Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-10-15
The Episcopal Convention.

Iu the Episcopal Convention, In session in
New York, yesterday, Rev Dr. Bcardsley, Of
Connecticut, of the Committee on Prayer book,
n relation to the memorial pctitioniug that
BODY to take such measures as 10 their wisdom
might seem proper towards assembling, at as
early day as possible, Of the synod Of all
bishops of comuuoiou with the see Of Cauter-
bury, for consideration of questions relating to
the English version of the Holy Scriptures and
creeds, and the relation Of the Angellcan
Church to other Christian bodies, reported
lhas it is iuexpedient for this body to take any
action on the subject. The repor, was adopted
4 plan was adopted for the lurthcrauce Of
fraterual and official relations with the Church
in Canada, aud the Canadian visitors took their
leave with pleasant farewell speech from the
Bishop OF QleUcc.
The jout comnittee appointed by the last
GeDcrai Convention TO consider the cXpedlency
of revising the primitive order ot deaconesSes,
after giving tine sal jact careful consideration,
unanimously recommended the passage oil the
following:
First A woman of dcvout character and
proved fitness may be set apart by any DIsnop ol
the church for the work Of deaconeSs or sister,
according to such form rs shall be authoriz ID
by the bishop OF any diocese.
Second. The duties proper to deaconess or
sister are declared TO be the care Of our Lord $
poor and SICK the education OF the young, rel-
giuus instruction of the neglected, and the work
of moral reformation.
Third. No woman shall be set apart to the
work of dencDness or sister until she shall be
twenty five years Of age, unless the bishop, TOR
special reasons, shall deem it exped ent to admit
candidate st an esrlier age, the age of adniS-
sion in no case 10 be less than twenty years
il being further provided that no woman shall
be 60 set apart until she shall have laid before
the bishop testimonials certifying that she IL II
commandment III good standing in the church.
and that she possesses such characteristics NJ III
the judgment of the persons teStilylng qualify
her for ut least OF the branches OF duty u!ovc
defined Such testimonial; shall bo signed by
one presbyter OF this church. and by five lay
communicates of the same, OF whom two Sh ii
be men and three women. The bishop shsll also
satisfy himself that the appllcant HIS had an ad-
euuste preparation for her work, buth tcchnl-
cal and religious which preparation shall have
covered period Of al least one year.
Fourth No deaconess or sister shall work 9TH
cisly in diocese without express authority in
writing of the bishop OF that diocese
Fifth. A deacones. or sister may at any time
resign her office to the ecclesiastical authority
from which she received II, but no deaconess or
sister having once given up her commission
shall be resp rointed unless in the judgment OF
the bishop SAID resignation was for urgent CAUSES.
Sixth A deaconess or sister may be transfer
red from one diocese to another by letters dis
missory, upon request of the bishop Of the do
cese to which she is transferred.
Seventh. A constitution and rules for the
home government of any community of deacon-
esses or sisters shall have the sanction OF the
bishop of the diocese in which such community
exists all books of devotion and fornularics OF
worship used in such community shall have
like sanction and shall be IN harmony with the
usages of this church and the principles of the
book of common prayer.
The report was adopted.
The Convention occupied great part OF the
day over the question of confirming the Doul-
nations of DIR. Seymour to the Bishoprlc of
Illinois, and DR.. Wees 10 that of Wisconsin.
The proceedings were in secret session, and the
Information that leaked out was that there had
been long debate upon the objections TO Dr.
Seymour by Conservative churchmen No de-
cison was reached, and the discussion will be
renewed today.