for a settled ministry among themselves. In the address at the last Annual Convention, there was mentioned a digested scheme of a missionary society, to extend over the American union. Such a scheme was accordingly proposed, and adopted by the General Convention; but, in consequence of an irregularity in enacting, it has not hitherto been possible to carry the design into effect. It has been an unfortunate result, that the missionary society, which had existed in this city for a few years, has been dormant, under the expectation of another on a more enlarged plan. Our Prayer Book Society have their stereotype still in operation, but are obliged to a temporary suspension of gratuitous distribution; and, for a while, to confer no further benefit, than the furnishing of the book at a very low price. Our Sunday schools continue their beneficial operation. We may hope that it will be more and more felt; and that there will be an honourable emulation among different religious societies, in regard to the mass of good to be respectively achieved by them. On this ground, they may all cultivate esteem for one another. But in our Church it is essential to this object, that there should be excluded all exterior influence: which, instead of producing liberality, as is imagined by some, is sure to lead to contention, having never been attempted, without the exaction of our yielding some of the properties of our system, conceived of by us as important. The Female Tract Society have not relaxed either in their exertions or in their usefulness; and the interest which has been taken in these small productions, may reasonably be considered as evidence of the merits of their selections. It ought to be considered as evidencing an interest taken in the future comfort of the families of the clergy of this diocess, when there is again mentioned to them the growth of the fund in which an annuity may be purchased; although it is a benefit of which very few. avail themselves. That very important institution, the Bible Society, has suffered, like every other, from the decay of trade. It is mentioned, that there may be continued and increased, the interest which the members of our communion have taken in its concerns. Since our last assembling, the Theological School, at first located in NewYork, has been transferred to New-. Haven. There is a board of agents in this city, for the furthering of the designs of that important seminary. They propose soon to begin the work of soliciting contributions for its endowment. It ought to be presumed, that all the members of this body will bestow their best endeavours, for the accomplishing of what the collective wisdom of the Church has judged the best expedient for the attaining of an object, which must meet the wishes of us all. To the members of Convention, now assembled, both clerical and lay, the enumerated institutions may be proposed, as means of extending the kingdom of God on earth. But to give them effect, there must be from the clergy the faithful administration, and on the part of the laity a due attendance on those ordinances, which constitute and continue us the subjects of that kingdom, and are its appointed seals. Even this will be insufficient to give to our exertions any considerable effect, independently on a suitable life and conversation; without which, there cannot be sufficient evidence of an interesting of the affections, in a cause possessed of so inadequate an influence over its patrons. WILLIAM WHITE. May 2, 1821. On motion of the Rev. Mr. Kemper, Resolved, That St. Stephen's Church, in the town of Wilkesbarre, be received into connexion with the churches represented in this Convention. The Rev. Mr. Kemper, Secretary of the Standing Committee, in compliance with one of the rules of this church, read the minutes of the proceedings of that body during the last year. The following communication was received from the rector, wardens, and vestry, of Trinity Church, Southwark, and read: To all to whom these presents shall come: We, the undersigned, do certify, that a number of the inhabitants of the district of Southwark, in the county of Philadelphia, have, for some time, associated themselves for the purpose of erecting a Protestant Episcopal Church in the said district, and have regularly assembled for the purpose of worship, according to the doctrines and discipline of the Protestant Episcopal Church. We do therefore desire that the said congregation, now known by the name of Trinity Church, be admitted into the Convention of the diocess of Pennsylvania. M. B. ROCHE, Attest, Whereupon, on motion, Resolved, That Trinity Church, lately organized in the district of Southwark, be admitted into connexion with the churches represented in this Convention. The Parochial Reports rendered to the Bishop, and entered on the Jour nal, according to the Canons, furnish the following aggregate:-Baptisms (Adults 67, Children 321, not specified 64) 452-Marriages 75-Burials 233-Communicants 1305. The above reports also, generally, contain notices of very flourishing Sunday Schools in the several parishes. Mr. John Read was elected Trea surer. The committee to whom was referred the subject of devising a plan for the future admission of churches into the connexion of this Convention, reported as follows: The committee to whom was referred the subject of preparing a plan for the admission of congregations into the Church of this state, beg leave to recommend to the Convention the adoption of the following Canon:To entitle a congregation to admisVOL. V. sion into the Protestant Episcopal Church of the State of Pennsylvania, it shall hereafter be required, that the congregation requesting to be admitted shall exhibit to the Convention the original, or a certified copy, of their articles of association, or charter of incorporation, as the case may be; and it shall appear therein, that such congregation acceeds to the constitution, canons, doctrine, discipline, and wor ship of the said church, and of the United States. And further, that the Protestant Episcopal Church in the been duly submitted to the Bishop and standing committee, or in case of a vacancy in the Episcopate, to the standing committee, and approved, as recommended by existing regulations. And if their approbation be withheld, they shall report to the Convention the charter or articles of association, with the reasons of their disapprobation, for its final decision in the case. said charter or act of association has The following resolution was offered by Mr. Meredith, and adopted : Resolved, That a committee be appointed to consider the expediency of applying to the civil authority for a Charter of Incorporation of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Pennsylvania-and, should they deem it expedient, to prepare a draught of the same, and submit it to the Bishop and standing committee for their approbation, and to report to the next Convention. Mr. Meredith, the Rev. Dr. Beasley, and the Rev. Bird Wilson, were appointed on this committee. The following gentlemen were elected the Standing Committee of the dio-` cess: The Rev. Frederick Beasley, D. D. the Rev. James Abercrombie, D. D. the Rev. James Wiltbank, the Rev. Jackson Kemper, the Rev. George Boyd, William Tilghman, Richard Dale, Thomas M'Euen, John Read and Henry Hollingsworth. On motion, Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be returned to the Rev. Mr. Sheets, for his sermon delivered at its opening. The following gentlemen were chosen Delegates to the General Convention. 31 The Rev. Frederick Beasley, D. D. the Rev. Jackson Kemper, the Rev. Bird Wilson, the Rev. George Boyd, Thomas M'Euen, William Meredith, Walter Ker, and Levi Pawling. The following resolution was offered by the Rev. Mr. Boyd, and adopted Whereas the Right Rev. Bishop White, in his address to the Convention, delivered this day, expresses himself unreservedly upon the subject of those measures which were adopted by the late General Convention, in rela tion to the subject of theological education. Therefore Resolved, That this Convention concur with the Right Rev, Bishop White in the sentiments which he has expressed. The following report is appended to the Journal: The Trustees of the Episcopate Fund for the Diocess of Pennsylvania, appointed by a resolution of the Standing Committee, of the 7th day of June last, beg leave to report That at the time of their appointment, there was standing in the name of the late Trustees of that fund, five thousand eight hundred and seven dollars and four cents, United States six per cent. stock; which, in pursuance of the before mentioned resolution, has been transferred to the present Trus tees, and now stands in their names on the books of the Treasury of the United States. That since that period, the present Trustees have received the dividends on the said stock to the first instant, and have invested the same together with twenty dollars re ceived from St. John's Church, in the Northern Liberties, in the like manner in six per cent. stock. The proceeds of this sum, with former investments, make together six thousand one hundred and fifty-two dollars and sixty-one cents, which comprises the whole amount of stock belonging at this time to the Episcopate fund. The Trustees have annexed an account, which shows the dividends on stock received since their appointment, and the manner in which the dividends, as they were severally received, have been invested. From the account current of the Treasurer, also appended to the Journal, it appears that the receipts into the Treasury of the Convention, during the preceding year, amounted to $41 75 cents, and that there was a balance in its favour of $227 74 cents. Fourth Annual Report of the Board THE Board of Managers of the Pro testant Episcopal Female Tract So ciety of Baltimore, perform, with un usual reluctance, the duty enjoined on them, of laying before their members the proceedings of the last year. Fain would they withhold the disclosure, if, by so doing, they did not apprehend the total destruction of this valuable institution; from a deep sense of its importance, however, they feel themselves bound to use the most vigorous exertions, not only to revive, but also to raise it above the estimation in which it has hitherto been held. The best means of accomplishing this desirable object, they conceive to be, candidly to represent the declining state of their funds; and by endeavouring to interest their respective congregations at large, as well as to increase the zeal of their present contributors, ensure to the institution that rank in public estimation to which it is so justly entitled, and thereby extend its usefulness. Since the last report, the Managers have continued their distributions with all the activity their limited resources would permit; 7475 Tracts have been circulated in the habitations of the indigent, and among the public institutions of the city; while the Managers have often been gratified in extending assistance to similar societies at a distance. The Managers are grieved and alarmed to find their number of subscribers reduced, within the last year, to 114, and they anxiously inquire of themselves to what is this to be attributed?-Have they remitted in their exertions to make their publications atJOHN READ, tractive and profitable?-they confiTHOMAS MEUEN, Trustees, dently answer in the negative. The RICHARD DALE, avidity with which they are sought, and the commendation of the clergy, satisfactorily evince they have persevered and succeeded in both. Have they neglected to supply their subscribers regularly with a copy of each Tract as it has been published, in order that they might judge of the improvement of the talents committed to their charge? To this inquiry, it is to be feared, they must, in a measure, plead guilty; but at the same time they confidently hope, that, of this neglect, there will be no just cause of complaint in future. Are the members of our Church less pious than formerly, less disposed to encourage every judicious means, to allure the ignorant and profligate from vice, by displaying to their view the sad pic ture of it, painted in the most glowing colours, and the beauty of holiness, as represented in the amiable and mild character of the true Christian? The Managers trust not. Can it possibly be, that the trifling pittance required of subscribers, has induced any to withdraw their former support, or prevented those from subscribing whose countenance was naturally anticipated? Surely not; for there are but few, even among the poorest of our members, unable to spare two cents per week. To what then must they attribute this lamentable indifference to an institution which has for its object so essential a benefit to mankind? It must proceed from their insensibility to its value. To mothers, interested in the eternal. welfare of their children, the Managers earnestly recommend Tracts as a powerful means of furthering their religious improvement; and could those who have hitherto contributed nothing to this good work, behold the delight with which the little creatures devour every new publication, they would no longer hesitate to supply the means of securing for them, so much innocent gratification, combined with valuable instruction. As a Sunday reading, they are particularly desirable-the pious parent fears to weary her children with the Bible-their capacities are not sufficiently expanded for other serious books-light works should be positively prohibited; so that lassitude would ensue, had she not it in her power, upon such occasions, to place” a Tract in their hands. The mistress of every family would be doing an act of great kindness to her servants, by granting them so great a privilege. We know, from experience, how highly they esteem them, and how generally they neglect other books, whilst they seize the tract with avidity. The pious Christian, with a more extended view of the general benefit, need only be reminded how useful tracts have universally been found, in paving the way for the Holy Scriptures, and informed that their utility is now no longer a subject of speculation, but acknowledged by all unprejudiced persons. Under this view of the subject, the Board of Managers entreat the assistance of the members of their Church; convinced, they will receive their reward, not only in the approbation of their own con sciences, but in the advantages resulting from such acts of benevolence to society at large; which would be to them a gratification of the purest sort. Here the Managers cannot but lament their inability to recommend this institution, as one which would liberally repay, in rational amusement, the interest bestowed upon it. Could they but gain subscribers enough to publish a number monthly, they would be looked for with the same anxiety as other periodical works, (whose superior claims to support cannot well be esta blished), whilst the subscribers would enjoy the consolatory reflection, that they were bestowing upon thousands the same privilege, who would not otherwise have the advantage thus obtained for them. Heretofore, the limited means of the society have precluded, almost entire ly, publications suitable to the more educated classes; to which the Managers flatter themselves to be enabled, by a liberal support, soon to turn their attention; with a hope of presenting to readers of this description, tracts equally replete with pure practical piety, and sound moral and religious principles. When the drunkard has been heard begging to have a piece read to him a second and a third time, in which his darling vice is represented as reducing its votary to ruin, may we not hope the polished mind may likewise be led, through the medium of of tracts, to serious reflection, which could not fail eventually to be beneficial, more especially if those admonitions were to be repeated monthly? In reading such a work as the "Two Wealthy Farmers," in which Mrs. More points out how frequently every commandment is broken by those who least suspect themselves, surely the reader must inquire of himself-Have not I also been a Mr. Bragwell? Although the Managers are precluded, by their constitution, from receiving subscriptions from gentlemen, yet it enjoins upon them the duty of soliciting donations, which they take this opportunity of doing, referring them to the clergy, or either of the Managers, who would gratefully acknowledge the smallest sum. Address delivered before the Protestant Episcopal Female Tract Society, by the Rev. Dr. Wyatt. Subscribers to the Female Tract Society, Before I lay down the interesting document, which it has been made my province, upon this occasion, to read to you, I shall ask the usual privilege of adding a few remarks. They are not offered, however, in the way of illustration of the business before you, Truth is easily told, and as readily apprehended. Or, did the objects of this Female Association require ingenious elucidation and defence, the reportin my hands sufficiently proves, that they who can act so well, need no other advocate than that which their own zeal and ability can supply. It furnishes us with a comprehensive view of the principles and objects to which their institution owes its existence; of their means, their difficulties, and of the extent to which, during the last twelve months, their schemes have been accomplished. Nothing remains to be added on these subjects; and sadly devoid of sensibility must be the heart which is not prompted, by such a sentiment, to extend to them, under some form, additional patronage. They who cannot bestow what, thus applied, would prove a large benefaction, can at least sequester, from the * means of their support or pleasure, a few cents—and a few cents defray the cost of a single tract. Or, if there be any present whose contracted comforts will not admit the privation of another mite, there are none who may not obtain for the association, from the exhaustless treasury of divine blessings, a renewed impulse, augmented means, and continued usefulness. The prayer of faith prevails with the Christian's God. That abundantly sufficient instru mentality is in his hands, to carry your little gospel messages over the whole globe, no one pretends to doubt. And they who plead devoutly at the throne of grace, for the fulfilment of covenant purposes-what do they but open the treasury of heaven, and appropriate to their holy purposes its vast resources, and engage in its furtherance, ministering spirits above, and hearts touched, not much less deeply, with sacred charity upon earth! What less does the prayer of faith effect in the cause of mercy, than secure the providential agency of that Being, who once pronouncing, "let there be light," caused light throughout the remotest regions of the universe; and who uttering now the decree-" Let truth go forth, let. grace prevail, let the humblest instrument of salvation be blessed," would give to one of these little tracts a power, a sanctifying energy, triumphant over every foe! "If GOD be for us, what can prevail against us ?" But though nothing need be offered in the way of illustration, much less would I obtrude upon the sacredness of female benevolence, a formal, though merited, encomium. I would not dissolve the retirement in which she has selected her path, and give to the vulgar gaze those scenes in which, like a messenger of mercy, she is found bending over the couch of pain and disease, ministering to the heart riven with many sorrows, and pointing the kindling eye of faith and hope to her own blissful home. Let us suffer the directors of this institution to do good in their own way-to instruct, to soothe, to bless, with no applause less hallowed than that of their own hearts and their Master's smiles. It is our province to furnish the means; to consti |