The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-02
From the n. v. Evening rost Sept 20.
THE DIOCESAN CONVENTION.

By referring to the proceedings Of this body, |
which have occupied 30 much OF the attention OF tie
il win be seen that test vote Of the
strength Of parties was had last night. The eve
ming session was the most exciting Of any we ever
attended, If we except the meetings of the General
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The speech of the Rev. DIR. Tying came down upon
the audience like an electric shock. II WINS the most
feeling, chasie, and eloquent address that we have
heard for many years. During It's delivery, scarce
a whisper was heard, or foot moved, in that vast
assembly. The members gazed upon him with their
mouths wide open, as il endeavorng to catch more
of those delightful strains they came from the
speaker.
The spectators in the gallery leaned over, if
deavorng TO get to the eloquent orator, and
feared TO lose single word; and when he took his
seat, long-drawn breath seemed TO bring relief to
the almost enchanted listeners. For few moments
silence prevailed; each member appeared to be afraid
to speak, lest he should dispel the charm; and we
verify believe that if the question could have been
taken then, the church would have been without a
bishop Presently, a lay member moved to lay the
resolution and amendment on the table. The spell
was broken, and the waters troubled again. Upon
taking the vote upon the amendment of Judge Oak
ley, large majority Of the clergy voted against it,
and the aity by majority of one, voted in its favor
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30.
EVENING SEssIoN.--On the reassemblng of the
convention, tney proceeueu u cousuer Inc lohoW-
ing part Of the third resolutions;
Shut in all cases where, in the opinion of the
standing committee, acts of the episcopal Office are
necessary, for or within this diocess, during
cy in the episcopate, or during the inability, disable
ity, absence from the diocess of the bishop the
standing committee shall invite a bishop of this
church TO perform such acts, the expense of which
will he provided for by the convention of the do
eess.n
n..x d. th.h
ardous condition of the docess, and of the absolute
necessity of some effectual and permanent provision
being made for the performance of episcopal acts
therein
"Resoiped That the delegates from this diocess in
the general convention be desired use all proper
efforts to obtain the enactment of such can0ns by
the general convention, adapted to the Of
suspended bishop in any diocess, and will allow
the election Of another, with full episcopal authori
ty in himself, and in no way dependent on the bsh-
op during his suspension"
Mr.. Soencer was asked if he intended to discuss
this; and he replied that il had already been incl
dentally discussed
amendment to this resolution, as there was very
evident line of distinction now drawn in this house.
1t was evident that some members were looking TO
the ultimate restoration of the bishop. The suspen-
sion of the present canons could not be removed
but such action might be had as to remit that,
anu allow MIN 10 resume ME autnOTlIy ETcdt
object, the other hand is to sever all conneXion
between the diocess and bishop; and while they
were at liberty instruct their delegates to procure
modification ofthe canons, still to be watchful so
to resist, in any contingency, the restoration Of
Bishop Onderdonk
Mr.. Oakley then offered his addition TO the reso-
luton; which was as follows.
.But in the judgment of this convention, no modi-
hcation Of the said canon ought to be made, which
in any contingency would lead to the restoration of
the RI. Rev. b. T. Onderdonk to his former episco-
pal and ministerial functions in the diocess; il being
the solemn belief of this convention that said resto
ration can never take place with any prospect Of
usefulness TO the church Of God"
He proceeded to remark on it. If the facts on
which he was sentenced were to be believed no man
in his senses would rise and say the bishop ought
ever to be restored. There was, he thought, no al
tentative but disavow the principles of this resolu
iion or to disbelevc the evidence as the truth of
the charges. Whether the friends of the bishop be-
lieved the truth Of the charges not, there was
great portion of the community who did, and they
felt the solemn conviction that he should never re-
sumo his functions in this diocess, and they could
never acquiese in his possible restoration and will
gentlemen outrage the sentiments of very large por.
ton of the church, should they yield for the good
Of the church,
j. c. Spencer remarked, that while this resolution
was identical with the proposition from the church
ton Of Bishop Onderdonk il further provided that
in no contingency should he be restored. Mr..
Spencer said that Upon this ground he could not
vote for il as II was assuming the prerogative Of
Omnisoience. He dare not say that human testi-
mony was so nfallible, as this would imply 1t
was not for him to say what might be the effect Of
repentance-that after years Of pure, blameless,
and exemplary life--after the deepest sorrow-afer
suffering as much as humanity could suffer, and
after entire change of heart and character,--he
dared not say such man should never be restored
charity would forbid it,
The Rev. Mr.. Balch, after abiding in compliment
tary terms to the chair, and abiding to the disor
Derby scenes of Saturday, said, that had they been
permitted to come to direct vote on this great
question now submitted at first, he would have
been content 10 let the majority pass any and every
other measure they might bring forward.
Mr.. Balch then showed that the sentence of the
bishop of New York was more definite than that Of
the bishop of Pennsylvania. The latter was sus-
pended from the Office of the ministry, and not from
the Office of bishop, because he had resigned that
But the bishop of New York was suspended from
both-thus showing that the court Of bishops intend
ed to vacate jurisdiction.
The Rev. Dr. Tying, of ST Georges church, said
he would gladly have remained silent topics like
those, if he could have done so with clear con-
science. He was not accustomed to trembe at the
face of man; there were few circumstances in life
that caused his nervous system to quiver but, then,
not only did every muscle within him tremble, but
he was ready to sink to the EARTH. He asked him
self if he might not be doing injustice to individ
ual with whom he must stand at the judgment-seat
Of Christi and might he not, by sympalhizing with
that individual, sacrifice the more important inter-
ests Of Christs church, He had considered this
over and over, and over again, with the deepest
socitude to arrive at clear and selfapproving re-
suit. EE&a~ 08a
He had no prejudice against that man, for he had
ever been object Of his personal regard and alec-
ton; and if he could restore the confidence of the
community to that man, he dared not say what sac
rifces he would make to attain such result. After
other remarks Of like import, he came to the pend
ing question, and said the great practical question for
the convention to decide was that involved in the
Observation-Disclosures an assistant bishop could be
appointed. II was a question which he could leave,
with great confidence, to the general convention
which was to assemble two years hence, whose de-
cisions and actions had hitherto apparently been
overruled by God; but the amendment before them
forbade such course. II was like wall that reach
eth up to heaven--we could not PASS It, The question
was ought this person To be restored the control