Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-12
CLERGY OBJECT STRONGLY

To n Forced Assessments for Missionary
Purposes-The Protestant Episcopal Con-
vention Considers the shoenberger
Beauesr-Omcers Placed in Nomination.
pIsHoP WHITEHEAD called the Twenty-hfth
- Annual Convention of the Protestant
Episcopal Church for the Diocese of Pittsburg
to order at St.,Peter's Church yesterday. about
200 delegates being present. The Bishop ap-
pointed the regular committees, after which he
made his address, in which he referred to the
Shoenberger bequest
The Board of Missions made o report. as fol-
lows: Received from parishes and missions,
s4.S79 81: received from chidren's mite boxes.
81 1855 81; total receipts, s646 72: received last
year, ST. 1886 81; decrease. 1SS9-'90, 1.0S9 ~.
The Finance Committee made its report
Some of the items showed the permanent Epis-
copaI fund at date of last report was SAT 404 70.
This has been reduced to s43997 81. on account
of the sale of some property on Cliff street.
The report continued the schedule of assess
ment on each church for the support Of the
convention and Bishops salary. the total assess
ment being 81, 800. The report was approved.
Resolution Causes Strife.
a RESOLUTION offered by the Executive Com
mittee that an assessment of 81 per COM
municant in each church be made to RAISE
$500, necessary to supplement the shortage in
the expenses of the diocesan missions, occupied
about two hours discussion.
AS soon as action on the resolution was
called for Mr.. Reuben Miller, of Calvary
Church, arose and in very decided tones said
that if such q resolution was passed he be-
lieved Calvary Church would refuse to abide
by the demand, for o demand it was, and as such
was an imp position and tyrannical. Calvary
Church, he said, had always given more than
was asked Of her, but would never comply
with a per capita demand, but if left alone
would offer her voluntary subscription.
The Chancellor Hill Burgwin spoke next.
He said the congregation were by honor duty
and in faith bound TO make good the deficiency,
and that if there are any parishes too poor to
meet the demand such a statement should be
made.
Rev. Morrison Byllesby, of Emanuel Church,
Allegheny, stated that if the convention de-
sired to murder the missionary work and assas-
sinate the missionary the Lest way to do so
would be to pass the resolution.
Objected 10 IroncIad Rules.
PEv. J. q. CAMERON. of ST. Marks Church,
said the resolution or assessment was
placing a parish under an ironclad rule, and
that his congregation could never meet the OBJ
legations required by the assessment.
Similar speeches were made by Rev. Robert
Mech, of Christ Church, Allegheny; g. L.
Eberhardt, of New Brighton; Rev. w. NJ.
Webbe, of st. Johns Church, Lawrenceville,
all of whom were willing to raise what they
could, but would not suffer the placing of
per capita assessment on them.
Bishop Whitehead left his seat and spoke on
the matter for short time. showing the hard
ships the missionaries were subjected to and
the constant and embarrassing appeals made
upon him for aid. The Bishop. however, did
not advocate either side Of the question rela-
tive to raising the money.
Mr.. Burgwin then offered an amendment to
the resolution that the 81 assessment be
stricken out and the space be left blank for the
committee to place In fair and just appOrtiOn-
ment Of each parish share. The amendment
and resolution were carried.
The Shoenberger Bequests.
THE report of the committee having in charge
the bequests of the late John h. Shoen-
berger was presented, but it was Immediately
referred back for printing. and will be pre-
sented this morning for consideration. The re-
port was as follows:
WHEREAS, By the last will and testament OF
John H. Shoenberger there is granted and be-
queathed lot OF ground situated in the Seven
teenth ward of the city Of Pittsburg. and in addi-
tion thereto . sum of money for the purpose OF
erecting memorial hospital; therefore be 1t
Resolved, That in accepting the trust imposed,
the diocese of Pittsburg through Its delegates as
sembled in convention. desires to place upon rec
ord its appreciation Of this noble 6y one OF
knowledge that 1t is only one of a number OF SINH
lar grants which have been made from the same
liberal hands for the relief Of suffering and dis
tress
Resolved, That this convention take orders for
ee electi1h Of nine sta .nd ac m
out the Instructions In the Will
Resolved, That the bequest OF 80, 600 be turned
into trust fund.