The first article was put into its present form at the General Convention of 1823.

The third article was so altered by the General Convention of 1808, as to give the House of Bishops a full veto upon the proceedings of the other House.-See Journals of the General Convention, pp. 248, 249.

The second sentence of the eighth article was adopted at the General Convention of 1811.-See Journals of General Convention, p. 274.

The words "or the Articles of Religion," were added to the eighth article by the General Convention of 1829. The fifth article was put into its present form at the General Convention of 1838.

The same Convention adopted the following alterations. -See Journal of General Convention of 1838, p. 24.

Strike out the word "States" wherever it occurs in the first and second articles, except where it follows the word "United" in the first part of the first article, and insert in lieu of the word "States" the word "Dioceses." Strike out the word" State" wherever it occurs in the second, third, and fourth articles, and insert in lieu thereof the word "Diocese."

Strike out the words "or District" in the fourth article.

Strike out the word "State" in the sixth article, and insert the word "Diocese."

Strike out the word "States" in the eighth article, and insert the word "Dioceses," and in the eighth article strike out the words "or State" after the words " every Diocese."

Strike out the word "States" in the ninth article, and insert the word "Dioceses."

Strike out the word "State" in the ninth article, and insert the word "Diocesan."

CANONS

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Passed in General Convention, in New York, October, 1832.

CANON I.-Of the Orders of Ministers in this Church. [This Canon was first adopted in 1789.]

In this Church there shall always be three orders in the Ministry, viz Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

CANON II. Of the Election of Bishops.

[Repealed by the first Canon of 1835.] .

CANON III.-Of the Certificates to be produced on the part of the Bishops elect.

[Former Canons on this subject were the second of 1789; the fourth of 1792; and the third of 1808].

Sect. 1. Every Bishop elect, before his consecration, shall produce to the House of Bishops, from the Convention by whom he is elected, evidence of such election, and from the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies in General Convention, evidence of their approbation of his testimonials, and of their assent to his consecration, and also certificates respectively, in the following words: such certificates, in both cases, to be signed by a constitutional majority of the Clerical and Lay Deputies composing the State Convention, or the House of Clerical and Lay

Deputies, as the case may be. The same evidence of election by, and the same certificate from the Members of, the State Convention, shall be presented to the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies in General Convention.

Testimonials from the Members of the Convention in the Diocese from whence the Person is recommended for Consecration.

We, whose names are underwritten, fully sensible how important it is that the sacred office of a Bishop should not be unworthily conferred, and firmly persuaded that it is our duty to bear testimony on this solemn occasion, without partiality or affection, do, in the presence of Almighty God, testify, that A. B. is not, so far as we are informed, justly liable to evil report, either for error in religion or for viciousness in life; and that we do not know or believe there is any impediment on account of which he ought not to be consecrated to that holy office. We do moreover jointly and severally declare, that we do in our conscience believe him to be of such sufficiency in good learning, such soundness in the faith, and of such virtuous and pure manners, and Godly conversation, that he is apt and meet to exercise the office of a Bishop, to the honour of God and the edifying of his Church, and to be a wholesome example to the flock of Christ.

The above certificate shall be presented to the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies in General Convention.

Testimony from the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies in General Convention.

We, whose names are underwritten, fully sensible how important it is that the sacred office of a Bishop should

not be unworthily conferred, and firmly persuaded that it is our duty to bear testimony on this solemn occasion, without partiality or affection, do, in the presence of Almighty God, testify, that A. B. is not, so far as we are informed, justly liable to evil report, either for error in religion or for viciousness of life; and that we do not know or believe there is any impediment on account of which he ought not to be consecrated to that holy office; but that he hath, as we believe, led his life for three years last past, piously, soberly, and honestly.

Sect. 2. If the House of Bishops consent to the consecration, the presiding Bishop, with any two Bishops, may proceed to perform the same, or any three Bishops, to whom he may communicate the testimonials.

CANON IV.-Of Standing Committees.

[Former Canons on this subject were the sixth of 1789; the second of 1795; and the fourth and twenty-fourth of 1808.]

Sect. 1. In every Diocese there shall be a Standing Committee, to be appointed by the Convention thereof, whose duties except so far as provided for by the Canons of the General Convention, may be prescribed by the Canons of the respective Dioceses. They shall elect from their own body a President and a Secretary. They may meet on their own adjournment, from time to time; and the President shall have power to summon special meetings whenever he shall deem it necessary.

Sect. 2. In every Diocese where there is a Bishop, the Standing Committee shall be a council of advice to the Bishop. They shall be summoned on the requisition of the Bishop, whenever he shall wish for their advice. And

they may meet of their own accord, and agreeably to their own rules, when they may be disposed to advise the Bishop.

Sect. 3. Where there is no Bishop, the Standing Committee is the Ecclesiastical authority for all purposes declared in these Canons.

CANON V.-Of the Consecration of Bishops during the Recess of the General Convention.

[Former Canons on this subject were the second of 1789; the fifth of 1808; and the sixth of 1820.]

Sect. 1. If during the recess of the General Convention, the Church in any Diocese should be desirous of the Consecration of a Bishop elect, the Standing Committee of the Church in such Diocese may, by their President, or by some person or persons specially appointed, communicate the desire to the Standing Committees of the Churches in the different Dioceses, together with copies of the necessary testimonials; and if the major number of the Standing Committees shall consent to the proposed Consecration, the Standing Committee of the Diocese concerned, shall forward the evidence of such consent, together with other testimonials, to the presiding Bishop of the House of Bishops, or in case of his death, to the Bishop who, according to the rules of the House of Bishops, is to preside at the next General Convention, who shall communicate the same to all the Bishops of this Church in the United States; and if a majority of the Bishops consent to the Consecration, the presiding Bishop, or the Bishop aforesaid, with any two Bishops, may proceed to perform the same; or any three Bishops to whom he may communicate the testimonials.

Sect. 2. The evidence of the consent of the different Standing Committees shall be in the form prescribed by