SECOND CONVENTION Of the Pro. Epis. Church in South-Carolina, held in Charleston, July 12, 1785. CHARLESTON, July 12th, 1785. At a Meeting of the following Deputies from the Vestries of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of South-Carolina, held at Charleston: St. Philip's-The Rev. Robert Smith, Hugh Rutledge, Daniel Cannon. St. Michael's-The Rev. Henry Purcell, Roger Smith. St. James', Goose-Creek-The Rev. Mr. Ellington, Peter Smith. St. James', Santee-Daniel Horry. St. Bartholomew-William Skirving. St. George, Dorchester-Ralph Izard, Jun. St. John's, Colleton-William Matthews, Richard Muncreéf, Jun. On Motion, Resolved; that a Chairman be appointed; Whereupon, Hugh Rutledge, Esq. was requested to take the Chair. The recommendations from the Convention of Clergymen and Lay-Deputies of the Pro. Epis. Church in the U. S. A. held in New-York, last October, having been read: It was agreed, That not more than six Deputies be appointed, to represent the Pro. Epis. Church of this State, at the general Convention of Clergymen and Lay-Deputies of the Pro. Epis. Church in the U. S. A. to be held at Philadelphia, the Tuesday before the feast of St. Michael, next; three of whom may proceed on the business proposed for deliberation in the said Recommendations-That five of them be immediately chosen; one at least to be a Clergyman; and that he be allowed £80, to defray his expenses. The following Gentlemen were accordingly elected, viz :' The Rev. Robert Smith, the Hon. Jacob Read, the Hon. Charles Pinckney, the Hon. John Bull, the Hon. John Kean. Agreed, that a sixth person may hereafter be nominated by, the chairman, if necessary. The Rev. Robert Smith stated, that from the peculiar situation of his family, he declined going to Philadelphia, and requested that another person might be elected. The Rev. Henry Purcell was then elected in his place. On motion, Resolved; That the Deputies be left to act according to their judgement; but they are requested to endeavour to have any future Convention, held in the beginning of August. THIRD CONVENTION Of the Pro. Epis. Church in So. Ca. held in Charleston, April 26, 1786. CHARLESTON, April 26, 1786. At a Meeting of the Deputies from the Vestries of the Pro. Epis. Churches, in the State of So. Ca. held at Charleston; St. Philip's-The Rev. Robert Smith, the Rev. Thomas Frost, Daniel Cannon, William Hasell Gibbes. St. Michael's-The Rev. Dr. Purcell, Roger Smith. St. Paul's-Doctor Haig, William Mell, John Farr. St. Thomas and St. Dennis-The Rev. William Smith, Dr. John Symes, Hopson Pinckney. Prince William's-John Lightwood. St. Mark's-Col. Isha Moore, Col. Singleton. St. James', Goose-Creek-The Rev. Edward Ellington, Peter Smith. St. John's, Berkley-Keating Simons, Mr. Gourdin. On motion, Resolved, that a chairman be elected; whereupon, the Rev. Robert Smith, was elected, and took the chair accordingly. On motion, Resolved, that a Secretary be appointed, whereupon William Hasell Gibbes, agreed to act at the present meeting. On motion, Resolved, that a committee bè appointed to form a constitution for the Associated Pro. Epis. Churches in this State; whereupon, the following gentlemen were appointed: The Rev. Dr. Purcell, the Rev. Edward Ellington, Dr. Jones, Roger Smith, William Hasell Gibbes. On motion, Resolved, that the Ecclesiastical Constitution as agreed on at the General Convention, held at Philadelphia, from Sept. 27, to Oct. 7, 1785, be now read; and which is as follows: "Rule 1. That there shall be a General Convention of the Pro. Epis. Church in the U. S. A. which shall be held in the city of Philadelphia, the third Tuesday in June, in the year of our Lord, 1786; and forever after, once in three years, on the third Tuesday in June, in such place as shall be determined on by the Convention; and special meetings may be held at such other times, and in such other places, as shall be hereafter provided for; and this Church in a majority of the States aforesaid, shall be represented before they proceed to business; except that the representation of this Church from two States, shall be sufficient to adjourn; and in all the business of the Convention, freedom of debate shall be allowed. "2. There shall be a representation of both Clergy and Laity of the Church in each state, which shall consist of one or more Deputies, not exceeding four of each Order; and in all questions the said Church in each state, shall have one vote; and a majority of suffrages shall be conclusive. "3. In the said Church, in every state represented in this Convention, there shall be a Convention consisting of the Clergy and Lay Deputies of the congregations. 4. The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church according to the use of the Church of England,' shall be continued to be used in this Church, as the same is altered by this Convention'in a certain instrument of writing passed by their authority, entitled, 'Alterations of the Liturgy of the Pro. Epis. Church in the U. S. A. in order to render the same conformable to the American Revolution, and the Constitution of the respective States.' "5. In every state where there shall be a Bishop duly consecrated and settled, and who shall have acceded to the Articles of this General Ecclesiastical Constitution, he shall be considered as a member of the Convention, ex officio. "6. The Bishop, or Bishops, in every state shall be chosen agreeably to such rules as shall be fixed by the respective Conventions, and every Bishop of this Church shall confine the exercise of his Episcopal office to his proper jurisdiction; unless requested to Ordain or Confirm by any Church destitute of a Bishop. "7. A Pro. Epis. Church in any of the United States not now represented, may at any time hereafter be admitted, on acceding to the Articles of this Union. 8. Every Clergyman, whether Bishop, or Presbyter, or Deacon, shall be amenable to the authority of the Convention in the state to which he belongs, so far as relates to suspension or removal from office; and the Convention in each state, shall institute rules for their conduct and an equitable mode of trial. "9. And whereas it is represented to this Convention to be the desire of the Pro. Epis. Churches in these states, that there may be no further alterations of the Liturgy than such as are made necessary by the American Revolution-Therefore the Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and other rites and ceremonies of the Church, according to the use of the Church of England, as altered by an instrument of writing, passed under the authority of this Convention, entitled,' Alterations in the Book of Common Prayer and Administrations of the Sacraments and other rites and ceremonies of the Church, according to the use of the Church of England, proposed and recommended to the Pro. Epis. Church in the U. S. A.' shall be used in this Church, when the same shall have been ratified by the Conventions which have respectively sent Deputies to this General Convention. "10. No person shall be Ordained, or permitted to officiate as Minister in this Church, until he shall have subscribed the following Declaration: 'I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to Salvation. And I do solemnly engage to conform to the Doctrines and worship of the Pro. Epis. Church as settled and determined in the Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, set forth by the General Convention of the Pro. Epis. Church in these U. S. "11. This General Ecclesiastical Constitution, when ratified by the Church in the different states, shall be considered as fundamen tal; and shall be unalterable by the Convention of the Church in any state." On motion, the following Resolutions entered into by the Convention held at Philadelphia, were also read: "1. That the Liturgy shall be used in this Church as accommo dated to the Revolution, agreeably to the alterations now approved of and ratified by this Convention. "2. That the fourth of July shall be observed by this Church for ever, as a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the inestimable blessings of Religious and Civil Liberty vouchsafed to the U. S. A. "3. That the first Thursday in Nov. in every year for ever, shall be observed by this Church, as a day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God, for the fruits of the earth, and all the other blessings of his Merciful Providence." On motion, Resolved, that the above Rules and Resolutions be now taken into consideration. Rule 1. Agreed to; except as to the time of meeting, which is recommended to be held in July or August. Rule 2 & 3. Agreed to. Rule 4. On motion, Resolved, that the further consideration of this Rule be postponed, and that it be referred to a committee, to consider of, and suggest, alterations of the Liturgy to be adopted by the Epis. Churches in the American States, and that they report to the next Convention. Rule 5. Agreed to. Rule 6. Objected to; so far as relates to the establishment of a Bishop in South-Carolina. But recommend that the word State be inserted between the words respective and Conventions. Rule 7. That the words, consisting of three or more Churches, be inserted immediately after the words, Protestant Episcopal Church, in the first line. Rule 8. Agreed to. Rule 9. Referred to the committee on the 4th Rule. Rule 10. Agreed to. But recommend the following alteration be inserted immediately after the word Ordained, in the first line, viz: until due examination had by the Bishop and two Presbyters, and exhibiting testimonials of his moral conduct for two years past, signed by the Minister and three of the Vestry of the Church where he last resided; or permitted to officiate as a Minister in this Church until he has exhibited his letters of Ordination, and have subscribed according to the 10th article. Rule 11. Agreed to. Resolution 1. Suspended for the report of the committee on the 4th and 9th Rules. Resolution 2 & 3. Agreed to. On motion, Resolved, that a committee be appointed to consider of, and report on the 4th and 9th Rules, and on the first Resolution. Whereupon, the Rev. Rob. Smith, Rev. Dr. Purcell, Rev. Ed. Ellington, Dr. Jones, and Roger Smith, were appointed accordingly. On motion, Resolved, that Deputies be appointed to the General Convention to be held at Philadelphia, on the third Tuesday in June next, on behalf of the several Churches represented in this Convention. Whereupon, the following gentlemen were appointed: The Rev. Robert Smith, Charles Pinckney, John Parker, John Kean, Esqrs. On motion, Resolved, that each Church now represented in this Convention, or that may be represented in the next Convention, do provide eighteen guineas each, towards defraying any expenses that may be incurred in the prosecution of the business for which this Convention is appointed. On motion, Resolved, that this Convention will provide eighty guineas towards defraying the expenses of the Rev. Robert Smith, appointed to attend the General Convention in Philadelphia. The Convention adjourned to meet on Monday the 29th day of May next. FOURTH CONVENTION Of the Pro. Epis. Church in So. Ca. held in Charleston, May 29, 30 and 31, 1786. CHARLESTON, May 29, 1786. At a Meeting of the Deputies from the Vestries of the Pro. Epis Churches in the State of So. Ca. held this day; the Rev. Robert Smith took the chair; but a sufficient number of Deputies from the respective Churches not being present, to proceed to business, the meeting was, on motion, adjourned until to-morrow. MAY 30, 1786. The following Deputies met this day according to adjournment. The Rev. Mr. Smith in the chair. St-Philip's-The Rev. Robert Smith, the Rev. Thomas Frost, Daniel Cannon, William H. Gibbes. St. Michael's-The Rev. Dr. Purcell, Roger Smith. St. Thomas and St. Dennis-The Rev. William Smith, Dr. John Symes, Hopson Pinckney. Prince William's-Col. Benjamin Garden. St. James', Goose-Creek-The Rev. Edward Ellington, Peter Smith. St. Bartholomews'-John Julius Pringle, |