Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-13
THE BISHOPS REPORT
TO THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA.
The Work of the Yenr-Encouraging
Condition of the schoOls-Church
building Improvement - Widow
and Orphans Fund-NOtcs.

wYTHEvILLE, June l2-(Special)-
Immediately after the morning service
In the Episcopal Council Of Southern vir-
ginia, the body was called to order by
Bishop Randolph, who proceeded 10 read
his address. He commenced by express
Ing qualification that the council had
met In this section of the State, and drew
tho conclusion that the growth of the
classes OF the people. and demonstrated
that there was no provincial limit to the
growth OF q Church which had so sue
cessfully extended its influence over COM
munities where its very name was un-
known a few years since During the
year, he said. eight ordinations to the
diaconate had been held and seven 10 the
priesthood. There were thirteen postu-
lants. four OF whom were colored, and
two candidates for deacons' orders, OF
whom one was colcred. There were
twenty-five candidates for priests or
ders, of whom three were colored. Nj
merous clerical changes were reported
and assignments OF deacons to duty.
Three letters dimissory were given and
a like number received. The number OF
lay readers was fiity-four. OF whom three
were colored. The Combinations num-
bered 9H Two new churches had been
consecrated. and many renovations and
improvements made In others. An inn
proved style Of church building was noted
and a severe rebuke administered TO
wardens and vestries who neglected to
provide comfortable buildings and seat
ings for the churches under their charge.
The Bishop noted the efficient and noble
work OF Mrs. Imboden, at Damascus,
amongst a people where the need was
as great as in Alaska. and he recon-
mcnded her work to the consideration Of
the Woman's Auxiliary. He noted the
improved condition Of Chrsts church, at
Roanoke, and invoked the aid Of all lber-
ally-disposed churchmen 10 the needs of
the church at Pulaski City, which was
striving faithfully and earnestly 10 re-
move the burden OF debt which now OPP
presses 1t.
THE SCHOOLS
The two diocesan schools-one for boys.
az Houston, and the other for girls, at
Chatham-were, he said, doing well, and
the Bishop Payne Divinity School, at
Petersburg, for colored candidates for or
ders was in better condition than it had
ever been. The industrial and educational
school for colored children at Lawrence
Vile was widening its work and inn
proving its methods. The Bishop referred
feelingly TO the loss the diocese had sus-
tanned during the year in the death Of
Rev George w. Dame ID. d., OF Dan
vile, Va, and Rev. James II. Huland,
Of Berkeley.
THE GENERAL CONVENTION.
The Bishop said he spent the month OF
October I'm attendance on the general CON
vention at Minneapolis, and he then
reviewed in a peculiarly interesting aud
striking style the effects Of that meet
ing on the state OF the American Church
lie thought that the negative and posi-
tive legislation Of the body would much
strengthen the conviction that the main
spring OF the constitution Of our Church
would In the future be found in
house OF clerical and lay deputies, de-
irving It's strength from the democracy
OF the people Of the various dioceses.
He thought the lalty were becoming
more and more conscious that they were
In special sense the representatives of
the people. and he looked on this fact as
the best guarantee Of future stability.
CONCLUSION.
The Bishop closed his address by an
eloquent assertion that the power the
beauty, and the benignity OF the Gospel
was as old as the stars but still ever
new-those stars which were the wonder
and delight Of the patriarchs OF old as
they Journeyed on the plains OF Shlnar.
and as new as these same stars would be
tonight with their mystery and their
majesty.
The members Of the Standing Commit
tee were unanimously reelected. Reports
were made from the Standing Committee
and the Committee on the Widows and
Orphans Fund, which was authorized to
receive the funds left by the extinct or
ganizatlon OF the Brotherhood, and was
instructed 20 pay TO the widow OF a de-
ceased clergyman $3.50 as speedily as prac-
ticable, and afterwards 10 bestow annu-
ally such sum as its finances would JUS
tify.
The report OF the treasurer and secre-
tary Of the Diocesan Missionary Society
was presented. II appears that this So
ciety has expended N06LS9 beyond its
receipts. Churches were urged 20 in
crease their contributions TO this fund, as
otherwise the progressive policy which it
had inaugurated would have TO be aban-
doned and It's work curtailed.
The old Executive Committee OF the so
clety were reelected. except that Or.
Tucker, OF Norfolk, was substituted for
Mr. Pruden. as 1t was desirable 20 have
a quorum OF the body in or near Norfolk
for easy conference with the Bishop.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
In the afternoon the reports Of various
were presented and received.
Some discussion was excited by a proposed
10 section OF canon ?. but all
finally harmonzed on an amendment Of
fered by Colonel Withers.
The amendments TO the constitution OF
the Church adopted at Minneapolis were
read to the council by Rev. DR.. Tucker.
chairman Of the delegation TO the General
Convention.
After dispatching some other routine bu-
siness the council adjourned till 10 A. NJ.
tomorrow.
UmnunsusuEnEUH-