The Van Buren press., 1871-09-05
THIRD pAY-MoRsIsG SESSION.

| THIRD DAY-AoRNISG SESSION.
The convention met at the usual hour, Right
Rev Bishop Pierce presiding. and the Rev
Mr.. Stout acting AS secretary, In the absence
of l., T.. Barber Esq
In the course of the morning session the
canons recommended by the committee were
discussed, in some cases amended and adopt
ed, when the convention took Il recess.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The convention met, and proceeded to busi-
moss.
DR.. Trimble offered the following resolu-
ton, viz:
Resolred. That it is duty Of this diocese to
organize plan By which the claims of the
Protestant Episcopal Church may be brought
before the colored people of this State, and
that we believe that the best and most effect
ual method of accomplishing this desirable
object 10 to educate worthy and promising
young men Of African descent for the minis
try Of this church, and that the reverend cler-
gy take 1t upon themselves to look out In their
respective parishes for young men ofgood re-
port, and who feel themselves called to this
work, and that the claims of all such be pre-
sented to the bishops and further, that we
| will do all we can to promote the education
and training of such persons.
The resolution was adopted by a unanimous
vote.
| DR.. Trimble vas called to the chair. and the
convention proceeded to elect bishop for
the newly formed diocese Of Arkansas, In the
manner prescribed In the canons.
The result of the election was that Rt. Rev.
Ii. n. Pierce, D.. ID. LII. d.. missionary bishop
Of Arkansas etc, was duly elected by unani-
mons vote Of the clergy and laity of the dio-
cese. voting by orders, bishop of the diocese
of Arkansas. Luke 4. Barber Esq, was duly
elected permanent secretary of the diocese
and w. b. Wait, Esq, treasurer. Messrs
Stout and Ruth, of the clergy and Wassell
Stone and Mclaughlin of the laity. were duly
appointed as acommttee to inform the mis-
sonary bishop of his election as bishop of the
diocese of Arkansas, and proceeded to perform
the duty assigned them.
The bishop on taking the chair, said
Brethren of the clergy and laity, thank you
for the confidence you have reDosed in me, as
shown by your electing me as diocesan OF
your diocese. can say from my heart that
have never sought the Episcopacy. though
cannot say that have never thought of it
but the fact is, that have been put forward
by others, and not by myself. 1t is a fact that
your late missionary bishop. whose tablet ap-
pears on this wall. told me that he wished me
to remain in Texas, and told me that If
would remain he would recommend me as hi.
successor. OF course, under these circum'
stances, could but think of the Episcopacy
but have never turned one stone to secure
it. have always felt that was the servant
of the church, and if The church had sent m'
to Alaska, should have not hesitatsd to obey
its command. ! have always thought the of
flee of bishop should neither be sought mol
declined. When at a meeting of our congre-
CATION 1t was decided that diocese should bt
formed, one of the difficulties that presented
itself to the minds of the brethren was th,
support of the bishop. You were not pledged
to elect me, though the comparative poverty
of the diocese may have had restraining in
tuencc upon you. | know well the history
of the cannon of the church In reference Il
missionary bishops 1t was adopted wher
Bishop Freeman was elected DIOCESAN Of Tex
as. 1t was decided that the missionary Lishol
is not of necessity diocesan Of Il diocese form
ed in the territory over which he presides bu
may become such, if elected. The same ru.
was followed in the case of Bishop KempeI
of Wisconsin. 1t was my desire to leave tn
newly formed diocese of Arkansas as free a
the wind that blows IN its election of Il bish
!, op, my only care was that it should not b.
left without Episcopal direction. before it wa
able to help itself My diocese includes tn
} State of Arkansas and the Indian Territory
and If it were proposed that there should b.
"A missionary bishop for the northern portion
ofthe Indian Territory, can now say "ver,
J well. | can take Arkansas" came to AR
kansas AS tlnalty-here to spend and b.
} spent, to live and to die, not accepting thi
position as a stepping-stone to another, ant
have no desire to go elsewhere; and pledg
myself that while live, | will never leav
her until this diocese has secured the beneti
of Episcopal supervision. But suppose mis-
sionary bishop for the Indian Territory ha,
been appointed, what would have been m,
condition where my jurisdiction? | simpl!
allude to these things. and make this pledge
that no one may apprehend or say that | MS
sisted in getting the church into difficulty ant
then proposed to go away without seeing tina
she was relieved Of those difficulties. Ineve
propose to leave Arkansas until the diocese i
able to take care of itself. Again thank yo,
for the compliment bestowed Oh me. Th,
gloria in erceisis was then recited by the con
vcntion.
On motion Of Rev. Mr.. Bruce resolution
thanks to the vestry and members of Chris
) church, Little Rock, for their hospitality wa
adopted, the vote being unanimous.
The convention then took u recess to
O'Clock.
| Democratic Paper at Helena.