The New York herald., 1844-09-09

seen that the Convention has accepted the rese-
nation Of Bishop Onderdonk and adjourned ssHe
die. II appears however, that the regular Generai
Convention will meet in a few weekr, tor the pur-
pose Of taking some new steps in relation to this
important matter,-of confirming or rejecting the
resignation of Bishop Onderdonk, whose character
and reputation are involved as well as the we'll
being OF the Episcopal Church in Pennsylvania and
the whole United States.
According TO our last accounts from Philadelphia,
the most intense excitement has prevailed in the
social and religious world in relation to the position
OF Bishop Onderdonk and that Of the body of Chris
tans to which he belongs. This excitement, suffi-
ciently strong in itself, has been not little in
creased by the foolish, intolerant, and unprece-
dented conduct Of Dr. Tyng who, in this free
land-in this enlightened age Of the world-in this
age, when the precepts, the doctines and practice
OF Christianity are as well understood by the laity
as the clergy, and perhaps better-attempted TO
shroud their deeds in darkness, to conceal from
the public eye and the public press what they were
about 10 do in matters of the utmost moment to
the cause Of morality, religion, andpety.
Fl ON the divisions in the Convention, it would
seem that portion of that body was in favor Of
full and open investigation OF the charges brought
against Bishop Onderdonk, and of thereby doing
justice to the individual, if he were wroRgfully
accused and mahgned, and of taking care of the
general interests of religion involved in the issue
1t appears that this section of the Convention were
principally represented by The Honorable Messrs.
lngersoll and Bnney and others; but it would ap.
pear that another and larger portion Of the as
sembly were for removing Bishop Onderdonk with
out trial, without inquiry or examination into the
truth or fasity of the charges against him, and in
accordance with this policy, have accepted his re-
sgnation. But according to the canons of the
Church in Philadelphia, it is requisite that the re-
sgnatlon OF Bishop should be ratified by ma
jorlty Of clerical and lay deputies in General Con-
venton, after its acceptance by two-third vote in
previous local one. 1t is possible then, that in
the course Of the few weeks which will expire be-
fore the assembly of the General Convention, that
public opinion will so act upon that body, that
rect principles OF morality will have such an effect
as to compel them to do justice to Bishop Onder-
donk by an examination OF the charges against
him by disgracing him if they are true, and by
vindcating and defending him if they are false.
To show the intense interest which prevails in
Philadelphia on this subject, we annex the follow
ing extract from the Philadelphia Gazette:
EPISCOPAL CoNvENrIoS.-The letter Of Bishop
onderdonk, which was read soon. after the open.
ing of the morning session. placed fully before the
sne n. on which h MS resignation had
ocese he was afflicted while visit to the western
part of the State with violent pains the side and in the
stomach which Lett him. at times, incapable Of physical
exertion, and sometimes almost suspended animation
that physician being accessible, he forced
sort to burnt brandy, as onict for number Of
years he found It necessary from the increasing debility
Of his Frame and the distressing exigences Of his dis
to rely frequently and sometimes staedy especial
ly when the country upon the same course Of stimu
ants He declared that for years he had medaed resig
nation, and that he had gradually been reconcng him.
the Convention, of May last, met. II then that
secret unwarned by the hands Of the reverend gentle
men who composed the clergy of the diocese Meeting
secretly without notice to him. they had collected and
ing and his personal dignity, and had at last without
giving him an opportunity to be heard attached their
and consequently of private character. placed him in
position from which impossible extricate himself
He found that they had virtually condemned him before
hand wthoua hearing; and the desperation Of the
moment he determined to resign and to call special
He concluded by denying the allegations ndscretions
of manner which had been made stating, however that
frequently his system had been entirely unsrng
as 70 ieavs him in state g unconsciousness On the con-
cusion OF the reading OF the letter. lay delegate Mr. L.
R. Ashhurst moved that the Dshopsl resignation
OF opinion in the Convention became manifest.
Two courses. alone, stood open. The first was refuse
to accept and either to take measures for presentment
and trial. TO let the matter rest The second
was TO accept the resignation and thus prevent the
one side the necessity Of proraoted examination, and
remove on the other the possibility of further offence
The first proposition supported by the two extremes
cessary and BY those who thought lint the i Bishop was
no more to be censured than he consumptive or
majority of the Convention as the following report will
show. 1t was supported with remarkable ability and
soaasnes hy the 1 Rev Dr. Tyng Who in speech Of
posed BY Mr. B.nney, Mr. j. = IngersoI. and MIR. j. 5.
and unjust to the church, affording example oi
question dotging which would be most fatal. 1t is
impossible for US to describe the grand and solemn
beauty Of the scene which the evening unioded.
around the chancei alone lighted sat the venerable
president his gray hair and his black robes standing out
spread the clerical and lay deputies consisting Of
nearly three hundred men, darkening gradually in the
es ns END + Of the M
strong lights and shadows which were thus thrown out
were exhibiting in full relief in the first ranks, the
anxious and sad counter Of the and
rable gentlemen who sat in front and blending TO-
gether at The other end OF the aisle forms and shapes in
such confusion, that nothing could be discerned except
the eager and bent FORM the lifted hand the listener
strove to draw in the full meaning Of the before
hm,that letter Of the bishops was hurried in, with
drawing the resignation The Convention, then just
about to take the final vote, at thrown back,
himself decided that the withdrawa} was inopes.
rative, and that the question still on accepting
the resignation An appeal taken by Mr. Smith, and
supported with much force by Mr. Bnney but the chair
was sustained by large majority, the bishops resigna.
ion was accepted and after singing hymn the Conven
Deen
which have ever met in Pennsylvania VIII dstn
gushed men were brought together; and none where
more decorum existed and where eloquence in its
purest and most exalted sense displayed
What then Twill be the effect Of the measure adopted
1t will be necessary according to the of the Epis
copa church. that bishops resignation after being
cepted by majority Of two thirds of the clerical and lay
puties OF his own Convention. should be ratified by
majority Of both orders of the General Convention The
General Convention meets in few weeks and should Il
ratify the resignation according 70 the canon the epsco
pate-but not till then will be vacant 1t will devUve
under such circumstances upon the annual Convention
Of Pennsylvania TO meet in May next to fill the vacancy
Personal Movements.
Lieut. Hunter, the inventor Of Hunters Pfope-
ler, is In Buffalo. He was on board the u. S. ion
steameH Albert on Friday, and she made two