, 1865-10-27

Intcrenttng Report on the Relations
of tie Epfscopn1 Chnrel, with 1he
pulSinfclt OF VIosrQ3y~

Intcrenting Report on the Relations
of tile Ep1scopn1 Church, with ,he
Patriarch OF 01o-cosv.
In the Episcopal Convention. last Saturday,
2fst, tie Russo Greek committee presented
report from which We take tic following cx-
trncts:
During the summer Of 1864 member Of our
committee, the Hon. s. 3. Raggles, having
been commissioned by tho Government Of the
Cnittd States as its representative to The
International Statistical Congress which as
stmbled at Berlin In Prussia, proceeded thence
on short yisit to Russia During Ills sojourn
In TINT country ho was favored With scyernl
interviews with those Of the highest official
position, among whom was the venerable
Metropolitan Of Moscow.
In thoec lntcrylcws the attention OF the I'm
pcriAl authorities was Invited to the striking
geographical analogics between Russla and
tho American Union, In the vast territorial
extent of their lands and waters, physically
powers Of modern days.
Tho peculiar Importance Of friend
IL and ftuternal Intercourse between the Or
tholo1 Apostollcal Churches and the two na-
tions, now presenting 90 nsny points Of
agreement, was respectfully bat earnestly as-
serted. Expressly disclaiming eny wish for
the premature discussion Of any theological
or ecclesiastical questions, It was dccmed to
be neither ut-tined nor impopsr. to sng-
Eest to the ecclesiastical authorities In Russia
that any existing religions sympathiss be-
tween the two nations would he materially
strengt thencd by the mutual interchange, on
the part Of the two churches, among the pfo-
Of the religions Offices common TO bot6, and
especially In the Chr1stian duties OF visIting
the sick and burying tbs dead.
The General Convention will be gInttfled to
hear that the venerable and benevolent Phil
aret, Archbishop, and Metropolitan Of Mos
COW, to whom this suggestion was made, not
only gave Il his prompt md cordial concur
renee, but after listening with interest to the
abatement Of the active efforts In progress for
prompting the physical welfare Of The two
nations on the Northern Pacific, expressed his
Willingness TO submit, without delay, to the
Holy Synod Mt ST. Petersburg, the question
of establishing Russlan church at San Ftan-
cisco.''
Just as Mr.. Rnggles returned from Russia,
the secretary Of the committee, the Rev. J. F
Young, went abroad to remain for some
months in Europe. From England, Dr..
YonDg, By desire Of the committee, proceeded
to Russia. The report adds:
On arriving at Moscow, he waited upon
tho Metropolitan Us soon aa due arrangc-
mepts could be made for an Interview. and,
uunicatton and frotesnal sa1utatton In the
Lord, With which he had been kindly favor.
I'd before lis departure By the Right
Reverend the Bishops Of Michigan, Western
New York, Pennsy lvania, Maine, New York
and the Assistant Bishops Of Connecticut and
Pennsylvania, md which were addressed to
the Patrtarchs, Mctropolttans and Bishops ol
the Orthodox Eastern Church. Dr.. Young
had the honor of meeting likewise ut this In,
terriew, besides the Metropolitan, tho
Bishops Ieonllas and 9abas, Wears to The
Metropolitan Of Moscow, and also the Recto,
Of the University Of Moscow,
Rcturaing TO st. Petersburg, Dr.; Young
was favored with Protracted Interview witt
| his Etninence 1siaore, Metropolitan Of st
Petersburg and President Of the Holy Gov
| erning Synod, to whom likewise be presented
| the letters he had the honor to bear from the
| American Bishops. On perusfng the letters
aud noting their contents, the Metropolltar
| proposed to lay them before the Holy Synod
On The following day, inviting the bearer o
| Of being presented to the members Of the
Synod Individually, by whom be was cour.
| teous1y and cordially received.
The several interviews had with tho high
authorities Of the Russian church we're mosi
| satisfactory.
Their private and confidential characte,
| prcclu1cs ourr reporting anything beyond one
1
! be- given, but for the necessity Of mentioning
/ them, in order eTcn to intimate justly the
Catholic spirit Of the Russian hierarchy, and
the traternal feeling with which they regard
our communion.
One Metropolitan, opening the CONVERSE
| .tlon By a1lusion to the movement Of the An
| glo-American church towards 1ntercommu
nion, and adding that 1t was very gratifyine
| to hear Of It, proceeded To say: !" think az
! understanding on some points may be had al
once on most points perhaps By the hier
| masses Oh both sides there viii be more dill
1 Guilty and more with us than with you, a.
| our people generally are less educated. Tim
will be required for the diffusion Of informa
| ton, the softening down Of pre1u1ices, ant
the concillation Of mutual regard.
| Another Metropolitan, nfter the perusal 0
tho letters of the American bishops, remarked
that "the feelings which prompted this move
ulent, and the sentlments expressed By ii.
warm sympathy on the part Of the Russial
church, which Is alWnys ready to nerotlst
with those who desire to stand on the basis q
primitive truth, md who admit the Apostoli
cIaiEs and dignity Of the Russian church,
oddipg that 1.-THE cordial political harmon
which has always existed between Russia n1
Ame1fca, and The more Intimate social rela
lions which are gradually sprins1ng up, ough
TO lead to more Intimate relations betFee
the churches, and the Strengthening Of thos
lies which bind heart to heart in the felloN
ehip aud love Of our Sasfor Jesns Christ.
Thc laity desired that VIC would send the1
our Journals Of conventions, annual reports I
societies, our leading church periodicals, IN
The fullest Information, In fact, respecting q
our evangelical and charitable Operations
| The President Of the Ho1y Synod. during th