Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-05-19

The EPISCOPAL COUSCIL.-At the sec
ond days proceedings of the Protestant
Episcopal Council of the State at Norfolk
yesterday, the Bishop delivered his annual
address, giving an account of the work that
he had performed during the past year, and
the condition of the Diocese. He recon-
mends liberal contributions for the support
of the training school for colored students,
and took strong ground against the use of
Intoxicating liquors. He confirmed dnring
the year just closed $50 white and 81 colored
persons. The parochial and other reports
show that the faithful labors of ministers and
people have not been without Gods blessing
during the past year. More than one thou
sand persons confirmed, thirteen deacons
ordained, thiry-tive candidates for priests
orders, six new churches consecratcd, and
eleven lay readers lie nsed, surely proves
that the old diocese is neither dead nor
asleep, or that God has torsaken her or for
gotten to he gracious The Bishop deplores
the fact that the salaries of the clergy have
not been generally better, and that the min
listers have to seek other fields where they
ure better paid.
On motion ofJudge Shelley it was resolved
that committee be appointed to take into
consideration the compilation of u history of
the Diocese by Rev j. q. Dashiell of Rich
mond, from 1885 downto 1881.
Resolutions were adopted that the Do
cese orNirginia pray the general convention
TO appoint committee on Sunday school
hymns, so that a uniform hymnal having the
approval of the general church us to doctrine
and language, may be within the reach of
all Episcopal Sunday schools, thus insuring
Il pure form Of worship for the children of
the church.
The committee on the episcopal fund re-
ported securities ON hand estimated to be
| worth 1882, and recommended that the
| funds OH hand hereafter be invested in
ground rents or first mortgages on real estate
ON account Of losses sustained by reason OF
investments in stock.
Rev. H. II. Sharp reported the episcopal
/ fund s., 1852 on hand.
The report of the standing committee
recommends concurrence in the proposed
changes in the ratification of the Book OF
Common Prayer, and advises against chang
ing the manner of providing for disabled
clergy, and against the plan now existing
Of each diocese paying the travelling eX-
penses of its own delegates to the General
Convention.
After discussion the report was laid over.
The question of the contingent fund, rails
ing means by assessing the total parish col
lections five per cent, referred ut the last
session, was disposed of by withdrawing the
report and discharging the committee.
An amendment to the ninth canon making
only male members and communicates eligi
bic as Vestrymen was also laid over
Hon. b. Johnson Barbour stated that ht
believed a division of the Diocese was de-
manded, and read regulation asking the
Bishops consent, which he proposed to offer
Bishop Whittle, at the conclusion of the
reading Of the resolution, arose and stated
that he now claimed what he had never be
fore made public--that under the cannon:
he alone had the right to take the initiative
in the matter ofu division ofthe diocese; thai
when he was satisfied that majority of the
laity were in favor of advising he would moi
oppose it, but until he was satisfied he ass,lr
ed his preorgative.
Ex-senator Withers said "Then you vii
not permit an opinion by the council9"
Bishop Whittle replied IL refuse to ell
terrain the question"
Considerable discussion cnsued, whel
Bishop Whittle stated that if the council
should decide to have meeting Of the
parishes during the coming year. and i
should appear that majority of such
parishes were in favor of a division, he would
not oppose such action.
Mr. Barbour then moved the appointment
of a committee to ascertain the sentiment!
OF the laity present on the division
of the diocese. A large number o
members took part in the debate, the adj
vocates of division claiming that there is
great necessity for the division on the GROUND
that that the territory is too large and the
Bishop cannot perform his duties. Tn,
opponents of division all concurred in thu
opinion that the change was inexpedient
and unnecessary at this time. The matter
went over.
Hon. B. Johnson Barbour read the report
Of Rev. d. Slaughter, historiographer of thu
Diocese, giving an interesting history of the
formation of parishes.