The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-06
EPISCOPAL CONTENTION.
CHRIST Church (Reading) Consscratton-
Division Of the Diocese, Etc.
I9necknL Despatch 20 The EDe1trlQ 1eteQrdph.


READING, Aug. 6.-In our report of the Convo-
cation here yesterday we we're compelled to be
very brief The programme of the conservation
of Christ Church was as follows:-
Rev. j. p. Lundy, rector of the Parish, read
the request to consecrate; the Rev. J. NJ. Childs
the Bishops Secretary, read the sentence OF
conservation; morning prayer was said to the
lessons by Rev. ]. S. Getz, OF Mahauoy City;
lessons were read by Rev. A. Wadleigh, of Will
Transport; Nicene Creed to the Litany by Rev.
Mr.. Shinn, of Lock Haven; Litany reclted by
Rev. MIR. Coleman, of Mauch Chunk. The
Bishop was assist ted in the administration of the
Holy Communion by the Rev. Messrs. Lightner,
Wadleigh, and Brush.
The sermon by the Bishop was one of his
most eloquent and entirely successful efforts.
Immediately after the close of Divine service
the Clergy and Lay Deputies present, convened
in the Session Room, IN the rear OF the church,
and organized as convention, with It, Rev.
Bishop Stevens in the chair.
The subject OF the division of the Diocese was
then taken up. After a brief consideration of
the question, the convention adjourned until 3
O'Clock in the afternoon.
A most harmonious and pleasant interchange
of views and sentiments then took place. The
several Clergy aud Lay Deputies present made
addresses.
The sentiment of those present seemed to be
almost unanimous as to the desrablsnes3 and
practices billy of the division oil the diocese on
the line adopted by tue Ilast annual Convention,
held in he city OF Philadelphia. This proposes
to set off the fourteen eastern counties into q
new diocese.
Various measures to secure the success Of the
division we're suggested, but the returns from
the parishes interested are far from favorable.
1t is believed, however, that if the voice of the
Church could be heard, and its sense fully gath
ere6 the result would be very different.
The Bishop was requested to give his judg-
ment in reference to the question, when he re-
spoUded in an address OF great clearness and
sweetness. He regarded the division of the do-
cese by the fourteen county line as judcious
and desirable. The BRAIN work of the Diocesan
is too much tor any one man, and its pressure
upon him had well nigh cost him his life, and
even now he is enabled to pursue his duties only
by the most careful prudence.
As you have the territory, said the bishop,
the parishes, the clergy, the communicates, the
wealth, ! do hope you will form this new do
cese. / cannot believe you are unable to sup
port it. Aud although there now loom up some
great obstacles, once committed TO division you
would develop among yourselves an amount of
euerey which would carry success, and in five
wears hence you would bless God that you had
agreed to the division of this great diocese.
From these and other considerations he elo-
quently gave it as his judgment that the pro-
posed division is highly proper and full of pro.
mise for the future of the Church. If the whole
Church could have heard his address, we think
there could be but one opinion about division.
The folio wing was then adopted.
Resolved. !. That this meeting recommend the
four ciergymen and three Iaymen. BY chairman to
confer with the clergy ami vesries OF the parishes
within the limits of the proposed Diocese, either
by circular personal visitation upon the subject
dlvs
q That the said committee be directed to prepare
statistics of the strength OF the proposed new Do
in clergy parishes, Communicates, aud contri-
buttons and TO compare the same with those of other
DIoceses.
s That they sscsrtain what pledges OF money eau
be secured towards the support OF the Epscopae In
beyond the bounds of the proposed diocese,
4. That they com unicate with The Board of Mis-
sions, asking what ent and for what length
tin they would be willing under take the support
of the missionaries employed in the counties to
| be set Off.
g. That they be authorized when these fa Its and
statistics shall have been learned request the
yestries aud clergy take action upon the subject
| Of division and notify the Bis op of the result.
This result having been reached aud this ac-
| ton had with perfect unanimity, the Convention
| adjourned Slne die at 6 O'Clock p. NJ