National Republican., 1883-10-20
STILL IN SESSION.
Fifteenth Day Of the Episcopal Convention at
Philadelphia.
Considering Proposed Important Changes
in the church Prayer Book.

GHIBADELfHlAg OCp LULU
days session Of the thirty-third general con-
vention of tho Protestant Episcopal church
in the United States was opened with morn
ing prayer by Rev. T. Gardiner Littell, of
Delaware, and Rev. Cyrus S. Bates, d. d., of
southern Ohio The benediction was pro-
nounced by the Right Rev. Bishop Clarkson,
of Nebraska.
The house Of deputies was called to order
by the president Rev. Dr. Boardsley.
message No. A from the house Of bishops |
which was concurred in, stated that they had
adopted resolution providing for the ap- |
pontment of joint committee on cmigra-
tion, consisting of three bishops, three pres
byters, and three laymen, to ascertain tho
facts aud to devise means for the protection
of emigrants in this country.
Rev. DR.. Dix, of New York, presented the
report of the Joint committee on the version
in French of the book of common prayer. 1t
stated that it was advisable to proceed at once
with the preparation of q new TRANSLATION.
Resolutions in the report, which provide that
the committee should be continued and that
o new version be prepared of the book OF
common prayer, were adopted.
Rev. DIR. Hoffman, of New York, from the
joint committee on devising means to in
crease the ability and increase the benefits of
the trustees fund for the relief of the widows
and orphans of deceased clergymen, reported,
recommending that the house accept the gift
of Bishop Whipple, of Minnesota of a lot of
ground near the center of tho city of Fari-
bault on which to erect a home. The report
was adopted. The calendar was then taken
up and report No. of the committee on
canons, proposing an amendment of title l.
canon 8, relation to Law readers, was consid-
cred. The amendment grants to them GER
tain privileges, such as making addresses and
exhortations and performing their functions
in another diocese, and providing for restric-
tions of taking out license.
The venerable Bishop Greer, of Mississippi,
at this point adore 5sod the house of deputies,
all the members standing. He wished to
bid them farewell, as in the providence of
God he would never attend another conven-
ton. He stated he was the sole survivor of
the convention of 1928, which metin this city
Sixty years ago there were but nine bishops.
As he looked around him now he saw seven
times that number. What has God wrought?
In conclusion Bishop Greer invoked Gods
blessing ON their deliberations. The consid-
Grafton of the report of the committee on
canons relative to lay readers was then re-
sumed.
Rev. Mr.. Upiohn, of Maine, thought the
canon recommended provided for the whole
case, and brought in nothing at all objection
able.
Rev. DR.. Watson, of North Carolina, from
the committee on caDons said they had pre-
ferred to put the whole matter under regula-
tion.
Mr.. Buell., of Alabama, said that it seemed
to him it would be better to mako some
change. and say that the licenses shall be re-
newed at some future time.
Rev. j. j. Vaulx, of Arkansas, said the
lay readers were allowed to deliver addresses
aud exhortations, but not sermons He did
not see how they could distinguish between
the two
The house then went into committee of the
whole on the report of the joint committee
on the prayer book.
The proposed amendments to the first of
the eight versicles in section p of the fourth
resolution relate to the order for evening
prayer, viz: 40, Lord, save our rulers"
The amendment proposed yesterday by Rev.
DIR. Brooks, of Massachusetts,, was " Bless the
nation" and the amendment of Mr.. Stark, of
Connecticut, was The people of the United
States"
Rev. DR.. Huntington, of Massachusetts,, from
the committee, said it was not proposition
to omit, but insert. He urged that nothing
be inserted which might be distasteful to a
large minority. With regard to the word
about which objection was made he could con-
ceive that 1t was from metaphysical consider
ations. He proposed as substitute these
words, 90, Lord, bless and preserve these
United States"
Mr.. Stark withdrew his amendment.
The amendment of Rev. DIR. Brooks was re-
jected.
hs
amend so as to read, so Lord, preserve and
bless these United States" Not agreed to-
Rev. j. ]. Vaulx, of Arkansas, said he spoke
as one who has felt the wrong in our prayer
book of designating in such n way governor.
During the civil war the trouble with clergy
men was on this point. He felt impeled to
raise his warning voice and ask the house to
consider well before changing the word
rulers"
Mr.. Matfitt, of northern Now Jersey, moved
the following amendment: Lord save the
state"
Mr.. Wilmer, of Maryland claimed that it is
not sectional, but political question There
could be no objection to these United States.''
Rev. DIR. Goodwin, of Pennsylvania, said
they have not only prayer for the president
of the United States, but the church is called
the Protestant Episcopal church in the
United States. The amendment of Mr. Maf-
fit was rejected.
Rev. DR.. Shipman, of New York. offered
the following substitute for the verscle: 80
Lord bow down Thine ear" This was re-
jected, and the amendment of Rev. DIR.
Huntington was agreed to.
Rev. DR.. Fulton, Of Missouri offered to
strike out this versicle: "For it is Thou alone
that makes the wars to cease in all the world,
and substitute the following: Because there
is none other that fghtest for us, but only
Thou, o Lord" Rev. Mr.. Taylor, of the dio-
cese of Springfield, would be very glad to see
the English response restored.
Rev. DR.. Goodwin, of Pennsylvania though
there could be no doubt historically or ex-
egetically, that the words "give peace in our
time," were used in the ordinary sense Ho
did not think it was the idea that he should
get at this peace by fighting.
Rev. ID. Peterkin was not satisfied with
the petition as it stands in the English
prayer book. 1t seemed to be selfish.
Rev. DIR. Adams, of Wisconsin, said the ex-
press purpose of the organization of the
Roman empire was the restraining of war.
From the time of Charlemange to the present
time there have been more ravages aud blood
shed than during the Roman empire. No
art is more cultivated at the present time
than war; He believed somewhat in the
prophecies of the Gospel, and the time would
come when wars will cease.
Rev. DIR. Phillips Brooks, of Massachusetts,,
said that certainly the reason suggested in
the English service is for only one sort of
peace.
Rev. DIR. Fulton's amendment was rejected.
Rev. Mr.. Upiohn, Of Maine, offered an
amendment to the versice, to read as follows :
"For thou only makest wars to cease in all
the world" Rejected.
Rev. DIR. Goodwin thought it better not to
add tho versicles proposed in section p, but
that the service should remain as before.
Rev. Boyd Vincent, of Pittsburg, offered
motion providing Tor the permissive use of
the additional yer.iCleS, It was to insert