If the same cannot be affirmed of works of fiction, and of putting speeches into the mouths of feigned characters, for the purpose of instruction or of entertainment; yet, as the question is applicable to the exhibitions of the theatre, such as they have been in every age, and are at present; we do not hesitate to declare, unanimously, our opinion, that it is a foul source of very extensive corruption. We lay little stress on the plea, that it is a matter practicable in social institutions, to purge the subject from the abuses which have been attached to it. When this shall have been accomplished, it will be time to take another ground. But, in truth, we are not persuaded of the possibility of the thing, when we consider that the prominent and most numerous patrons of the stage are always likely to be the least disposed to the seriousness which should enter into whatever is designed to discriminate between innocence and guilt. While the opinions and the passions of such persons shall continue to serve the purpose of a looking-glass, by which the exhibited characters are to be adjusted to the taste of so great a proportion of the public, we despair of seeing the stage rescued from the disgusting effusions of profaneness and obscenity; and much less of that mean of corruption, more insinuating than any other-the exhibiting of what is radically base, in alliance with properties captivating to the imagination.

While we address this alike to the clergy and to the laity, we consider it as especially hostile to the usefulness of the former. And even in regard to some matters confessed to be innocent in themselves, their innocency may depend much on many circumstances, and of professional character among others. The ear of a clergyman should always be open to a call to the most serious duties of his station. Whatever may render it difficult to his own mind to recur to those duties with the solemnity which they require, or may induce an opinion in others, that such a recurrence must be unwelcome to him from some enjoyment not congenial with holy exercise, ought to be declined by him. If it be a sacrifice, the making of it is exacted by what ought to be his ruling wish, the serving of God, and the being useful to his fellow-men, in the discharge of the duties of the ministry.

No. 32. Page 230.

Acts of the Convention of 1785.

A General Ecclesiastical Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

Whereas, in the course of Divine Providence, the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America is become independent of all foreign authority, civil and ecclesiastical:

And whereas, at a meeting of clerical and lay deputies of the said Church, in sundry of the said states, viz. in the states of Massachusetts, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, NewYork, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland, held in the city of New-York, on the 6th and 7th days of October, in the year of our Lord 1784, it was recommended to this Church in the said states represented as aforesaid, and proposed to this Church in the states not represented, that they should send deputies to a convention to be held in the city of Philadelphia, on the Tuesday before the feast of St. Michael in this present year, in order to unite in a constitution of ecclesiastical government, agreeably to certain fundamental principles, expressed in the said recommendation and proposal:

And whereas, in consequence of the said recommendation and proposal, clerical and lay deputies have been duly appointed from the said Church, in the states of NewYork, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and South-Carolina:

The said deputies being now assembled, and taking into consideration the importance of maintaining uniformity in doctrine, discipline, and worship in the said Church, do hereby determine and declare,

1. That there shall be a General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, which shall be held in the city of Philadelphia, on the third Tuesday in June, in the year of our Lord 1786, and for ever after, once in three years, on the third Tuesday of June, in such place as shall be determined by the convention; and special meetings may be held at such other times, and in such place, as shall be hereafter provided for; and this Church, in a majority of the states aforesaid, shall be represented before they shall proceed to business; except

that the representation of this Church from two states, shall be sufficient to adjourn; and in all 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 by 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 Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, in order to render the same conformable to the American Revolution and the Constitutions 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 Protestant Episcopal 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, 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 Protestant Episcopal Church in these states, that there may be further alterations of the Liturgy, than such as are made necessary by the American revolution; therefore, the "Book of Common Prayer, and Adminis

tration 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 Administration 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 Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America," shall be used in this Church, when the same shall have been ratified by the conventions which have respectively sent deputies to this General Con

vention.

10. No person shall be ordained or permitted to officiate as a minister in this Church, until he shall have subscribed the following declaration: "I do believe the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament 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 Protestant Episcopal Church, as settled and determined in the Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, set forth by the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in these United States."

11. This general ecclesiastical constitution, when ratified by the Church in the different states, shall be considered as fundamental; and shall be unalterable by the convention of the Church in any state.

Alterations agreed on and confirmed in Convention, for rendering the Liturgy conformable to the Principles of the American Revolution, and the Constitutions of the several States.

1st. That in the suffrages, after the Creed, instead of O Lord, save the king, be said, O Lord, bless and preserve these United States.

2d. That the prayer for the royal family, in the Morning and Evening Service, be omitted.

3d. That in the Litany the fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth petitions be omitted; and that instead of the twentieth and twenty-first petitions be substituted the following that it may please thee to endue the Congress of these United States, and all others in authority, legislative, executive, and judicial, with grace, wisdom, and understanding, to execute justice and maintain truth..

4th. That when the Litany is not said, the prayer for the high court of parliament be thus altered-" Most gracious God, we humbly beseech thee, as for these United States in general, so especially for their delegatts in Congress, that thou wouldest be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations to the advancement of thy glory, the good of thy Church, the safety, honour, and welfare of thy people; that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations," &c. to the end: and the prayer for the king's majesty, as follows, viz.-O Lord, our heavenly Father, the high and mighty Ruler of the universe, who dost from thy throne, behold all the dwellers upon earth; we most heartily beseech thee, with thy favour, to behold all in authority, legislative, executive, and judicial in these United States; and so replenish them with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that they may alway incline to thy will, and walk in thy way. Endue them plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant them in health and wealth long to live, and that, after this life, they may attain everlasting joy and felicity, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

5th. That the first collect for the king in the Communion Service be omitted; and that the second be altered as follows-instead of "the hearts of kings are in thy rules and governance"-be said, "the hearts of all rulers are in thy governance," and instead of the words-" heart of George, thy servant," insert-" so to direct the rulers of these states," &c. changing the singular pronouns to the plural.

7th. That in the answer in the Catechism to the question "What is thy duty towards thy neighbour ?" for "to honour and obey the king," be substituted-" to honour and obey my civil rulers, to submit myself,” &c.

8th. That instead of the observations of the 5th of November, the 30th of January, the 29th of May, and the 25th of October, the following service be used on the 4th of July, being the anniversary of independence.

9th. That in the forms of prayer to be used at sea, in the prayer "O eternal God," &c. instead of those words"unto our most gracious sovereign Lord King George and his kingdoms," be inserted the words-" the United States of America;" and that instead of the word "island" be inserted the word "country;" and that in the collect, "O Almighty God, the Sovereign Commander," &c. be omitted the words -"the honour of our sovereign," and the words "the honour of our country" inserted.