Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-10-03
EPISC0PALIANS.
GENERAL CONVENTION OF THE PRO-
TEsTANT CHURCH or AMERICA.
The Centennial Anniversary OF the idop-
tion Of Its Constitution-hany inpor-
tant Matters 10 BE Considered.
rBy telegraph to the Dispatch

Nav yorK. October THE General Con-
yeution of the Protestant Episcopal Cnurch
Of America opened this morning IN 1t.
George. church.
This ia looked upon as one OF the most
important conventions ever held rs the
Church in this country. ms IS the cen
tennial Anniversary Of the adoption OK the
constitution Of the Protestant Episcopal
Church and Of the holdingof the First Cen
oral Convention as prescribed by the
Church constitution. II IS also notable
for the number Of important subjects 10
come up before II. One OF the questions
10 be settled Is q proposed change OF the
name Of the Church. many being opposed
% the present name.
Another important question ~ thht OF
proportional representation.
There are also eighteen resolutions pro
posing CELEBRATIONS aud additions IN the
Book Of Common Prayer" when were
adopted at the Chicago Convention three
wears AGO and which Will come up before
the present convention for final action.
The General Convention consists Of TWO
hOuses-the House OF Bishops, numbering
forty bishops. and the House ot Deputies
consisting Of 100 lag and clerical delegates,
two OF each from each diocese.
The convention opened to-day with rell-
gi0us exercises, the regular morning com
munion service being celebrated. At ii
o'clock every seat IN the church was Occu-
pied. While tho large assemblage sat pa
iicutly waiting the opening OF the service
there rose. softly ut first, and then growing
stronger, the clear voices OF ST. Ge0rgc 5
choir Of men and BOYS. The choir marched
down the centre aisle 81 the entrance and
were Joined by several Of the clergy OF ~.
Georges in clerical robes. The forty
bishops composing the House %, OF
Bishops had assembled IN the Ne,
mortal house, and they marched
i'm the process sion, clad IN their SIX gowns
and other signs Of their position. They
were met al the entrance 10 the church 10y
the clergy and the Committee of Arrange
ments and the choir Of men and boys:
The choir singing, the procession marched
slowly back TO the chancel, followed Nv
the bishope. The latter. on arriving M the
chanccl. took seats within T.. At their
head there walked Bishop Williams the
oldest bishop Of the Church.
The morning service was then begun
and proceeded until the Bishop ascend
Cd to the pulpit 20 preach the sermon
Of the dav. The services concluded with
the communion, of which al the bishops
and delegates composing those 81 inc
deputies pdrtook. Bishop Williams first
paltOOk of the communion aud then ad-
ministrred II the other bishops, who took
turns in administering II 90 the delegates.
At the close Of the service the bishops re-
turned to the Memorial house. After
luncheon both the House of Bishops and
the House Of Deputies began work 10y pro
ceeding 10 elect officers and select com
mlttecs
The House Of Deputies was called 10 or
der shortly before 4 O'Clock by Key.
Charles l.. Hutchins. secretary of the con
vcntion. Rev. Dr. Morgan Dix was elected
presiding officer. Upon assuming the
duties Of his Office DT. Dix said that what
ever work was done 10y the convention
there was sure 10 be criticism. Rev.
Charles l.. Hutchins was reelected secre-
tary of the convention, and the business
of the day was commenced.
4 motion by Rev. Dr.. Huntington that
on Thursday morning the discussion re-
latine to the proposed change in tho Book
Of PRAYER take place and the question left
before the convention on each succeeding
dav of the conference until q settlement
WAS adopted. a. also one by Rev. Dr. Hoa-
man, Of New York providing thai the
conference open for business each dny at
"a. VI. and. with the exception of a recess
each dav from until 2:3O =. ~, be con-
tinucd until 5 p. II.
Saturday. October 9Th, VIII be- short
day. The conference Will adjourn at 1880
p. VI. and the bishops and other delegates
will DE the guests of the Theological In
-titute of this city. On October 10Th tAey
will be entertained in the evening by the
Church Club of New York.
At5P. NJ. the conference Adjourned.