National Republican., 1883-10-24
THEOLOGICAL TOPICS.
Further Proceedings Of the Episcopal Con-
vention.
Discussion Of the Report OF the Commit-
tee on Church Canons.

of Mississippi, and Rev. Chauncey B. Brew
ster, of Michigan. The benediction was pro-
nounoed by the Right Rev. Bishop Hare, of
8 outh Dakota The house of deputies was
then called to order by the president.
Mr.. Littell, of Delaware, from the commit
tee, submitted long list of trustees of the
general theological seminary to serve until
October, 1884. Tho report was adopted.
Rev. DR.. Abercrombie, of northern New
Jersey, from the committee on memorials of
deceased members, read memorials of Hon.
Enoch X. Nudge of Massachusetts; Rev.
John Cotton Smith, d. D., of New York; Mr..
Josiah King, of Pittsburg, and Rev. William
Shelton, d. D., for over half q century rector
of o church at Buffalo, N. Y. The report was
adopted.
Rev. DR.. Benedict, ofsouthern Ohio. offered
o resolution, that tho house of bishops con-
CURING the sessions of the convention con-
tinue for the purpose of considering the re-
port of the joint committee on the book of
common prayer as long as there shall be
quorum of both houses or until the consid-
Grafton of the report shall have been COM
pleted.
Mr.. Minor, of Connecticut said IL was q
question whether the deputies should remain
here three or four weeks longer, or whether
the consideration should be closed now. He
was opposed to making single change in the
prayer book.
Objection being made the resolution was
placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Mills of northern Now Jersey, thought
the subject of the prayer book could be con-
cluded at this session. He offered resolu-
tion that the general convention adjourn on
Friday, Oct 26. At his request 1t was referred
to the committee on unfinished business.
Rev. DR.. McVicksr, of Pennsylvania, from
the committee on place Of meeting of the
next general convention, reported that there
was lack of cordiality in invitations from
the large cities. The question of expense is
a very serious one. If the expenses could be
more equally divided the difficulty might be
avoided.
He offered a resolution that the whole SUBJ
ject of the necessary expense of holding the
general convention be referred to the commit
tee on expenses, with the requq1t that they
report as early as possible some scheme for
more equally dividing the expense among the
dioceses.
Report No. of the committee on amend
ments to the constitution on the amendment
to article 8 of the constitution, offered by Mr..
Nash, of New York, relative to alterations in
the book of common prayer, was then taken
up. The committee reported adversely to the
tentative use of any portion of the book.
The report was adopted, and the committee
discharged. The report from the same COM
mittee concurring with the house of bishops
in substituting the words "house Of deputies"
for convention in certain places in article 2
and Of the constitution was adopted.
The order of the day was then taken up,
viz Report No. 90 Of the committee on
sanons relating to the report of the special
committee on the Sewanee conference with
regard to the work among the coored people
in the south. The committee reported that
in their opinion legislation intended for good
might operate for evil, Any legislation by
the convention might be a cause of serious
disaster. The church cannot too carefully
avoid drawing lines of distinction between
different classes. The report contained reso-
lutions recommending that the board of
managers of the missionary society be re-
quested to appropriate as large an amount as
possible to the missions of the chur ch among
colored people.
The special committee on the Sewanee
conference had reported recommending the
adoption of q canon for the establishment of
separate missionary organizations in the
different dioceses, under direction of the
bishops.
Rev. DR.. Porter of South Carolina, moved
as q substitute the report of the special COM
mittee. He said this question is generally
treated as if 1t was entirely southern one.
If we do not know what to do, or knowing,
are not willing to do our duty, how will we
Christianize Africa. The census of 1880
shows that the population of the southern
states was Mt that time IL, $50; of these
$3.50 were whites and 5,927,371 were col
ored persons. Tho baptized members of the
church in that section number 100000; of
this number 100000 are white and 10000 col
ored. The number of communicates is SO, 900,
and of clergymen 500. The church in the
south is stirring herself, but what is the
church in the north doing with all her
wealth. Before 1860 there were nearly l,000,
900 of professed Christians among the colored
people of the south.
The Methodists and Baptists have done a
glorious work, and while we do so little we
ought not to decry the work of others. In
ha Enigpnnal phnrph fn -ba in "a
south but eighty candidates and postulants
to take up the work. If we are to do any ex-
tensive work among the colored people, we
must obtain large re-enforcements from the
negroes themselves There are but forty-six
black and colored persons in the priesthood
and the deaconate. The colored people should
be helped to educate their children, and they
will respond as readily as any other people
Too much, however, must not be expected OF
hem, but we should take into consideration
>heir surroundings. The colored man meets
with the competition of the whites, and race
prejudice at the north and south. 1t is the
duty of the church to give aid to all who are
fitting themselves to hll positions. The ex-
ercise of practical common sense is as neces-
sary as great learning. Some people say
send to the negro lay readers or catechists
The negro feels that the catechist can do nc
better than he can.
Rev. DR.. Porter claimed that each separate
congregation is a separate ecclesiastical or
ganization. The report Of the special com
mittee does not make it obligatory to form
separate missionary organizations in any do.
cese, but gives permission to form such or.
ganizations. The missionary board of the
southern dioceses have so few men to work
with that they cannot accomplish much
The speaker knew ten places where such
missions could be established. Their duty
would be also to seek out new candidates fol
the ministry. What has the Episcopal churcl
with all her wealth done? What has she t
show? The speaker cited a few cases. anG
claimed that very little is being done by thu
Episcopal church for the colored people.
Rev. p. G. Robert, of Missouri desired t
thank the committee on canons for what they
have done. They had brought in resolutions
full of sympathy. Those resolutions expires,
the feeling of every bishop, priest, and lay
man at tho Sewanee conference This 4
the American Catholic church, aud those in
the southern diocescs, as we'll as those in the
northern dioceses know no color. There ar
difficulties in the case. He did not wish th
general convention to assume the, power anC
say to the different dioceses, You shall no
do this or that without our authority Their
is no need for it. The. negroes have just 81
much religion in them as to say, We are moi
heathens, we believe in the Lord Jesus
Rev. Mr. Robert said it seemed the wors
incredulity to doubt that the church coulC
go to the adults as we'll as the children, o
the colored people, Why not make the sam
t1 ba cnln L In,