National Republican., 1883-10-25
TIE NINETEENTH DAY.
The General Episcopal Conycntion still
in session at Philadelphia.

in Session at PhIladelphia.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 24.-The nineteenth
days session of the general convention of tho
Protestant Episcopal church was opened to-
day with morning prayer by Rev. William S,
Langford, d. d., of New Jersey, and Rev.
Daniel O. Roberts, of New Hampshire. The
benediction was pronounced by the Right
Rev Bishop Harris, of Michigan. Tho house
of deputies was called to order by the presi-
dent Rev. Dr.iBeardsley.
Rev. DIR. Hills, Of New Jersey, from the
committee ON the state of the church, to whom
was referred preamble and resolution of Mr..
James ii. Fisher, n lay deputy of the diocese
of western New York, containing common
rumor that certain ministers of this church
have, during long periods of time past, intro
duced during the celebration of the holy COM
munion ceremonies not authorized in tho
book of common prayer and symbolizing er-
roneous or doubtful doctrines reported that
they have given the same the most careful
consideration, and have reached the unani-
nous conclusion that this subject is beyond
the competency of this committee, and fur
ther that it is amply provided for by canon
%, title /, entitled of the use OF the book of
common prayer" to which they earnestly call
the attention Of the church. The committee 8
request to be discharged from further consid-
GRAFTON of the subject was granted.
presented final report through Rev. DIR.
Hills. 1t began by referring to the establish
ment in this country of the American branch
of the Anglican church, and stated that there
are at present in tho Protestant Episcopal
church of the United States 49 dioceses, 10
missionary Jurisdictions, 81 bishops, $500
other clergy, 5000 organized parishes, and
more than $4,000 communicants Since the
last meeting of the convention four bishops
have died, viz: Tho Right Rev. Bishop At
kinson, of North Carolina; the Right Rev
Bishop Kerfoot of Pittsburg; the Right Rev
Bishop Talbot, of Indiana, and the Right Rev
Bishop Pinokney, of Maryland. Two foreign
missionary bishops have resigned their juris
diction, viz: The Right Rev. Bishop Penick
of Cape Palmas, and the Right Rev. Bishop
Schereschewsky, of China. Eight clergy
have been elevated to the episcopate.
The report referred to the inadequat,
number of candidates for holy orders, ant
called special attention to the work of the
church temperance society. Church music
it says, has made progress. The enriched
book of common prayer is hailed with de
light The report concluded with resou
tion that the view of the state of the churcl
there presented be transmitted to the hous'
of bishops, with the request that they pre-.
pare a pastoral letter for publication. Th'
resolution was adopted.
The committee on expenses presented
resolutions that in future each diocese shoul(
provide for the expenses of its bishops ant
clerical deputies attending the convention
and also that no portion of the personal ex
penses should be borne by the parishes or peo
pie of the city in which the sessions are held
Rev. Dir. Adams, of Wiscon sin, moved a
an amendment, that the church of any cit,
in which the general convention meets be re
quested to provide hospitality for one bishol
and one clergyman from each diocese, and NJ
more.
Rev. DIR. Knight, of central Pennsylvania
from the committee, said it was possible TO
the committee to recommend that the assess
ment should be two or three times the presen
assessment on the dioceses. The larger dio
ceses would have no difficulty in raising tn
money, but the smaller ones think they hav
more serious use for the money.
Rev. DR.. Locke, of Illinois, said that n
doubt it seemed ungracious to many of tn
deputies that Chicago did not offer to tax
: tho convention, but they wished to save al
the money possible for the celebration Q
their semicentennial year after next.
1 Rev. DIR. McVickar. of Pennsylvanil, sait
! it was fact, whether or not it was desire,
TO be proclaimed abroad, that the conventio
was begging for place of meeting.
seemed to him like taxation without repre-
sentation when the church Is called on t
pay for the entertainment of the deputies.
would be grand thing for the convention &
90 where the church is weak instead @
W
and that did not seem to be a very heav
taxation.
Rev. DIR. Perkins, of Kentucky. moved a
amendment that annual collection be mad
In the different parishes and that the amour
be deposited with the treasurer of the hous
of deputies for distribution in proportion
their expenses among the bishops and clerica
members.
Rev. DIR. McVickar moved as substitute
that the expenses of the sessions of the con
vention be met by an assessment on eac
diocese proportionate to the number of com
municants in each diocese.
Mr.. Nelson, of Alabama, said the true wa,
90 meet the question was to be independent
Rev. DR.. Adams said it was a question G
hospitality, and not a question of expenses.
Rev. DR.. Goodwin, of Pennsylvania advC
\ GATED the resolution in tho report of the com
! mittee on expenses. The matter of genera
assessment was different thing.
Mr.. Wilmer, Of Maryland, was satisfied tina
if the stronger dioceses were appealed 10 the
would cheerfully consent to contribute to til
expenses of their deputies. He hoped tn
convention would take the ground that tn
dioceses ought to pay tho expenses of thei
bishops and deputies, and those who cannc
afford to pay will be aided.
A vote was taken which resulted in the r.
lection of tho substitute of Rev. DIR. M
Vckar and the amendments of Rev. DIR. PEI
kins and Rev. DR.. A dams.