Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-19
COUNCIL.
THE IoaD ANIMAL SESSION OF THE
VIRGINIA nODy.
BISHOP WHlTTLE CONGRATULATED.
RECOGNITION of the Thirtieth Year
or His Episcopate Proposed
Amendment of the Constitutions
Educational Matters. Etc.

WINCHESTER. VA. May lS-(special.)
The lGSd annual council OF the Protestant
Episcopal Church Of the Diocese of Vir-
ginia convened in Christ church here to-
day. About one half of the lay delegates
ana great majority of the clergymen
who were expected were present.
Preliminary 20 the opening OF the bus-
ness session this afternoon, services were
! held last night, at which Rev. J. j. Ora
watt, OF Richmond, preached This morn
ing at 1880 o'clock services were conducted
by Rev. w. ID. Smith, of Freder-
icksburg, and Bshop-Coadjutor II. A.
Gibson preached a forcible and eloquent
sermon from /. Timothy, VI, IL: Flight
the good fight of faith; lay hold on eter-
nal lite.' At 10 o'clock Bishop T. NJ.
Whittle and Misrepresentation r. A. Glib
son administered the holy communion,
preceded by a sermon by Rev. Bergman
Green Of Alexandria, who preached from
!. John, ill.,, 5: Il know that He was man.
itested 10 take away our sins"
CALLED TO ORDER.
Promptly at noon the venerable Bishop
Of the diocese, Right Rev. f. NJ. Whit
roll-call by the clerk. Rev. Everard Mead
OF Springman, Fairfax county, Rev
G. w. Nelson, of Warrenton, offered
the following resolution, which was unan-
imously adopted by a rising vote:
Whereas, our beloved Bishop did, on
the S0th of last April, complete the
thirtieth anniversary of his episcopate:
therefore. be it
Resolved, That in the name of the
Iineacg pya Inn,
gratulations. We thank God for His
mercy in giving and preserving him to us
for so many years and in restoring to
him his eyesight We gratefully acknow-
ledge the faithful devotion and energy
with which he has administered the
diocese under his charge and cared for
all the churches. and we pray God to
spare him to us for many years of happi-
ness and usefulness.
The Bishop rose and feeingly expressed
his appreciation of the councils kind
commentator.
ASSISTANT BISHOP.
After the announcement Of the stand
ing committees. Rev. j. Y. bowman,
of Richmond, read the report of COM
mittee appointed at the council meeting
in Richmond last June, favOring the
amendment of Article ". of the Consti-
tuition of the Diocese, making that arti-
Gle read
"The election of a bishop or bishop CO.
adjutor in this diocese shall be made in
council in the following manner: The
vote shall be by ballot and by orders,
concurrent majority of the votes cast
by each order being necessary to choice.
The article in question has hitherto
given TO the laity merely the power OF
veto in the election of bishop ana not
the power to vote for him. In the re-
ha nrpllal that the nOSl-
ton the Iaity held in the Church by right
was made by the present construc-
ton of Article ", one of great misfor-
tune and injustice in that they are not
allowed a voice in the selection OF
bishop.
The discussion was lively, after which
the report was adopted by big majority.
However. the amendment cannot be pass
ed until the next council meeting.
EDUCATIONAL.
Rev. Iandon r. Mason Of Richmond,
offered resolution describing the close
connection now existing between the
Episcopal High school and the Theolo-
eical Seminary. at Alexandria. and asked
that the Legislature be petitioned so to
change the charters of these two insti-
tutions as to permit the councils of the
two dioceses to have voice in the cleo
ton of trustees.
Al the nOOG OI adjournment lut putS7
ton was still being discussed by various
members, and consequently went over
until tomorrow.
FURTHER SERVICES.
Rev. DR.. Cornelius Walker. of the The
illogical Seminary; Rev. DR.. James Gram
mer. Of Mount Jackson, and others made
addresses at the services for men only
this afternoon.
A meeting in the interest of diocesan
missions was addressed tonight by Rev.
John Y. bowman, of Richmond, and
others.