Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-15
THE EPISCOPALIANS.
SiXty-seventh Annual Council Of the
Church In Virginia.
AT EPIPHANY CHURCH. DANVILLE.
Proposed Division into Three Diocsses-
Report OF the Committee Of Thirteen
Amendment to Canon XIX.
rcorrespona.uss Of the Richmond Dispatch.I

Correspondents Of the Richmond Dispatch.1
PErERsRUBa, Va, May 1.-THE sixty
seventh annual Council Of the Protestant
Episcopal Church IN Virginia will be held
in Epiphany church. in Danville, on the
Bth-2lst of this month. In the absence Oh
Bishop whittle, whose delicate health Will
most probably prevent his attendance, As
sistant-Bishop A. NJ. Randolph will preside.
DIVISION OF THE DIOCESE.
Great interest attaches to this session of
the council because the subject OF the
division of the diocese. which has been
been agitated tor so many years and In
which every Episcopalian IN the state feels
q lively concern, will come up for con-
sideration, with every probability OF
final aud satisfactory settlement. botn
of the bishops of the diocese favor divi-
sion. Bishop white, il il believed.
would consent to three dioceses If proper
lines could be drawn. Bishop Randolph.
while opposed to small dioceses, ia favora-
BILE to two in Virginia.
THREE DIocEsEs PROPOSED.
At the last session of the council. held
in Petersburg, the subject of division was
deliberately discussed, and propositions or
plans for three separate diOceses were sub
mitted. While the great majority OF the
council favored division in one way or an
other. there was q respectable and able
minority whose love for the traditions OF
the old diocese. whose yeneration for the
old Church as O whole, forbade consent to
any division. And such was the d.
versity of sentiment as to the several
plans that the whole subject was post
poned for action until the council OF
this year, and referred to a committee OF
thirteen-seven clergymen and six Law
mentor digest and report. This commit
tee was appointed as follows: Clergymen-
Rev. X. Nelson. ID. d., Rev. G. X. Hams,
ID. d., Rev. James Grammer. ID. d.. Rev. nj.
p. Logan, Rev. W. q. Hullihen, Rev. 0. ).
Barten, ID. D.. and Rev. Is. NJ: Randolph.
Laymen-W. s. Barton, James NJ. Garrett,
n. L. Green, Albert Baker, Mann rage,
and Robert Logan.
1t may be stated that the leaders of the
three separate propositions discussed were
Rev. Dr. Hanckel, on behalf of the COM
mittee's report for division into two do
ceses Colonel II. T.. Withers. i'll behalf of
the Southwestern Diocese. and DR.. j. Is.
Newton, in favor of a division by the
James-river line. The council voted de-
cidedly against three and in favor of two
dioceses, but no agreement could be
reached as to the proper lines of division,
to hear the conclusions of special COM
mlttee and to give the council and the
churches full time to consider as TO the
best plan.
TWO DIoCEsEs PROBABLE.
As was the case last year. so the council
will probably decide next week-vlz., in
favor Of but two dioceses. No doubt, how
ever, proposition and figures will be pre-
sented and supported by strong follow
ing for three. The sentiment for a
separate Southwest diocese is very strong
in that section, and the delegates last year
manifested great enthusiasm IN favor OF
their plan and practically promised its
success II granted.
THE COMMITTEE OF rHIRTEEN's REPORT.
The committee of thirteen have met,
discussed, and with practical unanimlty
matured plan for a division of the do
cese, which they will submit to the coun-
ell next week at Danville. The committee
sented for their consideration and hnaily
agreed upon the report as published in the
DISPATCH.
NOT UNANIMOUS.
The above report was not adopted unani-
mously by the committee. There were
two dissenting votes. and the right Is re.
served to present minority report. or al
least some amendments TO the plan. The
committee will meet in Danville before th'
assembling of the convention, and vii
thru decide upon any proposed amend
ments. The length and shape OF the pro
posed new diocese will doubtless excite
discussion and opposition. Including tins
Eastern-Shore counties. II runs to the e1
IRENE of Southwest Virginia.
THE TWO BISHOPS.
The delicate health of Bishop White
and the probability of his non-attendanct
at the council is greatly regretted, and. il
is feared, may somewhat complicate mat
tiers. As far as is known the Bishop ha:
given no intimation of his approval OF the
committees report, nor of what line OF
division he favors. The division must
meet his approval. His veto in the matter
is absolute. He may delegate authority
TO approve or veto to the Assistant Bishop
who presides IN his absence, but up 10 this
time he has not done so. In the event OF
two dioceses the Bishop. under the laws OF
the Church, has the right to make choice
of the one he prefers. and the Assistant
Bishop will take the other. Bishop Whit
tie will doubtless select the diocese OF
Virginia. In the event of three dioceses O
new bishop will have to be elected.
THE GENERAL CONVENTION TO APPROVE.
The General Convention of the Episco-
pal Church in the United States, which
meets this year and to which the council
next week will elect eight delegates -four
clergy and four laymen). will have to ap-
prove any division OF the diocese made by
the council before it goes into effect.
The division of the property of the do
cese between two or more dioceses would
be most delicate and important matter.
IL would doubtless be referred by the
council to. committee of laymen lawyers
for arrangement and legal details.
THE xIXTH CANON.
Another subject of interest laid over by
the last council for consideration at the
next meeting was an amendment TO the
XIXth canon. providing that " II any per-
son within this Church offend their bre-
thren by any wickedness of life such per-
sons shall be expelled from the Holy Com
munion agreeably to the Rubric. In cases
where it may be deemed expedient by the
minister, or may be requested OF the &C.
cused, the church wardens for either OF
them shall be summoned to. assist the
minister in ascertaining the facts of the
case prori,led, that if such warden or war
deus shall fail or refuse to act within ten
DAYS the minister shall proceed tc act under
the rubrics of the Church"
ROUTINE BUSINESS.
Most of the other business of the coun-
Gil will be devoted to the usual routine
work Of the body. The interest IN the d.
vision of the diocese, however, attracts
such widespread attention that every cler-
gyman and lay delegate will be there to
vote.
The lay delegates from the churches in
Petersburg are as follows: st. PauPs-
w. j. Jarratt and John II. Cabaniss.
Grace-Dr. James w. Claiborne and Ii. q.
Hardy. st. Johns-Oscar Edgerton.
Thanks of the Oakwood Memorial Associa-
ton.