The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-27
THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CONVENTION.

To-Day Set Apart for Its Discussion.
The seventeenth day OF the Convention opened yes
terday morning at nine O'CLOCK prayers being read by
Rev. Dr. Joshua Peterkin. OF Virginia, and Rev. DIR.
Isaac c. Hubbard, Of New Hampshire. and Bishop
Talbot, OF Indiana, pronounced the Benediction.
The journal OF Saturdays session was read by the
Secretary, Rev. DR.. Perry, OF Connecticut and ap-
proved. During the opening proceedings the attend
ance OF members was very SLIM but after ten O'Clock
the house gradually filed.
During the discussion Of the resolution on the d.
vorce question the curiosity Of the ladies present.
who appeared to have suddenly mustered in larger
force than usual, was aroused TO more than ordi
nary extent. The rtualistic question was another
theme OF great interest. and the report relating
thereto WAS listened to with deep attention
II will be recOllected that on Friday last the
House passed Joint resolution to adjourn sine die
on Tuesday. but it generally understood that the
bishops declined to act In the matter, and that In
the opinion of the Upper House the dnal adjourn
ment could not be had before Thursday next.
RESOLUTIONS AND MEMORIALS.
On the call OF committees, nine being ready 20
report resolutions and memorials were called for.
Rev. DR.. Beardsley moved that message No. "a from
the House OF Bishops be referred to the Committee
on Canons resolution was offered by Mr.. Farms
worth OF Rhode Island, to refer to the Committee
the state OF the Church to inquire whether it would
not be proper for the interests of the Church that
parish records should be annually made and the
number returned to the diocesan convention Of all
persons baptized in this Church or any church In
Communion with this Church, but who have never
been confirmed, and also OF all confirmed members
OF this Church who reside within parochial limits
which motion OF reference was carried. On motion
OF Rev. VIM. Ii. Clarke the Committee on Canons
was instructed to inquire into the convenience to
change the name OF the House to that OF the House
OF Deputies instead of acercal and lay deputies.
On motion Of Mr.. Welsh, OF Pennsylvania, the same
can0ns are to consider the propriety OF making It
obligatory upon all new dfoceses to compose their
standing committee OF an equal number Of clergy
men and laymen. Mr.. Samuel b. Rnggles, Of New
York, stated that the number OF copies Of the our
nal ordered to be prlnted-6,0 00-Would not be SUM-
cient; that 100 would barely cover the number re-
qured. and hence he moved that G.600 copies be or
dered printed. The Secretary said that the cost OF
the stereotype plates and the printing of 900 copies
would be about $4,000 and the. addition could be
covered by an extra outlay OF about $780, involving
only paper and prcsswork.
THE EDUCATION QUESTION AGAIN.
Message No. "a from the House OF bishops was
that the bishops concur in resolutions three ana five
OF the series on Christian education, and non-c0n-
cur In the rest; and these messages and also No.
SO were referred to the Committee on CanOns to
inquire whether committee OF conference Is neCes-
These matters were disposed Of the resolutions to
print the journal was reconsldered, and the secre-
tary was authorized to print an adequate number.
PETITION FROM THE ONEIDA INDIANS.
The House OF Bishops transmitted petition from
the oneida Indians, submitted to their House by
Bishop Kemper ana dra no. Of a. JOINT ieser 70 me ne
protected in their present homes which they OBJ
tanned through the help OF the Episcopal Church.
Some few OF the tribe have proposed to the agents
to sell portion Of the Oneida tract In Wisconsin
to the government; these few only are listened TO by
the agents. The tribe had no more land than they
need. they nearly all belong to the Episcopal
Church, and wish the aid OF the Church authorities
The agents are continually interfering, and they can
receive no relief nom them. Judge Otis moved that
the President and Secretary OF the House be directed
sign the letter Of the bishops the part Of the
the letter proposed by the bishops to the Secretary
OF the Interior on the reservation OF the oneida In
dams IN Wisconsin was again read, and the motion
Welsh believed some examination was necessary
and he thought IT was best to refer 1t to the deega
ton from Wisconsin for report. Mr.. Ruggles is in
favor OF anything proposed for the protection of the
poor Indian; but he doubted the policy of this Con-
W4 fSe % M Welsh Se
lieved that If they signed papers without due
consideration they would sink to the Lever Of
commended immediate action on the sub
ject, as the delegates from wisconsin fully
hard cases were the ouckssnd OF the law, and 1t
may be with this Convention. III this Convention
other oppressed suffering people viii appeal to u.s.
Let coniine ourselves TO the business OF the
Church and abstain from entering upon something
which may lead US VIC know not where. Rev. DR..
Mead felt hearing the letters read as If we should
act at once, but prudence should guide. What have
we do with the government OF the United states
II we commence the government may ask some
thing from us. His heart was concerned, but pru.
dence requires them 70 abstain. MIR. prngle Smith,
Of South Carolina. spoke OF this matter as one OF
great Importance. The government has no
decided policy towards the Indans its theory Is that
s sne hssn the hoy OF ns q that the
Church Ia the guardian OF their moral and spiritual
ann ne an won ,en ae
He then detailed the fraud practised by railroad
company upon tine Usage Indians In land bargain.
and we cannot evangeze them so long as we make
them subjects OF our cupidity, which the govern
ment itself desires 10 prevent. The Oncidas come
and pray us TO help them and protect them against
fraud. Ia there any politics in THAR We do pro.
pose to relieve the grievances OF all humanity but
hoped this Convention viii take proper view
the Gospel among class OF inhabitants
whom ii Is our duty TO raise MP with all
the means ut our command. He wished the
whole subject would be considered and memoria
passed In regard 10 the whole treatment Of the In
dian tribes. Rev. or. pekoon gave details us OF the
which ~ good and--timber land. majority OF them
cnurchrncn and civilized. some, not Christian
tied, are drunken roamers, and it In they who are
put up by the SPECTATORS, who have an eye on the
land, TO movement TO sell. To present this petition
to the secretary, with the endorsement Of the
yention. would not be meddlin9 In politics, aud 20
refuse II would be wrong Rev. Dr. CraiS tue presi.
dent left the chair and took the noor and referred
1859 in matters OF the kind. The influence
of the members OF the House IA citizens may
OF the Church Ia nothing. If YOU move as citizens
and organize to influence the government they would
do noble work: but II, as u CHRISTIAN DodN, M
Church. we ask the government 10 adopt a
particular policy In regard TO this question. why not
ask them TO do the same IN regard to other ques-
tionsf And then they. as Church. would he borne
down by the whiriwind or politics. Mr. Welsh
changed his motion and moved the reference 10 a
special committee of three ciergymen and three lay
men for 1t necessary 10 have full information be-
fore we act. Governor Fish thought refer
ence unnecessary, as the fncts are pretty well
known. The question before the House
Is that Of concurrence. Tie Oneidas are
children ~ New York AMI some are still IN tho state,
and he was brought officially In contact with them,
and he fully sympathyes with their wrongs, which
are many But have we as Church, anything 70
do with the question it is question OF property,
OF an internal Indian policy, and not Of extending
the Gospel. not of matter belonging to the Church
Other churches were rent asunder by bringing IN
questions or feeling and sympathy OF quasi politi
cal nature; rhis Church has kent al0of from oil such
questions, and although war mad separated them on
iAt same question as soon Ne the preSsureo oil military
force removed they are again united as they were
thirty years ago. However much we mas feel on this
subject before the House, let MS act ~ individuals
ard we can exert more influence than the united