New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-27
DOING RAPID WORK.
SUBJECTS BEFORE THE CONVENTION.
AN ADDRESS BY BISHOP POTTER DISCUSSING
THE PRAYER.pooK REVISION.

THE PRA1ER-BOOk kENISlON'
The Episcopal Diocesan Convention yesterday
worked rapidly disposed OF two important questions
listened 10 the Bishops address transacted mass OF
routine business and adjourned at O'Clock. The
questions disposed OF were an effort TO repeal the
present sharp restrictions upon the building OF new
churches, which was defeated; and the revision OF
the prayer-book. IN which a compromise was reached
The opening service was read by Bishop Potter as
sisted by the Rev. Mcssrs. Walter Mitchell, OF Ihs
Churc5manr; benjamin Brewster, of Calvary ana
Charles scadding Of St Georges Most Of tho fore
noon was occupied IN considering the report OF inc
Committee on the Canons OF the Diocese. A debate
sprang up over an amendment to Canon MI reeu'
lating the establishment Of churches. An al
tempt was made TO abolish provision adopted threo
years ago by which the formal approval OF inc
Bishop and Standing Committee Is required IN every
case whether there is objection to the church or
not The effort was defeated, and whom Bishop
Potters address was read It was found that he haa
devoted much attention TO the same topic. insisting
that that amiabe but shortsighted polcy
Of establishing every church that was
asked for had resulted In harvest Of feeblencss
and ultimate failure. He added that whom the duty
Of vetong projected parish foil upon him he should
exercise the power sharply believing the poncy OF
consolidation TO be the true one for this diocese
Tie bishops statistics for the last year showed that
about $500 persons had been confirmed, 1000 more
than IN the year previous and that nineteen deacons
and fourteen priests had been ordained The bishop
pointed out that the rapid increase Of the number oil
persons confirmed would soon make necessary union
confirmation services among the parishes and thst u
would be imposs bic for him to make parochal Vlsa
tons ofener than once in two years. Tho bishop re
ferrod ayorably TO the movement in England for inc
establishment Of religious orders OF men and exp ressed
his strong belief that either federate councils would
have 10 be established in the Church the system OF
provinca synods must be adopted to relieve the Cen
eral Convention of work for which It had grown too
unwieldy.
The report OF tho Comcnittee on Lay Helpers was
referred to the Missionary Committee, Of which the
Rev Arthur Brooks Of the Church of the Incarnation
IS chairman and the subject goes over tia next year
II was voted 10 the delegates to future conventions
by lot The consideration Of the canon on discipline
was postponed til next year.
The discussion Of the revision Of the prayer-booK
occupied most Of the afternoon The leaders OF the
debate were the Rev. Dr. Thomas Richey. OF The
General Theological Seminary, the champion OF the
conservatives, and the Rev. DR.. Huntington, OF Grace
Church who has worked steadily for the last nine
years for the enrichment Of the prayer-booK' Inc
&c BOOK Annexed has been sanctioned by the conven-
ton but there are still Books of OhlceS' con-
tanning services for various occasions, and tending
generally 10 increase the ritual of the Church without
making any changes IN doctrine. These come OeIuIe
lie General Convention next week Dr. Richcy LOOK
the floor In support OF his resolution, offered on
Wednesday that il is the wish OF this diocese mat
no new matter in this connection be introduced DC
fore the General Convention lie called the rcporI
of the committee OF the last convention ChlhecSsc
puzzle and referred to Dr. Huntingtons " adhlifaDle
skill BIZ which he has been able To scrape up me vase
basket left from the Book Annexed and have IL iOSlcl
upon us In his Book OF Offices as binding -
Or. Huntington replied wittily hut IN good temper
and moved, as an amendment 10 Dr. Rlcheys resOlu-
ton, that the of hurgical revision should DC
completed and a standard praycrbook estagllshcu
not later than 1892. Delano L. CALVIN. amer
Brown Of St. Mary the Virgins and stephen T. Na.h
MI mart q h. y,
Of St Pauls undertook got both Or. Rchey and Or.
Huntington 10 agree upon compromise. and after a.
good deal Of tactful specch-maklng. both men were
brought 70 withdraw IN favor OF resolution which al
ms the desrebilitv OF the General Conventions con-
sldoring the particular Book Of Occs' on which Dr.
huntington has his heart but urges that the whole
question Of revision BE closed quickly possible