Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-06-14
Diocesan Convention.
EIGHTY EIGHTH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE
Diocese OF VERMONT.


| Diocese OF VERMONT.
THURSDAY, June 6, 1878.
The convention assembled pursuant to ad-
journment at 9 a. III.
Morning Prayer was offered by the Rev.
Mr. Randall, including the reading Of the
Lessons, the Creed and Prayers being said
by Rev. Mr.. Collins.
The committee appointed at the last con-
vention to consider and report to this con-
yention upon the establishment Of per-
manent Episcopal Fund, presented the fol-
| lowing report, which was, on motion, ac-
cepted and adopted:
To The Diocesan COnutntiOn Of Vermont, ,nOW
| IN session:
The undersigned committee appointed at
| the last convention, to report some plan
which will secure the creation Of per-
manent Episcopal Fund, report that the
matter has been considered by them. They
recommend that the corporation created by
act of tho Legislature of 1868 be organized
| at once. By the terms of the act, X. Rich
| ardson, &. Clement and Ii. N. Barber, three
of the corporators named, were either OF
them authorized and empowered to call the
first meeting of the corporators, and leave
the corporation to be duly organ .zcd.
Sccond-That when duly organized, the
Episcopal Fund now in the bands OF the
treasurer, be turned over to such corpora
tion.-
Third - That the sums now annually
assessed for the support OF the Bishop on
the several parishes be capitalized (the
| several parishes asscntin theretO) on the
basis Of six per cent. and that tho sums
80 ascertained be represented by tho obliga-
tions OF the parishes. having - years to run,
with interest thereon payable semi-annuaI
ly, with the option of the parishes to
discharge tho whole or any part of such
obligation at any time. The ever recur-
ring annual assessment OF the several
parishes, for the support of the Bishop is
a matter of great delieacy, as between the
several parishes. and as the burden under
the present system is perpetual it operates
to oppress and discourage. While with an
organized body to receive and invest fund
to secure permanently tho Bishops salary
there is a just ground to hope, that in a
few years, permanent provision will be
made Tor the Bishop; and the annoying
annual assessments avoided. Many friends
of the church and those solicitous for its
welfare, in this diocese, will. We think,
contribute to this fund, as rendering there
by their best service to the church. The
burden of providing for the Bishops salary
is necessarily upon the diocese and there
is no way OF apportioning such burden, ex
cept upon the several organized parishes,
which must continue to be done until the
necessary fund shall be secured by the vol
untary action Of the several parishes, or by
the contributions of the funds of the church.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
TIMOTHY 2. RsDFIsLD.
For the Committee.
The report Of the trustees of the Vermont
Episcopal Institute was read by 7. II. Can
field, treasurer, and on motion it was
adopted.
The report Of the committee on the revis-
ion Of the canons, approved yesterday, was
then considered, and their several recon-
mendations were adopted.
On motion Of MIR Atkins, the present
committee on canons were discharged.
Rev. Mr.. Roberts, on behalf OF the com
mittee On organization of church work pre-
sented a report, accompanied by practical
SUI. .cstiOns for carrying the work into ef-
feet. The report closed with the following
resolutions, which were unanimously adopt
ed:
R,solred, That this convention recognizes
the elective work done by the Noman's
Auxiliary Societies in the several parishes.
church work
Resolred, Tia. such organizations. prop
erly framed and organized by the Bishop of
the Diocese, ard recommended by rectors OF
parishes. hay We authority to make reports of
work TO be received by this convention,
filed with the secrt tary. and. If 80 voted, to
be printed in the journal.
The Bishop appointed a. standing com
mittee on csnons, Rev. DR.. Bailey, Rev.
Mr.. Putnam, and kew. Mr.. Bliss, and
Messrs. Redfeld and 5. Williams.
The report of the committee on finance
was presented by Mr.. Chapman, and on mo
tion it was adopted.
Tho committee on the Episcopal fund re-
assessments recommended by them were |
ordered to be made.
Rev. Mr.. Atwill, chairman of tho COM
mittee appointed to consider that portion |
Of the Bishops address which related to |
woman's work in connection with the Dio- |
cesan Auxiliary Association, submitttd d the |
following resolution
Resoired, That the convention recon-
mend to the ladies of the several parishes |
through their organization to work with |
the Ladies Diocesan Auxiliary, OF other |
wise associated for the purpose, to aid in |
the circulation and obtaining OF pledges for |
the Diocesan missionary fund.
On motion the resolution was adopted.
The convention also adopted tho follow
ing resolution, presented by Mr.. Atwill on |
the part OF the committee appointed to con-
slider that portion of the Bishops address |
relating to the deficiency in tho missionary |
treasury:
Resoired, That tho efficiency Of $3.50 in
the missionary offerings be raised by this
convention before Its adjournment.
On motion Of Mr.. Cannon, the matter Of
making up this deficit was taken mp, and |
the amount was at once raised by the |
pied ges of the convention
The committee appointed TO take into con-
sideration the condition of the tenure Of
church property in this diocese, reported
through its chairman, Mr.. Gibson, that
there does not appear TO be any corporate
ch urch authority 10 hold parish property.
and believing that the diocese and not the
parish is the recognized church unit. IN
that the title Of all church property Shoul1
be vested. We recommend that a committee
be appointed by this convention to further
Investigate this subject, and secure such
legislation at the next session OF our State
Legislature, as will secure to our church a
perpetual corporation for tho purpose of
holding her property secure IRON the & hect
of debts, or any diversion, whatever, from
its original purpose.
The report WAS adopted and Mcssrs I. p
Rediield, 4 p. Gibson and W. g. Shaw
were appointed such committee.
On motion of Rev. Mr.. Ogden it was
Resoired, That the Rev. Albert Ii. Bailey
d. ID. be elected Registrar of the Diocese
for the year ensuing.
On motion Of tho Rev. Mr.. Ogden.
RcsOired That the next annual cOnven-
h, hnlA Inn al Rpll.
Falls.
On motion of Mr.. Atkins, it was voted to
hold such convention on tho second We'd
nesday in june, 1879.
On motion of the Rev. Mr.. Collins, the
Rev. Waller Mitchell, Rector OF Trinity
Church, Rutland, was appointed to preach
the Missionary sermon on the evening
previous to tho next convention, and the
Rev. Louis A. Arthur, Rector OF Island
Pond Church. to be his substitute.
On motion 1t was
Resoiusd, That the Secretary of the Cor
ventiOn cause to be printed l 900 copies OF
the journal Of the Convention and to distrI-
bnte the same according to the Canon.
On motion OF Rev. Mr.. Putnam,
ResOhred. That the thanks OF this Con-
vention be and hereby are rendered to the
Rector, Vestiynen and Parshioners of ST.
Paul's Church, Burlington. for the geneI
Gus hospitality extended to the members
Of this Convention.
The minutes of the proceedings of the
Convention were then read by the Secro
tary. and approved,
On motion of Rev. Mr.. Putnam,
Resoired That, after the usual religious
services. the Convention adjourn sine de.
When. after prayers and benedlctiOn by
the Bishop, the Convention adjourned.
The bishops Annual Address.
My Brethren, The Cterly and Lany Of the
COnrenLOn:
God, who measures Ills forbearanco not
according to our merit but to His compass
sion, permits rs again to meet in our annual
council. 1t has pleased Him to spare us
through another year. and a. We meet. We
have not az sOmo times 10 record the death
of any OF those who were wont to take
a,,,..I ,. th ,,u IL ploauna Him pntutth-