Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-06-11

Diocesan Convention. ---Tucsday :
PrOCccdings---COn Conservation OF
Christ Church.

The 18th Annual Convention, being thu
26th since the full organization OF III,
Diocese of the Protestant Episcopa
Church in the Diocese Of Vermont, com
monced its session at Montpelier Tues
day. The annual meeting Of the conyo-
cation was held at 90 a, IN. Immediately
after, at 10 o'clock, was the time set apart
! for the conservation of the new edifce
| by the parish Of Christ Church Precise
ly at the hour a stately procession of the
Reverend Clergy of this and neghboring
dioceses, headed by the imposing figures
OF Rt. Revs. Bishops Williams, the CON
secrator, and McCoskry, in full Episcopal
costume, We're received at the vestibule of
the church by the wardens and vestry of
the parish passing these it swept slowly
up the broad aisle of the crowded church,
the Bishop and clergy repeating alternate
ly the oath Psalm.
The consecrating Bishop, having been
presented with the instruments of dona-
ton and endowment by Rev, d. c. Rob
erts, Rector of Christ Church, proceeded
with the ritual laid down for the consecra-
ton of churches, during which the SEN
tence of conservation was read by the
Rev. Mr.. Douglass of Windsor. This in
strument was u solemn deed and coven-
ant setting apart forever from all worldly
uses the edihces, and consecrating it un-
der the charge of the Bishop of this Do
cese and his successors, to the worship Of
the Living God.
The usual services of the Morning
Prayer followed, the Sentences and E3t--
hortation being read by Albert II. Bailey,
ID. D., who was followed by Rev. r. 5.
Howard in the Confession, Absolution, and
the Lords Supper.
The Psalms for the day, being the Sith,
l22d, and l32d, were read by Rev. L. A.
Atwill of Burlington. The first lesson
from LIST Kings, viii:22, was read by Rev
c. s. Hale; the second from Hebrew K:
10, by Rev. Mr.. Walker, Chaplain of the
Bishop of Connecticut.
The creed was reported by Rev. l.. W
Shelton, the former rector of the parish.
Prayers were read by Rev. j. Isham Bliss
OF St Adams. The communion service
followed: Epistle, Rev. DR.. Hicks
Gospeler, Rev. Dr. Sweet.
The consecrating Bishop announced as /
the text for his sermon the 18th verse of
tue 4th chapter OF the Gospel according !
TO st John
But the hour cometh, and now is, /.
when the true worshippcrs shall worship
the Father in spirit and in truth; for
the Lord seeketh suchto worship Him.
The distinguished prelate delivered a
torciblc, eloquent and feeling discourse, to
which 40 resume can do Justice.
lie lWplt with snaaial fnr,n pppn tIo +
idea that to worship God alone was not
worship In Ills true sense. We must APP
proach Him as lie is known to us by His
latest Revelation to man, God the Father,
God the Son, God the Holy Ghost. The |
instruct OF natural religion was enough to
bring utter Sayages to adorn cone great
Cause and Creator. We, who are born
under the revealed light Of His word.
: must seek intcrcession through the blood
OF Jesus Christ. In the forms of worship
We are to use both prayer and praise, but
prayer is especially necessary to HELPLESS
mortals; the full measure Of praise is only
to be found out by those who have PASSED
triumphantly through the gates of death
and continually do stand around the
Great White Throne singing praise for
ever. He alluded to the Holy Bible AS
the fount and source of all true religion.
! and claimed that in the book of common
prayer was to be found the essence Of
faith carefully drawn from it. Its sum-
maries of truth and doctrine keep our
faith ever active and fresh. He alluded
most feelingly to the death of the late
Bishop, and contrasted his visit TO the
Diocese at that melancholy time to the
present joyful occasion. He congratula-
ted his hearers that new spiritual leader
OF the church in this State had been
) chosen and would so soon enter upon his
! important and sacred duties He reioiced
that this day we consecrate part of the
J material good God has given us to his
service, and asked that the Holy Ghost
, might descend, if not with the outward
Z manifestation, at least with good por-
'loh oil fentccostal fire to bless us and our
i work
; Inc whole service was very interesting
and impressive. The singing pndor tbo
capable direction of Mr.. A. ] pb;,;ns
was excellent and added much 10 ,ba n,
terest Of the occasion.
! The following is lis. Of the cierov
present at the occasion: e