National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-10-27
THE EP1scopAn CONTENTION
Strong Resolutions Against Polygamy.
Thc Episcopal Convention.

New YORK. Oct. 26.-In the house OF deputies Of
the protestant episcopal convention to-day Rev.
DR.. schenck of Long Island read q volumnous ro'
port from tho committee on missions. The report
sets forth that the expenses Of carrying OH the
work during the last three years have been about
seven per cent. OF the whole amount collected.
Hon. Mr.. Burgwln of Pltsbtfg. chairman of the
Joint committees on constitutional amendments,
or canons and on the prayer. book. to whom was
referred the report of the Joint committee OF the
two houses on shortened services, submitted res
olution providing for M amendment of the book
of common prayer as fJllows;
THAT on the days other than Sunday, Christ.
mas day, Epiphany, Ash Wednesday. Good
Friday and Ascension day it shall suffice II
the minister begin morning aud evening prayer at
the general confession or Lords prayer preceded by
ono or moro Of tho sentences appointed at the be-
ginning of the morning and evening prayer and
eld ofter the collect for grace or the collect for
aid against pcrils, using so much OF the lessons mp
pointed for the day and so much OF the psater rs
he shall Judge to be for the edihcat0n of his
hearers, aud note also that on amy day when
morning and evening prayer shall have been duly
| said or are to be said, and upon days other than
those first afOre mentioned II shall suffice when
need may be required, If the sermon or lecture be
preceded by at least the Lords prayer and one or
more collects found In this book. provided that no
prayers not set forth in fail book shall be used
order for the administration Of the Lords supper
or the lltany may be usei Il separate and
Independent service, and provided that no one Of
| these services shall be disused habitually.
After an animated discussion. Rev. Dr. Schenck
| moved rs m amendment that all after the word
provided In the lust section be stricken out This
also led 10 prolonged discussion. but the report
| was finally adopted with Dr. SchcnckS amend
| ment. The vote stood: Clerical, Al ayes, D noes;
| lay. % ayes, 3 noes.
| ops nominating Rev. Dr. John Adams Paddock of
the diocese long island as missionary bishop of
| Washington terri ory and the house Of deputies
| in secret session confirmed tie nomination.
| A report of Rev. John Cotton smith, from the
committee on the state of the church on the sub
cct OF p1ygNmy, was presented, and, with the fol-
| lowing preamble aud resolution, adopted
| WHEREAS, the work of tbs church OF Christ and
the best Interests o! CHRISTIAN civilization are Sc
| riously impeded In one of the territories of the
United States by the existence of polygamy iecog-
nized by large portion of the community as u re-
| ligiOus institution; and.
| 'WHEREAs. pOlycamy is not only contrary to the
laws of God but II IS also forbidden under severe
penalties by the government Of the United states
| by act of congress, which net has been declared
| constitutional by the supreme court OF the United
| States therefore, be 1t
"Resoired dhc house Of bishops concurring) That
while there nre peculiar diihcultcs in the cNccu-
| ton of this law, owing TO religious iannticism
doubtless oftcntimcs sincere, by which the institu-
ton Of polygGmy is upheld. aud especially to the
Hct that the Interests of many inconsistent persons
are unhnpply involved II is still the duty of every
christian and citizen OF this country to use his In
| iuenco TO aid the United States government in
bringing about as speedily as pos'ible merciful
| but firm enforcement of the law In regard TO
polygamy or bigamy in the territories Of the United
| States"
The committee on canons presented a report that
II was not ut present prepared to favor the estnb'
lishment ofa separate church organization for the
| cOored race In Virginia or other southern states
but recommended the appointment of a committee
10 consider the subject and report at the next scs
| sion of the convention.
| At the evening session the committee on amend
| ment to the constitution presented report favor
ing the reduction Of the number of deputies TO the
| general convention from four 10 three for eRc
| diocese, which was lost. The report of the joint
| committee OH the subject of de0conesscs was
adopted. 1t set forth that women Of devout char
acter and approved ftless may be set apart by any
bishop of this church for work of deaconcsses, &C
cording TO such form shall be authorized by the
| house of bishops or bishop Of the diocese. The re-
| port of Rev. DR. Schencks committee on increas
| ing the fund for disabled cergymen ana families
| was adopted. 1t provides that the minister OF d
| congregation be requested TO reserve out of The
! aims and donations collected on each adminislfa
tinn of the Lords supper not less than one nol
| moro than ten per cent? at his discretion, 10 D'
| paid to the ministers fund.