The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-28
NEW JERSEY EPISCOPAL CONVENTION
Significant Hints by the Preacher
of the Day.
Communism in Religion-The Poor on an
Equality with the Rich or No Safety for
the Church-Trained Women 10 As
Sst the Ministry-A New
Diocese Recommended.

The nineteenth annual Convention OF the Episco-
pal Diocese of New Jersey was opened yesterday
at st. Mary's church, Burlington. 81, Mary's is the
Oldest parish In the diocese, 40 years having
elapsed since ii was first organized. The old
church, which was built at that time still remains
as landmark OF the past, and Is now used as .
schoolhsuse The new edince is OF brown stone
and Gothic architecture, has peal Of eight beau
tiful bells, which were cast in England. whose
silvery tones commenced to warn the inhabitants
OF Burlington at twenty minutes to mne yesterday
morning OF the important event which was about
to take place. AT nine o'clock the sacred edidce
was moderately filled. The silver altar service is
ITO years old-as old as the parish-and the pastor
states II was the gift OF Queen Anne, OF England.
At ten minutes past nine thlrty-three clergymen,
attired in white SUPPLIES and black gowns, headed
by Bishop Odenhemer, filed in single line through
the south aisle to the altar, around which they
took their seats. large number Of clergymen
were scattered through the congregation who did
not take part in the oillca services. The SER
vices were then commenced, and continued for
three hours. AT half-past ten O'Clock Rev. ]. N.
Stansberry Christ church. Newark assembled the
pulpit, and after taking for his text the eleventh
chapter st. Matthew, fifth versesThe poor have the
Gospel preached to them'-he proceeded to deliver
q sermon which was most instructive and edfying
He said that classes In the church should be
abolished. No distinction should be made between
the rich and poor but he was sorry to say that this
was not the case. If the fisherman OF Gallilee
the carpenter OF NaZaret entered fashionable
churches what q sensation 1t would create, how
unwelcome they would be received He held this
was not wise, and that such practices would run
riot unless modified by the Church to-day He
here referred to the predictions made by some
nI.nr
an agonistc conflict, and also to the troubles in
Paris. Who shall be held responsible for thiss We
give the weary traveller meal we Systematically
lead our family to church anu say prayers to Him
whom we are ignOrantly Worshtpping. The IN
ternationas claim the world as one great
brotherhood. The Communists assert that
there should be periodical distribution OF all
property. 1t is safety to obliterate all distinc-
tons In the Church Of God. In olden times dis
trbuton was made to every man according as 1t
needed. So far az spiritual matters go we
ought to have all things in common-one fold and
one shepherd. He suggested some means Tor this
contamination: first the church doors must all be
open wide, every seat free; no sitting should be
appropriated. Open the doors and seats and
enable us to point to well-1ed chuI ches and give
laborng men and women ample privileges TO
worship their Creator He hoped the day was not
Tar distant when every soul shall feel he mas right
also needed large and disciplined ministry
and more ministers. The clergy are now
nderaE oy ys II WIN work Ihousands
administrations. He advocated the necessity OF
having trained women in the Church 10 work with
and help the ministers. He paid glowing and
well merlted tribute to the fidelity and sincere
charity exercised by women among the Indians on
the frontiers and in the hospitals OF the cities and
towns OF the country. They want trained and de-
voted women to work In their parshes those on
whom they can rely as confidently as on minister's
lie here gave touching Illustrations OF the devoted
ness OF such women In nursing the sick aud
taking care OF the homeless he again
adverted TO the poor and said let them
not dismiss that subject without earnest consider
alton. they must all admit they had not acted right
tow ard their brethren OF the working classes How
can they expect God to espouse their cause when
tGey treat that class, whom lie loved SO much,
coldlrand indHerentyS Alter concluding his able
sermon with touching peroration the reverend
gentleman retired from the pulpit, when the re-
manning portion OF the service was proceeded
with.
AT twenty minutes to one o clock the Convention
was called to order by Bishop 0denheimer, when
the Secretary commenced to call the roll OF those
cergymen who were entitled to seats Not one
nall the number OF delegates appeared, great
many lay delegates being absent
a constitutional quorum, however, was declared
TO he present. committee OF three, consisting OF
Rev. Messrs. Maxwell ana Sibey and DR.. Ellis,
were appointed by the President to examine Gre
dentals
Rev. ". D. Harrington was elected Secretary
WITHOUT opposition. He then appointed Rev. Dr..
Boggs as Assistant secretary A number OF COM
mttees were then appointed, the most important
OF which were those on finance ana the constitu-
ton The Finance Committee consists Of Messrs,
George G. Hance. A. q. Keasbv, Daniel Dodd, Alfred
Mills ana Jonathan Edgar; on Constitution, Eevs.
$ A. Canke. r. NJ Abercrombie, +. C. Putnam, and
resolution was adopted making the as
sessments for the Bishops salary seven
per cent and for convention expenses
one and one-half per cent. Rev. Mr.. Garrison read
the report OF the majority OF the committee ap-
pointed at last convention to consider the best
plan Tor obtaining proportionate representation
and with special regard to canon Is. Mr..
r. +. Sbley read the minority report OF the same
committee, which was to the effect OF abolishng
canon Is altogether. The majority report sug-
Rested some additions 10 canon IS. Discussion
then ensuea, some delegates suggesting the imme-
date disposal OF the reports While others wanted to
make them the special order for to-day (Wednes-
day, at two O'Clock. The matter was ultimately
referred to the Committee on Canons and Consti-
tuition The receipts for the last year 1851 40
and the disbursements $500 from the Episcopal
Fund.
The committee appointed at the last convention
on the division Of the diocese, submitted their re-
port and recommended that new diocese be
erected within the limits OF the state, to consist OF
the seven northern counties OF the State. They
also recommend that committee be appointed to
procure at the next session Of the Legislature OF
the state OF New Jersey, such legislation may be
needed for the Church in this state and the presen-
tation and proper disposition Of its trusts and
property whenever the convention OF this diocese
shall choose to divide the diocese. The whole mat
ter was made the special order for to-day after the
reading OF the Episcopal address. Alter good
deal OF routine business was transacted, the con-
vention adjourned to haltpas seven O'Clock.