Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-06-15

ROIESIANI EPISCOPAL COUNCIL.
The 18th Annual Council of the
Protestant Episcopal Church. of the
Diocese of West Virginia, met in
Charles-Town on last Wednesday,
Bishop Geo. W. Peterkin presiding.
The Council consisted of 81 cleri-
cal and 50 lay delegates, Dearly all of
whom we're present. The opening
sermon was preached by the Rev.
Douglass Forrest, of Clarksburg.
Beyond organizing no business was
transacted on the first day.
On Thursday the services began
at 2.20 am. and sermon by theRev.
Jacob Birmingham, of st. Luke's
Parish, Wheeling. The Rt. Rev.
Geo. Peterkin read his annual report,
showing an immense amount of labor
performed and a most gratifying
growth of the church. The manage
ment of the Sheltering Arms Hospit-
al, near Charleston, under the au-
spices of the Episcopal Church was
highly commended. The Bishop al
so spoke of the proposed building at
the State Uni, ersity which is design
ed as home for the sons OF Episco-
pal parents attending the University.
The Women's Auxiliary held a meet
ing which was addressed by Miss
Julia Emmery, of New York, upou
the practical method of carrying on
the work. Reports were read from
various branches in the State, one of
the best of which was read By Miss
NJ. G. McSherry, of this city.
Friday was devoted almost exclu-
sively to business, the usual service
and sermon being omitted. The
Council resolved itselfinto comittee
of the whole, with Mr.. Frank Beck
with in the chair and Rev. Henry
Thomas as Secretary, to discuss the
various phases of the Diocesan re-
port. The Bishops salary was in.
creased to $4,000 and lengthy dis
cussioE had as TO the best means of
raising same, which resulted in the
retention of the plan of pledges from
the different parishes and the ap-
polntment Of committee to report
to the next Council an equitable sys-
tenn of assessments. There was a
meeting of st. Andrews Brotherhood
in the afternoon which was presided
over by DR.. G. A. Achman. Rev.
D. r. Roller explained the object to
be the formation of State organi-
cation which was accomplished by
the election of officers and the edop-
ton of constitution and bylaws.
On Saturday reports were received
from various committees. The con-
n.ittee on the division of the Dioces
reported division inexpedient at
this time on account of the expense.
The committee on the state of the
church reported healthy growth
all along the line. The following
delegates TO the next General Con-
vention was appointed. Clericals,
Rev.. r. D. Roller, S. S. Moore, r.
Swope, j. Brittingham. Lay, B. III.
Amber, ". L. Laidly, w. P. Craig
bill and Frank Beckwith. The fol
lowing were elected members of the
standing committee Revs. G. A.
Gibbons, w. Ii. Nelson. w. l. Ora
watt, and Messrs E. /. Lee, J. II.
Strider and B. G. Washington.
The Council adjourned on Satur-
day afternoon with vote of thanks
for the marked hospitality of the
citizens of Chares- Town, but by re-
quest of the Bishop the clergy re-
NAMED over Sunday. Rev. Il. II.
Swope, of st. Mathews Church,
Wheeling, preached in Mt. Zion
Church, Charles-Town, Sunday
morning, and on Sunday night Rev.
S. S. Moore preached the baccalaur-
cate sermon to the Presbyterian Sem
mary, Rev. Mr.. Campbell, Principal
in the same church. The Council
was the largest and one of the most
gratifying ever held in the Diocese.