Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-06-05
The Episcopal Convention.

The Baltimore Gazette of Saturday last
says:
The Episcopal Convention of the Do
cese of Maryland which adjourned yester-
day, after brief session, passed upon two
questions Of considerable Importance to
the Church, and possessing more or less of
interest to the general public. The first
was thorough revision of the canons, by
the repeal of some and the amendment of
others, so as to make them conform more
to the canonical laws passed by the last
General Convention. The canon attract
ing the greatest public attention was the
18th, which forbids in express terms the
attendance of church members upon theat-
rical entertainments or at horse races. The
repeal of this, however, was qualified by
the adoption of resolution declaring that
its repeal was not to be understood as
sanctioning such worldly amusements as
are inconsistent with baptismal VOWS
The subject was thoroughly discussed, the
advocates for repeal arguing that as the
canons were being revised this one should
be expunged as expressing by canon mere
individual opinion, and that the question
was fully disposed of by the obligations
assumed by baptism; while on the other
hand twas commended, with equal earnest
ness. that the repeal of such statute was
a departure from long established prin-
ciple that had borne good fruits, and,
though indirectly, sanctioned such world
ly amusements. The repeal was effected,
however, by the votes of decided major
ity of both orders. At yesterdays session
the Right Rev. Bishop Nottingham, who
was absent when the repeating act was
contaminated, sent in communication en-
tering his solemn protest" against it. An
effort to reconsider the repeating act, made
during the session, met with renewed op-
position, and the subject was disposed of
by the adjournment of the body sine die
The other subject alluded to was the a.
doption of canon providing for division
of the Diocese into four separate convoca-
tions, to hold semi-annual meetings. This
also met with opposition, on the ground
that such assemblages- possessing as they
do no legislative powers should be vol
untary rather than compulsory; but the
supporters ofthe movement urged that the
convocations would infuse new life and
increased zeal in the work, in sparsely set
tied sections of country particularly, and
would thus advance the temporal and
spiritual prosperity of the Church. The
interest taken in the discussion of these
and other subjects brought before the Con-
vention evince earnest attention to what
may be regarded as the most important
issues of the day, and indicate increased
zeal in the extension of Church work in
the Diocese.
The following is Bishop Whittingham's
"Solemn Protest" referred to in the above
article:
To the Convention of the Diocese of Maryland:
The undersigned physically unable to endure
the excitement attending personal attempt to
preside in the Convention, takes this method of
putting on record his Solemn Protest against
the action yesterday taken in this body for the
repeal of the canon of the lay discipline, form
erly known as Canon XVIII, forbidding the
atrical exhibitions and other light and vain
amusementS.
First. More than thirty years ago, the exist
| ence of that canon, recognized as an almost pc
cuiar distinction of the Maryland Diocesan.
code, had much weight in swaying the UNDER
signed to undertake the responsibility of the
Episcopate.
Second. No year has since passed in which
he has not found in that CANON directly or in
directly employed, support and strength in
teaching and administration. Not many weeks
have gone by since his last resort to it in fulfil
ment of pastoral duty.
Third. The current Of the times, and the
movement in the population of the country are
such as imperatively to require of faithful
branch of the Church of Christ increased strin-
gency, and not timid relaxation, on the an
noucement and enforcement of the rules of holy
living, self-denial and non-conformity to the
world.
Fourth. Decorative legislation for the gui-
dance and strengthening of pastoral teaching
and discipline, has been in all ages practiced
in the Church and found to afford its ministers
wholesome aid.
Fifth. No qualifying vote can relieve the re-
peal effected from the Interpretation of evincing
a change Of position in regard to the matters in
question. The world, the flesh, and the devil
will so understand it, and have right so to
use it.
Sixth. However circumstances may relieve
the action now taken from the nullity which
must attach to change in the discipline of
Diocese made without the advice and consent,
or even privity of its Bishop, they are not such
as to bind the undersigned, who must hold his
own right in the canon to be unaffected, and
consider it to be, so far as it concerns himself,
and his official action, of force and validity.
All which is affectionately and respectfully
represented