4 JANUARY 1845, Page 12

At a General Convention of the Episcopal Church of the

United States, recently held in Philadelphia, some strange occurrences took place. The subject of Tra.ctarianism—the doctrines of the Reverend Dr. Pusey having been favourably received and countenanced by several clerical and lay members of the Church in the country—gave rise to a very warm and animated debate, which lasted nearly a week. Several voluminous resolutions of censure were proposed; but eventually the Convention re-5 fused to interfere, declaring itself to have ample means to enforce discipline, and not to be responsible for " individual errors." The "House of Bishops," in their "Pastoral Letter," read at the close of the Convention, referred to the same subject, and censured the doctrines of Tractarianism, and all doctrines and practices which seemed to be kindred with what the Protestant Church considered to be the errors of the Church of Rome.

• A candidate for the Bishopric of Mississippi was objected to, on theground of certain pecuniary speculations which were supposed to affect his moral conduct. Finally, however, he was acquitted of any wrong intention; and his testimonials were referred back to his Diocesan Convention, to be brought forward at some future day.

Not the least remarkable incident of the meeting is still to be told. The Right Reverend Henry Ustick Onderclonk, Bishop of Pennsylvania, was" suspended," or virtually excommunicated, on charges of intemperance, to which he pleaded guilty.