Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-25
TIE DIOCESAN CONVENTION
First Annual Gathering of the Episcopal
Body.
Important Matters to Come Before 1t
The Meeting of the Con-
vocation.

The first annual convention Of the new
diocese of Washington will assemble at
Trinity Church, corner Sd and G streets
northwest next Wednesday. The order of
services will he as follows:
Morning prayer will be said in the church
at . O'Clock At 10 o'clock the convention
will be opened with celebration of the
holy communion. At this service Bishop
Satterlee has desired the clergy Of the
diocese to be present, vesting themselves
in Trinity parish hall at $40. The bishop
has appointed the Rev. Jno. H. Elliott,
STD, rector of Ascension Church, to
preach the sermon at this 10 o'clock serv-
ice
Immediately on the conclusion of this
service the bishop will call the convention
to order in the church and appoint COM
nlitteeS to determine the rights of clergy
and lay delegates to seats III the body.
Then a short recess for luncheon will be
had after which the reports Of commit
tees will be received and the regular busi-
ness of the convention will begin. At
least two days will be consumed in the
session.
II. Y. Satterlee, ID; secretary, the Rev.
A. S. Johns, Rockville, Md; assistant sec
retary and treasurer, Mr.. Seymour w. Tui-
loch.
The Diocesan Funds.
Several matters Of importance are likely
to come up for the consideration of the
convention. One is in regard ID the trans
fer of the funds due the diocese from the
diocese of Maryland. II is estimated that
these funds amount to over $1GD,DJO, as the
diocese OF Washington is entitled to one
half OF the episcopal fund and one-third of
the others. The revision of the rules of or
der and the order of business will also
probably be cons dered, and there Will also
be reports of committees on changes in
the constitution and canons for the new
diocese. A most important change pro-
posed in the constitution relates 20 the pres
ent method of voting for the election OF
bishop. Under the present rules two
thirds vote is necessary in order to elect,
and the proposition made is to change to a
majority vote. This has been referred to
the vestr:es for action by the primary con-
ventiOn. There is opposition to this pro-
posed change by many, although it is
claimed by those who favor a majority
vote that such a rule prevails in nearly all
the dioceses of this country. 1t is also pro-
posed to make d change in the constitution
Of the standing committee by the intrc1uc-
ton of four ldymeB instead Of having 1t
composed of clerical mem berg. at pres
ent 1t is also said by those VINO advocate
this change that 1t is common in nearly all
the d.OceSaS.
The Conyocation.
There will be a meeting of the convoca-
tion of Washington at St. Margaret
Church tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock.
AS it happens, the bounds of this conVocator
are the same as those of the new diocese
of Washington, and the convocation there
fore remains as ii did before the new do
Cese was formed. These meetings, known
convOcatiCns. are mainly for the pur-
pose of discussing missionary work. 1t Is
not known whether the new diocesan con-
vention will determine to continue the con-
vocation in its present form or divide the
diocese into a number of convocations or
have what is known as rural deaneries. AT
the meeting tomorrow afternoon Rev. Will
lam H. Laird will make an address on mis-
sion work in the diocese, ard the usual
reports Of officers will be made.