Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-05-19


with q touch upon the forehead.
The Lutheran fails not in the
imposition of hands, but has
not the authorized minister.
None but the bishop, and he only in
person, and with the laying on of his
hands can fulfill all that Is required.
There would not be sacrilege or sin
Of commission in Q repetition of con-
firmation. Inasmuch as it means
much (beyond that which the bishop
does) both to the church and to the
confirmed. and is the gate to the
highest christian privileges. espec-
cially those Of the holy communion.
is it not well to risk the danger of
repetition rather than that of entire
omission? We have conditional or.
dinations where doubt exists. I do
not refer to baptism; there no ques-
ton could arise; the necessary sacra-
ment must dare all chances.
Reference was made to changes
in the constitution. proposed
by the general convention Of
1895. THAT canon which seems most
difficult to frame and arrange is on
marriage and DIVORCE" said the dis
tipguished divine. "Au agree that
no law less strict than that which
now binds US, and which forbids q
clergy to celebrate the marriage OF
persons divorced for causes arising
after wedlock except in6delity. and
then grants only to the innocent
party the privilege of remarriage,
can meet the requirements of our
Lords rule twice repeated by three
of the evangelists.
The bishop said that as long as
Rome follows her old custom of as
sumption of power and judgment.
he does not wonder much over any
claim or declaration which may
come from the holy Office. The last
year brought the authoritative dec
laration that the anglican orders
and the Episcopalian, with them.
since the latter are but o succession
from the British church, are invalid.
"Distinct BARRIERS" continued
Bishop Burgess, "of separation have
been set up and strengthened by
Rome. whenever the flood of light
and truth seemed about to weaken
them"
Bishop Burgess said that it is
plain that money for missions dur
ing the coming year must be given
as freely as in the best of past y ears.
The bishop ordained in St. Georges
church, Macomb, Dec. 16, 1896, to
the priesthood, Rev. Theodore Alex
ander Waterman, q deacon, trans
ferred from Pennsylvania, who is
now continuing and charging faith
full labors in Zion church, Mendon
and adjoining towns. Bishop Bur-
CESS received by letters dimissory
from Iowa, Rev. William M. Purse,
who is now settled as rector of Grace
church. CISCO. Letters dimissory have
been given to Rev. H. M. Brown, to
Western Texas; to Rev. F. X. How
ard. to Colorado; to Rev. j. 8. Turn.
er. Jr., to New York: and to Rev.
Alfred KAHN, to Duluth. William
A Simpson, of Tiskilwa, was ad-
mitted as a postulant. The bishop
confirmed 40 during the year.
In conclusion Bishop Burgess said:
81 commend earnestly to your csre-
full consideration and best Judgment
the need of a bishop coajutor, AID
the time. present, or future, for
choice. l know not how much to
say or how much to leave unsaid.
While the official requisition upon
the bishop is not too heavy for
my hands. yet age and beginnings Of
failure demand attention. Without
attaching to the years of the first
episcopate any willing negligence or
welghty errors, one is still pressed 10
say. a more accurate search, a more
positive creative, and nurtHring
faculty, frmer grasp on the lever
OF circumstances. may early bring to
the diocese a prosperity. which has
hitherto escaped us. l do not speak
with unmixed encouragement, since
IN the rural parts of the whole pro-
vince OF Illinois, the past decade
and half, the church has had slow,
quite as slow growth as about our own
homes. Obstacles, which are clearly
seen by you of the convention, NAV
stand in the way of present action.
flease give executive thought to the
question; can they now be overcome
and the desired results be happily
reached?"
The bishop also referred to the
new reredos, chancel rail, altar, and
windows, which have been placed in
Trinity church. He said they were
magnificent and beautiful.
Committees Nsmsd.
These committees were elected to
serve the coming year:
Board OF Missions-Rev. v, H.
webb, Monmouth; Rev. X. w. Hew-
lit, Moline; Rev. Purse, CISCO;
Messrs. w. H. Boniface, Peoria; C.
z. Chandler. Peoria; j. M. Wallace,
Galesburg.
The Standing Committee-Rev. c. |
". Lefingwell, Knoxville; Rev. 4.
T. Sweet. Rock Island; Rev. E. II.
kudd, Knoxville; Messrs. C. E. |
Chandler. Peoria; s. W. Grub, H.
A. Williamson. Quincy.
Rev. E. H. Rudd, who has served
rs secretary of the d;oca... for On |