The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-02-16
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL.
The PrOposed New Diocese of West
Virginia-Wbyi IL should be Estab.


virginia-wbyi t should be Estab.
lIshed
Editors ofibe Register.
l read to-day, for the first time, An
article published in your issue Of JAM
ulry 3Ist, 1874. headed "Shall we have
a West Virginia Diocese2 No. Not
yet" and signed by some one calling
himself"Clericus." The several Yes
tries 10 the State, it seems, have been
invited by their brethren o! St. Johns
church, Charleston, to sesd one dele
gate each to meet in convention in that
city, on the 2lst of April next, to con-
slider the expediency OF dividing the
Diocese OF Virginia, so as 10 form a
new diocese in the western section o
the same. Now, Messrs Editors, "Cler-
icus" thinks he has discovered foul
plot in this proposed convention, and
rushes in hot haste, to expose it to your
readers. But his article clearly shows
that he is altogether ignorant OF the
true meaning and intent of those who
have made this call. He tells us that,
ut has been a long cherished object Of
the High Oh urch party in West Vir-
giuis, to erect the territory within the
limits of the State into a separate Do
cese; and it would seem that they had
seized upon the present crisis, growing
out of Mr.. Latane's retirement, as q
favorable time for the accomplishment
oil their purposes" 10 this paragraph
there are at least two mis- statements
In the first place. the Secretary OF st.
Johns Nestry had mailed copies OF the
circular calling the convention to
Mr. Lstaue. in common with the other
clergy of West Virginia, before his
withdrawal was known in Charleston,
and consequently his course could not
have had any bearing upon the action
OF said Vestry. Besides. the Rector Of
St. Johns Church, aud its Vestry are
known to be, for the most part at least,
what are commonly called Low Church
men, and their action, therefore, could
not have had any party significance.
But the truth is, this matter OF division
has never been a party question among
us. 1t has been discussed and advo-
Gated by Episcopalians in w. Virginia
OF every shade and complexion Of
Churchmansbip. And it has been OPP
D osed Just as earnestly by persons whose
opinions on other subjects are widely
different. Tue only serious attempt to
dismember the Diocese. i'll the lace Of
constitutional difficulties, originated, as
"Clericue" perhaps, well knows, in the
city O, Wheeling, and found its advo-
Gates chiefly among those VIGOROUSLY
known as Low Churchmen. The then
Rector of St. Matthews, and its Vestry
we're, at this time, the warm and zeal
Gus supporters OF the measure. They
appeared as such, in the Conference
held in Clarksburg to consider this
q uestion. They were sustained by
me bers OF the same party without the
limits OF the Diocese. But happily for
the peace Of the Church their efforts
were unsuccessful. Those who took
ground agaits the measure at that,lre
were not, 1t is true, opposed TO the policy
OF division. On the contrary.
they have always been friendly to it
And, whenever the division can be ell
tected in conformity with the constitu-
ton OF the church, and with the ap-
probation OF the Bishop OF the Diocese
and the other authorities whose consent
is requisite, they are ready for il.
This is certainly my position, and |
believe it is the position Of Yearly all
the clergy and iaity OF the Diocese
Such, I am sure, are the views OF the
brethren OF West Virginia, with whom
| have converted on the subject; and l
am equally certain that not one OF Ms
ever thought Of dragging the question
of Guardianship into the discussion.
But in order to throw further light
on the action Of the Vestry oil St. Johns,
Charleston, must cay to your readers
that at the last session of the Council,
in WINCHESTER, one Of the rectors Of
West Virgins, at the request oil his
Vestry. offered q resolution referring
TO a committee OF the body, toe ques'
ltion Of setting apart the trans-Alleghe'
nv counties OF this State as 9 separate
Diocese with instructions to report al
the next session. After some discus'
aiou the mover OF the resolution with
/ drew il for reasons satisfactory to him
self and all othsrs who; were concerned
lin the measured It vas, however, ther
distinctly understood thst the psrishe!
in the above named souptiss, should