Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-10-16
PILLARS OF THE CHURCH
CLOSER UNITY OF CHRISTIANS
WARMLY ADVOCATED.

Episcopalians and Free Bartists Drift
into Discussion of the Same Subj cct ON
the Same Day Congregstionalists
Dealing with the Standing of Minis
ters.
CHICAGO, Oct. 15.-The Protestant
Episcopal Convention was opened this
forenoon by the reading of the prayers by
Rev. c. A. l.. Richards, of Rhode Island.
A message from the House OF Bishops,
while expressing sympathy for all wise
efforts to increase knowledge of the Bible
in heather lands, does not deem it expe-
dent TO incur further expense.
The House of Bishops also recommend
ed the appointment of a joint committee
to whom shall be referred all reports re-
lating TO aged and infrm clergy.
The House of Bishops also returned the
communication in reference to the pro-
posed resolution OF the House of Deputies
to the Congregational Assembly, which,
among other things, declares:
The House of Bishops takes the opportunity
to assure the House of Deputies Of It's pro-
found sympathy with the spirit of their reso-
luton. This house declares it's hearty respect
and affection for all who love the Lord Jesus
Christ in sincerity, ami at this timeespecially
for their fellow Christians assembled in this
tlonal churches in the United states.
CHURCH DIVISIONS.
This house also avows Its solemn purpose
under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to pro-
mote, with the concurrence of the House of
Deputies, some practicable plan for bringing
before all our fellow Christians in this land
the duty TO our common Lord and Saviour OF
terminating the unhappy divisions which dis
honor His blessed name and hinder the tri-
umph on earth Of His glorious kingdom.
resolution is returned with the foregoing
statement as a reason for the failure to
approve the resolution contained in the
message.
Am0tiOn was adopted providing that a
vote be taken upon the proposal to drop
the words protestant EpiscopaP' at II
O'Clock tomorrow morning.
The two houses then assembled as a
board of missions, and entered upon the
discussion of the proposition to change
the composition of the Board OF Manage
ment of missions as recommended by the
special committee on missions. Without
reaching a vote the convention ad-
jouTned.
HARDER WORK NEEDED.
When the afternoon session was fairly
under way Bishop Harrison made an ad-
| dress favoring annual meetings OF the
Board of Missions. There was, he said,
profound QlscOnJenL IN many quarters. g..
This should be promptly met and the
work of missionary labor be popularized.
| The real Board of Missions now
| sat but once in three
| years, and the Board OF Managers
! had practically entlre control. In spite
| OF the noble exertlons of the members OF
! that board their work was an autocraoy.
! The tendency OF the system was to locali-
zation. That explained the lack Of inter-
! est shown throughout the land. 1t de-
| pended on the princely gifts of few lay
| men. No one could wish these contribu-
tions Withdrawn, but there was credit due
others as well.
DR.. Hall replied, defending the action
of the board in taking away the right of
voting from the missionary bishops and in
reducing their salaries. He disclaimed
being opposed to holding yearly meetings
of the board. After considerable discus
sion, resolutions establishing a mission
airy council which shall meet annually.
were adopted. Legal advice is to be OBJ
tanned relative to giving missionary blsh-
ops vote therein. The board adjourned
until next Friday.