The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-05-22
( EpIscopALIAN COUNCIL.
Friction and Enpleasansaess Betwecn
the Bishop and the Flock in Virginia.

BALrINoRE, May 2l.-The proceedings o
the Virginia Episcopal council in session
at Norfolk yesterday show considerable
friction between Bishop Whittle and q
number OF the councllmen in regard to a
diocese. The question was raised by Mr.
Barbour who introduced resolution on
the subject Of division. Tho Bishop rs.
serted TINT 10 him alone belonged the righ,
OF Initiative in the matter, andt this right he
should insist upon. ,M- 5Y0ls3
Mr.. Barbour asked tho Bishop II he
would permit his resolution to be put to
the vote OF tho council. The Bishop re-.
fused 10 allow It, and said that lie thought
that he should have had at least IN init.
nation that the matter was to be brought
up in the council. A disposition has been
shown for some time to agitate this subject
Of division until the object was accom-.
plished. He did not propose 10 be baitcd
and ballied in this manner. lie would
maintain his rights, and not be driven to q
corner SO rs to be forced to give his con.
sent on this important question. He would
reflect upon it and ponder over It during
tho coming year, but would not commit
himself TO any course whatsoever The
Bishop then announced that there was no
question before the house. ~ l,'4
The parochial reports showed crafty.
ing increase OF church membership and in.
creased collections. Tho council resolved
to meet next year at Lexington. Legisla.
ton on changing the Book OF Common
Prayer and other matters submitted by the
standing committee was deferred until
next year. The matter OF an assistant bish.
op was was introduced in the afternoon by
Maj. John Page, Of Hanover, who moved
that the council proceed ut s O'Clock TO.
morrow 10 elect m assistant bishop. He
thought the time had come for it. The di.
ocese is large and an assistant bishop is
necessary. He did not wish to live to see
the Diocese OF Virginia divided. Here
point OF order was raised, but Major Mann
Page, Of Prince George, desired the gentle.
man to 60 on, as by that means
the advocates Of division could get
at a sense Of the party, which
could be reached in no other way
on account Of the ruling Of the
Bishop. The bishop decided against
the point Of order, aud Major Page,
OF Hanover, proceeded. He gave at
length bis reasons ior preterring the
election OF an assistant bishop to dividing
the diocese. The church in West Virginia
had been cut of, and he thought further
disintegration could not be afforded. Be-
sides, there are too many Bishops in the
country now. The division of the diocese
will be deadly blow to the church. Out
side OF the cities on the south side of Jumes
river he thought the church did not amount
to much, for the surrender at Appomattox
had changed the church Us it changed
nearly everything else, and a large potion
OF the gentry had sought the cities, and
He believed that tie election OF an assist.
ant bishop would obviate NIL difficulty, and
the church will flourish. But divide the
diocese, and the blow will be fatal. The
matter was finally laid on the table.
Among the visitors present WAS Bishop
peteEk!n, OF West Virginia, formerly OF
W NeellQv. It.'.s#.