The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-22
THE EPISCOPAL COUNCIL
ITS ACTION REGARDING CHURCH
WORK IN HAWAII AND CUBA.
Missionaries to BE Sent to Porto Rico
New Missionary District to BE
Established I'm Japan.

WASHINGTON, Oct H. The increased
responsibilities of the Episcopal Church
arising through the changed conditions of
Cuba. Porto Rico. Hawaii and the Philip
pines was presented to the General Conven-
ton to-day in the report of a special COM
mittee appoined TO consider the condition
of affairs in these outlying islands. As to
Hawaii the joint committee reported that
the status was not a simple one. owing to
joint action with the Church of England,
which had been entered upon by agreement
with the late bishop of California. Without
expressing an opinion as to the ultimate
church work in Hawaii as a part of the
United States, the committee recommended
that good faith required conference with
the Church of England before entering upon
independent work
Concerning Porto Rico, the committee re-
ported that the existing political social and
religious conditions were such as to warrant
immediate action there. There is church
at Ponce under the direction of the Church
of England, and the committee was in
formed by United States army officer that
there was no objection to turning over this
church to the American church. sit is re-
ported the report proceeds that the edu-
Gated classes have broken away from the
Church of Rome and are antagonistic to its
priesthood" The committee proposed a res
olution that missionary work begin in Porto
Rico after a conference with the bishop of
Antigua
The conditions in Cuba, the committee re-
ported, were practically the same as in
Porto Rico. Some help already had been
given the Cuban people by the church mis-
sionary society. In view of the desirability
t~.f<< -
commended to the joint commission to con-
slider the subject. The committee also point
ed out that attention must be given to Cuba
not only as a possession of the United
States, but as possibly an independent, self
governing country. Concerning Haiti, Mex
leo, Brazil and other countries. it was rec
commended that the increased responsibilities
be submitted to a joint commission of three
bishops, three clergymen and three laymen
The report caused some controversy. but
the committees recommendations finally
adpoted
Among the propositions adopted were
those establishing a. new missionary district
In kyoto. Japan. disseminating further re-
vision of the hymnal. agreeing to further
conference with bishops on final date of adj
Journment and establishing special COM
mittee to report on the question of a stand
ard Bible
Il
mittee of five bishops-South Dakota New
Mexico and Arizona. the Platte Spokane
and Duluth-to prepare code of canons for
missionary districts. The election of a
bishop for Asheville was put off until to-
morrow when a bishop for the new district
of Kyoto, Japan, probably will be selected.
AT the afternoon session the house of dep
uties confirmed the action of the bishops in
selecting bishops for missionary districts
as follows: For Boise, Rev. James r. Fun
stem; for Sacramento Rev William H.
Moreland; for North Dakota, Rev. Samuel
{. t. Edsall.
The work of revising the constitution was
completed during the afternoon by the adop-
ton of Article TX, relating to courts for
the trial of ecclesiastical 0ffenses. The dep
uties disposed of the question of marriage.
and divorce for this General Convention by
adopting a resolution offered by Mr. Fran
els Idnde Stefson of New York. creating a
special committee of thirteen members, to
whom is referred the entire subject, with
instructions TO report prior TO the next Cen
eral Convention
The bishops. at their afternoon session.
agreed 10 the report and resolutions al
ready before the deputies relating to Cuba,
Hawaii, Porto Rico and other countries
They disagreed TO the action of the deputies