The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-24

. TTTTl
+ able to have full conference Of its members
chleny on account of the interesting and ab-
). SoIOlnS topics engaging the attention of the
council. But happily the committee on the
q STATE OF the Church. among the many interest
} my SUBJECTS winch appropriately have en-
/ BaSeu their attention, has spoken upon this
! and has rendered perhaps any further allusiOn
10 De unnecessary AT this time. IL is not sug-
gestlons, however attractive, as to the best
methods of carrying on the Sun
day-scbool work that are 50 much
needed as the faithful carrying on of those that
have been already well approved. An intelli-
gent appreciation of the genius of our re-
Hglon and steady and persistent cultivation
OF those agencies which this Church of ours
has placed within our reach would secure
most blessed results. Your committee are Of
the opinion that If our teachers could be from
time 10 time gathered together and hold. as
has been recommended, a teachers institute,
only good could result IN quickening the zeal
OF individuals and of digesting methods and
plans OF carrying or the Sunday-schOOl work.
| Whatever may be the lmperfectiOns and in
suthciency Of the Sunday school as az present
constituted, 1t IS our wisdom TO recognize the
tact that 1t ls filling or attempts to fill a place
IN the machinery of the Church which IS not
otherwise filled. IL Is, therefore, our wisdom
under the guiding spirit of our Church TO en-
deay0r 10 bring out all the possibilities for
good there may be IN Gods providence in
II. In using an agency which is so universal
among the churches as the Sunday school
there are great temptations constantly re-
curing against which we must be on
our guard, namely, using meaningless
hymns because or a captivating tune.
and following sensational and question
able methods, no matter how extensively
recommended IN their use among other eX-
cellent Christian people We must not for
get that as ministers and as teachers from
among the ranks of the laity Christ laws
upon us a solemn responsibility as shepherds
and under shepherds 10 feed the lambs of
| the flock of God that are among US, shepherd
| ing this little flock and leading them along
! those paths which they are to follow in after
| years. 1t IS the conviction of your com
| mittee that nothing will be gained by
! cOlOrless Christianity and while we must avoid
| the gross error Of putting the Church before
! Christ we must not. on the other hand fail to
avail ourselves Of our rich heritage Of preach
ing Christ thereby TO them. and little by little
explaining the more excellent way whereby
they may, in accordance with the Apostolic
precept, build themselves up in their most
holy faith.
Your committee feel most strongly the i'm
portance OF lmpressing upon every church
and teacher the paramount duty of studying
well the question how 10 prevent the Sunday
school from becoming mere substitute for
the Church, and Just as the ordinary lesson
leaflets are Objectionable because the scholar
IS not taught acqUalnt lance with the Bible ~
Of being unfamiliar with the use of the
Prayer-bOOk and almost as ignorant of its de-
yOtiOnal treasure as children of other denomi- |
nations.
In conclusion the report halls with delight |
the phenomenal growth and widespread IN |
terest IN the organizations of st. Andrews |
Brotherhood.
DR.. Newton moved that the thanks of the |
council be rendered to the Petersburg Musical |
Association for its entertainment last night
fr1Il
motion was unanimously adopted.
DIVISION OF TIKI DIOCESE.
Discussion on the question of division was
next IN order. Rev. NJ Il. Logan of Wythe-
VILE spoke earnestly in favor of the South
west line of division. Dr. McBryde moved
that speeches be limited 10 five minutes
Major John Page of Hanover opposed this
motion Rev. b. NJ Randolph of Richmond
moved that DR.. Sprggs motion of yes
erday 20 refer the whole matter 10 commit
tee to report 70 next council be taken up Dis
cuSsion followed, participated in by Beys. Dr.
Newton Of Richmond, Il. Nelson of the Semi
nary, DR.. Dashiell and Colonel Withers.
Major John Page, of Hanover made a mo-
ton TO lay Rev. b. NJ. RandOlph's motion on
the table. This was carried. so discussion on
division was resumed. The question was now
on DR.. Sprigg's motion to add the counties of
Stafford, Prince William. Fairfax and Aexan-
drla to the proposed new diocese Of Virginia.
BISHOP WHITILES VIEWS.
Bishop Whittle next expressed his views on
the subject of division. He spoke in OppOsi- |
ton to the method which the council had
taken through Its committee of dividing the
diocese According 20 the constitution Pc
tltiOn must come from some portion of the
diocese which portion desires TO be cut off,
He claimed that the council had no more
right to lnaugurate division than the general
He said that the clergy and ,
alty of the Southwest had proceeded to
heprOper form TO inaugurate division still he !
could not consent 10 such division and adj
iuced his reasons. Abiding TO the request Of
he Southwest that il have , 900 for five 7
years or half of the Episcopal fund from the
diocese of Virginia, he said that the condi-
ions on which West Virginia was set I'D were :
iltierent. 1t receives $4,000 in lieu of all q
,laims on the old diocese. He t
vest would not be granted That 7
he proposed diocese could support itself in
i've years was open to serious question. He I
bought from long experience that the Q
southwest was not a good region for the
apld growth of the Episcopal Church. Ref c
ghat is the state Of the question: To- v
ay practically it is supported by four
Congregations. 1t is true there has been
rowth to West Virginia, still it does not war
ant any analogies for the Southwest. He Il
laimed that no personal influence WEIGHED
he Southwest opposed the petition, and in y
is opinion the petition was not weghty y
aper. He could not go before the general ! T.
invention and before God and vote for the -
etition of the Southwest. il
BISHOP RANDoLPH's REMARKS. OF
Assistant Bishop Randolph claimed that a.
le right of division rested on the average al
over ofithe council as representing parishes. ~
his council. therefore. has q right 10 follow -
ishop Whites suggestion on division made ~
his address to the last council.
OTHER VIEWS. te
Rev. Nj. p. Logan moved that the subject of in
vision be postponed until the next council. In
Major John Page moved as a substitute that va
@ whole question Of division be referred to We
g parishes
Mr. Joseph Bryan opposed the substitute, so
wing that he was ready TO vote at once st
Rev. NJ. +. Logan withdrew his motion Ill
DR.. Hanckel took the floor and moved that Hi
o James river and other lines proposed as lal
lended 10 the committees line be taken up hi
riatim and the representatives of each one
these lines be permitted to explain them, TO-
d vote being taken on them seriatim an
en- at l;30 o'clock the line of the committee
taken up and voted upon. DIR. Hanckel's inc
OPPOSITION was carried. Th
Dr.. !Sprigg's proposition to incorporate the AS