give an account with joy; and remain for ever one flock, under one shepherd JESUS CHRIST, the Bishop of our souls. THE BISHOP'S ANSWER. REVEREND AND MOST DEARLY BELOVED, This affectionate address, your obliging congratulations on my return to my native city, and on the recovery of my health, and above all your assurances of support in my ministrations, I receive with the utmost satisfaction and thankfulness. The object of my late mission being the independence of our Church, and a regular succession of the ministry, was of such magnitude, that its happy accomplishment cannot fail of inspiring all its members with the highest gratitude to Almighty GOD, and to all who under Him, have by their good offices contributed to its success. To the English Bishops particularly, we are under indelible obligations, and I cordially unite with you in a public testimony of their benevolent and paternal exertions in our favour. Whenever we shall reflect on this important era in the history of our Church, they must be remembered with honour and rever ence. Let us, my beloved friends, zealously strive to make due improvement of the spiritual privileges which we now enjoy. Let our faith be sincere, and our lives unblemished, as our doctrine and worship are pure and holy, and GoD will continue to shower down His blessings upon us and our Church, with a bountiful hand. May you, my Reverend Brethren, aided by His gracious Spirit, continue to be watchful shepherds of the flocks committed to your charge, and maintain the doctrines and discipline of this excellent Church, with constancy and zeal; and at the same time with candour towards those who differ from us in religious opinions, that our moderation may be made manifest, and we may joyfully contribute to that peace, and love, and charity, which are so strongly enforced in the Gospel of our blessed Redeemer. Deeply sensible of my own imperfections, I feel with solicitude the weight of the important office to which I am consecrated. I rely only on the grace of Gon, to enable me to discharge my pastoral duties with fidelity, to be instrumental in promoting true religion and virtue, in governing this Church in peace and unanimity, and laying a sure foundation for its lasting prosperity; that thus, through His divine protection, your expectation of my usefulness, may not be dissapointed. And, now unto God's gracious mercy and protection I commit you; the LORD bless you and keep you! the LORD make His face to shine upon you! the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace both now and evermore! The Convention again resumed the consideration of the General Constitution; and after some time spent therein, approved of the tenth and eleventh articles of it. On motion, Resolved, That the regulation now established for the admission of candidates for Holy Orders, take place on the first Tuesday in November next. On motion, Resolved, That the Reverend Mr. B. Moore, and the Reverend Mr. Beach, be a Committee to publish the minutes of this Convention from the twenty-second of June, 1785, to the present time; together with the form of incorporating churches, prescribed by a late act of the Legislature; and to furnish copies thereof to the several congregations within the State. The Convention adjourned to the first Tuesday in November next; then to meet in St. Paul's Chapel, in the City of New York. FORM OF A CERTIFICATE OF THE APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES FOR A CHURCH; Pursuant to a late act of the Legislature. We the subscribers, two of the Churchwardens (or two of the Vestrymen, of the church in the city or town, as the case may be) do hereby certify, that the members of the said church, having been this day duly convened agreeably to, and for the purposes mentioned in an act of the Legislature of the State of New York, passed the sixth day of April, 1784, entitled, " An act to enable all the religious denominations in this State to appoint Trustees, who shall be a body corporate, for the purpose of taking care of the temporalities of their respective congregations; and for other purposes therein mentioned;" did, in pursuance of the said act, proceed to the election of the said Trustees; and that upon the votes of the said members being taken, the following persons were, by a plurality of voices, elected to that office; namely, [here take in the names of the Trustees elect.] And we do hereby further certify, that it was then and there unanimously agreed, that the style and name by which the said Trustees and their successors should be hereafter known, should be by the style and name of "The Corporation of [here take in the name of the corporation.] In witness whereof, we the said Churchwardens (or Vestrymen, as the case may be) have hereunto set our hands and seals, this in the year of our LORD, day of one thousand seven hundred and I. This certificate being executed in the presence of two witnesses, must be acknowledged or proved in the manner deeds are acknowledged or proved before the Chancellor or Judge of the Supreme Court, or one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for the county, and be forthwith recorded by the Clerk of the county. II. The Trustees cannot be less than three, nor more than nine in number. III. The manner of their election must be carefully attended to, i. e., all the male persons of full age belonging to the congregation, have a right to vote; and to assemble for that purpose at the place where they statedly attend for Divine worship. IV. The Minister, or in case of a vacancy, the Churchwardens or Vestrymen, and for want of such officers, any member of the congregation, shall publicly notify the time and place where the election shall be held, at least fifteen days before the election, for two successive Sabbaths preceding the same; and at the day of election the two Churchwardens shall preside; and in case of their absence, two of the Vestrymen; and if there be no such officers, the congregation shall elect two of their members to hold the said election. The persons presiding, to receive the votes, and to judge of the qualification of the electors; and to be the returning officers. V. The first Trustees are to continue in office for three years; and immediately after the first election, to be divided by lot into three classes, 1, 2, and 3, and the seats of the members of the first class become vacant at the end of the first year; of the second, at the expiration of the second year; and of the third, at the expiration of the third year; so that the third part of the whole, as nearly as possible, may be annually chosen. VI. In order to preserve the succession, the Trustees are to notify the members, or (in case of vacancy) the Churchwardens, the names of the Trustees whose office is about expiring, at least one month before its determination; who shall publish the same to the congregation, and appoint the time and place for the elec tion of new Trustees to fill up the vacancy: which election must be held at least six days before such vacancies shall from time to time happen. And in all such cases, the Churchwardens, or if they are absent, two of the Vestrymen shall preside, receive the votes of the electors, judge of their qualifications, and be the returning officers; and a certificate under their hands and seals, will entitle the persons so to be elected to take their seats at the board of Trustees. VII. The Trustees, by the provisions of this law, upon recording the certificate first mentioned, become a body corporate, with full power to have a common seal; to possess and manage the temporalities of the Church, and to hold and enjoy estates for the benefit thereof, to the yearly value of twelve hundred pounds. PROCEEDINGS OF A CONVENTION OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH, IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK; HELD IN ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, On Tuesday, 6th of November, 1787 The following Gentlemen Present: The Right Rev. Samuel Provoost, D. D., Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New York, and Rector of Trinity Church, in the said city. Rev. Mr. Beach, Assistaint Minister of Trinity Church, New York. Rev. Mr. B. Moore, Assistant Minister of said church. Rev. Mr. Bloomer, Rector of Grace Church, at Jamaica; of St. James' at Newtown; and St George's, at Flushing. Rev. Thomas L. Moore, Rector of St. George's, Church South Hempstead. Rev. Mr. Rowland, Rector of St. Andrew's Church, Staten Island. Rev. Richard C. Moore, Rector of the Episcopal Churches at Rye and White Plains. Rev. Mr. Wright, Rector of the Episcopal Church, Brooklyn. The above are members of the Convention, ex officio. Hon. James Duane, Hon. John Jay, Mr. John Alsop, and Mr. Moses Rogers, New York. Daniel Kissam, Esq., and Mr. Christopher Smith, Jamaica. Mr. Robert Crommelin, Flushing. |