The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-26
COMES TO AN END.
The Episcopal Triennial Council Of 1898
Passes into History.


Washington, oct. 25..After a. session
of three weeks. the Episcopal triennial
council of 1898 came to an end tonight.
Probably never before at one conven-
ton has the council transacted more
business than at this meeting, or so
much of vital Importance to the church.
The work accomplished included a com
plete revision Of the constitution with
many important amendments, also the
adoption of a number of amendments.
most of them Of minor character. to
the canons. The new constitution will
have to be ratified by the next sue
eeeding convention three years hence
before it becomes operative A matter
which has received the earnest atten-
ton cf the council has been the ques-
ton of church unity. upon which an
amendment to the constitution was
adopted.
A REIMBURSEMENT has been made of the
boundary lines of the missionary dis
trictS in the western and northwestern
parts of the United States, a new do
cese in Indiana has been created. six
missionary bishops elected, one for the
church in Brazil, and discussions had
bearing on the extension of the church
lppines. The failure of the new pro-
posed canon on marriage and divorce
caused considerable surprise, but this
has been left to a committee of thir-
teen members to prepare a report to be
made public nine months before the
convention.
Both houses finished their business
this afternoon and then adjourned I'M
til night, when they met in Joint SEES
ant ,a1
this time the convention was brought
TO close with a devotional exercise,
and the reading of the pastoral letter.
Inc pastoral recounts briefly the
work done by the council, asks that
next Whit Sunday, the seventh semi
centennial anniversary of the book of
common prayer, be observed in the
churches, halls with satisfaction the
wonderful harmony with which this
general convention by adoption of an
amendment to our constitution has
without weakening the case or lower
ing the value of the prayer boob, opened
the way towards teaching congrega-
tons of Christians unused to our lit
urg1cal forms, to accustom themselves
by processes of education to approach
and desire them, says that 1--WE are glad
while insisting upon the Importance Of
keeping the public school system of ed
ueation free from political intrigue or
UNCONVENTIONAL instruction. to urge all
the more, that it must be complement
ed and conserved by the more careful
and definite training in religion, in the
family, Sunday schools, in church
schools and colleges, and in the care
ful teachings Of the clergy Of the
church; recognizes the earnest and
effective work of the various organiza-
tions of the church and calls attention
to the fact that the list of commun-
icants has grown 10 per cent in the last
three years, and that the contributions
during that time exceeded those of like
preceding period by $1,150,104.
While this record is encouraging on
the one hand" the pastoral says. cit
leaves us impressed, almost, we may
say, oppressed, with the sense of duties
left undone and of opened doors into
which we have not entered.
We dare not face the future with
out a recognition of the fact that this
church needs the stirring up of the Wills
of the faithful to the plenteous bringing
forth of the fruit of good works, of
the giving Of their substance and them
selves to further the Masters work"