CANONS

Of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Vermont.

CANON I.

OF THE MODE OF TRYING CLERGYMEN ACCUSED OF MISDEMEANOR.

Whenever the Standing Committee shall have reason to suspect a Clergyman of this Church to be guilty of infidelity, heresy, vice, or irregularity of any kind, it shall be their duty to inquire into the circumstances of the case; and if upon investigation they consider the crime worthy of notice, they shall report thereupon to the Bishop, who may summon a council of his Clergy, not less than three; a copy of the charge, and due notice of the time and place of trial being likewise communicated to the party accused; and after a full and fair investigation of the subject: the Bishop may pronounce sentence in the case. And if any Minister, degraded agreeable to this Canon, shall consider himself aggrieved, he shall be allowed an appeal to the house of Bishops.

CANON II.

OF THE MODE OF FORMING AND ORGANIZING CHURCHES.

Whenever any number of persons in this State shall form themselves into a regular society of the persuasion of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in such a manner, as that they will become a body corporate according to law, and their proceedings shall be sanctioned by the Bishop of the Diocese, or in case of no Bishop by the standing Committee of the State Convention, they shall be admitted to all the rights and privileges of a regular Church; subject. however, at all times to the authority and discipline of said Bishop, or if there is no Bishop, of said Standing Committee.

OF THE

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

CONVENTION

OF THE

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

IN THE

STATE OF VERMONT,

HELD AT MIDDLEBURY ON THE 24TH DAY OF JUNE,

1823.

MIDDLEBURY:

PRINTED BY J. W. COPELAND.

32632

!

PROCEEDINGS.

MIDDLEBURY, WEDNESDAY JUNE 25th, 1823.

THIS being the day appointed by the Constitution, for the annual meeting of the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Vermont, several Clergymen and Lay-Delegates, assembled in the Church at Middlebury, at half past nine o'clock, A. M.

The Rev. Abraham Bronson was elected President, and Rev Joel Clap, Secretary.

Present, Rev. Abraham Bronson,

Rev. Benjamin B. Smith,

Rev. Joel Clap,

Rev. Carlton Chase,

Rev. Samuel B. Shaw,

Rev. Elijah Brainard.

The following Lay-Delegates presented certificates of their respective appointments and took their seats.

Noble Hand, from Bethel and Bethesda Churches, Arlington,

Jesse Hand, and

Truman Purdy, S

from Zion Church, Manchester.

Abijah Hawley, from Trinity Church, Fairfield.

John Richardson, and

Samuel A. Wilkins,

from Union Church, St. Albans,

John S. Gallup, from Grace Church, Sheldon.

Amherst Willoughby, from

Church, Berkshire.

William Barber, from

Church, Berkshire.

John L. Clap, from Union Church Montgomery.

On motion, Resolved, That the Rev. Moses Burt, from the Diocese of New-York, be invited to an honorary seat in this Convention.

On motion, adjourned for the purpose of attending disine service.

Morning Prayers were read by the Rev. Samuel B. Shaw, and a Sermon preached by the Rev. Carlton Chase; the Holy Communion was administered by the Rev. President, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Shaw. After which, the Convention met according to adjournment.

Church in

Hon Daniel Chipman, Lay Delegate from Middlebury, exhibited his credentials, and took his seat.

Cotesworth P. Bronson, having satisfied the Convention of his appointment, as a Lay Delegate from St. Matthew's Church, Sandgate, was admitted to his seat.

On motion, adjourned until 3 o'clock this evening.

3 O'CLOCK, P. M.

The Convention met according to adjournment. Samuel B. Booth, Lay Delegate from Vergennes, presented his credentials, and took his seat.

On motion of the Rev. Mr. Chase, Resolved, that a Committee of three be appointed to revise the Canons of the Church in this State.

The following gentlemen were appointed the Committee. Rev. Carlton Chase, Rev. Benjamin B. Smith and Hon. Daniel Chipman.

The following Parochial Reports were presented and read:

Bethel and Bethesda Churches, Arlington, Marriage, 1. Funerals, 11. Communicants, 80.

Zion Church, Manchester,-Baptisms, 5. Marriage, 1. Funerals, 5. Communicants, 57. These Churches, for the last year, have suffered much from deaths and removals, and but one Communicant has been added to each.

ATTEST,

ABRAHAM BRONSON, Minister.

Immanuel Church, at Bellows Falls, continues in a flourishing condition. Nothing worthy of particular notice has taken place