The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-05-18

SIlilIt WIFI Illt tI' anu
ltics OF my office.
Having performed avery painful duty by
declaring all my mind on this subject, and
without wishing TO influence unduly the
action OF the Council or Of any member OF
il in the present case, hope may be par
doned for adding certain statements and
recalling certain facts in regard to assistant
bishops. which may correct the misappre-
tensions OF some and furnish helpful infor-
nation TO others.
II Il Is true, as asserted in the
preface to the ordinal. that "'it is evil
dent unto all men. diligently reading Holy
Scriptures aud ancient authors, that from
the apostles time there have been these
orders OF ministers in Chrisps Church
bishops, priests, and dcacons," then it is
also true, upon the same evidence, that
since the apostles time there have been,
under some name or other, assistant bish-
ops.
In the Church OF England, "to which
the Protestant Episcopal Church in these
States is indebted, under God, for her first
foundation" there have ever been, and are
now, Sutrdgdn. which is but another name
for assistant bishops.
Our own Church having provided by
law from the beginning for their election,
OF course contemplates and declares it to be
in accordance with her spirit and polity
that we shall hare assistant bishops.
Until the year 1929, or for about one half
Of the whole period Of this Church's inde-
pendent existence, each diocese exercised
its inherent, and, in my Judgment, its in.
alienable right 70 have as many bishops as
it pleased without asking the consent
or brOOking the interference OF any outside
authority whatever, "a is seen in the case
OF New York, which had three bishops at
one and the same time.
1t is n question whether section . OF
Canon XIV. OF Title |. OF the Digest, which
restricts each diocese to one assistant
bishop at q time and prescribes conditions
upon which alone it shall be permitted to
eject one. is not null and void because in
conflict with Article ". OF the Constihi-
ton. which provides that " the bishop or
bishops In every diocese shall be chosen
aerceably to such rules as shall be fixed by
the Convention Of that diocese"
OF the hundred and twenty-nine bishops
which this Church has had from the be-
ginning, twenty-one, or about one sixth OF
the whole number, were elected as as
sistants.
1t is now Just seventy years since the
conservation Of Bishop Moore, with whose
administration the revival OF the Church
i'm this diocese began. During forty OF
those seventy years Virginia was served
by a bishop and an assistant. And when
we consider the peace, aud prosperity. and
progress which have distinguished our be-
loved Church during those years we surely
have no reason to lament our past policy as
mistake, but rather with adOring won
der and gratitude must we say, Not unto
u, 0 Lord, not unto Us, but unto Thy
name be the glory"
| commend you, dear brethren. to the
guidance and direction OF the same God
and Father. MAY he save us froma all iSnO-
rance, passion, pride, and prejudice, ana
make Us to be OF one mind and one heart
TO devise and execute such measures as
shall be most for His glory and the further
ance of His kingdom in the world.
When the Bishop reached that portion oI
his address referring TO his leave OF alb
sence his feelings Oyercame him and h'
wept.
After reading his report, Bishop WhittIC
asked DR.. Walker to take the chair, and re-
tired.
DR.. Bashiell offered resolution that {
committee OF five clergymen and four lay
men be appointed to consider the question
of work among the colored people. lie
suggested that the cOlored ministers be APP
pointed on this committee.
The resolution was adopted.
Rev. DR.. Grammer offered a resolution
that the Council proceed at D O'Clock In the
evening to elect an assistant bishop.
This caused considerable discussion, and
Colonel Withcrs moved that the resolution
be referred to committee OF five.
Dr. Grammar said he presumed that every
member of this Convention was ready tC
vote ave or no upon the question now.
DR.. Grammer agreed to let the resolution
90 over. and accepted a resolution request
ing the committee to report to-day al III
early hour as possible, which was adopted
The Chair announced the appointment
of the following committee: Mcs'rs. Gram
mer. Kinsolying. Nelson, Peterkln, ano
Mcbride, OF the clergy, and Messrs. WIN
crs. Stokes, Taylor Berry, and pr. ). W
Claiborne. of The laity.
THE HIsrORIOGRAPHER.
Mr.. b. johnson Barbour read the repor
Of the historiographer, Rev. Philip Slaugh
fer. one OF the Oldest ministers IN The
Church.
DIOCESAN DIVISION.
Special consent was given the Specia
Committee on Diocesan Division to report
and DR.. Norton read the same, in which !
was stated that no canonical or constltu
tional law had been discovered by whicl
tae Bishop was solely authorized to initiate
any movement looking to division OF
diocese. The report was full and search
inc. and seemed TO be conclusive III IL
character. The concurrent consent OF th'
Bishop and the Convention must be oh
tanned, it said.
A letter was read from Professor Minor
Of the University Of Virginia, in whlci
that gentleman said he thought it best II
Inv TO allow the matter OF division to orig
mate with convention.
Before action was taken on the report
delegate arose and said:
:" move that the Bishop be respectful.
invited 10 give his views"
Just at this iuncture the Bishop said
Il will be very apt to do that withou
any invitation"
The Bishop seemed little agitated whel
he arose shortly after for the purpose o
giving expression OF his views. He aver
red. however. only the most loving feelin:
for all. and said that his excitement wa
only physical. He invited the fullest inter
ruption, and wanted only the fullest Jus
tice done all around. He declared tina
there was not on the Journal an.
evidence OF his having declared Una
he was vested with the sole righ
OF initiating division of TIE diocese
In the excitement OF an impromptu speeel
he had made some statement OF this sort
The Bishop then went on at some length t
define his position, speaking OF the dua
character of bishop and presiding office
Of the Council, and how his words could OF
this account be misconstrued.
A good many different views and state
ments os 10 what the Bishop meant aud sai(