Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-09-18
THE COMING EPISCOPAL CONvEN-
T1ON.


bic Action Of the Two Houses.
The next triennial general convention Of the
Episcopal church, which will meet in Chicago
on the 6ta of October, will discuss number OF
important questions. This body, which Is com.
posed OF some of the ablest cIergymen and lay
men in the Episcopal church, Is the supreme
legislative assembly of the Episcopal commu-
MON, having full power to alter modify the
discipline and worship Of the church, but not
having the power to touch its doctrines as con-
tanned in the Catholic creeds. 1t is composed
OF two houses, the upper, or house OF bishops,
and the lower, or house of clerical and lay depn-
ties, elected from every diocese and all legfs1a-
tive measures TO become law must pass both
houses. Other safeguards thrown around
legislation which completely protect the church
from hasty action; that " lille there IS no lack
OF fresh and vigorous thought in the deilbera-
tons OF tue convention, IL is ut the same time
probably one of the most conservative bodies in
the world.
BY far the most important question that Will
come up before this next convention Will be the
revised praye book, or the book annexed, Az 1t
Is legally called. The action which has already
been taken on this question well illustrates the
cautiousness of the Episcopal church in making
changes When, after many years Of discussion,
the liturgical committee was appointed In 1850,
d distinct pledge was given oy the committee
that the office OF the holy communion should
not be touched, and they were further made to
radical changes in any other part OF the BOOK;
indeed, the scope OF their work was pest III
Dictated by The fact that they were popularity
known as 1.-THE enrichment committee. They
were simply to enrich the prayer book by pro-
vidiDg Tor new services and allowing those
already in use to be shortened when necessary.
The work of the committee was presented to
the general convention OF SS3. 1t could not,
however, be finally accepted oy that body, ex-
cept IL report OF u committees. As SUCH 1t had
10 come before every diocesan convention OF
the church during the ensuing three years, and
now 1t Is to come before the general convention
will be it is hard to say; but the indications
that the proposed book will not be accepted in
its present form. Extreme high churchmen are
found opposing it, because it does not go far
enough 10 suit them, and they wish TO defer
any revision until they are strong enough to
control il themselves. Broad chuIchmen are
also found Opposing it because the revisers
have been too IiInid on the one hand, and too
time the book revised would deprive them
oi much OF the liberty which they now
enjoy under the vague rubricai wording of
the present book. Tney, therefore, equally
with the high churcbmen, wish To defer any re-
vision until they can direct IL in lines OF their
own choosing. When to- these two classes are
added those who have learned to love the
prayer book as IL is, and who are therefore OPP
posed To any change on sentimental grounds, 1t
Will be seen that there is u strong opposition to
the book annexed. Or. W. II. Hunting ton, how
ever, and those who are enthusiasts icaly
working with him, believe that alter full dis
cus>ion tine convention will accept the Proposed
book. If such should be the case il is the opiu-
ion OF many i'll the church that the Episcopal
communion would be vastly sireng thened
rberaIy ~ it's Ijtur,rv would 10 battar ,f,,ntad
-
To the needs OF the age.
Tue proposition 10 change the name OF the
church from protestant Episcopal" 10 some
SUCH designation as american Catholic Will
doubtless again come up, aud thOugh the propO-
sition appears To he growing in Strength, il
not possible hat IL Will be seriously considered
Very different In character is the petition which
Will BE- presented 10 the convention urging
some action looking toward union with the
other great Protestant bodies. This petition
Will be signed by a large number OF clergymen
ana lay men OF the Church; AND though It's sign
els do not boast OI their Catholicism, IL breatneS
u spirit vi the truest Catuolichy. 1t is not
likely that the convention will take the action
prayed Tor: but the debate upon it cannot fail
10 be helpful and healihiu.
Another mat.sr TO he brought before the con-
VentlOn VIII De the necessity Of some sort OF q
Iin;ti court OF appeals in the Episcopal church.
III Is SAID by many, and with some show OF
reason, that the present sy stem, which makes
the bishop OF each diocese the final judge in
all cases that come before him. often results i'll
grave injustice. such I'M tlce II Is urged, has
Ueeu done III the past, AID Will lie done III the
future, no matter now anxious bishops may be
10 Judge justly; and therefore some tribunal
should be established which would have the
power 10 review evidence and reverse the find
lDgs of The bishop. All OF which will doubtless
cniuneud Itself TO The convention; but II is
not likely that there Will be enough time at its
disposal tor the settlement OF this veXatlous
question.
The coming generel convention will have be-
Ore II The record OIL three years OF prosperity in
Tie Church. The bitterness vi party spIrlt With
Its barren controversies i becoming less notice
able III tine Episcopal church every year; and
ali schools OG Thought giving more of their
Work OF the church The CHURCH Is growing in
strength in the community, aud its missionary
WORK in the West is oE the whole prosecuted
with Vlgor and success.