Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-10-10
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
First Day OF the General Com
VentiOB.
Bishop Lee, Of Delaware Is OPP
posed to FSItua1ism.

-
whom the following is q partial list !:
Smith, Of Kentucky, presiding; Nell
vsine, of Ohio; Kenper of Delaware; (;
Johns, of Virginia Eastburn, 0f Msssa-
chusetts; Green, of Mississippi; Williams,
Of Connecticut; Whitehouse, OF Illinois,
Ellis, OF South Carolina; Atkinson, OF
North Carolina; Lee, of Iowa; Potter,
Of New York; Clark, OF Rhode Island /;
Of New Jersey; Bedeli, Of
Ohio; Gregg, Of Texas; Whitila, OF Hi
nois; Lay, Of the Southwest; Talbot, Of
Indiana Stevens, Of PennsylvAuia; ;
Webber. of Louisiana; Vale, OF Kansas
Cox, of Western New York Quintard,
Of Tennessee; Clahoon, of Nebraska; /;
Foote, of Pittsburg; Randall, OF Cali
foFnia; Wilmer, OF Louisiana; Cum
Minis, Of kentucky Tuttle, Of Montana; !;
Young, Of Florida; Beckwith, Of Geor-
sia Whittie, OF Virgins; and Beasel,
Vermant. Bishop Uphold, OF Indiana,
and Chase, Of New Hampshire, were
unable to attend, on account of indispo-
sition.
The clerical and ley deputies occupied
seats at the head Of the Nave and were
Sy the Committee of Arran ge-
ments appointed for that purpose. There
were sixty clerical deputies and the same
number Of lay deputies. The clergy
the lay members OF the Board
OF Missions and other church institu-
tious, and the vestry of the Trinity
Church occupied seats in the Nave. Be-
hind the south aisle was reserved for
families Of Bishops and deputies snd Of
the vestry of Trinity. The north aisle
was devoted to the use of the public, aud
this, as well as other portions Of the
church, was crowded.
The services were conducted by r. z.
Potter, D. D, rector Of Grace Church
and Secretary of the House Of Bishops,
assisted by Rsv. W. F. Perry, Of Con-
neetieut, Secretary of the House Of Cfer-
icaI and Lay Deputies. The first lesson
from Isaiah was read by Rev. Canon
Balch, OF Montreal, and the second,
Luke <, by Rev. w. f Perry, Of Con-
nsclicu5. The eighth selection Of Psalms
zss read in the course of the service, the
Gloria Patria being sung by the choir.
The creed and concluding prayer we're
said by Rev, w. J. Kstchum, of Eng
land. The Many was read by Rev. NJ.
A. Howe, of Philadelphia. The Psalm,
after prayers, was from the 99th selec-
ton, verses 4, 5, 6 and Z. Ia the anti
services four Bishops took
part. The opening portion, including
the ten commandments, were read oy
Bishop Castleman. The Episcopsls were
read by Bishop EsstburD, and the Cos
pei by Bishop Johns. The hymn was
l52. verses l, 2, 5 and 6,
Bishop Lee, of Delaware, then as
eended the pulpit, and took his text
from Rev. II, 7: 'tHe that hath an ear
to near let him hear what the spirits
saith to the churches"
In the course Of an able argument in
favor of simplicity in worship, he said
the theory that the ministry wEs of a
sacerdotal character was not sanctioned
by the Protestant Episcopal Church.
The very name OF Protestant shows that
according to one OF the articles, the pre-
tense of Offering up Christ By masses,
etc., wac grave and dangerous error.
The Episcopal ordination service merely
gave authority 20 preach the word.
The preacher next referred to the
power OF forgiving sins claimed by the
clergy, and denied That any such power
was possessed by them. A second error
was giving ecclesiastical censure. which
was the same as giving the power to re-
tain sins. He dwelt strongly on this
matter, and referred to the eucharist as
not being a prOpitiary sacrifice. lie
next alluded TO the innovations which
have taken place in the sensuOus cere-
monies which merely strike the eye. A
was not ordained to be master
OF ceremonies, 70 value the Gus and color
Of garments, and bow down iD foolish
but this uuderlay another
and far more dangerous business, which
could only be eyaded by going back to
the purity Of our religion.
He maintained Christ as the rule Of
faith and practice Himself the only
and His blood the only
of sin, while His word was our
only sbsolutOr and intercession; and if
We had those in their simplicity and
purity, then we had the true faith (; II
not . Protestant Church, we had no
right to De considered a Church ct all,
and the reformstor would be considered
a mere sham. On this platform we must
stand, and make Christ, as He is, the
Alpha and Omega, and the author and
iinisher of our faith.
He next touched upon the Christian,
which, he said, should not be affected by
looking to parties far removed in faith,
and being st best superstiticus. We
should choose between the dead past and
living present, and not go back to elois-
ter and coWl for our faith. How far an
unity among Protestant Christians was
possible, was question which could not
be answered in a moment; but Chris
tian fellowship should he followed aud
prscticed, and this would lead to union
more lasting than any other. Let Us
make concessions which would coneiii-
ate those who, in measure, differ from
us. True conciliation could only be OBJ
tanned by speaking to Christ, by earnest
prayer, by earnest, by loving argument,
and oy looking 10 him only as our Priest,
who offered Himself as 8 sacrifice for
the siBs Of the world.
He concluded with en- earnest prayer
that God would bring about sucA q re-
union for Christ's cake. The sentences
OF the offsrtOry were then read by Bishop
Lee, Of Iowa, and the congregation pro.
eeeded TO the holy communion. The Of
feriIgs were announced by the B;shop of
Iowa 20 be equally divided by foreign
and domestic missions. At the close OF
the communion service the House of
Bishops retired, and Rev. W. T. Perry,
Secretary Of the Lay Convention, calied
the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies
to order.
Rev. DR.. Haight then read for the in
formation OF the House the rules to be
adopted, So follows Business sessions are
to be held ia Trinity Chapel; the House
OF Bishops to be held In the schoolhouse
OF the chapel morning prayer each day
at 10 O'Clock, and the session to continue
till four, no meetings ia the evening, and
the Board OF Missi0ns shall meet every
night at 7.
On motion of R Perry, DID, of Con-
necticut, ]. B. Hodges, DID,, was ap-
pointed secretary.
a message was received from the
House of Bishops, stating that they were
organized and ready for business.
On calling OF the dalssates from New
York, Gov. Seymour did not answer.
On motion Of Mr.. Otis, of Illinois, the
Board proceeded to the election of s
President OF the Convention.
Mr.. Otis nominated J. II. Craik, d.
D., Of Kentucky, aud, there being no
the reverend gentleman was
elected by scclamRtion. Rev. DIR. Meade
and Rev. Mr. Otis were appointed com
mittee to conduct the President elect to
the chair.
The President, after thanking the Con-
vention Tor this renewed mark of their
favor, spoke with thankfulness that they
had onoe more been permitted to meet
together. But heSspoke with regret OF
the demise Of many aiming lights Of the
Church, among whom were Rev. Francis
L. Haw Ks, Hon. Washington Hunt,
Judge Chambers and Hugh d. Evans.
A committee OF two were appointed to
~ H..