocker, jun. 
 John Stoddart, 
 
 Joseph Tagert, 
 Benjamin Tanner, 
 Mary Ann Thomas, 
 George Thompson, 
 Edward Thomson, 
 Rebecca Trenchard, 
 Rev. Joseph Turner, 
 John Turner, 
 Joseph M. Turner, 
 Edward Twells, 
 Sarah Twells, 
 Godfrey Twells. 
 
 John Vallance, 
 
 ■ Verchaux, 
 Thomas Vizer. 
 
 J. G. Wachsmuth, 
 
 H. L. Waddell, 
 
 Francis Wade, 
 
 Joshua M. Wallace, jun. 
 
 David Ware, 
 
 Caleb P. Wayne, 
 
 John Wharton, 
 
 Charles Wheeler, 
 
 John Wiieeier, 
 
 Samuel Wliceler, 
 
 Rt. Kev. William White, D. D. 
 
 Thos. H White, 
 
 Jacob C. Wikoff, 
 
 James Williams, 
 
 Thomas M. Willing, 
 
 Thomas Willing, 
 
 Eliza Willing, 
 
 George Willing, 
 
 Robert B. Willing, 
 
 Rev. James Wiltbank, 
 
 Christian Wiltberger, 
 
 Thomas Wood, 
 
 Joseph Worrell. 
 
THE SECOND REPORT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 BOARD OF TRUSTEES 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SOCIETY OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 ADVANCEMENT OF CHRISTIANITY 
 IN PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 MADE AT THE 
 
 ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOCIETY, 
 
 JANUARY 6, 1814. 
 
 , PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY, 
 
 By James Maxwell. 
 
 1814. 
 
SECOND REPORT 
 
 OP 
 
 THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. 
 
 The Board of Trustees in laying before the society a report 
 of their proceedings during the year 1813, have the satisfaction of 
 announcing that the beneficial effects of this institution begin al- 
 ready to be realized, while new and extensive prospects of useful- 
 ness are daily opening before them. 
 
 It was mentioned in the last report that some copies of the 
 book of common prayer had been obtained, and that arrangements 
 had been made for the circulation of religious tracts. Great at- 
 tention has been paid to these two important subjects. Five hun- 
 dred and seventy-six prayer books, and one thousand two hundred 
 and ninety -two tracts have already been distributed throughout the 
 vai'ious parts of the statej and there is every reason to believe that 
 the demand for them will continue to increase. The prayer books 
 were purchased at various times, at public and private sale, at an 
 average price of about fifty cents each. Some of them were be- 
 stowed upon woi'thy members of the church, but the greater part 
 have been disposed of at first cost among the congregations scat- 
 tered through this diocese. By adopting this plan it is calculated 
 that farther drafts on the funds of the society, than have already 
 been made for this purpose, will not be required for a considera- 
 ble time; because the proceeds of the sales, being applied to the 
 same object, will enable the Trustees to keep a considerable number 
 •>n liand. 
 
 Messrs. Bradford and Inskeep have promoted the general in- 
 terests of Christianity, v/hile they very generously enabled the Trus- 
 tees to dispose of a number of very valuable tracts. Conceiving 
 that the present state of the funds did not authorise the publisi;ing 
 <if whole editions, application v/as rnadc to those gentlemen who 
 
4 
 
 immediately promised to issue from the press one thousand «o- 
 pies of each of the tracts which the Trustees were desirous of ha- 
 \'ing printed; three hundred of which were to be at the disposal 
 of the society at first cost. By this means we have been enabled 
 to distribute tracts upon the following subjects; viz. On Baptismal 
 and Spiritual Regeneration; On St. Paul's Opinion of Jesus Chi'ist; 
 On The Holy Communion, and On The Obsei-vance of Good- 
 Friday — with Directions for Public Worship, Pastoral Advice 
 before Confirmation, and Pastoral Advice after Confirmation. In 
 addition to these some copies of Bishop Hobart's Companion 
 to the Prayer Book, and of Nelson on Confirmation, have likewise 
 been distributed. 
 
 Did the labours of the Trustees end here, they would enjoy 
 the consoling reflection that their excitions have been in a consi- 
 derable degree useful. While Episcopalians cordially unite with 
 other Christians in giving the Holy Scriptures to all those who can 
 appreciate their inestimable value, they ought certainly to endea- 
 vour that none of their members should be unsupplied with that 
 prayer book which contains all the doctrines and precepts of the 
 sacred volume beautifully systematized, and which has most em- 
 phatically, and most justly been stiled the daughter of the Bible. 
 Where is there a production in which is to be found so little of hu- 
 man infirmity? Where is there such fervent, such holy devotion, 
 as is contained in its inimitable liturgy? While distributing this 
 blessed book we stand on holy ground. We connect ourselves 
 with the noble army of reformers, who, not in a few instances seal- 
 ed Avith their blood its invaluable truths. If the Episcopal church 
 exhibits the purest model of Christianity, if it has always been con- 
 sidered as the pillar of the Protestant faith, it is undouljtedly owing 
 to that admirable form of sound words which is inferior only to the 
 Bible itself. To those members of our communion who would 
 deny the Lord that bought them, to those who would substitute 
 mere morality for vital godliness or fanaticism for true religion, 
 the prayer book proclaims from its illuminated pages, this is the 
 way, walk ye in it, turn neither to the right hand nor to the left. 
 The Trustees therefore conceive that the cause of Christianity is 
 essentially promoted by their endeavours to place the prayer book 
 iuthe hands of every Episcopalian. — The tracts were selected 
 
with great care. They are intended to cherish those true evange- 
 lical principles of faith and holiness which are so forcibly incul-- 
 catedin the Articles and Homilies of the church. 
 
 But the labours of the Trustees have not ceased here. Appli- 
 cation was made to the rev. Jehu Curtis Clay immediately after 
 his ordination in June last, and he readily consented to visit the 
 destitute congregations and vicinities throughout the state. The 
 Trustees have received from Mr. Clay a very full and satisfactory 
 report of his labours, and are persuaded that his missionary tour 
 has been attended with the happiest results. 
 
 The Board having received information that the rev. Mr. Tay- 
 lor, Rector of Trinity church, Pittsburg, would gladly visit a num- 
 ber of places in the north-western part of this state where there 
 are a few Episcopalians, if his church could in the mean time be 
 supplied; Mr. Clay was requested, in case he found it not incom- 
 patible with the other objects of his mission, to spend three Sun-- 
 days at Pittsburg. This plan was happily effected; and a short, 
 but interesting report has likewise been received from Mr. Tay- 
 lor. Both these reports will be laid before the society.* 
 
 Those members of our Religious Communion who have panted 
 for the service of the sanctuary, and who began to despair of ever 
 being able to bring up their children in the faith and Avorship of 
 their forefathers, are now revived; they feel convinced of the bene- 
 volent views of the society; and relying upon our assistance in ena- 
 bling them to obtain clergymen; it is sanguinely expected that in 
 a short time they will collect themselves into congregations and 
 begin to build churches. And will the society suffer the flame 
 that has now been kindled to die away? We are confident that 
 they will not. The prayers, the alms of the pious will not surely 
 be withheld, when there exists a probability that this institution, 
 blest by the great head of the church, will be the means of causing 
 many parts of the wilderness to blossom as the rose. 
 
 Constant employment could at the present time be given to 
 three or more missionaries. But where can they be obtained? Or, 
 if their services could be procured will our funds authorise us to 
 
 * For the information of those members who were not present at the an- 
 nual meeting of the society, extracts from these reports are subjoined, see 
 :ippendix. 
 
6 
 
 devote so great a portion of them as would then be required to ac- 
 complish one object, when so many important subjects claim our 
 attention? While the dearth of clergymen convinces us of the ne- 
 cessity of a Theological Seminary, the paucity of our means, con- 
 nected with the interesting designs we have in view, calls loudly 
 upon every member of the society to use all his endeavours to in- 
 crease our funds. 
 
 The Trustees have been rejoiced to hear that the number of 
 candidates for the ministry have considerably increased through- 
 out the United States during the two last years. In one instance 
 we have afforded some trifling assistance. liut as yet there ex- 
 ists no rallying point for students. There is no Theological pro- 
 fessor for our church in America. — In our last report mention 
 was made of the library in St. James's church. The permission 
 there stated to have been solicited has been granted; and rules and 
 regulations have been agreed upon by the vestry and Trustees 
 concerning the use of the books. We regret however to say that 
 no addition has yet been made to that valuable collection. It 
 therefore will continue in a great measure useless to candidates 
 for the ministry until those works are added which the House of 
 Bishops require students to read previous to their examinations. 
 The future existence of our church will greatly depend upon the 
 attention which the present generation may give to the design our 
 constitution expresses of " taking by the hand youths of genius 
 and piety, who need the fostering aid of benevolence, and are meet 
 to be trained up for the ministry." The Board are deeply anx- 
 ious to interest the best affections of their fellow-members in this 
 important object; and they earnestly hope that their successors in 
 office will use every endeavour to render the access to the ministry 
 of reconciliation much easier than it has ever yet been to those who 
 with proper motives and suitable qualifications are willing to be- 
 come labourers in the vineyard of Christ. 
 
 The Episcopalians of Germantown having used great exertions 
 to obtain a regularly ordained clergyman to settle among therr\, 
 your Board felt themselves justified in presenting one hundred 
 dollars to that small but zealous congregation, upon condition that 
 their pastor should at certain intervals visit some of the neighbour- 
 ing destitute churches. This congregation was happy enough to 
 
obtain the labours of the rev. John Ward for several months. The 
 piety, the amiableness and the talents of Mr. Ward promised to 
 effect all that could possibly have been anticipated by tlie most 
 sanguine. Called to a more important and arduous station in his 
 master's vineyard, he has carried with him the fervent prayers 
 and best wishes of all who knew him. His remembrance is che- 
 rished with the fondest affection by the little flock he has left; and 
 "Vve trust that they will prove by their future exertions that he did 
 not labour among them in vain. 
 
 The statement of the Treasurer and a summary of his accounts 
 ■will accompany this report. Since the last anniversary, it appears 
 that there have been added to the society five life, and twenty-six 
 annual subscribers. 
 
 A charter has been obtained; whereby, the usual rights and 
 privileges of incorporated bodies have been secured to the society. 
 
 Several intei-esting subjects have been brought before the view 
 of the Trustees, upon which they have not as yet been enabled con- 
 clusively to act. It is therefore supposed unnecessary that any 
 mention should be made of them in this report. 
 
 In reviewing the transactions of the past year, the Trustees 
 feel the most lively gratitude to the author of every good and per- 
 fect gift. When they recollect the deep interest which Christians 
 of all denominations appear at the present time to take in the con- 
 cerns of the everlasting Gospel, and the exertions they are daily 
 making in order to hasten the happy time when the earth shall 
 be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea; 
 they are confident that the Episcopalians of this state will not be 
 backward in enabling the destitute members of their communion 
 to participate in the same exalted privileges which they enjoy, 
 of worshipping the Lord in the beauty of holiness, according to 
 the form and manner of our truly apostolical church. When the 
 objects for which we associated are considered, it appears no more 
 than a reasonable hope that the society may establish itself in the 
 hearts and affections, and engage the zealous assistance of all who 
 desire the prosperity of our Zion. If we enjoy the Christian reli- 
 gion in its purest illumination and most perfect form; how power- 
 fully are we required to exert ourselves in opening every dark cor- 
 ner at home to the light — in making known as extensively as our 
 
8 
 
 sphere of duty will admit the glory of Him, in whom all the endb 
 of the earth shall be blessed. Fully relying on the promises and 
 the aid of the glorious Redeemer, the Trustees conclude with 
 earnestly soliciting the members to be " steadfast, immovable-— al- 
 ways abounding in this work of the Lord; for as much as we know 
 that our labour will not be in vain in the Lord." 
 
 William WhitE) President. 
 January 6th, 1814. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM 
 
 MR. CLAY'S REPORT. 
 
 " On the eleventh of July, I preached at Somerset, Somerse,t 
 county. The church, which was here building when the reverend 
 Mr. Kemper visited the place, is not yet finished, owing to the 
 paucity of their funds. A temporary pulpit, however, was erect- 
 ed during my stay there; and I officiated in the church for the first- 
 time. Whether this congregation Avill ever be able to support the 
 permanent services of a minister, is very doubtful under existing 
 circumstances. Their numerical, as well as local situation, mili- 
 tates against the idea; for their number is but small, and the dis- 
 tance of Somerset from any other place where there are even the 
 rays of Episcopacy excludes the hope of uniting it with another 
 church, under a common rector. Were a clergyman, however^ 
 willing to take charge of a school, in order to facilitate a compe- 
 tency, Somerset, in this way, could afford him a salary of between 
 four and five hundred dollars. It seldom happens that the salaries 
 of ministers of other denominations are, in the western parts of 
 this state, larger than the sum just mentioned. Upon an income? 
 »f five hundred dollars, a ivestem clergyman can generally obtain 
 a comfortable subsistence, and find it equivalent, probably, to one 
 of a thousand dollars in a large and populous city. 
 
 n 
 
10 
 
 '' 1 arrived at Brownsville on the twentieth of July, and took up a 
 residence there which continued for six weeks after its commence- 
 ment. The Society have in their possession documents relative to 
 the state of the church in this place. I only need observe upoii tais 
 subject that, by frequent excursions through the country adjaceat 
 to the town, the church was found to have more advocates than 
 was by any person supposed. 
 
 " In conformity with a requisition of my instructions, I, at a ve- 
 ry early peri9d, suggested to the Episcopalians of Brownsville, the 
 practicability of erecting a church upon the lot of ground already 
 in their possession. In this idea they immediately concurred with 
 great alacrity, and on the twenty-seventh met to debate upon tiie 
 most practicable way of proceeding in this business. The eight 
 members present subscribed five hundred dollars, and appointed 
 two persons to prosecute the matter further. Suffice it to say, that 
 upon my leaving Brownsville, the sum of twelve hundred dollars 
 had been subscribed, which was supposed, by competent judges, to 
 be nearly adequate to the building of a church that should contain 
 from two hundred and fifty to three hundred people. Persons who 
 subscribed very liberally, promised to advance fifLy per cent, more, 
 if the sum in possession should be inadequate to the end of finish- 
 ing the church. Materials are to be provided this fall, and the 
 church to be commenced as soon as the weather in the ensuing 
 spring will pei'mit. 
 
 " August eighth, I officiated in the court-house at Uniontown. 
 At this place there are but few Episcopal families, and no place of 
 worship for any denomination, excepting the methodists. The few 
 Episcopalians with whom I conversed here, are extremely desi- 
 rous of having something done in the way of obtaining a place of 
 worship, and an officiating clergyman. Indeed, such was their 
 enthusiasm as to declare to me the practicability of raising a sala- 
 ry for the support of a minister to the amount of a thousand dollars. 
 This, however, by the united exertions of the latter place, Browns- 
 ville, and Connelsville. 
 
 " The barrenness of report, with respect to the production of 
 any effects by a visit to Uniontown, had almost deterred me fron\ 
 making the attempt. But, so agreeably disappointed have I befin' 
 
11 
 
 in the issue, as to class thi* place next in the scale of importance 
 with Bro\msville, among the places in the vicinity of the latter 
 town. I now think that, should a clergyman be procured for 
 Brownsville, Uniontown ought to claim his attention as next in im- 
 portance. 
 
 " On Thursday evening the second of September, I preached 
 at Connelsville, in the methodist church. In this place and neigh- 
 bourhood are several respectable and wealthy Episcopal families 
 who, in a very few years, through the exertions of a clergyman 
 characterised by talents and piety, would be enabled, in considera- 
 tion of the assistance they would receive from persons even now 
 well-disposed towards the church, to erect themselves a building 
 for public worship. A considerable spirit to this effect prevails 
 among them; and a desire exists to have their place included 
 among those where a clergyman, stationed at Brownsville, would of 
 ficiate. Should this be effected, they promise to raise two hundred 
 dollars towards his support. This, with an equal contribution at 
 Uniontown, and one of four hundred dollars at Brownsville, would 
 constitute a competent salary, in that country, for almost any cler- 
 gyman. This calculation is sanctioned, not only by what a few per- 
 sons told me with respect to the raising of a thousand dollars for 
 the support of a minister, but by the declarations of many as to the 
 practicability of entering into, and fulfilling a stipulation of this 
 character, and to this amount. 
 
 " August fifteenth, officiated at what goes by the name of 
 West^s church, situated in Washington county, and seven miles 
 from Bro^vnsville. The Episcopalians resident in this neighbour- 
 hood, appear to feel the want of a clergyman, and promised to re- 
 pair their church in consideration of a more favourable prospect. 
 A minister officiating at Brownsville in the morning, might very 
 well attend here in the afternoon; and, by pursuing a similar con- 
 duct with respect to other places, would give the extent to his la- 
 bours demanded by local exigencies, without too much diminish- 
 ing from that frequency of worship necessary to the production of 
 a spirit of piety and zeal. 
 
 " Preached at Greensburgh on the nineteenth of September, to 
 a very large but promiscuous congregation. As the Society have 
 
12 
 
 before them infonuation relative to the state of iht church at this 
 place, I only need observe that its welfare might be promoted, 
 were a clergyman of talents and piety, livirig in the country, to give 
 it his occasional attention. It is Avith pleasure I can add, that the 
 attention and unifoi'm conduct of the people at Greensburgh, du- 
 ring the performance of Divine Avorship, were exemplarHy decent 
 and laudable. The same observation may be extended to almost 
 every place I have visited, and preached at. 
 
 " Revisited Pittsburgh on the twentieth of September, and 
 took charge of the church, in the absence of the Reverend Mr. 
 Taylor. On the seventh of October the vestry were called toge- 
 ther, when it was moved and resolved, that a committee of three 
 be appointed to draught an address to the Bishop, and Society, in 
 acknowledgment of the exalted idea they entertain of the utility of 
 the Institution; and, particularly, as its operations relate to the ex- 
 tension of the Redeemer's Kingdom in the western parts of this 
 state. 
 
 " It is unnecessary to dilate in remark upon the subject of the 
 church at Pittsburgh, as it respects its state and condition, the of- 
 ficial letter of the Reverend Mr. Taylor being in the hands of the 
 Society. With respect to my own exertions there, I may be per- 
 mitted to say, that large congregations were collected, and a dis- 
 position created to promote, to an extensive degree, the interests 
 of the church. The debt with which the church had been embar- 
 rassed from the time of its erection, and which has, for several 
 years, absorbed the greater part of that revenue which ought to 
 have constituted a salary for the officiating minister, has lately ob- 
 tained the more than ordinary attention of the vestry, and is in a 
 fair way for liquidation. Nothing is wanting but a uniform spirit 
 of zeal and energy to render Pittsburgh as much the advocate of 
 the doctrines of our most Holy Religion, as she has heretofore 
 been neglectful of them. Without such zeal it is vain to expect a 
 reformation; and with it, all timigs are possible. 
 
 « On the seventeenth of October I officiated in the court-house 
 at Huntingdon, Huntingdon county. The Reverend Mr. Clarkson 
 had left the place just before my arrival. As I understood it to be 
 lus intention to report to the Society the circumstances of his visit, 
 
IS 
 
 I shall decline a itcital of the many interesting; events that result- 
 ed from an investif?;atiGn into the character and condition of the 
 church at this place. Suffice it to say, that after an interval of 
 twelve or thirteen years, during which an Episcopal clergyman 
 Avas never recognised among them, a sudden ebullition of transport 
 was produced by the exertions of Mr. Clarkson, and a disposition 
 resuscitated to use every exertion that may conduce to the penna- 
 nent establishment of Episcopacy in this vicinity. 
 
 " In the conclusion of this report, it may be proper to remarli, 
 that the alacrity every where shown to cooperate with the Society 
 in their endeavours to extend the boundaries of oiu' Zion, must fill 
 the breast of every person with emotions of joy, and sanctions the 
 belief that exertions thus directed will not be fruitless, but be suc- 
 ceeded by a rich and abundant harvest. Let the Society only con- 
 tinue their exertions, and, with a view to the permanent establish- 
 ment of our Religion upon the western borders of the state, direct 
 •their attention more particularly to a few places where there is the 
 greatest auspiciousness of prospect, and, in a few years, such ra- 
 mifications will take place from those establishments as shall dif- 
 fuse Episcopacy to an extent not limited, probably, short of the 
 shores of the Mississippi. By these means it has been that other 
 Societies have triumphed over obstacles similar to those with 
 v/hich we have to contend; and, by an imperfect trial, their efficacy 
 is already manifested in the improved situation of our church at 
 Brownsville, to which the Society have given a more than ordi- 
 nary attention. I have not the least doubt that a clergyman, of ap- 
 proved character, stationed at Brownsville, would, in a very short 
 time, diffuse a zeal over the whole adjacent country, and warm 
 \vith the rays of Episcopacy regions more remote. To this happy 
 result, a happier, it is to be hoped, would shortly succeed, and 
 without which the former is of no account' — a result that should 
 consist in a relinquishment of sin, and in a firactical adhereftcc to 
 the doctrines of our most Holy Faith 
 
14 
 
 Extracts of a letter from the Reverend John Taylor to the Corres- 
 ponding Secretary. 
 
 " Pittsburgh, December 27, 1813. 
 " I arrived at Pittsburgh after a tour of six weeks; during which 
 I found that there is much need and a great call for Preachers of 
 the Gospel, in many places of the western country, beyond the 
 river Alleghany. The people bear the expenses cheerfully, and 
 do their best to render the condition of a clergyman as comfort- 
 able as possible, in their little cabins. There are three places, the 
 inhabitants of which most fervently pray for a missionary of our 
 church to be sent among them, twice in the year; April and Sep- 
 tember would be the most convenient, on account of the roads: viz. 
 Witherop's mill, in Butler county; Franklin, in Venango county; 
 and Butlertown; all in this state. Each of these have at least from 
 twelve to twenty families. 
 
 " In the state of Ohio, Trumbull county, adjoining the Pennsyl- 
 vania line, are four towns, which have the prospect of being able 
 to support a clergyman comfortably, viz. Boardman, Campfield, 
 Youngstown, and Poland. They are a very intelligent, orderly 
 people, all generally emigrants from old Connecticut. They ne- 
 ver neglect meeting on the Sabbath day, and the service is read by 
 one of their own society. They have laid out an eight acre lot in 
 a central situation, as a parsonage or glebe, on which they propose 
 to build a house for the use of their minister. They have it also in 
 contemplation to lay out a farm, about a quarter of a mile from the 
 parsonage, for the same purpose. All this was contemplated in 
 the original purchase, and reserved seven or eight years since. 
 This information I received from several of the inhabitants, parti- 
 cularly a Mr. Joseph Piatt, of Boardman township, who, in the 
 name and at the request of the society, came to me and desired 
 that I would have their wishes made known to the Society in Phila- 
 delphia, that they may have a minister sent to them. If a young 
 man of learning and piety will voluntarily undertake the toil of a 
 visit to their settlement, he will be received with the warmest cor- 
 diality, and probably find a settlement for life, both comfortable and 
 agreeable. I was not able to reach the settlement of Cayahoga, 
 owihg to the exti'eme badness of the roads, and to the lameness 
 
15 
 
 oimy horse. I wrote therefore to Mr. Shepherd, stating my apo- 
 logy, with a renewal of my promise at a more convenient seasort 
 " Yours, most affectionately, in Christ, 
 
 " John TayLor. 
 " Reverend Jackson Kemfier." 
 
16 
 
 Dr. The Society of the Proleslunt Episcopal Church for the udvaneemeat 
 
 1813. 
 Jan. 15. 
 
 April 12. 
 
 20. 
 
 24. 
 July 15. 
 Nov. 13. 
 Dec. 10. 
 
 14. 
 
 To cash paid Richard Hill Morris, for three 
 shares Philadelpliia and Lancaster Turnpike 
 Stock, a 110 per cent., - - - 
 
 Brokerage, a 1-4 per cent., 
 
 2 47 
 
 To do. paid Bisliop White, being so much paid by him 
 for a friend as an annual subscriber, who became a life 
 subscriber, - - 
 
 To do. paid William Montgomery for two shares Plii- 
 ladelphiaand Lancaster Turnpike Stock, a 112per cent.. 
 
 To do. paid C. P. Wayne and William Murdock for use 
 of the church in Germantown, 
 
 To do. paid C. P. Wayne, chairman of the committee on 
 Prayer Rooks, . . . . - 
 
 To do. paid the Reverend Joseph Pilmore, towards the aid 
 of a Tlicological Student, ... 
 
 To do. paid M'Euen, Hale &. Davidson, for three shares of 
 Prankford and Bristol Turnpike Stock, a 113 per cent.. 
 
 To do. paid Reverend Jackson Kemper, for William 
 White president's order on me, in favour of J. B. Wal- 
 lace, chairman of the committee of Mission's, 
 
 To do. paid Jolui B. Wallace, being amount of expenses 
 attending the obtaining a charter. 
 
 S 992 
 
 PERMANENT FUND. 
 
 10 sliares Philadelphia and Lancaster 
 
 Turnpike Stock, 
 3 do. Frankford and Bristol 
 Turnpike Stock, 
 
 Philadelphia, 27th December, 1815. 
 
 } 
 
 Cost ^3,593 47 
 
 47 
 
 500 
 672 
 100 
 
 00 
 100 
 
 200 
 100 
 
 33900 
 
 300 
 21 
 
 S2,729]47 
 
of Chrietiatdty in Pennsylvania, in account -ivith John Perot, Treasurer. Cr. 
 
 1812. 
 Dec. 26. By balance per account rendered this day, 
 
 1813. 
 Jan. 7. By a collection made in Christ Church on the evening 
 
 of the 6th instant, for the use of the Society, §522 05 
 By this sum received of Paul Beck, jun. as his donation, 10 00 
 
 IS. 
 
 8. By do. handed through the Reverend Jackson Kemper, as a 
 
 donation, - • - 
 
 12. By do. received of William Meredith and P. F. Glentworth, 
 a committee appointed to engage a Missionary, being 
 balance in their hands, per account dated 6th instant, 
 Feb. 4. By dividend on five shares Philadelphia and Lancaster Turn- 
 pike Stock, due 22d ult. at §9 per share, 
 Aug. 31. By do. on ten shares of ditto, due 23d ult. at §9 per 
 
 share, - - 
 
 Novj 8. By this sum received of William Meredith, one of a com- 
 mittee, being net proceeds of a sulkey and harness, 
 sold per account of this date, ... 
 
 Dec. 4. By the following sums received from the Reverend James 
 Wiltbank, for the use of the Society — viz. 
 
 A collection made in Trinity Church, Oxford, JS16 74 
 A do. in All Saints Church, 10 56 
 
 27. By the following monies received on account of the Society, 
 
 per list of particulars accompanying this account — viz. 
 
 6 Life Subscriptions, a §50 - - - - g 300 
 
 Yearly do. - - - - - 1,080 
 
 Donations, - - ... 109 
 
 589 
 
 00 
 
 Balance due John Perot, treasurer. 
 
 Total, 
 
 532 05 
 OO 
 
 32 
 
 00 
 
 1,489 00 
 
 61 
 
 45 00 
 00 
 
 82,651 
 
 77 
 
 jS2,7294r 
 
 SAVE ERBOaS. 
 
 JoHM Perot, Treasure)'. 
 
18 
 
 We the committee appointed to examine the accounts of John 
 Perot, Treasurer to the Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church 
 for the advancement of Christianity in Pennsylvania, do certify, 
 that we have examined the same, and find them correct — that 
 they correspond w^ith the accounts kept in the books of the Insti- 
 tution—that the payments are supported by their proper vouchers; 
 and that there is a balance of seventy-seven dollars and fifty-one 
 cents due the said John Perot from the Institution. We have also 
 examined the bank book, and find that all monies received by him 
 have been duly deposited in the Bank of Pennsylvania in his name 
 as Treasurer, and drawn out only for the use of the same. 
 
 C. P. Wayne. 
 
 Thomas Hale. 
 
 Philadelphia, 27 th December, 1313. 
 
19 
 
 At a mcetint,^ of the Society, held at St. James's Church, on Thurs^ 
 day, the (sth of January, 1814, thefolloimng officers ivere elect- 
 ed for the firesent year: 
 
 Right Rev. William White, U. D. President. 
 
 Rev. Joseph Pilmore, D. D. ■\ 
 
 Chief Justice William Tilghman, I Vice-Presidents. 
 
 James Milnor, -' 
 
 Thomas Hale, Treasurer. 
 
 Rev. Jackson Kemper, Corresponding Secretary. 
 
 Charles N. Bancker, Recording Secretary. 
 
 TRUSTEES. 
 
 Rev. Robert Blackwell, D. D. P. F. Glentworth, 
 
 Joseph Hutchins, D. D. Levi Hollingsworth, 
 
 James Abercrombie, D. D. William Meredith, 
 
 Joseph Turner, James Montgomery, 
 
 Frederick Beasley, William Murdock, 
 
 Jaines Wiltbank, Richard North, 
 
 Jehu C. Clay, Edward Penington, 
 
 Paul Beck, jun. John Perot, 
 
 Samuel F. Bi^dford, John Robbins, 
 
 Ephraim Clark, James S. Smith, 
 
 John Claxton, , John C. Stocker, 
 Thomas Cumpston, • John B. Wallace, 
 
 Richard Dale, Caleb P. Wayne. 
 
 Thomas W. Francis, 
 
 NEW LIFE SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 Samuel Sitgreaves, William Miller, 
 
 Hannah Lardner, Richard Peters. 
 Benjamin Stiles, 
 
 NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 John Lardner, George Tryon, 
 
 William Lardner, Edward Killy, 
 
 Juliana Scott, Edward Lane, 
 
Charlotta Cox, 
 John Morin Scott, 
 James Moyes, 
 Mary Graham, 
 James Y. Humphreys, 
 John Brown, 
 John C. Montgomery, 
 John Read, 
 Eliza D. Teackle, 
 Isaac H. Jones, 
 
 20 
 
 Sarah Barry, 
 Mary Montgomery, 
 John H. Linn, 
 Thomas Charlton, 
 Mary Swift, 
 Samuel Brooks, 
 John Kempton, 
 "Nathan Bunker, 
 James Gowen, 
 Bird Wilson. 
 
THI»]) 
 
 ANNUAL REPORT 
 
 OF TJIE 
 
 TRUSTEES 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church, 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 ADVANCEMENT OF CHRISTIANITY 
 
 IN 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY, 
 
 1815. 
 
FHTRD 
 
 ANNUAL REPORT, 
 
 J HEL surest test of the usefulness of undertakings is expe- 
 rience. The Board of Trustees, in submitting their third annual 
 report, are happy in being able to refer to this evidence of 
 the usefulness of the one in which the members of this 
 institution near three years ago engaged. Although various 
 causes have prevented some objects originally contemplated from 
 being, in their full extent, obtained; yet none of them have been 
 relinquished, as either improper in their design, or incapable of 
 ultimate accomplishment. They have given place, for a time, to 
 others of equal or superior importance, more immediately within 
 the limited means of the Society; whilst, at the same time, they 
 have been kept steadily in view, under a humble hope, that at 
 no distant day. Divine Providence, through the agency of indi- 
 vidual exertion, will enable the Society to effect in a consider- 
 able degree all the valuable purposes of their association. 
 
 The assistance of young men of talents and piety, candidates 
 for the ministry in our church, is one of the objects now alluded 
 to, and confessedly of great importance. Notwithstanding the 
 present paucity of our resources, (which, however, considering 
 the embarrassed state of our public affairs, and its influence 
 upon the circumstances of individuals, are as abundant as could 
 be expected,) the Trustees would have been able to have given 
 50 interesting a direction to a part of their funds, had persons of 
 the description intended to be benefited come under their no- 
 tice. But although the experience of the past year confirms the 
 lamented fact of a great existing disproportion between the 
 number of labourers in the vineyard of Christ, and the harvest 
 calling for their exertions, the Trustees have to regret that no 
 field for material usefulness in this respect has yet been un- 
 folded. A repetition of some assistance to a candidate noticed in 
 a former report, is the only instance which has yet presented 
 Itself for their interference. Several other cases, however, it is 
 believed, will ere long offer: and it is satisfactory whilst resting 
 with pious confidence upon the goodness of the Great Head of 
 the Church in providing for its welfare and continuance, by 
 raising up a succession of faithful pastors, to know, that the 
 
funds destined for such as may hereafter require pecuniary aid 
 during the period of their preparation, are daily accumulating; 
 and to have ground for hoping, that at a future day, when occa- 
 sion occurs for their employment, they will be adequate to more 
 extensive and efficient usefulness. The number of candidates for 
 the ministry in some other dioceses is considerable. It is be- 
 lieved that a removal of some of them to this state, under the 
 patronage of this Society, might be accomplished, with the spe- 
 cial design, and upon the condition, of their being engaged, after 
 receiving orders, in missionary tours of greater or less extent into 
 those parts of the interior of this diocese where ministerial labour 
 has already proved so eminently beneficial. It is an additional 
 mitigation of the regret unavoidably felt at the present want of 
 ministers in our communion, that there are in this state at pre- 
 sent several candidates, and an increase of the number is soon 
 expected, who promise to be ornaments to religion, and bless- 
 ings to the church, whilst their circumstances render unneces- 
 sary any intrenchment on the funds just referred to, in their 
 favour. 
 
 The exertions made by the Society, during the first and second 
 years of its existence, in the publication of religious tracts, fur- 
 nished such a supply, as to render it unnecessary in the opinion 
 of the Trustees to add to the number during the year that has 
 just closed. The Tract Committee, however, have been recently 
 instructed to renew their attention to this department of duty, 
 and several publications, under their auspices, of a character 
 adapted to the instruction of the poorer classes of our commu- 
 nion, and intended for gratuitous distribution among them, will 
 probably be issued in the course of the present year. 
 
 The success of the Trustees in the circulation of the Book of 
 Common Prayer has exceeded their most sanguine expectations. 
 Since the date of the last report three hundred and forty -two 
 copies have been disposed of; and there are now demands, which 
 will be immediately complied with, for several hundred from 
 different parts of the state. It will no doubt be acceptable to the 
 Society to learn, that since its institution, it has been the distri- 
 butor of near one thousand prayer books. The wishes of the 
 poor to be supplied with it, when made known, have, in every 
 instance, been promptly gratified; and yet such has been the 
 number paid for at the moderate price for which the arrangement 
 of the Trustees authorise their sale, that the whole abatement 
 of the funds of the Society, by their application to so beneficial 
 a purpose, does not far exceed the sum of one hundred dollars. 
 
 There have been added to the Society since tlie date of the 
 
last report, eleven members, of whom one is a life-subscriber, 
 and the others annual subscribers. A few of the latter descrip- 
 tion of contributors having declined, the whole number remains 
 about the same as at that time. 
 
 It appears from the Treasurer's accounts, an abstract 
 of which accompanies this report, that he receiv- 
 ed during the last year the sum of S2071 X)^' 
 And that he expended in investments for 
 the permanent fund and current charges, 
 the sum of 1775 17 
 Leaving in his hands a balance of 295 91 
 
 2071 08 
 
 After defraying the various expenses of the institution, includ 
 ing those of the mission of the Rev. Mr. Kemper, and the prayer 
 books and tracts gratuitously disposed of, the Trustees have 
 been enabled to increase the permanent fund from three thou- 
 sand five hundred and ninety-three dollars and forty seven cents, 
 its amount last year, to four thousand six hundred and thirtcei\ 
 dollars and forty-seven cents: The whole of which is placed in 
 Turnpike slock; a species of investment productive of certain 
 income, and as little subject as any other to be impaired in value 
 by the fluctuating state of public alfairs, or the various other 
 contingencies by which almost every species of property is liable 
 to be affected. 
 
 The collection made in St. Paul's Church after a Sermon 
 preached at the request of the Trustees by the Rev. Dr. Pil- 
 more, one of the Vice-presidents of the Society, on the evening 
 of the last Epiphany, contributed JS386 64 to the above stated 
 increase of the permanent fund. 
 
 The Trustees deem it proper to mention, that as this Society,. 
 and others similar to it in design, have been so happy as to re- 
 ceive the approbation of both the General and >State Conventions 
 in the efforts which they have employed for the diffusion of the 
 invaluable doctrines and pure worship of our iVpostolic Church; 
 an approbation arising, as is believed, out of the congeniality of 
 our aim with that of those respectable and authoritative bodies, 
 the Trustees availed themselves of the session of the State 
 Convention in this city in the month of June Jast, to invite its 
 members to a friendly conference, in which they were made 
 acquainted with the past proceedings of the Society, and fur- 
 nished with copies of the last annual report. A lepetition in 
 future of these frank and full communications v/ill be calculated 
 to inspire confidence in the Society, to spread the knowledge of 
 its principles and objects, and to interest those of our friends in 
 thfe country, whom God has blessed with abiuxiance. to become 
 
contributors to an institution, whose exertions are principally 
 directed to the establishment, increase, and prosperity of the 
 church in places more or less distant from the metropolis. The 
 blessing of Almighty God upon the efforts of ministers and peo- 
 ple in the city, have advanced the interests of the church here to 
 a state of great and growing prosperity; proofs of which are seen 
 in the liberal supply of pecuniary means for the maintenance of 
 .the gospel ministry; in the neatness, if not splendour of its 
 churches; in the more general and regular attendance of its mem- 
 bers upon public worship, and the ordinance of the Lord's sup- 
 per; and in, what is of most importance, the increase of vital 
 godliness and true piety, connected with an undeviating regard to 
 the wholesome order and discipline of the church. But in the 
 dispersed population of our country settlements, where the mem- 
 bers of our communion are few in number, and deficient in 
 resources, it cannot be expected that regular public worship to 
 any extent can l:>e maintained by their own unassisted efforts, 
 until an increase of both takes place; and even where the num- 
 ber of Episcopalians, and their pecuniary means, afford better 
 prospects, still a variety of considerations call for some extra- 
 neons aid in tlie commencement of their endeavours. 
 
 The missionary objects of the Society have, therefore, con- 
 tinued principally to engage the minds of the Trustees. Had it 
 been practicable to obtain the services of a clergyman of com- 
 petent talents and character as a missionary, they would have 
 rejoiced to gratify tiie wishes of our brethren in the country, by 
 supplying them with a mission much earlier than it was at 
 length effected. But none such offered; although the anxiety of 
 the Trustees on this subject was made known to the members 
 of the late General and State Conventions, and various other 
 endeavours were used to obtain a suitable person, until the 
 month of August last, when the Rev. Mr. Kemper, of whose 
 voluntar}^ offer, under similar circumstances, a former board had 
 two years ago, with so much advantage, availed themselves, 
 again tendered his services. The necessary conditions subjoined 
 to this offer were, that leave of absence should be obtained for 
 Mr. Kemper from the vestry of the churches in which he is 
 a minister, and a person procured to supply his place. The offer 
 was gladly accepted by the board, leave of absence for three months 
 readily obtained, and arrangements made for filling Mr. Kem- 
 per's pulpits during his missionary tour. He sat out upon his 
 journey on the fifteenth of August last, and from the extensive 
 circuit which it embraced, did not return until the fourteenth of 
 December following. Without intending the slightest disparage- 
 
mem of former undertakings of a similar kind, tlie Trustees, in 
 gratitude to Mr. Kemper and in justice to their own feelings, 
 are bound to represent his recent missio)i as pre-eminentl)^ con- 
 ducive to the interesting purposes which they have contem- 
 plated, and are progressively eifecthig. To his very clear and 
 full report, which the Trustees are hiippy herewith to submit to 
 the Society, they refer their iellow- members, for a minute detail 
 of Mr. Kemper's very arduous labours. They cannot however 
 omit calling their attention to a few prominent particulars. 
 
 It will be seen that all the places visited in former missions 
 were now revisited, for the purpose of ascertaining their pro- 
 gress, preserving alive the flame of zeal whicli had been kindled 
 by Mr. Kemper's first labours, and by those of his worthy and 
 diligent successor, the Rev. Mr. Clay. Besides these, new 
 bcenes of usefulness have been explored. 
 
 The Connecticut Reserve, in the state of Ohio, although not 
 stf ictly within the local limits of the ordinary operations of the 
 Society, had excited interest in the minds of the Trustees, from 
 a letter relating to their settlement and character transmitted to 
 them by the Rev. Mr. Taylor of Pittsbuigh. Their love of re- 
 ligion, and undeviating attachment to the church, well merited 
 the very acceptable marks of attention which they received. It 
 is humbly trusted that God will reward their piety and zeal, by 
 an early supply of a Pastor to this shepherdless flock, and that 
 the labours of our missionary, with the divine blessing, will be 
 made conducive to so desirable an end. 
 
 The brightening prospects of the church in Fayette county 
 are also a subject of just felicitation. The completion of the 
 church now erecting in Brownsville, it is trusted, will be a pre- 
 lude to other enterprises of a similar nature in its vicinity and 
 elsewhere. Since Mr. Kemper's return, the Trustees have re- 
 ceived a letter from the vestry of that church earnestly desiring 
 their aid in procuring for them a minister, and every endeavour 
 will be used to comply with their wishes. 
 
 The prospect of useful employment for future missionaries, 
 and the ultimate establishment of Episcopal congregations in 
 several other counties, such as Adams, Westmoreland, Hunting- 
 don, Venango, Northampton, Luzerne, and Bradford, together 
 with the new spirit infused into many existing, but languishing 
 congregations, resulting in a great measure from the attention 
 already paid them by the Society, constitute an ample reward of 
 past labours, and an earnest of what may be expected from their 
 further continuance. 
 
 The last named county had especially attracted the regard of 
 th^Trustees^ron^h^ircujnst^^ 
 
application to our Right Reverend Bishop, expressing an anxioAis 
 desire to be visited by a missionary. The Trustees rejoice sin- 
 cerely at the good effects likely to result from their having been 
 able, through the instrumentality of Mr. Kemper, to gratify the 
 wishes of these well disposed people, which the new board, it 
 is hoped, will not fail to forward by renewed attention to a scene 
 of operation so promising to their views. 
 
 The Trustees would find great pleasure in dwelling on other 
 circumstances of interest in Mr. Kemper's report; but it would 
 extend their's to an improper length. Let it suffice to observe, 
 that tlie administration of the holy ordinance of baptism to one 
 hundred and twenty-live persons, the presentation of the em- 
 blems of the Redeemer's sacrifice to many pious members of 
 our communion who had despaired of ever enjoying the blessed 
 privilege of their reception, the dispensation of the word in 
 places, where from a minister of our communion it was never 
 before heard, the actual formation of several new congregations, 
 the well grounded exjDectation of that of several others, the crea- 
 tion of a demand for the prayer book, extending perhaps for 
 the present }'ear to one thousand copies, the individual benefit 
 probably received by many precious souls from the public 
 preaching and private counsels of the faithful ministers of God 
 who have become the agents of the Society in effecting the holy 
 and beneficent designs of their association; and, added to these 
 benefits, the assurance which, in a combined view, they present of 
 the greater success and advantage to be derived from future at- 
 tempts, are conclusive grounds of encouragement to the Society 
 in the good work in which they are engaged. 
 
 The Trustees confidently trust, that a sensation so pleasing 
 will be produced in the mind of every member by reading the 
 report of Mr. Kemper, and that the sentiment which they do not 
 hesitate now to advance as the result of their reflections, will not 
 be deemed a mistaken one; that if no other object were in view 
 than the frequent supply of missions to our destitute brethren, it 
 would well merit all the labour and expenditure which the exer- 
 tions and the funds of the Society could furnish. 
 
 But when connected and in entire harmony with this leading 
 point, its other means of wide extended usefulness are consider- 
 ed, who can doubt that this institution promises, under God, to 
 be a great and lasting instrument in the advancement of the Re- 
 deemer's kingdom, and the diffusion of the principles of evan- 
 gelical righteousness and truth? 
 
 Signed by order of the Society, 
 
 WM. WHITE, President. 
 
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10 
 
 We the committee appointed to examine the accounts oi' 
 Thomas Hale, Treasurer to the Society of the Protestant Epis- 
 copal Church for the advancement of Christianity in Pennsyl- 
 vania, do certify, that we have examined the same, and find 
 them correct — that they correspond with the accounts kept in 
 the books of the Institution — that the payments are supported by 
 their proper vouchers; and that there is a balance of two hun- 
 dred and ninety-five dollars and ninety-one cents due the In- 
 stitution from the said Thomas Hale. We have also examined 
 the bank book, and find that all monies received by him have 
 been duly deposited in the Bank of Pennsylvania in his name as 
 Treasurer, and drawn out only for the use of the same. 
 
 C. P. WAYNE. 
 JOHN PEROT. 
 
 Philadelphia^ December ^ 1814, 
 
11 
 
 The following gentlemen have been on Missions: 
 Rev. Mr. Kemper, in 1812. 
 Mr. Clay, - 1813. 
 Mr. Kemper, 1814. 
 Several Missionaries are wanted for the present year. 
 
 COMMITTEES 
 
 Appointed by the Board of Trustees for the year 1815. 
 
 FINANCES. 
 
 Tliomas Hale, John Perot, and Paul Beck, are the Committee of Finance. 
 
 MISSIONS. 
 Rev. James Milnor, Rev. Dr. Pilmore, Rev, Dr. Abercrombie, Dr. P. F. 
 Glentworth and Horace Binney, are a Committee who have in charge the 
 procuring of suitable missionaries. 
 
 PRAYER BOOKS. 
 
 C. P, Wayne, John Claxton and James S. Smith, are a Committee to 
 purchase and atiend to the distribution o{ Prayer Books. 
 
 By a resolution of the Board of Trustees, any member who has it in his 
 power to dispose of Prayer Books, gratis., or at the very low fir ice paid by the 
 Society for them, can be supplied by applying to the Committee. By this 
 means many worthy members of the Church, though poor, can be furnished. 
 The same committee are empowered to furnish bibles suitable for reading 
 desks, to Episcopal congregations who have not the means of procuring 
 them. 
 
 THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS. 
 
 Chief Justice Tilghman, Edward i'ennington and the Rev. Dr. Beazely, 
 are a Committee to provide suitable aid for such youths of ^^genius^ and 
 piety" who may desire to prepare themselves as candidates for the ministry, 
 but need the fostering aid of benevolence for their education. 
 
 LIBRARY. 
 C. N. Bancker, E. Pennington, J. C. Stocker, Rev. Jackson Kemper and 
 James Montgomery, are a Committee, who have the charge ot all books be- 
 longing to the Society, and the superintendence of the Library, which contains 
 many valaable works. Any member of the Committee will receive donations 
 of books suitable to be placed in the Library. 
 
 TRACTS. 
 Rev. Jackson Kemper, Charles Wheeler and James Montgomery, are a 
 Committee, to superintend the publication of suitable Tracts, &c. 
 
 CHURCH IN THE NORTHERN LIBERTIES. 
 Richard Dale, Richard North, William Murdock, John Robbins, and 
 Charles Wheeler, are a Committee, to confer with Episcopalians in the 
 J^'orthern Liberties and its vicinity, to promote means for establishing and 
 erecting an Episcopal Church in that township. 
 
 Committees to collect Subscriptions and to obtain JVetv Subscribers. 
 Christ Church. — George Bringhurst, E. Pennington, William Murdock. 
 St. Paul's. — Dr. Glentworth, Kichard North, John Claxton, J. Robbins. 
 St. Peter's. — James Sawer, Horace Binney, J. C. Stocker. 
 St. James. — Richard Dale, John Perot. 
 
 ^ZT The Subscribers noould relieve the Committees by calling on Thornas 
 Haley Treasurer, M. 83. Chesnut Street, fpay their annual subscription. 
 
12 
 
 CONSllTUTION. 
 
 ARTICLE I. 
 
 THE name of this Society shall be " The Society of the Protestant Epis- 
 copal Church for the Advancement of Christianity in Pennsylvania." Its 
 object is the pronaotion of christian knowledge, learning and piety, in this 
 state. 
 
 ARTICLE II. 
 
 The officers of the Society shall be a president, three vice-presidents, 
 twenty trustees, a treasurer, a corresponding secretary, and a recording se- 
 cretary, who, together, shall form a board, to be denominated, "The Board 
 of Trustees;" any five of whom shall form a quorum for the transaction of 
 business. The bishop shall, ex officio., be president of the society. The other 
 officers shall be appointed by ballot at the anniversary meeting of the society,. 
 and a plurality of votes shall constitute a choice. 
 
 Clergymen of the church, resident in the city or county of Philadelphia, 
 members of the society, and entitled to a seat in the state convention, shall 
 be trustees of the society, in addition to the trustees to be elected as afore- 
 said, and with similar powers — provided they do not exceed nine in number; 
 and when they exceed that number, it shall be confined to the nine eldest in 
 settlement. 
 
 Vacancies in the offices of the society, shall be filled by the board of trus- 
 tees, until the annual election next succeeding the happening of such 
 vacancies. 
 
 ARTICLE III. 
 
 Every member of the society shall, during membership, pay annually in 
 advance to the treasurer, the sum of five dollars, for the use of the society. 
 Such persons as shall at any time pay fifty dollars, or more, shall be members 
 of the society for life without the annual payments; such donations as the 
 pious and benevolent may at any time make, for the promotion of the pur- 
 poses of the society, shall also be received by llie treasurer; and the trustees 
 shall cause a record to be kept of the names of ail such benefactors, with an 
 account of their donations. 
 
 ARTICLE IV. 
 
 The lands or other real estate which the society may at any time acquire, 
 shall be devolcd to lurtherijtg their general objects; and shall be held, 
 occupied, appropriated and disposed of in such manner as the by-laws and 
 resolutions of the society may ciirect. 
 
 ARTICLE V. 
 There siiall be annually a meeting of the society in Philadelphia, on the 
 feast of the E\)iphany; on which day, or on such other day, and in such church 
 as shall be appointed by the board of trustees, a sermon, suitable to the occa- 
 sion, shall be preached before them, by such clergyman as shall have been 
 appointed for that purpose by the board of trustees; after which a collection 
 shall be made for the increase of the funds of the society. The rectors of 
 other churches shall be invited to have services performed, and collections 
 made, for the benefit of the institution, on such days and in such manner as 
 may be agreeable to the proper parochial autharity; and whenever the feast 
 
13 
 
 of the Epiphany shall fall on Sunday, the secular business of the society shtill 
 be performed on the day after. 
 
 ARTICLE VI. 
 
 The board of trustees shall hold stated meetings at least four times a year, 
 and may hold adjourned meetings when nccessai y Special meetings may be 
 called by the president, or in case of a vacancy in the presidency, by the se- 
 nior vice-president, or by a majority of ihe board of trustees; but when spe- 
 cial meetings are called, the lime and place of meeting, and the subjects 
 proposed to be considered, shall be previously notified to the members; and 
 no other subject shall be discussed or acted upon at such meeting unless there 
 be at least twelve members present To the board of trustees shall be com- 
 mitted the care of the society's funds, and the transaction of its entire busi- 
 ness. They shall have power, according to their discretion, and as the funds 
 will allow, to distribute copies of the I3ible, the book of Common Prayer, 
 useful religious tracts, and other works of approved reputation; to send forth, 
 under the sanction and direction of the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese, 
 missionaries to those places within this state, where there is ground for the 
 expectation that their labours will be useful in spreading the truths, and pro- 
 moting the practice of the holy morality of the gospel — to take by the hand 
 youths of genius and piety, who need the fostering aid of benevolence, and arc 
 meet to be trained up for the ministry of the church, and see that they be 
 properly educated: and in general to adopt and execute such measures, as in 
 their best judgment they shall deem good .and practicable for the accomplish- 
 ment of the purposes of the society. 
 
 ARTICLE VII. 
 It shall be the duly of the board of trustees, at every anniversary, to lay 
 before the society a report of their proceedings during the preceding year; to 
 exhibit a full and accurate view of the siate of the society's funds, and other 
 property; and to inform them of any matters relative to the objects of the so- 
 ciety, which may be interesting to its members. A copy of their proceedings 
 shall be annually sent to the secretary of the council of advice, in order t© 
 give opportunity for any opinions or remarks of the bishop, or of that coun- 
 cil, or of the state convention, to whose inspection they shall be always open. 
 
 ARTICLE VIII. 
 The members of the society, resident within any county or town in this- 
 state, other than Philadelphia, may form themselves into corresponding so- 
 cieties, to communicate with the parent society; and as a part of it, and under 
 its direction, to aid in promoting the general object. 
 
 ARTICLE IX. 
 
 This society being intended to assist, but not in any degree to interfere 
 with, or intrench upon the established authority of the church, in promoting 
 her interests and advancement in Pennsylvania, it is hereby declared, that in 
 whatever shall be done, that authority shall be recognized and conlormed to. 
 
 ARTICLE X. 
 The constitution shall not be altered, unless it be at an annual meeting, 
 with the consent of two thirds of the members then present, and in the mode- 
 prescribed by law; and the object of the society shall never be changed. 
 
14 
 
 At a mcetitig of the Society, held at St. James's Church, on 
 Wednesday, the 6th of January, 1815, the following officers 
 were elected for the present year. 
 
 Right Rev. William White, D. D. President. 
 
 Rev. Joseph Pilmore, D. D. T 
 
 Chief Justice William TilKhman,C Vice-Presidents. 
 
 John Perot, j 
 
 Rev. Jackson Kemper, Corresponding Secretary. 
 
 Cliarles N. Bancker, Recording Secretary. 
 
 "i'lionias Hale, Treasurer. 
 
 TRUSTEES. 
 
 Rev. Robert Black well, D. D. Horace Biuney, 
 
 Joseph Hutchins, D. D. Paul Beck, junr. 
 
 James Abercrombie, D. D. Jacob Hall, 
 
 Joseph Turner, Thomas W. Francis, 
 
 Frederick Beazley, D. D Edwurd Penington, 
 
 J ames Wiltbank, ' James S. Smith, 
 
 James Milnor, James Montgomery, 
 
 Walter Kerr, Cliarles Wheeler, 
 
 Caleb P. Wayne, John Claxton, 
 
 Jolm C. Stocker, junr. Richard Dale, 
 
 P. F. Glentworthi M. D. G. Bringhurst, 
 
 William Murdock, * John Robbins, 
 
 Richard North, • S. F. Bradford, 
 
 James Sawer, 
 
 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 LIFE SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 Thomas Armat, Germantovvn; Richard Bailey, Germantown; Paul Beck, junr. Tho- 
 mas Burke, William Challoner, Joseph Clark, William Davidson, Jane Duche, Thomas 
 W. Francis, Edward Gray, Hannah Lardner, William Mille, Thomas M'Euen, James 
 Milnor, John Myers, Lewis Neill, R. Peters, Benjamin Rush, M. D. James Stokes, 
 Germantown; Samuel Sitgreaves, Easton; Benjamin Stiles, Bankson Taylor, C. Justice 
 William Tilgiiman, Peter Van Pelt, John B. Wallace. 
 
 ANNUAL SUBSCRIBERS. 
 A 
 Rev. James Abercrombie, D. D. William Adams, Rev. John Armstrong, York, Penn.; 
 Michael W. Ash, Jolin Ashburner. 
 
 B 
 Sai'ah Baird, William J. Baker, Charles N. Bancker, Charles Barrington, Richard 
 Barrington, B. S. Barton, Esther Barton, William Bethell, WiUiam I. Bell, William S. 
 Blddle, Charles Biddle, Charles Biddle, junr. Thomas Biggs, Horace Binney, Sarah 
 Barry, John Bioren, Rev. Robert Blackwell, D. D Edward Bowlby, Samuel F. Brad- 
 ford, George Bringhurst, Sarah Brovrne, Rev. Levi Bull, John Brown, Sarah Bunner, 
 Edward Burd, Samuel Brooks, Nath.an Bunker. 
 
 C 
 
 Charles Caldwell, Jo.seph Carson, Catharine Chew, Benjamin Chew, Elizabeth Chew, 
 Mary Clapier, Charlotte Cox, Tiiomas Charlton, Jacob Clark, Ellis Clark, Benjamin 
 Clark, Catliarine Clark, Ephraim Clark, John Claxton, Jacob Clement, Jacob Clement, 
 junr. Joseph Cooper, Collin Cooper, Thomas Cooper, John Coulter, Israel Coulter, Es- 
 ther Cox, John R. Coxe, M. D. Jane Craig-, Thomas Cumpston, WiUiam Currie. 
 
15 
 
 D 
 
 Richard Dale, Hugh Dc Hiven, Peter De Haven, junr. Hugh De Haxeii, junr. Jolii\ 
 Delaveau, Phebe Dickinson, Mary Donaldson, Germantown; J. M. Douglass, James H. 
 Dundas, John Du Puy. 
 
 E 
 James EccUs, John Elliott, Lewis Elhnuker, Elisha N. English, Robert T. Evans, 
 Manuel Eyre. 
 
 F 
 Thomas Fenton, Robert Fieldin(j,Mary Fisher, Samuel I. Fisher, Elizabeth P. Fisher, 
 Willing' Francis, John Francis, Thomas Francis, George Harrison Francis, Charles 
 Francis, iunr. 
 
 ^ G 
 
 James Gamble, Richard George, James Gil)son, John Gibson, P. F. Glentworth, M, 
 D. Robert E. Griffith, Francis Gurncy, Mary Graiiaui, James Gowan. 
 
 H 
 Thomas Hale, Jacob Hall, David Hall, Margaret Hamilton— Woodlands; Andrew 
 Hamilton— Woodlands; James Hamilton— \VoodlaiuIs; Charles W. Hare, John Harland, 
 Jane Harland, George Harrison, Henry Harrison, Henry Hawkins, Samuel Hazlehurst, 
 Stephen Henderson, Bernard Henry, Henry HoUinpsworth, Levi Hollingsworth, I. C. 
 Hommann, Hannah Hood, Joseph Hopkinson, Joseph Huddell, Joseph Huddell, junr, 
 Samuel Humphreys, James Y. Humphreys, John Hunt. 
 
 I 
 
 Catharine Ingles, John Inskeep, Isaac Jones, Isaac H. Jones, Thomas Jones, Joseph 
 Jones, Alphonso C. Ireland. 
 
 K 
 John Keene, Samuel Keith, Rev. Jackson Kemper, Edward Killy, John Kempton, 
 
 Walter Kerr, James King, James P. Kingston, William Kirkham, Daniel Knight, 
 
 Knight, Henry Kuhl. 
 
 L 
 John Lardner, William Lardner, Lower Dublin; Edward Lane, John H. Linn, Re- 
 becca Learning, Thomas F. Learning, John Lohra, Peter Lohra, Sampson Levy. 
 
 M 
 
 Margaret M'Call, Judith M'Call, Margaret M'Call, George W. M'Coy, William 
 M'Kenzie, John Markland, James Moyes, Roxborough, P. county; John Markoe, Wil- 
 liam Meredith, Ann Meredith, Alexander Miller, Juliana Miller, John Miller,junr, 
 Richard Milne, William Milnor, junr. Austin Montgomery, James Montgomery, John 
 
 C. Montgomery, Frederick MontmolUn, Thom.as Moore, junr. Marmaduke Moore, John 
 W. Morrell, Robert Morrell, Benjamin Morris, Mary Montgomery, Mary Muhlen- 
 berg, William Murdock, Alexander Murray, James Musgrave. 
 
 N 
 Joseph Norman, Richard North, Stephen North 
 
 O 
 
 George Oakley. 
 
 P 
 
 John B. Palmer, John Parham, Edward Penington, Margaret Pepper, John Perot, 
 James Perot, Edward Perot, William Phillips, Rebecca Phillii)s, Rev. Joseph Pilmore, 
 
 D. D. Richard C. Potter, John Poulson, Charles A. Poulson, Eiizul)cth Powel, John H 
 Powel, Henry Pratt, John M. Price. 
 
 R 
 Condy Raguet, Robert Ralston, Sarah Ralston, William Read, George Reinholdt, 
 John Robbins, Samuel I. Robbins, Thomas Roberts, James Robertson, John Read. 
 
 S 
 James Sawer, William Schlatter, Maria C. Sheaff, John D. Sheaff, Mary Swift, 
 George Simpson, H. Simpson, J. S. Skerrett,E. and A. Smart, Germantown; The Miss 
 Smiths, V»'illiam Smith, Richard Smith, Daniel Smith, Frans. G. Smith, Dockeray 
 
16 
 
 Smith, James S. Smith, George Summers, Crooke Stevenson, John G. Stocker, Marga- 
 ret Stocker, John M. Scott, Juliana Scott, Anthony Stocker, John C. Stocker, junr. 
 John Stoddart. 
 
 T 
 Eliza D. Teackle, Joseph Ta.^ert, Benjamin Tanner, Mary Ann Thomas, George 
 Thompson, Edward Thompson, Rebecca Trenchavd, Rev. Joseph Turner, George Try- 
 on, Edward Twells, Sarah Twells, Godfi-ey Twells. 
 
 V 
 John Vallance, Tliomas Vizer. 
 
 W 
 
 J. G. Wachsmuth, Francis Wade, Joshua M. Wallace, junr. David Ware, Caleb P. 
 Wayne, John Wharton, Charles Wheeler, John Wheeler, Samuel Wheeler, Rt. Rev. 
 William White, D. D. Thos. H. White, Jacob C. Wikoff, James Williams, Thomas M. 
 Willing, Thomas Willing, Eliza Willing, George Willing, Robert B Willing, Rev. 
 James Wiltbank, Christian Wiltberger, Joseph Worrell, Bird Wilson, Norristown. 
 
 NEW LIFE SUBSCRIBER. 
 Mary Binney. 
 
 NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIBERS. 
 Wm. G. Elder, Somerset, Pa.; John Webster, Somerset, Pa.; George Hogg, junr 
 Brownsville, Pa.; Jas. Carson, Wm. Kyle, Rev. Jehu C. Clay, Norristown, Pa.; Ciiarles 
 Perry, Joseph P. Grant, Miss Lyman. 
 
 NOTICE. 
 
 In all devises and bequests to the Society, the proper style and name of the corpora- 
 tion must be used, which is, " The Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church for the ad- 
 vancement of Christianity in Pennsylvania" 
 
FOURTH 
 
 ANNUAL REPORT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 TRUSTEES 
 
 Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church. 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 ADVANCEMENT OF CHRISTIANITY 
 
 IK 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA; 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY, 
 William Fry, Printer. 
 
 1816. 
 
FOURTH 
 ANNUAL REPORT. 
 
 1 HE Board of Trustees in laying before the Society tlieir 
 Fourth Annual Report, hope they will not be considered as 
 having lost sight of any of the objects entrusted to their care: but 
 while they congratulate themselves on having in some degree 
 effected the general designs of the institution, they have to regret 
 that from causes not within their control, they have been dis- 
 appointed in some of their hopes and expectations. 
 
 One of the leading objects of the board has been to procure 
 suitable persons to act as Missionaries; who under the direction 
 of the society might be sent to supply the vacant churches in this 
 diocese; and also to visit those little societies of Episcopalians in 
 various parts of the state, who are anxious to have the Word and 
 Ordinances administered under that authority which they are ac- 
 customed to acknowledge. Accordingly, at an early period in the 
 last year the attention of the trustees was directed to this interest- 
 ing subject. A committee was appointed to devise a plan by 
 which the society might be constantly supplied with one or more 
 Missionaries. The report of this committee having embraced ex- 
 tensive views not within the present means of the society, its ge- 
 neral subject was left for future consideration. In the mean time it 
 was proposed that the corresponding secretary should be instruct- 
 ed to write to several clergymen of our church, residing in other 
 places, and make known to them the wants of the society, request- 
 ing their attention to this subject. This was accordingly done; and 
 at first, hopes were entertained that one or more persons would 
 have been procured during the last season. When it was ascer- 
 tained, however, that no Missionary could be obtained, the com- 
 mittee having the superintendence of this department, were in- 
 structed to write to the different missionary stations, accounting 
 for the disappointment, and urging them to persevere in their 
 attachment to our Holy Apostolic Church. 
 
 In order, however, that to a certain extent those vacant congre- 
 gations scattered throughout the state, might be occcasionuily 
 visited; and to aid and assist in carrying into effect a resolution of 
 the last state convention, providing for the occasional supply of 
 the churches in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia; and more- 
 over to extend as much as possible the means of usefulness of 
 
4 
 
 this society, it was thought expedient for the board, to offer to 
 defray the expenses of such missionaries as should with the sanc- 
 tion of the bishop visit any of the vacant churches, provided a 
 report of such visit be laid before them. 
 
 As yet, there have been no reports of services rendered under 
 the foregoing resolution. But it is believed, that the following 
 places were visited during the last summer: — Chester, Lardner, 
 Easton, Reading, and New London Cross-Roads. 
 
 In the last year five hundred and fifty-four prayer books 
 have been distributed, principally among the country churches. 
 
 The trustees would have been able to dispose of many more, 
 but it was thought expedient to postpone the purchase of any new 
 books, until the stereotype edition now printing in this city by 
 Messrs. Maxwell and Fry, should be completed. It will no doubt 
 afford great pleasure to the members of the society, and to Epis- 
 copalians generally, to learn that this edition will soon be finished; 
 when they will be enabled to procure this invaluable compend of 
 divine truth and refined devotion at an unusually reduced price. 
 
 By a report of the committee of tracts dated in June last, it ap- 
 peared that those purchased and published by the society hereto- 
 fore, had nearly all been distributed. A few copies, however, re- 
 main of the following titles: 
 
 1 On Baptismal and Spiritual Regeneration. 
 154 Pastoral Advice before Confirmation. 
 165 Pastoral Advice after Confirmation. 
 1 On Good Friday. 
 15 Companions to the Common Prayer Book. 
 76 St. Paul's Opinion of Jesus Christ. 
 6 Nelson on Confirmation. 
 149 Bishop Wilson's Sacra Privata. 
 
 In addition to these, there have been purchased of the assignees 
 of Messrs. Bradford and Inskeep, 
 
 595 copies of Bishop Dehon's Sermon before the General Con- 
 vention. 
 315 do. Bishop Hobart's do. do. do. 
 
 421 do. Dr. Croes' do. do. do. 
 
 1368 do. Exposition of Church Catechism, by Dr. Mann. 
 
 1643 do. Church Catechism, in Small Questions and 
 
 Answers. 
 515 do. St. Paul's Opinion of Jesus Christ. 
 
 5^ do. Instructions on Confirmation. 
 
513 copies of Directions for Public Worship. 
 287 do. ' Discourses on Baptism. 
 488 do. Pastoral Advice before Confirmation. 
 
 563 do. Pastoral Advice after Confirmation. 
 
 7348 copies in the whole. About the same time in consideration of 
 the small number kit of many of the above tracts, and because 
 they attbrded no general assortment, to enable the trusltes to an- 
 swer the various demands made upon them from distant places; and 
 above all, in consideration that the benefits of this institution may 
 be greatly extended by devising measures and pursuing plans 
 for the more general distribution of these " little books," they 
 directed such a number to be printed as would render it unneces- 
 sary in all probability, to publish again in some time. There are 
 at present in the press, and nearly completed, two thousand copies 
 of each of the following: 
 
 Bishop Gibson's Tract on the Lord's Supper. 
 
 Extract from Bishop Beveridge's Sermon on the Excellence of 
 
 the Liturgy. 
 A Treatise on the Nature and Constitution of the Christian 
 
 Church, by William Stevens. 
 Arch-Bishop Synge's Essay towards making the Knowledge of 
 
 Religion Easy to the meanest capacity. 
 Bishop Gibson on the Observarion of the Lord's Day. 
 Bishop Gibson on the Duty of Family Worship. 
 Christians' Daily Devotions. 
 The Careless Sinner Awakened, and the Awakened Sinner urged 
 
 to an immediate Consideration, and Cautioned against Delay. 
 Extract from The Dairyman's Daughter. 
 The Shepherd of Salsbury Plain. 
 
 The greatest difficulty which has occurred to the minds of the 
 board, has been to fix upon a suitable plan by which these tracts 
 might be generally distributed; and here they would wish to im- 
 press upon the minds of the members of the society generally, a 
 sense of the importance of this branch of their charities. Let it not 
 be said that the circulation of Religious Tracts can eftect no 
 valuable end. Such has not been the opinion of the wisest and 
 best men in the Christian Church, who have seen as the result of 
 pious exertion in various parts of the world, the blessing of God 
 accompanying these little labours. In order to form a correct 
 opinion on this subject, we must not consider these tracts as 
 merely aiding in the Work of Salvation where the means of grace 
 are all enjoyed. Although even there they may be extensively use- 
 
ful. Their greatest benefit is felt, where the voice of a living mes- 
 senger is seldom heard, and where the interference of pious re- 
 monstrance would not be endured. The excellency of this plan 
 of instruction consists in this, that with the greatest facility they 
 may be circulated wherever they may suit the necessities of those 
 intended to be benefited. Not only may they be an acceptable 
 present in the mansions of ease and comfort, and doubly wel- 
 come in the cottages of the poor, but the soldier in his camp, the 
 sailor on the deep, the invalid in hospitals, the debtor, the cap- 
 tive and the criminal while confined in prisons, may all become 
 the subjects of divine grace, through the instrumentality of these 
 trifling agents. And moreover in those waste places of our Zion, 
 where the flock of Christ are straying without a shepherd, we can 
 in this way in some degree supply their wants; while we instruct 
 them in pure evangelical doctrine, we are also enabled to recom- 
 mend an adherence to our excellent church. 
 
 While the trustees would recommend this subject to the atten- 
 tion of the society, they would also inform them, that by a late 
 resolution of the board, each member will be entitled to receive 
 gratuitously a number of tracts, which at the price of publication, 
 shall be equal to one half of the subscription money; and it is ear- 
 nestly recommended to those who can devote a portion of their 
 time to visiting, and religious instruction, that they would avail 
 themselves of the advantages hereby intended to be afforded them. 
 
 The clergy of the church who are members of this society arc 
 also respectively informed, that they will hereafter be entitled to 
 receive any number of tracts free of expense, which they may 
 want for their own distribution. 
 
 Another subject in which the board of trustees have taken no 
 little interest, was the establishment of a new church in the 
 Northern Liberties. At an early period in the last year, a com- 
 mittee was appointed to confer with the Episcopalians residing in 
 that township, and use their influence to promote the desired 
 object. From the zeal manifested by those gentlemen more im- 
 mediately concerned, who gladly seized this opportunity to pro- 
 vide for themselves and their children a house of worship; in con- 
 sideration that a lot of ground had been many years before, de- 
 vised by William Coates, for the scite of an Episcopal Church; 
 and in dependence upon the known liberality of the Episcopalians 
 in this city, it was thought proper to encourage the undertaking; 
 and accordingly the sum of two hundred dollars has been appro- 
 priated to that object. The trustees are happy to inform the so- 
 ciety, that on the eighteenth of September last, the corner stone 
 of the said church was laid; and before the winter weather could 
 
injure it, the building was enclosed, and perfectly secured. Exer- 
 tions have been made ever since last winter to collect the congre- 
 gation who are to worship in the church when finished. In the 
 month of March last, divine service was commenced on Sunday 
 evenings, in the Commissioners' Hall in Third Street, and con- 
 tinued by the Rev. Messrs. Milnor and Kemper, alternately, until 
 the eighteenth of Jun^ when a clergyman was engaged to officiate 
 statedly: since which time, there has been service twice every 
 week. 
 
 It was made known to the board, by a committee from the 
 Episcopalians residing in Orwell Township, Bradford County, 
 that a Member of the Society had presented them with an hun- 
 dred acres of land, to be made use of as a glebe; whereupon the 
 thanks of the society were ordered to be presented him for his 
 liberal donation. 
 
 After defraying all the expenses of the last year, it will be ob- 
 served by the treasurer's account hereto annexed, that the fund of 
 this society has been increased, from 4613 dollars and 47 cents 
 to 6007 dollars 47 cents; that there have been received 2260 dol- 
 lars and 26 cents, and expended 2082 dollars and ol cents, leav- 
 ing a balance in the treasurer's hands of 177 dollars and 95 cents. 
 Within the same time have been added to the society, twenty- 
 three new members, eighteen annual, and five life subscribers. It 
 is confidently hoped that Episcopalians generally will by this 
 time have been convinced of the benefits which may flow from 
 an institution combining such various views of usefulness; and 
 when they consider that the objects of this association can- 
 not be effected to any great extent without an increase of their 
 means, they will come forward, and by their individual contribu- 
 tions, manifest a determination to give effectual aid to the only 
 society in this state, exclusively Episcopalian. The prospects 
 which open before us on every hand, are calculated to interest all 
 our faculties. As Christians, we feel a common interest in extend- 
 ing the "knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus Christ;" as 
 Episcopalians we cannot be indifferent to the great interests of 
 that church to which it is our happiness to belong, and while we 
 witness with great pleasure, the labours of all those who are en- 
 gaged in the cause of our Common Master, and wish them " God 
 speed," we would fain trust, that by the exertions, and liberal 
 benefactions of the members of our church generally, we will be 
 enabled to carry into complete effect, all the objects of the insti- 
 tution. 
 
 Signed by order of the board, 
 
 WM. WHITE, President. 
 
Dr. The Society of the Protestant Efiiscofial Church for the 
 
 ms. 
 
 Feb. 2- To cash paid William Fry's account for printing, per 
 
 order of Bishop White, President, ... 
 
 To do. paid C. P. Wayne, Chairman of committee of 
 
 Prayer Bo.ks, per order of Bishop White, dated 4th 
 
 January, 1815, 
 
 To do. paid Dr. P. F. Glentworth, expenses on the eve 
 ning ot the Epiphany, per order of Bishop White, 
 11th January, 1815, - . . . . 
 
 April 17. To do. paid M'Euen, Hale & Davidson, as per bill 
 and receipt of this date, for 1000 dollars of United 
 States six per cent, stock, at 90| per cent. 
 21. To do. paid William Fry, for printing- Third Annual 
 Report, &c. per order of Bishop White, 10th April, 
 1815, 
 
 July 11. To do. paid M'Euen, Hale & Davidson as per bill and 
 receipt of iliis date, for 300 dollars of United States 
 six per cent, stock, at 97 per cent. ... 
 
 Aug. 12. To do. paid M'Euen, Hale & Davidson, as per bill 
 and receipt of this date, for 200 dollars of United 
 States sis per cent, stock, at 971 per cent. 
 
 Sep. 26. To do. paid Rev. J. Kemper, per order of Bishop White, 
 President, 22d September, .... 
 
 Oct. 13. To do. paid assignees of Bradford & Inskeep, per order 
 of Bishop White, 
 
 Nov. 7. To do. paid James Montgomery, one of the committee 
 on Tracts, agreeably to a j-esolution of the board of 
 trustees, -- 
 
 Dec. 9. To do. do. do. do 
 
 Dec. 23. To balance in the hands of the treasurer this day. 
 
 PERMANENT FUND. 
 
 13 shares of the Philadelphia and Lancaster ' 
 Turnpike Stock, .... 
 3 do. Frankford Turnpike Stock, 
 
 1500 dollars of United States six per cent. 
 Stock, 
 
 The certificates in name of the Society in the 
 hands of the Treasurer. 
 
 Cost g 6007 47 
 
 s 
 
 95 
 150 
 
 21 
 907 
 
 53 
 
 291 
 
 195 
 
 20 
 
 150 
 
 lOS 
 
 90 
 
 177 
 
 g2,260 
 
 44- 
 
 00 
 
 45 
 
 50 
 
 42 
 
 00 
 
 50 
 00 
 00 
 
 95 
 
 26 
 
advancement of Christianityy Isfc. in account with Thomas Hale. Cr.' 
 
 1814. 
 Dec. 26. By balance as per account rendered this day, 
 
 1815. 
 
 Feb. 2. By this sum received on the evening of the Epiphany, 
 when a sermon was preached by the Rev. Doctor 
 James Abercrombie, . . . . . 
 By this sum received by the hands of Rev. Jackson 
 Kemper, donations from a number of churches and 
 c<jnpi"egations durinj^ his last mission. 
 By dividend on 13 Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike 
 Shares, at nine dollars per share, due 21st January, 
 1815, 117 dollars; advance on specie payment, 1 30, 
 June 20. By this sum received by the hands of the Rev Jackson 
 Kemper, from Reading, 10 dolls. St. John's Church, 
 New London Cross-Roads, 18 dolls, and from Tho 
 mas Charleton of do. do. 2 dollars. 
 By dividend on 3 Frankford Turnpike Shares, due 20tl 
 May, 3 dollars 50 cents per share, - 
 July 11. By one quarter's interest on 1000 dollars United States' 
 
 six per cent. Stock, due 1st instant, 
 Aug. 8. By this sum returned by a theological student, 
 Sept. 13. By do. received from Rev. Jackson Kemper, proceeds 
 
 of a horse sold, 
 
 Oct. 9. By one quarter's interest on 1500 dollars United States' 
 
 six per cent. Stock, due 1st instant, 
 
 14. By this sum received from Rev. J. Kemper, proceeds 
 
 of a horse sold, 
 
 Dec. 23. By sundry small notes received on the evening of the 
 Epiphany, ....... 
 
 By dividend on 3 Frankford Turnpike Shares, at 2 dol 
 
 lars per share, due 20th November, 1815, 
 By the following monies received on account of the so- 
 ciety, viz. 
 
 5 Life Subscriptions, - - - S 250 00 
 
 159 Yearly do. . - - . 795 OO 
 
 Donations, 9 00 
 
 By balance* 
 
 ERRORS EXCEPTED, 
 
 THOMAS HALE, Treasurer. 
 Philadelphia December 23, 1815. 
 
 S 295 91 
 
 210 
 179 
 118 
 
 30 
 10 
 
 15 
 
 200 
 
 61 
 
 22 
 
 42 
 
 14 
 
 6 
 
 1054 
 
 g2,260 
 
 s 177 
 
 75 
 
 10 
 30 
 
 00 
 
 50 
 
 00 
 00 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 00 
 
 70 
 
 00 
 
 00 
 
 26 
 
 95 
 
 B 
 
We the committee appointed to examine the accounts of Tho- 
 mas Hale, treasurer to the Society of the Episcopal Church for 
 the advancement of Christianity in Pennsylvania, do certify, that 
 we have examined the same and find them correct — that they 
 correspond with the accounts kept in the books of the Institution 
 — that the payments were supported by their proper vouchers, 
 and that there remains a balance of one hundred and seventy- 
 seven dollars and ninety-five cents in his hands, in favour of the 
 Society. We have also examined the bank book, and find, that 
 all monies received by him, have been duly deposited in the 
 bank of Pennsylvania, in his name, as treasurer to the Institution, 
 and drawn out only for the use of the same. 
 
 JOHN PEROT, 
 C. P. WAYNE. 
 
 Philadelphia, December 26, 1815. 
 
11 
 
 The folloiving gentlemen have been on Missions: 
 
 Rev. Mr. Kemper, in 1812. 
 Mr. Clay, 1813. 
 
 Mr. Kemper, 1814. 
 Several Missionaries are wanted for the year 1816. 
 
 COMMITTEES 
 
 Jlppointed by the Board of Trustees for the year 1816. 
 
 FINANCES. 
 Thomas Hale, John Perot, and Paul Beck, are the Committee of Finance 
 
 MISSIONS. 
 Rev. James Milnor, Rev. Dr. Pilmore, Rev. Dr. Abercrombie, Dr. P. F, 
 Glentworth and Horace Binney, are a Committee who have in charge the 
 procuring of suitable missionaries. 
 
 PRAYER BOOKS. 
 
 C. P. Wayne, John Claxton and James S. Smith, are a Committee to pur- 
 chase and attend to the distribution oi Prayer Books. 
 
 By a resolution of the Board of Trustees, any member who has it in his 
 power to dispose of Prayer Books, gratis, or at the very ioiv price paid by the 
 Society for them, can be supplied by applying to the Committee. By this 
 means many worthy members of the Church, though poor, can be furnished. 
 The same committee are empowered to furnish bibles suitable for reading 
 desks, to Episcopal congregations who have not the means of procuring them. 
 
 THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS. 
 Chief Justice Tilghman, Edward Pennington and the Rev. Dr. Beazely, 
 are a Committee to provide suitable aid for such youths of " genius and Jiiety" 
 who may desire to prepare themselves as candidates for the ministry, but 
 need the fostering hand of benevolence for their education. 
 
 LIBRARY. 
 C. N. Banker, E. Pennington, J. C. Stocker, Jacob Hall and James Mont- 
 gomery, are a Committee, who have the charge of all books belonging to the 
 Society, and the superintendence of the Library, which contains many valua- 
 ble works. Any member of the Committee will receive donations of books 
 suitable to be placed in the Library. 
 
 TRACTS. 
 Rev. George Boyj; Charles Wheeler and James Montgomery, are a Com- 
 mittee, to superintend the publication of suitable Tracts, &c. 
 
 CHURCH IN THE NORTHERN LIBERTIES. 
 
 Richard Dale, Richard North, William Murdock, John Robbins, and 
 Charles Wheeler, are a Committee, to confer with Episcopalians in the 
 JVorthern Liberties zndhs vicinity, relative to the Episcopal Church erecting 
 in that township. 
 
 Committees to collect Subscriptions and to obtain J^cnt) Subscribers. 
 
 Christ Church. — George Bringhurst, E. Pennington, William Murdock. 
 
 St, Paul's. — Dr. Glentworth, Richard North, John Claxton, J. Robbins. 
 
 St. Peter's. — James Sawer, Horace Binney, J. C. Stocker. 
 
 St. James. — Richard Dale, John Perot. 
 
 1X7* The Subscribers would relieve the Committees by calling on Thomas Haley 
 Treaeiirerf J^'o. 83, Chesnut Street^ to pay their annual subscription. 
 
12 
 
 CONSTITUTION. 
 
 ARTICLE I. 
 THE name of this Society shall be " The Society of the Protestant Epis- 
 copal Church for the Advancement of Christianity in Pennsylvania." Its ob- 
 ject is the promotion of Christian knowledge, learning and piety, in this state. 
 
 ARTICLE II. 
 
 The officers of the Society shall be a president, three vice-presidents, 
 twenty ti-ustees, a treasurer, a corresponding secretary, and a recording se- 
 cretary, who, together, shall form a board, to be denominated, " The board of 
 Trustees;" any five of whom shall form a quorum for the transaction of busi- 
 ness. The bishop shall, ex officio^ be president of the society. The other 
 officers shall be appointed by ballot at the anniversary meeting of the society, 
 and a plurality of votes shall constitute a choice. 
 
 Clergymen of the church, resident in the city or county of Philadelphia, 
 members of the society, and entitled to a seat in the state convention, shall 
 be trustees of the society, in addition to the trustees to be elected as aforesaid, 
 and wkh similar powers — provided they do not exceed nine in number; and 
 when they exceed that number, it shall be confined to the nine eldest in settle- 
 ment. 
 
 Vacancies in the offices of the society, shall be filled by the board of trus- 
 tees, until the annual election next succeeding the happening of such va- 
 cancies. 
 
 ARTICLE III. 
 
 Every member of the society shall, during membership, pay annually in 
 advance to the treasurer, the sum of five dollars, for the use of the society. 
 Such persons as shall at any time pay fifty dollars, or more, shall be members 
 of the society for life without the annual payments; such donations as the 
 pious and benevolent may at any time make, for the promotion of the pur- 
 poses of the society, shall also be received by the treasurer; and the trustees 
 shall cause a record to be kept of the names of all such benefactors, with an 
 account of their donations. 
 
 ARTICLE IV. 
 
 The lands or other real estate which the society may at any time acquire, 
 Sihall be devoted to furthering their general objects; and shall be held, occu- 
 pied, appropriated and disposed of in such manner as the by-laws and resolu- 
 tions of the society may direct. 
 
 ARTICLE V. 
 
 There shall be annually a meeting of the society in Philadelphia, on the 
 feast of the Epiphany; on which day, or on such other day, and in such church 
 as shall be appointed by the board of trustees, a sermon, suitable to the occa- 
 sion, shall be preached before them, by such clergymen as shall have been 
 appointed for that purpose by the board of trustees; after which a collection 
 shall be made for the increase of the funds of the society. The rectors of other 
 churches shall be invited to have services performed, and collections made, 
 for the benefit of the institution, on such days and in such manner as may be 
 ag:reeable to the proper parochial authority; and whenever the feast of the 
 
Epiphany shall fall on Sunday, the secular business of the society shall be 
 performed on the day after. 
 
 ARTICLE VI. 
 
 The board of trustees shall hold stated meetings at least four times a year, 
 and may hold adjourned meetings when necessary. Special meetings may be 
 called by the president, or in case of a vacancy in the presidency, by the se- 
 nior vice-president, or by a majority of the board of trustees; but when special 
 meetings are called, the time and place of meeting, and the subjects pro- 
 posed to be considered, shall be previously notified to the members; and no 
 other subject shall be discussed or acted upon at such meeting unless there 
 be at least twelve members present. To the board of trustees shall be com- 
 mitted the care of the society's funds, and the transaction of its entire busi- 
 ness. They shall have power, according to their discretion, and as the funds 
 will allow, to distribute copies of the Bible, the book of Common Prayer, use- 
 ful religious tracts, and other works of approved reputation; to send forth, 
 under the sanction and direction of the ecclesiastical authority of the diocess, 
 missionaries to those places within this state, where there is ground for the 
 expectation that their labours will be useful in spreading the truths, and pro- 
 moting the practice of the holy morality of the gospel — to take by the hand 
 youths of genius and piety, who need the fostering aid of benevolence, and are 
 meet to be trained up for the ministry of the church, and see that they be 
 properly educated: and in general to adopt and execute such measures, as in 
 their best judgment they shall deem good and practicable for the accomplish- 
 xaent of the purposes of the society. 
 
 ARTICLE Vn. 
 
 It shall be the duty of the board of trustees, at every anniversary, to lay be- 
 fore the society a report of the proceedings during the preceding year; to 
 exhibit a full and accurate view of the state of the society's funds, and other 
 property; and to inform them of any matters relative to the objects of the so- 
 ciety, which may be interesting to its members. A copy of their proceedings 
 shall be annually sent to the secretary of the council of advice, in order to give 
 opportunity for any opinions or remarks of the bishop, or of that council, or 
 of the state convention, to whose inspection they shall be always open. 
 
 ARTICLE VIIL 
 
 The members of the society, resident within any county or town in this 
 state, other than Philadelphia, may form themselves into corresponding so- 
 cieties, to communicate with the parent society; and as a part of it, and under 
 its direction, to aid in promoting the general object. 
 
 ARTICLE IX. 
 
 This society being intended to assist, but not in any degree to interfere 
 with, or intrench upon the established authority of the church, in promoting 
 her interest and advancement in Pennsylvania, it is hereby declared, that in 
 whatever shall be done, that authority shall be recognized and conformed to. 
 
 ARTICLE X. 
 
 The constitution shall not be altered, unless it be at an annual meeting, 
 with the consent of two-thirds of the members then present, and in the mode 
 prescribed by law; and the object of the society shall never be changed. 
 
14 
 
 At a meeting of the Society, held at St. James's Church, on 
 Wednesday, the 6th of January, 1816, the following officers 
 were elected for the present year. 
 
 Right Rev. William White, D. D. President. 
 
 Rev. Joseph Pilmore, D. D. "^ 
 
 Chief Justice William TilghmanA Vice-Presidents. 
 
 John Perot, j 
 
 Rev. George Boyd, Corresponding Secretary. 
 
 Charles N. Bancker, Recording Secretary. 
 
 Thomas Hale, Treasurer. 
 
 TRUSTEES. 
 
 Rev. Robert Blackwell, D. D. 
 
 James Abercrombie, D. D. 
 
 Joseph Turner, 
 
 Frederick Beazley, D. D. 
 
 James Wiltbank, 
 
 Jackson Kemper, 
 
 James Milnor, 
 Walter Kerr, 
 Caleb P. Wayne, 
 John C. Stocker, junr. 
 P. F. Glentworth, M. D. 
 William Murdock, 
 Richard North, 
 James Sawer, 
 
 Horace Binney, 
 Paul Beck, junr. 
 Jacob Hall, 
 John B. Wallace, 
 Edward Pennington, 
 James S. Smith, 
 James Montgomery, 
 Charles Wheeler, 
 John Claxton, 
 Richard Dale, 
 G. Bringhurst, 
 John Robbing, 
 W. Meredith. 
 
 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 LIFE SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 Thomas Armat, Germantown; Richard Bailey, Germantown; Paul Beck, junr. Tho- 
 mas Burke, William Challoner, Joseph Clark, William Davidson, Jane Duche, Thomas 
 W. Francis, Edward Gray, Hannah Lardner, William Mille, Thomas M'Euen, James 
 Milnor, John Myers, Lewis Neill, R. Peters, Benjamin Rush, M. D. James Stokes, 
 Germantown; Samuel Sitgreaves, Easton; Benjamin Stiles, Bankson Taylor, C. Justice 
 William Tilghman, Peter Van Pelt, John B. Wallace, Mary Binney. 
 
 ANNUAL SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 A 
 Rev. James Abercrombie, D. D. William Adams, Rev. John Armstrong, York, Penn.; 
 Michael W. Ash, John Ashburner. 
 
 B 
 
 Sarah Baird, William J. Baker, Charles N. Bancker, Charles Barrington, Richard 
 Barrington, B. S. Barton, Esther Barton, William Bethell, William I. Bell, William S. 
 Biddle, Charles Biddle, Charles Biddle, junr. Thomas "Biggs, Horace Binney, Sarah 
 Barry, John Bioren, Rev. Robert Blackwell, D. D. Edward Bowlby, Samuel F. Brad- 
 ford, George Bringhurst, Sarah Browne, Edward Burd, Nathan Bunker. 
 
 Charles Caldwell, Joseph Carson, Catharine Chew, Benjamin Chew, Elizabeth Chew, 
 Mary Clapier, Charlotte Cox, Thomas Charlton, Jacob Clark, Ellis Clark, Benjamin 
 Clark, Catharine Clark, Ephraim Clark, John Claxton, Jacob Clement, Jacob Clement, 
 junr. Joseph Cooper, Collin Cooper, Thomas Cooper, John Coulter, Israel Coulter, Es- 
 ther Cox, John R. Cox, M. D. Thomas Cumpston, WUliara Currie, Jas. Carson, Rev. 
 Jehu C. Clay, Norristown, Pa. 
 
15 
 
 D 
 
 Richard Dale, Hugh De Haven, Hugh De Haven, junr, Phebe Dickinson, Mary 
 Donaldson, Germantown; J. M. Douglass, James H. Dundas, John Du Puy. 
 
 E 
 
 James Eccles, John Elliott, Lewis Ellmaker, Elisha N. English, Robert T. Evans, 
 Manuel Eyre, William G. Elder, Somerset, Pa. 
 
 F 
 
 Thomas Fenton, Robert Fielding, Mary Fisher, Elizabeth P. Fisher, Willing Francis, 
 John Francis, Thomas Francis, George Harrison Francis, Charles Francis, junr. 
 
 G 
 
 James Gamble, Richard George, James Gibson, P. F. Glentworth, M. D., Robert E. 
 Griffitli, Mary Graham, James Gowan, Joseph P. Grant. 
 
 H 
 
 Thomas Hale, Jacob Hall, David Hall, Margaret Hamilton — Woodlands; Andrew 
 Hamilton — Woodlands; James Hamilton — Woodlands; Charles W. Hare, John Harland, 
 Jane Harland, George Harrison, Henry Harrison, Henry Hawkins, Samuel Hazlehurst, 
 Stephen Henderson, Bernard Henry, Henry HolUngsworth, Levi Hollingsworth, I. C. 
 Hommann, Hannah Hood, Joseph Hopkinson, Joseph Huddell, Joseph Huddell, junr. 
 Samuel Humphreys, James Y. Humphreys, John Hunt, George Hogg, junr. Browns* 
 vUle, Pa. 
 
 I 
 
 Catharine Ingles, John Inskeep, Isaac Jones, Isaac H. Jones, Thomas Jones, Joseph 
 Jones, Alphonso C. Ireland. 
 
 K 
 
 John Keene, Samuel Keith, Rev. Jackson Kemper, Edward Killy, John Kempton, 
 Walter Kerr, James King, James P. Kingston, William Kirkham, Daniel Knight, 
 Henry Kuhl, William Kyle. 
 
 J-i 
 
 John Lardner, William Lardner, Lower Dublin; Edward Lane, John H. Linn, Re- 
 becca Leaming Thomas F. Learning, John Lohra, Peter Lohra, Sampson Levy, Miss 
 Lyman. 
 
 M 
 
 Margaret M'Call, Judith M'Call, Margaret M'Call, George W. M'Coy, William 
 M'Kenzie, John Markland, James Moyes, Roxborough, P. county; John Markoe, Wil- 
 liam Meredith, Ann Meredith, Alexander Miller, Juliana Miller, John Miller, junr. 
 Richard Milne, William Milnor, junr. Austin Montgomery, James Montgomery, Frede- 
 rick Montmollin, Thomas Moore, junr. Marmaduke Moore, John W. Morrell, Robert 
 Morrell, Benjamin Morris, Mary Montgomery, Mary Muhlenberg, William Murdock, 
 Alexander Murray, James Musgrave. 
 
 N 
 Joseph Norman, Richard North, Stephen North. 
 
 P 
 
 John Parham, Edward Penington, Margaret Pepper, John Perot, James Perot, Ed- 
 ward Perot, William Phillips, Rebecca Phillips, Rev. Joseph Pilmore, D. D. Richard 
 C. Potter, John Poulson, Charles A. Poulson, Elizabeth Powel, John H. Powel, Henry 
 Pratt, John M. Price, Charles Perry. 
 
 R 
 
 Condy Raguet, Robert Ralston, Sarah Ralston, William Read, George Reinholdt, 
 John Robbins, Samuel J. Robbins, Thomas Roberts, James Robertson, John Read. 
 
 S 
 
 James Sawer, William Schlatter, Maria C. Sheaff, John D. Sheaff, Mary Swift, 
 George Simpson, H. Simpson, J. S. Skerrett, The Miss Smarts, Germantown; The Misi 
 Smiths, William Smith, Richard Smith, Daniel Smith, Frans. G. Smidi, Dockeray 
 Smith, James S. Smith, George Summers, Cr«oke Stevensoo, Jokn C. Stocker, Marga- 
 
16 
 
 relStocker, John M. Scott, Juliana Scott, Anthony Stocker, John^C Stocker, junr., 
 John Stoddart. 
 
 T 
 Eliza D. Teackle, Joseph Tag'ert, Benjamin Tanner, Mary Ann Thomas, George 
 Thompson, Edward Thompson, Rebecca Trenchard, Rev. Joseph Turner, George Try- 
 on, Edward T wells, Sarah T wells, Godfrey T wells. 
 
 V 
 
 John Vallance, Thomas Vizer. 
 
 W 
 
 J. G. Wachsmuth, Francis Wade, Joshua M. Wallace, junr. David Ware, Caleb P. 
 Wayne, John Wharton, Charles Wheeler, Samuel Wheeler, Rt. Rev. Williain White, 
 D. D. Thos. H. White, Jacob C. Wikoff, James Williams, Thomas M. WiUing, Tho- 
 mas Willing', Eliza AVilling, George Willing, Robert B Willing, Rev. James Wiltbank, 
 Christian Wiltberger, Joseph Worrell, Bird Wilson, Norristown; John Webster, Somer- 
 set, Pa. 
 
 NEW LIFE SUBSCRIBERS. 
 Sarah Brinton, Sarali Carmac, Mary R. Hutchins, James Peirson, John C. Montgomery. 
 
 NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIBERS. 
 Richard Ashhurst, John H. Brinton, Turner Carmac, Edward S. Burd, F. Stillwag- 
 gon, Charles Richards, Sarah Keen, Esther Waters, William Shepherd, Ann Poyntell, 
 Eliza Astor, Ann Lyman, Robert Caldcleugh, John Sims, George Wood, Mrs. Frede- 
 rick Kohne, Sarah Mickle Cox, Samuel Patten. 
 
 NOTICE. 
 
 In all devises and bequests to the Society, the proper style and name of the 
 corporation must be used, which is, " The Society of the Protestant Ejfiiscofial 
 Churchy for the Advancement of Christianity in Pennsylvania." 
 
 07* Subscribers to the Society, or members of the church desirous of 
 having this report, or any of the preceding ones, can be furnished on applica- 
 tion to the Publishing Committee, who are, C. P. Wayne and Charles 
 Wheeler, or by applying to any of the trustees. 
 
BX5918.P4A6«a 
 
 Report of the Board of trustees... 1st 
 
 Princeton Theological Semmary-Speer Library 
 
 1 1012 00048 2150