The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-10-19

Episcopaiians Not Yet Ready for tho Pro-
posed Changes In Constitution

LrIHroIattAHt MOI Af< Ar2u{ Tor tho Eru-
posed Changes In Constitution
Mr0SEAroLIs. Mimi. Oct. 1.-THE
great and burning question OF revision.
upon which the leading minds OF the
episcopate. the clergy and the laity OF
the Episcopal church In the United
States have been engaged for three
years past, which has been productive
OF tons OF literature appealing TO
reason and 10 prejudice. and which has
caused the eyes Of the entire church
I'm this country 20 be directed toward
the present general conference. has
been laid over until a more convenient
season.
Recognizing from the experiences of
the past two weeks the utter utility OF
any further sffcrt 10 SO complete con-
sideration OF the revision that IL might
be sent down 10 the dioceses for
their action. the house of deputies
on Tuesday. by an almost unanimous
vote, decided to refer the entire mat
ter To a special committee OF its own
members, with instructions 10 report
at the triennial convention at Wash
ington in 1898. The test ballot upon the
proposition TO shelve was 1877 TO 90, less
than one-half OF the delegates being
in their seats. but later. when the
house had filled up and 1: was put as
the substnntative motion, scarcely a
dozen voices were heard in the mega
tive, and with sigh of relief Secre-
tary Hutchins laid aside the report for
good and all.
by general consent article OF the
constitution, which provides for tho
establishment of what is known as the
''provincinl system" was exempted
from the immediate operation Of
the resolution, in order that
the delegates might avail them
selves OF the opportunity of putting
themselves on record concerning this
innovation. Debate was inaugurated
at the afternoon session and continued
until adjournment. some outspolxen
language being occasionally INDUCED
in.
The house OF bishops concurred in
the action OF the deputies providing for
final adjournment on October 20. Most
OF the morning session was devoted 20
constitutional revision. An amend
ment was adopted TO article 5 making
the consent OF the bishops OF dioceses
affected as well as that OF the conven-
ton necessary before any diocese or
missionary jurisdiction could be erect
ed.
The report Of the committee on the
state OF the church, presented by DIR.
Duncan. of Louisiana, put the dele
gates in good humor at the outset OF
the days proceedings. 1t showed that
In the last three years the increase in
communicates had been IL per cent.
and in clergy 7 per cent. The entire
strength OF the denomination, its in
stitutions and almsgiying was sum
married. as follows, the contributions
covering three years;
Number OF ciergymeu. 4ai3; bishops. 5o'
priests, s0se; dioceses, st2; deacons ordained,
Gel priests ordained. 5il; candidates for holy
orders. 55s; lay readers, 1885 baptisms, $50.
$40: persons confirmed. i3ii71: COM
mnnicnnts, eiSb0l, Sunday school officers and
Teachers 45blS; pupils 42..d5l: pupils Ia
parish schools, ii.b4l. pupils In industrial
schools G0so. contributions. SSl, cgle4l. for
diocesan purposes. s3,007.4lf. c5; missionary
purposes other than diocesan. sl.40j Isl %,
education OF the ministry. as. is6 ~. total for
all purposes. S3s, t5B $50. a. The number or
communicates was said TO have Increased ~
per cent, while the increase Ia the clergy had
been but per Cont