Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-06-10
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
ANNUAL CONTENTION or THM
DIOCESE OF DELAWARE.
Heading OF tho Annual Address OF
bishop Loe-Eiectiom at Delegrses
10 the 6:enerAt Convention.

To tnG eseufFht GODtcnttbh
Special Correspondence of Gazette and Journal.
SEAFogD, June 3.-Ihe annual conven-
tion of the Protestant Episcopal Church
of the Diocese of Delaware met here yea
terday in Coulborn's Hall, which had
been provided by the parish authorities
for the meeting on account OF the r, pairs J
which were going on in the church.
Bishop Lee was present and presided.
The convention met at 8 o'clock ia the
morning for organization, and Mr.. =. IA.
Curtis of Newark, was unanimously
elected secretary. The rules Of order of
the last convention were adopted.
The Rev. Mr.. Armstrong of Lewes,
whose canonical residence in the diocese
had been less than the six months re-
quired by the constitution, made applica-
tion for seat in the convention and the
matter was referred 10 special COMMITTEES
consisting of the Hon. Edward j.. Martin,
the Rev. L. W. Gibson and the Rev. w.
B. Gordon, but the committee reported
the matter back TO the convention with
the suggestion that, rs the construction of
the constitution was involved, the snhject
should he referred TO the ccmmitii g on
constitution and canons, which, ON motion
Of Mr.. Martin, waA hr,, rdirelY done, Mr.
George II. Bat, s, iioiu tie Committee on
constitution aud canons, snbseqn, ntly ret
ported that upon eonsiderationol 81 The facts
and the law applicable 70 them, the com
mittee was unanimously of opinion that
Mr.. Armstrong was not entitled to a seat,
but that, in view of the fact that his fail
ure to acquire caponical residence WAS
not through his own fault, and also, in
view of the fact that in a case apparently
similar, the convention had, some years
ago, admitted the Rev. Mr.. Hanson to
seat, the committee reported the matter
back to the convention without any re-
commentator. Thereupon, on motion
of the Rev. Mr.. Gibson, the resolution
admitting Mr.. Armstrong to a seat was
passed.
DIR. Horace Burr from Trinity parish,
Wilmington, made application for admis-
sion of delegates from the Old Swedes
Church in Wilmington, and this matter
was also referred to the committee on
constitution and canons, which commit
tee subsequently reported, through the
Hon. Edward L. Martin, that, as the
matter involved some serious questions
of construction they would ask for
further time for considering it, and that
they might be allowed to report to the
next convention, which request was
granted.
Hon. Edward l.. Martin was elected
member of the committee on constitution
and canons for five years, and the Rev.
L. Gardiner Littell, d. D., was elected
member of the same committee for three
years to succeed the Rev. Mr.. Douglass,
who had removed from the diocese. The
-
presented by the Rev. ID. d. Smith, secre-
tary of that COMMITTEES, and the treasurer's
account for the past year was presented
and audited.
At 1890 the convention took recess
for divine service. Morning prayer was
read by the Rev. H. b. Martin, d. D., of
Wilmington. the Rev. Mr.. Lightner of
New Castle, and the Rev. Mr.. Ellis of
Millsboro, and communion service was
read by the Rev. I. Gardiner Littell, ID.
D., of Wilmington.
The bishop delivered his tenth charge,
which was mainly devoted to an histori-
cal sketch-the early history of the church
in this diocese, this being the centennial
convention of the diocese.
The services having occupied the time
until the usual hour of adjournment, the
convention resumed business at 3 O'Clock
in the afternoon.
The bishop read his annual address,
giving an interesting statement OF his
Episcopal labors, which, in view of the
death of Bishop Lay of Easton, and the ill
health of Bishop Steyensof Pennsylvania,
had extended into both of those dioceses.
Immediately after the reading of the
bishops address the election of deputies
to the general convention which is TO
meet in Chicago on October next was
| held, and resulted in the choice of the
Rev. Il. Gardiner Littell, ID. D., and the
Rev. Charles T.. Murray Of Wilmington,
and the Rev. L. w. Gibson of Dover, and
| the Rev. William B. Gordon of Smyrna
| as clerical deputies, and Messrs. 3. nj.
| Curtis of Newark, George II. Bates, ESQ,
| and Horace Burr, M. D., of Wilmington,
and David j. Cummins of Smyrna, as lay
deputies.
During the counting Of the ballots cast
for deputies to the general convention,
the report of the registrar was presented
by the Rev. T. Gardiner Littell, ID. d.,
and the convention ordered the secretary
and treasurer to have printed / 900 copies
of the bishops charge and 600 copies OF
the journal. The election of the standing
committee being then in order, resulted IN
the choice of the Rev. l.. w. Gibson OF
Dover, the Rev. William B. Gordon oi
Smyrna, the Rev. d. D.Smith of Christians
hundred, Mr.. s. M. Curtis of Newark and
DIR. Horace Burr of Wilmington. George
, H. Bates, ESQ.,, was elected trustee o.
the diocese for six yearsto succeed himself
, A resolution was adopted extending th'
thanks of the convention to the rector
i wardens and yestry of st. Luke's Church
Seaford, and the owner of Coulbornl
Hall, and to the citizens Of Seaford gen
orally, for their kindness and hospitality
and directing the usual compensation 4
be paid to the sexton.
The committee on constitution ant
canons was directed to inquire If any
a and if SO what, changes are desirable
v article 8 of the constitution respectin
y membership in the convention. AT
o o'clock the convention adjourned.
y In the evening the bishop confirme
= seven persons, after which very success
y full missionary meeting was held. Prayer
e were read by the Reys. Messrs. Murra
N and Latrobe of Wilmington, and mil
Ie sionary addresses were delivered by IL
Y, Rev. Mr.. Bond of Newark, and the Re-
Ie Mr.. Beers OF Middletowu, After the mi
a sionary meeting the convention resune
/
ID were disposed of MIR. Rodney of Ne
ld Castle, offered resolution instructing Il
n deputies to the general convention to vo
s. against the adoption or acceptance of Il
tn book annexed, or amy part thereof. Upt
80 this resolution quite an animated deba
~ ensued, which WAS participated in by NJ
Rodney of New Castle, MIR. Nuwlhnd
Middletown, DIR. Fowler of Laurel, q
Rev. Mr.. Gordon of Smyrna,
H., Bates of Wilmington and others. M
80 Fisher of Wilmington, moved
lily amend the resolution SO that it shou
vn read that it was the sense of the conve
e. ss ton that the proposed changes in I
,ns prayer book be not adopted. After u d
IN IN cussion of the resolution had been O.
he tinued for some time, the Hon. E.
on Martin moved that the resolution and
on amendment be laid on the table, viii
he motion prevailed With but few dissent
'as votes. On motion of Mr.. Curtis
~ Newark, the committee ON CONSTITUTE
iS and canons were directed TO inqu
n whether any, and if SO what, cham
nd we're required in sections of canon
order to provide for systematically N
ing funds to defray the expenses of
clerical deputies to the general cow
ON ton. II
the The usual routine business of the G
her yention having been transacted, and
Gus minutes having been read, the convent
the was adjourned at IL o'clock, p. M, al
,ds, thc prayers and benodiction by the bishop
l6le Mr. BIaine Explains.
cir ..- rha Rsn1
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