perity, is about erecting a new and beautiful edifice, of the purest and best taste, on the noble site occupied by its present church. Harford county is witnessing the addition of a neat aud truly church-like edifice, now constructing for the new congregation formed near Abingdon. Washington county is to have a small but neat erection, where it has been much needed for some time, at Lappon's Cross Roads. Coventry Parish, in Somerset and Worcester counties, is prosecuting with vigor the completion of the fourth church built within its limits in the last five years. On the eve of St. Thomas's Day I laid its corner stone on the old site of the chapel at Dividing Creek; and on the festival itself had the great enjoyment of consecrating at Annamessex, in the same parish, the new chapel for the Neck, a wooden building of better style and effect than any that I have ever seen in that material. Indefatigable zeal and diligence, and, for their means, true liberality have been shown by all concerned in this erection, but above all, by him whose skill devised and planned, and whose bold and faithful heart enabled him to carry through this successful undertaking. Another triumph of true hearted persevering labor occurred on St. Matthew's Day, in the consecration of St. Philip's Church, Laurel, a substantial, stone church, of good architectural character and fair dimensions, built and paid for within thirteen months by a parish that three years ago had no existence. Few men have worked harder for their reward, but few also have enjoyed that reward more fully, than the untiring missionary who has been the founder of this parish and builder of its church. One, whose gentle but great and untiring influence strengthened and inspirited all concerned in the work, has been taken hence to the enjoyment of higher privileges and a better reward than can be received on earth. Grace Church, Elk Ridge Landing, consecrated June the 15th, is another encouragement to perseverance in faithful effort, by exhibiting a proof how much may be accomplished in the end, by few in number, with limited resources at command, steadily pushing onward to their object. Though a small wooden edifice, it has cost years of earnest endeavor to procure it, clear it of debt, prepare it for use, and deck it with the seemly adornment that now makes it unmistakeably a church. But the work has been kept steadily going on; and now, the church-going bell regularly summons to their neat and pleasant place of worship, a congregation equal to the whole capacity of the building, and at other times gathers in it a flourishing Sunday school to be trained in the ways and works of godliness. Grace Church, Wicomico Parish, consecrated on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, is another instance of much success in a missionary undertaking. The church and the parish are both the fruit of services begun about eight years ago, at a small school house by the late Rev. Henry Crosdale. A legacy of no great amount in itself, but important where there was so little else to depend upon, encouraged the undertaking to erect a church for a congregation that had been gathered with a rapidity and to a size beyond expectation. An organization for the purpose was affected, and a church commenced; and last year witnessed the estab lishment of Wicomico Parish by the Convention, and the consecration of its really commodious and handsome church. The parish is not yet able to secure the whole services of a clergyman: but I hope the day is not far distant when it will become wholly independent, and have its goodly house of prayer filled as it ought to be, twice every LORD's day, on all holy days, and for occasional week-day services besides. St. Paul's Church, of the same name, in Calvert county, had been more than once mentioned to the Convention, as waiting only for the discharge of an insignificant remainder of debt to be ready for consecration. A few months after the parish came under the charge of the present very efficient rector, his zeal had brought about the desirable result, and it was with great satisfaction that I made the appointment for the solemnity in October last. The church, though possessing no great claim to beauty, is a praiseworthy fruit of zeal in a new parish and situated, as it is, in the county town, has proved a valuable addition to the strength of the Church, where increase of strength and activity were much needed. The last consecration to be noticed, although second in order of time, is that of the Chapel of St. James's College. It is no separate building, but a vaulted apartment of suitable form and dimension, in the east wing of the College edifice. I had declined to consecrate it, when first set apart for its sacred purposes, because the College property was not yet freed from claim or incumbrance. The title having at last been cleared, and the Trustees become able to make a binding appropriation of the place to its holy ends, and to give assurance that it should always continue to be kept separate for those ends, I was at liberty with much joy of heart, on the 17th of June, to offer it to Almighty GOD for exclusive devotion to the glory of His great Name. It is simple and plain; with little ornament, but that little chaste and exceedingly appropriate; such an upper room as one can conceive the hundred and twenty to have been gathered` in of old, where they waited for and received the good and perfect gift from above which was to be their guidance into all truth, and the torch with which they were to go forth to light the world. On the afternoon of the same day, I set apart with solemn services, a piece of ground designed for the reception of the bodies of the dead whom it may please GOD to call from that earthly home to their last account. Thus I have been able to tell you of onward progress, and permanent gains made, in seven of our nineteen counties. In at least as many more, I now know of similar works in progress, that will furnish forth a similar tale of encouragement, GOD prospering the intentions and efforts of his servants, for some future meeting of your body. At the last Convention, it will be remembered that a committee was appointed to consider and report on the subject of provision for the maintenance of clergymen, and on so much of the Bishop's Address as related to the action of the Convention by way of provision for missions, for the distribution of the Bible and Book of Common Prayer, and for the other work of the Church. Of that committee a most prominent and valuable member, the only representative of the Eastern Shore, has been disabled from duty by disease throughout the year, and absent from the country for the last five months. I have thought it better, in a matter of such importance to incur delay, rather than lose the aid of so valuable a coadjutor, and have therefore not summoned the Committee to assemble; hoping that the Convention, agreeing in my view, would see fit to re-appoint the same committee, unless it should choose to take other action in the premises. It only remains that I should fulfil the injunction of the Church by reporting the exercise of discipline in other dioceses, as it has been officially made known to me, throughout the year. From the Bishop of Ohio I have received notice of the displacement from the holy ministry of Lester Janes, late deacon in that diocese; from the Bishop of New Jersey, of that of Samuel Rose Meade, late deacon in that diocese; from the Bishop of Wisconsin, of that of John Johnstone, M. D., late presbyter in that diocese; and from the Bishop of Pennsylvania, of that of Barclay A. Smith, late presbyter in that diocese. Deprived as I am, by bodily indisposition, of the privilege of meeting you face to face, my heart is with you in your prayers and communings of the things that concern our common peace and welfare; and I humbly beseech your intercessions in behalf of one whose highest aspiration is to serve with and for you in the accomplishment of the good-pleasure of the gracious will of Him whose blessed Name we bear. May His presence fill you, ever more and more, with the peace that passeth understanding, and the love that is fruitful in all good works. WILLIAM ROLLINSON WHITTINGHAM, BALTIMORE, May 30th, 1849. Bishop of Maryland. The Secretary made the following report: In compliance with the requirement of the second Canon, the following clergymen are reported as absentees from the Conventions of 1847-8: The Convention re-assembled at 4 o'clock. The roll was called, and the minutes of the morning's proceedings were read and approved. The following lay delegates presented their testimonials, and signed the declaration : Wm. D. Bowie, James Gibson, Cornelius McLean, Wm. W. Johnston, F. J. Dallam. |