New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-10-30
CLOSE or THE EPISCOPAL CONTENTION

PASTORAL LETTER or THE PRESIDING BISHOP
The closing ceremonies of the Triennial Gen
eral Protestant Episcopal Convention performed
lat evening a, Calvary Church. Fourthave and twenty
t IT. All the clerical and lay Delegates 10 tho C"nven
ton were provided with seas near the ohance ana fhe
rrna.inisg space Vas by an Intelligent audience
At q O'Clock The Right Rev. BISHOPS OF the various
dioc'c of The United states appeared and occupied the
Tho ntrudu, tory services OF the usual
ins mayer. The General Confession was read BY the
Of Ainsas read the l. Id chapter ~ aah tho FIRST
Lesson The Second lesson was the Kiln chapter Of
uradp. The Right Rev. Bishop ~ Ohio. read the Greed,
after which tho Right Rev. Bishop Of Tenn. escorted
the Right Rev Bishop Of by. e. the pulpit 10 read hs
Pastoral Letter. The letter was In substance follows:
II is no" nine years shce We met WIN ,mi rcprr-ehia
ton o all diOccses III this period sixteen OF our
venerable brethren Ia the Ipsc pate. OF whom two were
presiding h-hop-. have dcpaid TN. lie mortality
unusual mprcsses your bishops with deep OF
the soruess and uncertainty ~ their future upon carth,
and leads them address YOU with greater snennliy
Grear been consolation amid many trials of
Faith and Patience in the entire restoration Of unity
a. "a National Church Among the unusual excite
mont, OF the day let bless Almighty God
that great Council has met, with
fun repre- scniatlOn OF churches In all parts Of
the anh aud with wonderful harmony Of purpose and
action about 10 close long session, from wlich many
who understand US not bad argued coniusou-,nd every
evil work We lament that wnlie the lab0rs OF our mis-
onnres at home and abroad have been 20 noble and 20
faithful, tho oncfings OF the ehurches py when they
should have been bounifully sustained, have not been
conlnensuratcly abundant Christian education Il re-
cryiug an enlarged measure OF practical attention. ana
schools Of the parish aud the diocese have been 10 achee
ing extent multiplied and ehectually worked:
The Chrislian family Is more aud more regarded
anon as the Divine Institution which the church
Itself mainly relies for It's prosperity. and to which
nothing less than The -uceor- and heavenly consohOns
OF tho Church OF Christ impart the means Of pror-
perty aud perfection Much thought has been given by
yOur Bishops 10 the necessity OF enlarged associated
effort Ia works of mercy and education Much thst needs
10 De done can be- accomplished IN no other way Let
IL be understood that the sort OF a'soc'AtloIs
must commend must be wholly Tree rom
eudur ng Vows or enforced cOufossiOn and IN all
things subject 10 canonical ana diocesan autnotLly'
II matter Of palufu ob-ery alton to your bishops that,
especially IN larger towns ana Strat cities, Where
the med and the opportunts lor continual N"rehlp are
greatest the churches arc TOO te used AZ All seasons
nnd often In the Summer months are closed even upon
the OF the Lord while We rejoice IN the mntphca-
ton ~ chnrcles proiessedy Tree PROVIDED they nre
Churches apart from the ordinary services Of the Lords
Dny might be freely opened 10 all cocs for the minis
1 hS@ thus 'p be carried oS in many places
wthout the expense Of erecting more churches aud the
requisite missionary clergy. But everything must Ian
euish IN the Church until all families made truly
I'm every honse We fear that examples OF manly
pety are not abundant, aud fathers ,,se too often
urscrptura and uncaihoc pretensons oithe Bishop
Of Rome a. IN time pa 30 now are aira s ,cgrGe .,
for many centuries the great bar To the restoration
Of the unity ., IN tScens intro
duced, which tend 10 assinilate our worship To
Ss And wS at ~" also urge you to that
the urgent obedience 10 our Bishop and other chief
Wand. II faithfully rendered. prevent these evils
In the former pastoral letters your Bishops have warned
YOU coce rniug worldly smusements and OF the tenden
CIV Of many forms OF them 10 create dstaste for lrei
simple domestic pleasures and innocent equipments. ana
especially for the duties and elevated sympathles
of a holy life But, In day. there Ia licontous-
ness aud grossness In theatrical aud IKE enter
tanment which would have been shocking 10
even the least refined In the days OF our iathers'
We exlIort ron 10 fee these things and ABOVE MI,
20 separate from all contact with these pontlohs tn
young and precious souls for whom you have Hhs"erou
In the Holy Baptism. ,,.,t..,.u
AT the conclusion Of the pastoral letter me
was pronounced by the Right Rev Bhhop OF mnnr'"'''
and the asse mbls ge dispersed.