Evening journal., 1892-10-26
TAE EPIscoPAL coNvsNTloN.
After an Unusually Important Session 1t
Adionrns Sine Die.


BALTIMORE, Oct. 26.-The Episcopal gem
eral convention adjourned sine die, after
session which was unusually fruitful in
important legislation The amendments
TO the prayer book which were adopted
aroused comparatively little debate, as they
had been fully discussed three years ago.
There was an exceedingly earnest debate
on the question Of Christian unity, which
ended in the adoption Of the 50 called
Chicago-Lambeth declaration as to the
basis of Christian unity from the Anglican
point Of view The missionary operations
Of the church received full attention, and
the work in Mexico, long burning ques-
tiOn, was formally recognized.
The Rev. Joseph II. johnson, of Detroit,
having declined the missionary bishopric OF
northern Michigan, the house of bishops
elected the Rev DR.. William Reed Thomas,
Of Highland Falls n. Y, to fill the place
A number of conference committees were
appointed in reference Co matters on which
the two houses had failed to agree Oneof
these questions--that of imposing a royalty
On the prayer book--has come up fire.
luently in the last three days. The house
of bishops had agreed to q royalty, but
every attempt TO have the house OF depu-
ties concur in this action failed, and no bet
ter success attended the efforts Of confer
ence committee The question was finally
settled at this session, the house refusing
to appoint another conference committee
on the subject. Some days ago both houses
voted not to copyright the prayer book.
The commission on Christian unity re-
ported progress and asked to be continued.
The Presbyterian church has appointed q
committee TO confer with the commission.
A new and stringent proposed canon on
/ marriage and divorce was referred to the
next general convention after brief dis
cussion
After recess the two houses sat together
as the board of missions. On motion of
Dr. McKim, of Maryland, it was voted to
recognize the laity in the work of the
church among colored people.
The house of deputies then voted to con-
cur in a message of the house of bishops to
amend the constitution by substituting the
words "bishop coadiutor" for the words
assistant bishop.n This will come up for
final action in the next general convention.
| The house then went into executive session
to consider the election Of Mr.. Graves as
missionary bishop of China. A number OF
ballots were taken, but owing TO the alb
sence of so many laymen he failed to re
eeive a majority of the dioceses in the lay
| vote.
1t is thought that the bishops will elect
Mr.. Graves again, and his name will then
go before the diocese standing committed
for confirmation.
At the evening session Bishop Thomp
son, of Mississippi, read the pastoral letter
Of the bishops II called attention TO the
bishops declaration for unity, emphasized
the need of a high ministerial standard
and dwelt on the fact that the church must
above all else, preach the Gospel. Shor
pastorates were deplored, and the laws O
some states concerning marriage were con
demned. Parents were urged to train thei
sons and daughters for religious work, ant
the missionary growth of the church wa
referred to- The letter closed by declaring
that the church today must be in especia
sympathy with the toiling and suffering
| masses.
After the singingo Of Coronation" Bishol
! Williams, of Connecticut, pronounced tn
benediction and the general convention o
1892 went into history.