The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-06
EPISCOPALlANS IN SESSION.
IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES IN THE
OLD EPIPHANY CHURCH.

Distinguished ASsembiaEe of Bish-
ops, CIergymen and Lnymen I'm
WashinGton-The Church Unable
10 Contain the Vast COncOurSe OF
PeopIe-Five Hundred or More
Participants in the Council, Lenv-
ing but Scnnt space for an Au-
dience-BishOp WhippIe OF -Iinne-
sofa Presides over the Meeting in
the Absence of Rt. Rev. DIR. J.
Williams of Rhode Island.
Washington. Oct With impressive
ceremonies the triennial council of the
Protestant Episcopal Church OF the United
States opened al II O'Clock this morning
in that old landmark o. Episcopal worship
at the national capital. Epiphany Church
The sessions beginning to-day have
= far-reaching interest and Importance 10
the Episcopal organization Of the country
and. indeed, to the church OF the world at
large. for as de from the distinguished per
sonnet of the bishops clergymen and lay
men. the subjects which viii engage the
attention OF the two governing bodies of
the church have a present and vital in
terest to the church in general and to the
Episcopal Church In particular.
A great concourse of people gathered for
the opening services, far exceeding The ca
pacty of the church.
Conspicuous in the throng were the sill
ver-ha,red, b.ack-garbed bishops forming
the House Of Bishops. the chief governing
body of the church.
The actual participants IN the council,
including bishops. clergymen, laity, was
so gneat-some 90 or more-that but scant
space remained for the congregation not
officially connected with the proceedings
Notable among the lay delegates were
Chief Justice Fuller of the United States
Supreme Court OF the delegation from
Chicago; J. P:eTpont Morgan and Capt A.
I. Mahan, representing New York, while
the clergy was represented by many prom
inent in the church work of the country.
Promptly at Il O'Clock the strains OF the
great church organ and the mixed voices
OF the choir fioated through the ediflce,
initiating the council with the Imposing
entrance of the bishops
They entered according to their length
OF service as bishops. walking in pairs
10 the chancel The venerable Ri. Rev.
DR.. j Williams OF Connecticut, the patri-
arch OF the body. was necessarily absent
by reason Of his advanced age and intrm-
ity, and so, too, was Bishop Clarke Of
Rhode Island.
First in point OF service came that white
haired pillar OF the Episcopacy, Rt. Rev.
Bishop Whipp,e Of Minnesota. somewhat
bowed with his years of eminent service
in the church, but stil vigorous In ac-
ton and strong in intellect. To the white
robes and wide black collar of his Office
were added the crimson academic hood,
hanging like a cape down his back, and
the purple cap of the senior presiding
bishop.
Following him came Bishop Wilmer OF
Alabama. Bishop Nicely Of Maine, Bishop
futile of Missouri, Bishop White Of
Virginia, and the other heads of the
church the young and new members clos
ing the procession.
Bishop Whipple conducted the service,
and In fervent tones led the opening pray
er. Then followed the service Of the Epis-
copal Church, Bishop Nicely reading the
epistle, Bishop Wilmer the gospel, and all
the bishops uniting in repeating the
creed
Rev. DIT. McKim Of Epiphany made the
announcement OF DR.. Williams absence
and that Bishop Whpple would preside
over the assemblage Of bishops until a
The business session OF both houses
We're announced TO begin at $3.50 p. m.
Bishop futile Of Missouri then assembled
the pulpit and delivered the sermon.
The actual business of the council began
at $50 O'Clock when the two houses met
separately, the House of Deputies being
open to the public. Rev. Morgan Dix,
d. D., of New York city, was unanimous
ly chosen presiding officer
Rev Dr. Charles II. Hutchine Of Con-
cord. Mass, was chosen secretary of the
council.
The committee appointed at the last
council to report upon the religion of the
constitution submitted its report to Dr.
Elliott of Washington. 1t was determined
TO take up the constitution tomorrow and
make 1t continuous special order until
disposed of.
communication in Spanish was re-
ceived from Filipino delegates now in the
city. A special committee was named TO
translate the document and lay it before
the house.
Ii was determined to make a pilgrim
mage on the 18th inst. 10 jamestown ISL
and, in The James river, Va, where in
1907 the Episcopal Church was first found
ed in this country. A day will be also
spent in Richmond.
The House of Bishops organized by
electing Bishop Doane of Albany as pre-
siding officer, and re-electing Rev. Sam
uel Hart, d. D.. Of Hartford, as secre-
tary.
The bishops also accepted the invitation
for pilgrimage to jamestown Island on
the 18th.
-S-ap-s
rnE n mn A