The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-11-14
Tie Late Episcopal Convention.

tessant Episcopal Church in the United
States closed its proceedings on Tuesday
evening, November 3D., having been In
session twcnty-four working days The
closing act, as is customary, was the read
ing Of the pastoral letter OF the Bishops.
The letter recognizes the claims Of science.
"The sanctifed intellect delights to explore
every department Of knowledge, to deci-
pher the strange legends impressed upon
the once fluid rock, to nnroll the papyrus,
to anaIyze the mysterious processes OF hui
man thought and consciousness.
The Church seeks not to put out the eyes
of scholars and investigators She gladly
welcomes all their contributions to human
knowledge and to the wealth of human
thought. But she warns her children, IN
the presence of these little "systems" which
shave had their day aud cease to be, that
they must not enslave themselves to the
tyranny Of transient theories, and foreSo
their right to hold fast to that which is
the same yesterday, to-day and forever"
On the matter of amusements the pas
toral contains some counsel; and tho sub
iect of ritual and non-ritual is gently but
firmly touched. The discipline of the
Church, it is declared, is liberty and not
bondage. "The clergy have large liberty.
Should they abuse the gentleness Of Christ
and the patience Of their mother, by pres
sing their own fancies and selEconceits to
the utmost range Of canonical endurance Z
Should they usurp the functions Of the
body that commissioned them, and seek to
make the Church more evangelical or more
catholic than her own formularies and
ritual affected to be?' The subject of
ritual was the leading interest in the do
ings Of the Convention, both as considered
by the members ef the body and the wide
circle Of lockers on. The discussion re-
suited in an additional section to Canon
XX, Title !, "Of the use of the Book Of
Common Prayer" This amendment, or
addition, was passed on the eighteenth
day of the session by the following vote BY
diocesses, forty-one being represented :;
Clergy, aye, 3s; nay, 2; divided l. Laity,
80 diocesses, aye, "a; nay B. divided, l..
Sent to the House of Bishops it was re-
turned with amendments, and after the
Of committee OF conference,
was adopted by both houses in the form
reported by the committee. The vote OF
the House Of Deputies, on Saturday, was
substantially the same MS ut the first, only
that fewer dioceses were represented. The
canon may be described in general terms
as providing for the admonition, or, If he
persist, the trial OF any clergyman for in
PRODUCING ceremonies or practices not
ordained or authorized in the Book OF
Common Prayer, and setting forth or sym
bollzlng erroneous or doubtful doctrines.
Certain particulars arc specified as exam
pies, and the report Of the committee of
differed from the original in the
omission OF the specification of two alleged
practices, the use Of "incense" and tho
"crueitix,
The election OF bishop in the Episco-
cal Church is not final until the House of
Clerical and Lay Deputies have endorsed
It by vote by dioceses and orders, except
that, it the election take place more than
SIX months before assembling OF General
Convention, each diocese may express its
assent or dissent, through its Bishop and
standing committee. The vote in General
Convention is the rate--the decision by
committees is the exception. An
effort was made, but failed, to change the
canon and take the matter out of the
hanu oil the General Convention. This
movement was prompted by the time con
'1med IN secret session over the election
81 hey. George Il. Seymour, ID. d., Pro-
lessor In the General Theological Semi
nary IN New York. DIR. Seymour was
elected Bishop OF Illinois, TO succeed DIR,
W hltehouse, deceased. After occupying
The attention of the House for the greater
part OF nine days, the approval Of DR.. Sey-
moi was refused by the following vote !:
Clericai (4i dioceses represented), ayes 10,
nays ~ divided, IL. Lay (dioceses rep
resented Az, ayes IL, nays Is; divided
D. IL Is Understood that the debates in
'eere' session were IN effect the discussion
y questions bearing upon the ritual qucs-
lion, ana Its various relations the per
sonar character OF Dr. Seymour, or his
earning ana talents not being matter of
iepa'e IN the Convention or elsewhere.
"a 'h's respect the matter has public in
crest as an indication OF the sentiment Of
me ~ convention upon the mooted subject.
Inc use OF the Hymnal, authorized in
io,i Is continued Tor six yers, the stand
'ra Stereotype plates having been corec-
Ied oy Tue committee upon the subject.
mere are other matters in the proceedings
u the Convention, mostly of nature Of
Snich those interested will advise them
serves Inc nonactlon Of the Convention
lpon certain leading matters is important.
J, ! dec,ined 70 authorize the alternative
form desired by memoralists in the bap.
ismai service. II gave the go by to the
proposed provincial system, and also to
he proposition to establish a Court OF
Appeals. The subject Of new election
ny was embraced in an amendment to
he Constitution, which, if adopted at the
lext Convention, will settle the doubt
whether the matter is in the power of the
faaaEn