The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-10-18
Episcopal General Convention.


This body, which is convened every three years.
met in Baltimore on the 4th inst. The sermon
was preached by Bishop Johns of Virginia-an
excellent discourse on the text The love of Christ
constraineth US" The attendance of delegates
was very large. The Convention consists of two
divisions, the House of Bishops, and the House of
Deputies who are clergymen and laymen elected
by the several dioceses. A number of cergymen
of the Church of England are present, among
whom are the Bishop of Lichfeld, and Rev. DR..
Howson. No matters of very special Importance
have yet been acted upon, though some have been
brought before the@Sonyention. Among them is
the report of committee of FIVE bishops appointed
by the Convention Of 1868. 1t is manifest from
the nature of this report that the condition of the
Episcopal Church in this country is very far from
being one of unity, and that the errors-all more
or less Popish in their character-which call for
such decided condemnation and prohibition, must
have already obtained no small prevalence, and
threaten widespread evil. As the report of this
committee is one of great significance we lay it be-
fore our readers.
The committee of FIVE Bishops appointed by the
House of Bishops, at the General Convention Of
1868, "To consider whether any additional pro-
visions for uniformity, by canon or otherwise, is
practicable and expedient, and to report to the
next General Convention, having held sundry
meetings at several different places, at each Of
which all the members Of the committee were
present through the entire session. and having, as
they believe given to the ubect-matter intrusted
to them, that careful consideration which its I'M
portance merits, respectfully ask leave to report.
Tho racolutiop undar yphinh tho committae waS
appointed raises several questions for examination
and answer Is any legislation touching the per-
Torrance of Divine Service and - the adminlstra-
ton of the Sacramento and other Rites and Cere-
monies of the Church, practicable? If practica-
BILE, is it, at this time, eXpedient? If practicable
and expedient, shall it take the shape of canon
or canons; or shall it be otherwise provided fol?
And, finally, what shall the actual details Of legs-
laton be? Assuredy, these are question that touch
the Church and its ministers and members, in
many and very vital points, aud involve many
delicate as well as precious relations.
In considering these questions, the Committee
have endeavored never to forget that substantial
uniformity is entirely compatible with very consid
cradle individual liberty; that essentials should
never be unduy magnifed, and, far less, raised to
an equality with essentials; that many troublesome
and Objectionable things are ephemeral in their
nature, and "perish in the using and that
under any circumstances, hasty Legislation is ever
to be avoided. Nor have they omitted to keep in
mind the wise words of the XXXIVth Article Of
Religion:
cit is not necessary that Traditions and Cere-
monies be in all places one, or utterly like; for at
all times they have been divers, and may be chang
ed according to the diversity of countries, times
and mems manners so that nothing be ordained
against Gods Word.
Every partio5 onal Church hath
authority to ORD and abolish Cere
monies or raained only by
mans aut ne to edl
flying.
While, however have kept these
considerations in jeen, and is, their
unanimous conviction ne action Of the Gen
eral Convention, in regl,d to the important mat
tiers named in the resolution appointing them, is
very desirable, if not, indeed, absolutely demanded.
Among many reasons for this conviction that pre-
sent themselves, they venture to ask attention to
the three following:
First. 1t is obvious to remark that there are
among US great and growing Universities of use,
in the performance Of Divine Service and the of
fees of the Church. Unless something is done, and
done soon in the interests of uniformity, these di
versites bid fair to equal, If they do not exceed,
those which, at which the period OF the Anglican
Reformation, were regarded as an evil to be re-
moved and led to the decision that 1.-THE whole
realm" should have "bat one use" They occa-
sion, moreover, even now, confusion, trouble, and
perplexity among our people; and these evils must
increase as their causes are multiplied.
Secondly. 1t is believed that various services
over and above those provided in the Book of
Common Prayer, or set forth in accordance with
the provisions of Title l., Canon, 3 XIV, OF the
Digest, and not coming under the denomination Of
Sunday or other school services, are publicly used
in certain churches. How far liberty in this regard
is to be allowed or in what respects it is to be re-
strained, the Committee do not undertake to say.
1t is obvious, however that any such services are
sources of disorder and confusion, in proportion as
they are framed on principles and embody acts,
words, or forms come these from what outside
quarter they may-that are not in accord with the
doctrine, discipline, and worship of our own
Church, or are foreign to the genius and spirit of
our services.
Thirdly The Committee have reason to believe,
that in some instances the Services of the Prayer
Book are unawfully altered or mutilated, and in
others are so performed as to make it difficult, to