The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-11-01
what the Episcopal Convention has
Done,

From the Boston Herald.
We have given considerable space to
tho proceedings OF the late Episcopal
Convention, from the conviction that this
= llgious bo1y had an earnest purpose to
bring itself into closer connection with
the people, aid its deliberations have
shown that we were not mistaken In
torecssting its spirit and purpose. Epls-
copacv has not fitted very easily into
American life, and the traditions of New
England have been decidedly opposed TO
it. It's wasn't of elastic movement, its
conservative feeling, its seeming inditfer-
ence TO the arts of popularity, its success
with people of culture and position
rather than with what President Lin
coin aptly called the "plsin peo-
pie" have been against it, and other
forms of religion have been on the crest
wave of popularity. Meanwhile the
Episcopal church has been slowly break.
iug out OF its cast-iron shell, and at the
West and in the some OF the Atlantic
cities has become TO some extent the peo-
Piles church. A new spirit has been
leavcning the denomination. It's rigldity
and exclusiveness have been broken. 1t
has opened its heart 10 the people, and
the people nave proved that it met their
wants. Here and there this has been
seen in New England, and In this city
there are some pronounced attempts
among the EpiscopalIans ~ WIN the peo
pie TO tree churches.
In recognition of this spirit, we have
closely watched the proceedings OF this
convention, TO see how far the Episcopal
Church was ready to rise above Its tor
mer exclusiveness to the broad plane OF
our Christianity. There Is u want not
vet fully met among the Protestant pOr-
ton of the community. 1t is the want
o. = religion which has not cut of lis con-
ncctions with historical Christianity,
and is yet fully alive to the Issues of the
day The point Of special interest in
this convention mas been TO see whether
the prominent and representative lead
ers OF the Episcopal Church recognized
tnur opportunity. 1t was matter OF
general interest to see whether they
wer, TO fight over ritualism and
points of doctrine, or whether they
wers to make earnest efforts to
ada 1L their organization for q compre-
hen ive and national work. 1t was In
the air that the latter purpose was tore
most, and the several steps by which it
has been reached have met with prompt
aId hearty approval. In this respect
the convention has fully come up to
public expectation, and yet 1t cannot be
said that IN q formal way 1t has mapped
out u great future. Ii has attempted to
do certain things and tailed as IN the
case OF sisterhoods and, shortened SER
vlcesl, at the last moment, 10 recognize
them by law through the checks which
the convention has imposed upon itself
from fear Of nasty legislation; but it
hearty recognition OF our common
schools lis permission 10 use new lection
aries, its consent to the en-
plOyment OF lay preachers its
stro9g words about the duties of
practical religion, and the whole
DRIFT of the able and interesting debates,
have been IN the direction OF progressive
lite and of practica! work. This Is what
the public wanted TO see IN the conyen-
ton, and the deliberations, day after day
Of some four hundred picked men upon !
the singIe point { or this was the real gist
OF the whole malter) OF bringing their
church into harmony and close, living
contact with the movements and needs |
of all classes of men at the present day, |
are entitled To large recognition. If /
they had only loOsened bands TO make !
room for growing life, ad TO give the
rirht direction to the new lie, it was
right enough, put the convention has
dose much more. The reorganization OF
its misslc nary work at home and abroad,
making its objects as inclusive as the de-
and bringing its best ability
to bear upon these interests, is move
ment of great Importance. Its fearless
attitude with reference to mar
mage and divorce commands the
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