Morning journal and courier., 1892-06-15
BISHOP wILLIAms' ADDRESS.
The Leading Features Of Ills Address
 Before the bio ocesan Convention Yes-

resent, with steadfast purpose and wise ounsels to assist in our deliberations. Nor oes the vacancy in this body to-day stand y itself. Ittouches every prominent com aittee and board of trusteeship to which 8 entrusted the representation of the dio- ese in the general councils of the church 'r the immediate administration of our ,wn especial work in the duties of the standing committee, the advisory council of the bishop or the more limited but still most important trusts which are concerted with institutions and organizations that enter largely into our diocesan life. do not wish here and now to supplement what has already been said 80 we'll and truly in timely resolutions of sorrow and sympathy nor to anticipate by words of mine action which am sure this convocation will de- sire to take. But for myself l must be permitted to add-more need not and less I will not say:
 'sMult is file bonis flebilis occidit,
 Nulli febilior guam mihi."
 Two others of our brethren have dur ing the year been called away-Rev. Reu- ben Riley and Rev. Leopold Simonson. MT. Riley had done much good service in various places, and among them in this diocese, by caring for weak parishes, to which he freely gave his services and faithful ministrations. His work was 8 most quiet and unobtrusive one, attract ing little notice, never q think) made the subject of newspaper laudation, but very real and effective known, we believe, when alone any wish for the Lord and his church needs to be known.
 Those who knew MT. Simonson will bear him witness that a purer, gentler, more unselfish and more self-sacri6oing nature is rarely to be found. Amid many trials and with not much of the worlds cheer, he went through the discipline of life Gin singleness of heart, fearing God"
 After reporting the deaths of Bishop Bedell, late of Ohio, the bishop of Louisi- ana and the missionary bishop of Shang- hal the bishop read the statistical part of his address. He has visited during the past year 83 parishes and missions. preach ed and delivered addresses 147 times and confirmed 1,268 persons. Eight candi- dates have been ordained deacons and four deaoons have been advanced to the priest hood, besides two for other dioceses; 16 clergymen have been received into the di- ocese, and IS have taken letters dismiss ing to other dioceses, and there are IT can, didates for orders. Twelve notices of dis cipline have been received from other bishops.
 Two subjects of which wish briefly to speak will come before our approaching general convention. The first of these is the revision of the book of common pray CT. Twelve years have elapsed since the first joint committee on this most impor tant matter was appointed, and the repor of the changes still to come up for fna action is before the church. I have noth ing to say here in regard to the proposed changes But do feel bound to say that in my opinion, any attempt to offer an, new propositions to the coming convention would be breach of good faith whicl ought not to be for moment tolerated It was distinctly agreed in 1889 that re vision should end with the present year and surely twelve years is long enough t. secure with deliberate care and considera tion all that can possibly be desired in th way of enrichment, fexibility or any othe changes.
 When the revised book is fairly in th hands of our people it will be seen how needless and groundless is the fear, felt b, some and expressed by others, that radica changes were designed to be affected changes which would impair, or possibl, | destroy, the structure of our Sierras, ant break rudely in upon cherished associa ! tions and sacred memories. One cannot also, but hope that when the contents O the present appendix shall find thei
 proper positions in the order of the SCI
 vices, and therefore be before the eye 1T
 stead of being held in the memory, tn
 variations of parochial usages which hay
 been creeping in may at least be greatl I diminished. At this period of our refol
 nation the varieties of diocesan uses wer
 regarded as an inconvenience, to say tn least, which was to be deprecated. Surel
 parochial varieties of use, especially
 they are to change with every change c
 rectorship, are something more than 8 l inconvenience, even source of continus
 perplexity to the people and in no wa
 advantageous to the clergy, Let us hop
 that the advent of the standard book wi
 reduce this difficulty to it's minimum.
 The other subject to which I alluded
 what is termed the provincial system
 When we ceased to be an integral part (
 the Church of England by the severane
 of the colonies from the mother countr
 and in 17S9 entered upon our course as a
 autonomous national church few me
 could have anticipated that time woul ! ever come when this church would nee
 any change in the wise and simple plan (
 organization that was then adopted-tf
 plan of a single province. One man il
 deed, the first bishop of Pennsylvania, d
 in his far-seeing wisdom contemplate an
 speak of such necessity. As time h,
 gone on his anticipations have been yer
 fed. Few can fail to see-certainly o1
 occupying the position which I am mo
 unwillingly compelled to occupy must g. 1.-the inconveniences land disadvantag
 which our present cumbrous. system,
 rather no system, entails upon us. 1t
 not worth while to attempt to exhiE
 those inconveniences and disadvantages
 detail. But of one mention may be mad
 Under our present arrangements an
 thing like an appeal from diocesan cour
 for discipline appears to be impossible; al
 yet, in the interests of right and justic
 such appeal ought to be provided for.
 am as far as anyone can be from desiril ! to see race of ecclesiastical lawye trained up among us. That conditic might or might not follow on the provi ion for appeal from the decision of the ( l ocesan courts. But granting, if v ) please, that where the question involved
 one of simple fact, there } l little or no room for appeal, what shall we say when we COT t | to settle questions of doctrines What di l cesan court, whether elected year by ye [ by the convention of the diocese, or co stituted by the ecclesiastical authority f s the special case, with whatever right
 challenge on the part of the accused-wh such court can possibly expect for it's q ' cisions the respect and acqaiescense of t t church at large? And besides, is it not ] accordance with all the principles of o 2 1 polity that the ultimate appeal should n to the episcopate in all questions involvi > doctrine2
 In saying what have said, let me D
 be understood as expressing any wish tn
 any doctrinaire scheme for dividing o 2 one vast province should be even prese, ed to the approaching general conventio s l Legislation on mere theoretical grounds I never to be desired. And in the matter
 which am speaking there are 50 mal c ! things to be taken into account, such de n cate questions involving various relation and those difficult to adjust, that anythi |. like plans cut and dried priori are sure Il to be avoided, and above all things has j. action is to be entirely deprecated.
 > Still, venture to see in October
 first steps taken for 8 wise and caref 8 treatment of this really pressing questio
 concerning which it will be we'll to remel
 Der on the one side that provinces, as
 term them, are only human arrangeme
 for securing efficient administration, a
 on the other that at sometimes what
 first appears as @ multiplication of n | chinery really simpli6es processes a
 aids in reaching results.
 Turning now to 8 subject of local int
 est, have fsw words to say in regard
 our oldest diocesan institution, the Ep
 copal academy of Connecticut. The R, Dr. Horton, after faithful and famo
 administration, retires from it's princip
 ship with the grateful acknowledgme