ous obstacles to the spread of evangelical light, and would enter with ardor into the enterprizes of the society, for diffusing correct sentiments on these subjects in Germany. He proposed to the society to publish a German edition of their tract, the Scripture Manual of Baptism, for which object the Board presented him with sixty dollars.

The demand for tracts in the western parts of the Uuited States is increasing. Donations consisting of 600 pages of tracts, have been sent to 150 churches in that portion of our country. From intelligence received from different sources, we have reason to believe that they produced very blessed effects, in removing inveterate prejudices against beneficial operations, and inciting a spirit of missionary enterprize. The Tract recently published, entitled a "CRY FROM BURMAH," has already proved a powerful instrument of good. From these facts it will be seen that the prospect of the society's success in diffusing the light of the Gospel over different parts of the earth, are exceedingly cheering, that thence it holds to this Convention an intimate relation, which ought to be clearly seen and duly recognized.

DANIEL DODGE, Chairman.

REPORT ON PERMANENT FUND.

The Committee to whom was referred the subject of a fund, for the Corresponding Secretaryship, REPORT:

That they deem it desirable to have a distinct fund for this object; that, in accordance with this view, the Board of Managers have received about 2000 dollars, the interest of which has been faithfully applied; that hitherto, the Corresponding Secretary, whose whole time is devoted to the service of this Convention, has himself defrayed a large portion of the expenses of his maintenance; and that we recommend the adoption of the following resolution, namely:

Resolved, That confiding in the goodness of that Gracious Being whom we serve, and who has so extensively awakened among our brethren the spirit of liberality, we hope the time is not distant when persons who appreciate the importance of a fund for the Secretaryship, will contribute an adequate amount distinctly for this object, without diminishing the more general contributions for the purposes of this Convention.

All which is respectfully submitted,

IRAH CHASE, Chairman.

CHARTER OF THE CONVENTION.

THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, To whom these presents shall come, Greeting:

KNOW YE, That a number of individuals, citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and their associates, having formed themselves into a religious society, by the name, style and title of "The General Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States for Foreign Missions, and other important objects relating to the Redeemer's Kingdom," with a view of promoting religion and learning, and being desirous of acquiring and enjoying the powers and immunities of a corporation and body politic in law, it is hereby declared, that the said Convention and their successors be, and they are hereby created, one body politic and corporate in law, by the name, style, and title of "The General Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States for Foreign Missions, and other important objects relating to the Re

deemer's kingdom," to have perpetual succession, and to be able to sue and be sued, to plead and be impleaded, in all courts of record, or else. where, and to purchase, receive, have, hold and enjoy, to them and to their successors, any messuages, lands, tenements, and hereditaments, money, stock, goods and chattels; of whatsoever nature, kind, or quality, real, personal, and mixed; by gift, grant, bargain, sale, conveyance, assurance, will, devise, or bequest, of any person or persons whatsoever; and the same from time to time to sell, alien, or dispose of;—and also to make and have a common seal, and the same to break, alter, and renew, at their pleasure; and also to ordain, establish, and put in execution, such by-laws, ordinances, and regulations, as to them shall appear necessary, and convenient for determining the mode of succession, and for the Government of said Corporation, not being contrary to the laws and constitution of the United States, or of this state; and generally to do all and singular the matters and things which to them so incorporated, may or shall appertain to do: Provided always, that the clear yearly value, income, interest, or dividend of the said messuages, lands, tenements, hereditaments, stock, money, goods and chattels, shall not exceed in the whole, the sum of five hundred pounds.—The following shall be deemed the Constitution of "The General Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States, for Foreign Missions and other important objects relating to the Redecmer's Kingdom.

Section 1st. The General Convention shall meet triennially on the last Wednesday in April, in the City of Philadelphia, or at such other time and place as shall have been agreed and determined on at the preceding meeting.

Section 2d. At each triennial meeting, the Convention shall have power to elect a President, Vice Presidents, a Corresponding, and Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, Agent, and such others as may be judged proper, who, with the said officers, shall constitute a Board of Managers, to superintend the concerns of the said Convention. The first meeting under the authority of this Charter, shall be held on the last Wednesday in April, one thousand eight hundred and twenty three, at such place as the Board of Managers shall determine; until which meeting, Robert B. Semple shall be President; Thomas Baldwin, James McLaughlin, Burgiss Alison and Jesse Mercer, Vice Presidents; William Staughton, Corresponding Secretary; Joshua P. Slack, Recording Secretary: Thomas Stokes, Treasurer; Luther Rice, Agent; and the following persons shall be managers, to wit. Richard Furman, John P. Peckworth, Lucius Bolles, Daniel Sharp, Archibald Maclay, John Healy, Spencer H. Cone, Lewis Richards, John Williams, George F. Curwen, William Dossey, John Peck, Elisha Cushman, Edward Baptist, Obadiah B. Brown, John Finlay, Ira Chase, James A. Ronaldson, David Benedict, Horatio G. Jones, Adoniram Judson, sen. William T. Brantly, Lewis Leonard, Thomas Brownrigg, John Bradley, John M. Roberts, Jaines Johnson, Joseph Gibson and Asahel Morse. Provided, in case any of the officers or managers becoming disabled by sickness or otherwise, or resign, or die, the Board shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies.

Section 3d. No misnomer of this Corporation shall defeat or annul any gift, grant, devise, or bequest, to or from the said corporation, provided the intent of the parties shall sufficiently appear upon the face of the gift, grant, will, or other writing, whereby any estate or interest was intended to pass to or from the said Corporation.

June 18th, 1821.

[Here follow in the original, the attestations of the Attorney General— Judges of the Supreme Court, Governor, &c. &c.]

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BY-LAWS.

The Committee to whom was referred the subject of arranging such parts of the printed Constitution as were not embraced in the Charter, into the form of By-Laws, and to add such as may seem necessary, beg leave to REPORT:

That they have approached the responsible duty assigned them, with deep and prayerful solicitude, and with a view to secure as far as possible, that degree of definitive perspicuity, which ought to characterize the rules of every public body. The Committee respectfully submit the following By-Laws:

1. A Triennial Convention shall consist of Delegates from Missionary Societies, Associations and other religious bodies, and of individuals of the Baptist denomination which shall annually contribute to the funds under the direction of this body, a sum amounting to at least one hundred dollars; for every additional $100, one additional representative and vote shall be allowed, but no member of the Convention shall be entitled to more than one vote.

2. At each triennial meeting, the Convention shall elect a President, Secretary and Assistant Secretary, who shall continue in office till successors be chosen.

3. Any person assuming the expense of supporting a Missionary, which expense, for the purposes of this arrangement is at present fixed for a single Missionary at the annual sum of $400 shall be allowed to designate from among the Missionaries appointed by the Board of Managers, the individual whom he will thus sustain in the field of Missionary labor, and he shall also be entitled to a seat in the Board of Managers, and in this Convention. And any person undertaking in like manner to defray the charges of a native preacher, (hereby fixed for the purposes of this arrangement, at the annual sum of $100) shall be allowed to make a similar designation from among the native preachers appointed or approved by the Board, and shall be entitled to a seat in this Convention.

4. At each triennial meeting, the Convention shall elect a Board of Managers, consisting of a President, Vice-Presidents, Corresponding and Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and forty managers, out of the Societies, Associations, Churches, or religious bodies before mentioned, who shall continue in office, till successors be elected; the President and Secretaries of the Convention shall be also members of the Board.

5. The Board of Managers shall hold an annual meeting, at which, eleven shall be a quorum to transact business; but at other meetings, five shall be the quorum.

6. Such persons, only, as are in full communion with some church of our denomination, and furnish satisfactory evidence of genuine piety, good talents, and fervent zeal for the Redeemer's cause, are to be employed as Missionaries.

7. In regard to funds, contributed for Missionary purposes, but without appropriating directions, the Board shall exercise discretion in appropriating the same to Foreign and Indian Missions; but no application of monies, given for a specific object, shall be made by them to any other use.

8. The Treasurer shall faithfully account for all monies received by him; keep a regular entry of all receipts and disbursements, and make report of the same to the Convention, whenever it shall be in session, and to the Board annually, and as often as by them required. He shall, also, before entering on the duties of his office, give competent security, to be approved by the Board, for all the stock and funds that may be committed to his care. His books shall be open at all times, to the inspection of any member of the Board or Convention. The Assistant Treasurer shall also be required to give competent security to be approved by the Board,

9. The Corresponding Secretary of the Board shall maintain intercourse, by letter, with such individuals, Societies, or public bodies, as the interests of the Institution may require. Copies of all communications, made by the direction of the Convention or Board, shall be handed by him to the Recording Secretary, for record and safe keeping, subject to the inspection and order of the Board or Convention.

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10. It shall be the duty of the Recording Secretary of the Board, to keep a fair record of all its proceedings, and of such other documents as may be committed to his care, for this purpose.

11. Each officer of the Convention, and member of the Board of Managers, shall be a member of some Baptist Church.

12. In case of the death, inability or resignation of any of the officers, (appointed by the Convention,) or any of their members, the Board shall have power to fill the vacancy. They shall also have power to reject from their body, any member whose conduct, in the opinion of two-thirds of the members present, shall merit expulsion, and fill his place, by the appointment of another.

13. The Board of Managers shall have power to make such compensation to their Corresponding Secretary, as shall, in their judgment, be adequate to his diversified services; and for this purpose, they shall have power to accept of any funds, contributed with the special design of forming a distinct fuud, the interest only of which shall be applicable to the support of the said Secretary.

14. No monies shall at any time be paid out of the treasury, but by order of the Board, designating the fund from which it is to be paid.

15. It shall be the duty of the President, or in case of his death, of either of the Secretaries, to call a special meeting of the Convention, on application from the Board.

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16. Any alterations, which experience may dictate, may be made in these articles, at regular meetings of the Convention, by two-thirds of the members present. In behalf of the Convention,

CHARLES G. SOMMERS, Chairman,

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES OF ORDER. The Committee on Rules of Order, beg leave to REPORT:

That they do not consider it possible to prepare at this time, such a set of rules as will apply to all future emergencies. They, therefore, submit the following rules which may receive such future additions as experience may dictate.

RULES.

1. At every sitting, business shall be opened and concluded with prayer, by the President or whomsoever he may request.

2. Ministers present, invited to a seat, may debate on all subjects, but

vote on none.

3. No Delegate shall absent himself without leave of the President. 4. No subject shall be discussed without a motion made and seconded, and reduced to writing if required.

5. Every speaker shall address himself to the President; and no one shall speak oftener than twice on any one motion, without special permission from the Convention.

6. Motions made and lost, shall not be recorded except so ordered, nor renewed the same day without a reconsideration.

7. If when a motion has been made and seconded, a member opposes its being discussed, the President shall immediately put the question, shall this question be discussed, which if negatived, the subject shall be dismissed.

8. If any proposition under debate, contain two or more points, it shall be divided at the request of any member, and the vote taken separately.

9. The last motion, the largest sum, and most distant day, shall have precedence in the order they stand. Motions for adjournment shall always be in order, but shall not be discussed.

10. The President shall on motion suspend unnecessary debate, and when any member is called to order, for words spoken, he shall take his seat until the President decide, which decision shall stand as the judgment of the Convention, unless appealed from and overruled by the body.

11. All elections for officers of this Convention, shall be by ballot.

12. The minutes shall be read and corrected at the commencement of every morning session.

13. These rules shall be read from the chair, immediately after the organization of each Convention.

In behalf of the Committee,

THOMAS STOCKS, Chairman.