Form of the certificate, to be given to Lay Delegates. This certifies that, at a meeting of the congregation of this church, for the purpose of electing church officers, and delegates to the convention, (or for the purpose of electing delegates to the convention, if the meeting be for that object alone,) A. B. C. D. and E. F. were duly chosen, to represent the congregation in that body, for the year ensuing. In testimony of which, I have hereunto set my hand, (or if two vestrymen subscribe, we have set our hands,) the day and year above written. This certificate, shall be signed, by the Rector, if present; otherwise, by one warden, or two vestrymen. CONSTITUTION Of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the Diocess of Ohio. Article I. The convention shall consist, of the Bishop, Presbyters, and Deacons, and Lay delegates, of the Diocess of Ohio, in communion with the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the United States of America. If there be no Bishop, for the time being, the oldest Presbyter present, shall cause the Convention to be opened with prayers, and preside himself in the same. Article II. The Presbyters, and Deacons, of this Church, in order to be qualified for a seat in the Convention, must show that they have been regularly admitted, or settled, as officiating ministers, in some parish, or congregation, in this Diocess, or State, in communion with the convention; or that they are employed as missionaries, under the direction of the Convention; or that they are the stated professors, or teachers of some College, or incorporated A-cademy of learning, in this state. The Lay delegates, must show that they have been duly chosen, or appointed by the congregation or vestry of the church, which they represent. Article III. The Bishop has power to call special Conventions, when, in his opinion, it is necessary, for the good of the church; or when applied to for that purpose, by the standing committee; and, in case of a vacancy in the Episcopate, the standing committee, on urgent reasons, may call a special convention. Article IV. There shall be an annual convention of the church in this diocess, or state, on the first Wednesday of June, of every year, in the town of Worthington; the time & place, however,subject to be altered by the convention, provided such alteration be on the minutes of the convention, and due notice thereof, given to the several parishes. Article V. At every annual convention, a Secretary shall be ap pointed, to record all the proceedings of the convention; to preserve their journals, and hand them to his successor, and give notice to the clergy and parishes of the meeting of the convention. Article VI*. The standing committee of this diocess, shall be chosen in convention, annually; and shall consist of such equal number of Presbyters and Laymen, as the convention, in session shall deem sufficient, and hold their offices until their successors are *This article was amended by the convention of 1821. elected. Any three of said committee, one of whom, at least, shall be a Presbyter, shall be a quorum, for transacting business, when convened, at the request of the Bishop: at all other meetings of the committee, a majority of the whole members, shall be a quorum to transact business. Article VII. All officers of the convention, or diocess, shall be elected by ballot; and a majority of the whole shall decide. In the choice of a Bishop, the clergy and laity shall vote separately; the clergy individually, & the laity by congregations; & a concurrence of a majority of each order, shall be necessary to constitute a decision. Article VIII. A proposition to alter this constitution, shall be inadmissible, unless made in writing, and approved by two thirds of the convention. If so made, and so approved, it shall lie over to the next convention; and, if again approved by the next convention, by a majority of the two orders, of clergy and laity, voting separately, the amendments shall take place, be valid and obligatory. [APPENDIX.No. 1.7 CANONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF The Protestant Episcopal Church, in the Diocess of Ohio. CANON I. Each officiating, settled minister in this Diocess, shall keep a book, or register, in which he shall enter every baptism, marriage, and funeral, within his cure: he shall also keep a register of the communicants of his church, and the number of families within his cure; and his Notitia Parochiales, embracing these subjects, shall be presented to the Bishop, at the annual convention. CAN. II. It shall be the duty of every clergyman, to attend all conventions of this Diocess; and, it shall be the duty of every parish, to send one, or more lay delegates. CAN. III. Disorderly and immoral conduct; neglect of duty; disregard to the constitutions and canons of the church, or disseminating, or countenancing opinions, which are contrary to its doctrines, are offences, for which a clergyman may be brought to trial. CAN. IV*. If a minister offend, in any one of the respects, specified in the third canon, application in writing, signed by his accuser, or accusers, shall be sent, in the first instance, to the standing committee; and if it appear to them, that there is ground for the charge, they shall report thereupon to the Bishop, who shall nominate four Presbyters, (no one of whom shall be a member of the standing committee, who joined in the report aforesaid, provided a sufficient number of Presbyters can be had, without such member,) out of whom the party accused may choose three; or if he neglect, or refuse to do this, the Bishop shall appoint three; who shall be constituted a board, for trying the accused person. The Bishop shall appoint the time and place of trial, of both which, at least a month's notice shall be given to the party accused; and should he neglect, or refuse to attend, the trial shall proceed. The board thus constituted, or a majority of them, shall examine, fully, the charges alleged, and keep a minute and accurate record of the testimony of witmesses, and of every question and proceeding that comes before *Amended in convention, 1821. them. No charge shall be substantiated, on a testimony of less than two witnesses. On the examination of any witness, should the accused party require it, an oath, or affirmation shall be administered by a magistrate. In all questions, a majority of the whole board, shall be necessary to a decision. The board having come to a decision, on the charge, or charges, respectively, shall communicate this decision to the Bishop; and, also, in case they have found the accused party guilty, the sentence, which, in their opinion, should be pronounced. A certified copy of the record of their proceedings shall be laid before the Bishop, and his judgment in the case shall be final. CAN. V. The clergy shall pay strict regard to the Rubrics of the church, and shall neither alter nor mutilate the service, otherwise than they are by the Rubrics permitted. CAN. VI. All candidates for holy orders, shall be examined on such subjects as are prescribed by the canon of the general convention. CAN. VII. No clergyman shall remove from one parish to another, in this diocess, without the Bishop's consent. But if the Bishop should refuse, and the clergyman should thereby think himself aggrieved, an appeal may be made to the convention. CAN. VIII. All annual meetings, for the choice of wardens and vestrymen, shall be opened by prayer; and if there be a rector, or clergyman, he shall preside, agreeably to ancient usage. In case of a vacancy, or necessary absence of the Rector, or clergyman, the senior officer present, shall preside. CAN. IX. Whereas, the alms and other devotions of the people, at the holy communion, are committed to the minister at the altar, for presentation, and remain at his disposal-it shall, therefore, be his duty to dispense the same, according to the true interest and meaning of the churches-it being understood, that the rector will be assisted in this duty by the wardens of the parish. And, in case any minister present alms, and other devotions at the altar, in any vacant parish; he shall commit them to the wardens of said parish, for their disposal; and the minister, or, (in case of vacancy) the wardens, shall render an account of the disposal, at the annual parish meeting. | APPENDIX, No. 2.] At a meeting of the inembers of the "Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society, within and for the Diocess of Ohio"-during the recess of the convention, on the 7th inst. the following persons were chosen managers of the same-vix. Rev. Roger Searle, Medina, Rev. Samuel Johnston, Cincinnati. Mr. Rufus Murray, Ridgeville. The boaad of managers then proceeded to elect from their own number, the officers required by the 6th article of the constitution of the society; whereupon, the following persons were duly chosen: viz Rev. Roger Searle, Vice President. Rev. Samuel Johnston, Corresponding Sec'ry. At a subsequent meeting of the board of managers, held at the house of the Rt. Rev. P. Chase, on the 8th inst. there were present, Rt. Rev. P. Chase, President. Rev. R. Searle, Vice President. Mr. Morse, P. Chase, Jr. Rec. Secretary; B. Gardiner, Esq. Treasu rer, Henry Brush, Rufus Murray, John Hall, and Ezra Griswold. The Kev. Philander Chase, Jr. Deacon, was nominated and unanimously chosen, to be recommended to the Bishop, to carry into effect, the objects of the resolution by the convention of this year; providing for a personal application to the Bishops, clergy, and laity of our communion, at the eastward, for aid in furthering and promoting the objects of this society. It was then Resolved, That the President of the society, be requested to compensate the aforesaid Rev. Philander Chase, Jr. for his agency and services. 1st. By allowing to him, his reasonable travelling expences. 2d. Such reasonable compensation, as he would otherwise receive in the employment he will be taken from, in the Seminary at Worthington; and 3d. The aforesaid be paid out of any funds in the Treasury of the Society. Resolved, That in pursuance of the 13th article of the constitution of this society, there shall be printed the constitution and proceedings of the board of managers, and immediately forwarded to each of the parishes in this diocess: and Resolved further, That a blank form of the contemplated auxiliary societies, be forwarded in the same sheet Agreeably to the foregoing resolution, a blank form of the contemplated auxiliary societies, accompanies this communication, on a separate sheet.] APPENDIX NO. 3.] To the ministers, congregations and members, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the Diocess of Ohio, their affectionate Bishop, and Pastor sendeth greeting: DEARLY BELOVED IN THE LORD, Whereas, the convention of this Diocess, commiserating the deplorable situation of many thousands of christians, who, in this new country, are so scattered and destitute, as to preclude them from the enjoyment of any thing like stated ministration, of the word and sacrements of the gospel, did, at their late session, unanimously recommend the appointment, of A DAY OF HUMILIATION, FASTING AND PRAYER, UNTO ALMIGHTY GOD, wherein, to supplicate his mercy and goodness, in the forgiveness of our sins, and sending forth, and maintaining, his faithful ministers, to preach his gospel, and feed his people, and did also recommend the last Friday, in August next, to be that day, therefore, Be it remembered, that the same, the last Friday in August, in this year of our Lord, 1821, is recommended, and, hereby appointed, to be observed as a day of humiliation, Fasting and prayer, unto Almighty God, in which, the ministers and people, belonging to the congregations, and parishes in communion with the protestant Episcopal Church, in the diocess of Ohio, are earnestly requested to assemble themselves together, in their several places of worship, for the purposes aforesaid: then, and there, to pour out their hearty desires, and prayers, unto the fountain of all Goodness, and the giver of all grace, in the devout use of our primitive liturgy, and such forms as are hereunto an nexed, and directed for that purpose. Signed PHILÂNDER CHASE, Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the state of Ohio. 1. Jer. 3d. verse 12th, to the end. 2. St. Luke, 21st chapter. Lessons appointed. { Proper Psalms, 3d. Selection. Epistle and Gospel and Collects, to be used as on Ashwednesday, A prayer appointed to be used by all the ministers, and parishes, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the diocess of Ohio, immediately before the general thanksgiving, on the last Friday, in August 1821, and on all Sundays, and holy days succeeding, till the meeting of the Convention, of 1822. ALMIGHTY & Everlasting God, Heavenly Father, who hast purchased to thyself an universal Church, by the precious blood of thy Dear Son, we humbly beseech thee, that thou wouldst mercifully look upon the same; "especially that part of it, which thine own right hand hath planted in these regions of the west. Pity our desolate, and dismembered state, we humbly beseech thee O Lord.— Hear the prayer of thy people, for the bread of life, and let their cry come unto thee. Send forth ministers, and stewards of thy manifold grace, to feed thy children, famisning in the wilderness. Stir up, we entreat thee Almighty God, the hearts of thy faithful people of the Laity, throughout our country, to give liberally, of the abundance, which thou hast given unto them, in support of the labourers, whom, thou mayest be pleased to send among us. Cause them, through the influence of thy Blessed Spirit, to feel for the woes of others, now perishing for lack of spiritual food. Be pleased, O Lord, to guide and govern the minds of thy servants, the Bishops and Pastors of thy flock, that they may lay hands suddenly on no man, but, faithfully, and wisely, make choice of fit persons to serve in the sacred ministry, of thy church, generally; and especially here, where the sheep are so scattered, and the shepherds so few: And, we beseech thee, to give to those who are, or shall be, ordained, to any holy function, among us, thy grace, and heavenly benediction, that both, by their life, and doctrine, they may shew forth thy glory, and set forward the salvation of thy people. Hear us O Lord, in Heaven, thy dwelling place; and, when thou hearest forgive, and grant these our earnest petitions, thro' Jesus Christ, our Lord--AMEN. |