The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-04

The rrieuuial general convection Of the Pro-
testsnt Episcopal Church meets in Trinity Church.
New York, October Z. The especial objects of
the convocaton will be ascertained from the fol-
lowing circular, issued by the Right Rev. Bishop
Steven, Of the diocese Of Pennsylvania
TO the Cherry and Laity Of the Diocese Of Pennsylvania
Beloued in the Lord-The general convention
of the Protestant Episcopal church In the United
States. which holds its session once in three
years, will meet in the city Of New York on the
church will be gathered, for the first time since
1858, bishops, clergy and laity from all OF the
limited States. 1t will comprise q larger number
If bishops and larger number of dioceses than
viii be brought before 1t is of the deepest i'm.
portance 10 the well-being of the church, now and
Hereafter. The erection Of six or seven new do
oeses and missionary jurisdictions; the election
and perhaps, CONSERVATION OF several bishops tne
Of church growth and action the various memo.
rails touching vital points Of faith, ritual and dis
cipline, which will be presented the recasting OF
The whole foreign missionary work OF the chur N
the needed revision of the course of studies for
candidates for holy orders, as prescribed by the
house of bishops; the devisng Of new and en-
iarged agencies Of church education and church
extension; the methods by which We can best
minister TO the spiritual needs of the poor, the
working classes the freedmen. the fallen of every
grade on the one hand, as well as reach and sue
cessfuy erspple with the various forms OF rat on.
alism and unbeeving science on the other. Thee
and other equally great questions, each big with
untold consequences, will engage the elaboration
of the Legislative council. In addition to these
matters, which pertain specifically to conven
tional action, there are many other topics con.
nected with the operation OF the several great
voluntary societies in the church. which hold their
meetings at the same time, and the proceedings
of W ich will have q moulding influence on the
church ct large. In view then OF these facts which
constitute 80 many reasons why we should make
the approaching session OF the general conven.
God, / afectonately request: First-That the
prayer for "the meetings Of the convention"
found among the occasional prayers, after the
litsny, be used on all occasions Of public worship,
beginning with the seventeenth Sunday after
Trinity October ~, and be continued during the
session Of the convention. In addition 70 the
changes which the clergy will make, as directed
by the rubric which follows the prayer they viii,
on the first Sunday in October only substitute the
words soon to sssemble"for " here assembled"
Second also earnestly request that this prayer,
or its equivalent, may be used as part OF the
family morning prayer OF the several households
In this diocese; and also that each communicate
will make daily prayer and supplioation that the
Holy Ghost who presided in the councils of the
blessed Apostles may preside over this council ;
and that God would be pleased to direct and
prosper all their consultations TO the Advancement
OF his glory, that the good Of His church, the
safety honor and welfare of His people, all
things may be so ordered and settled by their en-
deavors, upon the best and surest foundations,
that peace and happiness, truth and justice, re.
lgion and piety may be established among us for
ali generations" Never was there time when
we so needed the presence Of the Divine Spirit
in our council as now; never was greater inter-
ests at stake, or greater ELECTS, for veal or woe
likely to follow. Under such circumstances 1t Ia
our bounden duty, as individuals, as families, as
congregations and Is diocese. to seek Gods spe.
cial guidance and blessing. Remember the gra-
cious promise Of the Lord Jesus, Z" If two of you
shall agree on earth rs touching anything that
they shall ask, It shall de done for them Of my
Father which IL in heaven; ~ and that other
promise, Whatsoever ye shall ask my name
that will do, that the Father may be glorifed in
the Son."
Commenting you, beloved, to God and to the
riches Of His covenant mercy in Christ Jesus, made
ours by the applying grace and sealing power Of
the Holy Ghost remain your devoted servant,
WILLIAM BACON STEVENS,
Bishop Of the Diocese Of Pennsylvania.