National Republican., 1883-05-18
THE EPISCOPALIANS.
Annual Convention of the Diocese Of Virgin;
at Richmond.
The Bishops Pastoral Lettcr-The churci
and the Ncgrocs-An Assistant Bishop
Sp.cial pispaieh.

RICHMOND, VA, May 11-Tho annu
council of the Episcopal church Of Virginia
rcassemblcd this morning at $50 o'clock ir1
st. James church. After divine services aud
sermon by Rev. Il. w. Hubbard, Of AppoI
mattox, the council was called TO order v
Bishop Whittlc. The bishop then read hi
pastoral letter, in which he gave an interl
esting summary Of his work during the ycarl
showing that there had been ss2 contirmaI
tons of whites and 46 colored-total VIZ
Number of ministers. Ill whito and coI1
ored-total, Ia.
In relation to work among the colored pcoj
pie the. letter remarked ON the sad need u
proper religious instruction among tho racCt
Their readiness in many cases to receive rel
ligious instruction made strong appeal foI
sympathy and assistance in this direction,
That moro of them have not been reported
confirmed was because, the bishop said, NJ
had not visited those parishes which were oNl
pected TO furnish the largest number. They
have in Petersburg preparing for the miniSl
try fifteen, the majority of whom came FROM
the Zion Union organization
One of the most important and difficult
questions was how could the church do worll
among this people The bishop said he had
received from Bishop Green, of Mississippi,
circular letter setting forth that among thi
subjects for the consideration of the approach
ing general convention would be tho relation
of the church to the Colored race. BishoI
Green suggested that it would bo vol for all
tho bishops of the church in the late slayl
states to meet in council and agree upon somI
plan and lay il before the general council OF
this subject. Bishop Green extended an I'M
vitation to tho bishops of the southern statel
TO meet him in convention to be held tho la J,
Thursday in July for this purpose.
The bishop stated that he had laid thu
matter before the executive committee of thj
Diocesan Missionary society and they had
Aasscd resolution for delegation of twl
presbyters and two alternatcs to the conterl
cnce proposed by Bishop Green.
The bishop, with emotion which he euI
deavored in vain to CONTROL asked for leavI
of absence for four months.
In speaking of the innovation in worship
the bishop said:
No one who Is tolerably familiar with what
going on IN our church at large can wonder that
Jeel II my duty aileCtonately 10 caution you, deit
brethren, from time to time in regard to change
and inn lvations in our worship, against which,
am thankful TO say our own diocese has beai
hitherto so well guarded by your loyalty TO win
ten law and established custom. It's most I'D
valuable part of that liberty wherewth Chrij
hath made us fear that in His worship diiieroiI
forms 0ld usages may without oiiense DC allowed
provided the substance of the faith be kept entrS
But IL is at the same time u precious principle
the Protestant Episcopal church that ceremoniJ
ordained by common consent and authority
may not be altered or set aside by the priYa4
judgment of either minister or people, and
"common order" is recognized which is not TO n
departed from ut the mere will OF individuals. /
From the period of our church's organization Il
"his country this common order" has been gelI
ally understood. Throughout the long episcd
ate of Bishop White (say, from 1877 to 1856, anl
Een for ten or fifteen years beyond, althougl
mere were different parties or schools OF though
in the church then as there are now the publ \
services were everywhere conducted substantial l
in the same manner. We regard IL ms one of Il 4
chiefand n distinguishing advantage ofour lltursI
that our clergy could pass from Maine to Loulsial
and be at home wherever they might enter u
house of God an advantage which we 10 longt<
enjoy. The service was read and the response
were made with decorum and as directed by ~
rubrics Music was used as an accompaniment
and help TO Devotion but nothing was devolyeI
on the choir that would deprive the congrd
cation of their share In the worship 4
the Almighty. The psalmists exhortaton wJ
kept in mind " Let the people praise Thee, |
God; yea, let all the people praise Thee" ~
some years past Il change has been going on
this particular. In many places tie organ loI
cammands the pulpit and siences the pews, ali
The people are tempted 10 become mere auditoI
aud spectators Of performance which may plead
the taste, but can neither improve the judgmel
nor soften the heart, The mind is also bewilderj
amid the profuso decorations and fancllul N
Iangements, which make the sanctuary appear Il
be mere hall for spectacular display rathd
than building consoCrated and set apart for ~
ihIlemn worship of Him who Is a spirit, alIt
must be worshiped in spirit and TRUTH
These various changes from the common Of
der" of the church (and others which might III
mentioned) are not, in my Judgment, ior the ed Il
fcation of the people, and ii they We're, thef
have never been ordained and approved By
common authority" They are, therefore, unlaI
fll, and their introduction tends TO draw on
people away from the old paths" in which ~
church walked safely aud prosperousiy for i
many years Whatever may be done escwhcIt
let us In this diocese steadfastly adhere to tl'
"common order" concerning which there Gun n
no mistake. The revival of the church in NlrginL
began under the cpiscopate of Bishop Moorr
impugn, and who was certainly as competent (,
any of the clergy of the present day to conduct ~
services of the church, and we may be satisfied |,
follow in his steps. would eXhort my youngf
brethren of the clergy in particular, To conscie1l
tiouly arrest the Introduction OF all novelties, an.
you my brethren of laty (who, according to H.
Paul, arc the church, we clergymen being yot
ministers oriservnnts for Jesus sake) TO guard wig
untirlng vigilance and fidelity the doctrine, woL
ships, and discipline of our beloved Zion, that Y
YOU received them from you fathers 80 you md
hand them down to your children.
Bishop Whttle dwclt at some length d
the matter of elccting an assistant bshoP
and in consequence OF his i'll health he woul'
respectfully ask the council to elect an 4
sistant to share with him the burdens and n
sponsiblitics of the Office.
THE QUESTION OF AN ASSISTANT BIsHd'
After reading his report, Bishop Whitd
asked DIR. Walker to take the chair and NJ
tired.
DIR. Dashiell offered resolution that a cof
mittee of five clcrgymen and four laymcn Pl
appointed TO consider the question Of VOL
among the colored people. lie suggest
that the colorcd ministers be appointed n
this committee.
The resolution was adopted
Rev. DIR, Grammer offered resolution TIN
he council proceed at 3 o'clock in the evei
ing to elect an assistant bishop.
This caused considerable discussion, all
Col. Withors moved that tho resolution be Ie
JerTed TO n committee of five.
DIR. Grammer said he presumed that eyotI
member of this convention was ready, to VOC
aye or no upon the question now.
Aftermuch discussion Alr. Withers's rcsolu
tion was adopted.
DIR. Grammer made motion that the con
mittee be instructed TO report at o'clock.
This occasiOned much more discussion
Col. Withers made motion to lay IL on tl'
TABLE which was lost.
DIR, Grammer agreed to let the resolutipr
80 over and accepted resolution requestill
Tho committee to report tomorrow at as early
an hour rs possible, which was adopted.
The chair announced the appointment %
the following committee: Messrs. GrammSr
Kinsolving, Nelson, Peterkin, and Mcbride
of the clergy, and MessTs. Withers, StokI5
Tayler Berry, and DIR. j. w. Claiborne, Of th'
laity.
DIVISION OF THE DIOCESE.
DIR. Norton from the committee on diocese1
division, reported q resolution that, in thdl
opinion, the canOns and constitution of thI
church do not recognize or confer upon tht
bishop the sole right to decide whether pi
not there should be a division of the diocese
The report was lengthy, and cited canoEi'
cal law in support of tho position that the
bishop has not the exclusive right to initafe