Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-10-19

EPIscoPAL GENERAL CoNvENTIoN-lSerenM Dag.
Judge Chambers, of Md, presented a memorial from
the Rev. Mr. Prescott presbyter, of Massachusetts,,
complaining that he had been suspended by his Bish
op, on the ground that he had entertained opinions
contrary to his ordination VOWS After consdera-
bic discussion it voted not to receive the memo
rial.
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, Presbyter, or Deacon
shall abandon the communion of the Church, either
by remuneration of doctrines discipline, &C., by
formal admission into any religious body not in
communion with the same, such Bishop, Presbytcr
Deacon shall be held, i1sO tactO deposed to all
intents and purposes; three months notice. provided
the abandonment is not evidenced i'll writing, signed
by the party.
Hon. Murray Hoffman, on Tuesday, made long
speech in opposition to the proposed canon, and read
resolutions which he said he should offer, in the
canon was rejected declaring that majority of the
House of Bishops, Council of Bishops assembled
for the purpose had authority to pronounce and adj
judge that Bishop of this Church has, by of
any neglect or REFUSAL vacated and forfeited his ju
risdiction in any diocese as well as his right to
ercise any of the offices and functions of Bishop of
this Church within the United States.
The Rev. DIR. Mason, of North Carolina, on We'd
nesday, replied to Mr. Hoffman to the of
the diocese ofNorth Carolina in relation to the defec
ton of its former Bishop and to the election of
other.
North Carolina he said does not consider Bishop
an act of abandonment and apostacy-a higher act
"a going out from the office, much if he had
died-a case in which there can be no doubt-all the
facts Of the Detection of the abandonment have been
perfectly proved, and North Carolina was justified
most fully in the she has taken. The rever-
end speaker made earnest and feeling appeal to
the convention to confirm that action and thus bring
peace to the diocese.
The Rev. Mr.. Craik, of Kentucky, said that he
must vote against the resolutions of Mr.. Hoffman,
whatever he might do the resolution reported by
the committee If the election of DR.. At
kinson Bishop of North Carolina be not good and
valid it be made by the act of the third
party Mr.. Craik did not believe with the commit
tee that Bishop does byapostatisng, 0so JactO de-
pose himself
Judge Williams, of Va, defended the position ia |
ken in the before the House that the abandon
ment of Bishop of his diocese psO aoto vacates that
diocese and he contended that the convention had
right to pass such canon.
1t is familiar law that the acceptance of Office
inconsistent with the previously held vacates the
other, ipso fdcto. Abdcation has always been held
as vacation. James H. of England, wished to resign
the throne, but he told :" No, you have abdica-
ted" Napoleon wished to resign the of France !
IN favor of his son; but he was told "No you have
abdicated!''
This the late Bishop of North Carolina had done
He had gone to Rome, and kissed the Popes toe and
was even now clarifying in his apostacy; and yet it
is gravey told that this is still Protestant Eps
copal Bishop. The speaker then proceeded to ana
lyze and to argue against the resolutions ofMr Ho-
man. intended substitution for the proposed
canon
Mr.. Evans ofMaryland agreed with the gentleman
who had just preceded him in relation to excess of
legislation and therefore he preferred the resolutions
of the gentleman from New York. He then pro-
ceeded to discuss the points of the question and the
result of his views that the Diocese of North
Carolina had right to declare their Diocese va
cant.
The discussion was continued up to the hour of
adjournment.