St. Paul daily globe., 1895-09-22
FIERCE BATTLE TO BE WAGED
OVER IT-GREAT CHANGES
PROPOSED
AS TO POWERS OF BISHOPS
Complete Schedule of Events in
Connection With the Coming
Conference.

more important SUBJECT has aS1tateQ
the church in this country than that
of the proposed new constitution.
Thus far the new constitution has
been draughted by the commission
duly appointed for the purpose. The
work of that commission was ex-
tended and arduous. Its completion
furnished, in church circles, an oc-
caSion for commendation and criti-
cism which extended far beyond the
bounds of the Episcopal body itself.
That the proposed constitution may
become the church's law it is neces-
sary that it should be accepted by
the next general convention, on a
two-thirdS vote, and not only that,
but it must as we'll receive a like in
dOrSement from the following gen.
eral convention, which will be held in
1898. The second step in it's realiza-
the coming October. If it wins it's
way to acceptance in the first test,
it will doubtless succeed in the sec
ond. Whether or not it will receive
the favorable SuffrageS of the con-
Vention is altogether uncertain.
Many of the changes involved in it's
adoption would be Of a sort so rad
ical that the contemplation Of them
has already excited dire forebodingS.
In addition a stronger element in the
church deprecateS the idea of any
written constitution, declaring that a
written constitution is contrary to
all precedent in the Catholic church
or in any of it's branches, and main
tanning that it is dangerous, mas
much as it tends to making a re-
ligious body seem of
MANS ORGANIZATION
rather than of Gods.
On the other hand, there exists in
the church a vivid realization
of the fact that the present constitu-
ton is incomplete to an embarrasS-
ing extent, and crude in numerous
details. Much that is unsatisfactory
in the present, the proposed consti-
tuition promises to remedy. Viewed
from this standpoint, the change at
tracts to it's support many who, while
dissatisfied with the draught in GER
tain particulars, are far more sat
isfied with the existing constitution.
They rely, too, upon the future de-
velopment and Improvement of
whatever may be adopted.
In the declaratory preface to the
constitution it is stated that the
Scriptures are to be received as the
word of God. Hitherto the formal
statement has been that the Scrip
lures contained the word of God.
The alteration is important because
its literal Interpretation is likely to
contradict the assertions of so many
Biblical students, while, if it be re-
garded as figure of speech, it
at once allows threatening liberty
to personal opinion in its interpreta-
| tion
The first article of the proposed
constitution changes the name of the
chief legislative body from general
convention to general synod.
The first article also provides that
| the ruling officer of the house of
bishops shall be elected by that body
| from it's own members and shall bear
the title of primus, in accordance
with ancient churchly USE
| The proposed constitution also re-
| duces the diocesan representation
| from four to three in each order
| and doubles the constitutional quor-
um of dioceSes. The two houses
may sit in joint session, and the con-
| stitutional quorum of the house of
deputies is increased.
The third article declares that the
| general synod is the supreme legis-
lative authority. But the most rad
| ical of its innovations lis the decree
that the power to define or revise
| doctrines is taken from the synod
| and given to the bishops alone.
The fifth article adds yet more to
the episcopal authority. They alone
as a house shall have power to send
bishops to foreign lands, and shall
have the right to choose all mission
| ary bishops. The house of bishops
alone shall meet at any time, in its
4 pleasure, for any purpose not legis.
| lative.
All in all, the proposed constitu.
/ tion, both in many of the features
mere referred to and also in details
! not mentioned in this article, shows
a decided increase of sentiment to-
| ward the restoration of episcopa-
authority.
| CONVENTION PROGRAMME.
The local executive committee !,
charge of the arrangements for the
Episcopal conference have finished the
compilation of the visitors handbool,
and 1t will be issued from the pres,
some time this week. The volume will
be valuable one, and will be placed
In the hands of every visiting delegate
1t includes a map of the city, with tn,
places of special interest indicated
a local directory accompanying it will
the location of railway stations. descip
ton of the street car system, ETC., a di
rectory of the local churches. with tb,
programme for each one during th,
convention session, and most impor
tant of all, a calendar of the conyen
ton and associated events, The calen
dar in full is as follows:
Wednesday, Oct. 2-11 a. M, openin
service or general convention. Geth
senlane church; l p. M, diocesan off
GERS, Woman's auxiliary, st. Mark
parish building.
Thursday, oct. $3.50 a. M, triennia
anniversary OF woman's auxiliary
Christ church, st. Paul Special ca
from the West hotel at $50 a. m.
p. M, general reception at West hote
convention and citizens.
Friday, Oct. 40 a. M, board G
missions, Gethsemane church.
Saturday, Oct. 5, Mission Day-10:;
a. M, missionary rallies at the In
ceum theater; 2:30 p. M, adjourne
meeting. diocesan officers woman