Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1865-09-22
The SEVENTEEN ANNUAL Council OF the

The SEVENTEEN ANNUAL Council of the
Protestant Episcopal Church OF Va; conye ned
onyesterday in the lecture room OF 81 FauIs s
Church. Aftera sermon from the Rev. Mr.
Norton, the body was organized, Bishop ohns
presiding as Chairman, Rey; Mr; Dashlell
Secretary ahd Mr. John Z. Powell Assistant
Secretary.
The roll of clerical delegates was then called,
81 gentlemen responding, after which the lay
delegates, SO in number, presented their Gre
dentials Bishop Johns read statement OF
his labors during the past year, comprising
wanderings by food and field, religious services
performed in shell-scarred churches and IN the
camps of the soldiery, and confrmations ad-
ministe1ed when the holy words were blended
with the roar of hostile cannon.
He then adverted to the many letters re-
ceived from Northern friends breathing pa
ternal spirit and kindly sympathy, among
others, one from the Bishop Of New York
rendering pecuniary aid, which offer was cour
teously and gratefully declined.
He dwet briefly upon the new duties de-
yolving upon the church by the abolition OF
slavery. They formed potentpower tor good
or evil; wisdom and tact were lndlspensably
necessary, and forbeance and genrosity earnest
,sly inculcated.
Henext alluded to the question Of renewing
the former ecclesiastical relations of the Dio-
cese Of the State with her Northern sisters,
submitting the same to the judgement OF the
Council, but urging the reunion OF the church
on the grounds of forgiveness and Christian
duty, and arguing the benefits to the church
and the improperly of keeping up IN the
church the feuds which we have ignored as
civilians.
Some things he averred, could not be for
gotten, but they must be forgiven, and con-
cluded with an eloquent euloglum on the peace
makers.
Mr.. Macfarland offered resolution referring
to a special committee of five, the subject OF
renewing ecclesiastical relations with the
Northern Dioceses
Rev. H A. Wise, Jr., moved to amend by
appointing thirteen members to be chosen by
the House.
Mr.. Macfarland agreed to the first part OF
the proposal, but objected to the second,
whereupon considerable discussion was elected,
In which Messrs Black, Woodbridge, and
others participated, great majority adVoca-
ting that the chair appoint the committee on
the ground Of economizing time, CUSTOM and
other cOgent reasons.
The Bishop said the appointment OF the
committee by the House would greatly relieve
him, on which Mr. Wise withdrew his motion,
but at the request of the chairman renewed 1t,
when it was almost unanimously negatlved.
The Bishop requested the House to recon
sder It's action which was vehemently opposed
by Mr. Macfarland and others, and one gen
teman averring that he could see no use IN
any committee on the subject moved an ad-
lournment until A. NJ, to-day, which was
carned-Rich. Bulletin of 2lst.
he RI 1eh oF oon};oante For ,,ardon to the At
torney Generals Office continues as great as at
any previous time and to prevent the entire
monopoly of the attention of the officers OF
snls bureau by the pardon seekers, 1t has been
found necessary to limit their admission to be-
Tween the hours of eleven and one O'clock
Inc applicants average one hundred and htty
per day, and are almost exclusively confined to
tne $4,000 class. The President has notified
the Attorney General not to make out any more
acquisitions for pardon until the great number
now awaiting the Presidents signature were
attended to-
O1 Louis Napoleon birthday the Imperial
;4sneacence was manifested by releasing from
;f Sf'adel at Belle Isle. One of them was asked
I he meant to return to his family. ssAlas!''
ne ne replied, II have none. Before coming to
Prison I was an orphan" 'Of father and
uOtner both?" Yes, / had killed themT
A Prize Frog Show was opened in n. York
last week. Five hundred residents of the
6laarshes are on exhibition in cages and mossy
Ius Inc Express says the hundred dollar
no,1;J w,leJ fellow IS creature of superior pro-.
ebl bpl.lons, with white Waist-coat and watch