Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-05-24
,,,ooeedfngs OF the Fifty-first Annual Com
ventton Of the Protestant Episcopal
Church OF North Carolina.

ysntfon of the Protestant Episcopal
Church OF North Carolina.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
FRIDAY, May II.
The Convention assembled at 4 o'clock, and waE
called to order by the Bishop. The proceedings
we're opened with prayer.
After calling the roll the Secretary read the
proceedings of the previous day, which we're, on
motion, received.
Rev. A. Watson, Rev J. 3. Cheshire, ID. D.,
Rev. Mr. Bronson, DR.. A. J. DeRosset and Il. Il.
Smith were appointed committee to prepare an
address to the next General Convention, agreca-
blv to Rev. Mr. Bronson's resolutions passed at
the session of the previous day.
The Bishop here addressed few remarks to the
Conventicn in reference to the necessity Of amend
ing the Constitution.
John Wilkes then offered the following, which
was adopted:
ReSOlced, That committee consisting of Rev.
DR.. Cheshire, Judge Battle and Judge Person be
appointed to report at once such changes as eX-
perience has shown are necessary i'll tic C0nsti'
tuition, that they may be acted upon ut the
present Convention.
Rev. Mr.. billiard called up the report of the
committee on Diocesan Missions, which the
order of the hour. The report and accompanying
resolutions follows
alton the subject of Diocesan Missions beg leave
to report as follows
The Church Of Christ must be aggressive, and
when, from any cause in any part of tho work she
ceases to be so, not only does she fail to do her
duty, but her spiritual Life lansuishes and finally
dies.
It is evident that the American Church
feeling deeply the Importance of this truth and
j. displaying zeal and activity in the work Of Do
nestle Missions, of which we cannot read without
being kindled with glow ofintercst and enthusi-
asn.
Yet the Missionary operations of the Church in
this Diocese are not of this aggressive character
nor can this fact be accounted for by the de-
pressed condition of the people Of our State, for
the complaint has been made for years, indeed,
almost every year since 1t was created, by the
Missionary CONN ittoP that its sole work consisted
IN the partial support OF Rect"rs Of established
Parishes, that it might more appropriately Ge
called PASTORAL Aid than a Missionary COM
mit-ee
There must be, therefore, among us an utter
daaduesa to spiritual things, which your commit
zee do not beeve to exist, OF there ~lust be some
serious defect in our system If OperatlO Your
committee believe that they have found THIS defect
N the TACT that they have hitherto Ignored the I'M
pOrtant principles If division of labor The Church
IA North Carolina has been strong i'll her blessed
harmony and unity but she has not been able to
bring this strength fully to bear, because her
unity has been much of dead sameness,
rather than that which results from the combined
and harmonious working of various parts, each
full of life Of its own, different from tho life OF
any other art.
Your committee believe that this defect can only
fully he supp led by the division OF the Diocese
but they also believe that it may be remedied in
measure by recognizing different sections of the
State, for missionary purposes, district organi-
z&tiOns, though all under one Episcopal head, and
they happily lind the germ OF these organizations
now in existence in those COnvOca tiOns, which
have already, in some parts of the State, been
productive OF so much good.
Your committee recommend the adoption of the
following resolutions:
Resol5ed, That for full performance of the
Chnrch's work, as Missionary Church, in the
State of North Carolina, a division of the Diocese
is absolutely essential.
PesOICed That inasmuch as this division can
not new take place, because Of certain constitu-
tionaI restrictions imposed by the General Conven-
ton, the Diocese be divided for Missionary pur-
poses, into six COnvOcations the limits of three of
thom to be the same with those of the following
Conversations now existing, VIZ The AlbemarIe,
the South Eastern and the RavenscrOft, and the
others to be formed with such boundaries as may
be formed by the Missionary committee, under
the titles Of the Central the South Central and The
Western COnvOcatiOns, such other
they may adopt the existing COnvocations to be
organized as now, with such changes as they may
see fit to adopt, subject to the approval OF the
Bishop and the others to be organized as soon
practical.
A vote was taken on the first resolution, result
ing in its defeat
Amotion to lay the whole subject on the table
was lost.
Col. Fremont moved that 4 committee consist
ing OF the Bishop and five delegates be appointed
to take the whole subject in hand, mature plan
and present it to this Convention for considera-
ton. Carried.
Rev. Mr.. billiard moved that the Bishop and
this committee be requested to consider also, and
report at the next Convention, whether there cam
not be some regular system Of itiuerant missions
instituted. Passed.
Rev. DR.. Cheshire, Chairman of the committee
on amendments to the Constitution, on behalf of
the committee made report
On motion this question was made the special
order of the hour the opening of the night scs-
sion.
{ On motion the Convention adjourned until s
o'clock p. n.