Section 96. If any overseer shall remove out of the township, he shall previously thereto deliver over to some other overseer of the same township, all books of account, documents and other papers, and all moneys and effects in his possession in right of his office; and upon the death of any overseer, it shall be the duty of his executors or administrators, within forty days after his decease, to deliver over all such books, documents, papers and effects to some overseer as aforesaid, and to and overseers.

Sect. 105. Their report to be filed with the town on the return, if he be a freeholder, as aforesaid, or ofclerk, &c.

Sect. 106. Appeal from such report.
Sect, 107. Powers of the auditors.
Sect. 108. Pay of the auditors.

Section 104. The auditors of each township, any
two of whom duly convened, shall be a quorum, shall
audit, settle, and adjust the accounts of the supervisors,
overseers of the poor, and treasurer of the township,
and such other township officers as may by law be re-
ferred to them.
Section 105. The report of such township auditors
shall be filed with the town clerk; if there be one, and
if there be no town clerk, it shall remain with the senior
auditor, for the inspection of all persons concerned.
Section 106. It shall be lawful for the township, or
the officer accounting, to appeal from such settlement
to the court of Common Pleas of the same county, with-
in thirty days after such settlement; whereupon the
court may direct an issue to determine disputed facts,
if necessary. Provided, that no appeal by such officer
shall be received, unless the appellant shall enter into a
recognizance with two sufficient sureties, conditioned to
prosecute the appeal with effect, and to pay all costs
accruing thereupon.

Section 107. The auditors of each township shall have
the same power and authority to obtain the attendance
before them of parties and witnesses, and the produc-
tion of books and papers, and to administer oaths and
affirmations, as are by law given to county auditors.
Section 108. The auditors of every township shall re-
spectively receive the sum of one dollar for each day
necessarily employed in the duties of their office, which
shall be paid by the township treasurer out of the town-
ship funds.

Constables.

CONTENTS,

Sect. 109. Person elected to appear at the Quarter

Section 109. It shall be the duty of every person elected to the office of constable, in any township, to appear on the first day of the next court of Quarter Sessions of the same county, to accept or decline such of fice; and if any person so elected, and duly notified thereof, shall neglect or refuse so to appear, he shall forfeit to the commonwealth the sum of thirty dollars, to be levied by order of the court.

Section 110. The court to which a return, as aforesaid, shall be made, shall appoint one of the persons returned to be constable of the township, for the term of one year from the date of his appointment,and until a successor shall be duly appointed, if it shall appear to the satisfaction of the court that he possesses a freehold estate in his own right, clear of all encumbrances, of the value of at least one thousand dollars; or, if he does not possess such freehold estate, if he shall give bond with at least one sufficient surety, to be approved of by the court, in the sum and manner hereinafter direct. ed. Provided, that the court shall in all cases give a preference, in such appointment, to the person highest

VOL. XII.

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fers to give security, as herein before provided.

Section 111. If the electors of any township shall fail to elect two persons for the said office, or if both the persons returned should be incompetent with respect to refuse to take upon themselves the said office, or in the estate, or unable to give the requisite security, or should event of vacancy in the office by death or otherwise, it shall be the duty of the said court to appoint some oththe value aforesaid, or who shall give the security reer respectable person, possessing a freehold estate of quired, to serve as constable until the next annual election, and until a successor be duly appointed. and appointed a constable, or who shall be appointed Section 112. If any person, who shall be duly elected as such by the court, in the cases herein before mentioned, and who shall possess a freehold estate of the value aforesaid, shall refuse or neglect to take upon himself the said office, or shall not procure a deputy to undertake the duties thereof, he shall be fined by the court in the sum of forty dollars.

Section 113. Provided, that no person shall be liable to the penalty aforesaid, who shall have served personally, or by deputy, in the office of constable of the same township, within ten years of his said election or appointment; or, having been elected or appointed within that period, shall have paid the penalty aforesaid.

Section 114. The bond to be given by a constable shall be in such sum, not less than five hundred dollars, nor more than three thousand dollars, as the court shall direct, and shall be taken by the clerk of the court in the name of the commonwealth, with condition for the just and faithful discharge by the said constable of the duties of his office. And such bond shall be held in trust for the use and benefit of all persons who may sustain injury from him, in his official capacity, by reason of neglect of duty, and for the like purposes and uses, as sheriff's bonds are given and held,

Section 115. No deputy shall be appointed by any constable, either by general or partial deputation, without the approbation of the court of Quarter Sessions of the proper county first had and obtained, except the same be made especially in some civil suit or proceed. ing, at the request and risk of the plaintiff.

Section 116. Provided, that in the event of the death, inability, or refusal to act, of his deputy, the constable of any township may with the approbation of any one of the judges of the court of Quarter Sessions of the same county, appoint another deputy, with full authority to act as such until the next regular session of such court; and for the acts of such deputy, the constable and his sureties shall be liable as in other cases, and in every such case the constable shall file a written copy of such deputation in the office of the clerk of the court of Quarter Sessions of such county.

Section 117. In every case in which any pecuniary penalty or forfeiture is imposed by this act, the proceeding for the recovery of the same shall be by indictment or information in the court of Quarter Sessions of the proper county, unless it be otherwise specially provided.

Section 118. Nothing in this act contained shall be so construed as to repeal any special provision heretofore made by law for any city, borough, district or township in this commonwealth.

ST. PETER'S CHURCH.

From an Appendix to two Sermons preached by Rev.

Dr. De Lancey, in St. Peter's Church, on the 23d and 30th of June 1853, which have, at the request of the vestry, been published.

"In the records of the long,eventful life of the venerable rector of this church, few things can be nuore grateful than the reflection that sixty years' connexion with this congregation have not witnessed a single controversy among its members."

The following brief outline of the history of St. Pe

ter's, suggested by this allusion to its present venerable rector, will probably be new to many of its members.

St. Peter's church was erected at the suggestion and through the influence of several members of Christ's church, (then the only Episcopal church in Philadelphia,) resident in that part of the city where the church stands. It was dedicated in 1761. The ensuing ac count of the dedication is taken from the preface to the Sermon preached on the occasion by the Rev. Dr. WILLIAM SMITH, Provost of the University of Pennsylvania.

instead of the collect for the day, that for St. Peter's
day, and the last for good Friday,) by the eldest mis-
sionary present."

8. Occasional Prayer, with the Communion service.
9. The Epistle. Haggai, ch. 2d, to verse 10th.
10. The gospel for St. Peter's day.

[N. B. This part of the service was performed at the altar, by the eldest officiating minister.]†

To this succeeded the Sermon; and if a judgment might be formed from the attention wherewith it was received by a very crowded audience, the author may flatter himself that now when it appears from the press, and solicits a candid perusal in the closet, it may be of some service; more especially that part which regards our neglected Sabbath and public ordinances. The author's engagements allow him but few oppor hitherto have chiefly arisen out of public occasions, where the calls were sudden, and where he hath only had leisure to show the warmth of the heart, and not the labor of the head-Happy always if, with a desire to serve his friends, he can give any testimony of a zeal for truth, and for that church whereof he is a member!"

"In this country, then, where our church is far removed from the government of her bishops, and where it hath not yet been the method, (nor indeed would circumstances always admit,) before a stated use of our newly erected places of worship, to solicit a special authority for separating them to God's service, in the ex-tunities of addressing the world in this way; and those press manner of any approved ritual; all we can do is to preserve so much of the original design of the thing as Presbyters may warrantably perform; and which, in such circumstances, may be thought more immediately necessary for edification. We may meet on a fixed day; and in conjunction with the common service of the church, may use such particular forms of prayer and sermons as may be suitable to the occasion; professing before God and the world, our humble desire of setting apart such places to his service, and keeping them continually sacred to that pious end.

Thus much is in the power of every religious society; and thus much, at least, as members of the church of England, it is our particular duty to do, with all possible solemnity, gravity, and love to God, whensoever we devote any particular place to his service; in order that, forever afterwards when we enter therein, we may consider ourselves as entering into the place, where He hath promised to manifest His more immediate presence; and behave ourselves when there, (as the primitive Christians are * said to have done in their places of worship,) with the utmost reverence and devotion, as in the palace of the Great King.

These were the principles kept in view at the opening of St. Peter's church in this city; and the best testimony for the conduct of that solemnity, is the approbation it met with, even from some who came prejudiced against every thing of that kind. And here it is but justice to the officiating ministers to set down the whole order and choice of the service, made by them on this

occasion.

1. A beginning was made, with pronouncing the following sentences.

At this time the Rev. Robert Jenney, L. L. D., was rector of Christ's church, to which St. Peter's was united under the same rectorship as part of the same corporation, which thenceforth became the united churches of Christ church and St. Peter's. Mr. Jenney was ad vanced in age, and in a feeble state of health. The Rev. William Sturgeon and the Rev. Jacob Duché were the assistant ministers.

Upon the death of Dr. Jenney, in 1762, the church remained for some time without a rector, sustained by the administrations of the other clergy. The choice ultimately fell upon Dr. Richard Peters, who held the rectorship until 1775, when he resigned, and was succeeded by the Rev. Jacob Duché in that station-the Rev. Thomas Coombs and the Rev. William White being the assistant ministers, both having been chosen in

1772.

The events of the Revolution of 1776 dispersed those clergy who adopted views adverse to the Declaration of Independence. Both Mr. Duché and Mr. Coombs left the country in that year, and the Rev. William White, then one of the assistant ministers, was appoint. ed to the Rectorship, which he accepted with the express understanding, that in case Mr. Duché should return, he might be at liberty to surrender the parish to the former incumbent. Mr. Coombs never returned, and although Mr. Duché subsequently resided in the country, it was under circumstances which physically incapacitated him from resuming his ministerial func

Thus saith the Lord: The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?"-tions. He was the victim of a paralysis. Isaiah.

"From the rising of the sun, even unto the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering; for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.”. Malachi.

"The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. Isaiah.

Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."-St. Matthew. 2. An occasional Prayer from the Reading desk. 3. Morning Prayer of the church, as usual. 4. Proper Psalms, 84th, 122d, 132d. 5. The Lessons, viz. St. Matt, ch. xxi, to v. 14th. S 1 Kings, ch. viii. [N. B. Thus far, (except reading the Absolution,) by the youngest officiating minister.+]

6. An occasional Prayer, with a baptism, at the fount [by the author of the Sermon.]+ 7. The remainder of the morning service, (using only, Chrysostom. † Rev. Mr. Duché. Rev. Dr. Smith.

*

From 1776 to 1780, Dr. White continued to officiate without assistance, alternately in the morning in one church, and in the afternoon in the other. In the last named year, the Rev. Robert Blackwell was elected assistant minister. In 1787 Dr. White proceeded to England, and was consecrated Bishop of the state of Pennsylvania in that year, continuing his connexion with the parish as Rector. In the same year the Rev. Joseph Bend was appointed an assistant minister; and appears to have resigned in 1791:

The Rev. James Abercrombie was chosen an assistant minister in 1794.

In 1809, St. James's church, in North Seventh street, was erected under the direction of the vestry, and connected with the corporation, which thenceforth consisted of the united churches of Christ church, St. Peter's, and

St. James's.

Subsequently to this, in 1811, the Rev. Dr. Blackwell having resigned, on account of his advanced age and infirmities, the Rev. Jackson Kemper was cho

sen an assistant minister.

In 1815, the Rev. James Milnor was appointed as 7 Rev. Mr. Neill,

*

Rev. Mr. Sturgeon

e

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1833.]

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

sistant minister, which office he resigned upon being
called, in 1817, to the Rectorship of St. George's
church, New York.

In 1823, after some previous temporary annual ap-
pointments of various clergymen, the Rev. William H.
De Lancey was chosen an assistant minister. He re-
signed the situation upon being elected Provost of the
University of Pennsylvania, in 1828.

In 1829, St. James's church was amicably separated from the united churches, and erected into a distinct parish by an act of the Legislature, the Rt. Rev. Bishop White, the former Rector of the three united churches, retaining the same relation to the newly erected parish, the other churches retaining also his services with those of the assistant ministers, the Rev. Drs. Abercrombie and Kemper. At this point the narrative leaves St. James's church.

In 1821 the Rev. Dr. Kemper resigned the assistant ministry of Christ church and St. Peter's, to accept the charge of an important parish in Connecticut. His ardent and sober piety, his unremitted assiduity, his admirable parochial talents, and his faithful inculcation of evangelical truth, will long be held in fond remembrance by his many friends, and may well be contemplated by his successors as an example to guide and stimulate them in the responsible and difficult stations which they occupy.

155

The Rev. Samuel C. Brinklé, rector of Grace church, Penn township, Philadelphia.

The Rev. Samson K. Brunot, deacon, Allegheny, Allegheny county.

The Rev. William Bryant, residing in Philadelphia, teaching a school, and officiating as domestic missionary in the service of the Society for the Advancement of Christianity in Pennsylvania.

The Rev. Edward Y. Buchanan, deacon, minister of Christ church, Meadville, Crawford county.

The Rev. Levi Bull, rector of St. Mary's church, East Nantmeal, Chester county, Bangor church, Churchtown, Lancaster county, and St. Thomas's church, Morgantown, Berks county.

The Rev. John B. Clemson, rector of St. Paul's church, Chester, St. Martin's, Marcus Hook, and St. John's church, Concord, Delaware county.

The Rev. Jehu C. Clay, rector of the Swedish churches, near Philadelphia.

The Rev. Corry Chambers, minister of St. Mark's church, Lewistown, Mifflin county.

The Rev. Christian F. Crusé, residing in Philadelphia.

The Rev. John Davis, deacon.

The Rev. Robert Davis, residing in Philadelphia.
The Rev. William H. De Lancy, D. D. Provost of
the University of Pennsylvania and assistant minister of
St. Peter's church, Philadelphia.

In 1832, the united churches were separated into two
distinct parishes, each under the same rector and assistant
minister. In the same year the Rev. Dr. Abercrombie
resigned his connexion with Christ church, as assistant
minister, and in the spring of 1833 extended the resign-mas's (African) church, Philadelphia.
ation to St. Peter's, having spent nearly forty years in
the service of these churches, long admired for his un-
rivalled excellence as a reader of our admirable liturgy,
for his ability as a writer, and his eloquence as a preach-
er; and exhibiting in his long continued, active, and
steady discharge of ministerial duty, an unbroken at-
tachment to the cause of Christ and of his church. St.
Peter's church being thus vacant as to a permanent as-
sistant minister, the author of the preceding discourses,
and of this hasty sketch, having in the same year, 1833,
been unanimously invited to resume his connexion with
this congregation, became the assistant minister of St.
Peter's church, to succeed to the rectorship when it
shall become vacant. May he ever emulate the piety,
zeal, prudence, and devotedness of those who have pre-
ceded him in this important charge.

The Rev. James De Pui, rector of St. Luke's church, Pottsville, Schuylkill county.

The Rev. Jacob M. Douglass, officiating in St. Tho

The Rev. Charles M. Dupuy, residing in Philadelphia.

The Rev. Lyman N. Freeman, rector of Christ church, Brownsville, and missionary at Connellsville and Manalen, Fayette county, and at Pike Run, Washington county, in the service of the Society for the Advance. ment of Christianity in Pennsylvania.

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
From the Journals of the Convention.
List of the Clergy of the Diocese of Pennsylvania.
JUNE, 1833.

The Rev. Bennet Glover, missionary at Erie and Waterford, Erie county, in the service of the Society for the Advancement of Christianity in Pennsylvania. The Rev. George E. Hare, rector of St. John's church, Carlisle, Cumberland county.

The Rev. Raymond A. Henderson, assistant minister of the Swedish churches, and missionary in the vicinity of Philadelphia.

The Rev. William Hilton, missionary at Butler and Harrisville, Butler county, at Kittanning, Armstrong county, and at Venango Furnace, Venango county, in the service of the Society for the Advancement of Christianity in Philadelphia.

The Rev. Benjamin Hutchins, residing in Philadelphia.

The Rev. Cyrus H. Jacobs, rector of St. Paul's church, West Whiteland, Chester county.

The Rev. John W. James, assistant minister of Christ

The Right Rev. William White, D. D. Senior Bishop of the American Protestant Episcopal church, presiding in the house of bishops, bishop of the diocese, and rec-church, Philadelphia. tor of Christ church, St. Peter's, and St. James's, Philadelphia.

The Right Rev. Henry U. Onderdonk, D. D. assistant bishop of the diocese of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

The Rev. James Abercrombie, D. D. residing in Philadelphia.

The Rev. Charles H. Alden, residing in Philadelphia. The Rev. Thomas G. Allen, residing in Philadelphia. The Rev. Robert Ayres, residing in Franklin, Venango county.

The Rev. Frederick W. Beasley, missionary and rec tor of Trinity church, Easton, Northumberland county. The Rev. Gregory T. Bedell, D. D. rector of St. Andrew's church, Philadelphia.

The Rev. Samuel Bowman, rector of St. James's church, Lancaster, Lancaster county.

The Rev. George Boyd, rector of St John's church, N. L. Philadelphia.

The Rev. Joseph Jaquett, residing in Philadelphia. New London Cross Roads, Chester county, and misThe Rev. George Kirke, rector of St. John's church, sionary in Chester county, in the service of the Society for the Advancement of Christianity in Pennsylvania.

The Rev. William B. Lacey, D. D. Pittsburg.

The Rev. Samuel Marks, rector of St. Mark's church, New Milford, and missionary at Montrose, Springville, and other places in Susquehanna county, in the service of the Society for the Advancement of Christianity in Pennsylvania.

The Rev. John H. Marsden, professor in Pennsylva-
nia College, Gettysburg, and minister of Christ church,
Adams county.

The Rev. James May, rector of St. Stephen's church,
Wilkesbarre, Luzerne county.

The Rev. Samuel A. M'Coskry, deacon, minister of
Christ church, Reading, Berks county.