Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-05-20
Eighty-Ffrst Annual COuncl Oh TIC
Protestant Ep iScOpni Church
EVENING SESSION-FRtDA1.

ty presented his report which shows falling OF
in the frlds, ar, siug mainly from the death OF
the Bishop. 1t also shows that only few OF
the churches in Virginia have fulfilled their
obligations to missions.
The same Board as before. was elected, with
the addition of Mr.. Alexander Weddcll.
The committee of fifteen. on provision for
more episcopal vistatlonS was then announced.
The resolution Of Dr.. Dame, with reference
to 40 assistant Bishop, was then brought up.
On this point the Bishop said that he did
not consider the subject as at all indicate, or
RI hecting upon him. He said that he could
not honestly say that he was old, or iufrm enough
10 require au assistant. Under the canon he
said that all that could be done was TO take
action on the extent of the diocese. lie said
moreover he had no views or opinions on the
matter, but would willingly comply With the
action of the Council. The canon on visitation
Of parishes was then read by him, showing that
it had been complied with, moreover he showed
that the clergy had conceived the idea that
Bishops are mere confirming machines. tie
honestly thought that there was little ground
for complaint; all the parishes had been visited
as often as possible, aud IS much as the canan
required. There was no just ground Tor COM
plaiut. The Bishop then left the Church, call
ing DR.. Peterkiu to the chair.
Mr.. Blackboard ofLynchlure, arose and sus-
tanned the remarks OF the Bishop. The ou!y
ground is that Of extent OF territory. He thought
himself well informed 10 this matter, and had
concluded that time for careful aud praycriul
consideration of the matter Of division should
be taken. For this reason reference to coul
mittee to report at the next session was made
Such action did away with the subject for thus
session. He thought it due to parliamentary
law to wholly dismiss the subject OF division, and
consequently OF an assistant. The speaker ar
gued Tor dismissal OF the suljrct, for the ores
cnt aod said that if division of the dice SC he
cxpedieut, it will be effected at some time or
other
DR.. Dashiells wanted to dc what was best
| for the B shop as we'll as for the diuccse. H
proposed this amendment to DR.. Danes res
;ution as to an assistant, aud called for cGrt"la
| letters from his physician to show that the ~
cumbcut bishop is unable to sustain the duties
| and responsibilities. DR.. Mcguire stated that
| he was unable to sustain. without assistance,
his duties. DR.. o. Fairfax to the same effect
| in letter to mr John Williams DR.. Dash
I iel offered resolution in behalf Of q commit
tee to get the Council to call meeting of that
| body 10 September next to make such election.
1t was the opinion oil DR.. Miuplgerode that
| though the bishop did not ask an assistant, yet
| he was not averSe to the will Of the diocese.
| But he (the Bishop had not yet had fair
| chance to show what he could do.
Mr. Hannah thought those in favor of az. Jos
sistant acted very strangely in making Bishop
White sick, though he had said that he Was
| not, and need an associate though he said that
he did not The buSincs. should net be acted
| upon, and he moved that It be laid upon the
table.
Whereupon Mr.. Barbour said that the gen
tlcman who had just spokco had cast au uu'
| willing slur upon the reputation of two well
known physicians.
Dr. Norton said that if we had satisfactory
evidence OF the Bishops Inability the Councll
might graft him al assistant. The medical
| certificates do not show this inability 10 dis.
charge his episcopal duties, but the duties OF
this dlocease, if they mean anything. They do
not imply ncompctency from old age or phySl.
cal iuirmity to discharge his episcopal duties.
A good deal OF explanation and little spar
ring here took place.
Dr. Woodbridge thought the subject should
be deferred, and called for the previous ques-
| ton, which was: Should the subject be laid
upon the table
| Upon a vote by orders a. clergy and 10 laity
| voted aye.
The vote of the laty was 10 favor Of laying
on the table, Thus GUIDED the matter for the
present.
A resolution was then made by Dr.. Norwood
| to appoint committee to report Saturday
| mornlug on the division Of the diocese. Car
| ried.
The committee was then nominated by Dr..
Norton aud voted by the house, which lheu
adjourned till Saturday at 9 o'clock.
FOURTH DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
The Council was opened this mornng at g
o'clock with prayer by DR.. Walker, Of the
| Seminary, when the minutes Of the last meeting
| were read and approved.
| Not as large number of delegates was in at
| tendance as on yesterday.
The Committee Of Episcopal Fund then re-
! ported, through the Treasurer, the condition
| of the fund.
Mr.. Hauckel, on new parishes, reported on
the congregation at Ivor that the committee
did no, approve any action the Council in tht
matter. The parish is an old one aud this church
is the only one in it The report was received
Thespeclal. commttccion Bruce fund reported
| the accounts correct.
Gen. Smith of Lexington, arose with diff
deDce tosintroducc resolution to appoint a
committee of six, three of each order, TO see
what mcaus the Church OF Virginia could adopt
/ to mitigate the evil of intemperance, and thai
it report at this Council. The speaker referred
| to this alarming evil 10 our land. and to the
| action that has been taken 90 this poip!
| by the EDgsh Church. He spoke Of the great
| intemperancc both within and without the
Church. The resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Mason wanted adopted the resolution OF
the last Council to have one session of this body
devoted to Diocesan Missions, and to the hearing
OF the reports of Individual missionaries He
spoke OF the difficulty of obtaining men to la
Dor in mission fields, and blamed the action OF
the Missionary Society in not allowing mission
aries to be heard. These should have hearing
at some special sitting of the Council. He
wanted missionary appointed for the White
Sulphur Springs and other adjacent points as
soon as possible.
Mr.. j. S. Williams, member of the Mis-
sionary Board, showed that this body had done
its duty, and asked earnest co operation. He