The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-06-17
CHICAGO.
General Conference OF Protestant
% EDIscOpsI Churches.


CHICAGO, June 16.
A Conference of the Presbytery, Lay
men. &C., of the Protestant Episcopal
Churches of the United States assem-
bled in the Young Mems Christian AS
sociatiOn rooms this morning. !he oo'
jects of this Conference are well known
to the public by reason of the various
publications in regard to 1t during the
past few months. Two hundred per
sons were present a portion OF whom
were ladies. A committee appointed
for that purpose reported the names OF
the following gentlemen as permanent
officers of the Conference.
PreSident-Hon. Felix r. Brunot, OF
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
VIce PreSi6entS-Rev. DR.. Newton, OF
Pennsylvania, Gordon p. Hubbard, of
Illinois, Rev. DR.. Andrews, of irginia,
Col. Bayerigg. of New Jersey. Judge
Miller, of Wisconsin, and John j..
Hewett; Of Michigan.
Secretary'S-Rev. G. W. Quick, Penn.
sylvania, Rev. N. N. Cowseill. Ken
tucky, and Rev. T. s. Smith: Missouri;
said he had had no intimation that he
would occupy this place, and therefore
could make no lengthy speech.
Rev. DIR. Cooper offered the following
preamble and resolutions:
WHEREAS, This Conference of the
Protestant Episcopal Church, have as
sembled in pursuance of call, for the
purpose of discussing topics connected
with certain protest issued in tebru-
ary last, and also for transacttng such
other business as under the circum'
stances may be deemed expedient;
therefore,
Resolved, That all who have signed,
together with all who may hereafter
sign, or who shall express their sym
pathies with the protest above named,
shall be members of this Conference.
Adjourned until 230 r. NJ.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The members proceeded to the dis
cussion of "Wh8t shall we do"
Mr.. Ash, of Illinois, said the first
thing to do was to put themselves
right on the record. He insisted that
1t was not a Conference to divide the
Church, but Conference to protect 1t.
In regard to the revision OF the prayer
book, he thought the subject should
fight on the word Regeneration" was
very small one; he doubted whether
this was the proper time to act on the
prayer book; he signed the call for the
meeting, and did not intend to ask
pardon If they were compelled to ask
leave of their Bishaps to meet and dis
cuss issues; If so they had better go
Mr.. Cooper spoke at considerable
length in denuuciation of the treat
ment OF the Evangelical Church in this
diocese.
DR.. Bowen said that when a clergy
man said to his Bishop that his con-
science would not let him use a service,
the Bishop would have to go on and ex-
erciae his authority Many could not
use the word "regenerate;" he would
not strike 1t out.
Mr.. Newton said the Bishop should
not attempt to depose.
Mr.. Chevey--But the Prayer Book |
there was not alternative for those who |
had conscientious scruples, but 10 be |
forced out of church.
The question allow shall we do ii 2"
was then discussed.
Mr.. Cooper ogered the following res
olution.
ReSoLved, That this Conference and
the members thereof have heretofore
individually, SO now in their collective
capacity, recognize as unsOund and un.
protestant the statements and teachings
against which the protest alluded in
the resolution passed this morning was
directed, now solemnly reatfirm their
opposition to them.
RESOLVED, That this Conference recog-
nizing the present ns time of imml-
nent danger to the purity of the wor-
ship of the present Episcopal Church,
and does hereby pledge itself to use all
proper efforts for the preservation of
the same in their integrity.
The resolutions were passed, the first
with few dissenting voices, and the
last unanimously.
The Business Committee announced
that the revision of the prayer book
would be discussed this evening.
Mr.. Cheney said he could not be pres
ent tonight; he consequently wanted
to say something about the revision of
the prayer book. We're they to go on
in using prayer book which inculca-
ted false doctrine and untrue reason
ing2 He hoped the time would come
when they could have a pure liturgy
with no bishop laying his heavy hand
upon them, a liturgy rejecting the
teachings of Christ the Master.
He had seen many laymen
present, and he was glad tol
see them waking mp. They would un-
derstanu that the clergy did not pro-
pose to tear up the prayer book, but
bring it into harmony with the Word OF
God. The discussion had already done
more good than all the Episcopal
In Chicago for n quarter OF a
century, it would wsken the laity to
the truth that they had a right to see.
They would know that there were men
who dared stand up for the truth in the
face OF ecclesiastical censure.
Adjourned until 8 O'Clock.