ENPages
6
{Left-hand page}
16
Almighty God will still continue to vouchsafe the grace which has hitherto protected us, so that as a diocese we may be ever found in the old paths of the Reformation and the early church. Better information on the part of many of those without, would at once disarm the opposition which they have not unfrequently felt bound in conscience to exert against the extension of the doctrines of the gospel, as we understand them. May we have grace, my brethren, while we all seek to maintain the truth, and are striving for the faith once delivered to the saints, to exhibit a spirit of kindness towards those with whom we differ, whether within our fold or without; so that it may be seen that our purpose is not so much the establishment of the dogmas of a sect or faction, as to settle and make permanent those great truths, indispensible to the perfection of the plan of the common salvation.
Among events exterior to the diocese, and of general interest, since our last convention, is the election and consecration of Dr. Henshaw to the office of the episcopate in the diocese of Rhode Island. The church has reason to be grateful for the elevation of such a man.
I have thus presented you with a statement of the condition and prospects of the diocese, with my proceedings during the year, and such other statements as seemed expedient. For the mercies we have experienced, let us cherish a spirit of thankfulness, and rely, with humble and increasing faith, on the promised blessing of our Lord and Master, to those who are faithful even unto the end.
LEONIDAS POLK.
NEW-ORLEANS, June 15, 1844.
-------------
The Rev. D. S. Lewis, Rev. Mr. Lamon, Hon. Thomas Butler, and Mr. J. W. Andrews, were appointed a Missionary Committee, for receiving and disbursing, in connection with the Bishop, all contributions for missionary purposes within the diocese.
{Right-hand page}
17
The Committee appointed at the last annual Convention, to report Rules of Order for the government of the Convention, presented the following, which were unanimously adopted:
RULES OF ORDER.
I. At the opening of any session of the Convention, the President shall take the chair, and shall continue to preside during the sitting. He shall possess the usual powers of presiding officers in deliberative assemblies, to preserve order and decorum, and shall decide all questions of order, subject to an appeal to the House. He shall have the right to name any clerical member to perform the duties of the chair; but such substitution shall not extend beyond an adjournment, unless directed by the house. The person so named shall possess all the powers of the President, but shall not lose the right of voting while so presiding.
II. If the Secretary of the preceding Convention be in attendance, he shall officiate as such until another be chosen. If he be not present, a temporary Secretary may be appointed, on motion, by a viva{italics} voce{italics} vote.
III. After the chair being taken by the President, the Secretary shall call over the names of the clergy entitled to seats in the Convention, and shall enter in the journals those who are present. Notice shall then be given to the lay deputies to place their certificates on the table. They shall be examined by the Secretary and a committee of two members, to be appointed by the President. Any irregular or defective certificate shall be suspended until a quorum shall have appeared. The names of the lay deputies duly appointed shall then be called, and those who are present shall be entered on the journal. The irregular and defective certificates shall then be reported to the Convention, who shall decide on the admission of the deputies named in them.
IV. A constitutional quorum being found to be present, the President shall declare the Convention duly organized.
V. A Secretary shall then be chosen for the Convention. He may appoint an assistant, who shall perform all the duties of the office in the absence of the Secretary.
3