Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-06-03
FROM TnE WINCHESTER prpv.r,c.r ~xas
THE EPISCOPAL CONVENTION.

-
we promised, in the brief notice we ,ook.of The
Episcopal Convention which assemblsJ ~ ~ M, ny
place On "Wednesday of last week. 70 ,llnda ,,ora
iui'y to the proceedings Of that bodv in or, -
umns OF to-day. We now fulfil that pr,n.. -,
giving to our readers such items OF interesr NO 10y ~
brought forward and acted upon by tho Convsr,;ao
during Its session, which closed ON Saturday owe.
| ming. wv
At the opening of the Convention. and dnr;no 10
progress, the Right Rev. Bishop MEADE, with his
able and distinguished assistant, Bishop Jomr
JOHNS, OF Richmond, was present, and presided
over the deliberations Of the body. WILLIAM M.
BLACKBOARD, Esq. Of the Lynchbury Virginan.
occupied his usual position as Secretary.
-. About my or sixty clergymen, of the Virgins
Oiocese Were In attendance, number of the cler-
~ from adjoining Dloceses, and about thirty-five
semblage. The opening or convention Sermon
was preached by the Rev. DR.. MAY, of the Theo.
logical Seminary, Alexandria, whose effort o.v.
great satisfaction to his hearers and reflected cgod;,
upon its author as divine of prominence and f;ns
ability ''''
In addition to the usual business transacted At
conventions number of important matters were
discussed and acted upon, before this body, with
great unanimity. Indeed harmony and concord
seemed to be the order of the day throughout all
| its deliberations.
| Measures were adopted to increase the perms
nent fund for the endowment Of the Theological
Seminary near Alexandria, which must add great.
| ly to its usefulness.
Bishop Johns, who had been appointed President
Of William s. Mary College, communicated the
TACT to the Convention, and submitted 10 it's deci
sion the PIopreiy of his acceptance or non-accep-
lance OF That important post. The question was
iee'y discussed and maturely considered, and. by
very large majority, the Convention advised the
ns'Gr 10 decline the Presidency of that venerable
ana ume- honored institution. This was not the re-
suit OF an indispos,on on the part of the Conven-
ton to see William s. Mary prosper. FAC thav
knew must be the case, even to n greater d.rrooo
than at present, but, rather, we have no do,ht
IRON the fact that the entire services of that d;s
gushcd minister of the gospel would be required in
his Diocese, which is extremely large. This all
regarded as proper motive, too since it is known
me nhrm health OF Bishop Meade does not permit
that venerable head of the Church to discharge ali
the duties OF the station he occupies. without tho
valuable aid OF his assistant, Bishop j. In connec
ton with this subject, however, it is proner IN
state, that Bishop Johns was of the opinion and so
expressed himself TO the authorities of William s.
Mary, that he ought not TO accept the office proer
ed HIM but, as 1t was earnestly urged upon him.
ne determined TO be guided by the wishes of the
Convention.
During the session, a resolution was spbm;ttea
to alter the constitution, as to admit Chaplains
OF the Army and Navy, Professors of ncorporated
Seminaries, and Editors of Religious Newspapers.
who were members of the Church and connected
with the Diocese, to seats in the Convention. This
was laid on the table.
AT the conclusion of regular proceedings, resolu-
tons were adopted, rendering to the authorities Of
the different religious congregations in town, the
thanks of the Convention for the use of their
churches-and similar resolutions were also adopt
ed, returning to the citizens Of Winchester hearty
thanks for their kindness and hospitality. Thus
ended the deliberations OF body long to be remem.
bered with pleasure by all who were participants
or attendants.