The daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1889-1890, 1889-10-03
GENERAL CONVENTION
OF THE PROTEsTAN Mt EPIsCO-
PAL CHURCH OF AMERICA
Opened in New York Yesterday
Much Important business to
Come Before the Body which
Must be Disposed Of

NEW YORK, October 2-The General
Convention of the Protestant Episcopal
church OF America opened this morning
IN st. George church, Stuyvcsant square.
This is looked upon as one of the most
important conventions ever held BY the
church in this country. This is the CEN
tennial anniversary Of the adoption of
he constitution of the Protestant Episco-
pal church, and of the holding of the
| lrSt general convention as prescribed by
The church constitution. 1t is also,
notable for the number of important sub
Iects to come up before it, One of the
questions to be settled, is the proposed
change OF the name OF the church, many
being opposed to the present name
Another important question is that Of
| proportional representation. There are
| also eighteen resolutions proposing al
teratiOns and additions in the Book of
Common Prayer which were adopted
at the Chicago convention three years
ago. and which come up before the pres
ent convention for final action
The general conference consists of two
houses, the House of Bishops, number
ing forty bishops, and the House of
Deputies, consisting of over four hundred
lay and clerical delegates; two of each
from each diocese.
The convention opened to-day with
religious exercises. The regular morning
communion service being celebrated at
IL O'Clock. Every seat in the church
was occupied. While a large assemblage
sat patiently waiting the opening OF the
service, there rose softly at first and
then growing stronger, the clear voices
OF the st. Georges choir of men and boys.
The choir marched down the centre aisle
to the entrance, and were Joined by
several OF the clergy of the church in
:lericalrObes. Meanwhile, forty bishops,
composing the House of Bishops, had
assembled in the Memorial House on
Sixteenth street, and from it they
marched in procession, clad in their silk
gowns, lawn sleeves and other insignia
of their Episcopal dignity. They were
met at the entrance to the church by the
clergy and the committee of arrange
nents and the choir of men and BOYS;
the choir, singing professional,
marched slowly back to the chancel,
followed by the bishops.
The latter on arriving at the chancel
took seats within it. At their head, there
walked Bishop Williams, the oldest
bishop of the Protestant Episcopal
church in America. The simple and well
known morning service was then begun,
and proceeded until Bishop Whipple, of
Minnesota, ascended to the pulpit to
preach the sermon of the day. The cere-
monies concluded with the communion,
of which all the bishops and delegates
composing the House Of Deputies par
took. Bishop iWilliams first partook of
the communion and them administered
it to the other bishops, who took turns
in administering it to the delegates. At
the close of the service, the bishops re-
turned to the Memorial house where a
luncheon awaited them. After luncheon
both the Houses of Bishops and Houses
of Deputies began the actual work Of
the convention by proceeding to elect
officers