The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-13
THE EPISCOPAL TRIENNIAL.
Pointsfrom the Report of the Joint Com
mittee on Marriage and Divorce.
Preparing for Effective Work Among the Col
Ored People of the South-The Question
of an Assistant for Bishop Whipple.

oay ; SESSION at y O'CLOCK TINS morning fEayer
was read by Rev. DIR. Knight, of Central Penn
sylvanla, and the benediction was pronounced by
DR.. Elliot Bishop of Western Texas
The committee on conservation of bishops re-
ported in favor of the conservation of Rev.
Mahlon Norris Gilbert az Assistant Bishop of
Minnesota. Rev. DR.. Franklin. of New Jersey,
said that, while he had no serious objection to
the election of the assistant bishop there was
one thing that had not been complied with
There was sufficient evidence that Bishop Whip
pie would be able to perform his duties il he had
sufficient rest for part of the year. The point
was raised that the question of the conservation
of bishop should be held with closed doors
The matter was accordingly referred back to the
committee.
The committee on canons submitted report
authorizing the diocese Of Northern New Jersey
to change its name to that of Newark. The re-
port recommended that no church edfce should
be consecrated while any debt or money lien
rested upon it in any way. The committee also
asked that the question of the conservation of
colored people to the episcopacy should be re-
ferred to the committee on constitution After
considerable discussion the report was placed on
the calendar.
A messenger from the House of Bishops re-
ported that the bishops had decided, the House
of Deputies concurring that there is no consti-
tutional obstacle TO the consideration and
adoption of several additional alterations in the
Book of Common Prayer. proposed to the general
convention of 1883. A similar report was pre-
sented on behalf of the joint committee on litur-
gica revision, of the House of Deputies Re-
ferred to the committee on constitutional amend
ments
Rev. Dr. Hoffman, of New York presented a
report of the joint committee on the spiritual
care of immigrants, and after reviewing the ques-
ton at great length the report recommended
that joint committee of both houses be appoint
ed to consult with the authorities of the churches
of England. Scotland and Ireland, and the
Church of England in Canada for joint action
OF all the branches of the church for the recep-
ton and spiritual care of immigrants. Adopted
Rev. DR.. Benjamin Franklin, of New JERSEY,
read the unanimous report of the joint commit
tee on marriage and divorce, appointed at the
general convention of 1883. The report was of
unusual length. and considered all the causes
deemed sufficient in the various State laws for
the granting of divorce. The report embodied a
new; canon, which contains several stringent
notifications of the existing canon on marriage
and divorce. The proposed new canon provides
that no marriage of any person under eighteen
years of age shall be solemnized unless the
parent or guardian be present or has given writ
ten consent; that at least two witnesses knowing
the contracting parties DE present. that divorce
can only be recognized or granted on the ground
of adultery, the guilty person being forbidden
to again marry during the lifetime of the person
from whom he or she was divorced. The pro-
posed canon forbids the remarriage of divorced
persons, under certain circumstances, and pro-
vides for penalties to be imposed on the clergy
for any nonobservance of the strict letter of the
canon.
Various memorials as to deceased members
and suggesting proposed amendments of the
hNn hvVnff fn1 ok11~-
referred.
Mr. j. Bancroft Davis, of Maryland, presented
a resolution providing for a joint committee of
three bishops, three clerical and three lay dele
gates to consider the duty of the church in the
work among the colored people of the United
States Mr. Davis supplemented his resolution
with an eloquent plea that active steps be taken
to prosecute the work and paid glowing trib-
ute 10 the successful efforts of the Rev. Col
braith B. Perry, of Baltimore
Mr. StotZenburg, of Indiana offered an amend
ment requiring the committee so appointed to
consider and report the best practical plan to
prosecute this proposed work. and also to draft
a canon to place the plan upon a permanent
basis The amendment also provided that the
committee should submit its report, and that it
be made special order for next Monday. The
resolution, as amended. was unanimously
adopted.
S. C. Judd, of Chicago, offered an amendment
TO the constitution respecting the establishment
Of an appellate court. The proposed amend
ment was referred to the joint committee on ju-
dcial system.
Rev. B. A. Rogers, of Texas. offered resolu-
ton providing that the missionary jurisdiction
of the church be extended so as to include work
among the colored people of the United States.
Laid on the table for future reference.
Rev. Mr.. Carstens, of Pittsbure, offered
resolution providing for the appointment OF
joint conn ittee TO report some plan by which
the work of evangests may be officially recog-
nized. Placed on the calendar.
Adjourned to 2P NJ.
In the afternoon the Rev Mr. Prescott, of Fond
du Lac, moved that the joint committee on the
Prayer-book be directed to print their report be-
fore presenting it to the House, which was car
ried.
DR.. Swope, of New York, moved that when the
House adjourns on Friday it stand adjourned
until Monday morning, giving added time TO
visit Racine College. Much opposition was de-
veloped to any delay of the regular business of
the convention, and Dr. Swope's proposition was
rejected.
DIR. Scott. of the committee on the consecra-
ton of bishops said that on account of the poor
health of Bishop Whlpple he moved that the
House approve the testimonials of Mahlon M.
Gilbert as assistant bishop of Minnesota. The
resolution was made special order for Wednes-
day, at 230 P. NJ, on which occasion the House
will sit with closed DOORS
Mr. Stoddard. of Northern New JERSEY intro
duced resolution providing for a committee of
bishops clergy and laymen. who should recon-
mend some graded course of introduction for the
schools of the church.
Mr. Stoddard said that the church Sunday
schools should be real schools for thorough in
struction in a graded course, and, if necessary,
granting certificate. The present system was
fragmentary and unsatisfactory.
The Rev. DR.. Gray opposed the resolution.
He recognized the difficulties, but this was not
the way to get over them. The rector should
not be interfered with in such matters. If the
resolution was adopted. why not appoint com
mittee to draw up subjects for sermonsl After
much discussion the whole matter was tabled by
q vote of 1913 to 92
Mr. Guy A. Brown, of Nebraska, to contest
the constitutionality of all textbooks, offered
resolution which was referred to the committee
on constitutional amendments. The resolution
asserts that certain amendments to the resolu-
items of the convention of 1885, touching litur-
gcal revision, had never been concurred in by
the House of Bishops, and that concurrent ac-
ton in other particulars WAS also lacking. In
Diau Of rhoco fanf 81 -.