made, it is declared by the Deputies from the Churches in the Eastern States, that they will subscribe the Constitution, and become members of this General Convention. Upon special motion the above report was read a second time; whereupon the following resolution was proposed, viz. Resolved, That the Convention do adopt that part of the report of the Committee, which proposes to modify the Third Article of the Constitution, so as to declare explicitly "the right of the Bishops, when sitting in a separate House, to originate and propose acts for concurrence of the other House of Convention, and to negative such acts proposed by the other House as they may disapprove, provided they are not adhered to by four-fifths of the other House." After some debate, the resolution, with the proviso annexed, was agreed upon, and the Third Article was accordingly modified in the manner following: ART. 3. The Bishops of this Church, when there shall be three or more, shall, whenever General Conventions are held, form a separate House, with a right to originate and propose acts for the concurrence of the House of Deputies, composed of Clergy and Laity; and when any proposed act shall have passed the House of Deputies, the same shall be transmitted to the House of Bishops, who shall have a negative thereupon, unless adhered to by four-fifths of the other House; and all acts of the Convention shall be authenticated by both Houses. And in all cases, the House of Bishops shall signify to the Convention their approbation or disapprobation, the latter, with their reasons in writing, within three days after the proposed act shall have been reported to them for concurrence; and in failure thereof, it shall have the operation of a law. But until there shall be three or more Bishops as aforesaid, any Bishop attending a General Convention, shall be a member ex officio, and shall vote with the Clerical Deputies of the State to which he belongs and a Bishop shall then preside. On motion, Resolved, That it be made known to the several state Conventions, that it is proposed to consider and determine, in the next General Convention, on the propriety of investing the House of Bishops with a full negative upon the proceedings of the other House. Ordered, that the General Constitution of this Church, as now altered and amended, be laid before the Right Rev. Dr. Seabury, and the Deputies from the Churches in the Eastern States, for their approbation and assent.(1) This assent, as we have seen, was duly given, and the Bishop of Connecticut and his deputies, together with Dr. Parker, as deputy from Massachusetts and New Hampshire, took seats in the Convention. There being three Bishops in the Church, the House of Bishops was organized, Bishop Seabury presiding. The "Proposed Book" having never been ratified as the service book of the American Church, there was, mainly (1) Reprinted Journals, Perry's Edition, I. pp. 93–96. through the influence of the delegates from the Eastern States, practically, though not ostensibly, a return to the English Prayer Book, as the basis of the new compilation. A body of canons was also prepared. Bishop Seabury was requested to preach the opening sermon at the next meeting of the Convention; and among the closing proceedings, the following Report gives the final action of the Convention with reference to the measures for union: "The Committee on the Means of Perpetuating the Episcopal Succession in the United States of America, made the following report, which was read and adopted, viz. The Committee on the Means of Perpetuating the Episcopal Succession in these United States, are of opinion— That the Standing Committee, which, agreeably to the Constitution, is chosen, as above, to act during the recess of the General Convention, ought, in the name of the Convention, to recommend for consecration any person who shall appear to them to be duly elected and qualified for the Episcopal office. That should any person elected and qualified as above, be proposed, and should the answer from the English Archbishops be favourable to the intended plan of consecrating by the Right Rev. the Bishops Seabury, White aud Provoost, the Committee shall write to the said three Bishops, intimating that it is the will and desire of the General Convention, that such consecration should, as soon as convenient, take place. That, should the answer from England be unfavourable, or any obstacle occur, by the death of either of the three Bishops, or otherwise, the said Committee shall recommend any Bishop elect to England, for consecration."(1) (1) Reprinted Journals, Perry's edition I. 113. THE END. APPENDIX OF DOCUMENTS "The Case of the Episcopal Churches in the United States considered" written by the Rev. William White, at a time when there seemed little prospect of securing the apostolic succession for the American Church has been too often referred to in the preceding pages to require further preface. Bp. White's own reference to this pamphlet will be found in his Memoirs of the Church, second edition. pp. 89.92. |