New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-04
PRAYER-BOOK REVISION.
SIXTEEN RESOLUTIONS INVOLVING
CHANGES PASSED BY THE DEPUTIES.

SIXTEEN RESOLUTIONS NVoLsiNo
CHANGES PASSED BY THE DEPUTIES.
LITTLE DISCUSSION ELIcTED-No FUNDA'
MENTAL DOCTRINE TOUCHED = REPRE-.
sENTATIvEs OF THE CANADIAN
EPISCOPAL CHURCH FOR
ss. MALLY RECEIVED.
The Episcopal General Convention Yesterday
formally received the delegates representing the
Canadian Episcopal Church, who conveyed 70 the
convention fraternal message from that Church
The Bousc Of Deputies then took up the order Of
the day. which was the consideration of the pro-
nosed changes in the Prayer Book. These changes
were grouped together in eighteen resolutions, OF
which seventeen were voted on, and Of these six
teen were adopted. As the House of Bishops
Yesterday approved the whole eighteen resolutions,
such resolutions as are adopted by the lower house
win become part Of the Prayer Book, and will be
incorporated in the Standard Prayer-Book which
is TO be issued in 1892.
To use an expressive phrase, the clerical and lay
deputies of the Episcopal General Convention are
wcll-groomed' lot of men, They are all men
whose sngularities have been rubbed of by educa-
ton and intercourse with oil grades and classes OF
peop]e. There is not a representative OF the
genus "crank" among them. Nor is there
any OF that pomposty which used 10
he associated with Episcopal Dig
nitaries Nearly all of them, even the most
clerical Of the clergy, are evidently in touch
with the great movements of the age, ana couiu
talk well and intellgently on large NUMBER OF
nbjects outside of the domain Oh tneoioey'
Iooxing on this large gathering OF earnest, aier'
and brilliant representatives, it is not nara 10
understand the remarkable growth OF the hps-
copal Church in recent years, and its welgncy III
euence in the community relative TO It's numer-
Icai strength.
PLENTY OF DEBATING ABILITY.
Jbere is a great deal Of debating ability IN the
House of Deputies. Probably there is also i'll 'nc
House of Bishops but as ite sessions are Soro"
the public cannot Judge of that fact.
The Law deputies are notable, not only Tor tneir
debating abilities but for their large knowledge OIL
ecclesiastical and theological questions ana they
, do not hesitate TO trip up the reverend cieriU"i
IDENTITIES when they can fairly do SO IN 'he us
cussion Of these questions
A noticeable characteristic II the convention
is the stately courtesy of the members. Inc
American spirit of hurry and unrest is kept ouU OIL
the sessions The speakers don't CLIP tneir eA-
nross;ons hut give them in full and ample form,
Nth graceful little rhetorical embellishments and
phrases of respectful courtesy, just as though they
had all the time there is This old-fashloned
recoonition of outward form and manner Is as
pleasant as il is rare in American assemblies.
The members of the convention are evidently
affects of great interest TO the ladies. who crowd
he galleries TO see them. Their eager desire 10
,ee the bishops on the opening day was charac-
,erized as frantic by a vestryman OF ot george s.
who, on seeing the surging crowd oil women CAM
oyinq 10 get into the church. was
hoard to exclaim: For PHYS sake,
let us at once increase the Epis-
eopatc. so that there may be enough bishops to
20 round" For a week before the convention
the lives of Dr. Rainsford and Dr. Wilson were
made miserable by the urgent appeals for adj
mission tickets addressed TO them.
As a body the bishops certainly worthy OF
the interest they inspire. The Canadian bishops
who addressed the House yesterday were fine
specimeps Of the typical Anglican prelate. Their
black stockings and lznee-breeches. however.
hardly suggested the foreigner; for this dress is
gradually being adopted by the American bishops
The same may be said Of the picturesque academic
hood which is now worn by many American bishops
and presbyters.
EFFECT OF THE CHANGES.
The important questions of Prayer Book re-
vision that came up yesterday elected little dis
cussion, partly because they have already been
exhaustively debated, and partly because they
touch no fundamental doctrine. They will simply
have the effect of enriching the Prayer-Booll and
making it more flexible. Some of the changes
adopted will also have the effect of slightly short
ening the services Undoubtedly the pledge made
nv DR. Huntington that no changes would
be introduced after the Convention Of 1892.
had a great deal of influence in reconcllMg
the convention to the changes proposed. 1t is
evident that the Church is anxious to close the
question of revision as soon possible
In view of the importance which most church
men attach to the daily service, it was interest
ing to notice that only thirty-fve persons were
present at the opening morning service yesterday.
II is due TO the deputies, however, TO say that
many of them are quartered a long distance from
St. Georges Church, and many must conform TO
the late breakfast hour of their hosts. Others,
doubtless attend morning prayer in different parish
churches
Many of the clerical deputies are studying
the organization of ST. Georges parish with great
interest The work of this parish is visibly
centred in its splendid Memorial Building, which
excitcs the admiration Of every clergyman who
inspects it,
STANDING COMMITTEES APPOINTED.
THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MTURGI.
CAL REVISION TO BE DISCUSSED
ON THURSDAY.
After morning prayer at 10 :oo a. M, at which the
Day Arrbd n OficiatPd