The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-21

graph l. of the Canons of the Protestant Epis-
copal Church. Accordingly the House Of
Bishops met here in the Church Mission House
last week, and after two days session filed
the vacancy in the missionary Jurisdiction OF
Olympia caused by the death Of Bishop Paddock
on March 4 last.
Interesting people are these Bishops, and their
customs aud councils are in many respects
quaint and curious. They sit in secret IN order
that no member may talk To the gallery and
wise in their generation. perhaps, that none
may he seen in undignifed position, for It is
said that plain speaking is the rule. The secret
session is traditional. Because the first House
sat so by necessity In 1854, the practice has
been continued ever since. Many attempts
have been mado to throw open the doors, but
the conservatism Of episcopacy has always sue
cessfully locked them. What the House does,
and how IL does II, however, is by no means
secret. The doings Of the Bishops are published
In the journal of the General Convention.
Tho President OF the House Is the Presiding
Bishop Of the Church. that is, the Bishop who
has been consecrated longest: but in his alb
sence the Chairman of the House, officer
elected by the Bishops, takes the chair.
At present Bishop Williams of Connecticut,
consecrated Oct. 90. 1851, is Presiding Bishop
and Bishop Nicely OF Maine is Chairman OF the
House. Anglomania has invaded the Church,
and the eighteenth century Presiding Bishop
has become the Primate," as in England, and
the Chairman OF the House is spoken OF as
Assessor Even the corporate title, Protest
ant Episcopal Church in the United States of
America" has become out of date and has been
altered unofficially to THE Church in America"
which bears a close resemblance to " The Church
Of England"
The Secretary Of the House is not n member.
but is a priest chosen by the Bishops at each
General Convention. For many years the present
Bishop of New York held the office. He was
succeeded upon his elevation TO the episcopats
by the Rev. DIR. Tatlock of stamford. Conn. who
gave place a few years ago To the Rev. DR. sam
business 10 TO make such minutes as the House
instruct him TO make, for not all the proceed
ings recorded, and under the advice OF IA
committee OF two Bishops to furnish reporters
the House turns the Secretary out and sits
as a Council OF Bishops. This is done some
times for the benefit OF Bishop whose
clergy are refractory or whose doctrinal digest
Bishop has the right to ask the House to sit in
council when the election of a Bishop is the
business before the House. The nom nations for
the oftce are discussed In council and only the
name OF the successful candidate Is entered in
the minutes. No records of these eOucilnry de-
alterations is kept unless the council takes for
NAL action. Then only the conclusion reached
Is recorded.
The session Is opened after a short devotional
service by tho Presiding Bishop, and after he
has called the body To order all Bishops who are
or more OF the Bishops who took part in their
conservation. This is "A formal recognition OF
the validity OF the new Bishops apostolic
succession. The Secretary then calls the roll of
the House, and after that the presiding Bishop
ANNOUNCES without comment, the fact and date
OF the deaths OF any Bishop who has died since