Know all men by these presents, that I, Robert B. Roberts, one of the Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in America, under the protection of Almighty God and with a single eye to His glory, by the imposition of my hands and prayers, have this day, set apart David Shaver for the office of Deacon in the said Methodist Episcopal Church. A man whom I judge to be well qualified for the work, and I do hereby recommend him to all whom it may concern, a person proper to administer the ordinances of baptism, marriage, and to bury the dead, in the absence of an Elder, and to feed the flock of Christ so long as his spirit and practice is such as becomes the Gospel of Christ, and he continueth to hold fast the form of sound words, according to the established doctrines of the Gospel. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 27th day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and twenty seven.

Signed
Robert B. Roberts
Baltimore, Md