The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-29

Action Postponed for the Present.
NEW YORK Oct %.
The nineteenth day OF the Protestant Episcopal Ma
tional Convention was commenced this morning at
halpas nine o'clock with the usual morning services
conducted by the Rev. +. II. Hanson OF Alabama,
and the Rev. Mr.. William H. Clark, of Georgia.
The Benedicton was pronounced by Bishop Lee of
Iowa.
The record OF yesterdays proceedings was read and
adopted by the Convention
There slim attendance Of deputies at the OPEN
ing of the days session. the members Of the Conven-
tion being evidently tired of the prolonged session
and anxious to get home. The attendance Of specta-
tors was large this morning, in anticipation Of hearing
aspirited debate on the subject Of "Rituaism."
Adjournment.
The Rev. DR.. Meade moved that the Convention
concur with the arrangement of the House OF Bishops
regarding adjourning the Convention sine die on
Thursday evening.
Mr.. William Welsh, of Philadelphia of the Com
mttee of Arrangements, stated that the closing SER
vices Of the Convention will take place at Calvary
Church, on Twcnty-frst street. Thursday evening;
snd he proceeded to state what arrangements had
been made for the clergy, members of the Convention
and public generally to be present at the closing
services.
The Committee on Canons reported through Rev.
Dr. Haght, adversely to the amendment of Canon
y, which alters the term of probation Of foreign
candidates for Episcopal ministry from ono year to
ak months. The report was adopted.
Standing Committee.
The same committee also reported adversely
against the amendment to make new dioceses have
their standing committees composed of an equal num-
ber of cergymen and aymen. Agreed TO.
The same committee also reported certain amend
ments to Canon XIV, which were adopted
standing Bible Committee.
The Rev. Dr. De Wolf Howe, of Philadelphia
moved that the Rev. Dr. Hare, OF Philadelphia aud
Rev. DIR. Potts of New York, be added to the
mittee to examine the proof sheets Of the standard
Bible in the places of two deceased members OF that
committee. Agreed to.
The Ritualistic Question.
On motion of William Welsh, OF Philadelphia the
special order of the day. the report OF the Committee
Canons, respecting Ritualism, was taken up.
The question of the indefinite postponement Of the
entire subject of Rituaism, offered yesterday after
noon, came up for consideration.
The Rev. Mr.. II. G. Pitkn, of Michigan, op-
posed to the motion of indefinite postponement. lie
did not want the elaborate majority and minority
ports on Ritualism to be thrust aside. He thought
the reputation of the Convention would suffer greatly
if the matter postponed 1t would appear to the
world as though the Convention was afraid to look
The question of Rtualism in the face. lie thought it
the duty of the Convention to meet. this question
fairly and squarey. The two reports have been pre-
pared with great care; they have been partially dis
cusssd, and are entitled to great respect. He ear
nesty hoped the matter of Ritualism would be well
taken hold Of and disposed of according to the temper
of the Convention.
The Rev. Edward N. Van Deusen, of New York,
took the same view regarding indefinite postpone
ment lie desired TO meet the questions presented on
the subject of Ritualism This is not the first time
the Episcopal Church has been greatly agitated and
convulsed with important questions, and the speaker
proceeded to enumerate number of them, among
which the celebrated controversy regarding the
Oxford Bible. He confessed that he was divided in
opinion between the two reports mentioned. lie was
opposed to extreme Rtualism but did not go the
hiatt tnop ,iuO ritv olla1 for
CAT this time several messages from the House OF
Bishops were received, cOncurring and non-concur-
ring in certain unimportant amendments and resou-
tions of the House OF Depnties)
The Rev. DR.. Lubugh, of Iowa, thought this ques-
tion of Ritualsm one of the greatest Importance
1t has created deep-felt interest both in and out of
the Church, and the eyes OF the entire country are
looking to the action of this Convention on this all
engrossing subject When it is of such Importance
as to call for the sitting of Royal Commission in
England to investigate it, it certainly Dehooves to
take some action in relation to Ritualism. England
is meeting the question face to face, and it is shaking
the foundations of the Church in the mother country
and shall it be said that the American National Pro-
testant Episcopal Convention was afraid to take
Rituasm in hand? He earnestly hoped not but that
both reports of the Committee on Canons would be
fully and freely discussed and the sentiments OF this
Convention be made known to the world on this all
important matter.
Mr.. S. b. Rugges was opposed to the indefinite
postponement, because he thought that the Conven-
tion should look closely at some OF the points in
yolved in the reports. He alluded to the appoint
ment by Mr.. Disraeli Prime Minister Of England, of
the Special Commission Ritualism, and thought
that we should be thankful in America that we were
able to canddy ard freely discuss the subject without
State interference. He thought that action should be
taken the following ponts:-The burning OF lights,
the burning of incense, making the sign of the cross
the celebration of the Lords Supper and reyerences
10 the Holy Table.
The Rev. DR.. gorge c. Shattuck, OF Massachusetts,
said he was q Massachusetts Puritan and there was
nothing but Puritan blood in his veins, and his
tors were troubled three hundred years ago with the
bugbear of Rtualism. He nothing in the ques-
ton OF Rtualism that this Convention need fear TO
meet and proceeded to relate some amusing instances
of the effects of Ritualism in his section of country
He regarded the excitement about Ritualism as rip
pies on the sea- which showed there life and &C
tvity in the church, and no possible harm can come
to the church by full discussion Of the subject.
Mr. William Welsh thought this question Of
vital Importance, but he thought it dangerous pre-
cedent to introduce into the Convention. lie believed
tho Church is on the of practical reformation
such as il has yet seen. With regard to the
question of Rituaism, he found no trouble or excite
ment in his own portion of the Diocese of Pennsyl-
Yana.
In the course of his remarks Mr., Welsh took
grounds in favor of giving the working classes more
opportunity to worship in the Episcopal Church lie
referred to several facts where shoddy had stepped
into the Church. and purchased many pews at large
prices that thirty or forty poor families had to leave
and could not worship at all. He mentioned Other
abuses in the Church indirectly connected with Ritual
ism, and was himself willing to go any length to gran