National Republican., 1883-10-09
EPISCOPAL CONVENTION.
Proceedings at Yesterdays Session Of the
Assembled Divines,
The Question OF Race Distinctions EHcites
Lively DIscussion.

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. s.-The general con-
vention of the Protestant Episcopal church
in the United States reassembled this morn
ing in the Church of the Holy Trinity.
Morning prayer was read by Rev. George
Vornor, of the diocese Of Fond du Lac, and
the benediction was pronounced by the Right
Rev. Richard Hooker Wilmer, ID. d., bishop
of Alabama. The house of deputies was then
called to order by Rev. DIR. Beardsley.
A message from the house of bishops, which
was read, stated that the house of bishops
concur with great pleasure in tho resolution
relative to meeting with the house OF
deputies, and had appointed the bishops of
Missouri and Alabama to confer with a sim
liar committee of tho house of deputies
A motion prevailed for tho appointment of
n committee from the house Of deputies OF two
clergymen and two laymen.
Rev. Dr. John w. Brown, from the commit
tee on new dioceses, presented report recon-
mending the transfer of the county of Man
itoe from the diocese of Michigan to western
Michigan. This was agreed TO.
Rev. Samuel Upjohn, of Maine, from the
committee on the consideration of bishops,
reported that they had examined the testi-
monials of the Rev. DIR. Randolph, assistant
bishop-elect of Virginia; Rev. DIR. Potter,
DIR. Knickerbocker, bishop-elect of Indiana,
found them in due form, and recommended
that the convention consent to their conse-
Grafton.
Rev. w. II. Vibbert, S. T. D., of Illinois,
presented a minority report which stated
that those signing it could not concur in Civ
ing their consent to the conservation of the
assistant bishop Of Virginia, as sufficient time
had not elapsed to ascertain whether the dis
ability of the bishop would continue.
The report of the committee on tho conse-
Grafton of bishops was placed on the calen-
| dar.
A memorial for division of the diocese Of
| Tennessee, aud protest against the same
were referred to the committee on new dio-
ceses.
Rev. DR.. Hills, of New Jersey, from the
committee ON the state of the chucch, pre-
sented q report recommending that the sec
retary be requested to summarize the statis-
tics and publish them in the journal. This
was adopted.
Rev. William Payne, ID. D., of the diocese
of Albany, from the committee on PRAYER
book, to whom was referred the change of
leaving out the words protestant episcopal
reported that in their Judgment such altera-
tions were inexpedient. The report was
placed on the calendar.
Rev. James Runcie, ID. D., of Missouri, pro-
sented memorial on the subject of marriage,
which was referred to the committee on
| canons.
Rev. Dr. E. A. Hoffman, of New York, pre-
sented a memorial from the diocese of Mary
land relative to the nature and extent of tho
| sta nding committee on the reception of can
didates for holy orders. Referred to the
committee on canons.
Rev. John Fulton, d. d., of Missouri, pre-
| sented paper which was referred to the
committee on the revision of the book of
common prayer. He stated that some per-
sons are opposed to all changes in the prayer
book, and some discriminate between one
part and another. There was another class
to which DIR. Fulton belongs, who thought
that, noble as the report is, it should not be
finally adopted until used entatively before
any change is made He would have u three
years tentative use Of the changes proposed.
Rev. William Adams, d. d., of Wisconsin,
offered resolution that at some time pre-
vious to the meeting of each general conven-
ton, the secretary should, with assistance
settle by lot the seats OF the house of dep
uties.
The following committee was appointed
relative to meeting with the house of bishops:
Rev. George w. White, ID. D., of Tennessee
New York Messrs. William A. Stewart, OF
Maryland, and George l.. Harrison, of Penn
sylvania.
An invitation to visit the rooms of the Uni
versity club was accepted.
The board of missions was then called to
Oruer Oy Une hlBnu heV. bishop Lee.
A message was received from the house OF
bishops containing resolution, which was
adopted. 1t provided that, the house of cleri-
cal and lay deputies concurring, a committee
of three bishops, three presbyters, and three
laymen be appointed to mako preliminary
report looking to the thorough consideration
of the subj oct of the election of minister into
q church or parish for presentation to the next
general convention.
The report of the bishop of Hayti was read
by the Right Rev. Bishop Coke, Of western
New York. 1t stated that thirteen clergymen
are still at their posts there. The number OF
organized congregations is 8; stations, 10; com
municants, 400.
The Right Rev. Bishop Dunlop, Of New
Mexico, then addressed tho board. He stated
that New Mexico and Arizona are the larges
of all the Jurisdictions in connection with
the American church. That section had been
cultivated the least, and was neglected the
most. The bishop thought that this, how
over, was not the fault of the church. Three
years ago in New Mexico they had $1,000 fol
church property. AT the next convocation il
was $4,000; then $4,000. What are mos
: needed are homes for the clergy, also six new
. churches.
: The Right Rev. DIR. Brenner, missionary
bishop of Montana, stated that in his Juris
diction there are eight clergy in twenty-seveI
places, nine churches, two rectories, and 6SC
} communicates. Two private schools hav,
been started in the past two months
The Right Rev. DR.. Paddock, missionary
bishop of Washington Territory, the mex
speaker, stated he had been sent there les
than three years ago. 1t is a country will
resources vast and dinexhaustible, with popu
lation constantly increasing, and whert
Paganism, lngersollism, and Mormonism ar,
seeking to obtain a foothold. He began with
six helpers and the number is now ten. Las
year one little church was opened which haC
been erected at cost of $1,000. The numbe
of churches has increased during the pas
three years from six to eleven.
Tho Right Rev. Bishop Wilmer, of Ala
bama, then spoke on the work among til,
: colored people Of the south He said tina
I his earliest childhood had been spent amonj
! the colored people, and also q large part o
his ministry. The changed condition of tn
=. colored people has given rise to peculiar dii
iculties. The present time is the most pro
pitious for the work Of the church among the
colored people. Political demagogues hav
sought the elevation of the colored race only il
order that they might be elevated themselve
above the colored people. There is no indi
cation of the church having to deal with
them in large masses. Only a few come to us
: said the bishop, and they are destined t
achieve ultimately the salvation of the race
A great deal has been said about the reli
gious condition of the negro 1t is the natura
0 outcome Of his religious system in which the,
{ are reared. The wild orgies of the revival
have deadly fascination for tho coloret