Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-10-17

EPISCOPAL GENERAL CONYEHTIoh--hoe Oe"t" Duy:
Judge Chambers, of Nd, presented memorial
from the Rev. Mr.. Prescott, preSbyter, OF InasSa-
cLusetts, complaining that he had been suspended
by his Bishop, on the ground that he had enter
tanned opinions contrary 10 his ordination vows.
After CO siderable discussion II was 'oIeu not "
receive the memorial.
The House then took up the canon entitled ga
canon on the Abandonment of the Communion OF
the Church by any Bishop, PRIEST or Deacon"
which declares that if any Bishop, PIeSoyter' OF
Deacon shall abandon the communion OIL the
Church, either by renunciation Ct doctrines, dts
cipline &C., or by q formal admission into any re-
ligious body not in communion with the same,
such Bishop, PreSbyter or Deacon shall be held,
ipSO fdctO, depoSed to all intents and purposes
and shall, Il ereupon, be pronounced depoSed alter
three months notice, provided the aDandonmentlS
not evidenced in writing, signed by The party.
Hon. Murray Hoffman, on Tuesday, made long
speech in opposition to tue proposed canon. ana
read resolutions which he said he should oner' III
case the canon was rejected, declaring that ma
iority of the House OF Bishops, or Council oil
Bishops assembled for the purpose, had authority
10 pronounce and adiudge that Bishop OF this
I hurch has, by reason of any neglect or refusal,
vacated and oIfeted his jurisdiction IN any do
cese, as well his right to exercise any Oh Inc o.
fees and functions OF Bishop OIL TINS ChuIch
within the United States.
The Rev, Dr. Mason, of North Carolina, on
Wednesday, replied 10 Mr.. Hoffman as to the
course of the diocese OF North Carolina IN 1elatlon
10 the detection of its former Bishop, anu TO the
election of another.
Bishop Ives letter to the diocese an act Of reSlg-
nation, but an act of abandonment and apoStacy-
higher act-a going out IRON the ONCE as lhuch
as if he had died-a case in which there can be no
doubt-all the facts of the detection, Of the aban-
Idonment, have been perfectly proved, and North
Carolina was justified most fully Ill the course she
has taken. The reverend speaker made IN ear
nest and feeling appeal 10 the convention to con-
firm that action, and thus bring peace to the
diocese.
The Rev. Mr.. Craik, of Kentucky, said that lie
must vote against the resolutions OF Mr.. Hoffman,
whatever he might do on the resolution reported
by the committee on canonS. If the election oil
DR.. Atkinson as Bishop of North Carolina be not
good and valid, It can never be made SO by the aci
of the third party. Mr.. Craik did not believe
with the committee that a Bishop does, by apoSta-
Using, ipsO faetO depose himself
Judge Williams, of Virginia, defended tie POSI-
ton tai ken in the canon before the House that the
abandonment of Bishop of his diocese ipSO tnctG
vacates that diocese and he contended that the
convention had right TO pass such canon.
1t is familiar law that the acceptance OF an OIL
fee inconsistent with the one previously held va
Gates the other, ipSo JdctO. Abdicaton has
always been held as vacation. James II, OF Eng
land, wished 10 resign the throLe, but he was told
| &c No, you have abdIcated !" Napoleon wished
to resign the crown of France in favor of his son
but he was told mo, you have abdicated 20
This the late Bishop of North Carolina had done.
He had gone 10 Rome, and kissed the Pope's toe,
and wos even now clarifying in his apostacy; and
yet it gray ely told that this man is still PIoteS
tant Episcopal Bishop. The speaker then plo-
ceeded to analyze and 10 argue against the TeSOlu
tons Of Mr.. Hoffman, intended as substitution
for the proposed canon.
Mr.. Evans, OF Maryland. agreed with the gentle
man who had just preceded him in relation TO ex-
cess of legislation, and therefore lie preferred the
resolutions of the gentleman from New York. He
then proceeded to discuss the points of the queS-
ton, and the result of his view was that the Do
cese of North Carolina hal no right TO declare
their Diocese vacant.
The discussion was continued up to the hour OF
adjournment.