The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1892-12-08

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| ly withdraw the two charges
EPISCOPAL COUNCIL FOR SOUTH
ERN DIOCESE OF VIRGINIA.
Assistant Bishop A. M. Randolph
Decides to be Bishop of the New
Diocese-Rev Thomas''ssJ. Spencer
Chosen Secretary.
LYNCHBURG, VA, Nov. 23.-The Epis-
copal Council for the new Southern Do
cese of Virginia, met in st. Pauls
Church here this morning for organizes
ton. The meeting was begun with
sermon by Rev Robert A. Goodwin, of
| st. Johns Church, Petersburg. After
ward the sacrament of the Holy Com
munion was observed, Rev. Bishop F.
M. Whittle and Rev. Bishop A. H. Ran
dolph officiating.
The business session of the council be-
gan d few minutes before twelve o'clock.
Bishop Whittle presided. Rev. M. P.
Logan was requested to act as secretary
until an election to that Office should be
made. Mr. Logan read the call for the
council, after which the presiding bishop
appointed the following committee on
credentials: Rev Il. A. Goodwin, of Pc
tersburg; Rev. J. R. Jones. of Bruins
wick county, and Rev. w. 3. Martin,
of Norfolk. The committee reported
fifty-seven clerical and thirty mine lay
delegates present. Several OF the dele
gates are colored men.
Rev. DR.. R. j. McBryde, of Lexington,
Rev. Thomas J. Spencer, of Petersburg,
Rev. w. J.. Gravatt, of Brambleton, and
Rev. MERCER p. Logan, of Wytheyiile,
were nominated for secretary. On the
second ballot Rev. Mr.. Spencer received
majority and was declared elected.
Mr.. Spencer has been assistant secretary
in the old Virginia Diocese for long
time
A communication was submitted by
Bishop Whittle saying that he would
remain in the old diocese and that Bish
op Randolph would work in the new
diocese. Bishop Whittle therefore turn
ed over the position OF chairman to
Bishop Randolph. This solved the
question of the election of q bishop.
There will be no new bishop elected by
this council.
Col r. E. Withers offered resolution
which was unanimously adopted, ex-
pressing the high regard of the council
for Bishop Whittle and bis services.
On reassembling this afternoon Bishop
Randolph read a brief paper to the
council. He stated that the new diocese
commenced its career with 1850 mem
bers, 70 clergymen, two thirds.sof the
area of the State, with wild field for
missionary energies He parted from
the diocese Of Virginia with pain, but he
came to the new diocese gladly and
hopefully, not as stranger. He wanted
the church to be holy and true.
A resolution of warm greeting and well
come to Bishop Randolph, on motion of
Major Mann Page, was unanimously
adopted
On motion of Captain G. II. Blackford,
the pay OF bishops was fixed at $500,
with 5000 for clerk and $T00 for rent and
necessary travelling expenses. The sal
airy of the secretary was fixed at $500
per annum.
On motion OF Colonel Il. E. Withers,
the new diocese was named 1.-The new
diocese of Southern Virginia"
Colonel Vithers then submitted rules
for governing The diocese, which were
adopted.
Mr.. Blaclsfofd offered a resolution APP
pointing q committe of conference to
decide the property difference between
the two dioceses.
Mr.. FortesQue Whittle, of Petersburg,
was elected treasurer of the council
The election Of standing committee
was then entered On and the following
were elected Refs. t. M. Carson, r. Fl.
Goodwin and 3. D. Tucker of the clergy.
and Messrs. G. IL. Biacl1ford and W. w.
Old of the laity
memorial from the Bruton parish,
James City county, ask ing to be restored
to the old diocese, was read and advo-
Gated ty the delegate from that parish.
An animated debate ensued, pending
which recess was taken.
At the night session, on motion OF
Rev. B. M. Logan, q resolution was
adopted requesting Capt. G.. M. Black
ford to prepare a sketch OF the legisla
ton which led up to the formation OF
the new diocese.
The Bruton parish petition was then
taken up and the discussion continues,
after which a motion was adopted pot
poning the matter until the next coun-
Gil.
The remainder of the night sessi.p
was taken up in the discussion of !,le
missionary interests.
Christ's Church, Norfolk, was selected
as the place and the first Wednesday l.,
June as the time for the meeting of ti:c
next council. Adjourned until toner
row.