The PRESIDENT. The question is on the motion to refer the resolution to the Committee on Canons. The motion was agreed to. TESTIMONIALS OF BISHOPS-ELECT. The Convention resumed the consideration of the report of the Committee on Canons, rejecting the proposed amendment of Sections 2 and 3 of Canon 1, of Title I., of the Digest, being in relation to the testimonials of Bishops-elect. Mr. MONTGOMERY, of Western New York. Mr. President, to resume. It is obvious that the scrutiny to be given to any person elected as a Bishop depends upon two things: First, the prominence with which he has been before the Church and the public; and secondly, the number of witnesses testifying in the matter. And right here I wish to say that in the testimonial which this House gives each person is neither judge nor juror alone, but each person is a witness who is made to say that he testifies. He testifies in the presence of Almighty God, but he does not testify as in ordinary courts of justice. He testifies on information personal to himself, if you please, as well as on information which may be communicated to the body. I wish attention to be drawn to this matter. This House, composed of four hundred members, is convened for each member to testify to his fellows as to the person under consideration, and in giving that testimony he acts upon information necessarily; and the weight to be attached to the informatio nis to be judged of by every member who gives his vote. Now when there are four hundred witnesses drawn from every portion of this broad land, all together testifying in the presence of Almighty God, whether they are informed that he is justly liable to be reported for error in religion or viciousness of life, it is a formidable ordeal for any gentleman to pass through, and more formidable if he is wellknown throughout the length and breadth of the land. It calls for a testimonial of such a character that we may be sure from the result that we shall be right. That is the object of it. That is the rule, and that was the only rule until by the increase of the number of Dioceses and of the number of Bishops, it became desirable, for mere convenience, that in certain cases if Dioceses wished it, they might submit the question to Diocesan bodies, to the Standing Committees, instead of to the body of the Convention. What do we have when it is submitted to the Diocesan bodies? We have bodies composed of from five to six, or seven, or eight members, of so many different Dioceses of the United States, and they also testify personally on information in reference to this same matter. The number of persons may not be very different, but they are not representative persons necessarily. In some cases, as we are told, they are simply clergymen, and the testimony only of his fellow-Presbyters is given; the testimony of the laity is not given. I do not know but what we of the laity may be considered in one sense as those without; and the Apostle says that a man who is to be a Bishop must have a good report not only with his fellowPresbyters, but even those without-without the Church, I suppose, at any rate, those without the presbytery-and it is very important he should have a good report as well among laymen as among clergymen; and I think that it is of great importance that he should have the good report of all men, and I think that is what the Apostle means. When the question is submitted to the Standing Committees of the Dioceses, we all know from the nature of the human mind and of the human char acter that the few men composing a standing committee will not feel at liberty to act with that boldness and that freedom with which three hundred men in consultation, as we are here, will act upon any subject. Influences may be brought to bear upon them, and personal motives will sway them in a way that will not sway such a body as this. With one more thought I shall conclude my remarks. It seems to me an intimation has been thrown out here that because of what gentlemen are pleased to call the extraordinary character of our action, for the eight days in which we were in secret session, this measure should be adopted. The PRESIDENT. I beg that no reference will be made to the secret session. Mr. MONTGOMERY, of Western New York. I wish to bear my testimony, and to correct any impression that may have gone abroad, that it was the fact and it is to the testimony of every member I have heard speak on the subject-that never in a body composed of many members, and canvassing and discussing a question involving so much feeling, was a debate conducted with more decorum, with more courtesy, with more propriety, and never was one conducted with more honor to the Church and to its members in this Convention assembled; and I may say that the more freely because I took no part in the discussion. I listened patiently to it all, to men on one side and on the other in the conflict of opinion, and I heard nothing but what was becoming to gentlemen. I wish to bear this testimony because I find it given in the papers and talked of among individuals as if it were a scandal and a backbiting: and some who are feeling bad over the result on the other side are willing to stigmatize it in that way. I am sure no member of this Convention will stigmatize our proceedings by giving them such a character, but each and every one will bear testimony to the courtesy and propriety-yes, sir, the brilliant eloquence, with which the whole matter was conducted. I could point those from without to the proceedings of this Convention not in secret session as to their character, as indicated by the full stenographic reports; but it is not necessary here. In the whole history of this Church, so far as my memory goes, there never has been an instance in which a Bishop was subjected to the severe scrutiny which we gave the recent Bishop-elect of Illinois. Not since 1844, a whole generation of man in the past, has there been any such occasion in this House. Does that furnish any argument against the practice? Have we not had Bishop on Bishop presented to this House for recommendation, and have we not passed upon them without discussion, without excitement, and without secret session? If it does happen that there will occasionally be a name presented to the House about which there may be such a difference of opinion as to call for the action we took, it is the strongest argument in the world why that name should come before such a body as this, and not go before the isolated bodies composing the Standing Committees of Dioceses. I say from what I heard on that occasion and from the result, I am fully satisfied that the Church was honored, that the highest credit was secured to the Church, in the opinion of every member of this Convention, by the manner in which the discussion was conducted. Members were brought from the remotest points of our great nation to hear all that could be said about the gentleman whose name was proposed, and they had the opportunity of hearing the highest encomiums upon his character, as well as some criticisms which did not necessarily involve his own doctrinal error, and, in all that matter, no harm has been done to any one. I am glad to bear my testimony to the fact that, so far as the result was concerned, it did not necessarily involve even any personal error in religion or doctrine of the candidate himself; it only involved the fact certified to by certificates, that a majority of the Dioceses in this Convention believed that he was justly liable to a report for error in religion or viciousness of life, and that might happen with the most innocent man in the world, if by accident or other cause he had been placed under circumstances which would authorize any reasonable man to draw the inference we did; that is all. Mr. MEADS, of Albany. The language of the gentleman seems to imply that Dr. Seymour was open to evil report for both error in religion and viciousness in life. I ask him whether he meant to include that? Mr. MONTGOMERY, of Western New York. No, sir, there was not any intimation in this House that any viciousness of life had been charged, or that he was open to any evil report in regard to viciousness of life; and I am glad to bear that testimony also. Rev. Dr. ADAMS, of Wisconsin. Mr. President, I do not wish to occupy the time of this Convention at this late hour. I wish simply to adduce before this Convention some of the reasons which have not been alluded to. In regard to the confirmation of Bishops in the primitive Church, the election went on as our elections do, and then it came before what was called the province; that is to say, in the immediate portion of the Roman Empire that was distinguished as a province, there was a Christian assembly, which Christian assembly was composed of Bishops and some of the Clergy and laity belonging to the cities in that province. That was the provincial assembly, and before that provincial assembly peculiarly and especially as a matter of Christian practice, universal over the Christian Church, came the confirmation of Bishops. Now, if you suppose that in this great State of New York there was a Bishop of the Church in every city, and that there was then an assembly meeting sometimes once in a year, and sometimes twice in a year, you can see the value of the scrutiny that such a body made upon the character of a Bishop-elect. They were men of the same State as we should say, in the same body, and they knew all things about the man. If there was any mistake whatsoever made by the Diocesan Council, they at once could rectify it. That was the method in which the scrutiny of the General Church in primitive times came to pass. All who look at it will say that it was a most perfect and entire method of scrutiny, because they were all members of a common church in one state assembled together. Now, with regard to our Church we adopted the method of Standing Committees. In regard to that method, I must honestly say that it seems to me to be hardly a scrutiny at all, that in nine cases out of ten every Standing Committee acts merely on the testimonial, has no access to anything except simply that testimonial, and it is not properly a scrutiny in any shape or form which should correspond to the examination that each Bishop of the Church should have after he has passed the ordeal of an election. Now, sir, what does this method of ours, which is objected to on this day, amount to? It simply amounts to this, that seeing we have a chance and opportunity of returning to the practice of the primitive Church once in every three years, we do it. And who are the men that brought this forward and made it a rule that in case the election of a Bishop should take place six months before the meeting of a General Convention, then we should return to the ancient practice? I find with reference to the Canon of 1832, that in that Convention they appoint ed a committee to examine the Canon on this subject, and to report such amendments, alterations, and changes as should be deemed most suitable by them. The men who did that were who?___ Bishop White, the Father of the Church; Bishop Kemper, our first Missionary Bishop; an able member of the legal profession, who is now alive, nearly at his one hundredth year, and with whose name every judge and every member of the legal profession is acquainted, and at whose name I might almost say every member of the legal profession pays homage-Horace Binney. I do not blame the proposer of this resolution because he desires to get rid of the trouble which has come on us at this time by doing what? By casting out a primitive Christian practice which was introduced by these eminent men. I will say myself that I had nothing to do with the debates which occupied us for nine days. I did not open my mouth in the matter; but I listened. I was very much tired and fatigued, I confess; but I recognize the Christian Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, an assembly of gentlemen and of Christians, and no word was said there to hurt the feelings of any one, or to degrade the position in which we stand as the Great Council of this Church, and I am proud of the tone of those debates and of the course of action of each and every man of the different speakers to whom I listened with a great deal of patience, but, I confess, a very great deal of tiredness. (Laughter.) Now, I do not think that this Church is to go back. I do not think that we are to become a mere little sect. I look to the time when in every city in the Union there shall be a Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church, when in every State of the Union there shall be the old Provincial Council assembled once a year; and I am very unwilling, on account of my personal experience, to cast aside a remnant of primitive action, which I am satisfied has been planted there by these great men as the seed of our future growth; and therefore I hope that this Convention, in the faith of the progress of the Church, in the belief that the Christian Church in primitive times knew what they were doing, will leave this matter to stand, and be content, even in another case, to bear the tedium and difficulty of listening, for nine or ten days, to speeches by ten or twelve clergymen and laymen, whom we all esteem in this House. Conceding that the gentlemen who have brought forward this motion simply mistake the whole matter, that they did not recognize the value of this scrutiny, that they are willing to submit it to that which, after all, is no scrutiny at all, I hope that this House will support the resolution reported to the House by the Committee on Canons. I hope they will leave this remnant of Christian practice and Christian law still upon our books, to be the seed of a still better practice than we have now, in forthcoming generations. Rev. Mr. STONE, of Delaware. I rise to ask a question simply. Does a motion to lay this subject on the table carry with it the recommendation of the Committee? The PRESIDENT. No, sir. Rev. Mr. STONE, of Delaware. Then I make the motion that the amendment be laid on the table. The PRESIDENT. It is moved that the amendment proposed by the gentleman from Easton be laid on the table. Rev. Dr. STEARNS, of Easton. I ask for a vote by orders. The PRESIDENT. We cannot possibly take the vote by orders before the expiration of the time for this day's session. Rev. Dr. STEARNS, of Easton. The clerical delegation from Easton demand a vote by orders on the motion to lay on the table, because that motion disposes of the subject. If we could have a fair, square vote on the thing itself, in a full House, I would not call for a vote by orders. Mr. MONTGOMERY, of Western New York. I suggest to the gentleman that if the motion to lay on the table is agreed to, the question will then come up on adopting the resolution discharging the Committee. If the gentleman wishes to vote down the resolution discharging the Committee, he has the opportunity afterwards, and he can call for a vote by orders on that. If we lay this amendment on the table, the question will then recur on the original proposition, which is a resolution to adopt the report of the Committee; and if the House vote that down, then they do not adopt the report of the Committee, and a motion to refer the matter back to the Committee to report a Canon to carry out the purpose would be in order. The PRESIDENT. If the call for a vote by Dioceses and orders is insisted upon, we shall have to postpone the subject until Monday morning. Rev. Dr. STEARNS, of Easton. If the motion to lay on the table is withdrawn, I shall not insist on a vote by orders. Mr. BATTLE, of North Carolina. I move to postpone the further consideration of this question till Monday. The PRESIDENT. That motion cannot be received unless the motion to lay on the table is withdrawn. Rev. Mr. STONE, of Delaware. I do not wish to withdraw my motion. Rev. Mr. BROWN, of Michigan. I hope the gentleman will withdraw it. There are a large number in this House in favor of the resolution, and I should like myself to hear more discussion on the subject. Mr. TAYLOR, of Virginia. I beg to suggest to the House that we compromise by agreeing that the vote on the motion to lay on the table, which is not debatable, shall be taken by orders when the question comes up for consideration on Monday, and that then the House adjourn. I desired some forty minutes ago to make a motion to pass this matter by till Monday, with the view to spend the remainder of our short time to-day in the consideration of questions on the Calendar which would excite no debate; but that has passed, and I would say to my friend from Easton that I think in this condition of our session all of us are fully prepared to decide this question without debate, and it is but just to the other orders of business that we should proceed with the Calendar. Perhaps it would be better now to adjourn. I move that the House adjourn. The PRESIDENT. It is moved that the House do now adjourn. The motion was agreed to; and the House adjourned until Monday morning at nine o'clock. SEVENTEENTH DAY. MONDAY, October 26. The Convention assembled in St. John's Chapel at nine A.M. Morning Prayer was said to the Creed by Rev. Edward R. Atwill, of Vermont. The Creed and Prayers were said by Rev. Archibald Beatty, of Kansas. The Benediction was pronounced by Rev. Owen P. Thackara, of Florida. The minutes of the proceedings of Saturday last were read and approved. INDIAN AFFAIRS. Mr. WELSH, of Pennsylvania. I have a report which comes under the head of "unfinished busi 66 Whereas, The Chief Magistrate of the United States has asked for the co-operation of this Church, and of other religious bodies, in promoting the civilization of Indians by procuring for them moral and intelligent agents, by supervising their work, and by assisting those agents in training the Indians to industrial pursuits; "And, whereas, The Domestic Committee of the Board of Missions has acceded to the request of the President of the United States so far as to nominate agents for certain tribes of Sioux and Ponca Indians; "And, whereas, It is important that the hands of those agents should be upheld by the Churches, and that the Indians should be protected in their rights; therefore Resolved (the House of Bishops concurring), That the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies appoint a Standing Committee on Indian Affairs, composed of six laymen, to operate with the Board of Missions by supervising the secular work of the agencies under their care, by procuring such civilizing agencies as the Government does not provide, and by invoking the aid of the Government, and, if need be, the assistance of the courts, in protecting the rights of the Indians." On page 254 it will be found that the House of Bishops did concur, and the President of this House appointed as members of the Committee on Indian Affairs Mr. William Welsh, of the Diocese of Pennsylvania; Mr. Jno. W. Andrews, of the Diocese of Ohio; Mr. Jno. W. Stevenson, of the Diocese of Kentucky; Mr. Hugh Sheffey, of the Diocese of Virginia; Mr. Benjamin Stark, of the Diocese of Connecticut; Mr. Henry W. Hayden, of the Diocese of Michigan. Mr. Hayden is absent. The other members of the Committee concur in the report which I now present. "The Committee on Indian Affairs, appointed at the last session of the House of Deputies, with the concurrence of the House of Bishops (see pages 234 and 254 of the Journal), respectfully report, that under the authority thus given, the members of the Committee, acting together or separately, have striven to co-operate with the Board of Missions in supervising the secular work of the Indian agencies under the care of this Church. They have done much in prosecuting the civilizing agencies that are now preparing Indians to become self-supporting citizens. To many of the Indians, who have progressed in civilization, oxen and cows have been furnished, and, in one case, a flock of sheep, and the Indian women are being taught to make their own clothing, and to perform other domestic duties. "The year following the appointment of the Committee, its chairman visited most of the Indian reservations in the care of the Church, and a hundred copies of his report are herewith transmitted for the information of Deputies, but not for entering upon the Journal. The consecration of the Right Rev. William Hobart Hare, D.D., as Bishop of the Missionary Jurisdiction of Niobrara, has given the greatest relief to the members of the Committee, and greatly encouraged desponding Indians by the appointment of a Bishop for them solely. "The aid of the Government has again and again been invoked in behalf of the Indian, often successfully, whilst at other times the merciful intentions of the President have been frustrated by powerful combinations of bad men. One member of the Committee, being a member of the United States Senate, has sought, through its committees, to su pervise and protect the interests of the Indians, but so far he has failed in an earnest effort to obtain such legislation as would give the Indian a standing in the Federal Courts, that they might sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded. That measure of justice is now pending in the Senate, and, it is hoped, will be successful. We desire to record our solemn protest against all contracts made by Government officials for the sale of timber on Indian reservations against the express wishes of the Indians in whom the title of the reservation is vested, and to express the determination of the Committee, as far as practicable, to protect them in their legal rights. "In conclusion your Committee ask the adoption of the following resolution: "Resolved, That a Committee on Indian Affairs be appointed, and the preamble and resolution passed at the last session be re-enacted." There are, sir, many people who are sceptical of the civilization of the Indians. A large class of It is well them have just been put to a severe test. known that very few Christians go through a military campaign without being tainted in some wise. By request of the officer in charge of the Department of the Northern Missouri, quite a large band of the Santee Sioux were sent to go out as scouts with the expedition to the Black Hills. Without any suggestion, of his own free movement, General Custer sent this letter, which was handed to me yesterday afternoon at the missionary meeting by the Clerical Deputy from the District of Niobrara: "HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE DISTRICT, DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA, FORT ABRAHAM LINCOLN, D. T., September 10, 1874. "Rev. S. D. Hinman, U. S. Indian Commissioner: "One pleasant incident among the many which characterized my visit to the Black Hills I now recall. It was during one of our resting days in camp. I was seated alone in my tent when suddenly as if from the rocks and forests of that beautiful region I heard the familiar 'Old Hundred' roll forth from a score or more of manly voices. Then followed the equally familiar hymn, 'Rock of Ages,' and others not less known. Cavalrymen are not noted for their hymn-singing qualities, and I stepped outside my tent to discover from whom this music came. It was from a group of Santee young men, and I shall long remember the pleasing effect produced by hearing these good old hymns, sung as I then heard them, by men, or the sons of men, who but a few years ago roamed over this country in a state of barbarous wildness. So much for the labors of Christianity and civilization, and to you, and through you to the Santees under your charge, 1 express my gratification that so much has been Yours truly, achieved. May the good work go on, is the sincere wish of, "G. A. CUSTER, "Brevet Major-General U. S. Army, "Commanding District." This Mr. President, I have nothing to add. resolution should either be adopted now or go on the Calendar. I move its adoption, and that a copy of it be sent to the House of Bishops. As they cooperated in the appointment of the Committee, they have expressed a desire to hear the report of the Committee. Mr. MACKALL, of Easton. I move to amend the resolution so that instead of appointing a new committee, the present one be continued. I hope the gentleman will accept that amendment. It Mr. WELSH, of Pennsylvania. I cannot accept it, because I think you can get better men. should be observed that this Committee has become obnoxious to the Indian Ring, and the Chairman particularly so, and there has been great doubt expressed as to his sanity. (Laughter.) Mr. ANDREWS, of Ohio. I hope the gentleman will accept the amendment. Mr. WELSH, of Pennsylvania. If the Committee desire me to accept the amendment, I am willing to do so. The PRESIDENT. The gentleman from Easton moves to amend the resolution by providing that the former Committee be appointed. The amendment was agreed to, and the resolution as amended was adopted. MESSAGES FROM THE BISHOPS. A message (No. 39) was received from the House of Bishops, announcing the passage by that House of the following resolution : "Resolved (the House of Deputies concurring), That Section 1, Canon 6, Title II., be amended to read as follows: 'If any Presbyter or Deacon shall, without availing himself of the provision of Canon 5 of the Title, abandon the Communion of this Church, by an open renunciation of the doctrine, discipline, and worship of this Church, or by a formal admission into any religious body not in communion with the same, or in any other way, it shall be the duty of the Standing Committee of the Diocese to make certificate of the fact to the Bishop of the Diocese, or, if there be no Bishop, to the Bishop of an adjacent Diocese, which certificate shall be recorded, and shall be taken and deemed by the Ecclesiastical authority as equivalent to a renunciation of the ministry by the minister himself, and the said Bishop may then proceed to suspend for six months the Presbyter or Deacon so certified as abandoning the Communion of this Church. Notice shall be given to said minister by the said Bishop receiving the certificate, that unless he shall within six months make declaration that the facts alleged in said certificate are false, he will be deposed from the ministry of the Church.'" Message No. 40 announced the passage of the following resolution: "1. Resolved (the House of Deputies concurring), That [1] of Section 1, of Canon 2, of Title II., be amended by adding after the words 'crime or immorality,' these words following: and if he be presented under [1] of this Section, the Bishop may, with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee, at once inhibit the minister so presented from all the functions of his ministry, until trial be had and a verdict given.' "2. Resolved, That [5] of Section 1, of Canon 2, of Title II., be amended by striking out the words 'on being found guilty,' and inserting in their stead the words 'if he be found guilty.'" Message No. 41 announced the passage of the following resolution: "Resolved (the House of Deputies concurring), That [1] of Section 17, of Canon 13, of Title I., be amended by inserting after the words 'the House of Bishops shall' the words following: 'on the written request of twelve members of the same. Message No. 42 announced the passage of the following resolution: "Resolved (the House of Deputies concurring), That Clause 2, of Section 2, of Canon 13, of Title I., be amended by the substitution in place of the words 'if the House of Bishops consent,' the words following: If the House of Bishops by a vote of a majority of all the Bishops entitled to seats and votes in the said House consent.'" These messages were referred to the Committee on Canons. Message No. 43 announced the passage by the House of Bishops of the following resolution: 66 Resolved, That this House concurs in the amendment to [4] of Section 8, of Canon 13, Title I., communicated in Message No. 28 of the House of Deputies.' ORGANIZATION OF THE HOUSE. Mr. BURGWIN, of Pittsburgh. Under the instructions of the Committee on Canons, I desire to make a report in reference to the order which was reported by them a few days ago, relating to the organization of this House. It will be remembered that last week, I think, the Committee on Canons reported and recommended the adoption by the House of the order entitled "Of the Organization of the House of Deputies, and prescribing the Duties of the Secretary." Subsequently it was suggested to the Committee that a doubt might arise as to whether either House by a standing order could bind that House meeting in the next General Convention. In order to remove all doubt and difficulty upon that point, the Committee requested that this order be recommitted to them. They have now adopted, and will report to the House and recommend them to adopt, with the concurrence of the House of Bishops, a Canon providing that all rules and standing orders of each House shall be enforced until the organization of the next House, and until they be subsequently altered or amended. The report is a short one, and I ask the Secretary to read it. The Secretary read as follows: "The Committee on Canon, to whom was referred a resolution in regard to the organization of this House, and who obtained leave to withdraw their report, No. 9, on that subject for amendment, respectfully report: That they have reconsidered the same, and herewith submit a copy of the standing order as proposed to be amended, and recommend the adoption of the same, and also the following resolutions: "1. Resolved, That this order, as amended by the foregoing proposition, be adopted as a standing order of this House, and be printed in the Digest at the end of the Canons. "2. Resolved, That this order, so far as applies to the election of a Vice-President, be effective from this time, and that the House proceed to the election of a Vice-President to-morrow at eleven A.M. "3. Resolved (the House of Bishops concurring), That the following clause be added to Section 1 of Canon 1 of Title III. of the Digest: "[4.] The rules and orders of each House of the General Convention shall be in force in the ensuing General Convention until the organization thereof, and until they be amended or repealed." Mr. BURGWIN, of Pittsburgh. I have here the order, which has already been printed in full in THE DAILY CHURCHMAN, and of course, if any member has not read it or is not sufficiently acquainted with its contents, he can now call for the reading of it. I do not propose to have it read, unless some member of the House desires that it should be read. Mr. OTIS, of Illinois. Perhaps it had better be read. The Secretary read as follows: "Order (as proposed to be amended) of the Organization of the House of Deputies, and prescribing the Duties of the Secretary. (Adopted October 15, 1841; amended October 2, 1844, October 9, 1874, and October -, 1874.) "Section 1. At the time and place appointed for the meeting of the General Convention, the Secretary, or, in his absence, the Assistant Secretary, or, in the absence of both, the person appointed as hereinafter provided by the Standing Committee of the Diocese in which the General Convention is to meet, shall call to order the members present of the House of Deputies, and record the names of those whose testimonials in due form shall have been presented to him, which record shall be prima facie evidence that the persons whose names are therein recorded are entitled to seats in the House of Deputies. If there be a quorum present, by the record, the Secretary shall so declare, and the House shall proceed to organize by the election by ballot of a President from the members of the House, and of a Secretary; and a majority of all the votes cast shall be necessary to an election. So soon as the President and Secretary bave been elected the House shall at once proceed to the election of a Vice-President, by ballot; and a majority of all the votes cast shall be necessary to an election. The Vice-President on being elected may take his seat by the President, to aid him in the discharge of his duties; and he shall preside in the absence of the President from the chair. But the President shall appoint all committees, unless the House shall otherwise order. Before proceeding to other business a committee shall be appointed to wait upon the House of Bishops, and inform them of the organization of the House of Deputies and its readiness to proceed to business. "The Secretary shall keep full minutes of the proceedings of the House; transcribe them with all reports into a book provided for that purpose; preserve the Journal and records of the House; deliver them to his successor, and perform such other duties as may be directed or assigned to him by the House. He may, with the approbation of the House, appoint an Assistant Secretary, and the Secretary and Assistant Secretary shall continue in office until the organization of the next Convention, and until their successors be chosen. If, during the recess of the General Convention, a vacancy should occur in the office of Secretary, the duties thereof shall devolve upon the Assistant Secretary, if there be one; if not, or if the Assistant Secretary shall die or resign, a Secretary shall be appointed by the Standing Committee of the Diocese in which the next General Convention is to meet. "Sec. 2. In order to aid the Secretary in preparing the list specified in the preceding section, it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Convention of every Diocese to forward to him as soon as may be practicable a copy of the Journal of the Diocesan Convention, together with a certified copy of the testimonials of members aforesaid. He shall also forward a duplicate copy of such testimonials to the Standing Committee of the Diocese in which the next General Convention is to meet. "Sec. 3. The Secretary of the House of Deputies and the Treasurer of the Convention, although not returned as Deputies to the Convention, shall be entitled to seats upon the floor of the House, and, with the approval of the President, to speak on the subjects of their respective offices." Mr. BURGWIN, of Pittsburgh. If members of the House will turn to the first page of the Journal |