Counsellors of the General Convention of the Brotherhood
(Ex Officio.)
"BISHOPS OF THE P. E. CHURCH IN WHOSE DIOCESE THERE SHALL
BE A BROTHERHOOD."--ART. III, CONST.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Secretary of the General Convention of the Brotherhood
FREDERICK W. WELCHMAN,
Residence, New York.

The next Meeting of the Convention of the Brotherhood will be held in the City of Philadelphia, on the second Tuesday in May, A. D. 1854.

[5] JOURNAL
OF
THE PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
CONVENTION.

NEW-YORK, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1853.

This being the day and place designated for the meeting of a Convention of the several Mutual Benefit Societies, or Brotherhoods of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, the Delegates assembled in the Sunday School Room of the Church of the Holy Communion.

The Convention was called to order at 10 o'clock, A. M., by Mr. John P. Aertsen, of Philadelphia, on motion of whom, the Rev. A. Cleveland Coxe, Rector of St. John's Church, Hartford, took the Chair.

On motion, Mr. Lewis Phillips, of Baltimore, was appointed Secretary pro tem., and Mr. Francis Wells, of Philadelphia, Assistant Secretary.

The testimonials of the several Delegations were then received by the Secretary, and the roll being called, the following members answered and took their seats, viz:

[6] "P. E. MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETY," NEW YORK: Messrs. Frederick W. Welchman, William A. Duncan, Isaac F. Cox, John T. Adams, Richard Kipling.

"CHURCH BENEFIT SOCIETY," (ST. JOHN'S PARISH,) HARTFORD: Rev. A. Cleveland Coxe, Messrs. Alfred B. Goodrich, C. H. Mason, R. Nichols.

"BROTHERHOOD OF THE P. E. CHURCH," PHILADELPHIA: Messrs. John P. Aertsen, Charles Wingate, Francis Wells, Thomas H. Montgomery, Rev. F. S. Wiley.

"P. E. BENEFICIAL SOCIETY," BALTIMORE: Rev. Thomas Atkinson, D. D., Rev. George A. Leakin, Messrs. John Eborall, Lewis Phillips, Edward Johnson.

"P. E. MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETY OF BROOKLYN:" Messrs. Alfred G. Stevens, Bailey J. Hathaway, Charles H. Birney, William W. Russell.

"MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETY OF ALL SAINTS PARISH, MOYAMENSING:" Rev. Henry E. Montgomery, Mr. Arthur Wells.

"BROTHERHOOD OF ST. BARNABAS," TROY: Rev. Philander K. Cady, Messrs. Alpheus Spor, George Seabury.

"THE CHURCH BROTHERHOOD IN THE CITY OF BOSTON :" Rev. E. N. P. Wells, D. P.

Mr. F. W. Welchman presented a certified Copy of the Minutes of a meeting of Clergy and Laity, held in the City of Albany, on the 31st instant, "for the purpose of considering the expediency of organizing an Association for the promotion of Christian Benevolence and Brotherhood," [* See Appendix 1.] and moved that the Delegates appointed at said meeting be admitted as members of the Convention.

The motion was unanimously adopted, and Mr. Charles Bell thereupon took his seat as a Delegate from Albany.

On motion, Resolved--That a Committee of one member from each Delegation be appointed by the Chair, to nominate Officers for this Convention.

The Chair appointed as this Committee : Rev. H. E. Montgomery, of Moyamensing; Mr. John T. Adams, of New York; Mr. John P. [6/7] Aertsen, of Philadelphia; Mr. C. S. Mason, of Hartford; Rev. George A. Leakin, of Baltimore; Rev. Dr. Wells, of Boston; Mr. A. G. Stevens, of Brooklyn; Mr. Alpheus Spor, of Troy; Mr. Charles Bell, of Albany.

The Committee having retired, after a brief interval submitted the following nominations, viz.:

For President, Rev. Thomas Atkinson, P. D., Rector of Grace Church, Baltimore, and Bishop-elect of North Carolina.

For Vice-President, Rev. E. M. P. Wells, D. D., Minister of St. Stephen's Chapel, Boston.

For Secretary, Mr. F. W. Welchman, of New York.

For Assistant Secretary, Mr. Francis Wells, of Philadelphia.

On motion, the vote by ballot was dispensed with, and the gentlemen named were unanimously elected to the offices for which they had been respectively nominated.

The President having taken the Chair, proceeded to open the business of the Convention, with Devotions.

On motion of Mr. J. T. Adams, the Rules of Order of the "Mutual Benefit Society of New York," with the exception of the last, were adopted as the Rules of the Convention. [* See Appendix 2.]

On motion of Rev. H. E. Montgomery, Resolved--That Clergymen of the P. E. Church, Candidates for Holy Orders, and Members of the various Church Beneficial Societies, be admitted to the sittings of this Convention.

The Convention then (11 o'clock, A. M.) took a recess, in order to attend Divine Service, in the Church of the Holy Communion. The Litany was said by the Rev. W. A. Muhlenberg, D. D., Pastor of said Church. The Ante-Communion Service was read by the Rev. Dr. Atkinson, of Baltimore, the Epistle being read by the Rev. Mr. Coxe, of Hartford, who also preached the Sermon from Isaiah 41, verse 6. The Holy Communion was then administered by the Rev. Drs. Muhlenberg and Atkinson, and Rev. Messrs. Coxe, Leakin, and Montgomery.

[8] 1 O'CLOCK P. M.

The Convention re-assembled.

On motion of the Secretary,

Resolved--That in all questions presented to this Convention, each Delegation shall be entitled to one vote.

On motion of Rev. H. E. Montgomery,

Resolved--That a Committee of one from each Delegation be appointed to report a common name, and a plan of organization for the various Mutual Benefit Societies of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

On motion of Mr. George Seabury,

Resolved--That the members of said Committee be nominated by their respective Delegations.

The following nominations were thereupon made:

P. E. Mutual Benefit Society of New York,--Mr. Frederick W. Welchman. Church Benefit Society of Hartford,--Mr. Alfred B. Goodrich. Brotherhood of the P. E. Church, Philadelphia,--Mr. Francis Wells. P. E. Beneficial Society of Baltimore,--Rev. George A. Leakin. P. E. Mutual Benefit Society of Brooklyn,--Mr. William W. Russell. Mutual Benefit Society of All Saints Parish, Moyamensing,--Rev. Henry E. Montgomery. Brotherhood of St. Barnabas, Troy,--Rev. Philander K. Cady. Church Brotherhood, Boston,--Rev. Dr. Wells. Albany,--Mr. Charles Bell.

Mr. J. T. Adams offered the following Resolution:

Resolved--That the Convention now adjourn, to meet again at 8 o'clock, this evening.

Rev. H. E. Montgomery moved to amend the above, by substituting 5 P. M. as the hour for reassembling.

Mr. A. G. Stevens offered the following amendment to the amendment:

Resolved--That the Convention now take a recess for one hour.

The question being taken on the last Resolution, it was lost.

The question being then put on the Amendment, it was carried.

The Convention adjourned.

5 O'CLOCK, P. M.

The Convention met pursuant to adjournment.

The Secretary laid before the Convention a letter just received from the "Brotherhood of the P. E. Church in the Diocese of Kentucky," expressive of regret at being unable to be represented, and conveying the assurance of the sympathy of the Brotherhood, and its best wishes for a successful issue to the deliberations of the Convention. [* See Appendix 3.]

The Committee on "a common name and plan of organization for the various Mutual Benefit Societies of the P. E. Church," presented the following

REPORT.

The Committee appointed "to report a common name and a plan of organization for the various Mutual Benefit Societies of the Protestant Episcopal Church," beg leave to submit the following Resolution:
Resolved--That this Convention be known as the GENERAL CONVENTION OF THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Committee append to this Report a Constitution, (with a Preamble,) and several Canons, for the government and direction of the General Convention, which they unanimously recommend for adoption.

Respectfully submitted,

Committee
E. M. P. WELLS, Chairman
HENRY E. MONTGOMERY,
GEORGE A. LEAKIN,
PHILANDER K. CADY,
B. GOODRICH,
WM. W. RUSSELL,
CHARLES BELL,
F. W. WELCHMAN,
FRANCIS WELLS, Sec'y.
NEW YORK, June 15, 1853.

WHEREAS, various Associations or Brotherhoods exist within the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, having for their objects, primarily: the mutual care and relief of their respective members in time of sickness or accident,--the burial of their deceased,--the succor of their Widows and Orphans,--and the promotion of Christian fellowship and love; and, secondly:--according to their several ability--the aid of distressed members of the Church generally; and whereas it is deemed expedient and necessary, in order that the beneficial effects of such Associations may be perpetuated, and greater uniformity and efficiency of action be secured, to provide some common bond of union, the Delegates from the "P. E. MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETY" in New York, the "CHURCH BENEFIT SOCIETY" of the City of Hartford, the "BROTHERHOOD OF THE P. E. CHURCH" of Philadelphia, the "P. E. BENEFICIAL SOCIETY" of Baltimore, the "P. E. MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETY" of Brooklyn, the "MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETY" of All Saints Parish, Moyamensing, the "BROTHERHOOD of ST. BARNABAS" in the City of Troy, and the "CHURCH BROTHERHOOD" in Boston, do accordingly, in GENERAL CONVENTION, this fifteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three, with an humble trust in GOD THE FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT, that His grace may always prevent and follow them, enact and set forth the following CONSTITUTION.

CONSTITUTION.

Article 1. There shall be a General Convention of the various Brotherhoods of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, triennially, at the time and place of meeting of the General Convention of the Church; and special meetings may be called at other times in such manner as may be hereafter provided. Each General Convention shall be opened with Divine Service, a Sermon, and the celebration of the Holy Communion; and the daily Sessions shall be opened and closed with devotions. A majority of the Diocesan Brotherhoods which shall have assented to this Constitution shall be represented before proceeding to business, except that any one representation shall be sufficient to adjourn; and in all business of the Convention freedom of debate shall be allowed.

Article 2. Each Diocesan Brotherhood shall be entitled to a representation to consist of five deputies, chosen in such manner as it may determine; and in all questions each representation shall have one vote, and a majority of such votes shall be conclusive. If any Diocesan Brotherhood should fail to appoint Deputies, or shall from any cause be unrepresented, said Brotherhood shall nevertheless be bound by the acts of this Convention.

Article 3. Bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church in whose Diocese there shall be a Brotherhood shall be ex officio Counsellors of this Convention, and possess the right of admission to its meetings.

Article 4. When two or more Brotherhoods shall exist in a Diocese there shall be formed a Diocesan Brotherhood under the title of the "Brotherhood of [10/11] the P. E. Church, in the Diocese of___," which shall have jurisdiction over all the Brotherhoods within the Diocese, and shall provide for their common government a Constitution not inconsistent with the Constitution or Canons of this General Convention, and in which due provision shall be made for the care and relief by the respective local Brotherhoods of members of other Brotherhoods who may require aid within their limits, provided that such member shall present to the proper officer of any Brotherhood, within whose limits he may be, a duly attested certificate of his good standing in his own Brotherhood, with a specification of the rate of benefits to which he may be entitled in his own Brotherhood.
There shall be a Standing Committee of each Diocesan Brotherhood, whose duties, except so far as provided for by the Canons of this General Convention, may be prescribed by the respective Brotherhoods.
When but one Brotherhood shall exist in a Diocese it shall be regarded as the Diocesan Brotherhood for the time being.

Article 5. This General Convention shall be the supreme authority for the settlement of any differences that may arise among the Diocesan Brotherhoods.

Article 6. Any member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and an actual attendant upon its services, if between the ages of 18 and 55 years, and not physically disqualified, shall be eligible for membership in any Brotherhood under such regulations as it may prescribe; but no Brotherhood shall receive into membership any person residing within the territory of a Diocesan Brotherhood other than that to which it is subject.

Article 7. This General Convention shall have power to enact any Canons not conflicting with this Constitution.

Article 8. This Constitution shall be unalterable unless in General Convention, and all alterations shall be first proposed in one Convention and made known to the several Diocesan Brotherhoods before they shall be finally agreed to or ratified in the ensuing Convention; nor shall any alteration take effect without the consent of a majority of the Bishops who shall be Counsellors of the Convention.

CANONS.
________

CANON I.

Of the mode of calling Special Conventions.

SEC. 1. If any Diocesan Brotherhood should be desirous of a special meeting of the General Convention, it shall communicate such desire, with the reasons therefor, to the Standing Committees of the different Diocesan Brotherhoods; and if the major number of the Standing Committees shall consent to the proposed meeting, the Diocesan Brotherhood concerned shall forward the [11/12] evidence of such consent to the Secretary of the General Convention, who shall thereupon issue a call for such special meeting, which shall be held not more than one month, nor later than three months, subsequent to such call.

SEC. 2. The place for holding any Special Convention shall be that fixed upon by the preceding triennial Convention for the meeting of the next triennial Convention, and the Deputies to the preceding triennial Convention shall be deputies at such Special Convention, unless other Deputies thereto shall be chosen in the meantime by any of the Diocesan Brotherhood.

CANON II.

Of the mode of defraying the expenses of General Conventions.

In order that the contingent expenses of General Conventions may be defrayed, it shall be the duty of every Diocesan Brotherhood to forward to the Treasurer of the General Convention, at or before any meetings of the General Convention,-- --for each member of the several local Brotherhoods under its jurisdiction.

CANON III.

Of the Treasurer.

SEC 1. At every triennial meeting of the General Convention, a Treasurer shall be chosen who shall remain in office until the next stated Convention, and until a successor be appointed. It shall be his duty to receive and disburse all moneys collected under the authority of the Convention, and of which the collection and distribution shall not otherwise be regulated; and to invest, from time to time, for the benefit of the Convention such surplus funds as he may have on hand. His accounts shall be rendered triennially to the Convention, and shall be examined by a Committee acting under its authority.

SEC. 2. In case of a vacancy in the office of Treasurer, it shall be supplied by an appointment to be made by the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Brotherhood to which he belonged, and the person so appointed shall continue to act until an appointment is made by the Convention.

CANON IV.

Of the Secretary.

SEC. 1. A Secretary shall be chosen at every Convention by ballot, who shall continue in office until the meeting of the next Convention, and until his successor is chosen. He shall attend at the time and place appointed for the meeting of the General Convention; shall receive the testimonials of those who there attend as Deputies, and shall record their names; and when such list is made, shall take the votes of those named in it for a President. The insertion by the Secretary in the list so made by him, of the name of any person who has presented a testimonial of his appointment as a Deputy, shall be prima facie evidence of the right of such person to a seat; but so soon as the Convention is duly organized, a Committee shall be appointed, to whom the testimonials of all those claiming to be members shall be referred.

[13] SEC. 2. The Secretary shall keep full minutes of the proceedings of the Convention; preserve its Journal and records, and deliver them to his successor; and shall perform such other duties as may be directed by Canon or assigned to him by the Convention. He may, with the approbation of the Convention, appoint an Assistant Secretary. If during the recess of the General Convention a vacancy should occur in the office of Secretary, the duties thereof shall devolve upon the Assistant Secretary, if there be one; if not, a Secretary shall be appointed by the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Brotherhood, within whose territory the next Triennial Convention is appointed to be held.

CANON V.

Of the mode of transmitting notice of matters submitted by the General Convention to Diocesan Brotherhoods.

Whenever any subject is submitted to the consideration of the several Diocesan Brotherhoods, it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the General Convention to give a particular notice thereof to the Standing Committee of each Diocesan Brotherhood.

CANON VI.

Of the mode of obtaining an accurate view of the State of the Brotherhood.

SEC. 1. It shall be the duty of each Diocesan Brotherhood, at least one month previous to the meeting of every triennial Convention, to forward to the Secretary thereof, a report of the condition of the several Brotherhoods under its jurisdiction, in which report shall be embodied a full statement of the number of members in good standing; the number of initiations, rejections, resignations, suspensions and expulsions; the number of deaths and of Beneficiaries; the amount expended for sick and funeral benefits, and for the relief of Widows and Orphans; and the total amount of receipts and disbursements by each Brotherhood, together with such other incidents of the interval since the preceding report as may be deemed important or interesting.

SEC. 2. Upon the receipt of such reports by the General Convention, a Committee shall be appointed to draw up and submit to the Convention, as early in its session as practicable, a view of the state of the various Brotherhoods.

CANON VII.

Of the mode of admitting Diocesan Brotherhoods formed during the recess of the General Convention.

SEC. 1. Whenever a Diocesan Brotherhood shall be formed during the recess of the General Convention, and not within six months of its next meeting, a copy of the Constitution of such Brotherhood shall be sent to the Standing Committees of the other Diocesan Brotherhoods, and if a majority of said Committees shall approve thereof, the evidence of such approval and the assent of the newly formed Brotherhood to the Constitution of the General Convention, [13/14] shall be forwarded to the Secretary, and be placed by him on file; and the Secretary shall thereupon grant to such Brotherhood a Certificate of union with the Convention, and shall give notice of the fact to the Standing Committees of the several Diocesan Brotherhoods.

SEC. 2. But if a Diocesan Brotherhood shall be formed within six months before the meeting of the General Convention, all matters relative to its admission shall be deferred until the said meeting.

CANON VIII.

Of Members removing from one Brotherhood to another.

SEC. 1. Any member removing into another Diocese and desirous of withdrawing from the Brotherhood to which he is attached, shall procure therefrom a certificate of good standing to be presented to the Standing Committee of his Diocesan Brotherhood, who shall thereupon grant a letter dismissory to the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Brotherhood within whose territory he is about to remove. Upon the receipt of such letter--which shall be delivered within three months, or become void--the Standing Committee last named shall issue to said member a testimonial, which shall be sufficient evidence as to moral fitness for his admission into any Brotherhood under its jurisdiction.

SEC. 2. No member shall be considered as having passed from the jurisdiction of one Diocesan Brotherhood to that of another, or as having dissolved his connexion with the local Brotherhood to which he has been attached, until he shall have taken the letter aforesaid and been actually admitted into some Brotherhood within the Diocese whither he has removed.

CANON IX.

Of Crimes and .Misdemeanors.

SEC. 1. If any member of a Brotherhood shall secede from the Protestant Episcopal Church, or be charged with scandalous or immoral conduct, or with a violation of the Constitution or Canons of the General Convention, or of the Diocesan Brotherhood to which he belongs, he shall be liable to presentment and trial according to the Canons of the Diocesan Brotherhood within whose territory the trial takes place, and upon being found guilty shall be admonished, fined, suspended, or expelled. In case of expulsion, notice shall be sent to the Standing Committee of each Diocesan Brotherhood, to be communicated to the several Brotherhoods under its jurisdiction.

SEC. 2. If any member, while absent from the territory of the Diocesan Brotherhood to which he belongs, shall be chargeable with any of the above stated offences, or with violating the Constitution or Canons of the Diocesan Brotherhood within whose territory he may be sojourning, it shall be the duty of the Standing Committee of the latter Brotherhood to give notice of the fact, together with the evidence thereof, to the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Brotherhood having jurisdiction; and if the Standing Committee thus notified shall omit for the space of three months to proceed against the offending member, it shall be in the power of the Standing Committee of the Diocesan [14/15] Brotherhood within whose territory the alleged offence or offences were committed to institute proceedings, and the decision rendered shall be conclusive.

CANON X.

Of differences between Brotherhoods.

SEC. 1. In cases of controversy between Brotherhoods in different Dioceses, which controversies are of such a nature as cannot be settled by themselves, it shall be the duty of the Brotherhood deeming itself aggrieved to present an accusation in writing, with the evidence in its support, to the Standing Committee of its Diocesan Brotherhood; and, if after consideration, it shall seem to such Committee that said Brotherhood has not good and substantial cause of offence, it shall dismiss the matter; but if the contrary shall appear, the Committee shall cause a certified copy of the accusation and accompanying evidence to be transmitted to the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Brotherhood having jurisdiction over the accused Brotherhood. Upon receiving such accusation, the Committee last named shall proceed, as soon as practicable, and after due notice to all the parties concerned, to investigate the same and render a decision thereon.

SEC. 2. In case of difference between any two Diocesan Brotherhoods, the matter shall be submitted for settlement to the General Convention at its first subsequent meeting, unless, by mutual consent, the cause of difference shall in the meanwhile be referred to the Standing Committee of some other Diocesan Brotherhood, in which event the decision rendered by such Committee shall be conclusive.

The reading of the Report being concluded, the Resolution submitted by the Committee, as to the name of the Convention, was, on motion, unanimously adopted.

On motion of the Rev. Mr. Leakin,

Resolved--That the Constitution and Canons reported by the Committee, be taken up seriatim.
The "Preamble" to the Constitution was thereupon read, and, on motion, adopted.

Article 1 of the Constitution having been read, Mr. Francis Wells moved to amend the same, by substituting the word "annually" for "triennially," in line 3.
Pending the discussion of the proposed amendment, the Convention, on motion of Rev. Dr. Wells, took a recess for the purpose of attending Evening Prayer.

[16] 6 1/2 O'CLOCK P. M.
The Convention re-assembled.

Mr. Francis Wells withdrew the amendment offered before the recess, and moved to amend Article 1, by striking out, after "triennially," in line 3, the words "at the time and place of meeting of the General Convention of the Church," and substituting therefor, as follows:--"at such time and place as may be designated by each previous Convention."
The question being put on the proposed amendment, it was carried.

On motion, Article 1, as amended, was then adopted.
Article 2, being read, was, on motion, adopted.
Article 3, being read, was, on motion, adopted.

Article 4, being read, Mr. Francis Wells moved to strike out the proviso commencing after the word "limits," in line 8.
The question being taken on the amendment, it was adopted.

Article 4, as amended, was then, on motion, adopted.
Article 5, being read, was, on motion, adopted.

Article 6, being read, Mr. Charles Bell moved to strike therefrom the restrictions as to age and physical disqualifications, which motion was carried.

On motion, Article 6, as amended, was adopted.
Article 7, being read, was, on motion, adopted.

Article 8, being read, Mr. Francis Wells moved to amend the same, by omitting therefrom the last Clause, being all after the words "ensuing Convention," in line 4.
[17] Mr. George Seabury moved to amend the amendment, as follows:
Strike out of the Article all from the word "Bishops," (inclusive,) in line 5, and insert in place thereof: "Counsellors of the Convention, five or more being present."
Mr. A. G. Stevens proposed the following substitute: Strike out all after the word "Convention," in line 4, and substitute therefor, as follows: "and, upon the final vote on any proposed amendment, the Counsellors present shall each be entitled to one vote thereupon."

The question being put upon the Substitute, it was lost.
The question being then taken upon the Amendment to the Amendment, it was decided in the negative.
The question being taken upon the Amendment, it was also decided in the negative.

The question recurring upon the Article as reported by the Committee, the Rev. Dr. Wells moved to amend, by adding thereto the following words: "And should any Amendment to the Constitution be rejected by the Bishops, it shall, nevertheless, become a law, if three-fourths of the Delegations present shall vote in favor of said.

Rev. Mr. Wiley offered the following Amendment to the Amendment: Add to the Article as reported, the words, "Provided further, that in case of the non-assent of the Bishops, the question shall be again submitted to the Convention, and determined by a two-thirds vote."

The question being put on agreeing to the last Amendment, it was decided affirmatively.
The Delegation from Hartford moved a reconsideration of the question, which motion was carried.
The question was thereupon again taken on the Amendment to the Amendment, and decided in the affirmative.

[18] The question being then proposed upon the adoption of Article 8, as amended, it was rejected.

The question on adopting the Constitution as amended then coming up, Mr. John R Aertsen moved a reconsideration of Article 3, which motion was lost.

The question was then put on agreeing to the Constitution as amended, [* See Appendix 4.] and it was carried.

Mr. J. T. Adams moved an adjournment, which motion was lost.
The Convention proceeded to consider the Canons reported by the Committee.

Canon 1, being read, was, on motion, adopted.
Canon 2, being read, the blank therein was, on motion, filled by the insertion of "ten cents." The Canon, as amended, was then adopted.
Canons 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, being read, and the question put upon the adoption of each Canon respectively, they were severally adopted.

Mr. Charles Bell offered the following as

CANON XI.

Of the relief by Local Brotherhoods of Members of other Brotherhoods.

SEC. 1. If any member when beyond the territory of the Brotherhood to which he is attached shall be overtaken by sickness or accident, it shall be the duty of the Brotherhood within whose limits he may be, upon the presentation of a certificate of his good standing, to see that such member is duly cared for, and to afford him such pecuniary relief as he may be entitled to under the provisions of the Brotherhood to which he belongs.

SEC. 2. Any Brotherhood granting relief under the circumstances above mentioned, shall as early as practicable give information thereof to the Brotherhood to which the sick or distressed member may belong, and the latter Brotherhood, upon being furnished with evidence of the fact, shall at once refund to the Brotherhood first named the amount of benefits advanced to said member.

[19] The question being put on agreeing to the above Canon, it was decided in the affirmative.

On motion of Rev. A. C. Coxe,

Resolved--That the "Canons" just passed be designated and known as "By-Laws," and that the latter term be substituted wherever reference is made to the former.
The question being put on the adoption of the By-Laws as amended, [* See Appendix 5.] it was decided in the affirmative.

On motion of the Rev. H. E. Montgomery,

Resolved--That the next Convention of the Brotherhood be held in the city of Philadelphia, on the 9th day of May, A. D. 1854.

On motion of the Rev. A. C. Coxe,

Resolved--That the thanks of the Convention be presented to the members of the "Mutual Benefit Society of New-York," for their kind hospitalities; and to the Delegates from said Society for their arrangements for the meeting of the Convention, and that the latter be authorised to draw upon the several Brotherhoods for their respective portions of the expenses of this Convention.

On motion, the thanks of the Convention were rendered to its Officers for the faithful performance of their respective duties.

On motion of the Rev. H. E. Montgomery,

Resolved--That the cordial thanks of the Convention be rendered to the Rev. W. A. Muhlenberg, D. D., for the use of the Church of the Holy Communion and its Sunday School Room; and for his kind and courteous attentions to the members of the Convention.

On motion of Mr. John P. Adams,

Resolved--That the thanks of the Convention be presented to the Rev. A. Cleveland Coxe, of Hartford, for the very able and appropriate Sermon preached by him.

On motion of Mr. A. B. Goodrich,

[20] Resolved--That 500 copies of the Proceedings of this Convention, together with the Constitution and By-Laws, be printed under the direction of the New-York Delegation, and be distributed among the several Brotherhoods.

On motion, Resolved, that after closing Devotions by the Presiding Officer, this Convention adjourn.

The members then united in singing the 107th Selection of Psalms, after which the Apostolic Benediction was pronounced by the President and the Convention then adjourned sine die.

THOMAS ATKINSON, D. D., President.
F. W. WELCHMAN, Secretary.
FRANCIS WELLS, Assistant Secretary.

[21] APPENDIX I.

At a meeting of Clergy and Laity of the City of Albany and vicinity, on Monday, June 13th, 1853, called for the purpose of considering the expediency of organizing an Association for the promotion of Christian Benevolence and Brotherhood:

Dr. David Springsteed was called to the Chair, and Dr. H. D. Paine was appointed Clerk.

The object of the meeting having been stated by the Rev. J. R. Davenport and others, it was moved that a Committee of three be appointed by the Chair, to report a Constitution for the government of the proposed Association.

The motion was carried, and Dr. H. D. Paine, the Rev. B. Selkirk and Mr. C. Bell were appointed.

The Committee, after a brief interval, reported that they had prepared a Constitution which appeared to them sufficient for the organization and present exigencies of the proposed Association; but that in view of the probable action of the Convention of similar Associations about to assemble in New York, they purposely abstained, at this time, from proposing a more elaborate document.
The Constitution as reported by the Committee was then read.

After some discussion as to the propriety of postponing any action upon the report until after the result of that Convention shall be known, the following resolution was offered by the Rev. Mr. Selkirk:

Resolved--That in consideration of the approaching Convention of Mutual Benefit and other similar Associations in New York, for the purpose of considering all matters relating to the organization of such Societies, the report of the Committee be laid upon the table for the present, and that three Delegates be appointed to attend the Convention and to report at a subsequent meeting.

The resolution was seconded by Rev. Dr. Rip, and carried.

The Rev. Mr. Davenport then moved the following Resolution:

Resolved--That this meeting, being deeply interested in the objects of the proposed Convention of Mutual Benefit Societies in the Church, to be held in New-York on the 15th inst., and desiring to be represented therein, do appoint the Rev. S. Reed, Mr. C. Bell, and John Townsend, Jr., as a delegation to that meeting, with a request that if it shall meet the views of the Convention they be admitted to membership in the same.

This resolution was unanimously adopted.

[22] It was furthermore Resolved, that the Delegates hereby appointed be authorized to fill any vacancies that may occur in their number.

Also, Resolved--That the Clerk be directed to furnish the Delegates with a copy of the proceedings of this meeting to be presented to the Convention.

On motion of the Rev. Dr. Potter, the meeting then adjourned to Monday. the 20th inst., at 8 o'clock P. M.

D. SPRINGSTEED, Chairman
HENRY D. PAINE, Clerk

[23] APPENDIX II.

RULES OF ORDER.

1. The Presiding Officer having taken the Chair, members shall be seated and come to order, and the business of the Convention be proceeded with as prescribed.

2. No motion shall be considered as before the Convention unless seconded, and when required, reduced to writing.

3. When a question is before the Convention, no motion shall be received but to lay it on the table, to postpone, commit, or amend it; which motions shall have precedence in the order named. But a motion to strike out the word "Resolved" shall have precedence of a motion to amend, and, if carried, shall be equivalent to a rejection of the resolution.

4. All amendments shall be considered in the order in which they are received. When a proposed amendment is under consideration, a motion to amend the same may be made; no after amendment to such second amendment shall be in order. But when an amendment to an amendment is under consideration, a substitute for the whole matter may be received. No proposition on a subject different from that under consideration, shall be received under color of a substitute.

5. A motion to lay on the table shall be decided without debate.

6. A motion to adjourn shall always be in order when no member is speaking, and shall be decided without debate.

7. The mover may withdraw a motion or resolution at any time before decision or amendment, in which case it shall not be entered upon the minutes.

8. If a question under debate contain two or more distinct propositions, the same shall be divided at the request of any member, and a vote taken separately.

9. Every member present shall vote when a question is put, unless excused by the Convention; and at the request of any two members the yeas and nays shall be ordered and recorded on the minutes.

10. All questions, unless otherwise prescribed, shall be determined by a majority of votes.

11. Any member intending to speak on a question shall rise in his place and respectfully address the Presiding Officer, confine himself to the question, and avoid personality.

[24] 12. No member may speak more than twice on the same subject without leave of the Convention, nor more than once in any case, until every member wishing to speak shall have spoken.

13. A question being decided shall not be reconsidered during the same session without the consent of two-thirds of the members present, nor without a motion for that purpose being made by one of the majority on the first decision. No discussion of the main question shall be allowed unless reconsidered, and no question shall be reconsidered more than once.

14. The Reports of all Committees shall be in writing, and shall be received without motion for acceptance. They shall be read when received, unless a motion to the contrary be adopted, and if recommending or requiring any action by the Convention, shall be accompanied by a resolution or resolutions for its consideration.

15. When a member is called to order by the Presiding Officer he shall immediately sit down, unless permitted to explain. All questions of order shall be determined in the first instance by the Presiding Officer, who shall be at liberty to state the grounds of his decision. On an appeal no member shall speak more than once without leave of the Convention.

16. No member shall retire from the Convention prior to adjournment without leave of the Presiding Officer.

[25] APPENDIX III.

BROTHERHOOD OF THE P. E. CHURCH of KENTUCKY.
Louisville, June 11, 1853.

DEAR SIR:

During an absence of several weeks, from which I returned yesterday, your Circular notifying our Brotherhood of the Convention to be held on the 15th inst. was received, and I am informed has been answered. I am this morning in receipt of another, dated 6th inst., tendering the hospitalities of your members to our Delegates.

In behalf of our Brotherhood accept our hearty thanks for the kind offer. We regret that we shall be unable to be represented in the Convention. Our best wishes will be with you, and we hope that your proceedings will result in drawing more closely the tie which binds the Sons of the Church together. This movement is admirably calculated to strengthen the Church, and only needs a proper organization to become more extended and useful. We have no doubt the Brotherhood can at once be established in every City of the Union.

Two weeks ago I was in New-Orleans, and one of the Clergy of that city seemed much pleased with the idea, and anxious to obtain all the information he could upon the subject. The usefulness of a similar organization there may exceed that of any other place.

With renewed thanks for the kindness shown us,

Believe me to remain truly yours,

HENRY S. MOORE,
Corresponding Secretary

Mr. F. W. WELCHMAN,
Chairman of Delegation of the "P. E. Mutual Benefit Society," New York.

[26] APPENDIX IV.

PREAMBLE.

WHEREAS, various Associations or Brotherhoods exist within the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, having for their objects, primarily: the mutual care and relief of their respective members in time of sickness or accident,--the burial of their deceased,--the succor of their Widows and Orphans,--and the promotion of Christian fellowship and love; and, secondly
according to their several ability--the aid of distressed members of the Church generally; and whereas it is deemed expedient and necessary, in order that the beneficial effects of such Associations may be perpetuated, and greater uniformity and efficiency of action be secured, to provide some common bond of union, the Delegates from the "P. E. MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETY" in New York, the "CHURCH BENEFIT SOCIETY" of the City of Hartford, the "BROTHERHOOD OF THE P. E. CHURCH" of Philadelphia, the " P. B. BENEFICIAL SOCIETY" of Baltimore, the "P. E. MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETY" of Brooklyn, the "MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETY" of All Saints Parish, Moyamensing, the "BROTHERHOOD OF ST. BARNABAS" in the City of Troy, and the "CHURCH BROTHERHOOD" in Boston, do accordingly, in GENERAL CONVENTION, this fifteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three, with an humble trust in GOD THE FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT, that His grace may always prevent and follow them, enact and set forth the
following CONSTITUTION.

CONSTITUTION.

ARTICLE I.

There shall be a General Convention of the various Brotherhoods of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, triennially, at such time and place as may be designated by each previous Convention; and special meetings may be called at other times in such manner as may be hereafter provided. Each General Convention shall be opened with Divine Service, a Sermon, and the celebration of the Holy Communion; and the daily Sessions shall be opened and closed with devotions. A majority of the Diocesan Brotherhoods which shall have assented to this Constitution shall be represented before proceeding to business, except that any one [26/27] representation shall be sufficient to adjourn; and in all business of the Convention freedom of debate shall be allowed.

ARTICLE II.

Each Diocesan Brotherhood shall be entitled to a representation to consist of five deputies, chosen in such manner as it may determine; and in all questions each representation shall have one vote, and a majority of such votes shall be conclusive. If any Diocesan Brotherhood should fail to appoint Deputies, or shall from any cause be unrepresented, said Brotherhood shall nevertheless be bound by the acts of this Convention.

ARTICLE III.

Bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church in whose Diocese there shall be a Brotherhood shall be ex officio Counsellors of this Convention, and possess the right of admission to its meetings.

ARTICLE IV.

When two or more Brotherhoods shall exist in a Diocese there shall be formed a Diocesan Brotherhood under the title of the "Brotherhood of the P. E. Church in the Diocese of ___" which shall have jurisdiction over all the Brotherhoods within the Diocese, and shall provide for their common government a Constitution not inconsistent with the Constitution or By-Laws of this General Convention, and in which due provision shall be made for the care and relief by the respective local Brotherhoods of members of other Brotherhoods who may require aid within their limits.

There shall be a Standing Committee of each Diocesan Brotherhood, whose duties, except so far as provided for by the By-Laws of this General Convention, may be prescribed by the respective Brotherhoods.When but one Brotherhood shall exist in a Diocese it shall be regarded as the Diocesan Brotherhood for the time being.

ARTICLE V.

This General Convention shall be the supreme authority for the settlement of any differences that may arise among the Diocesan Brotherhoods.

ARTICLE VI.

Any member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and an actual attendant upon its services, shall be eligible for membership in any Brotherhood under such regulations as it may prescribe; but no Brotherhood shall receive into membership any person residing within the territory of a Diocesan Brotherhood other than that to which it is subject.

ARTICLE VII.

This General Convention shall have power to enact any By-Laws not conflicting with this Constitution.

[28] APPENDIX V.
__________

BY-LAWS.

ARTICLE I.

Of the mode of calling Special Conventions.

SEC. 1. If any Diocesan Brotherhood should be desirous of a special meeting of the General Convention, it shall communicate such desire, with the reasons therefor, to the Standing Committees of the different Diocesan Brotherhoods; and if the major number of the Standing Committees shall consent to the proposed meeting, the Diocesan Brotherhood concerned shall forward the evidence of such consent to the Secretary of the General Convention, who shall thereupon issue a call for such special meeting, which shall be held not sooner than one month, nor later than three months, subsequent to such call.

SEC. 2. The place for holding any Special Convention shall be that fixed upon by the preceding triennial Convention for the meeting of the next triennial Convention, and the Deputies to the preceding triennial Convention shall be deputies at such Special Convention, unless other Deputies thereto shall be chosen in the meantime by any of the Diocesan Brotherhoods.

ARTICLE II.

Of the mode of defraying the expenses of General Conventions.

In order that the contingent expenses of General Conventions may be defrayed, it shall be the duty of every Diocesan Brotherhood to forward to the Treasurer of the General Convention, at or before any meetings of the General Convention, ten cents for each member of the several local Brotherhoods under its jurisdiction,

ARTICLE III.

Of the Treasurer.

SEC. 1. At every triennial meeting of the General Convention, a Treasurer shall be chosen who shall remain in office until the next stated Convention, and until a successor be appointed. It shall be his duty to receive and disburse all moneys collected under the authority of the Convention, and of which the [28/29] collection and distribution shall not otherwise be regulated; and to invest, from time to time, for the benefit of the Convention, such surplus funds as he may have on hand. His accounts shall be rendered triennially to the Convention, and shall be examined by a Committee acting under its authority.

SEC. 2. In case of a vacancy in the office of Treasurer, it shall be supplied by an appointment to be made by the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Brotherhood to which he belonged, and the person so appointed shall continue to act until an appointment is made by the Convention.

ARTICLE IV.

Of the Secretary.

SEC. 1. A Secretary shall be chosen at every Convention by ballot, who shall continue in office until the meeting of the next Convention, and until his successor is chosen. He shall attend at the time and place appointed for the meeting of the General Convention; shall receive the testimonials of those who there attend as Deputies, and shall record their names; and when such list is made, shall take the votes of those named in it for a President. The insertion by the Secretary in the list so made by him, of the name of any person who has presented a testimonial of his appointment as a Deputy, shall be prima facie evidence of the right of such person to a seat; but so soon as the Convention is duly organized, a Committee shall be appointed, to whom the testimonials of all those claiming to be members shall be referred.

SEC. 2. The Secretary shall keep full minutes of the proceedings of the Convention; preserve its Journal and records, and deliver them to his successor; and shall perform such other duties as may be directed by By-Law or assigned to him by the Convention. He may, with the approbation of the Convention, appoint an Assistant Secretary. If during the recess of the General Convention a vacancy should occur in the office of Secretary, the duties thereof shall devolve upon the Assistant Secretary, if there be one; if not, a Secretary shall be appointed by the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Brotherhood, within whose territory the next Triennial Convention is appointed to be held.

ARTICLE V.

Of the mode of transmitting notice of matters submitted by the General Convention to Diocesan Brotherhoods.

Whenever any subject is submitted to the consideration of the several Diocesan Brotherhoods, it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the General Convention to give a particular notice thereof to the Standing Committee of each Diocesan Brotherhood.

ARTICLE VI.

Of the mode of obtaining an accurate view of the State of the Brotherhoods.

SEC. 1. It shall be the duty of each Diocesan Brotherhood, at least one month previous to the meeting of every triennial Convention, to forward to the [29/30] Secretary thereof, a report of the condition of the several Brotherhoods under its jurisdiction, in which report shall be embodied a full statement of the number of members in good standing; the number of initiations, rejections, resignations, suspensions and expulsions; the number of deaths and of Beneficiaries; the amount expended for sick and funeral benefits, and for the relief of Widows and Orphans; and the total amount of receipts and disbursements by each Brotherhood, together with such other incidents of the interval since the preceding report as may be deemed important or interesting.

SEC. 2. Upon the receipt of such reports by the General Convention, a Committee shall be appointed to draw up and submit to the Convention, as early in its session as practicable, a view of the state of the various Brotherhoods.

ARTICLE VII.

Of the mode of admitting Diocesan Brotherhoods formed during the recess of the General Convention.

SEC. 1. Whenever a Diocesan Brotherhood shall be formed during the recess of the General Convention, and not within six months of its next meeting, a copy of the Constitution of such Brotherhood shall be sent to the Standing Committees of the other Diocesan Brotherhoods, and if a majority of said Committees shall approve thereof, the evidence of such approval and the assent of the newly formed Brotherhood to the Constitution of the General Convention, shall be forwarded to the Secretary, and be placed by him on file; and the Secretary shall thereupon grant to such Brotherhood a Certificate of union with the Convention, and shall give notice of the fact to the Standing Committees of the several Diocesan Brotherhoods.SEC. 2. But if a Diocesan Brotherhood shall be formed within six months before the meeting of the General Convention, all matters relative to its admission shall be deferred until the said meeting.

ARTICLE VIII.

Of Members removing from one Brotherhood to another.

SEC. 1. Any member removing into another Diocese and desirous of withdrawing from the Brotherhood to which he is attached, shall procure therefrom a certificate of good standing to be presented to the Standing Committee of his Diocesan Brotherhood, who shall thereupon grant a letter dimissory to the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Brotherhood within whose territory he is about to remove. Upon the receipt of such letter--which shall be delivered within three months, or become void--the Standing Committee last named shall issue to said member a testimonial, which shall be sufficient evidence as to moral fitness for his admission into any Brotherhood under its jurisdiction.

SEC. 2. No member shall be considered as having passed from the jurisdiction of one Diocesan Brotherhood to that of another, or as having dissolved his connexion with the local Brotherhood to which he has been attached, until he shall have taken the letter aforesaid and been actually admitted into some Brotherhood within the Diocese whither he has removed.

[31] ARTICLE IX.

Of Crimes and Misdemeanors.

SEC. 1. If any member of a Brotherhood shall secede from the Protestant Episcopal Church, or be charged with scandalous or immoral conduct, or with a violation of the Constitution or By-Laws of the General Convention, or of the Diocesan Brotherhood to which he belongs, he shall be liable to presentment and trial according to the By-Laws of the Diocesan Brotherhood within whose territory the trial takes place, and upon being found guilty shall be admonished, fined, suspended, or expelled. In case of expulsion, notice shall be sent to the Standing Committee of each Diocesan Brotherhood, to be communicated to the several Brotherhoods under its jurisdiction.

SEC. 2. If any member, while absent from the territory of the Diocesan Brotherhood to which he belongs, shall be chargeable with any of the above stated offences, or with violating the Constitution or By-Laws of the Diocesan Brotherhood within whose territory he may be sojourning, it shall be the duty of the Standing Committee of the latter Brotherhood to give notice of the fact, together with the evidence thereof, to the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Brotherhood having jurisdiction; and if the Standing Committee thus notified shall omit for the space of three months to proceed against the offending member, it shall be in the power of the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Brotherhood within whose territory the alleged offence or offences were committed to institute proceedings, and the decision rendered shall be conclusive.

ARTICLE X.

Of differences between Brotherhoods.

SEC. 1. In cases of controversy between Brotherhoods in different Dioceses, which controversies are of such a nature as cannot be settled by themselves, it shall be the duty of the Brotherhood deeming itself aggrieved to present an accusation in writing, with the evidence in its support, to the Standing Committee of its Diocesan Brotherhood; and, if after consideration, it shall seem to such Committee that said Brotherhood has not good and substantial cause of offence, it shall dismiss the matter; but if the contrary shall appear, the Committee shall cause a certified copy of the accusation and accompanying evidence to be transmitted to the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Brotherhood having jurisdiction over the accused Brotherhood. Upon receiving such accusation, the Committee last named shall proceed, as soon as practicable, and after due notice to all the parties concerned, to investigate the same and render a decision thereon.

SEC. 2. In case of difference between any two Diocesan Brotherhoods, the matter shall be submitted for settlement to the General Convention at its first subsequent meeting, unless, by mutual consent, the cause of difference shall in the meanwhile be referred to the Standing Committee of some other Diocesan Brotherhood, in which event the decision rendered by such Committee shall be conclusive.

[32] ARTICLE XI.

Of the relief by Local Brotherhoods of Members of other Brotherhoods.

SEC. 1. If any member when beyond the territory of the Brotherhood to which he is attached shall be overtaken by sickness or accident, it shall be the duty of the Brotherhood within whose limits he may be, upon the presentation of a certificate of his good standing, to see that such member is duly cared for, and to afford him such pecuniary relief as he may be entitled to under the provisions of the Brotherhood to which he belongs.

SEC. 2. Any Brotherhood granting relief under the circumstances above mentioned, shall as early as practicable give information thereof to the Brotherhood to which the sick or distressed member may belong, and the latter Brotherhood, upon being furnished with evidence of the fact, shall at once refund to the Brotherhood first named the amount of benefits advanced to said member.

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