The canons for the election of a bishop vary a little in the different dioceses. Generally, it is by nomination of a majority of the clergy in the diocesan convention; and if such nomination be confirmed by a majority of the laity in the same convention, the person chosen is duly elected. But no diocese can elect a bishop unless it have contained, during the past year, at least six officiating presbyters, regularly settled in a parish, and six parishes represented in the convention electing. A diocese containing a smaller number of clergymen and parishes may yet obtain a bishop on application to the General Convention. In that case, the election is made by the bishops of the Church, subject to the approval of the General Convention; or during its recess, of a majority of the standing committees. Besides the election of a bishop, the diocesan convention is competent to the performance of the following acts, and others of a similar nature. During the vacancy of the episcopate, it may invite the bishop of a neighbouring diocese to officiate within its limits. It makes canons to determine the mode by which its clergy may be tried when charged with improper conduct or heretical doctrine. It regulates its parish elections, declares the duties of its wardens and vestries, and determines the ratio of its lay representation. It appoints the method by which its parishes shall be E organized, and the conditions upon which they may be admitted as constituent parts of the diocese. It declares the necessary qualifications and conduct of lay readers in such of its congregations as are destitute of the services of a clergyman. It provides for the appointment and support of missionaries within the diocese. It takes measures for the promotion of Sunday-schools, and of theological education. It elects trustees of any institution under its control. It chooses delegates to the General Convention; and, lastly, it appoints a standing committee. The standing committee is a prominent and peculiar feature in the diocesan administration of the American Church. Every diocese is required by a general canon to appoint one, although the number of members composing it is not specified. In Pennsylvania it consists of five clergymen and as many laymen. In Ohio, three of each order are elected; while in Tennessee two of each are deemed sufficient. The standing committee serves for one year, appoints its own president and secretary, and meets at pleasure, by adjournment, or on the summons of its president. Its relation to the diocese resembles in some respects that of a vestry to a parish. It is also a council of advice to the bishop; and when the episcopate is vacant, it issues dimissory letters, institutes ecclesiastical trials, superintends by its clerical members all deacons in the diocese, and performs other functions not considered strictly episcopal within the diocesan limits. No bishop can be consecrated without the consent of the majority of the standing committees of all the dioceses in the United States. The only exception to this rule is when a bishop has been elected during the year preceding the triennial General Convention. In that case the standing committees are not consulted; only the consent of the General Convention is obtained. No person can be admitted a candidate for orders in any diocese, nor ordained a deacon or a priest, until he has laid before the bishop testimonials of his fitness signed by a majority of the members of the diocesan standing committee, duly convened. If the applicant desires admission to the diaconate or to the priesthood, the testimonials must certify his religious and moral character during the last three years. Such is the internal organization of an American diocese. In the next chapter I purpose to give some account of the General Convention, and of the respective functions of bishops, priests, and deacons. CHAPTER V. THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED. General Convention.-Its various powers.-The Church wholly independent of the State.-Distinctions in the Ministry.Probation of Candidates.- Deacons.-Priests.- Bishops.— Influence and standing of a Bishop.-Ecclesiastical Trials.— Mode of trial in Ohio.-Resignation of Bishops.--Assistant Bishops. THE General Convention is the tie by which twentytwo dioceses, covering an extent of about a million of square miles, are bound together in one fellowship. Its relation to the several dioceses is similar to that which Congress sustains towards the different Commonwealths of the United States. It is an association of originally independent bodies voluntarily established for mutual benefit, and for the effectual promotion of the great ends which all are endeavouring to accomplish. The General Convention is divided into two houses, the consent of both of which is necessary, before any canon or resolution can pass. The upper house consists of all the bishops of the Church, now seventeen in number, of whom the senior in point of consecration is president, while a presbyter, appointed for the purpose, acts as secretary. The lower house is composed of clerical and lay-delegates from every diocese, not exceeding four of each order, who appoint a president and secretary from their own body. In all questions, when required by the representation from any diocese, each order is allowed but one vote, and the majority of suffrages, by dioceses, is conclusive in each order, provided such majority comprehends a majority of the dioceses represented in that order. The concurrence of both orders is, in that case, necessary to constitute a vote in convention. The General Convention assembles once in three years, and commonly in one of the churches in Philadelphia. A special convention may also be called by the presiding bishop whenever a majority of the bishops may deem it expedient. The General Convention, like those of the several dioceses, is exclusively legislative in its character, and wholly independent of the civil government. It possesses all those powers which cannot be conveniently exercised in the several dioceses Thus, first. It enacts canons in regard to public worship, providing for uniformity, in that respect, |