Journal of freedom. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1865-186?, 1865-09-30

Reunion Oh the PfOtestanc Episcopal Church.
While the overwhelming majority of
the Southern Methodists, Baptists and
Presbyterians, are declaring themselves
decidedly opposed to an ecclesiastical re-
union with the churches of the loyal
State, the Southern Episcopalians obvious
ly are favorably disposed toward a reun-.
ion. One dioceaSe-Texss-has already.
by formal vote, reacknowledgeC the au-
thority Of the General Convention of the
Protestant Episcopal Church of the United
States, and elected clerical and lay dele
gates to attend the impending General
Convention at philadelphia. Tennessee
had never Joined the Episcopal Church of
the Confederate States, and the Diocesan
Convention which, few days ago. was
in session in Nashville, had, therefore
no need Of formally resembling a secession
ordinance, but, without any reference to
the past, chose the usual number of dele
gates to the General Convention.
The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal
Church in the Confederate States, Bishop
Elliot of Georgia-one of the most ar
dent champions of the rebellion among
the Southern Bishops-has also declared
himself favorable to a reunion, which, he
thinks, will speedily be consummated.-l
He objects, however, to the separate ac-
tion taken by the Diecease of Texas, and
insists that another General Council
Of the Church in the Confederate States
be held that by this Council a commit
tee of bishops, clergymen and laymen be
appointed to meet a similar committee to
be appointed by the General Convention
of the Church of the United States, and
tha- this joint committee mature a plan
of reunion. The Bishop, in the name of
the South, demands, as q condition of
reunion, the acknowledgement of the Of
fetal acts of the Church in the Confeder
ate States by the General Government of
Uni"ed States. The bishops of NOrth
Carolina and Arkansas have declared
their assent to the views Of Bishop Eli
OF. The Diocesan Convention Of Geor-
gia has likewise endorsed these views,
declared in favor of reunion with the
Church in the North, and authorized the
Bishop to send, if he deems it best, the
delegates elected by the Convention. as
delegates to the General Council of the
Southern Episcopalian Church, to PhiIa-
delphis t6 attend the General Conven-
tion of the United States. The Church
Intelligencer, of Charlotte, N. c., which
claims to be the accredited organ of all
SHptheFn s. ana bishops except those Of Virgin
support of this plan. -
Thus far, only two of the Southern
bishops, those. of Mississippi and Ala
bama, have declared their preference for
the continuance of a separate orgsniza-
tion Of the Southern Diocese but they
will yield to an, resolutions passed by
the approaching General CouHcil of the
Southern Church. That the majority OF
this Council will endorse the views of
Bishop Elliot, admits of hardly any doubt.
Il d. l~y~i %sts.UoD, tho pl~-~;l:-es of4in-
ion seems to be in favor of receiving back
the Southern bishops and dioceses with
out imposing any conditions or asking
any questions. Still, there will not be
unanimity on this subject. There will
be delegates in Philadelphia who will
take the ground that, with the views of
the Southern bishops and dioceses on the
Rebellion and ON Slavery unchanged, it
will be profitable neither for the churches
in the loyal States nor for those in the
late Confederate, to show an undue haste
in consummating the reunion. At all
events, the proceedings of the Conven-
ton at Philadelphia on this subject prom
ise to be Of q very interesting character.
N. ?. Tribune.