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Tous les autras axamplairss originaux sont filmte en commen^ant par la premiere page qui comporte une ampreinto d'impression ou d'illustration at an tarminant par la derniire page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un dea aymboles suivants apparaitra sur la demlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le caa: le symbole «-♦• signifie "A SUIVRE', le symbols ▼ signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, ate, peuvent dtre fiimda i dea taux de rMuctior: diffirents. Lorsque la document est trop grand pour dtra reproduit en un seul cliche, il est film« i partir de Tangle supirieur gauche, de gauche it droits. et da haut en bas, an pranant la nombra d'images n^cessaire. La« diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. 'rata o lelure, I a J 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 S 2.40 REMARKS ON DIOCESAN SYNODS, ADDRESSED TO THE CLERGY AND LAITY OF .'HIS DIOCESE, BT HIBBERT, BISHOP OF NOVA SCOTIA HALIFAX, N. S. JAMES BOWES & SONS, PRINTERS, HOLLIS »T. 1864. &j^giguii g[&wjjtof^£. Xn)TlCK TO Tilt: tLEllGY. TnK Dirtecsan Svnocl will assemble in the first week of next »tuly, in acconlanecwlth llic resolution passed at its last sessum. VoU are therefore desired to give due notice to your several oonrtre -rations that it will be the duty of each Parish or '• district forrain" a separate Cure of souls/' to elect, at their Easter meet- ing-, tw'o adult lay communicants of the Church of England, to i^^present them in the Wynod to bo held in Halifax in July. tmmedialdy after Easter, vou will please to communicate the result, en(dosing a certificate that the person elected is a com- municant, (if he has been residing within your Cure,) to the Uegistrar, Henry Pryof, Esq.^ JM.P.P. •^ "^ H. Nova Scotia. Halifax^ F';b. 18, 1864. The f( written a who hav( be placec tion upor hope tnal in dispell anywhere my breth to be der If we source, w when " tl der of," s their deci and Bret the Bisho year, " t< themselvc versies th the first I held. Besides the earlies of each Di says, " In ^■■BI^^BB REMARKS ON DIOCESAN SYNODS Ihe follouinir remarks on DIocesnn Svhods. have been written at the request of several members of th(> Churcli, who have suggested the propriety of issuing a paper, to be placed in the hands of persons wishing' for informa- tion upon this subject. I now publish them, with the hope tnat, by God's blessing, they may be instrumental in dispelling any prejudices and misconceptions thatmav anywhere exist, and in strengthening the confidence of my brethren, who have rightly appreciated the benefits to be derived from this Institution. If we would trace Ecclesiastical Synods to their source, we must go back to the Council at Jcu-usalem, when '*^the Apostles and Elders came together to consi- der of," and to determine, a controversy, and Dublished their decree, in the name of « the Apostles, and Elders, and Brethren." In the so-called Apostolical Canons, the Bishops are required to meet in Synod twice eve ry year, "to determine all doctrines of religion, among themselves, and put an end to all ecclesiastical contro- versies that may happen." This Canon is confirmed by the first general Council, and by others subsequently Besides the Synods above mentioned, there were from the earliest times, assemblies of the Bishop and Cleroy of each Diocese. Van Espen, a well-known authority, says, « In the first ages of the Church, the Bishops -ere m i u in tlie hal)It of convening thoir Clergy, whenever matters (jf importance occurred, for deliberation." Collier says, " It has been the constant sense of the ancient Councils and Fathers of the Church, that every Hisliop has a com- mission from our Saviour to govern his Diocese, and rn order thereunto, to convene his Priests under him."* In our own branch of the Church, in Saxon times, "the liishop had twice in the year, two general Synods, wherein all the Clergy of his Diocese, of all sorts, were bound to resort."t In consequence of the suspension of such Synods for :i long period, their utility is not understood, and some persons have supposed that they savour of Popery, whereas, in truth, they are directly antagonistic to the Papal system, by which all separate and independent Diocesan action is discountenanced. + By the revised Canon Law, prepared by Cranmer and other Reformers, called the " Reformatio Legum," the Bishops Avere re- quired to hold Diocesan Synods annually, in Lent, as the best expedient to preserve orthodoxy and discipline. In consequence of the death of Edward VI., who was to have latified these laws, under the authority of an act of Parliament, they were never in force, but they are a sure guide to the opinion and intention of their compilers. It is worthy of notice, too, that Archbishop Tenison, whom no one could suspect of any partiality for Romish institutions, alleged, as one of the reasons for his legacy of £1000 towards the establishment of two Colonial Dio- ceses, a desire that Synods might be held. • CoUicr Eccles. Hist. ii. p. 20, Ed. 1862. t Durns Eccles. Law, ii. p. .31. That the Ulshop of every Diocese had here, as in all other Christian coun- tries, power to convene the Clergy of hia Diocese, and in a common Synod, or Council, with them, to transact such aifairs as specially related to the order and government of the Cliurches under his jurisdiction, is not to be questioned. lb. f. 17. X Hoffman, in his treatise on the Laws of the Church in the United States, B&ys, " Tlie Diocesan Synods fell into disuse, when tlie Provincial Councils were abandoned, and we cannot but be struclc with the restitution, in our own Church, of that primitive order and system, wliich the usurpations of the Popes brol(c down in the Latin, and its connection with the state has impaired in the English Church. P. 130. In tlie Synods, as they are now restored, the laity lave a voice, but I pre- lume that the propriety of this addition to the ori^'iual constitution is gene- rally admitted. The favor c have th fercnce. Church while d Synods has assi an Esta the Col( But i herctofc now be this obj( adapt o Clergy ■ from th< to provi mav niA of the a1 that rul( to be gu Synods i force in stead be The j case of J Synodic; of Engl blished 1 religious the mcml niunion their bod or h]j imj settles tl: any furtl sons pres The practice of all denominations of Christians, is in favor of the Synodical system, for the rreshvterians have their Asseml)ly or Synod, the AVesk-yans their Con- ference, and the IJaptists their Convention ; and the Chnrch of England is not on an equalitv with them, while deprived of this mode f " action. In^Enj^dand the Synods have fallen into disuse, l)(<caiise tlu; Parliament has assumed the right of legislating for the Church as an Estahli^hment, hut that legislation does not apply to the Colonies. But it is o])jectcd that \vc have gone on very well, heretofore, without Synods, and therefore they cannot now he necessary. If all things continued as they were, this ohjection would he perhaps plausihle ; hut we must adapt ourselves to things as they are. Formerly the Clergy were maintained, to a great extent, by supplies from the mother country, whereas, now, the; pooi)le are to provide for their own Ministers, and, consequently, may rightfully expect to have a voice in the management of the affairs of the Church. Moreover, it is now found that rules and regulations, hy which we were supposed to be guided, are not binding in the Colonic^s, so that Synods are required, either to adopt those which are in force in the mother country, or to frame others in their stead better suited to our peculiar circumstances. The judgement of the Committee of Council, in the case of Mr. Long, is, so far as it affects us, in favor of Synodical action. Their Lordships say, " 'J'he Church of England, in places -svhere there is^no Church esta- blished by law, is in the same situation with any other religious body, in no better, but in no worse position, and the mrmhcrs may adopt, as the members of any other com- munion may adopt, n/lcs Jor enforcing discipl'mc within their body, Avhich will be binding on those who expressly, or hy imj)licafio7i, have assented to them." This finally settles the question of the laAvfulness of Synods, without any further sanction, and of tho>ir authority over all per- sons present, either personally or by their representatives. 'i 6 since such unquostlonahly, either " expressly or by im- plication," assent to the rules adopted by the majority of the Assembly. It is, moreover, aiHrmcd that tribunals may be consti- tuted, of which the decisions will be bin(lin,i>[ upon the parties bt'fore mentioned, and that the Courts of Law will give eff(!et to their decisions, when tii(>y have acted in aceordaneo with. the regulations under which they may be constituted. These decisions confirm the opinions which I have previously held and promulgated concc .-ning these mat- ters. I liavc always admitted that the p irties represented in the Synod, and no others, were Ic^aUij l)ound by its decisions, and I have maintained that the Courts of Law must give eff(;ct to the judgement of any tribunal consti- tuted and acting in accordance with the system of the Church of England, or with our own rules for the better management and regulation of our own affairs. With respect to the application to the Legisla'^ure, last year, it is needless to say much, but a bri(>f summary of our proceedings may perhaps be acceptable to you. The Synod, at its last session, by a large majority of the members present, determined to apply for an Act of the Legislature, to give to us the status and privileges which are enjoyed by our brethren in Canada. A committee was then appointed to frame the Bill, and take charge of ■it in its passage through the Legislature. This commit- tee performed the duty entrusted to it, and, as the state- ment was made in the Council that I had introduced alterations into the Bill, on my own sole authority, I think it necessary to assure you, that this statement was wholly unfound(^d ; that every change made in the ori- ginal draft, was made by the authority of the committee ; and thai even the gentlemen who were unable to attend, were requested to communicate, and did communicate, their opinions by letter. Our Bill passed the Assembly by a large majority, without opposition from a single Churchman in that Home, and witliout the entry upon the Joiu-nals of any division. Jn the Upper House, however, in whicli the ])r()i)i)rtion of Churchmen is very small, it was rejected. Of the nature; of th(> o])position, nnd of the nu-ans nsed to defeat the Jhll in that House, I will say nothini?, foi the influences whieli have most power tliere, must he we_ll known to you. I endeavored, to the hest of my ahdity, to supiiort the cliiiius of the Churchmen throui^h'- oiit the r. r/iuee, hy the followins,', with other ari,ni. ments : I. Synods are part of the Constitution of the Church, and were regularly held in tno early af,'cs. That they have hwn adopted in afmost all the colonies, where it has heen praeticahle to convene them. 3. That they have Avorked well in the United States, and that they are as necessary here as there, on account of the separation of the Church from the State. 4. That without a Synod, we are left without any mode of adapting ourselves to the circumstances of a new country, and of this progressive age, — and that we are almost without laws, except the old Canon Law, since i'vw of the English Statutes passer^ since the estahlishment of a Trovincial Legi. arc, have any force here. 5. That in consequence of our peculiar position, as an uncstablished branch of a Church estab- lished in England, there are many doubts and difficulties^ which ought to be removed by an Act of the Legislature, recognizing our right to remedy any defects in our system, and to determine doubt- ful points. It was, indeed, maintained, on the other side, that we are not without law, but they failed to show that any of the English Statutes, determining the mode in wdiich the authority of the Bishop is to be exercised, and limitim; its extent, arc applicable here. And in the Capetown I' 8 rn<ip, the Commlttoo of Council said, ** tho I^ord liishoi* has been involved in the difKcultics, by wliicli lio has b«'fii embarrassed, in a great measure by the doubtful state of th(! law." I further claimed a favorable reception of our Jiill, on the ground that all other denominatir is have obtained such powciJi as were decerned requisite for the manage- ment of their own affairs. I showed that the applica- tion was made by a body fairly rcpre:^cntin^ the (Jhnrch in this Province, ami that there was in reality no actual opposition before the Tiouse, except from one parish, which was exempted from the operation of the Bill, and had represented that it would be satisfied with such ex- emption. If the novel theory is adopted that no Act is to be passo<l, without the nmniiitious assent of all who arc to be aifected by ii:, Legislation will be confined within very n:now limits. It was gratifying to find that all the religious papers manifested a good feeling towards us, and, in accordanc(^ with the golden rule, urged that such powers us we re- quired ought to be granted. Nevertheless, the influence exerted against us was so powerful, that our claims were rejected in the Council, by an overwhelming majority, and I think that the names of tho minority, who nobly and generously su])ported us and voted for us, ought to be gratefully remembered by Churchmen, seeing that they Avere not of our communion. They were two on each side of the House, and, I believe, that in both Houses, our supporters and opponents wc^re pretty equally divided between the two political parties?. The leaders of the lato government, being in fiiAour of liberal n.easurcs, were disposed to grant us the J'Vn'ty we desi'.ed, but the then Receiver General, and some other members of the Executive Council, opposed us, one of the latter moving the rejection of the Bill in the As- sembly. On the other hand, the leaders of the opposi- tion were one for, and the other against, us. After this rejection, I should certainly have feii; bound to summon a special meeting of the Synod, last October, to dfccidc 8c ^i^m of action bet of a Bill to determ it will be further, prevail, b tion may JiCgislativ tion to wl It may indirectly *•' The Syi presentati land and and corpo Nova Sco to be, to c to confer i Thus the institution derive its limited bj If we h action woi our autho] the very I our resolu the Synod any attem inherent i; cannot be Parliamen take part : have a leq rishcs sho osts, to lea the impor "^1 to (Ifccido upon tho course to bo adopted, in the next 8t i .n of rarliiunent, had not the necessity for immediaUj action hwa removed, l)y the introcUiction and adoption of a ]V\[[ for our Ijicorporation. Tt will be for the Synod to determine whether, since \vc have obtained thus much, it will be necessary or expedient to press our claims any further. I am persuaded that the right must at length prevail, but at the sann; time I fear tliat prolonged agita- tion may be required, before we can obtain from the Legislative Council, as at present constituted, tho atten- tion to which we are entitled. It may be well to explain how far the Act, directly or indirectly, affects us. The substance of the Act is : «* Th(! Synod, consisting of the Bishop, Clergy, and re- presentatives of the Laity of the United Oiiu'rch of Eng- land and Ireland in this Trovince, shall be a body politic and corpoi.ite, bj. ho name of the Diocesan Synod of Nova Scotia." The object of this incorpor.ition is stated to be, to enable the Synod to hold property, and it is ?wt, to confer any spiritual jurisdiction or ecclesiastical rights. Thus the Synod is recognized, and made a permanent institution. It is not coiislhuted by this law, it does not derive its poAvcrs from this law, and therefore is not limited by it. If wc had obtained the act for which we applied, en- action would have been controHed by it, and dcrivino- GUI' authority from it, we must have begun again from the very beginning ; and our constitution, our laws, and our resolutions, must have been discussed anew ; but now the Synod is recognized as an existing body, and without any attempt to interfere with the power ami authority inherent in every Synod, those powers are added which cannot be exercijod without the sanction of an Act of Parliament or a R-oyal Charter. Wliether many or fcAv take part in it, henceforth the Synod of Nova Scotia will have a legal permanent existence ; brt the several pa- rishes should consider whether it will be for their inter- ests, to leave to the deliberations and decisions of a few, the important qvcstions that may be discussed in it. '^ 10 Some persons have alleged that the Synod was illegal, and some that it infringed the Royal Supremacy ; but these suppositions can no longer be entertained, since the Royal Assent has been giyen to the Bill passed by the Legislature. We may, therefore, hope that those brethren who have held themselves aloof, in consequence of these objecuons, will now join with us. I must not pass over, without notice, the oft-repeated objection to what is called the Bishop's veto. Of the pre- sent opponents of the Synod, the majority have signified, that they Avould gladly join it if this were annulled. It was stated before the Committees of the Legislature, that no independent man can possibly sit under the pre- sent constitution. This is an insult to the Clergy, and to some of the leading laymon, of this Province, w!io have sat in oar Synod, which needs no refutation from me. I may, however, remind you that men of the highest rank and character, judges, and lawyers, and legislators, in the most important British Colonies, in Canada, Aus- tralia, and New Zealand, have sat under this same con- stitution. Let us see, then, what is the meaning of this terrible bugbear? The rule is this: "No act or resolution of the Diocesan Assembly shall be valid,, which shall not have received the concurrent assent of the Bishop, the Clergy, and the Laity." "Can anything be more reason- able / I must confess my astonishment that persons are to be found, profcbiing to believe Episcopacy to be a Scriptural institution, and yet objecting to this rule ! I am fully satisfied that the great body of Churchmen would not be contend to have it otherwise, would not wish to deprive the Bishop of the privilege enjoyed by the Clergy and the Laity respectively, or to compel him as the executive, to carry into effect decisions of those bodies, to which he might conscientiously object, as being contrary to the principles of the Church, or to the solemn obligations by which he is himself bound. Then I beg you to observe' that, if this power were to be exercised in the most arbitrary manner, an.d to its fullest e tmij mein utmost, i teration, those wh introduce may be o to prize i minoritij i It has Bishop ci lution ap] objection to all del; debates ii have beer so that th decision t I would ii can be foi some pers of the Soi to the Im] ir stances have been as, for c3 OiJv there the Colon comparati' of the Co' sentatives , strained tc other two that he ha ments that the objccti judgement As s(jme h 11 fullest extent, it would not enable the Bishop to cany uni/ measure, or to perform anij act ivhatever. At the utmost, it can only have the effect of preventing any al- teration, and therefore it ought to be highly valued bv those who fear that the Synod may do too nuich, and nitroduce novelties. Again, those who fear that they may be outnumbered and outvoted in the Synod, ought to prize it, for it can only be exercised in favour of the miiioritij under any circumstances. It has been said that discussion becomes, a farce, if the Bishop can, by his vote, prevent the adoption of a reso- lution^ approved by both Clergy and Laity. Now this objection is by no means peculiar to Synods,— it applies to all deliberative bodies. We all know thr . after long debates in the House of Assembly, Bills passed theixl have been rejected hy a majority of one in the Council, so that the one man could be pointed out, upon whose decision the fate of the measure had depended. And I would ask, where, in civil governments, a legislature (;an be found, Avithout the safeguard of a veto, lodged in some person or persons I It may be said that the veto of the Sovereign is never actually exercised, with respect to the Imperial Parliament, but there are certainly many n^ stances of the disallowance of Colonial Acts, which have been i)assed after full discussion by the Legislature, as, for exam])l_e, in Prince Edward Island, last year.' Only there is this great difference in favour of our system ; the Colonial Secretary, in Downing Street, knowing (;omparatively little of the condition 'and circumstances of the Colony, annuls the decisions of its ovvn repre- sentatives; whereas, if the Bishop should feel con- strained to withhold his assent from the decision of the other two orders, there is the satisfaction of knowing that he has been present, and has heard all the argu"- ments that could be advanced in support of it, and that the objections to the proposed measure, according to his judgement, are serious and insuperable. As s(nne persons will persist in maintaining that the 12 Bishop has a veto, I have argued in conformity with that supposition; hut I maintain that the lule, requiring the concurrence of the three orders, does not confer that power, but should rather be regarded as a practical ex- position of the theory of the Church. The Bishop, in her system, has a distinct, Avell-dcfined position, " he, the Clergy, and the Laity, are all distinct and important parts of the same body, and therefore must concur, or nothinor can be done." If at any time a really good measure should be opposed by the Bishop, while a large majority of the members of the Church Avere in its lavor, this opposition could only be temporary ; for no veto can be maintained, under such circumstances, in these days when public opinion is so strong, and has so many ways of making itselt under- stood and felt. I believe, then, that every member of the Church, who, laying aside prejudice, will consider this question upon its merits, w/J arrive at the same conclusion, that the rule, requiring the sanction of the Bishop, the Clergy and the Ijaity, to every resolution, is good, and ought to be retained ; that the so-called veto is absolutely harmless, since the Bishop cannot possibly use it for the purpose of effecting any object whatever, and that it may some- times be very beneficial, in restraining an organii^ed party, from taking advantage of the accidental absence of other members, to pass objectionable resolutioni, and in securing ample deliberation for important measures, which might otherwise be rashly adopted, by deferring them to ano- ther session. It has been pretended, by the opponents of the Synod, that the Clergy arc so dependent upon the Bishop for their incomes, that they cannot vote freely. Now there is no foundation for tins statement, and in fact most of them arc dependent upon their congregations very much more than they are upon their Bishop. Under the pre- sent system of the Church Societies, both in England and in this Diocese, the grants are payable on condition of the pre so that in the whole tributions, tJiem, and the young yielding tc paid by th cannot be And th( such as arc members o on this SCO deliberativ world of V tirely inde may howev of the min be, to say t integrity ai Fears h? tyrannical, And again, extent, in abolishing ] bered that consent of t to send rep honestly an do not give you have nc affected by or even aga Again, so because the This is a st Han ; but I Bishop is at T /, 13 of the previous payment of certain sums by the pcni)lc, so that m truth the people can deprive the Clergyman of the whole of his maintenance, by stopping their own con- tributions, and thus the Clergy ore made to depend upon them, and not upon the Bishop. This is the case of all the younger Clergy, who alone could be suspected of yielding to his influence. The seniors, who are either paid by the government, or by the venerable S. P. G., cannot be liable to any such suspicions. And then, supposing it possible that any influences, such as are dreaded, could be brought to bear upon the meinbers of the Synod, I ask whether an objection to it, on this score, would not be equally valid against every deliberative body? Is there any Legislature in the \yorld of which all the members are supposed to be en- tirely independent of every external influence? Wo niay however surely believe that an Assemblv, composed of the ministers and communicants of our Church, will be, to say the very least, not inferior to any other in integrity and independence of action. Fears have been suggested that the Synod may be tyrannical, and may be made the instrument of mischief. And again, we answer that there is this danger, to some extent, in every Assembly, but no one would think of abolishing Parliament on this account. Be it remem- bered that nothing whatever can be done without the consent of the lay members, and it rests with yourselves to send representatives oi" ability and integrity who will honestly and watchfully protect your interests. If you do not give sufficient attention to this important matter, you have no right to complain, if you find yourselves affected by measures adopted without your concurrence or even against your will. Again, some persons are suspicious of Synods, simply' because the Bishops are supposed to be in favor of them, ihis is a strange objection on the part of an Episcopa- lian; but I ask, is there not reason to suppose thxit a, Bishop is at least as likely as any other person feo, be u interested in tVie welfare of the Church, and to promote such institutions as he sincerely believes to be most likely to contribute to its growth and prosperity ? And inasmuch as he devotes more time and attention than others can to this subject, is it not probable that ho will judge more cor- rectly than those who, although his equals or it may be his superiors in ability, have not the same means oi( forming an opinion ? The truth is that,, with very fcW exceptions, those persons both lay and clerical v/ho are best acquainted with the present position of the Church,i and have the best opportunities of judging, are of one mind on this subject. Of this we have a remarkable illustration in the Edinburgh Rcrmv for October last. A writer who adopts the very lowest possible estimate^ of the episcopal office, nevertheless says, " Synodical government, by bodies composed of both clergy and laity is obviously the only alternative in our colonial Clmiches for episcopal autocracy, or mere anarchy. We have to make the best of it, and in this as in other matters Ave have to place our confidence in that sound . Anglo-Saxon spirit of the majority, the spirit of organi- zation, of mutual compromise, and of tolerance, which in other departments of administration carries us con- tinually in safety, through greater difficulties than these." Let us then all unite in endeavoring to render our Synod as efftcient as it can possibly be, with a view to the security and increase of the Church. If we are con- tent to remain in a sleepy state, doing little good or making little progress, we may dispense with the Synod, and all other organizations, but if we would be active and energetic, if we desire not -to be left behind in these days of progress, we must adapt ourselves as far as we lawfully can to the circumstances of the age in which we live. Notwithstanding the charges and insinuations with which I have been sometimes assailed in reference to this matter, I recognise with much thankfulness the confidence reposed in me by the great majority of those whom God has committed to my care, and I know that you do much I mcnt, t] devolvi) loss, ani dound t and httf In CO the adv Church (your B sition to to see ; highest unity ai occasior when it of Chris faithful nor to p general your efl nothincr do nothi feeling ; system, as an im 15 you do not require nny further proofs tKat however much I may fail, through infirmity or errors of judge- ment, the great object of my life is to perform the duties devolving upon me so that the Chiu-ch may not suffer loss, and that my administration of this diocese may re- dound to the glory of God, and conduce to your welfare and happiness. In conclusion, permit me to commend to your notice, the advice of the Bishop of Vermont to the Clergy of the Church in the then United States: "Believe that he (your Bishop) cannot possibly have any interest in oppo- sition to your own ; that it is his earnest desire and prayer to see you all prosper in your labours, and that his highest earthly happiness must be found in your fraternal unity and concord. Advise and counsel him if you have occasion, and doubt not that he will receive it kindly, when it is done as it ought to be done, with the spirit of Christian tenderness. Strengthen his hands by your faithful support. Give no encouragement to party spirit nor to party movements. And you may rely on it, as a general rule, that your Bishop will respond with joy to your efTorts ; that in proportion as you desire to do nothing without his approbation, it will be his wish to do nothing without yours, and that you will realize in feeling and in fact the true design of that beautiful system, which is too often held, in our degenerate day, as an impracticable theory." ml ■;J| ( /^ V^a-^ite^?i.^.J , -. ^"■T^gffl^ ^ I-' :■ The following regulations of the Synod are published for the information of persons who do not poaaess the printed copy of its Constitution and Rules : The representatives ,of the laity must have been com- municants for the twelve months preceding the election, and every adult male parishioner may vote for the Parish or district, of which he is a member, upon subscribing the following declar- ation (if required by the chairman or by any parishioner present): " I do declare that I am a member of the United Cnurch of Ingland and Ireland, and belong to no other religious denomi- nation." Each representative shall receive from his minister a certificate that he is qualified as above, and from the chairman of the meet- ing, at which he is elected, a certificate of his election, and shall continue in oflRce until a successor be appointed. If a vacancy should occur in the number of representatives for any district, the minister is to proceed to appoint a new election, as soon as possible, after due notice. (This provides for the case when a noR-rwident, upon being informed of his election, declines to serve, or is found t« be not qualified.) Each district forming a separate Cure of souls may send two lay representatives, (whether it may be a legally constituted Parish or not.) When ,iiiy such district is without a resident minister, at the time appointed for the election of repr^^sentatives, a meeting may be called by the wardens, or the vestry, or by any five parish- ioners. In this case the notice should be posted in the most con- spicuous places, and cin^ulated according to the usual custom of each town or settlement. And the chairman of the meeting should specify, in his return, by whom, in what manner, and at what date, the notice was published convening the meeting. At the time of the election of representatives, two provisional representatives may be appointed as substitutes, to take the place of either of the persons elected, who may not be able to attend the Session of the Synod. ii> lOfcxMmMaiMlki