Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-05-19
FIghty-First Annual Council Of the
Protestant ED iScOpai Church
THIRD DAYS PROCEEDINGS.

The Council was opened this morning at
o'clock with prayer by the Bishop, when the
minutes OF, yesterday were read By the sccre'
tary and adopted.
The chairman of the Diocesan Missionary
Society then reported
The resolution of Col. Patton, pending the
consideration of which the Council on Thurs
day adjourned, was then taken up.
Mr.. johnson Barbour thought that the reso-
luton should be laid upon the table, but DR..
Norwood, of Richmond county, thought that
something defuite should be done with it if
the church at all regarded public opinion, and
that the church of America should adopt the
principles of that OF England.
MIR. Mason, of West Virginia, on the con-
trary, objected to the resolution as a bad pre-
cedent, and as being merely the expression Of
an opinion, whereas no line in church matters
should be drawo. This resolution would draw
line of division in the church. He referred
to the nodesty and liberty of the preface to
the ordinals, which allows men to have their
own view. He would defend the prayer book
as founded upon the Bible in all its services.
This book should then be maintained 10 Its
Integrity. Granted that Col. Patton's pre-
misses we're true, still that does not vtlatc the
| validity of Episcopal orders We are not to
say anything agaiost other denominations. He
does not adhere to Congregationalism and u
church must either be this or OF divine tounda-
| ton. The whole church must admit that Epls-
copal government IS the best and most expe-
dent and necessary This form OF polity has
| no relation necessarily to any form Of civil gov,
ernment. Ouce it was not decried, but now is
as having been lost by many. The church does
not teach that sacre mental grace Is confined to
the ministry, as that of the Lords Supper is
not coufued to the elements OF bread aud wlnc.
Dr. Norton, chairman of the standing COM
| mittee, then reported the names OF those re-
commended by them for D4acons aud Priests
| orders, with the testimonials OF the several
| bishops.
Mr.. Mason then resumed his speech, and
agreed with the Southern Churchmau that
ritua!ism is about dead or dying, for it has now
been looked at by mn sQuarely IN the lace.
Ia bis opinion it is mere childish trivial thing
though great many good men can not see It,
A number of theological opinions might be
| brought up and voted on, and this resolution
should be laid upon the table But this action
would not condemn Col. Patton's sentiments
He would not attack the Presbyterians or Bap
| fist, but only their position. The Baptlsts say
what We do not say, that theirs is the only
church, and Oh this ground cxcommunicate all
others. Robert Hall, their great preacher
| holds tina, the visible church was unnoticec
and uurecorded for | 900 years. Should Epls
copalians be glad to let those who deny intan
baptism teach such doctrine 10 their pulplts
Episcopalians do not claim to be any better
than others. They claim to be charitable, a
keeping something good for others. He waDtG
20 such precedent as the resolution calls Tor.
Col. Patton then claimed, as point Of order
the right to close the debate, but was rulec
out.
MIR. Barbour then called for the prevlou:
question, when Mr.. HaDckel said that motion
| 10 lay on the table was no, detachable.
The motion to lay Oh tbs table was c.rred
when Col Patton called for the ayes and noes
resulting 10 a vote Of I'll CT the cI"rgy pro, aot
% COO, OF the lay delegates-5S against %
Total, l19 against So.
The resolution was then laid on the table.
a committee on fund for the disabled clergy
was then appointed.
A motion was then made aud carried to ap
point saudiog Committees for Bruce and dis
abled clergy funds
A motion from Mr.. Hancke to form nev
parish cut off from St. Marks, Culpepcr
county, called Ridley Parish, was adopted.
Next petition to form parish in Monon
gala, West Virginia, called Trinity, which was
granted
Also one from Amherst county to form q
parish called Amherst, cut off lrom l. lexington
Parish. Carried.
Also one from LIardic county to form parish
called Emmanuel, limited by co-boundarlcs.
| Carried.
| Also one from the congregation of Ivor
| Southampton county, to be admitted as dis
| tinct church, called the church OF our Saviour
cut off from Nuttoway Parish Recoosidercd
| Rev. MIR. Habersham, who, as the represen
tatvc Of several churches, and who had re-
ceivcd : 300 in the last eight years from The
American Missionary Society, would r mind
rho Council of the obligations of the diocese tc
this society, aud offered resolution to this eft.
iec He would also commend the action Of
tue Evangelical societies 10 their iiberality to
the diocese, which was carried.
! A resolution of Judge Shelley to hold the
next Council in Trinity Church, Stanton, was
adopted.
| He then gave the report Of the Virginia Fee
mae Institute. The board states that the in
stitution is one of the highest 10 culture Of all
kinds mental and religious, tending to de-
vclope true womanhood to the highest degree.
They will soon be able to pay the debt due
| Mr. Phillips, the principal. They consider the
situation and property as highly adapted 10
| raise up true daughters of the church. This
| property is unbelievable from educational pur-
poses, aud is under the control Of the Council.
| The franchise and properly Of this institute be
| long TO the diocese Of Virginia.
The committee Cd oolored congregations was
| then elected, and the accounts of the Bruc
| fund referred to committee for investigation.
The Council then adjourned for divine SER
vice..
The sermon was preached by DR.. A. NJ.
Randolph of Baltimore: The word has to be
taught by discipline; it errs from tho truth,
and has to be brought back to it again. So it
was in the reformation; so it is in individual
churches The church must learn to point
sinners to Him if she docs her duty, and then
point them away from abuses Of religion.