National Republican., 1874-05-28
EPISCOPAL CONVENTION.
NINETF-FIRST ANNUAL MEETING OF
THE MARYLAND DIOCESE

PENDIEG-REPOKTS OF THE BISHOPS
RITUALISTIC CIRCULAR - ANNOUNCE
MENr OF CoMMITTEEs-REAPPo
OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL COURT.
The ninety-frst annual convention of the
diocese of Maryland assembled yesterday morn
ing at st. Johns church, corner Of Sixteenth and
II streets northwest, Rev. ]. Vaughn Lewis,
rector and was largely attended. This is ths frst
instance in many years in which this body has
assembled outside Of Baltimore, the residence oil
the bishop,
The Diocese Of Maryland now includes all the
clergy who are rectors or assistant ministers Oh
parishes or organizations or who have charge oil
mission stations, or who may be in eharGe OF
church educational institutions within the limits
of the counties comprising the Western shore ot
Maryland, the city Of Baltimore and the Dlstrlet
Of Columbia and lay delegates for each paris b,
or chapel corresponding to the num-
Der Of clergy ministering in tho same
As the General or Triennial Council Of the
EpiscopaI Church will assemble next October,
the election Of delegates TO represent the church
men Of Maryland IN that body will come before
the present dtscesan convention. This fact, in
view Of the unusual interest which is expected to
attach to the deliberations OF the genera conyen
tiou OF the Church at its coming session, caused
very full attendance Of the delegates entitled to
seats in the diocesan convention yesterday.
There are indications that there will be an
earnest struggle between those representing the
various schools OF thought in the Episconal
Church to secure the election OF such delegates to
the general convention will best represent
their views on the al-absorbing subject Of ''Rit-
nal conformity which for some years past mas
this country as well as the English Church.
Same are very earnestly and persistently de-
mandng Legislation in the direction Of having the
law Of Ritual defined SO 20 restrain certain
modes Of celebrating the services OF the Church,
Popularly characterized as ''rttualistlc Uthers,
again would like to see such legislation by the
general convention as would open the door to q
revision Of the Liturgy OF the Church: with
view Of expungtng certain words ana changing
certain rubrics that are Objectionable to that |
school in the church styling themselves Ivan |
gelieal." Others, again, whilst admitting that |
there are practices which should Be restrained, |
both as regards the extreme Rituafists and the |
extreme EYangelicals yet strongly ueprecate /
any action at this Juncture, maintaining That
no time 10 legislste such subject in the midst
of excitement. As above inttmated, the question l
OF the election Of delegates to the general conyen
in the convention. A circular has been sent to
every clergyman and lay delegate to the eonVen-
tIon during the past week, signed By the ReY. A.
p. Stryker, Of st. Barnaeas' church, and the
Rev T. U. Dudley, of Christ church, Baltimore,
and by other prominent clergymen and laymen,
inviting the clerical and lay delegates 70 mold
of taking such action as will secure the election
by the convention Of this diocese Of such repre-
as will labor and vote IN the generaI
(meRning the rltualistlc question)
s1seItfed upon conservative Church principles"
above, seems to have excited considerable oPposi-
tion, and has called forth the following reply:
.'fhe Undersigned. clergymen and lay delegates
to the APPROACHING Diocesan convention, having
received a circular purpOrting to represent the
OF the Diocese OF Maryland, and yet
proposing such action as will introduce important
changes In the existing laws OF the Church, de-
sire 10 express our disapproval OF any such means
of influencing beforehand the mind OF the conVen-
tion. We feel persuaded that large majority OF
the LOYAL and conservative churchmen OF the
diocese deprecate committing themselves or those
10 whom they may entrust the interests oil the
Church to any Predetermined line OF aeIon: -
select as their deputies TO the next general con-
vcntion men sufficiently we'll known to be left to
the guidance Of their own discretion in all ques-
I'VE think it will establish c dangerous prece-
dent TO deyzTInine in an informal meeting, during
and OSSsside Of the Diocesan convention, matters
which ought properly to be settled only before
the convention itself.
"EntertGning these views as to tho serious ma
lure Of the course proposed in the circular alluded
10 above VIC have felt ourselves called upon 10
express them TO the clergy and lay delegates, and
ask them to suspend Judgment upon
matters referred in the circular until they shall
be regularly brought before them in the conVen-
lion for their action"
Signed BY Rev J. s B. Hodge, u. D.; Rev. c.
K Nelson, D D.; Rev. James ChiPehase. Rev.
w m. T. Johnston. Rev. Richard Z. Hall, and by
McssTs. VIM. Il. Harrison. +. w. Bruno, George
w. TinEes, Charles IL. Wyatt and Daniel NJ.
Thomas.
The members Of the convention assembled at 10
o'clock for divine service, consisting OF morning
prayer. litany, preaching OF the convention SER
lnon by Rev. George Leeds ID. d., rector OF Grace
church, Baltimore. followed by the Celebration of
The holy communion. Owing to the feeble health
Gf Pishup Whiting. ham he was not press mt, and
Assistant Bishop Rt. Rev. VIM. Pinkney presi-
tcd. In celebrating the communion he was as
sisted by Deans Dr. Nyer levin, A. J. Rich, Drs.
At the conclusion of the religious services, As
sistant Bishop Pinkney called the convention TO
tImore, secretary, called the roll Of delegates,
and all Of the delegates answered to their names
with few exceptions and there was found to be
about one hundred and twenty representatives
The first business was the election OF a secrc-
rary, and on motion Of Dr. w. q. Jackson, Dr.
DalTymple was unanimously reelected to that
The following committees we're then announced:
On CanUns, and other business-Rey. DIR. Levin,
DR.. VIM. Hodges, W, +, Brand, +, W. BToE9e
Ga Eiect,Gnss-u1Iccii. montgomery Blair, DR.. ?.
J. Williams and Fendall Nowbray.
Oa AccOunts-E. Glenn Perris, Or. James
Chester and K. b. Chew.
On ParochiaI ContrIbutions-Dr. Henry Col
burn, Mr. II. @. Dorsey and Mr. John NJ. Browne.
On Admission OF New Parishes-Rey: DR.: Hut;
ton, Dr. Nelson, Mr.. Southgate, A. b. Davis and
DR.. Franklin.
On Rights Of Clergymen-Rev. Dr. jackson,
Grammar and W. A. Harris.
On the State of the ChuTch-Rev. DR.. Addison
Gordon, James Parsoa Chapman and Mr.. W. G.
Harris.
The secretary then read the annual report Of
OF all circumstances, the condition
Il the Church is favorable. Especially has there
Deea rapid growth about W aEhngton. Among
he colorcd population the increase 10 the Church
has been notable and large. There arc now five
,oloIed congregations 1crshipping in Baltimore.
There arc bishops. 1853 Minister'S and l4l prcsby-
ers in the diocese. The changes have been fewer
han ever known before IN the sams period. Only
our ministers have left the diocese during the
H. 10 r1A ka H. ~.
guire, at the Christ church. Georgetown, on ac-
cunt Of having Joined another and antagonistic
denomination.
He then gave n statement Of tho different
lnriEg tis past ySIF: So
He had been able to hold but one ordination
Turing the year and that At Catonsville, Md. He
notices Of fourteen deyoItt9ls II thlrtee:
HIS health had been SO p99r as pade risltationg
impossible, with the execution of q lew to Balti-
as follows: That of communion Is times, confirm
alton 2l times, and once in private to 4l6 persons
He had been able to preach seven times and de-
Assistant Bishop Pinkney then read the report
Of his labCrs for the past year.
He gave a detailed account Of every days work
by him: which showed he had travelled
much and been very constant IN the execution Of
his duties. He said that the cOnyocauons had
worked admirably, and the results were very en-
cOuraging. The Episcopal office must be brought
in close union with the cOnyocation in order TO be
more effective, and he thought that this could be
done by mere energy and interest by the commu-
nicauts.
The smaIlness OF the candidates for holy orders
had given him great pain, and he could not ac- /
count for Il unless there was great remissness.
The solution could only be found by the ireside,
IN the Sunday school, in the church and at the |
holy altar. There was lack OF faith and prayer |
In these places. The line OF succession must be |
for, az death thinned their ranks, |
they must add, and, the field OF recruits was |
looked over, it was plain to see that no time was
to be lost. LaboTeTs are wanted in the vineyard;
not pastors merely but lab0r'rs who will sacrifice
and work for the glory Of Chod. They are wanted |
at the fireside. in tho scboOi-TOom and conhrma- |
lion, to picture and perpetuate TO the little ones
BE they spring up Gods teachings and the khoWl-
edge Of his " ord.
On motion ofDr Lewis, the report Of the COM |
mlttee on compilation was made the special order
for Friday, at II o'clock.
The act Of Incorporation of St. Marks church |
was received and referred.
Rev. DR.. Levin presented petition for alter |
ing the boundaries Of Ascension parish; which |
was referred.
a communication was received from Bishop |
Whit;ingham, reappoluting the members Of the |
Ecclesiastical court Of the diocese.
A recess was then taken until o'clock
EVENING SESSION.
The convention met at p. m, and was opened
with prayer by Rev. Mr.. Richie and Rev MIR.
James, of Baltimore.
The Rev. Mr.. Kenick, Of the Church OF the
Baltimore city, presented petition
fror, tba eburch tn he admitted to the convention