The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-04-25
EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF VIRGINIA.
A Plan for the Dasmenbernaont Of tlse
Mother State.

mOaner SttAls.
IMPORTANT ACTION OF THE SELECT COM
sfITTEE APPOINTED AT THE LAST CoUN-
C1I, TO CONSIDER THE PROPRIETY OF d.
yIp1NG THE DIOCESE OR ELECTING AN
ASSISTANT BISHOP, &C., &C.
AT the last session Of the Protestant Epis-
conal Council OF the Diocese Of Virginia,
heidin: Alexandria in May last, special
committee was appointed to consider the
subject of forming q new diocese, to con-
sist OF that part OF the State lying south of
James river, or OF appointing an assistant
bishop to Rt. Rev. F. NJ. Whittle, D. D., Ill.
D.. the present bishop Of the diocese. This
committee was composed OF Rev. Churchill
J. Gibson, Petersburg; Rev. DR.. Norton,
Alexandria; Rev. DR.. Hanckel, Charlottes-
Vile: Rev. DR.. Peterkin, Richmond; Rev.
DR.. G.. w. Dame, Danville; Rev. DR.. Muir
daugh, Fredericksburg Rev. R. T. Davis,
Lessburg: Rev. Mr.. Martin; John Stew
art, ESQ, Richmond; !; A. Y. Stokes, Esq,
Richmond; G. NJ. Blackford, Esq, Lynch
burg: G. F. Lee, Alexandria; Colonel
Randolph Harrison, Cumberland; General
Richard Page, Norfolk; General G.. w. G.
Lee, Lexington and yesterday at 10 A. NJ.
was selected as the time and St. PauPs
church veslry-room in this city as the place
OF meeting.
At the hour appointed the following
members were present: Rev. Messrs. Glib
son (chairman), Norton, Peterkln, Muir
daugh, Messrs. John Stewart, A. 7. Stokes,
c. NJ. Blackford, Cassius F. Lee, Colonel
Randolph Harrison, and General Richard
Page. Mr. Blackford acted as secretary.
The proceedings were opened with prayer
by Rev. DIR. Norton. and quorum being
present the committee proceeded at once to
the consideration OF the very important
work before them. Until P. NJ. the sub
iect M = was discussed. and the following ofi-
cial report Of the conyocation held in Par
kersburg, w. Va, read to show the desire
Of the clergy and aity in West Virginia for
seDarate diocese of that State
| at the conference held in Parkersburg
April 18th to consider the division OF the
Diocese OF Virginia the following repre-
scntatlves were present: ClericaI-J. 6.
Armstrong, r. A. Cobbs, G.. A. Gibbons,
W. l.. Hyland, Robert +. Jackson, Jr., !.
Fl. Lacy, R. Fl. Mason, W. H. Meade, 5. u.
Tompkins, and J. F. Woods. Lay Hon.
G.. W. Thompson, Wheeling; r. j. McCanC-
| lish, B. Nj. Amber, W. r. Thompson, y.
n. Camden, Parkersburg; E. w. Staples,
Volcano; DR.. VIM. F. Lippett, Charestown
w. S. Laidley, Charleston. =.
The following resolutions were unanl-
mously adopted:
l. That in the Judgment OF this Confer
ence the interests Of the Church in our State
clearly demand division OF the Diocese OF
Virginia; and that the dividing line be the
boundaries between the States Of Virginia
and West Virginia.
@ Whereas it appears from the evidence
before the Conference that West Virginia Is
unable to support bishop for an indepcnd-
ent diocese without the aid and cooperation
of the counties Of Jefferson and Berkeley
therefore
Resotued, That we earnestly request our
brethren Of that part OF the State OF West
| Virginia to come to our aid, that we may,
with the blessing Of God, give evidence OF
our Willingness and ability to support an
independent diocese in West Virginia.
3. That these parishes be earnestly and
affectionately requested to take such action
in the premises in time to have the whole
question definitely settled at the approach
ing Council OF the diocese; and that when
this Conference adjournsi it adjourn to meet
in Staunton Wednesday, the first day ol
Council, at O'Clock A. NJ, in order that
the Conference may present distinct pro-
position to Council.
4. That the various parishes in the State
| including those in Jefferson and Berkeley,
be requested to report again to said adj
iourncd meeting as to the amounts respec.
lively guaranteed for support OF bishop
ROBERT T. JACKSON, JR.,
! Secretary Of Conference.
The following resolution, presented by
| Rev. DR.. Norton, was unanimously agreed
to-:
ResoLued, In the Judgment OF the com
mittee, should that portion of the diocese
| contained in the State OF West Virginia
either with or without the counties OF JEFF
ferson and Berkeley, present to the Councl
petition conformed to the constitutions
requirements for the division OF diocese
| it will be eXpedient that such application
should be granted.
At2 p. Nj. the committee took recess
until o'clock, when the subject OF dlyl
sion OF the Diocese Of Old Virginia by tho
line of James river or the election OF an as
sistant bishop was resumed.
Mr.. C. NJ. Blackford presented the fol.
lowing resolution; which, after full ant
free discussion, was adopted by tue follow
ing vote: .
Iues.-Rev. C. J. Gibson, Rev. f. c.
Murdaugh, General Page, Colonel Ran
dolph Harrison, c. NJ. Blackford, and John
| Stewart.
NoeS.-Rev. G. II. Norton, Rev. Peter
kin. Cassius F. Lee, and A. \. Stokes.
Resolved, That in the opinion OF this com
mittee the petition presented to the last
Council by G.. J. Gibson for himself and
others, asking for division of the Diocese
of Virginia and the establishment OF new
diocese upon the south side of james river
be so far granted by the Council as to con-
sent to the erection OF such new diocese, tc
be composed OF the counties OF Accomac ano
Northampton, Princess Anne, Norfolk.
Nansemond, Isle of Wight. Surry, Sussex
southampton, Greenyille, Dinwiddie
Prince George, Brunswick, NottoWay, Anne
liza, Chesterfield, Powhatan, Cumberland,
Prince Edward, Lunenburg, Mecl1lenburg
Halifax, Charlotte, Campbell, AppomattoX
Buckingham, Pittsylvania, Bedford, ALE
ghany, Craig, Botetourt Roanoke, Mont,
somery, Franklin, Henry, Patrick, Floyd
Carroll, Pulaski, Giles, Bland, Wythe,
Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell Buchanan, Rus
sell, Washington, Scott, Wise, and Lee
Provided the Council is satisfied that such
| is the wish OF that portion Of the clergy and
laity residing in such territory
Or. Norton and the other members OF the
committee voting in the negative prepared
protest, which Will be submitted to the
Council ut its next session iu Staunton.
After prayer by Rev. Mr.. Murdaugh the
meeting adjourned.
The resolutions, as adopted by the COM
mittee. will be presented by Mr.. Gibson to
the Council, and it is believed by many per.
COMO that thoy will ha adontp6 Tf thew are