Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-11-12
THE DIOCESAN CoNvOGATION.
Importance of Regularly Ordained Dea-
cons--rhe Churcli's Relation to Capital
and Labor.

Importance of Regularly Ordained Dea-
cons--Thc Church's Relation to Capital
and Labor.
The convocation of the clergy and
laity of the Episcopal diocese of Della
ware resumed its session in Trinity
Church yesterday afternoon week,
Bishop Coleman presiding. There was
the usual large attendance when the noon
hour arrived and adjournment for din
ner being over short business session
was begun in the parish house. The
delegates present at the business session
were as follows: Clergy-Bishop Cole
man, Revs. Charles il. Murray, rector
Of ST. Andrews Church; 7. Gardiner
Littell, st. Johns Church; H. Ashton
Henry, Trinity; Martin B. Dunlap, Old
Swedes Church; H. I. du Pont Coleman,
St. Michaol's Mission; V. II. Berghaus,
Calvary Church; Kensey J. Hammond,
Immanuel; P. B. Lightner, New Castle;
III. M. Bartlett, Christiana hundred; @.
A. Hayden, Claymont; E. K. Miller,
Stantc2; L. w. Gibson, Dover; w. L.
Braddock, Clayton; j. P. Du Hamel,
Dover; Kensey j. Stewart, Washington;
John w. Brown, S. I. d., rector of st.
Thomas Church, New York; George
M. Bond, George W. Dame, Jr.
The following Comprised the lay dele
gates present at he business session
during the afternoon Dr. William IL.
Burr, +. A. Van Trump, II. A. Now
land, ]. NJ. Newbold, John Russell,
Robert Justiss, Joseph Newlin, II. @.
Fraim, A. L. Jones, Captain George
Leroy Brown, George M. Coleman,
Stephen Ralph, E. Fowler, N. D., D. p.
Barnard, II. Ridgely, Jr., D. J. Cum
mins, A. i. Foster, J. r. Lambson, Il.
i. Thompson, DR.. r. r. Reynolds j. X.
Donavan, George Cox, George Lowry,
Jr., DR.. Nathan Pratt, w. Il. Bonner,
DR.. G. B. Naudain, Alfred Lee, George
Macklin, John S. Grohe, L. p. Wells,
w. J. Fisher, A. d. Speakman. At the
business session of the convocation
Joseph Swift was unanimously chosen
secretary OF the body.
Routine matters dispensed with dis
cussion was entered into, each speaker
being limited to periods of ten minutes
each. The subject of the discourse was :
"The Order of Deacons. First. the
scriptural idea; second, are we follow
ing it?"
The first speaker upon this interesting
subject was the Rev. T. B. Lightner of
New Castle The speakers argument
went to prove the Importance of regular
ordained deacons in the church, their
purpose being to aid the rector in his
pastrol duties. For instance, during the
latter's illness or temporary absence the
deacons duty would devolvc the dis
charging of all the regular duties of the
rector of the church. Rev. Mr.. Lightner
thought that the clergy were in need oi
just such assistance as this from the
laity in the performance of theiI
parochial duties. There was at times
too much work for the rector and per-
haps when that gentleman was suddenly
called away by illness or death. there
was no one to take charge of the pulpit
during sabbath unless it be the deacon
regularly ordained by the bishop. The
next speaker, Rev. j.. w. Wells, was in
hearty accord with Rev. Lightner's views
and thought that the matter of having
ordained deacons in the church was 0
very important one. Their appointment
might greatly expedite the work of the
rectors in the various parishes.
The subject was also ably discussed
at some length by Rev. II. Ashton
Henry, pastor of Trinity Church
William ]. Fisher, Rev. T. Gardiner
Littell and others.
AT 430 O'clock in the parish house
after the discussion upon the Order Of
Deacons had been exhausted, and re-
cess of ten minutes had elapsed, during
! which time the delegates were given ar
opportunity 10 converse if they were SC
disposed, in social way, "'fhe Best
Methods of Gaining Non-Attendance al
Church" was discoursed upon.
Rev. L. w. Gibson gave an able and
interesting talk upou this subject, as
did Rev George NJ. Bond, John S
Grohe and II. A. Nowland. After i
general discussion recess was taken Al
6 o'clock until 7.45 p. m.
When this hour arrived the auditorium
of the church was crowded with dele
gates and their friends. After brie
devotional service "Thc Relation of til,
Church to Capital and Labor" was dis
cussed by Rev. George w. Dame, Jr.
Edward Fowler, NJ. d., Rev. Charles l.
Murray and others, each speaker being
allowed Is minutes i'll which TO finisl
his discourse. Tho subject was dis
cussed at length and proved an interest
ing and instructive feature of the session
At the conclusion of the discussion
Bishop Coleman closed the convocation
after first heartily thanking all thos,
who had taken active interest in bring
ing about such successful termination
of the session. The bishop hoped tina
ere another conyocation of the dioces
was held, the results would be even ia
moro successful and more good woult
be accomplished than at the session jus
closed.