The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1861-09-14
OTTAWA frtt Graber .
LOCAL. MATTERS
Diocesan Convention.

Tho Annual Convention of the Diocese
of Illinois met in accordance with pre-
vious appointment at Christ Church, Otta'
wa, on Wednesday of this week. The
attendance was quite large. Out. OF o.
parishes entitled % representation, clericai
delegates were present from 43, ana Jay
delegates from about SO. more lntehi-
gent, dignified, orderly body OF men GER
tainly never assembled in this city. 1t
give. u, pleasure TO be able to state, also,
that the proceedings throughout were
characterized by the utmost harmony and
good feeling. being in this respect some
what in contrast with the last preceding
two or three annual meetings Of this
body. We subjoin brief minute of the
proceedings.
The Convention was opened as usual
with morning prayer. The convention
sermon was preached by the Rev. A.
port, and Chas A. Gilbert of Joliet, dea-
cons, were then ordained to the PRIESTHOOD
in the prescribed form of the Church.
At 3 o'clock p n the convention was
called to order by the Bishop for the des-
patch of business. The Secretary being
absent, the convention proceeded to elect
Secretary, the choice falling on the Rev.
j. Wilkinson. Rev. T. n Morrison was
next reelected Treasurer for the ensuing
year. The chair announced the standing
committees. Various amendments to the
constitution and canons were proposed
and referred to the different committees.
An application for admission into the con-
vention was presented from St. Georges
Church, Utica, and referred. The conven-
ton then adjourned to o'clock Thursday
morning.
Thursday morning, convention opened
by reading morning prayer, &c After the
reading of the minutes, the committee re-
ported favorably on the application of st.
Georges Church, Utica, and it was admit
ted
The Bishop then proceeded to deliver
his Annual Address to the convention.
This address, as usual, contained a minute
report of the acts of the Bishop during the
year = rapid sketch of the condition of
all the parishes visited; review of the
state, progress, and prospects of the do
cese; the state of its missions, finance
in short, full resume for the year of the
work of the Church,-its success and dis
couragements, hopes and fears, accompa-
MED by appropriate reflections and susges-
tons under every head The reading of
the address occupied nearly two hours,
yet was heard with unfag ging interest
throughout.
At the close of the address, various por-
the convention, were referred to the ap-
propriate committees.
4 resolution was then adopted that the
next convention of this diocese be held at
the Bishops Chapel in Chicago; upon
which the convention took recess TO 3
o'clock T. NJ.
In the afternoon, the committee on
legislation reported on the various pro-
canons, upon which the convention pro
cseded to act. Art. MI, Sec !, oc the
constitution was 50 amended that hereafter
instead of its being necessary that
majority of clerical delegates entitled to
seats in the convention, and one fourth of
lay delegates shall be present to eonstitut e
quorum-l5 clerical and 10 lay delegates
should be sufficient. Art. Y, 20, Consitu
ton was amended so as to constitute -four"
members of the standing committee a
to strike out the amendment made a year
age to said canon, and leave it as it stood
| formerly. Canon XX. Sec. ., was amended
50 As to give the Bishop power to designate
the time as we'll as place for holding
trials of clergymen also to postpone such
! trials from time to time as the exigencies
may require.
The committee to whom had been re.
ferred so much of the Bishops address
referring to the suppression of certain
appendices in the publication of the last
Annual Address of the Bishop reported a
resolution in strong terms disappearing
the act of the late Secretary in causing
said suppression; which, after brief
discussion was adopted.
deeply interesting report of the COM
mittee on Diocesan Missions was read,
closing with a resolution, in substance that
the clergy are bound by their ordination
vows to enforce, in letter and spirit the
observance of the canons in aid of these
| missions The resolution was adopted.
The following gentlemen were elected
standing committee OF the diocese for the
ensuing year:
Rev. DR. s P Clover, Rev. Dr. Chase,
Rev T. n. Benedict, Hon. s. Ii. Treat, Hon.
Austin Campbell, Hon. j. j. Bradford.
The following delegates to the next
general convention were elected;
Rev. Dr. Chase, Rev. A Capron, Rev. j.
Benson, Rev. T. n Benedict, Hon. S. II.
Treat, Hon. L. B. Otis, Hon. A. Campbell
Henry Asbury, Esq
Trustees of the Di ocese of Illinois:
Rev DR. Chase Rev. T. n. Benedict,
Rev. II. s. Austin, r. F. Seabury, Esq, j.
w. Hansel, Esq.
Trustees of Jubilee College:
Rev. L. P Glover, Rev j. B. Richmond,
II. s. Austin, Esq.
| The usual resolution of thanks to the
people of Ottawa for hospitality shown, &c.
was adopted.
The convention then took a recess until
evening, to attend the meeting on mis-
sions.
The evening service was opened by sing.
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