The Portland daily press., 1879-09-17
Diocese of Maine.
MEETING OF THE EPISCOPAL CON-
VENTION.
Missionary Service Last Evening.

EplScOpal Chufcn IN the diocese OIL Name, as
sembled in st. Luke's Cathedral yesterday
morning at 8 o'clock. Morning prayer was
said by Rev. Mr.. III. Wellman and Rev. C. j.
Ketchum' the Bishop pronouncing the absolu,
ton.
AT $50 the convention organized, the Rt.
Rev. Bishop Nicely in the chair. The roll OF
the clergy was called and the following
responded:
Rev. Messrs Ager, Washburn, Marsden,
Nichols, Pyne, Walker, Wellman, Leffingwell,
Mclaughlin, Small, Ketchum, Packard,
Hayes, Gregson and Locke.
The chair appointed the Rev. Messrs. Small,
Sawyer and Pyne committee on credentials
who reported twenty-five lay deputies in at
tendance.
The Rev. Chas. w. Hayes was elected
secretary of the diocese.
The chair appointed the following commit
tees:
On Fnance-Messrs. Gardiner, Banks,
Moody Deake and Rouse
On Unfinished Business Rev. Messrs.
Hayes, Leffingwell, Nichols. Layman, j.
Hamilton
On Education--Rev. Messrs. Pyne, Alger,
Packard, Davendelport. Layman, j. S. Hill.
On Canons-Rev. Messrs. Hayes, Alger.
Laymen, George E. B. Jackson and III. In
gals
On New Parshes-Rev. Messrs. Walker,
Nichols, Ketchum Laymen, Messrs. Small and
Gray.
George e. b. Jackson presented the report
of the standing committee of the diocese.
They have given their consent to the election
of the Rt. Rev. j. H. d. Wingfield to the
bishopric of Louisiana, formerly missionary
bishop in northern California. Also to the con-
secration of the Rev. Samuel S. Harridels, D.
D., as bishop of Michigan. They have also
signed testimonials in behalf of Rev. A.
I'll. Locke, Rev. Chas. j. Ketchum and Rev.
Chas. E. Fitz, and for deacon's orders Henry
Jones.
Col. Chas. B. Merrill moved that non-resi-
dent priests be invited to seats in the conven-
tion, which motion was adopted.
The Rev. Frederic Pember of the diocese of
Oxford, England, and Rev. Everett Bradley of
the diocese of Massachusetts,, then took their
seats in the convention.
AT II a. m. divine seryieeiaWas celebrated
and the convention sermon was delivered by
the Rev. Charles w. Hayes who selected his
text from Revelations xviii 2: "He that hath
an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto
the Churches" The theme was the church,
and the central thought was that the church
must be willing to endure hardships and pow
erty for the sake of the divine Lord. Her
chief mission is to bring the sin polluted soul
to the fountains of life.
At the close of the service the Holy Eu-
charist was celebrated.
Convention re-assembled at o'clock pursu-
ant to adjournment, and several new delegates
responded to the roll call
The bishop then delivered his annual ad
dress, detailing his diocesan work the past
year. He noted the changes occurring among
the clergy and the parishes, and urged contin-
ual activity in all directions. The address oc-
cupied three-quarters of an hour in delivery.
The report of the special committee on the
Episcopate Fund was read by the chairman.
1t reviewed all the previous legislation on the
subject, and closed with suggestions and re-
solves regarding the future.
After considerable discussion the report was
referred, by vote of ID to IL, to another COM
mittee for report at this mornings session.
The chair appointed Messrs. Davenport,
Bridge, Sager, Gardner and McCobb.
The report of the committee on the organiza-
ton of the Cathedral Chapter of st. Luke
was then presented. The Chapter has received
the act of incorporation from the Legislature,
and by its provisions is to be composed of the
Bishop of the Diocese, e1-o6icio, and stated
number of trustees, the majority of whom are
to be lay members In all respects this cor
porate body is exactly like the English Cattle
H. ;c4 Of
and lay members to govern the secular affairs.
The canons are chosen for term of years, are
elected by each annual convention, and may
be removed by the Bishop with the approval of
the Chapter. The resident canon will be
known as the Dean, and the others Honorary
Canons, selected from priests of five years
standing. 1t is understood that no change is
contemplated at st. Luke's in its present pas
toral office. and that Rev. Mr.. Hayes will
become Dean Hayes. The Honorary Canons
will be residents of other parishes in the
diocese.
The convention then took recess for ten
minutes.
The Maine Episcopal missionary Society
then held its annual meeting, the Bishop in
the chair. Routine business was transacted
and officers and new members elected. Adj
journed till evening.
The Diocesan convention re-assembled and
adjourned till o'clock this morning.
In the evening there was missionary SER
vice at st. Paul's Church, at which the
Bishop and the clergy of the diocese were pre-
sent The church was beautifully decorated
with floral emblems, and the music was par
ticularly choice and well rendered Evening
service was said by the Rev. Messrs. Pyne,
Pember, Washburn and Ketcbum. After
missionary addresses were made by Rev.
Messrs. Wellman, Marsden and Walker
concerning their special fields, Mr.. J. S.
Hill, lay deputy, made some especially good
remarks The Bishop closed the service with
strong appeal for continued support.
This morning the convention meets at the
Cathedral at 8 a. H., and at 3 p. M the
Women's Auxiliary Society of the Board of
Missions, at the chapel of st. Stephens
Miss Emery of New York will preside.