Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-22
A WIDENED FIELD.
EPIsCOPALIANs DISCUSS INCREASED
CHURCH RESPONSIBILITIES.
CUBA, PORTO RICO, AND PHILIPPINES.
Haiti. Mexico. and BraziI-New Mis-
sionary District i'm Japan-Deputtes
Dispose of Marriage and divorce
Question for Present Convention.

WASHINGTON, October A.-The mat
ter Of the increased responsibilities OF the
Episcopal Church. arising through the
changed conditions of Cuba. Porto Rico,
and the Philippines, was presented to the
general convention to-day in the report
of special committee appointed 10 con-
slider the condition of affairs in these out
lying islands.
The committee proposed a resolution
that missionary work begin in Porto Rico,
after a conference with the Bishop Of
Antigua.
The committee recommended a joint
committee TO consider the work in Cuba.
The committee also pointed out that at
tention must be given TO Cuba, not only
as possession Of the United States. but
as possibly an independent, self-govern-
ing country.
MISSIONARY COMMISSION.
Concerning Haiti. Mexico. Brazil, and
other countries, 1t was recommended that
the increased responsibilities be submit
ted TO a joint committee Of three bishops
and three laymen. The report caused
some controversy. but the committee 5
recommendations were finally upheld and
| its several resolutions adopted.
Among the propositions adopted were
| those establishing new missionary dis
/ trict in Kioto, Japan; discussing further
revision OF The Hymnal; agreeing to fur
| ther conference with the Bishops on
! final date Of adjournment and establish
ing a special committee TO report on the
! question of a standard Bible
! JUDICIAL SYSTEM FOR CHURCH.
Inc establishment of the general fea-
lures of a judicial system for the
Church came up on the consideration OF
! Article TX, OF the proposed revision OF
the constitution. AS finally presented
the article provides courts for trying
bishops, presbyters, and deacons, court!
| of review, and an ultimate court OF ap
| peals, to consider questions Of doctrine
faith, and worship. The main criticism
was directed against the clause providing
that bishops shall be tried by bishops
| only" The clause was retained attel
| much discussion and vote.
The election of a Bishop for Ashevi!le
n. c.. was put off until tomorrow Whei
a Bishop for the new district OF kloto
Japan, will probably be selected.
CHOICE OF BISHOPS CONFIRMED
At the afternoon session, the mouse
Deputies confirmed the action of tn
Bishops in selecting bishops for mission
airy districts, as follows: For Boise, Rev
James b. Funston; for Sacramento Rev
William II. Moreand: for North Dakota
Rev Samuel c. Edsall.
The work of revising the constitute
was completed during the afternoon D
the adoption Of Article IN.
MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE.
The deputies disposed Of the question
of marriage and divorce for this genera
convention by adopting a resolution, OF
fered by Mr.. Francis l.. Stetson, OF New
York. creating a special committee o
thirteen members, to whom is referee
the entire subject with instructions 1
report prior to the next general conven
ton.
The bishops, at their afternoon session
agreed TO the report and resolution
adopted by the deputies relating TO cuba
Hawaii. Porto Rico and other countrie:
They disagreed to the action Of the depu
ties discharging the committee revisin
the Hymnal, thus leaving the work
be continued.