Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1895-09-26
The Episcopal General Convention.


One of the most important religious
gatherings to be held this year will be the
general convention of the Protestant Epis-
copal church which is to be held IN Mime
apolis beginning Wednesday, october t.
The general conventions of this denomina-
ton are always of wide interest but the
proceedings of the coming convention Will
attract general attention owing to tho
fact that the matters to be brought before
the gathering Will include the proposed
revision of the constitution and canons Of
the general convention.
In order to understand the significance
of some OF the changes proposed it Will
be helpful for the reader to glance at the
manner in which the general convention
is constituted The general convention IL
the supreme legislative body of the church
which it represents. 1t is composed of
two houses the house of bishops, which
sits behind closed doors and the house of
clerical and lay deputies whose meetings
are open 10 the public except when it is
regarded as desirable to go into executive
session. The house last named is com
posed of four clergymen and four laymen
sent from each of the organized docescs
and one clerical and one lay delegate
! from each of the missionary jurisdictions
of the church. The missionary delegates
however may speak on issues before the
| convention, but cannot vote.
Either house may originate legislation
and communicate its action to the other
but it requires joint consent of both
houses to make legislation complete Any
change in the constitution. however, to
become effective, must be adopted in one
general convention, communicated to each
of the diocesan conventions, so that the
whole church may be duly informed of the
proposed change. and then, ifagan ratified
by the next stated general convention.
posed change becomes part of the consti-
tuition.
1t is not proposed to change the or
ganic structure of the general convention
in any radical way but to readiust some
of the relations between the two houses
and to reduce the SIZE of the house of
clerical and lay delegates, which at pres
ent includes 424 regular delegates, and
make certain other innovations. AT pres
ent the house of bishops has to concur
with the other house within three days
failing which time limit legislation is Sc.
cured by the action of the other house
alone. 1t is proposed to give the house OF
bishops the same veto power as is now
held by the other.
Other changes will make it possible for
fifteen bishops to exercise the lower OF
: the full House of Bishops in certain cases
win make possible a Joint session If the
two houses may desire it. for conference
| will confer greater power on the house
of bishops and will take away from the
| clergy and laty in general convention oil
in standing committees of the several do
= cesee the power of passing upon election!
!, to the diocesan epscopate.
one of the most important changes pro
= posed is the crea tion of the position o
r Prim"s, which is opposed by some as be
4, ing the germ of an archbishop. TIT
t Prmus is to be ele ed for life unless h,
-, resign, or be removed for incapacity o.
e canonical cause These include SOM
( of the more important of the propose
f. changes but it is to he remembered tina
e the adoption. of any or all of the change
= proposed by the joint commission appoint
t ed in 1892 must be followed by the ap
0 prevail of the diocesan conventions durin!
e the coming three years so that there j
1 little danger of the adoption OF too radica
legislation.
e Vermont Will send q strong delegation 4
= the general convention. In addition t
S Bishop Hall the diocese will be represent
= ed by Rev. DR.. j. l. Bliss of Burlington
~ 0r 1I,pt
t Rev. W. II. Collins of Brattleboro an
0 Rev. +. n. Goddard of Windsor clerca
r delegates, and by Hon. George F. E'
e munds, Thomas II. Garfield OF Burling
ton, Judge Bailey of ST. Adams and L. l.
Temple of Rutland, lay delegates. IN
members of the Vermont delegation no'
e in the State will leave for Minneapol
f the first of next week.