his studies, and the extent of his improvement in them; or a Certificate from two Presbyters, appointed by the ecclesiastical authority of the Diocese, to examine him, of his possessing such Academical Learning, as may enable him to enter advantageously on a course of theology.

Sect. 4. When a person applying to be admitted a Candidate, wishes the knowledge of the Latin, Greek and Hebrew languages, and other branches of learning not strictly ecclesiastical to be dispensed with, the Standing Committee shall not recommend him as a Candidate, until he has laid before them a testimonial, signed by at least two Presbyters of this Church, stating, that in their opinion, he possesses extraordinary strength of natural understanding, a peculiar aptitude to teach, and a large share of prudence; and the Bishop, with the consent of the Standing Committee, shall have granted said dispensation. This dispensation shall not be granted to any person under twenty-seven years of age, nor shall any person be ordained under such dispensation, until he shall have attained thirty years of age.

And in regard to the knowledge of the Hebrew language in all cases in these Canons, the Bishop shall have the sole discretion of dispensation, without reference to the age of the Candidate, as mentioned in this section.

Sect. 5. With this enumeration of qualifications it ought to be made known to the Candidate, that the Church expects of him—what can never be the test of any outward standard—an inward fear and worship of ALMIGHTY GOD; a love of Religion and a sensibility to its holy influence; a habit of devout affection; and, in short, a cultivation of all those graces which are called in Scripture the fruits of the Spirit, and by which alone his sacred influences can be manifested.

Sect. 6. The requisition of this Canon being fulfilled, the Bishop may admit the person as a Candidate for Orders,

and shall record the same in a book to be kept for that purpose, and notify the Candidate of such record. And in any Diocese where there is no Bishop, the Standing Committee may, on the same conditions, admit the person as a Candidate, and shall make record and notification in the same manner.

Sect. 7. If, after obtaining the Canonical Testimonials from the Standing Committee, the person be admitted as a Candidate by the Bishop, or, if there be no Bishop, by the Standing Committee, he shall remain a Candidate for the term of three years before his ordination, unless the Bishop, with the consent of the Standing Committee, shall deem it expedient to ordain the Candidate after the expiration of a shorter period, not less than one year.

Sect. 8. A Candidate for Orders may, on letters of dismission from the Bishop or Standing Committee of the Diocese in which he was admitted a Candidate, be ordained by any Bishop of this Church. And if there be a Bishop within the Diocese where the Candidate resides, he shall apply to no other Bishop for ordination without the permission of the former.

Sect. 9. If any Candidate for Orders shall not within three years after his admission, apply to have his first and second examinations held, as hereafter prescribed, or if he shall not, within five years from his admission, apply to have his third and fourth examinations held, (unless the Bishop, for satisfactory reasons to him assigned, shall allow him further time,) the said person shall, in either case, cease to be a Candidate.

Sect. 10. A person desirous of becoming a Candidate for Holy Orders, shall apply to the Bishop or ecclesiastical authority of the Diocese in which he resides, unless the said Bishop or ecclesiastical authority shall give their consent to his application in some other Diocese. Candidates

shall not change their Canonical residence but for bona fide causes, requiring the same to be judged of by the Bishop or ecclesiastical authority; and they shall not be dismissed from the Dioceses in which they were admitted, or to which they have been duly transferred, for the convenience of attending any Theological or other Seminary.

Sect. 11. The ninth Canon of 1832 is hereby repealed.

CANON V. Of the Learning of those who are to be Ordained. [Former Canons on this subject were the seventh of 1789, altered in 1792; the fourth of 1795; the fourth of 1799; the second of 1801; the ninth of 1808; and the thirteenth of 1832.]

Sect. 1. No person shall be ordained in this Church until he shall have satisfied the Bishop and the Presbyters by whom he shall be examined, that he is well acquainted with the Holy Scriptures, can read the Old Testament in the Hebrew language, and the New Testament in the original Greek; is adequately acquainted with the Latin tongue, and that he hath a competent knowledge of Natural and Moral Philosophy, and Church History, and hath paid attention to composition and pulpit eloquence, as means of giving additional efficacy to his labours; unless the Bishop, with the consent of the Standing Committee of his Diocese, has dispensed with the knowledge of the Latin and Greek languages, and other branches of learning not strictly ecclesiastical, in consideration of such other qualifications of the Gospel Ministry as are set forth in the fourth section of Canon VI. The dispensation, with a knowledge of the Hebrew language, to be regarded as in Canon VI.

Sect. 2. The thirteenth Canon of 1832 is hereby repealed.

CANON VI.-Candidates for Orders Ineligible to the General Convention.

No person who is a Candidate for Holy Orders in this Church, shall be permitted to accept from any Diocesan Convention an appointment as a Lay Deputy to the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies of the General Convention.

CANON VII.-Concerning Candidates for Orders in this Church who have been Ministers, Licentiates, or Students of Theology, among other Religious Denominations.

[Former Canons on this subject were the sixth of 1804; the seventeenth of 1808; the fourth and fifth of 1820; the first of 1829; the twenty-first and twenty-fourth of 1832, and the third of 1835.]

Sect. 1. All persons seeking admission to the Ministry of this Church, are to be regarded as Candidates for Holy Orders.

Sect. 2. When a person who, not having had Episcopal Ordination, has been acknowledged as an ordained Minister or Licentiate among any other denomination of Christians, shall desire to be ordained in this Church, he shall give notice thereof to the Bishop, or if there be no Bishop, to the Standing Committee of the Diocese in which he resides; or if he resides in a State or Territory in which there is no organized Diocese, to the Missionary Bishop within whose jurisdiction he resides; which notice shall be accompanied with a written Certificate from at least two Presbyters of this Church, stating, that from personal knowledge of the party, or satisfactory evidence laid before them, they believe that his desire to leave the denomination to which he has belonged has not arisen from any circumstance unfavourable to his religious or moral character, or on account of which it may be inexpedient to admit him

to the exercise of the Ministry in this Church: and they may also add what they know, or believe on good authority, of the circumstances leading to the said desire.

Sect. 3. If the Bishop or Standing Committee shall think proper to proceed, the party applying to be received as a Candidate, shall produce to the Standing Committee the same testimonials of literary qualifications as are required of all other Candidates; and also a testimonial from at least twelve members of the denomination from which he came, or twelve members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, or twelve persons, in part of the denomination from which he came, and in part Episcopalians, satisfactory to the Committee, that the applicant has, for three years last past, lived piously, soberly, and honestly; and also, a testimonial from at least two Presbyters of this Church, that they believe him to be pious, sober, and honest, and sincerely attached to the doctrines, discipline and worship of the Church. The Standing Committee being satisfied on these points may recommend him to the Bishop to be received as a Candidate for Orders in this Church, or in a vacant Diocese the Standing Committee may so receive him.

Sect. 4. Candidates admitted as above may, at the expiration of a period not less than six months, be ordained, on their passing the same examinations as other Candidates for Deacon's Orders; and in the examinations, special regard shall be had to those points in which the denomination whence they come, differs from this Church, with a view of testing their information and soundness in the same; and also to the ascertaining that they are adequately acquainted with the liturgy and offices of this Church; provided, that in their case, the testimonials shall be required to cover only the time since their admission as Candidates for Orders; and provided also, that the provi