New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-06
THE EPISCOPAL CONVENTION.

HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CoNNhN-
TON EARLY RELATIONS WITH TIKI MOTHER
CHURCH-CoMPosTIoN OF THE CoNVENiioN--i
QUESTION LIKELY TO COME UP-A PRofosAL Io
ADOPT THE PROVINCIAL sYsrEM-TIE RITUAL |
IsrIC CONTROVERSY
A wide interest is felt in the General Con-
ventiop OF the Protestant Episcopal Church, which
meets to-day not only among the members OF that
aon but by the general public account OF
the Importance attaching to the question of rituaism
which been agiatDg tho Church for years, and to
which events have directed more than ordinary
attention. The Cummlnss movement and the sharp
contest over election OF Bishop In Wisconsin, sur
fient in themselves raise serious controversy In
communion uniting parties Of such diverse views
as those of the High and Low Church' nave
been matters OF much nGtoriety, while across
the ocean the church has had severe struggle
over the same issues The meeting OF q Church Con-
gress England simultaneously with tho Convention
Notwithstanding the opposition OF some OF the Bishops
and clergy and the controversy which has arisen in con-
sequence also add Importance TO the Convention In view
of the attitude 1t may assume toward the Congress
Aside from these weighty questions tho members
wealth and influence OF the Protestant Episcopal
Church its benevolent and missionary enterprises ana
its church work In general sufficient fix the public
notice upon the Convention its highest judicial and leg
isiative power.
Tue Convention which is held triennay. will meet at
81, Johns Chapel in this city Its sessions will prob
ably continue three weeks: the last held In Baltimore
sat during twenty three days The first General Con-
vention Philadelphia In 1875. In accordance with
tbs provisions of preliminary meeting held In Newfork
in October, The Revolution had effected separa
ton from the Church OF England, and the clergy aud
laty OF Ncw-York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania met
at New Brunswick n j. In the Spring OF 1884, TO recon-
mend the forming OF Continental Representation OF
the Episcopal Church" AT the New-York meeting, in
addition the States Just named Delaware and Mary
land were represented. The Convention recommended
I'm he
associations aud in Ga general eccles
asicsl constitution the fundamental principles OF
which forth This draft in substance declared
that there shall be General Convention OF the Epis
cops Church the United States" the frat meeting OF
which shall be held at Philadelphia In September, 1885
1t further directed that the Episcopal Church in each
State should send deputies the Convention. both lay
and clerical also that associated congegatops IN two
vided Thai the doctrines Of the gospel as by the
Church OF England shall be maintained and the liturgy
OF that Church adhered far the political changes
wrought by the Revolution would Allow that Bishops
shouii b. members OF the Convention offcio; and
that the clergy aud laty shall deliberate in body
but should vote separately. : .-I
ORIGINAL ORGANIZATION OF THE CONVENTION.
The Philadelphia Convention was attended by l6
clerical and &c lay delegates and organized by the
election of the Rev. Dr. White Of Pennsylyania Pres
dent A constitution adopted in accordance with
the suggestions OF the New-York meeting This instru-
lisa which with some changes and additions is the
present constitution Of the Church. meeting Of the
provided for and the liturgy was altered to make it
conform 10 the the changed condition Of the United
States With patriotic gal the Convention resolved
that the 4th Of July should be forever observed by the
blessings of civil religious liberty vOuohsafed the
United states OF America"
After having thus organ zed the General Convention
or the American Church. the next important step was TO
secure bishops for the line of apotolical
slon For tins purpose an address was sent to the En-
glish archbishops and bishops asking them to
crate as bishops such persons should be selected as
candidates by The respective State Conventions and
assurances were given their lordshps OF the attach
worship of he mother church.
The Convention of year. 1896 sdd not assemble
received from England that BlshOps would be
Grated for the American Church. and controversy
the New England churches which refused to send
DELEGATES 10 the Convention had almost eliminated In
schism. The Connecticut churchmen had early
theimportance of securing Bishop In the English line,
and had made application for the conservation OF DIR.
B 3 'ns5 1eS aRe e ns Of S
convention felt disposed TO deny the validity OF the
Scotch succession but happily for the integrity Of the
Church Che discussion was sverted Another address
and 10 1877 the American CHURCH had the satisfaction of
welcoming home as Bishops Drs White and PROVOST,
Palace.
The New-Engand churches for the conservation OF Dr.
Bass as their Bishop. This opened the way for the
adjourned meeting Of the Convention In October Of the
same year. Bishop SeaDury with deputies from the
after subscribing to an amended constitution they all
took seats IN the Convention thereDeing now the
ORGANIZED with Bishop seaOury as President, the
American EpScOpdte being thus OF the Scottish
and English lines OF succession.
SUBSEQUENT SESSIONS.
The Convention Of 1889 is also memorable for having
provided the Book Of Common Prayer now In Five
committees employed in Its preparation, the Bsh
ops supervising and amending their work. The altera-
lions in the Anglican Prayer Book other than those
CURED by political changes were mostly verbal Add
tons were made from the Irish Prayer Book. and Bsh
Op Seabury In fulhment OF the terms OF his consecra
ton SECURED the restoration to the Conservation
Prayer OF the Obatlon and Invocation found In King
Edwsrd vPs FIRST Prayer Book, and Retained IN the
Scotch ONCE" The Prayer Book thus produced went
into use in october, 1890.
At the Convention of 1872. held in New York. tho
of the American Church. toward union with other
bodies There having been some correspondence with
Bishops IN view of this negotiation. adopted PROPOSE
ton declaring the willingness OF the Protestant Episco
religious society which should Be influenced BY the satne
Catholic spirit" And 10 gain this eud the easily
points which the opinion of the Protestant Eplsco-
pal Church subject to human alteration" The
House OF Deputies rejected the proposition as "pre-
posterous," and the Bishops withdrew it, Action was
taken at this Convention toward evangezing the West
The XXxIX Articles Of the English Church were
brought TO the attention OF several conventions prior
Se House y Dae aapsd and s0P PaSshd
draft OF seventeen articles Of religion which not
approved by the bishops. They occasicDed some little
controversy. which ended in 1871 by the adoption
Of both houses Of the Convention Of the xxx
Articles with such changes as change Of situation had
Subsequent Conventions were not marked by any
venton worthy o; attention. in view of the at
tude 1t assumed toward the war OF the Rebellion.
series Of resolutions adopted by the House Of
Deputies, in which they made this declaration:
s , % ana ea,en, v" aesaonease our whole
a '. ever sn siTy e this oGaSs Of
70 pledge 70 the National dohc aud
repnbed with that speedy
complete the gOy Of God aud the
Both Houses observed cay of fasting, humiliation,