Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-10-08
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Proposed Change of Govern
ment.

From the New York Tribune Of Fridsy.l
An interesting and important debate
was had last evening in the Diocesan
Convention of the Episcopal Church,
now sitting ut st. PauPs Chapel, which
is to be resumed this morning. It occur
red upon the report Of a Committee aP-
pointed at the last Convention to prepare
q plan of 6 Federal Council Of the
Diocese existing within the limits of the
State of New York, and upon the canon
which they recommend for the purpose
to be enacted by the General Convention
of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
United States, which is to meet st Trim
ity Chapel on the 9TH OF this month. The
proposed canon is a. follows:
"oF FEDERATE COUNCILS.
ait is hereby declared lawful for the
Dioceses now existing, or which may
hereafter be erected within the limits of
any State or Commonwealth, to establish
for themselves q Federste Council or
Convention, representing such DiOeeses,
which may deliberate and decide upon
the common interests of the ehn-eh
within that State, and enact any laws
necessary thereto, not repugnant to, or
inconsistent with, the Constitution and
Canons of the General Convention and
bAC AsIOh Va OthAAAOA
The arguments in favor Of this plan
were based chiefly on the psopriety of a
mode by which the five Dioceses pres
emily to exist in the State might still act
in concert for their common interests,
whether relating to the State or to edu-
cation, missions, and charity, within
their common borders. Bishop White
was referred to by the Rev. Mr.. Hopkins
as having suggested that, with the pro-
gress 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 and lsity 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 no power of legislation,
whereas it was now proposed to give
them power to enact all laws which they
might deem necessary for the interests Of
the Church within the State.
The arguments against the plan were
presented with great force by Mr. Rug
giles, Mr.. Pruyn, DR.. Washburn, DR..
Alexander Vinton, and Dr. Montgomery,
and they were replied to with energy by
the Rev. Mr.. Hopkins and DR.. Haight.
II seemed clear that the plan ss reported,
in Its large power of legislation, went far
beyond the former resolutions of the Con-
vention in favor Of 8 EedeFRtive Council,
and even beyond the views of thS COM
mittee themselves, and that II adopted
as il stood 1t would work change In the
organic law of the Church, establishing
an altogether new class Of Provincial
Councils, standing between the Diocesan
Conventions and the General Conve
ton, snatching power and dignity from
each, and reyOlutionising entirely the
system Of Church Government adopted
after the revolution.
Doubts were evidently entertained as
to the probable influence of such Pro-
vincial Councils upon the usefulness Of
the Diocesan Conventions, the inde-
pendence and purity of the Bishops, the
constitutional rights of the Iaity, the
harmony of the Church at large, and the
rightful dignity of the General Council.
Grave fears were expressed as TO the ef-
feet of the change in elevsting one
Bishop to the rank Of q Metropolitan
and reducing others to an inferior posi-
ton, and slso rs to the possible rivalry
between the Provinces, especially in the
General Convention, where the most i'm
portant questions would be decided, not
as now, after broad aud fair debate, but
by the influence of Provincial Councils
which had already decided the question
for themselves, and perhaps embodied
their views In formal legislation.
The decision OF the Convention of New
York upon this new and important sub
jeot viii necessarily carry great weight
with the General Council, and the result
Of their deliberations to day will possess
an interest for Episeopalians throughout
the country.