The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-11-09
The Late Episcopal Convention.

y
conservatism, aud exercising relative
weight and influence in the religious
world. The late session was looked
forward to as one Of unusual interest,
on account Of diversities Of sentiment
upon ritualistic questions, upon the sub
ject Of baptismal regeneration as ex-
pressed in the Office of infant baptism,
upon the case Of Mr. Cheney, of Illinois,
who had refused to use the words as
prescribed in that Office and been de-
posed by his bishop therefor, and other
points Of inferior interest, but all Of
which had been discussed with 80 much
excitement that there seemed to be
pervading impression that the various
differences would culminate 10 rupture
at this convention. But these appre-
tensions have not been verified the
proceedings of the convention having
been more harmonious than for years.
The subject of ritualism was intro
duced in the convention by message
from the House of Bishops to the House
of Delegates on the third day of the
session, recommending that certain acts
in the administration of the Holy Com
munion should be prohibited as
the use of incense, Of lights on the
"holy table" except when necessary,
the elevation OF the elements, and other
ceremonies which are alleged to have
been introduced into some Episcopal
churches, and to be innovations, aud to
indicate generally an expression Of what
are considered in the Episcopal Church
novelties in theology, especially as to
eucharistical alteration.
The debate on this subject, which
elected considerable variety of views as
to the expedisncy Of the special measure
recommended by the House of Bishops,
various substitutes being offered for il,
resulted finally in the failure Of the
measure proposed by the bishops, aud
the various substitutes therefor, follow
ed by the unanimous adoption by the
House OF Deputies, on the last day of
the session, of resolution, afterwards
coucurred in by the House Of Bishops,
that the convention express its decided
condemnation Of all ceremonies, observ-
ances and practices fitted to express
doctrine foreign to that set forth in the
authorized standards Of the church, aud
that the paterual counsel of the bishops
is deemed sufficient to secure the sup
preston Of Irregularities, and to promote
greater conformity in conducting public
worship and the administration Of the
Holy Sacrament. To which it may be
added that the pastoral letter of the
bishops, read at the close of the con-
veution, declares that if teacher sug.
gests the alteration of the elements by
act or posture, he places himself IN an.
tdgonism TO the doctrine Of The church.
ln regard to the phrase of "regenera.
tion," as usel in the Office for the bap.
tism Of infants, aud the meaning Of
which had been subject of cousidera
BILE diversity ofopinion, the bishops being
asked the meaning Of the word, uuani.
mously declared that, in their opinion,
it is not so usad in the Office Of infaut
baptism as to determine that moral
change is wrought in the infant The
case of Mr.. Cheney, who refused to use
the Office, because, in his opinion it
taught such change, was not before
the convention, nor did il como within
its province to deal with the case.
Other incidents which gave interest
to the convention we're the visits Of emf.
nent bishops and clergy Of the Church
Of England and colonial churches to the
council, the attention given to homes
and hospitals, and to the organization
Of womens work in schools aud institu.
tions Of mercy, the revival Of the dea-
conate Of women, the missionary and
Sunday School jubilees, aud the prompt
raising Of contributions for sufferers BY
the Chicago fire.
The pastoral letter Of the bishops
includes condemnation of alleged dan.
gers connected with recent movements
in the church, at the same time admon-
ishi6g against irreverence and lawless.
ness.-DuHtmOre SdR.
The high church Journals, says the
New York Express, are inclined to claim
the non,action ofthe Convention on the
question Of Ritualism as a decided nd-
vantage on their side. The several pro.
posed rcpressive cannous were succes. .
sively voted down. and, as already sta.
ted, the only thing that received assent
was a resolution condemnatory Of all
ceremonies calculated to teach doctrine
which "this Church" does not hold.
Aud as the Ritualists say they do not
admit that they have taught, or intend
70 teach, false doctrine, the resolution
is as satisfactory to them as to the
Evangelicals.
| The whole matter, now, is left Just
where It was before--in the hands Of
the Bishops Of the respective dioceses.
And so il may be concluded that where
the Bishop il high churchman, as in
New York aud Illionis, the ''adyanced
school, will be permitted to have their
way, as heretofore. St. Adams, St.
Sacrameut's, the Church of 81. Mary
the Virgin, and other like places Of
public Worship, here in this city (where
the ceremonies and forms of tho Church
Of Rome are closely followed, may go
on in that way without encountering
any canonical objection, SO far as the
legislation of the General Convention is
concerned.
The Bishops declaration as to ire
generate" too, would have been manda-
tory, 1t il had been put into canon,
aud thus made the law Of the Church.
instead Of mere opinion Of the Rish.
ops. As it is, the Sacramentarian party