1789] liEV. WILLIAM SMITH, D. D. 28 1 



principles of representation ; while our Churches are not required to 

 make any sacrifice of theirs; it being declared 



That the Cliurch in each State shall be entitled to a representation either of clergy, 

 or laity, or of both. And in case the Convention [or Church] of any State should 

 neglect or decline to appoint their deputies of either order, or if it should be their rule 

 to appoint only out of one order; or if any of those appointed should neglect to at- 

 tend, or be prevented by sickness, or any other accident, the Church in such State 

 [district or diocese] shall, nevertheless, be considered as duly represented by such 

 deputy or deputies as may attend, of either order. 



Here, then, every case is intended to be provided for, and experience 

 will either demonstrate that an efficacious union may be had upon these 

 principles; or mutual good will, and a further reciprocation of senti- 

 ments will eventually lead to a more perfect uniformity of discipline as 

 well as of doctrine. 



The representation in those States where the Church appoints clerical 

 deputies only, or chooses to be wholly represented by its Bishop, will 

 be considered as complete ; and as it cannot be supposed that the clergy 

 will ever neglect to avail themselves of their voice and negative, in 

 every ecclesiastical decision, so neither can the laity complain in those 

 States where they claii^i no representation, and still less where they are 

 declared to have a voice, and claim a representation, but neglect to 

 avail themselves of their claim; which latter is too likely to be the case 

 in some of the States within our present union, where it is difficult to 

 procure any lay representation, although earnestly solicited by some of 

 the clergy, who are fully sensible of the advantages derived to our for- 

 mer Conventions, from the wise and temperate counsels, and the re- 

 spectable countenance and assistance of our lay members. 



As to the second point, respecting your own consecration and the Scots 

 Episcopacy, we are persuaded that you have fallen into some misappre- 

 hension concerning an entry made in the Journal of a former Conven- 

 tion, or have been misinformed of the circumstances attending it. 

 Nothing was ever agitated in that Convention concerning the Scots 

 Episcopacy, but the contrary. You may perceive by the Journal, that 

 the Convention refused to come to any resolution which would imply 

 even a doubt of the validity of your consecration ; and the proceedings 

 of the present Convention upon that subject, we are persuaded, will be 

 more than sufficient to remove every obstacle of our future union, which 

 might have been apprehended on that score. 



As the last and greatest proof which we could give of respect for our 

 sister Churches, and our desire of their assistance in the completion of 

 our ecclesiastical system, we have postponed everything except what was 

 intended immediately to open the door of union : and have adjourned 

 our Convention till the 29th day of September, in the full confidence 

 of then meeting a representation from all the Churc)ies of the Eastern 



