The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-04
The Late piscOpaI Convention.

The Late piscOpal Convention,
From the N. Y Times.
The entire absorption of the public mind in
the grave questions which uuderlie the Prest-
dental election has caused the proceedings OF
the recent Trienniat Convention OF the PrOtes-
tant Episcopal Church OF ths United States to
be regarded with lar less interest than nstu-
rally belongs to matters OF so much real
dignity and importAucs. The act Is exoep-
tional. 1t is only at intervals of twelve years
that the sessions OF this body are cOinoident
with the conduct at our most mOmentOus poll
tioal campaign, and at other tunes its delibe-
rations attract as they deserve, degree oil
attention second 10 that which is bestowed on
no other secular or religious oTganizatlon' At
This iupoturs lust as the convention has ad-
iourned and iust before the elimination OF
the politicsl cor H,ot at tue polls, we may, psr.
haps, probably sunmit one or two considera-
tions suggested by tue recent debates.
II may fairly bs deemed subject OF con-
Eratulati, II that, in respect of geographical
lines, the Protestant Episcopal Church iu this
country was never before 70 thoroughly aud
cordially united Happily relieved ot the dis
turbipg element of slavery, which at all times
heretofore tbreatened its severance at any
moment, the Church now recognizes, indeed,
no jealOusies between North aud South, and
where antagonisn might have otherwise bsen
painfully expected, have seen only the
happiest manifestation of the UNITY OF the
spirit in the bond OF peace" This is no light
or trivial matter, aud gives the highest Gu
couragement for the future brotherhood OF
once disoOrdaDt sections on the enduring basis
of mutual for bearauce and goodwill.
1t is also hopeful sign of the times that in
the recent discussions the most influential, If
not the most prominent, part was borne by
the laity. No one can have read the daily
abstract of what was said and done in the
Convention without being struck with this
fact. We cannot and would not ignore, OF
course, the impression made by the speeches
of such disting guishei clerical deputies as Rsv.
Drs. Haight and LittlejohD, of New York,
Howe and Goodwin, of P-nnsylvania, Mead,
of Connecticut, Adams, of Wisconsin, Mahan,
of Maryland, Andrews and Norton, Of Vir-
ginia, and Gadsd-n, of South Carolina-all
clear thinkers aud forcibs speakers, who
never rose without commanding attention.
And yet, after all, largely as the time OF the
Convention was taken up with the various
topics upon which these able aud learned
divines touched in debate, it is clear that
the action of the body was determined
rather by the couusels of the distinguished
laymen who had seats upon the floor. These
deputies, indeed, abstained from frequent or
protracted speaking, but upon all questions
of parliamentary law, in pointing out the
dangers of hasty and ill-considered legisla-
ti0n, and in warning the Convention from
making canons which should possibly conflict
with existing statute laws and other control
ling influences of the various States, their
advice was of the greatest significance aud
value. Few ecclesiastical assemblies have b had
50 great a number of eminent practical men
from the body of the people. The experience
and learning OF Samuel b. Ruggles and Hamil-
ton Fish, OF New York; the quick perception
and thoughtful wisdom of Messrs. Welsh and
Conyngham, of Pennsy lvauia--the last named
Judge; the calm, clear mode Of statement OF
DaNtl NJ nj
Illinois, and Shelley, of Virginia-all scous
toned to pronounce legal judgments from the
bench; the sharp, incsive logic of Mr..
McCrady, of South Carolina, and the sturdy
good sense of Governor Stevenson, of Ken
lucky; these high intellectual endowmepts
would have illustrated any delberative assem-
bly,, no matter for what purposes brought TO-
gether. The participation of such men in the
affairs of the Church must enhance its eff
cienoy in elevatiUg seclety to the standard o.
Christian morals, at once benehtting Church
and State by direct and retroactive agency.
All Iight-minded persons, within or with
out the communion of the Episcopal Church,
will rejoice that the debates Of the Conven-
tion were conducted throughout in the most
courteous spirit, and that even upon points
of difference, where schism had been feared
but was happily avetted, there was au amen
ity OF temper that became Christian men
seeking TO serve the cause OF their Master
Twice during the session, the ordinarily
simple and conversational style of speech
stirred the sympathy of all hearers. The
first occasion was in the statement by Rev
Mr.. Rogers, OF Texas, of the necessity o.
giving help to the b shop in discharQing his
Episcopal functions in that vast diocese,
The second was in the presentation by Hon
b. Johnson Barbour, of Virginia, of a report
on the destitution of the clergy and ths
urgency OF providing for their relief. Mr.
BaTbours remarks were instinct with the
deepest feeling aud expressed in phrase o
nnstudied yet majestic diction, and they
commanded the greater attention from th
fact that all saw and felt that at last the use
fulness and perpetuity of the Church de
pended upon the recognition of the Scriptura
precept, that the labOrer is worthy of hi