National Republican., 1883-10-27
THE PASTORAL LETTER.
Address Of the House Of Bishops Of the Prot
estant Episcopal Church.
The Dissertation Of Marriage Vows
Handled Without Gloves.
Great Care Advised in the Administration Of The
Public Schools.
Tho Great Success OF the Church spiritu-
ally and Financially.


first days session of the general convention
Of the Protestant Episcopal church was opened
with morning prayer by Rev. John Brainard,
d. D., of central New York, and Rev. Thos.
W. Haskins, of the diocese Of Quincy. The
beDediction was pronounced by the Rt. Rev.
Bishop Burgess, of Quincy.
The house Of deputies was then called to
order by the Rev. DR.. Beardsley. A message
was received from the house of bishops an
nouncing the adoption of resolution for the
appointment Of deputation, to consist Of
two bishops, two presbyters and two laymen,
to attend the next meeting of the provincial
synod of Canada, and that the bishops of North
Carolina and Michigan had been appointed
on the part of the house Of bishops. The
house of deputies concurred, and appointed on
said committee Rev. DIR. T.. A. Hoffman, of
New York; Rev. Mr.. Converse, of Massachu-
setts; Mr.. Albert, Of Maryland, and Mr.. Nell
sou, of Alabama.
The committee on expenses offered resolu-
tions which were adopted, returning thanks
to tho rector, wardens, and vestrymen of
Holy Trinity church. for their liberality and
thoughtful consideration in making all neces-
sary arrangements; to the rector, wardens,
and vestry of Christ church, for the use Of
the church for the opening services, and also
their kindness.
Rev. DIR. Dix, af New York, from the COM
mittee of conference relative to bishops who
have resigned their Jurisdiction, reported
resolution that those bishops who have re-
signed by reason of advanced age and bodily
infrmity resulting thorefrom shall retain
their seats in the house Of bishops, with all
the rights and precedents therein in which
they would have otherwise been entitled.
The committee on canons reported o reso-
luton, which was adopted that the conven-
tion earnestly recommend that q portion of
the aims and contributions during the ad-
ministraton of the holy communion be ap-
propriated to the support of disabled clergy
men, and to the widows and orphans of de-
ceased clergymen.
Rev. Mr.. Rucker, of Texas, offered resolu-
tion that the house will not entertain any
motion to alter or amend any portion of the
prayer book not referred to them by the joint
committee.
Mr.. judd of Illinois, moved to lay the reso-
luton on the table--not agreed to by a vote
of yeas 4S, nays "a.
Mr.. Wilmer. of Maryland, said he was very
sure that the convention realized that in the
short time before them they would not have
time to consider any proposed alterations in
the prayer book not included in the report of
the committee. The resolution Of Rev. Mr..
Rucker was agreed to.
On motion of DR.. Shattuck, of Massachu-
turned to the postmaster for the facilities
offered in the receiving and posting of letters.
The house then resumed consideration of
resolution 12 of the joint committee on
the prayer book relating to the holy COM
munion. The rubric (section C) was amended
so as to provide for the omission of the
decalogue at one of the celebrations of the
holy communion. when the holy communion
has been celebrated more than once in the
same day. The section as amended was
adopted.
In section Rev. Dr. Huntington moved
to strike out the words "or sung" in the
rubric, which was agreed to.
The clause was then adopted, with the
above amendment, as amended by the house
of bishops by striking out the words "Nicene
creed" and substituting "or this"
Rev. DIR. Peterkin, of Virginia, suggested
the striking out of clause ], which is as fol-
lows: ~. Add to the rubric which follows
the otfertory sentences these words: and
when the aims are presented, there may be
sung or said an otfertory anthem"
Rev. DR.. Huntington explained that it was
permissive and not mandatory, and the Sec
tion was then adopted
Section X, which provides for transferring
the two working exhortations and also the
prayer for the church militant to place at
the end of the Office, was agreed to.
Section L was then considered as follows:
J.. Add to the rubric before the exhortations
DeglDnlnE Dearly beloved IN Une LORD yo
who mind, &C." the words But note that
the eXhortation may be omitted if it hath
been already said once in that same MONTH"
Rev. DR.. Girault, of Louisiana, moved to
strike out this section.
Mr.. Albert of Maryland, hoped there would
be no mutilation of this most solemn service.
A deputy from northern New Jersey offered
an amendment, which was agreed to, to strike
out the word 'once" and insert ION one
Lords day."
Rev. DIR. Adams, of Wisconsin, put himself
forward as the most law-abiding person in the
convention. He had always said the exhorta-
tion, Dearly beloved brethren" although he
knew it to be the worst constructed piece of
English in the English language He would
to the day Of his death say the longer exhorta-
tion, although he was very willing that there
should be shorter one Section l. as amended
was then adopted
Section o. relating to the conservation
prayer, was adopted as amended by the house
of bishops.
Rev. DIR. Goodwin, of Pennsylvania, offered
as an amendment to section S the following
"The holy communion shall not be celebrated
in any congregation unless there are some
persons present ready and expected to par
ticipate with the priest"
Rev. DIR. Goodwin said that there are men
in England aud in this country ministers who
think that they can conscientiously celebrate
the holy communion when no one Is expected
10 parUlClpate. Inc evil may not have ex-
tended far, but 1t has begun. Let us say pre-
cisely what we mean. Some clergymen think
they can have a regular celebration once a
month and solitary communions as often as
they please. What is the use of the exhorta-
tiOn when no one is expected to partake.
Mr.. judd of Illinois, seconded DR.. Good
WINS amendment, and said it was beyond his
comprehension how anyone could hold that
such is not the law to-day. He was anxious
to adopt the rubric SO that there may be no
mistake about 1t.
Rev. DR.. Huntington suggested the follow
ing substitute, which was agreed to by DIR.
Goodwin: "And there shall be no celebration
of the Lords supper unless there be a con-
Venient number to communicate with the
priest, according to his discretion, and even
though there be not above twenty persons in
the parish of discretion to receive the COM
munion. Yet there shall be no communion
unless three, or two at the least, commune
with the priest"
The substitute was adopted, as was also tho
section as amended.
After adopting resolution ~ as amended,
the house took recess,
The following is the pastoral letter of the
house of bishops of the Protestant Episcopal
church:
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, oct. 26-Dsdr Brethren ofthe
with signal tokens OF the favor of God. His mer-
cies have not been prevented by the manifold
indrmtties" of Its members nor any waste OF His
grace We 90 TO our several posts OF service crate