The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-11-10
Address from bishops AtkinsoB, Lay
and Quintara.

10 ear Brctirsa "a tie Sosticra DiocCsrs-
In sssamiug our seats in the GenerlI Con
veutiou Of the Church IN the United States.
We have taken a step in advance OF those
with whom We have been tor some years
assoc ated. We were awege that We ven-
I tured much; butwe were prepared io veu-
/ ture much in order % secure the reunion of
I the Church, and % ooyiale the evils which
I were likely % grow up in the absence Of
I frank and personal oonfereoce.
/ u seems proper that We shculdno make
I known % you shat has happened during
Z this memorable session.
We demandoino formal guarantees. The
l assembled Bishops offered us no pledge save
I that Of ' their honor aud love- Asa house
and as indiV iduala they welcomed Us with
/ CORDIAL greeting.
I There has been IN She Houss Of Bishops 3
careful avoidance of what might give us
puIu; Painful things were sometimea spo-
Z ken, but even then The lpeakers used stud-
/ led moderation and seli ires,ranJ
The results arrived a. arr a. foilows
Bishop Lay. although b. held that the
/ erection OF Arkansas into q diocese. and bis
| election as diocesan, were valid acts, pre-
/ frrred 90 waive that question. By the ca
/ lamities OF war. the church IN that state has
I Deeu 50 eufeehled that it is no logger able %
exhibit an organization. He, therefore, an
swered 70 his name, and was received BY
the House a. Missionary Bishop of the
Southwest
In the matter Of Bishop Wilmer, no Of
fetal docaments were before the Conven-
lion. aud the case was complicated by an
unhappy conflict between the military and
the c.esiastical authorities In the state Of
Aacama. And yet, after an elaborate dis
cussiou, his consecration was ratified on
conditions not liable % objection, unaui-
mouslv in the House of BishCps, and with
only one negative vote In the House ID Dep
ulies, winch vote was subsequently, with
drawn
The Bishop elect Of Tennessee was ac-
oepied with great unanimity, and conse-
crared without DELAY 20 his high office.
In celebrating thanksgiving, the Con
vention ahstaiued from disputed topics, and
confined its expressions Of gratitude 90 thc
mereies which we recognize 10 common wa.
pesce in the country and unity IN the
Church.
In devising means 70 provide relief Cor
sufferers OF the South, the action ot ne
Church was marked BY sympathy and del-
caey.
In establshing a systom ior the instruc-
tion Of the freedmen, our advice wsa sought,
aud Episcopal authority duly respected.
In general. while the R.shop5 sud other
members Of the Convention have in
no wise denied or concealed their sentI-
ments on the questions poiitcal and social
brought by the war 10 pructicai soluu ni
ihcv have not required OF us any eNpfei-
sion Of opinion on these topics. They have
carefully discrimiuated between the pohti-
cal and the ecclesiastical aspects Of these
questions, and have coodned their ex
pressed judgments and their action TO the
latter. they are content with the assur-
ancc that we render for conscience sake. al-
lefiance, honest, ana sincere, % the Gov
ernment Of the United siates, and wili teach
others TO do 40.
We see nothing nov 20 hinder thc renewal
Of the relations iormerly existing In the
Church.
We feel bound to acknowledge that We
have been greatly indebted 20 many Of the
bishops for the wam fratenal feeling
manifested By them, aud for their generous
exposure Of themselves % censure, because
Of their efforts " promote peaec and unity
nor ought we 70 withhold our conviction
that the great body Of the House OF Deputies
have deserved we'll OF the Church, because
Of the manlness with which they have en-
countercd roproacA, aud perhaps subjected
themselves 10 suffering in the cause Of
peace and holy moderation.
In conclusion. We desire to record our
deep conviction and our rcrcrtnt afhupNl-
sdgmeut. that the results now reintcd are
the doing not Of man bus of God. our pro-
found gratitude is due % Him wh,, e. We
trust, IN this Periloun juncture, has inter
posed eHsctualiy 10 heal tho divisions ol the
Church, and 10 calm the possiois which
threatened % reud il asunder.
THouts Ars1Ss0S,
Bishop of North Cnrolins.
HExHT &. LAY.
Missionary Bishop Of the Southwest
House Of Bishops. Phiadelphia 0ct. 20, %.
HousE oF BIsHoFa.
PHILADELFHIA, 0ct. 20, 1865.
In an the statements and conclusions Qi
the Bishops Of North Caroiua and the
Southwest, most heartily concnr and
with them desire 10 record my deep conyic-
sion that the results reiatgd are tne doing,
not Of men, but Of God.
gHarEEs Tobu QrfyTkRn.