New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-08
MATTERS OF CHURCH POLITY
THE EPISCOPAL GENERAL CONVEN-
TIONS WORK

IT WILL MEET IN WASHINGTON on OCTOBER D
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS To RE SETTLED.
Episcopalians are looking forward with much in
terest TO the meeting OF the General Convention.
which assemblies In Washington October o.
Notwithstanding the fact that the meeting OF the
convention does not take place for nearly two
months. churchmen already discussing the Inn
portant questions which will come before the con-
venton for action. ard the denominat onal journals
dcvotlng columns 10 arguments pro ana con
relative to the proposed legisa alton.
The General Convention. which Is the chief legs-
lating body Of the Protestant Episcopal Church,
meets trIannialy. and this year the session will be
held in Washington for the first time. the Church
Of the Epiphany being utilized for the meetings.
Il is expected that about eighty bishops and some
$50 clerical and lay delegates Will attend the con-
veuton.
The bishops compose what II known az the
House OF Bishops. while the clerical and lay dep
uties form the House Of Deputies. Each OF the
nfty-eight dioceses OF ;he Church sends eight dep
uties divided equally between tho clergy and aity
to the convention. The Joint action OF the two
houses IL requisite all resolutions and matters
Of legislation before they can become operative.
The Committee on The Revision or the Constitu-
ton and Canons v hitch was appointed Mt the last
convention. held In Minneapolis In 1885, will report
to the General Convention On several matters OF
great moment TO the Church. The first IN point OF
interest undoubtedly will be the committees report
the proposed canon on marriage ana u'or'''
The preliminary report u the committee has al
ready been issued In which IT Is recommended that
the church enact legislation forbtdding the clergy
to solemnize the marriage Of any divorced person
while the other party 10 the divorce II living
THE QUESTION OF DIVORCE.
A, the present time the Episcopal Church. BY It's
canons recognizes only one cause as being sum
cio,.t for divorce and permits rs clergy to ~
marry the innocent party but now the committee
advocates aboishng this exception so as TO follow
the practice OF the Roman Catholic Church. which
is not to marry a divorced person while me o'heF
party to the divorce is living.
Naturally. radical q change In the practice OF
the Episcopal Church Is calling fCrh vehement pro-
toSs from many quarters. and the opposition 10 the
proposed new canon has assumed such proportions
that Il IL doubtful whether the canon passes the
convention. The Low and Broad Church elements
bitterly oppose the tightening OF canonical bands
on the marriage and divorce questions. while the
High and Anslo-tatholic Churchmen almost unan'-
mously favor the new canon There is, therefore,
sue 10 he prolonged debate on this question:
with a strong probability that the whole matter
will be referred 10 "A new committee. with insTuc-
lions to report ~ the convention Of 1901
other matters Cf interest which Will come before
the convention VIII be the question OF new cor
s,itution for the Church and the proposed adoP-
ton ~ the provincial system. The subject OF the
revision OF the constitution has been before the
church for several years and doubtless will en-
gross the attention OF succeeding General 'ohVeh-
lions for time. ,
the provincial system IL intended to join contigi-
Gus doceses into groups each group or dioceses 70
have an archbishop and IA provincial council ior
transacting certain business now done only by the
General Convention. But this plan has many op-
puncnts who fear the change would place the Epis-
copal ,hurcn nearer Roman Catholicism
OBJECTIONS TO A PRIMATE.
TIC matter OF n primae for the Episcopal Church
was brought before the last convention, but Inc
plan failed 10 m1tcria'ize. as the deputies thought
the proposcd prirnat tie. archbishop, tended in the
direction Of papacy at least toward TOO much
ccufr.itz,ion and the matter rcsis. The SUBJECT
~ "A primatc may, however. be brought o,iote lnc
cnnysution again in October. Possibly II new
canon should be laid before the nouse Oh b'Pu.ie-
,rhnd,lug the idea OF a orimate. but using the
d.strnafon president moderator IN place OF PIT
mate o~ archbishop the d"puties would pass me
M, sur but the titles primate ana archpishop
seem 10 Do. stumbling blocks 10 the deputies
Avofher matter Of much interest 10 clhlm tne
c,.nvcntion's attention will he the subject OF the
i,s Of 'he revised version OF the scriptures IN tne
services Of the Episcopal church. Only mat known
,s me King James version being authorized AT
lr' ocni. ,,.. ,Ao co,
.r,i Convention will make necessary a pioiongeo
session OF probably three weeks al tasi. ne
Right Rev John Williams OF Connecticut tne pre-
siding bishop t. incapacitIt"d by the innrnlties VI
able that Bishop William Croswell Doane; OF Al,
lauy who Is al present haiIman OF tne HOUSE VI
Bsiops will take Bishop. Wiiliamss place initiation.
nm. Rev Or Morgan DIX, rector or lrlhity
church OF this city. who has acreptnpy pirsinfu
over the deliberations OF the House OF Deputies ior
,everuI conventions viii undoubtedly be again
chosen TO III that important post al the coming
convention.