The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-20
FIVE LINES OF DIVISION.
CREATION OF A NEW EPTsCoPATE
LEFT TO ANOTHER CONVENTION.

The Prncticability of n Division OF
the Present Diocese to De COnsid-
cred by the Pnrishes-If n New
Diocese Is Created 1t VIII Be
known as the Diocese of Atlanta.
The old Diocese VIII Retain Its
Present Namc-The Revised Com
stItution ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OH
GERS and Delegates TO the General
Convention ChOsen-The Estab-
Iishment of the Elliott Memorial
Hail.
At the sessions OF the diocesan conven-
ton of the Episcopal Church Of Georgia
yesterday the revised constitution was
adopted in its entirety, further steps were
taken toward the establishment OF a
church hall at Mnledgcville as a memorial
to Blshop Elliott. the much anticipated re-
port of the committee on division of the
diocese was received and action deferred
to another session Of the convention which
will probably be held in the early fall, do
cesar officers ar ~delegates to the general
convention were elected. and considera-
be volume Of other less important business
was transacted.
81. Phillips Parish, Atlanta, was select
ed as the place for the next annual meet
ing of the convention, May II, 1889.
Whether the Episcopal Diocese of Geor-
gia shall be divided into two dloceses viii
not be decided by the present convention.
The matter is in allegiance pending fur
Their consideration by the clergy and the
laity of the various parishes. Guided by
the light thrown upon the subject through
the elaborate report presented by the
special committee last night. the subject
will be finally passed upon at special
session of the convention called in time to
take final action before the meeting of the
general convention at Washington in Oc-
tober
The report was voluminous and
showed that the committee had stud
ned the question from every possible stand
peint From their own experience of the
time and thought necessary 10 gather the
large mass of facts and figures contained
in their report the members of the COM
mittee stated that they would not Insult
the intelligence of the conven-
ton by believing that its members
were ready at this time TO vote intelligent
ly upon so important a question, nor did
they think the question had been sufli-
GENTLY agiTa,vd in the parishes of the do
cese. They accordingly subm tied three
resolutions, which were unanimously
adopted. These resolutions were as fol-
lows:
That the report be received as informa-
ton and printed in the journal, and also
that 900 copies of the report be immedi
ately printed and copies sent 10 every
clergyman in the diocese. with the request
that they distribute them among their
congregations.
That a committee of five be appointed to
carry into effect the previous resolution
to ascertain from the vestries of the sew
eral parishes whether they will accept
small assessments for the support OF the
bishop, In view of the fact that under the
new constitution they are entitled to repre-
eentauon in the convention, and 70 obtain
pledges for the fund for the permanent
support Of the episcopate.
That If the results obtained by this COM
mittee are, in its judgment sufficient TO
warrant further action, then, that the
bishop be authorized to call a special SEES
sion of the convention, before the meeting
of the next general convention In Octo-
Der, to take final action IN the premises.
If the division is made the old diocese,
that is. the one In which Savannah win be
the episcopal city, win be known as the
diocese Of Georgia, If the committees rec
oumendation is followed, while the new
one win be known as the diocese of At
lanta
Prior to the presentation of the report of
the committee, Bishop Nelson made a per-
eonal statement.
After explaining that the initiative for
a division of diocese must under canon !
zeal regulations, come from the bishop, ne
said that The conclusion had been irresist-
IDLY forced upon him that the interests OF
the church required that dioceses be |
smaller than IS the rule in the United
States, and brought within the compass
OF one mans ability to make the church !
work successful and progressive Whole
states, vast tracts as large as all England
and Wales, as under the present system,
make il impossible to properly visit and
supervise the work in all sections. Beyond
furnishing all Information possible, the
bishop stated he had done nothing fur
ther toward bringing out division of the
diocese.
The thought of a division was as horrld
to him, the bishop said, as to any one. He
did not despise. but valued sentiment, but
proper sentiment should not deteriorate
the feeling for maintaining the diocese
with its boundaries unimpaired but ex-
perience had shown him the growing ne
cessity for such a change. He had striven
zealously TO visit every section of the do
cese impartially. and give faithful service
where most needed. He had constantly
endeavored to put himself in easy commu-
mcatlon with all parishes, and especially
those most requiring advice and fostering
care-the poorest, struggling members OF
the church family Il would be very pain
flu for him to sever his connection with
any part of the diocese. His only per-
sonal thought in the matter was that of
personal insufiiclency for a vast volume
OF work that is all important.
The bishop pointed out that there were
great difficulties in the way of such a d-
vision as suggested division lines. sup
port and other essentials requiring care
full consideration. He assured the CON
Vention that the matter had been gone
over by him carefully and prayerfully.
Further than that he has not gone, wish
ing the convention to act with az Htt1a