Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-05-18
THE
xStauntopxVipd Indicators
LOCAL.
93d Annual Council.
THE MEETING OF THE PROTES-
IANT EPISCOPAL COUNCIL
OF THE VIRGINIA.
DIOCESE.

@A12 LAdIN1 LII
DIOCESE.
LARGE ATTENDANCE-AFFEC ATE
TRIBUTE TO BISHOP WHITTLE-BIsHOP
RANDOLPH PREsIDEs-BoTH BISHOPS
CONDEMN THE PROPOSED EXPUNGING
OF THE WORD PROTESTANT" FROM
THE TITLE-THE Y. NJ c. ASSOCIATION
THE STATUS OF THE COLoRED
EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
&C., &C., sc,
The distinguished religious body now in
session in Stanton represents the first
denomination that was planted on the
shores of Virginia. 1t is now two hundred
and elghty-one years since its first minis
ter, Rev. Robert Hunt, sailed into Chesa
peake Bay in little feet of three banks
commanded by Capt. John Smith. 1t was
IN this month of May, too, that he
landed from one of these banks at James
town. A month later, a plank nailed to two
trees, some logs for seats, and congrega-
tion of which ffty-fve are set down in his
tory as gentlemen, 7" completed the scene
at which the first Holy Communion was
administered in Virginia. The churches
spread slowly over tidewater Virginia and
up to the Piedmont country, but it was
not until one hundred aud forty seven
years after, that a minister of it appeared
on this side of the Blue Ridge. LIS first
minister 10 this section was The Rev. John
Hlneman, who was appointed rector of
Augusta parish. He had such time of it
as the ministers who take part in the
Council to-day would hardly tolerate long.
The Vestry bargained with him that be
Was to get only $3.50 a year; that he was
not to insist on the purchase of glebe
lands for at least two years; that in the
meantime he was to hold worship in the
Courthouse, and that finally he was not to
complain to the Governor about any tardi-
ness he might experience from the vestry-
men with regard to glebe. church payment
of salary, or indeed anything else. 1t was
thirteen years before his church was built
here, though the glebe lands were bought
earlier, being farm five miles from
Swoope's depot The accomplishing Mr..
HiDeman, however, did not trouble the
vestry long. for he died two years after
taking the position. His successor,
Rev. John Jones, took the parish
two years after that, on the recommends
ton of Gov. Dinwiddie. One can appre-
ciate the growth of the church since that
date, by looking at the splendid building
the Council is now holding it's session in,
and by looking at every hamlet in the
Valley containing within it an Episcopal
church.
THE FORMER MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
HERE.
The Diocesan Council met here in 1877,
just eleven years ago.. Among the promi-
nent men who were in attendance but
who have passed away since, were State
Auditor Asa Rogers and Maj I. II. Car
rington of Richmond. At that Council a
resolution was adopted for the erection of
West Virginia into separate diocese.
WELL KNOWN LAY MEMBERS.
Among the well known lay delegates
chosen to this Council are Col. Walter H.
Taylor of Norfolk, who was Gen. r. E.
Lees Adiutant General; Z. M. Blackford
of Alexandria. Judge II. W. Sheffey of
Stanton, Col. Randolph Harrison of
Cumberland, Joseph Wilmer of Culpeper,
William Cameron of Petersburg, Col. E.
W. Nichols of Lexington. Judge French
of Manchester, Charles M. Blackford of
Lynchburg, Gen. Jos. r. Anderson of
Richmond. R. Taylor Scott of Fauquier,
Mann Page of Prince George, Thomas
Johnston and H. g. Baskerville, of Rich
mond, r. D. Buford of Bedford, and
others.
THE BUSINESS OF THE BODY.
There is no other than the usual routine
business expected to be before this Ucun-
Gil. The only variation that may possibly
occur may be the Introduction of the ques.
ton of separate organization for the col
ored, and also of there being some action
in reference to the name of the church. In
the General Convention of the Episcopal
Church in 1886, an effort was made to
strike out the words "Protestant Episco-
paP' enG to substitute such a name as
american Catholic" The Episcopal
Church in this State is decidedly opposed
to the proposition.
The next meeting of the Council will be
held in Lynchburg.
ASSEMBLING OF THE COUNCIL.
Wednesday morning, at 10 O'Clock, the
members of the Council gathered in Trini-
ty church. The handsome interior of the
church, the large body of clergy in the
seats, and the bishops and clergymen in
their vestments in the chancsl, presented
most striking appearance. The music of
the religious service which prefacsd the
official meeting, was given by choir COM
posed of Mrs. w. L. Bumgardner, Misses
Fanny Tams and Mary Berkeley, and Mr..
E. D. Euritt, with Prot. F. r. Webb at
the organ, and Mr.. E. NJ. Taylor with
the cornet. In the chancel were Bishop
Alfred M. Randolph of Virginia; Bish op
Geo. W. Peterkin Of West Virginia; Rev.
Lewis M. Burton Of St. Johns church,
Richmond; Rev. DR.. Hanes of st. Paul's
church, Petersburg, and Rev. W. @. Hull
linen of Trinity church. A fter an able
sermon by Rev. Mr.. Burton Of Richmond,
the communion was partaken of by the
clergy and laity of the Council.
COMMENCEMENT OF THE SESSION.
The Council was then called to order by
Bishop Randolph, Assistant Bishop Of the
Diocese.
The committee on credentials reported
that there were 81 members Of the clergy
and IS delegates present.
Ga motion of DIR. Dashiel resolution
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