The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-06-12
The Episcoplians.
DIVISION OF DIocEsE-CoLoRED CUES
TION SETTLED

DIVISION OF DIoCEsE-CoLoRED CUES
TIoN SETTLED.
The 99th Annual Council of the Epis
copal Church, was held in St Georges
Church, Fredericksburg, Va, the 21st O.
May. In his report, Bishop White
says:
Ten years ago, in the exercise of my
best judgment, | was decidly opposed
to q division of this diocese. But less
than ten years have brought about great
changes in the condition of the State
and OF our Church, and we may look
for still more remarkable ones during
the nearly three years which must
elapSe before the meeting OF our next
general convention. Old cities are grow
ing and new ones are springing up by the
dozen; population is increasing, rail
roads and various business enterprises
are multiplying, and all our wonderful
resources are being developed as never
before. All this means Il corresponding
increase of work and anxiety Tor one
upon whom comes daily the care of all
the churches. New PLACES are to be
visited, scattered sheep of our fold are
to be looked after, lands are to be secur-
ed for building purposes. and various
other interests are to be cared for.
Nine new churches have been conse-
Grated since our last council, and per-
haps as many others are waiting or pre-
pairing for that service. The already
large and constantly increasing work
among the colored people, and which
requires much supervision, has been
added to the other work of the diocese.
In short, the field has grown to be so
great the cares and responsibilities and
Iabors which its oversight involves are
fast becoming d mental and physical
burden, too heavy for any one man, or
for two men, to bear. In view of these
facts and others which might be men
toned, and expressing-I am conyinc-
ed--the wishes OF q large majority, both
of the clergy and laity, however much
as Il matter of feeling and sentiment
they may be opposed to disturbing the
present order of things, Il respectfully
recommend that committee be APP
pointed to conside: the question of di-
viding the diocese of Virginia into two
or three dioceses, and to report to the
next council. :.
The Bishop says, in reference to col
ored people in the church:
The work among the colared people
is, all things considered, making remark
able progress, as the following statement
will show. There are now in the diocese
five postulants, one candidate for priests
orders, AID thirteen ministers. There
are eighteen churches or chapels, six
preaching stations, where there il no
church, three rectories, twenty-six par
ish schools. with ACT scholars twenty
seven Sunday schools, with 2,179 schol-
ars, about 200 communicates, and 1870
were confirmed last year. | do not pre-
tend to be accurate in these figures, but
think they are not above what is true.
Legislation is needed for the benefit
and protection of this people and their
interests Such Legislation will be pro-
posed to this council, and ought to
receive earnest and patient considera-
ton.
The legislation proposed and adopted,
was as follows;
Seo. l. The colored people of Virginia
who are, or may hereafter be, connected
with the Protestant Episcopal Church
shall constitute a mission jurisdic-
ton OF the diocese,
Sec. q 1t shall he lawful to organise
mission churches or congregations com
posed exclusively of colored persons
within the limits of any alreading exist
ing parish, subject to same conditions
and regulations rs ara other mission
churches tsee canon 1877, and specially
those of this canon, except that consent
Of the yestry or vestries need not be oh
See. 3. There may he appointed by the
Bishop one or more presbyters, who
shall have general supervision of such
,olored churches or congregations as the
may designate, and perform such
lities as he may prescribe.
Sec. Z. Colored congregations, consti
,uted us above provided, may acquire
md hold property of their own, as by