The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-10-13
THE CHURCHES.
Proseatant Episcap : / Convention


PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 12.-The Protestant
Episcopal General Convention resumed it
session this morning. After the usual devo
tionsl exercises the house of deputies proceed
ed with regular business.
Inc committee on new dioceses reported re
commencing that the consent of the house o.
deputies to the creation of new diocese to be
known as Western Tennessee be not granted
as II does not appear that the article in the
constitution relative to the support of the EpiS
oopate had been complied with.
Rev. DIR. Gray of Tennessee said his diocese
was disposed to bow to the decision of the con
vention.
The committee on Canons reported recon-
mending that the words Protestant Episco.
palp be not left out ofthe Canons. The com.
mittee also reported they did not deem it ex-
pedient to adopt any legislation, at the present
time on the subject oforganized religious bod.
les; also reported relative to the resolution re.
ferred to them to the effect that the warden oi
church should be communicant and that
members OF the rectOry should conform TO the
doctrine of the church, that it be referred to
the diocesan convention, and it was placed on
the calendar
The house then went into committee Of the
wfsle on report of the joint committee on re-
vision OF the prayer book, Judge Shetfrey in
the chair.
Rev. DIR. Egan of Central New York, ,ventur-
ed the assertion that never at any time in the
history of the church has the feast of Trans
fguration been celebrated between the,frst of
January and beginning of Lent
Rey. DIR. Harwood of Connecticut said the
festival had been an uncertain quantity in the
Christian year. Because it was minor festi-
val It was celebrated at different times, The
convention is entitled to go back to the ration
ale Of the feast and say it should be celebrated
between Epiphany and Lent.
Rev. DIR. Cyrus Knight of Central Pennsyl-
vssfa thought there was nothing to show that
tisa festival had ever been celebrated on am
other day than the 9th of August. 1t would
be loss to us for reasons Of ovr own to alter
the time for keeping the festival. $50
Rev DR.. r. M. Abercrombie of Northern
New Jersey referred to the inconsistency of
the English Church in Europe and the Ameri-
can church by its side celebrating the feast on
different days. He trusted the American
church would place herself In harmony with
the rest of Christiandom.
Rev. DR.. Huntington of Mass, said the
committee proposed to recognize and establish
feast of our Lord never before established.
The committee then rose and reported pro-
gress.
The House of Bishops reassembled this
morning and adopted an amendment to the
Canons, the house of deputies concurring, al
lowing lay readers to give public instruction
under the direction of Bishops.
The testimonials of Bishop elect Knicker-
booker of Indiana and assistant Bishop elect
Randolph OF Virginia and assistant Bishop
elect Potter of New York were presented and
the house concurred with the house OF deputies
in confirming them.
The next amendments were considered in
the board of Missions.
Rev. DIR. Fulton of Missouri stated it had
been alleged that Bishop Riley had been con-
secrated Bishop of the valley of Mexico 10
total disregard of of the articles of the con-
stitution. There were also rumors of irregu-
larties in the distributing of money. The fact
should be made known. Bishop Bedell OF
Ohio said the Mexican commission which be
represented had sent message to Bishop Riley
requiring that he be in this city on the 18th of
October
Rev. DIR. Fulton moved that the board of
Missions hold session on the 23d inst. in order
to hear the report of the Mexican commission.
After discussion the motion of DIR, Falton was
agreed to relative to hearing the report of the
Mexican commission on the 23d inst.
The Bishop of Ohio from the committee to
nominate board of managers reported he did
not deem it advisable to increase the member
ship and submitted for reelection the old men,
bers of the board. The report was adopted and
Rev. Mr.. Birdsall of California made a state
ment on behalf of the deputies from this dio-
cese and offered the following which was
adopted.
delegates of the diocese of California hav-
ing been called upon by the bishop of the jur.
isdiction of Northern California, to bear him
out in statements made in his address made be-
fore the board of Missions assembled in the
church of the Holy Trinity, Saturday. Octo-
Der 6, 1888, feel constrained to assert they
must add certain qualifications If not to the
direct statements of the bishop at least to the
inference which may not unnaturally be drawn
from those statements. Resolved that the fore
going be added to the minutes of this body.
TrienniaI Council of the Congregational
lists at Concor Il. N. HI.
CONCORD, N. H., Oct. 12.-The CoDgrega-
tional Council met at 9 O'Clock, prayer being
offered by Rev. Smith Baker of Lowell. The
hymn, HMy faith looks up to Thee" was sung
by the council, after which the minutes of
yesterdays proceedings were adopted. Rev. @.
G. Creegran of Syracuse, n Y, chairman OF
the committee on credentials, presented the
roll Of delegates. The report was accepted.
The Rev. e. e. Ellis of Washington Territory
was introduced and spoke briefly. 1t was
voted that the pastors of the North and South
churches in Concord be invited to sit as cor
responding members of the council. Discus
sion occurred on q resolution to appoint COM
mittees to report in relation to National Con-
gregational charitable societies and theologi-
cal seminaries. 1T was tabled, and devotional
exercises of one half-hour followed, led by
Rev. DIR. Withrow of Boston. The council
sang several hymns, and prayer was offered by
Rev. 7. Noble of San Francisco, Rev. DIR. s.
L, Blake of Fitchburg, Rev. S. III. Virgin of
kCOlOr6QJ
Chattanooga, Tenn, Rev. E. III. Byington OF
Massachusetts,, Rev. DIR. W. H. Ward OF
New York, Rev. N. W. Lyman of Massachu u
sets, Rev. T. d. Aver of Concord. Rev. DIR.
Withrow and others The devotional exer-
cises closed with singing of the hymn, ''Arise,
my sonl, arise" The following telegram from
the General Association of California was
read:
SANTA CRUZ, CAL, Oct. I2, 1883.
To the Moderator of the National Council:
H.,
from the shores of the Pacific to their sisters as
sembled in council on the Atlantic shore. We are
with you in sympathy and faith, and propose to
raise million yearly to save the country to Christ
and seven hundred and fifty thousand 10 convert
the world. REV. E. G. BEoKwITH, D. D.,
Moderator
Rev. DIR. e. B. Webb made an earnest ap-
peal in behalf of the American Board of For
eign Missions. He said the organization ex-
pended 1881, 900 in it, work last year, and il
proposed to devote a like or even larger sum
annually hereafter if it can be raised.
On motion of President Bartlett of Dart
mouth College it was voted to appoint O com.
mittee to report on the relation of the church
TO foreign missions.
Rev. Isaac #. Langworthy OF Boston, one of
the vice presidents. read an address prepared
by Rev. d. I. Tarbox of Boston, secretary,
who was detained from being present by the
death of his wife, in behalf of the American
College and Educational Society. The expendi.
lures Cl bH0 OFRaHlZdtlOu tu6 laSG bnr06 Years
amounted to 1923, ,976, the total amount re-
ceived More money is needed for the educa.
tion of candidates for The ministry, and the
council was urged to pass resolution provid.
ing for taking collection in all the churches
annually for the benefit of the society. 1t was
voted to refer the address to special commit
tee.
Discussion was then resumed on the resolu-
tion to appoint committee on matters relat-
ing TO charitable societies and theological
seminaries. 1t was recommitted to the stand
ing committee on business. 1t was voted to
instruct the committee to strike out the words
Theological seminaries' from the resolut on.
A resolution was adopted providing for the
appointment of committee to arrange for an
appropriate observation of the approaching
fourth centennial anniversary Of the birth oi
Martin Luther.
Rev. A. a. Quint of New Hampshire sub
mitted the report of provisional con mites
containing recommendations for several
amendments to the bylaws and rules; also
that the next session of the council be held il
Chicago in 1886. The report was accented and
referred to special committee.
The report of the publishing committee was
made by Chairman Charles A. Richardson o
Boston, and was accepted, with the exception
OF recommendation to amend the bylaws
which was referred to the special committee
already appointed
Rev. FL. L. Hubbell of New York, from the
committee on nominations, reported the follow
ing special committees:
On Relation of the American Board to the
Churches President s. @. Bartlett Dartmouth
college; Rev. I'll. Fairbanks, Vermont; Rev
A. A. Ellsworth, Illinois.
On the American College and Educational
GNnVA VAfuv AI