The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-06-11
EPISCOPAL
COUNCIL
concluded from Fifth Page3


construed It, for they continued TO make
reports to the contention or council Of
the diocese Of Virginia first, up to the
time of its division by setting apart the
diocese OF West Virginia. and after
wards up to the time of It's division into
the two dioccseS Of Virginia and South
ern Virginia, and since the division of
the diocese these reports have been
made to each OF the new dioceses into
which the old diocese has been divided
- is true that the reports since the act
or incorporation do not treat in detail
or the finances Of the institutions but
from year to year they give q full ac-
count Of the action Of the trustees in
the election Of professors, the number OF
students in attendance, and the general
condition of the schools. AS the act
now stands however, the board OF trus-
tees IS sclf-perpetuating body, and in
case or any vacancy by death or other
Wise, 1t has absolute power to fill va
cancies, without any right on the part Of
the several dioceseS into which the old
diocese Of Virginia has been divided to
interfere or make suggestions even.
a VALUABLE PROPERTY.
THE property under the control Of the
trustees is valuable. consisting: Of the
land upon which the seminary and high
school buildings have been erected. and
invested funds and securities of a large
amount, how large we are not Informed
The land and buildings are wholly with
in the limits Of the present diocese Of
Virginia, and the professors are all ca
non!cally connected with that diocese
while seven OF the fourteen trustees now
controlling these institutions, since
Bishop Newton's death. being one half
or the whole number are clergymen
economically connected with That diocese
Or laymen residing therein.
Under this condition Of affairs 1t may
well be asked whether it would not he
prudent and wise now to bring these in
stitutions In closer and more direct re-
latlon to and connection with the three
dioceses OF Virginia Southern Virginia,
and West Virginia? Now that the old
diocese Of Virginia has been divided. and
the councils Of the three doceses are
separate, there no longer exists the uni
~ IN elaboration and legislation which
existed when there was one council in
an undivided diocese. 1t is true that
each OF theSlew d!oceses has preserved
IN the past, and may be expected to pre-
serve In the future, the traditions and
evangelical character OF the old undi-
vided diocese Of Virginia, and that the
trustees governing these institutions are
connected with the one or the other Of
these dioceses. But that does not meet
the question before us as TO what shall
De the relation Of the seminary and high
school to these several dioceses them
selves, or tho power and con-
troll which the several dioceses
Shall nave over these insti-
stut1ons, or the responsibility for
their future support and conduct. Have
these several dioccses any interest or
part in these institutions. and if SO,
What II IS! That is question OF i'm
portanCe, and it's consideration sbo,,1d
excite no feeling, but rather call into ac-
ton the most conservative forces of the
mind. 1t Is q question which should
be considered altogether In a brotherly
spirit as between members Of the same
with O. view to asoerta!nine