Morning journal and courier., 1883-10-19
PENNsYLVANIA

Marriage and DivOrce-The Subject Be-
 fore the Episcopal Convention = Re-
 fsrred to a Committee for Con nsfderation
 and Adjustment.
 PH1LADELPHA, Oct 18.-In to-day's sss . sion of the general convention of the Prot estant Episcopal church, the Rev. DE. Schenck, of Long Island, presented the re- port of She special committee on the disa- crease in contributions during the past three years was over $12,00O. The report was placed on the journal Report No. 3 of the committee on the prayer book, declining to recommend the passage of the resolution proposed by the Rev. Dr. Fulton relative to amending the constitution by striking out the words Protestant Episcopal was then taken up. The Rev. Dr. Fulton asked that the report of the committee relative to his resolution should be postponed, to be taken up at future time. The request was grant, ed Report No 4 of the committee on the prayer book, not approving of the proposed setting forth of a Sunday school hymnal by the general convention, was next considered. The Rev. Mir. Burford said the priest has charge of all the souls in his parish, and the Sunday school system takes away the re- sponsibility from the rector, and places it in the hands of irresponsible persons. The rector of the parish should be the superin- tendent of the Sunday school. He eontended that the house ought by all means to Rcquieace in the resolution. If the co invention should say that they would put forth Sunday school hymnal and require it's ass, it would take away tho beautiful Christmas and Easter carols The church has never in her Legislative capacity en- dorsed a Sunday school system. The Rev. Dr. Phillips Brooks, of Massachusetts, said that hithertoSunday schools had worked with absolute freedom and he hoped the matter would be left whore it is now. Rev. Dr. Gibson, of Virginia, moved as 2 substitute that joint committee be appointed, con sisting of two bishops, two cIergymen and two laymen, to prepare hymnal. The motion was not agreed to and the convention also declined to adopt the report of the com
 nittee.
 From the house of bishops message was received with a resolution attached pro- viding for the appointment of joint com miseion for the purpose of codifying and formulating the discipline and doctrine of method by which vexed questions may be settled; also to inquire and report upon the necessity for the establishment of a court of appeals. Rev. Dr. Watson of the committee on canons reported an amendment to canon 5, article 2, providing for the trial of clergy men convicted in any court of crimes or tm- moralities. The report was placed on the calendar. From the same committee long report was submitted relative 10 the memorial from the diocese of Mis- souri upon the subject of marriage with rela- tives and in the matter of divorce. The com mittee recommended the appointment of q joint commission consisting of three bishops, three clergymen acquainted with canon law and three laymen who are jurists to consider tho whole snbisct of marriage and to report at the next general convention. Tho report was adopted. Rev. Dr. Hall of the oom- mittee on amendments to the constitution xe- ported adversely to the amendment of canon 9, title l, authorizing the tentative use in the book of common prayer of such changss as have been made. The report was agreed