372

S. B. BLESSED be thy Name, O Lord God, for B. A. that it hath pleased thee to have thy hab- 584 itation among the sons of men, and to dwell in the midst of the assembly of the saints upon the earth; bless, we beseech thee, the religious solemnities of this day, and grant that in this place now set apart to thy service, thy holy Name may be worshipped in truth and purity through all generations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

573

RESOLUTION XXIX.

Resolved: That the following changes be made in

THE

OFFICE OF INSTITUTION OF MINISTERS

INTO PARISHES OR CHURCHES,

and that the proposed alterations be made
known to the several Dioceses, in order
that they may be severally adopted in
the next General Convention, in accordance
with the provisions of Article VIII of the
Constitution.

(a) Omit from the title all that follows
the word Churches; to wit:

PRESCRIBED BY THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH
IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; ESTABLISHED IN
GENERAL CONVENTION OF THE BISHOPS, THE CLERGY,
AND LAITY, 1804; AND SET FORTH WITH ALTERATIONS,
IN GENERAL CONVENTION, 1808.

so that the title will read as follows:

AN OFFICE OF

INSTITUTION OF MINISTERS

INTO PARISHES OR CHURCHES.

585

S. B.

(b) In the first rubric, substitute for B. A. what now follows the words this Church, may, the words proceed to institute him into the Parish, so that the rubric will read as follows:

ee

The Bishop having received due Notice of
the Election of a Minister into a Parish or
Church, as prescribed by the Canon, concern-
ing the Election and Institution of Min-
isters," and being satisfied that the "person
chosen is a qualified Minister of this Church,"
may proceed to institute him into the Parish.

(c) In the Bishop's Letter of Institution,
omit the bracketed words [or Assistant
Minister, as the case may be]; so that the
Letter of Institution will read as follows:-

To our well-beloved in Christ, A. B., Presbyter,
Greeting.

WE do by these Presents give and

Sigillum.

Signat.

grant unto you, in whose Learn-
ing, Diligence, sound Doctrine, and Prudence,
we do fully confide, our Licence and Authority
to perform the Office of a Priest, in the Parish
[or Church] of E. And also hereby
do institute you into said Parish, [or
Church,] possessed of full power to perform
every Act of sacerdotal Function among the
People of the same; you continuing in com-
munion with us, and complying with the rubrics
and canons of the Church, and with such lawful
directions as you shall at any time receive from

us.

And as a canonically instituted Priest into the Office of Rector of Parish, [or

S. B. Church,] you are faithfully to feed that portion B. A. 573 of the flock of Christ which is now intrusted to

you; not as a man-pleaser, but as continually
bearing in mind that you are accountable to us
here, and to the Chief Bishop and Sovereign
Judge of all, hereafter,

And as the Lord hath ordained that they who serve at the altar should live of the things belonging to the altar; so we authorize you to claim and enjoy all the accustomed temporalities 574 appertaining to your cure, until some urgent reason or reasons occasion a wish in you, or in the congregation committed to your charge, to bring about a separation, and dissolution of all sacerdotal relation, between you and them: of all which you will give us due notice and in case of any difference between you and your congregation, as to a separation and dissolution of all sacerdotal connection between you and them, we, your Bishop, with the advice of our Presbyters, are to be the ultimate arbiter and judge.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto affixed our episcopal seal and signature, at

this

in the

day of

A. D.

year of our consecration.

and

(d) Omit the Standing Committee's Letter of Institution, and the rubric that precedes it, to wit: —

¶ In the case of a Minister to be instituted in a
State or Diocese in which there is no Bishop,
the Clerical Members of the Standing Com-
mittee shall send the following Letter of
Institution, for the proposed Minister, to
the Presbyter whom they may appoint as
Institutor.

585

586