Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-05-19
ANNUAL COUNCIL OF THE PROTESTANT EP1s-
COPAL CHURCH OF THE DIOCESE OF VA.

| Sembled this morning at nine CLOCK, anu was
called to order by the Bishop Religious SER
vices by the Rev Mr.. Highland
The minutes of yesterday were read and ap-
proved.
Rev. DR.. Cotton reported from the commit
tee On that portion Of the Bishops address re-
specting Home Missions After considerable
discussion the report was laid on the table,
Rev. Dr. Walker offered the following reso-
luton:
Resolved, That the rectors and friends Of
the Church in this Diocese be requested to
make special effort, by the revival of Auxiliary
Societies and otherwise, for the benefit OF the
Seminary and Educational Society adopted.
Rev DR.. W. n Pcudleton offered the fol-
lowing
Resolved, That three clerical and three lay
members be added to the committee appointed
yesterday, on the question Of inquiring into the
expediency of dividing the Diocese, and that
the scope of that inquiry be extended to the
question, whether it may not be best for the
Diocese to have an assistant Bishop.
Mr.. Page offered the following:
Resolved, That the members of the Council
urge upon the parishes the necessity OF paying
up, as speedily as possible, the balance OF the
contingent fund and other church dues, to the
Treasurer Of the Diocese.
Rev. D. Walker. from the committee appoln-
ted to examine into the Episcopal fund, report
ed that the funds are in the same condition,
saving the interest accruing from 26 shares OF
State stock, as reported at the last Council.
Rev. DR.. Peterkin made stirring appeal
upon the subject of Missions. After which
the Council took recess for church services.
The Council convened at half-past twelve
o'clock.
The Bishop announced the appointment OF
Reys Pendleton, Meade, Peterkin and Highland
and Messrs Pegram, Taylor and McFarlean,as
additional members of the Committee on the
Division Of the Diocese.
Rev DR.. Peterkin, made report from the
Executive Committee on Diocesan Missions.
The subject of the adoption of the proposed
amendments to the 18th article Of the Canon,
coming up, it was fully discussed, when the
Rev Dr. Andrews, at the suggestion Of the
Bishop: proposed the following as sub
stitute for the proposed amendment, to constl
tute part Of the report Of the special Commit
| tee.
Resolved, That whenever the colored mem
bers of the Church in any parish desire to form
a new and separate congregation such action
shall have the sanction of this Diocese. They
may elect their own vestry, wardens, and min
listers They shall be considered as under the
care Of this Council, and their Interests as rep
| - - NV ha Utood;np m
colored congregational adopted
Rev. Mr. Sprigg offered a resolution looking
to the raising of funds, by weekly collections
in the various parishes, for the support Of mis-
sionares and candidates for orders, and for the
education of the latter-adopted.
4 committee was appointed on motion of
Mr. c. F. Lee, to inqnire into the condition OF
the Fund for INDECENT cergymen.
The Council then adjourned sine die, after
singing the Gloria in E2celsis, and prayer
by the Bishop. 1t meets next year in Staun
| ton.
The following report concerning Christ
Church was read 10 the Council on Friday:
At meeting Of the yestry Of Christ Church,
May 18th, 1866 it was
Resolved, That the Wardens be instructed to
make statement of the facts and circumstan-
ces by which their Church and congregation
have been brought into their present anomal-
Gus condition, said statement to be cOmmunl-
Gated to the Diocesan Council, now in session,
with the request that it be entered on record
upon their journal.
In pursuance Of this resolution the Wardens
would state, that during the absence of the
Rector, in the summer Of 1861, the loan Of the
Church was asked by General Montgomery,
then in command Of the post, for religious ser
vices, with the full recognition on his part OF
their rightful control Of the property. Upon
| his removal he handed over the keys, aud was
succeeded by General Vele, who called on the
Wardens of the church and borrowed it on the
same terms upon which it was lent to General
Montgomery, but being here but short time,
neglected to hand over the keys Of the church
to the Wardens, and they, consequently, fell
into the possession Of COL Gregory, who sue
ccedcd Viele, as Military Governor He held
them for some time, when he was succeeded by
Gen. Slough, as commandant of the post. The
Wardens were given to understand by General
Slough that whatever property he found in his
possession he intended to hold, and that he
recognized no right, either in them or in the
vestry to interfere with the church. This was
followed by the appointment OF vestry OF his
own selection; subsequently by an election OF
vestrymen at the Easter ensuing, which vestry
has been thus pcrpetuated. In the meantime
| DR.. Packard was forcibly elected from the par.
sonage, Of which he was in the occupancy and
| chaplain and subsequently the clergyman
! holding services, put III possession.
| The vestry and congregation thus iorclbly
l'dispossessed at their property, have endeaVor-
| ed, but thus far In Valn to obtain It's reStora
ton. The trustees, under their instructions,
have entered suit for its recovery, and it is
hoped their effort will be successful. At the
same time it is deemed proper that these facts
should be placed before the Council for such
action as they may deem proper
(Signed,) CAss1qs f. LEE, Waydcns
E. c. FLETCHER. y ''O'"''
The Senate has revised its action confirming
Mr.. A. B. Sloanaker as Collector of internal
Rnvenun for the First district Of Transatlantic