Martinsburgh Gazette

DIOCESE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

The annual Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in South Carolina, was held on the 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st ult. There were present the Right Rev. Bishop Bowen, 17 presbyters, 2 deacons, and delegates from 25 parishes and churches. The church in this diocese consists of the bishop, 28 presbyters, 5 deacons, and 37 settled congregations. Some parishes have two, and others three congregations and separate places of worship.

The Right Rev. Dr. Bowen, is president of the convention ex officio; and the Rev. Dr. Dalcho, was re-elected Secretary and Treasurer, for the ensuing year.

The Parochial reports gave the following result:—
Marriages in 17 parishes, 70; of which 4 were of coloured persons.
Baptisms in 21 parishes, 22 adults, of whom 3 were of coloured persons, and infants 160, of whom 11 were coloured children. Burials in 16 parishes, 183. Communicants in 16 parishes, 1669; of whom 384 are coloured persons. Sunday School scholars in 6 parishes, 682, of whom 25 are coloured adults, & 150 coloured children. These received only religious instruction.

The business of most importance to the diocese at large, transacted by the Convention, was the following:
Altering the 9th article of the constitution, making more efficient arrangements for raising the bishop's common fund, and recommending some measures on the subject of the General Theological Seminary.