Morning journal and courier., 1883-09-17
SuuruaI zlrS Courier.
SINGLE COPIES THREE CENTS.
Monday, September IF, 1883
A NOTABLE CONVENTION.

An event of much interest to the religious world will be the Centennial Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church which is to be held in Philadelphia during the first week of October. Many clerical dignitaries of the church in this and other countries will be present at the Convention, and some of the most prominent laymen of the country have already been elected delegates. This Con- vention will mark the centennial of the meet ing of the Connecticut clergy in 1783, at which time the Rev. Dr.. Seabury, of this State, was chosen to seek the episcopate from abroad, which was given to him by the Church in Scotland.
 The Convention derives additional interest from the fact that it is to be held in Christ Church, where the Convention of 17s5 was held. This Convention met on the 27th of September, and there were sixteen of the clergy and twsnty-six of the laity present. The most important work done was the adoption of the following resolution: s'That a committee be appointed, consisting of one clerical and one lay deputy from the church in each State, to consider of and report such alterations in the Liturgy as shall render it consistent with the American revolution and the constitutions of the respective States, and such further alterations in the Liturgy as may be advisable for this Convention to rec ommend to the consideration of the church here represented" The following clergy and laymen were appointed at this Convention a committee to present to the Convention a form of an ecclesiastical constitution for the Prnfacfonf FnicoOVooI I0h L. States, and to this committee was also assigned the duty of pre- pairing the necessary and proposed alterations in the Liturgy:"-viz, the Rev. Dr. Provost and MT. Duane, New York; the Rev. MT. Beach and MT. Dennis, New Jersey; the Rev. Dr. White and Mr. Peters, Penn. sylvania; the Rev. Dr. Wharton and MT. Sykes, Delaware; the Rev. Dr. Smith and Dr. Craddock, Maryland; the Rev MT. Griffith and MT. Payne, Virginia, and the Rev. Dr. Purcell and MT. Reed, South Caro- lima. The same committee was also empow- cred to prepare an address to the bishops of England requesting the conservation of cer- tain bishops for the Church in America. These gentlemen at once entered upon the important work, and were able in 8 few days to report the result of their labors On Fri day, October z, there was divine service in Christ Church. Philadelphia, when the Litur- gy, as changed, was read by the Rev. Dr. White, and the Rev. William Smith, D. D., preached 8 sermon suitable to this important event.
 Since those days there has been a great change in the condition and prospects of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this country. At the last Convention, held in New York city in 1880, fifty bishops and four hundred delegates were present. At this Convention committee, of which Bishop Williams is chairman, was appointed to revise the prayer book and enrich or otherwise change the ap- pointed services. This committee have pre- pared their report by issuing revised prayer book with their proposed changes printed as they would like to have them in the future editions of the service book. These changes amount to less than was expected. They en- rich the services of morning and evening prayer, strengthen the marriage service by making the VOW more binding, and give simpler form of absolutioA for the extra communion use, and appoint 8 separate col lect, epistle and gospel for transfguration day. These are rather return to what is old than the adoption of now things. The work of the committee will be one of the leading subjects for discussion at the coming Convention, and it will be Interesting to see what is done with it.