Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-21
EPISCOPAL COUNCIL.
THIRD DAY OF THE SESSION AT
WINCHESTER.
supplementary DeIegatcs-The Re-
port on Parish Nissions-Stnte OF
ChurcI,-ConyocatIon and HeIn-
ton to DIoccse-The Seminary.

the 1924 Diocesan Council Of the Protestan
Episcopal Church IN Virginia opened TIN
morning Many of the lay and minis
terial delegates had already left for thei
homes, and when Bishop +. Nj. Whitu
called the council TO order at $3.50 scarcell
half o. the delegates were present. Al
ter the opening prayer Bishop-Coadjuto
Robert A. Gibson took the chair, and th'
order of the day was the election of sup
Elementary lay delegates to the Episcopal
General Convention, which meets II
Washington next October. j. NJ. Garrett
Of Mddleburg; Roswell Page, of Rich
mond; Albert Baker, of this city, ano
Judge A. c. Wallace. Of Fredericksburg
were elected.
Rev. DR.. John McGill offered a resolu-
ton changing the opening day OF the
annual council from Wednesday TO Tues
day, and appointing Friday evening for
a sermon by the Bishop. The ministers
appealed to the council especially In be-
half of the latter clause of the resolu-
ton, saying that they preached To their
congregations during the year until they
were tired OF their own voices" and
they thought that an annual sermon from
their venerable father In God, with them
selves as auditors, would add greatly 10
their own spiritual feelings and that
they would return to their pastOrates
strengthened, refreshed, and reinvigo-
rated. The resolution was adopted.
PARISH MISSIONS.
Mr.. Roswell Page submitted report on
parish missions, which showed that some
country ministers were receiving salaries
below 500.
The report on the state of the Church
was submitted by Rev. j. j. Gravatt OF
Richmond. A falling off in baptisms was
reported from 773 in 1897 to 599 this year.
Ministers are urged TO admonish the peo
pie not TO defer the baptism OF their
children, and advised to appoint regu-
lar time for the celebration of this rite.
Fewer combinations than last year are
reported.
The Woman's Auxiliary, the st. An
drew Brotherhood, and the Sunday
schools reported progress.
The council reconvened at 1880 O'Clock
after services, at which Rev. George W.
Nelson, of Warrenton. preached.
Rev. Mr.. Nelson resumed the discussion
of the canonical relation Of the convoca-
ton TO the diocese. by arguing ia favor
of his minority report, which is a reso-
luton that it is not expedient TO change
the relationship Of the conYocations OF
the Diocese of Virginia to the diocese"
In May, 1897. when the council met in
Fredericksburg, committee, consisting
Of Rows. II. Il. Lee, &. w. Nelson, w. d.
Smith, Major Il. T. Scott, and Mr.. George
9. Williams, were appointed to consider
and report TO this council on the pro-
Driety of bringing the convocations into
connection with the diocese.
The majority report recommends that the
"hole diocese be divided into missionary
districts, TO be known as convocations,
he chief purpose of which shall be TO
Irouse and further the missionary in |
erests and zeal in the several parishes |
,onvocations have existed as voluntary !
md independent organizations for many |
ears. There are now five convocations |
n the diocese.
Rev. W. ID. Smith. of Fredericksburg,
epudiated the implication that the ma
ority report was inspired by selfish mo-
ives. After prolonged and at times
harp discussion, resolution, Introduced
y Rev. DR.. John McGil, was adopted.
'hich practically leaves the matter in
tatu quo until the council meets next
s.g
THE BIBLE CAUSE
A letter was read from Rev. William
. Campbell, secretary of the Virginia
lble Society, stating that there were
ssembled at Camp Lee, in Richmond.
bout 5000 troops, many OF whom were
1thout Bibles. and asking thai any one
esiring to aid in purchasing Bibles for
ne soldiers do so at once.
Rev. Nelson z. Dame offered a resolu-
on which enables the Bishop to appoint
minister's from each convocation TO fin
acancies in churches. The resolution
as unanimously adopted.
Mr.. Joseph Bryan reported from the
on Finance showing a bal
nee of S99i.53 in the treasury, the largest
llance for some years. This balance |
as augmented by the generosity OF
lshop Whittle, who again contributed
% TO the fund from his salary.
The council reconvened at O'clock and
eV. j. w. Ware offered a resolution OF /
anks to the people of Winchester and I
lrist church. which was adopted by a !
sing vote, and on motion OF Rev. J. {.
mes the thanks OF the council were also \
tied TO the press.
After considerable discussion. Rev Lam 7
N X. Mason, of Richmond, withdrew d
5 resolution in connection with pro- b
sed change in the close corporation .
ature OF the Board of Trustees OF the .
mindry in favor Of DR.. Angus 0. Craw- :
rds substitute, which reads: d
Resolved, That this council. realizing [
g great importance OF bringing the h
geological Seminary in Virginia into a
're sympathetic and helpful touch with y
alumni, do hereby respectfully and d
rnestly request the Board of Trustees d
the seminary, in the exercise of its v
pointing power in filling vacancies IN
ID board, to nominate to the alumni In r
IN case not less than three men. from u
ich they shall express their preference y
the person to fill such vacancy, the 5
'thod of taking and determining the | a
ne to be such as the trustees may deem Y
ST." Il
he resolution was adopted by the d
INCL. q
rev. Dr. Crawford also a resolution u
,ev. DR.. Crawford also offered resolu- nj
n embodying these two important ir
nts: Cd The trustees of the seminary W
requested TO so change Article VII. ii
TO allow the election TO the Board of OF
lstees of others than Virginians. GU ~
e faculty of the seminary can be r.
cted on the board hereafter After II,
most thorough and earnest discus
this resolution was adopted by a p;
iority vote. b,
ev John W. Johnson (colored) of the n
Unity School, Petersburg. addressed 90
council at length on the coIored work 81
and appealed for the institu- on
I of the office of Bishop of the colored W
cese. The matter will be considered ca
to-morrow's closing session. So
tn |
councils work is nearly completed. ~
da
vitations are out announcing the mar OF
% at ~ O'clock NJ IN tho 0-,h NJ In