The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-02

reeve him into their families, Could the members
of the church receive him in their domestic circlesf
As a Law gentleman had remarked at previous SEES.
sion, "his FIRST visitation through the country would
be his last" When they looked at the character OF
The church. what would be the effect of the projected
II was in vain TO attempt to shut their
eyes to the influence Of reputation. They were a
small body in the land, but they had been gaining,
rapidly, confidence from those around in their
moral and religious character, Men had become
to look up to their bishops as guides
and shining lights. The characters of the bishops
Of the church had been their capital, by whose IN,
fiuence they had extended the borders of Zion, aud
brought many to the fod and he was sorry that one
great had been brought in as All agis to cover
up a case like this.
The reverend gentleman proceeded at great length,
in an eloquent strain, TO elaborate the views here X
pressed and said: Destroy the openness and implicit
affection and confidence in which they mingled IN
the secret scenes Of family intercourse, and they
would destroy their influence ministers of Christ
They were commended TO abstain from all evil; and
could they hope for the confidence of men II they
were sanction, by restoration, such acts and Of
fences' But he was also ready TO ask, what would
be the influence Of restoration their rising clergy!
Hard was it to gain for youthful ministers useful
ness and influence, and would they cripple the use
fulness Of the Aedgling that tries to soar Would
they obsruc him in his upward flight, IN the path
way of duty, by countenancng in their head abso-
lutte immoralitye But they must ask themselves,
also what would be the effect Of this the bless
ing and favor of God' Could they look up to him
and ask God to sanction their ministry, when al the
outset they take the full authority Of the command
ment from his hand, and rample it under FOOT Vain
would be all their ordinances, unless the spirit OF the
Lord breathed upon them.
Would the spirit Of the Lord breathe upon them
should they ask tiff they sanctioned such actions
in accredited ministers of the church, He begged
r. Ia
that subject. Less he could not say, in justice TO
his own soulj and less he would not desire to say
II that man was restored, he was restored as his
(Dr. i. s) diocesan, so long he remained in the
diocess-and he would not be the instrument ol
raising the standard Of rebellion. But, he asked
were his brethren prepared to say they would ap-
peal to Almighty God, and say they had confidence
in the suficency of that man for the Office of bishop
Were the laity prepared to yield their assent II
so, he could only say that in his church there were
those that would dissent. But come what might, in
the church he was born, and in the church he meant
to die but he wished to preserve its purity for his
children, and not leave 1t character for licentious
ness.
At the close of the reverend gentleman's speech
there was an extensive demonstration Of feeling
which was quickly suppressed by the presiding Of
fcer.
Mr. Holmes moved to lay the resolution and
amendment upon the table, as nothing at all to dc
with the question. 1t had been suggested that, i
those resolutions passed. it would be considered us
an expression Of the convention that the bishop
might resume his office at some future period.
u Judge Duer called for the ayes and noes. Con.
fusion.
Mr. Holmes Withdrew the motion, because the
ayes and noes had been called for
Lucius S. Comstock, esq, as the representative
of a country parish, would move an amendment
which was, "that it is not competent for this con-
ven n rms n N "
cence Of the bishop, that being out of its province
The President decided that the amendment was
out of order.
Mr.. Comstock moved then to lay the resolution
and amendment upon the table, for the purpose OF
offering his resolution. [Cries Of, Oh no! question,
and orderl
Dr. Wainwright could not see the object of lay
ing the resolution upon the table. [Confusion.]
Rev. Mr. Park, of West Point, chaplain and pro
fessor Of moral ethics and philosophy. 10 the name
Of common sense, what are we about do, for
one, want an opportunity of addressing the house
and expressing my views. Confusion, cries Of or
der, and queson!l
MIR. Comstock withdrew his motion.
Mr.. Park then obtained the foor and said that il
was with great reluctance that he presumed to IN
trude, and would not do if il not that he
deeply impressed with the belief that they were in
danger of doing what they might all their lives re-
pent of. He was not accustomed TO public speak
ing in an assembly like this, and the fear Of contra
diction in the few disjointed remarks he was about
TO make had almost deferred him from attempting
to say anything; but he felt that it was his duty
Louder! order! order!l What were the feelings that
could induce them to vote for the amendment He
could not disguise from himself the belief That they
were about to be actuated by public opinion. They
all knew it of old. What was it The voice Of the
rabbe! He meant il not in disrespect, for he knew
that among the multitude were men of learning, and
intelligence, and honesty. How could he do other.
wise, when he knew and respected the mover of the
amendment
. He meant not to cast any reflection upon those
who, though siding with public opinion, were ms
wide apart as heaven and earth. 1t was not from
the opinion Of this class that they were to act, but
from the volume of reckless public opinion, which
he solemnly and devouty hated--that he believed il
was his Christian duty TO hate. IL public opinion
against him, he took it the greatest evidence
that he was right. Laughter, and cries of order
He hoped the gentlemen would be permitted TO In
dulge in their merrment as much as they liked upon
this point. He had not expected to produce any
effect upon the convention by his few dsjointed re-
marks. He could not see why public opinion
which had been paraded and preached and forced
upon the convention, should influence them. Hi
cared not farthing for it. The convention were
about to do acts that would or might in their effects
last for centuries Should they say that there should
be no room for repentance?
DAVID and should they, by the adoption Of the
amendment, say that no matter what the after acts
Of the bishop were-if he repentcd and led an ire
proachable life, he never should be received again
He thought that il they were more pure, and pos
sessed more morality and penitence, they SHOULD
look with greater clemency upon fallen brother
and not strive to crush him. He cared not for pub
lie opinion, if the opinion in the church was III.
same for that he would do right even il the heavens
fall; and if they do by his doing right, he did no
care how soon they fell In voting against the reso
luton, he did not wish to be understood as advoca
ting objectng to the sentence. He cared nothing
about it, and thought it nothing to do with them
He should vote against the amendment. HI
was very sorry he should have spoken so loud, ant
harangued the chair as if he had been out of hi,
mind, or presented his remarks disointedly; he re
GREETED it. He hoped that the chair would attribute
it to his being unaccustomed to addressing an as
semblage Of that nature and excuse him.
James Fenimore Cooper, esq addressed the chat
for the first time since he had been member of tn,
convention, which was for nearly thirty years, ant
he did il with great diffidence. He recapitulatet
the charges against the bishop, and alluded to tn,
vote of IL to 6, by which he had been pronounced