Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-10-16

The sermon was by the Bishop of
Litchfield, who was present, your
readers will recollect, in the Conven-
ton of 1871. 1t was an able, thought
full, but plain discourse on the first
words of the decree given at Jernsa-
lem, cit seemed good to the Holy
Ghost and to u.s." After short col
lect, according to the English custom,
the preacher set forth the text as
teaching especially the "grace of edi-
fication." He taught shat while the
builders were many, the building was
to be but one; that while the several
workmen were to use the graces sew
orally comm tilted 10 them for
the work they were to be held
strictly responsible; that the Holy
Spirit was with the synod at Jerusalem
afterwards with that of Nicea, and was
ready to be present with that now as
sembled that while at Jerusalem
there was great freedom of debate,
there was cooperation when the de-
cree was passed that while private
Judgment is the privilege of the Chris
tian man he must exercise 1t with
modesty and humility and in submits
sion to the collective wisdom and the
consentient voices of the church; that
while no truth can be non-essential
While all men should seek earnestly to
know all truth yet.should.it be held and
proclaimed in love even for its JIM
pugners. The whole discourse, while
plain and unambitious and absolutely
free from all attempts at mere rhetoric,
was massive, solid, weighty and worthy
of the man and of his high position.
Instead of one of the hymns an ar
them from Joel II was sung after the
Gospel. The Communion Service
was conducted by the Presiding Bish-
op, assisted by several of his brethren +;
he however consecrating. The COM
munion hymn was the Goth of the
Hymnal BREAD of the world i'll
mercy broken" and vas sung without
being announced.
Ali the music, except the anthem
was very plain but exceedingly effec-
tive, at times rising with vast volume.
l do not remember ever to have felt
the 'Gloria in Excelsis" more wildly
as ga Hymn to Christ as God" or ever
to have realized So wildly that as it
was sung it might be heard far off in
Heaven.
After the services, which lasted
several hours-for the communion was
large, though for the most part con-
fined to the members of the Conyen-
tion-the Convention was called TO
order by the Secretary the Rev. Dir. w.
Stevens Perry, and the credentials of
the several Populations called for and
presented. Ther was then called and
there being q quorum present. the
Convention proceeded to the election
of President Rev. DIR. Craik,
OF Kentucky vas nominated by
the Rev. Dr. Mead, Of Connecticut,
and the nomination was gracefully
seconded by Rev. DR.. De koven, who
had been DR.. Craik's opponent i'll u the
illogical controversy not very long ego.
The vote was unanimous and DR. Graik
was conducted to the Chair by Rev
DR.. Mead and Ex-Governor Stevenson,
of Kentucky.
The Doctor in few exceedingly APP
propriate words, acknowledged the
honor conferred, invoking the help OF
God and the cooperation of his breth-
rem. Some debate arose with regard
to the rules Of order. Those of the
last Convention were adopted pro tenn
pore. The Convention adjourned about
4 p. M, to meet on Thursday a 1C
a. m.
The whole of the original North
Carolina deputation is present. There
was an attempt made to hive the Con
yeution moved to some other building,
with better acoustic properties. The
changes in the building, chiefly its en-
larged and recessed chancel. have in,
creased materially the difficulty OF
! hearing in it. An attempt has been
made to obviate this By wires stretch
ed across under the ceiling, just above
the capitals of the pillars, but the sue
cess OF the experiment is, to say the
least, incomplete. But there are so
many conveniences connected with
st. Johns, for conventional purposes.
that many will be reluctant to leave it
for any other place. That, however,
is question to be settled on Friday.
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