New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-10-02
PROPOSED CHANCE ~ THE GOgERA-
NENT OF TIE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

An interesting and important debate was had
last evening IN the Diocesan Convention OF the
Episcopal Church, now sitting at st. Paul's
Chapel, which is TO be resumed this morning.
Ii occurred upon the report of Committee
appointed at the last Convention To prepare n
plan of n Federate Council of the Dioccses exist
ing within the limits OF the State of New York,
aud upon the canon which they recommend for
the purpose to be enacted by the General Con-
vention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in
the United States which is to meet at Trinity
Chapel on the 9TH of this month. The pro-
posed canon il rs follows:
cor rIDERATE CouNcIfs
IL Ia hereby declared lawful FOR the Doceses now
sting. which may hereafter be erected within the
themselves Federae Council or Convention represent
the common Of the church within that state. aud
enact laws necessary thereto not epugnant To-
consistent with, the Constitution and Canons OF tie Gen
eral Convention and the Book VI Common Prayer"
The arguments in favor of this plan were
based chiefly on the propriety of mode by
which the five DiOceses presently 10 exist III
the State might still act in concert for their
| common interests, whether relating 10 the State
| or to education, missions and charity, within
their common borders Bishop White was re-
| ferred to by the Rev. Mr.. Hopkins as having
| suggested that, with the progress of the Church
| Provincial Councils might become necessary.
| To this il was replied that Bishop White
could not then have anticipated the enlarged
facilities OF travel, which reduce weeks TO days,
and enable the clergy aud laity of the whole
| country to meet conveniently in general council
| from Maine TO California, and also that Bishop
White expressly declared that such Provincial
Councils should have pO,cer of legislation.
whereas il was now proposed to give them
power TO enact all taos which they might deem
necessary for the interests OF the Church within
the State.
The arguments against the plan were pre-
sentcd with great force by MIR. Ruggles, Mr..
Pruyn, DR.. WashburD, Dr.. Alexander Vinton
and DR.. Montgomery and they were replied to
with energy by the Rev. My. Hopkins and DR..
lIaight. 1t seemed clear that the plan a. re-
ported in its large power OF legislation, went
far beyond the former resolutions OF the Con-
yention in favor OF q Pederative Council, and
even beyond the views Of the Committee them
selves and that if adopted as il stood il would
work change in the organic law OF the
Church, establishing an altogether new class of
Provincial Councils standing between the Do
cesar Conventions and the General Convention,
snatching power aud dignity from each, aud
reyolatiOnizlng entirely the system OF Church
Government adopted after the Revolution. .'
Doubts were evidently entertained rs 10 the
probable influence OF such Provincial CONNECTS
upon the usefulness OF the Diocesan Conven-
tons, observation-disclosures and purity Of the Bishops.
the constitutional rights OF the laity, the har
mony OF the Church 1T large. aud the rigbtful
~ h.. naiI f,a
were expressed as to the effect OF the change
in elevaing one Bishop to the rank of Met.
ropotan aud reducing others to an inferior