The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-10-25
the EeI,cep.I General Convention.
The NINETEENTH DAY's SESSION.

| HE NINETEENTH or<crl'Ns
nv telegraph 70 the Dispaich.I
PHILADELPHIA, October 24.--The nine
teepth days session OF the General Con-
vention OF the Protestant Episcopal Church
was opened to-day with morning prayer
by Rev. William s. Langford, ID. d., OF
New jersey. and Rev. Daniel G. Roberts,
OF New Hampshire. The benediction was
pronounced by the Right Rev. Bishop
Harris, OF Michigan. The House Of Depu-
ties was called to order by the president,
Rev. DIR. Beardsley.
ALLEGED RITUALIsTIC PRACTICES.
Rev. DR.. Hills, Of New Jersey, from the
Committee on the State Of the Church, to
whom was referred a preamble and resolu-
tion OF Mr.. James II. Fisher, a lay deputy
OF the Diocese OF Western New York, con-
cernlng common rumor that certain minis
tiers OF this Church have during long
periods OF time past introduced during
the celebration Of the Holy Commu-
nioE ceremonies not authorized In
the Book OF Common PRAYER, and
symbolizing erroneous or doubtful doc
trines, reported that they have given
the same the most careful consideration.
and have reached the unanimous conclusion
that this subject is beyond the competency
OF this committee and further, that il is
amply provided for by Canon %, Title l..
entitled, "0f the Use OF the Book OF Com
mon Prayer" to which they earnestly call
the attention OF the Church. The commit
tees request to be discharged from further
consideration OF the subject was granted.
THE STATE OF THE CHURCH.
The Committee on the State OF the
Church presented final report through
Rev. DIR, Hills. 1t began by referring to
the establishment in this country OF the
American branch Of the Anglican Church,
and stated that there are az present in the
Protestant Episcopal Church Of the United
States IS dioceses, Is missionary jurisdic-
tons, 81 bishops, 300 other clergy. 5000
Organized parishes, and more than 5000
communicates.
Since the last meeting OF the Convention
four bishops have died-yiz., the Right
Rev. Bishop Atkinson, OF North Carolina :
the Right Rev. Bishop ker-foot, OF Pitt
bur9h; the Right Rev. Bishop Talbot, Of
Indiana, aud the Right Rev. Bishop Pinck-
ney, Of Maryland. Two foreign missionary
bishops have resigned their jurisdiction
VIZ, the Right Rev. Bishop Penick, OF
Cape Palmas, and the Righ, Rev. Bishop
Schersechewsky, OF China. Eight clergy
have been elevated to the epiScopate.
The report referred to the inadequate
number Of candidates for holy orders. and
called special attention to the work OF the
Church Temperance Society. Church
music, 1t says, has made progress. The
enriched Book of Common Prayer is hailed
with delight. The report concluded with
n resolution that the view Of the state OF
the Church there presented be transmitted
to the House Of Bishops with the request
that they prepare pastoral letter for pub
LEGATION. The resolution was adopted.
The Committee on Expenses presented
resolutions that in future each diocese
should provide for the expenses of It's
bishop and clerical deputies attending the
Convention, and also that no portion OF the
personal expenses should be borne by the
parishes or people OF the city in which the
sessions are held.
The report was adopted.
FINAL ADJOURNMENT TOMORROW.
The Committee on Unfinished Business
reported, recommending that the House
| of Bishops concurring) the House adjourn
Friday evening. October 2Cth, after read
ing the pastoral letter. The report was
unanimously agreed TO.
Rev. DR.. Gray, OF Tennessee, addressed
the Convention relative to the Sewannec
conference. He moved to amend the re-
port OF the Committee on Canons rs fol-
lows That the Board OF Managers be
urged TO appropriate $4,000 for work
among the colored people. and that the
amount be distributed among the dioceses
in proportion to the colored population
TIE amendment was defeated. and the re-
solution on the report OF the committee
adopted.