The Delaware herald., 1854-06-21
Reported for the Herald.
Episcopal Convention.

Episcopal Convention.
The Convention of the Diocese of Delaware
met in Trinity Church, Wilmington, at 9 |
O'Clock, the 3lst of May. Bishop LEE in the |
chair. Rev. Mr.. BROOKs, of Newark, was
unanimously reelected secretary.
After the organization of the house, on motion,
a recess was taken, for public worship; but
while engaged in the morning service, the order
and composure Of the congregation were sadly
disturbed by the explosion of three powder
wagons, heavily laden with about five and 4 half
tons of powder. The crash from the explosion
was terrible ia the extreme; it was sufficient to
send thrill of terror through every bosom.-
1t seemed to many in the church like the FILLING
OF the Steepe On the roof; and many throurh
the city thought their houses were failing upon
them from an earthquake. Bat few could have
guessed the extent OF the catastrophe, or have
imagined that our beloved BishOpwas one Of the
principal sufferers. Soon, however, he was
called from his knees, with the information that
his house was a wreck, from the explosion: in
which he had just left some seven or cioht mem
bars OF his family. He Went therefore. with
Mrs. Lee, who was with him in the church. not
knowing whether they should find their children
dead or alive. But their merciul preservation
IS wonderful, none of them being seriously in
lured. In humble gratitude for the gracious
providence that saved them from destruction. the
Bishop set forth form of Especial Thanksgiv-
ing and Prayer" which was used the next 1av
at the opening of the Convention.
After the Bishop haG retired, the morning SER
vice was finished by Rev. Messrs. Clemson, Har-
rold and Brooks The Convention then adjourn
ed to meet at o'clock, having thus been Provi-
dentlally disappointed of the Episcopal charge.
The spirit OF the Convention was remarkably
suDdued, and such as we should expect in the
councils of the church, when her members are
more disposed to seek the glory of God and the
good OF souls than to serve any selfish or party
ends. 1t there was any exception to this, it
might have been at one time feared, in reference
to the case of the delegates from Lewes. Whose
seats were contested. They claimed their seats
as regularly appointed at the Easter election :;
but the remonstrants declared the election, (in
communication to the Bishop,) for seyef$T
REASONS, illegal and voId. The committee on
the testimonials, therefore, referred the matter
to the decision of the Convention, after reading
the remonstrance and stating the fScts AS
their certificate of election was regular on the
face of it, some contended in their behalf-that
we had no right to go behind their certificate
Rev. j. b. Clemson, to avoid an unpleasant
discussion, moved the appointment of commit
tel. to consider the case and report to the Con-
ventlon. Rev. s t. Carpenter thought this
unnecessary, as the Convention was already in
possession of the facts, and it was competent
Tor any gentleman to move that the delegates
be allowed to take their seats, which would at
once settle the difficulty. Mr.. Fisher, of the
"C'ommittee on Testimonials accordingly made
the motion, which passed without opposition.-
Thus was ended, by vote of the Convention.
what might otherwise have led to an undesira-
| BILE contest
Some interesting discussion was had on a
proposition of Mr.. A. J. Dupont, to amend the
Constitution, by so changing the lay-delegation
as to give the larger churches a representation
! IN proportion to their number of communicates.
He justly considered the communicates the
strength of the church-and, therefore, that
they should be represented accordingly. Per-
haps, this effort would more nearly meet the
real wants of the church if it included that other
! principle also, (Which has been adopted else
waere,) that none but COMMITMENTS, at least
when they may be had, shall be appointed
delegates; for it seems most unreasonable that
any others should be allowed to legislate for
COMMITMENTS, when they themselves are not
anlenable to the laws they assist in passing
! Tne proposed change, however, being finda-
mental, it was urged that it was too important
TO be lightly entered upon, or hastily approved.
|
tue chair, who now was absent from ser;ous
catastrophe. Though no direct opposition wa S
made TO it, by matuaf con sent the subject was
postponed, TO be spread upon the Journal for
1 future action
| The Rev. Mr.. Brooks proposed an alteration
in the Constitution, requiring the Standing Com
mlttee to present to the Convention, annually.
ar abstract Of their proceedings which met
w4th general approval, and was passed ;,but lies
over for the final approval OF the next Conven-
tiiin. -,s
"Wednesday evening, Trinity was opened.
waen Divine Service was offered by Rev. s. a..
Carpenter, and the annual Missionary Sermon
was preached by the Rev. Mr., Cadle, of Sussex.
! Thursday, O'Clock, Convention met again,
wlen Divine Service was conducted, as
far as the Creed by the Rev. Air. Bill
! lop, Of New Castle, and the prayers were
offered BY the Rev. Mr.. Hall, of Sussex. The
Bishop appeared and took his seat Haw-
ing called the house to order, he delivered his
annual address; which gave a gratifying ac-
count OF the state OK the Diocese He men,
TONED his intention to, have delivered charge
but as ne had been called suddenly away by an
nnlooked ior afliiction, and as he now hardly
had iae strength to deliver il, by motion d
the Convention 1t was ordered to'be printed with
the journal.
1 Resolutions expressive Of the sympathy Of
i the Convention with the sufferers, and more es.
! Pt,cially with the Bishop. were offered by w.
~ Reed, Esq, of New Castle, which he pre-.
faced with an eloquent and affecting address
upon the late calamitous explosion, which were
passed and ordered to be printed in the papers
Of Wilmington. The Bishop, upon resuminp
his seat IN Convention, made feeling reply ex.
pressive Of his gratitude to God for His mercias
sympathy. $500
i in'Y 'Pp oics'o's wcfe snena entered upon, bui