The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-09-29
the EpIscopAlIAM CONVENTION.


THE EPISC0PALIAN CONVENTION.
Address Of Bishop Potter-The Southern
Reconstructfon-The Provincial Sys-
tenn, &c.
Yesterday the second day OF the session Of the
Protestant Epscopaan Convention Of the Southern
Diocese Of New York. The address Of the Right Rev
erend Bishop Potter, the Bishop Of the diocese Of
course The great event of the day. The church was
crowded at early hour both by the members Of the
delegation who occupied the body Of the church, and
with the non-members and Strangers who occupied the
gallery. large number Of ladies present. Tho
convention preceded by religious services and
prayer by the Rev. DR. Peters, OF st. Johns church, o.
densburg, and by the Rev. Dr. Geer
THE CONVENTION
commenced shortly after ten o'clock by the Rev. Dr.
Haight being called 10 the chair in the temporary alb
Of the Bishop.
The minutes of the previous days proceedings
then read by tho Secretary and duly approved by
the Convention The election of the Standing and Mis-
sonary committees OF the diocese then proceeded
WITH after which the great event Of the day-Bshop
Potters addresswas commenced at eleven o'clock, and
occupied one hour in its delivery.
BISHOP POTTRR's ADDRESS
commenced by expressing his thankfulness to God
y welcomed the delegates to the paternal Christian
council He said that every face around him reminded
him Of some personal act of kindness Of which he had
boon the recipient and while performing his duties under
the shadow Of recent sorrow He said:-How changed
the circumstances under which meet from those
of last year Little may be inclined occasions
like the present. to enter into discussions connected with
Christians and patriots to reassembe after the lapse of
year reenter upon the work of annual synod which
naturally carries thoughts back to the merciful
Providence which has delivered from the horrors Of
civil shed over all our land the blessings Of peace
and restored to US, nation, unity, strength and
honor Only one short year ago great armies were
everywhere arrayed against each other In the eld and
though the end might be anticipated yet II was seen
day the great peril Is vanished and we see peace in all
borders. The world, TOO, has beheld wonderful
spectacle great nation, flushed with victory, grt
thoughts Of conquest all remembrance Of wrongs, dis
solving her great armament and sending back to the
commerce. the college, 70 the FORUM to the ten thousand
peaceful pursuits of fe the heroic men who but yester
ing themselves invincbIe in war Here is . victory
greater than any Of tho achievements OF Among all
those hundreds OF thousands Of hardy and impeuous
men who have become familiar with blood and carnage
who seemed almost II they had forgotten all but the
of war; and cared for none otheramong them all
discover scarcely sign OF repugnance to the great
and peaceful change. We little evidence Of what
was much feared by many-that they had unlearned
the arts Of peace and become disqualified for we'll
averse duties of domestic le the dull realities Of old
fashioned labor and Already indebted To
Of them for assistance in the ngatherng Of harvest
already we them dispersed fields, busy in
the crowded places OF industry and entering into every
kind Of civil employment. And have known moro
than household rejoicing in the recovered Of
husband father brother who seemed TO have been
sofened and elevated by great trials, and made more
tender and dutiful than before Many places
have indeed been made vacant by death. Great de-
verances have not been purchased but with great
crifces Many shattered FORM many badge Of mourn
ing witness to the desperate severity Of the srug
gle God most mercful, send the consolation of His
grace into every bereaved and sorrowing heart God
the mindful OF It's deliveries and put into
all do according the dictates OF Christian
charity, and according to abundant resources what
ever may needed the alienation of and suf
fcring whether II be North, whether it be South.
Among the many happy Consequences Of the restoration
ofpace will It Is presumed the speedy
bishops clergy and aitywho for -four years have been
separated from US by hndrances incident to war II will
be reunion that will the tendercst sensbflities
of every Christian heart II will show that old affections
only been restrained, not extinguished and that
feelings long pent up claim more than ordinary ndu
gencc In demonstrations OF love- respect and sympathy
verify believe as do most fervently hope and pray,
that not one word OF reproach or bitterness WIZ be
heard look OF GOODNESS appear, to the dig
and loneliness OF that touching In that much
longed for welcome hour shall need declaration ot
principles formal vndcaon Of the peaceful charac
ter Of the Christian ministry. Divine providence has
spoken Any words that In reference TO the
past whether persons or things will be mere imper.
Thence adding nothing TO the lessons that come TO us
from above, and only tending change celestial harmony
into the miserable dscordant sounds Of passion
The important acts Of the Southern doceees done while
they were in a state OF separation from us, and which
requires the sanction Of the General Convention
/
They are only three in number The election Of Bishop
Wilmer by the diocese Of Alabama the erection OF Ar
kansas into regular organized diocese and the election
or the Missionary Bishop OF the Southwest Dr. lay
10 the Episcopate Of Arkansas These acts emil
nenty proper under the circumstances. The dlstin-
gused brethren selected by the two doceses named are
universally esteemed throughout the whole Church,
and there will not be dissenting voice TO the action
which will promptly place them upon an equal footing
this occasion TO recommend TO the favor OF the diocese
all judicious and properly authenticated efforts which
ho do doid IN will
Southern dioccses Church edifces have been injured
and destroyed church property lost The ability OF the
people what has been decayed and to sustain
the mnistration Of the church has been widely and
grevously impaired, and TO mpar to them OF our abun
the convention spoke to his clergy and people strongly
agans, going abroad for exterior aid He exhorts them
10 rely their exeons, and TO make themselves
content with the means and appliances LETT swithin their
reach He said he had received private letter from the
Bishop Of Virginia in reference TO suggestion he uhe
Bishop had made that assistance might be afforded
desired and he that the people inclined ia
kind and the clergy be content with such things
they had He said we could not but respect the feelings
that prompt them and very well understand why
the people should be ready to welcome such instructions
from their chief pastor But the question is-if such
unnatural in them what Is the OF conduct proper
and coming in us4 BE delicate be consideraie in YOU
action but in proportion they shrink from speak
ins. do You be forward to minister Wait to be
treated for aid but find out wbatgood can be done, and
with all tenderness and respect beg to b
men in the House Of Bishops, and whatever
IN their feeling OF dclicacy Of allowable pride, 4
may be enectuay restored with the aid Of friendly
| hearts and hands He exhorted them to be promp
Ia avaling themselves OF opportunities 10 do good
to search out channels through which, not In
| proud patronzing spirit, but with modest
loving Christian sympathy. they may pour on
the offerings which will help not only to rebuild thu
waste places material things but also to repair an
whatsoever may have been dccaycd in the heart
OF their brethren He referred 70 the management OF tn
House OF Mercy and 81 Barnabas House, on Mulberry
street; Of st. Lakes Hospital and Orphans Home and tn
Home for the Aged aud Destitute Women, and the bless
ings which they confer upon the poor. lie referred
TO the stability of the Church. which some Ignorant per
sons thought might be swept away before popula
storm He said her stability and unchangeabeness wcr
everlasting, as In her principles and in her history
: The English Church bad been assaed by an army o
sceptcal sophists and she stronger to-day than VINE
the rst unhlial hand raised against her He said
DO not agitae for the propagation OF your prime
ples do form associations TO effect any local or pa
al object do not to spread influence