Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-10-07
GENERAL CONVENTION OF THE PRO.
TENANT EPISCOPAL CHCRCn.

The General Triennisl Convention of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in the United
States assembled in Trinity Cnurch- New York
city, this morning, Bishop Smith of Kentucky,
presiding. From the fact that the Southern
diOceses are fully represented in thrs con-
yentIon for the first time SINCE the commence
ment of the rebellion, ITS proceedings will be
noted with interest. Prominent parties will
meet from all sections OF this country as the
representatives. OF the respective dIoceses; and
the free interchange of sentiments, marked by
caImness and dispassi on, will dou otless have a
most happy influence in and out of the church.
There are many interesting questions to come
up before the body, such as Church Extension
Adoption OF Liturgy, Provincial System, Unity
Of Christian Bodies, Ritualism, Marriage and
Divorce which, with other matters of interest,
nay Prolong the session for several weeks.
The Convention rs composed of two houses
ore the House OF Bishops, consisting of for ty-
two members, and the other the House of Cler
lcal and Lay Deputies, numbering nearly one
hundred and fifty, who elected by the State
or Dioeessn Church Conventions. These lat
ter conventions meet annually, but the general
conventions only once three wears. The
Episcopal Church was, up TO the beginning Of
our late war. one Of the few American Church.
g which did not split in consequence of the
slavery question. But after the political seces-
sion the bishops of the rebel confederacy Deem
ed II their duty to effect separate organization,
and consequently formed a general council
OF the dioceses in the rebel States. Accordingly
none OF the Confederate dioceses were represent
ed in the .Tr.ennial Convention of 1867
The southern Episcopalians maintainC 4, how
ever, on the whole, a friendly feeling toward
their brethren in the North, and when the re-
bellion was overthrown, there was az once a
strong ispositIon TO reconnect themselves with
the General Convention of the United States.
At the TrIennial Convention of 1865, the Rlsh-
ops of North Carolina Arkansas and Tennes-
see, and delegates from North Carolina, Ten
nessee and Texas were present Soon after at
the beginning of 1S6.i, the reunion became com.
plete by the return of every southern diocese,
and they Will all be represented in the Conven-
ton to-day.
The Convention will have to define the laws
of the Church on such cases as those of the
Rev. Mr. Tying, jr., and the Rev. MIR. Hub
bard. We believe il may be regarded as
certain thai majority of both the House
OF Bishops and the House of Delegates will
sustain the action of the Bishops of New
1ork IN the Tying case; and that in all
questions OF this kind the present Conyen-
ton, like its predecessors. will Satisfy
the expectations of the High Church more
than those Of the Low Church party. II
would be different. however, if the knotty
question Of "Rituaiism' should come up
The Ritualistic practices which have been in.
roduced into large number OF English and
INTO few American churches, have already
called forth severe censure from a majority
oftne American Bishops, who, we believe will
be supported by q majority OF the House of
Delegates. Legislation on these questions is
exceedingly difficult, as severe measures
against Ritualists nearly drove some of them
over TO the Roman Catholic Church while
measures against Low Church men may lead
to the secession of a number of this party.
strong desire is felt for large increase in
the number OF Episcopal sees. Connected with
this movement is the advocacy of the so-calIed
provincial system, which would authorize the
dIoceses Of one particular State 10 establish for
themselves "federate" convention or council,
which may deliberate and decide upon the
common interests Of the Church within that
State, and exercise any delegated powers not
inconsistent with the constitutions and canens
OF the Church A canon authorizing the es-
adjustment Of this council was passed at the
General Convention OF 1885, and the coming
council may take further action on the subject
Petitions will be sent TO the General Conyen-
ton to appoint a committee on the union of the
Episcopal and Methodist Churches. The late
General Conference Of the Methodist Church,
which was petitioned for the same purpose by
a number of Episcopal ciergyrnen Of Newark,
did appoint committee on this subject, and il
is believed that the Episcopal Convention can
not well refuse TO appoint Conference Com
mittee- similar attempt recently made In
England was a decided failure; and a similar
fate, II is thought, awaits the American effort
at union.
A number Of other topics have been men,
TONED as likely 10 be brought TO the attention
Of the Convention, but the above will suffice 20
give an idea Of the importance of its transac-
lions.