Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-06-24
The First Annual Convention OF the
Diocese Of EastOn

The first annual convention Of the Protcs-
taut Episcopal Church Of the Diocese of
Easton, composed Of the nine counties Of
the Eastern Shore Of Maryland, convened ut
Christ Church, Easton on the 9th of June,
the Right Rev. Henry G. Lay. Bishop Of
the Diocese, presiding. During its deliber-
atoms the following proceedings, as report
ed in the Easton Star, took place.
Rev. Mr.. Barber submitted a lengthy re-
port, providing for such changes in the con-
stitution and canons as were necessary for
the new diocese.
Judge Carmichael made minority report,
in the form of an additional article to the
constitution, prohibiting ritualism in the di-
ocese Of Easton.
The Judge addressed the convention in
support OF the resolution, and presented
some very strong reasons why the resolu-
tions should be adopted He said fortunate
ly ritualism had as yet made no threads
upon the Diocese of Easton, although it hal
to rent the church in other parts OF the coun-
try, and his resolution was intended to keep
it out, During his remarks he was pretty
sharp on ritualism, which he charactized as
theatrical exhibitions He wanted strict
conformity to the mode of worship laid
down in the prayer book.
>Rev. Mr.. Dashiell opposed the adoption
of the resolution on the ground OF expedi-
ency, and moved its indefinite postpone
ment. He said it was very difficult qucs-
ton to deal with. The consideration Of it
had occupied discussion several days at
the late National Episcopal Convention, and
it was disposed Of finally by referring the
matter to the bishops, to be dealt with by
them in their wisdom. In his remarks he
said something about ''stultifying ourselves
which brought out the Judge again so sharp
hot tha t1pptun nrDmpt v
disclaimed intending anything persona
by the remark, and the Judge good
humoredly accepted the disclaimer, but re
doubled his ponderous blows agains tn,
evil he was laboring to exclude from the
Diocese.
Rev. Mr.. Hutton was opposed to ritualisn
out and out, but doubted the expediency o
dealing with it in the way proposed in thu
resolution. He thought the ordination VOW
quite as strong on the subject as the rcsolu
ton before the convention, and therefor
could see no necessity for its adoption.
Gen. Tilghman offered an amendmen
which was accepted by the casting vote {
the Bishop, the vote on it being a tie.
The Bishop said that when the resolutio
was taken up, he was in doubt as to whetht
or not he ought to rule it out of order for I'll
want of jurisdiction, He concluded, howe'
or, not to rule it out, but TO allow the sui
iect to be ventilated. He then, at conside
able length, expressed his opposition to ri
ualism, but admitted it difficult subject
deal with, while those who pracliced it kel
within the laws of the church. He gave VI
rious illustrations of the difficulties incidel
to exact conformity in all things, throughol
the whole church, and thought upon Il
WHOLE would be better for this conventic
not to pass the resolution, but to leave Il
the subject where the general convention Ii
placed it.
The previous question was then called,a al
upon division of the convention, the res
luton was rejected. Although the resol
ton was voted down on the ground of e
pediency, the convention scanned unanimo
against rituaism.