Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-05-18
Fror the Richmond Dispa,eh.)
THE STATE OF 1HE C0UATRY.
Important Action of the Protestant Episcopal
Church In Yirs inia.


city for the past two days. and considering the crcum
stances of the country, Is numerousIy attended, by the
Bishop Assistant Bishop and other clergy and by Lay
delegates well as by several visiting cergymen-
among the latter the Right Rev. Thos Atkinson, Bishop
Of North Carolina
Yesterday Bishop Meade read his report from which
we make the following interesting aud admirable extract
All who know this venerable Diocesan will recognize in
this expression of his views the wisdom, irmness and
pe,y which they are accustomed to associate with his
houored name:
Having thus presented statement of those things
pertaining to our Diocese which the requires Of
me- ask your attention TO few remarks concern
iug The present unhappy condition OF our state and
county
Ny brethren and friends will bear me witness how
carefully have ever avoided in all my communications,
& { ast reference TO anything partaSng OF Political
character and how have earnestly warned my younger
bret rem against the danger OF uJunrg tie ELECT OF
III II s,red ministry, by engaging IN discussions which
are so apt disturb the peace OF society But IN The
present circumstances OF our country the cause OF re
gon deeply involved that feel not only JUSTIFIED,
but constrained TO offer few remarks for your consider
alton.
It has pleased God to permit great calamity to come
upon US Our whole country is preparing for war Our
State after failing her earnest effort Tor the pro
motion OF peace, Is perhaps, more acu'eF engaged III
all nee5iI for naiutsining the position which
she has after much consideration, deliberately assumed,
than any portion OF the land.
A deeper and more honest conviction that if war
should actually upon us It will be on our part on
OF seEt, fence and therefore usabie before God sci
dom if ever, animated the breasts OF those who appeal!
ed TO arms From this consideration, and from my
knowledge of the character OF our people, believe the
object sought for will be most ptrseverngy pursued,
whatever sacrifice of life aud comfort and treasure may
be required. Nor do | entertain any doubt as 10 the
final result though shudder at the thought OF what
inter he AZ
in great mercy aud with HIS mighty power, interpose
and grant speedy peace instead OF protracted war
But can IL be, at tbs period OF the world, when
so many prayers are offered up for the establish
meut of Chrsl's kingdom 10 all the earth, aud such
high hopes are entertained that the Jealous efforts put
forth Will be successful and our cOultTy be one OF the
most effective aud hOnored instruments for produ-
cling the same that the great work shall be arres ed
by such fratricidal war as that which Is now so
seriously threatened? Is there not room enough for
Us all TO dwell together in peace in this wide
" extended country, 80 large a potion OF which Is
not yet settled, and may not be until the world that
now is shall be no more: The families o. nations ich
sprung from TWO venerable patrarchs OF old could find
room enough in the little pen up land of Judea live
in peace by going the one TO one hand aud tie other -
the opposite At later period, when Israel and Jdah
separated and the latter ayGg the city aud tempe II
possession and the supremacy, according TO prophecy
preparing TO g uPag in tine former eiuce the
PEOPLE submission and bring them back 70 union, the
Lord himself came down and forbade 1t, saying: "IhoH
shalt not 90 up tight against yClT brethren, the ch
drea of israel Return every 20 his house tor shis
thing ixof me- Aud they hardened unto the Lord, and
ever after the history OF TWO kingdoms is written in tie
same sacred volume in which also recorded the evil
deuce OF Gods favor 10 both, and though sometimes at
controversy vet how often they found side by ii Re
defending the ancient boundaries OF Judea against sur
rounding nations. God grant that our country may
learn lesson from this sacred narrative Let none
think that am unmnd.u Of law and order and Of the
3, I-niop | Ina fit i.r4r cghp
have curg with tenaog to the hope OF preserving the
Caon to the last moment. II know my own art
could the sacrifice OF the poor remnant OF my lie have
contributed in any degree 10 its maintenance such sacr
ice woui have been cheeriuIy made. But the deve
Oymeuts OF public feeling and the course OF our rulers
rave brought me slowly, reluctantly, sorrowtuly, yet
most decidedly to tie painful conviction that not~ith
stsuti attendant daI gers and evils We shall consult
The welfare aud happiness Of the whole hud by scpara-
,on And who can dere 20 retain Union which Las
now become hateful, aud By the application OF armed
.o,ce which il successful would make It le--ioId more
hateful eud coon lead the repetition Of the same
9io-dy cOntesty
trust; therefore, that the present actual separation
many and s-ch !mr ostsut poriQ.s Of country mas
axe place without further collision, which might greatly
Under the establishment Of III most friendly and intimate
rel.oUs which consist With separate rs-aD shmtuts
Iu-t that our friends a distance and IN Opg0s
lou to Us, will most seriously review their jltgm Ut,
aud inquire whether the evils resulting from war o.
sustain their wishes and opinions 10 single Uolied
.,acy viii not far exceed those apprcheuded FROM ID,
Establishment. Of s1co1d-an event tar more certain
han the resl, Of the American Revolution d! tie time
Of rs occurrences.
In connection with this civil and geographical separa
ION in cur country ana aimos; necessarily resulting
ON IT, subjects Of some change OF ec-esastca rela
ions of our Diocese mus. come under Consideration -
There is general and strong desire believe, 10 re ALL
81 much as possible a our anu present harp! inter
curse with those from whom sAll be il other mat
err mo-c divided : meeting il already proposed for
I'd PURPOSE ia Of lle seeded States, whose plans
90 f-r dew lopsd wrl submit. 70 the consideration
u he body a. is iIescut ss'.n
cauuos co.c,uCt vi -olt expressing the earnest de-
q. h.t tla ministers sui me- bors % our C-urCh aac
al. the citzeus Of Ste Who deeply inter s'c1
u la present c1aicsi, may coEH"ct j. D. most eleya
ed and Christian sTI' li.. above Unworthy aul M
.r.ri able imgu'1uo-s on ai o are opposed. Many
ere are equally sincere on bol s.d,s, as there ever
I'VE been iu all tie was ana controversies tat have
been wagsd upon Garth tacugh 10 does follow that
"a have thr grounds Vi Justice aud truth on which
base their warfare.
twas the maxim Of an ancient sage that should alFay-
reat our friends those who mi hs one dly5e cur Is
and our eaeuesa hos, WHO may one dsy be our II 'ud
While abhGurg as am sprg We al do, the form
par Of This ccd-heared kin, LEI W cherish apd Gdop
ne later SD cOn.eual with th- sl . OF oar holy rels-
on Toe thought OF even partial separation from
hose who have long been 30 dear to M anguish to
soul But there . CmOn u b. c-L ~ our common
faith and hope which can be broken The Church
a VIRGINIA la4 more dear friends and generous patron
moug,t those 10 are on the opposite side of this pain
M controversy than any oer egd ieels most deeply the
unhappy position iu which se are pla- Il.
A our State has to it, high praise, endeavored TO
vert the evils nov ,ureaisneed may our Church, and
i the 9TH in Virginia, Nv prayer and the exercise OF
rue CHARITY eadtayor 5imiuiush shat large amount
d pr .lcc and il.will which unLafpuy aoouEds IL
au- .aud.
LIT me- in couols:oa commend to your special prayers
M those Who have now devoted themselves 70 tue de
.ucc of our State. From personal knowiJdge OF many
# them, and from the Information OF others, there is
l'ready believe, large portion Of religious principle
.ud genuine pety be found among them. l rejo &c
learn Hat many companies not only arc the SER
vices Of chspaius and other ministers earnestly sought
for and after but social PRAYER meetings Bed among
themselves Cur own Church has a very large proror
ION Of co umuaicsn's among The officers Of our ray,
and not y among the sol5lcrs Iet Us pay thai
grace may given them 10 be faithful soldiers OF the
Coss well vllen. AID -ucoeoi u defenders oi the
Safe.
If oil Of US do our part fl hfuy and according to the
principles o. holy religion, we may confidently leave
Inc issue 10 SOD who will override all for good
The rcadiag of this report %. followed by tue ap-
pOinment Of a committee, whose report na'snS been
subsequently submitted, was approved by unanimous
vote Of the convention, as follows:
The special committee, 70 shom so much of the Bh-
ops address relates the present political and ecce
,iascal condition OF our affairs was referred uuani-
mOu=y report the following resolutions for the adop-
ton OF the conven ton:
l. RssolDed, That this convention haging heard With
deep interest The true and timely statements OF our ven
cradle Diocesan in reference to tie po Cal and eccie
siasca coodon Of our ars, cordially cuEcgf in the
views presented and sympathze fully III the KIND ana
Clrstitu spirit in which they are so wisely declared
. Rss5lcei Tha. a comm tee consisting OF Two B'h-