Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-06-17

THE LATE ANNUAL coSvENTIoN-EvIpESCE OF
GROWTH IN THIS STATE.
The proceedings of the recent annual Convcn-
tion of the Protestant Episcopal Church for the
Diocese oil Delaware, were quite interesting, and
show marked revival Of interest in this Church,
with many indications of growth.
Before the War of Independence and for many
years afterwards, the Church OF England and its
successor, the Protestant Episcopal Church, was
the leading religious organization of this PENN
sula, and embraced within its membership nearly
all the people Of high social standing In Delaware
and Eastern Maryland, the only exceptions being
Il few Presbyterian families. Nearly all the old
churches scattered here and there through the
State belonged TO this denomination. In Sussex
county we may particularly note the old Prince
Georges Chapel, at Millsborough, which, in the
reign of the third of England's Georges, was
named after that Prince, who afterwards, "by
the Grace OF God"-certainly through none of
his own--became George ". 1t belonged to the
old parish Of St. Martins, the parish church of
which, If we mistake not, is still standing at st.
Martins, Worcester county, Md. This old church
is lined throughout with cedar, without parti-
Gle OF paint about 1t, and its exterior walls are
Of shiugle When we last saw 1t, II had great
hole through its roof, and was rapidly going to
ruin. It is built with It's chancel towards the
east, and great care has been taken In its grave
yard to have the graves face due east. This is
likewise true Of the grave yard Of st. Peters, at
Lewes, and a number of other old church yards.
When Methudism swept over this peninsula,
(and this is the classic ground of American Meth
odsm,) it swept the masses from the old church
and took that hold on the popular heart which it
still has. For many years the Episcopal Church
thus deprived of Its popular element was the
church of the aristocratic element and received
the support of the old families, aud as the " old
families" died out Episcopacy to great extent,
died out with them, and several Of the old places
of worship were abandoned.
q! late years, however, there has been marked
revival OF inlrrest,a several new churches have
been built aud the church gives indication OF
steady growth. Bishop Lee,n his annual address
to the late Convention, congratulated 1t On the
briht prospects of the church in bis diocese, and
proceeded TO recount his official acts. II appears
that during the year he confirmed 176 persons,
held Two ordinations to the deaconatc, one to the
priesthood. Five candidates are on the list for
duacou's orders. The Bishop spoke in ilattering
terms Of the efforts being made by Rev DR.. Nor
sell and Rev. Mr.. True to extend the church in
Kent county, and of those OF Rev. MIR. Hall in
the western part of Sussex county. The Conven-
tion adopted resolution recommending the
formation Of diocesan missionary association.
The Deitrarean, which publishes quite an inter-
esling report Of the proceedings, says -
s"The Bishops address and the report of the
various committees gave gratifying evidence OF
the increased growth and strength OF the Episco-
pal Church in this State, the number OF coniirma-
vious year. A vigorous effort is now to be made
by missionary labor to restore many ancient par
ishes OF the disoceso and build up new ones in
places where Episcopal services are at present un-
known The religious services attendant on the
meeting of the convention were, as usual, inter-
esting and impressive"
New churches have recently been organized in
Camden, Leipsic, and other places, where church,
cs did not before exist, and the interest of the
masses seems to have been enlisted once more
We think that il the members OF this church on
the Eastern Shore of Maryland had been ami
mated by true zeal for their church, tempered
by prudence and discretion, they would, instead
OF erecting the Diocese of Easton, have initiated
steps to follow the example of the two churches
which probably more than any other understand
the adaptation of means to ends, and the wise
and economical administration Of church affairs,
the Catholics and the Mcthodists, and sought to
make this Peninsula all one diocese. We do not
believe the Protestant Episcopal Church on this
Peninsula will ever realize the hopes and anticl-
pations Of its friends until this Is done.