The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-09-24
The Coming Episcopal Convention.
THE QUESTIONS TO BE DisCUssED--PRoB-
ABLE ACTION OF THE TWO HOUSES.

THE QUESTIONS TO BE DisCUssED--pRoB-
ABLE ACTION OF THE TWO HOUSES.
The next Triennial General Conven-
ton of the Episcopal church, which |
will meet in Chicago on the 9th of DC
tober, will discuss number of impor-
tant questions. This body, which is
composed of some of the ablest cler
gymen aud laymen in the Episcopal
church, is the supreme legislative as
scmbly of the Episcopal Communion,
having full power TO alter or modify
the discipline and worship of the
church, but not having the power to
touch its doctrines as contained in the
Catholic creeds. 1t is composed of,two
Houses, the upper, or House OF Bish-
ops, and the lower, or House of Cleri-
cal and Lay Deputies, elected from ev-
cry diocese, and all legislative measures
to become law must pass both Houses.
Other safeguards are thrown around
legislation which completely protect
the church from hasty action; so that
while there is no lack of fresh and
vigorous thought in the deliberations
of the convention, it is at the same
time probably one of the most conserv-
ative bodies in the world.
BY far the most important question
that will come up before this next con-
vention will be the Revised Prayer
Book, or the Book Annexed, as it is
legally called. The action which has
already been taken on this question
we'll illustrates the cautiousness of the
Episcopal Church in making changes.
When, after many years of discussion,
the liturgical committee was appointed
in 1880, distinct pledge was given
by the committee that the office OF the
Holy Communion should not be
touched, and they were further made
to understand that they must not make
any radical changes in any other part
of the book; indeed, the scope OF their
work was best indicated by the fact
that they were popularity known as
''the Enrichment Committee They
were simply to enrich the Prayer Book
by providing for new services and al
lowing those already in use to be short
ened when necessary.
The work of the committee was
presented to the General Convention
of 1888. 1t could not, however, be
finally accepted by that body, except as
report of committee. AS such it
had to come before every diocesan con-
vention of the church during the en-
suing three years, and now it is to
come before the General Convention
again for final action What that final
action will be it is hard to say; but
the indications are that the proposed
book will not be accepted in its present
form. Extreme high churchmen are
found opposing, because it does not 90
far enough to suit them, and they wish
to defer any revision until they are
strong enough to control it themselves.
Broad churchmen are also found op-
posing it because the revisers have
been too timid on the one hand, and
too ecclesiastical on the other; while at
the same time the book as revised
would deprive them of much of the
liberty which they now enjoy under
the vague iubrical wording OF the
present book. They, therefore, equally
with the high churchmen, wish to de-
fer any revision until they can direct it
in lines of their own choosing. When
10 these two classes are added those
who have learned to love the Prayer
Book as it is, and who are therefore
opposed to any change on sentimental
grounds, it will be seen that there is a
strong opposition to the Book Annexed.
DIR. W. r. Huntington, however, and
those who are 30 enthusiastically work.
ing with him, believe that after full
discussion the convention will accept
the proposed book. If such should be
the case it is the opinion of many in
the church that the Episcopal Com
munion would be vastly strengthened
thereby, as its liturgy would be better
adapted to the needs of the age.
The proposition to change the name
of the church from "Protestant Epis-
copal" to some designation as "Ameri-
can Catholic" will doubtless again
come up, and though the proposition
appears to be growing in strength, it is
not possible that it will be seriously
considered. Very different iD charac-
ter is the petition which will be pre-
senled to 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 and laymen of
the church; and though its signers
does not boast of their Catholicism, it
breathes spirit of the truest Catholic
ity. 1t is not likely that the conven-
ton will take the action prayed for;
but the debate upon it cannot fail to
be helpful and healthful.
Another matter to be brought before
the convention will be the necessity of
some sort of final Court of Appeals
in the Episcopal church. 1t is said by
many, and with some show of reason,
that the present system, which makes
the bishop of each diocese the final
Judge in all cases that come before
him, often results in grave injustice.
Such injustice, it is urged. has been
done in the past, and will be done in
the future, no matter how anxious
bishops may be to judge justly; and
therefore some tribunal should be es-
tablished which would have the power
to review evidence and reverse the find
ings of the bishop. All of which will
doubtless commend itself to the con
vention; but it is not likely that there
will be enough time at its disposal for
the settlement of this vexatious quos-
ton.
The coming General Convention will
have before it the record of three
years of prosperity in the church.
The bitterness of party spirit with its
barren controversies is becoming less
noticeable IN the Episcopal Church ev-
cry year; ard all schools of thought