The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-11
NATIONAL EPISCOPAL CONVENTION.
Third Days Proceedings.


The Convention met this morning at tho usual hour,
half past nine o'clock. The morning rsAbous exercises
were read by DR. R. S. Mason, of North Osslna, and Dr.
A. n Iitteohn OF Connecticut The list Of delegates
was called over, and about the number was found
to be present as yesterday The minutes were then
read and approved.
MESSAGE FROM BISHOPS.
message was received from the House OF Bishops
transmitting the triennal report of the missionary Bishop
from China which, motion OF Dr. HOWE, was referred
to the Committee Domestic and Foreign missionary
Societies
APPROPRIATION OF SUBSCRIPTIONS
Tr M,SNxGRopE of Richmond stated that he had in
his possession some money the amount Of subscription
realized on the first day the Convention and desired
know what disposition the Convention would make of it,
Dr. Hill Of California, moved that be divided between
the Foreign and Domestic Missions
DR. HAWKS Of New York, stated that at the last Gene
raj Convention committee appointed inquire into
the expediency Of establishing society for the relief
aged and nhrm clergymen He considered the donation
Of this money 10 that society the most appropriate dpo
suon that could be made of il.
STEVENS, of Pennsylvania thought the matter might
be properly referred to the presiding Bishop he
could best Judge OF the manner Of dsposng Of the fund to
the greatest advantage.
Dr. Hill then withdrew his motion.
ADMISSION OF TIKI DiocSss
The next business IN order the report Of commit
tees and the President having so announced report
submitted from the Committee the Admission of New
Doeesses which closed with the following resolution
Resolved (the House OF Bishops concurrng), That
docess OF Kansas be admitted into union with the General
Convention Of the Protestant Episcopal church of the United
States OF America.
The resolution was adopted.
CANYONS THE CHURCH.
Dr. MEAD of Connecticut called up the special order of
the day. which the question Of the amendment OF the
third article OF the constitution.
Mr.. MURRAY HOFFMAN, Of New York, moved to pass by
the special order with view to enable him to present
report from the committee appointed the last session of
the General Convention TO prepare and digest the canons
OF the church under appropriate titles and sections The
report be said the table Of the Secretary ready
for distribution to the members of the Convention.
The House having agreed TO pass by the special order,
MIR. II. offered the following resolution
Resolved, That If the House OF Bishops concur, the
report Of the joint committee appointed to digest the
Of the church shall be referred joint special
committee composed Of the Committee Canons OF each
house. TO consider ana report what action in relation 10
the repeal OF existing be necessary in case it
is adopted and also to report as TO any alterations add
tons 10 the same which may be submitted TO such com
mee by either house, may be suggested By members
OF such committees.
Mr. H. proceeded to say that the report which he sub
mited simply digest of the canons, without any ad
dition alteration them The committee who had the
subject IN charge undertook to make few suggestions
which appended 70 the report but, in all other
specs, their duty confined arrangement of the
existing canons under appropriate titles and sections
The object Of his resolution 10 send the matter before
joint committee of both houses was with a view,
first, 10 ascertain II is necessary to repeal any
existing canon and second, to afford opportunity
to the Convention when the matter in proper form
before them, TO make any cancellations of the existing
laws thus digested, and any additions which they may
deem proper These the motives which induced him
to move the reference of the report the joint
Indicated
Mr.. EDWARD A. NEWTON of Massachusetts said that the
gentleman undertook prescribe the committee which
this report was referred, when it seemed to him.
usual practice leave to the house the selection
the proper committee 1t struck him, further as two
members Of the Committee Canons of this house who
had the subject under consideration already would
sariy be embraced in the joint committee whom was
proposed TO refer the report the better would
refer it To an independent committee.
DR.. HAWKS, OF New York, said if his friend (Mr New
TOM understood all the facts of the he would be
tent to let take the course proposed by his colleague
the Committee On Canons (Mr. Homan). II true that
has colleague and himself would be members of this
Joint committee, but they constituted but two ou
of nine, and could, therefore, have control il
the decision Of any question connected with this matter
But the gentleman would the importance of having
them this joint committee when he reflected that the,
had already bestowed much time and labor the nves
CATION of the whole subject and tina, the nttee cou
have the benefit OF their information This Of course
new committee could have; and If their views
approved by the joint committee, they could just eec
lively defeat them, considering the great preponderanc
which those unfamiliar with the duty already performer
in the matter Of digestiug and arranging commanded
upon the committee, as though the committee q new
and Independents one. II was obvious from the fact o
the subject having been under their consideration TO
more than eighteen months that The suggestions which
they may make 20 alterations notifications wout
be Of some value AS to the question OF carrying out thes
suggestions that OF would be byond their control
in view of the fact as he said before that they bu
against nine They were satisfied to give the result
their abors and it was for the House 10 say whether
they would avail themselves Of the benefit Of these abors
He would simply add that the report submitted
does not alter any existing canon.
Mr. MoCREADy Of South Carolina, said he should dis
sent from the mode Of action proposed. Where the
use Of two bodies like this and the House Of Bishops if
was not 10 discuss matters apart You have Committee
on Carons in each body, which considers matters sepa
and send this report before them when gentleman
present has heard the report read He thought it would
be desirable 10 consider the subject before sepa
rating If both houses agreed there would be end
it they disagreed then would be the time for join
committee. He would suggest that the proposition TO
the reference of the report at all before it read
altogether premature.
MIR CosR,D said if there was anything to be considere
here might be very well for them to stand upon thei
rights, and TO require separate consideration. Bi
it should be remembered tnat this matter which al
already had before them in the late General Convention
Not word Of the which formed the subject o
this digest by the committee has been altered the obec
OF that committee beng codify these canons neither
tempting 10 alter or modify any Of them. As he said
their duty simply TO classify these laws and to reduc
them to order by classes and sections They have aoo
Tousy and carefully performed that duty, not by intro
ducing any matter for legislation but placing tn
Canons in such order as TO enable the committees
more conveniently with reference to them. He would
respectfully ask Of the gentleman last up, where
the necessity OF standing upon any right which the,
had upon any strict consideration OF this subject when thu
whole Of this question resolved itself simply into codi
cation of laws which govern all alike. This sticking
for rights under such circumstances superuous
he trusted the house would not hesitate to refer the
port TO the Joint committee named.
Mr. EDWARD A. NEWTON of Mass, offered the following
by way Of amendment substitute for the resolution Of
Tered by DIR. Hoffman,
Resolved 1.-THE House Of Bishops concurring) That thu
proposition OF the Joint committee appointed L
digest the canons Of the church be referred 10 join
Special committee, &c
Or MKAD Of Connecticut would assure the gentleman
that II this question was referred to joint special
mittee nr whole matter would have TO be laid over, Of
they would have to stay there for much longer time
than they anticipated Now, he would ask of that House
what body OF men could be better informed upon the sub
ect OF the canon and laws OF the church than those who
have had them under consideration from year 10 year fol
long time pasts In behalf OF committee he would
cay tluf theyv bq ham,
duty. But he would say same time that IL they
desired to dispose of this matter satisfactorily and with
proper despatch they must refer to the joint commit
tee If the object the gentleman was TO Introduce ne
Canons, or repeal any Of those existing they could
do efectuay by allowing its reference 10 that com
mittee any other
The question taken the amendment proposed by
Mr.. Newton to refer the subject a special committee
and lost
The question then required the original resolution
offered by Mr.. Hoffman, 70 refer to Joint Committee OF
Canons Of both Houses and decided in the airma