The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-05-20

The Council came TO order at $3.50 o'clock
Yesterday morning-Bishop Whlttle in the
chair.
DIVISION OF THE DIOCESE.
Mr.. Taylor Scott offered the following
resolutions
Resolved, That the good Of the Church,
its advancement, and the welfare Of both
clergy and laity, demand that the diocese
OF Virginia be divided.
ReSOtued. I'd, That committee Of six
clcrgymen and seven lavmen be elected by
the Council ard authorized and empow-
cred TO consider the subject Of division I;
and should said committee conclude that
division should be made. take all necessary
steps TO this end, define and fix the di-
viding line, and report to the next Council
OF the Church.
Mr.. Scott said he advocated this reso-
luton in no factious spirit. lie argued
that the great area OF territory required a
division; that the health OF previous
bishops had been broken down by having
such large territory. He was aware that
the Bishop had the veto power in the mat
ter, but he was ready to trust him.
Rev. Pike Powers said he had been q
diyisonist in theory, but investigation had
convinced him that it was necessary TO
keep all parts Of the State together and di-
vision was wrong. There was no tell
ing how far this thing would 90. He
had heard OF one advocate OF division who
wanted the diocese divided into three
parts.
Mr.. Sprigg said all this resolution asked
was a committee. A division had to come
sooner or later, and the longer it was put
off the more excitement there would be
over it. DR.. Sprigg said there could be no
harm done in condensing the matter. The
Council did not adopt division by adopt
ing the resolution.
Mr.. j. j. Page thought the passage OF
the resolution might affect the decision Of
the assistant bishop, who did not expect to
come to a divided diocese.
The vote was then taken upon motion
to lay the resolution on the table, and il
was defeated by vote OF both orders.
Slr. Scott said that he accepted an amend
ment to his resolution. that the committee
be appointed by the Chair.
Rev. DR.. Peterkin thought great caution
should be used i'm this matter. 1t was far
better TO regret that we did not do thing
than to have cause TO regret that we did
do 1t. 1t was better 10 Use caution in this
matter. and see how these dioceSes which
had been divided progressed. Delay could
do no harm.
Mr.. Scott withdrew his first resolution,
and the resolution, us finally amended, was
that the Bishop appoint committee to
consider the subject of the division OF the
diocese, and report TO the next meeting OF
tho Council which WAS gdODtc1
BISHOP F. N. wHITTLE.
Rev. DR.. Peterkin, in a brief and appro-
pirate speech. presented Il written testimo-
nial of the clergy TO the Bishop as follows
ave, the members Of the Eighty-eighth
Council OF the Diocese Of Virginia. in
Richmond assembled have learned with
great pleasure that our beloved Bishop
contempates voyage TO Europe for the
restoration Of his health, impaired by Ia
bors beyond his strength in the service
of the diocese. We take this occasion TO
express our high appreciation Of his
fidelity TO his duties as bishop, and our
warm personal regard and affection for
him. We feel that we are thus acting rs
faithful representatives OF the cOhgrega-
tions throughout the length and breadth Of
the diocese to which he has given his Ia
bors and his strength, and which he has so
constantly borne in bis heart and in his
prayers. The people, who love him so
loyally, will join with us in their homes
and i'm the church in commencing him and
his family to the protection OF Him who
holds the waters in the hollow OF His hand,
and we earnestly pray that be may be re-
stored TO us in renewed health and
strength"
1t was signed by about two hundred and
twenty-five members, clerical and lay.
Bishop Whttle replied in feeling terms
to this mark OF esteem, and in so doing
evinced deep emotion.
The Finance Committee reported in Ia
vor Of appropriating $4,000 for the eX-
penscs Of Bishop Whittle in his trip to
Europe. and recommended that the salary
OF the assistant bishop be $500 per an
mum. the payment Of all his travelling eX-
penseS, and the payment OF his house-rent.
DELEGATES TO TIE GENERAL CONVENTION.
Rev. DR.. Gibson, Rev. Dr. Peterkin, and
Rev. DR.. IIanckel were elected clerical
delegates to the General Convention, and
the selection OF lay delegate, to the same
was completed by the election Of Messrs.
II. +. Withers and b. johnson Barbour.
THE ASSISTANT BISHOP
The following telegram was read by the
secretary:
BALTIMORE, May 10, 1883.
Rer. G. A. KinsolUing, ID. D., President
pro tenn. Of the Diocesan Council Of
Viginld, ST. James Church,:
am deeply sensible of the honor con-
ierred upon me by the Council. While
the standing committees and bishops with
whom the final decision rests are taking
action, may / ask for brief time to con-
slider The same? At present strong con-
flict OF duties and feeling exist. May God
help me TO see and do what is right.
Most truly and sincerely yours,
A. NJ. RANDOLPH.
In reference to the acceptance of the
Office OF assistant bishop, it may be stated
that there is no certainty that DR.. Randolph
will consent to leave Baltimore.
In the event that he does not the Council
will have to be again convened and another
election held.
Rev. Mr.. Randolph is recognized rs
thorough Low Churchman, constant in his
opposition to High Churchism and Ritual
ism. and Is one Of the close and intimate
associates OF Bishop Pinkney, who holds
like views. He Is recognized as one OF the
ablest theologians Of his Church in Balti-
more.
Rev. Mr.. Randolph's mother was Mary,
daughter OF John Magill, prominent law
yer of Frederick county, Va. and grand
daughter Of Colonel John Magill, who
served in the revolution with General
Washington. His grandmother on the ma
ternal side was a Thurslon, daughter of
Judge Thurston, of Washington. Alfred
NJ. Randolph's youth was spent on the an
cestral estate of the family, /" Eastern
View," Fauquier county, Va, which has
descended from father to son for over
century and half. There he enjoyed the