The times., 1898-09-25

The triennial convention of the Pro-
testant Episcopal Church of America,
which will open in this city on October
S, promises TO be an event of unusual in
terest, as it will attract prominent figures
of the church and business men from all
parts of the country.
The social end of the convention is ex-
pected TO be one of the events of the
season, as many of the wealthy layman
delegates are preparing to entertain In
lavish style while here. J. Pierpont Nor
gan has leased the Carpenter mansion, on
Sixteenth Street, for the month of Octo-
Der, and he will endeavor to make pleas
ant the sojourn of his friends in the
capital.
The opening service of the convention
will be held on Wednesday, October 5. at
Epiphany Church. The admission will be
by card only and so great is the demand
for tickets even at this early date that
the members of the executive committee
have decided to act personally as ushers.
All of the bishops of the church in the
United States are expected to attend, and
be present at the opening service, at
which preliminary service of about an
hours duration will precede the sermon.
Legislative Methods.
The organization of the convention is
somewhat peculiar in that II is typihca-
ton Of the legislative branch of the
United States Government. There will be
two legislative bodies-the house of bish-
ops and the house of deputies. All the
regular dioceses throughout the country
select and send four delegates 10 each
house
There also viii be delegates from the
missionary dioceses of Japan, China, Bra
zil, Liberia, Mexico, and some from Eu-
rope and other countries The mission
ary diocese can select only one clerical
and one lay delegate, and the powers OF
these delegates are very limited in the
convention. They have the right to take
part in the deliberations of their respect
I've bodies, but have no vote.
The law provides that the senior bishop
shall be the presiding officer of the house
of bishops. Bishop John Williams, of
Connecticut, is the senior bishop of the
church. 1t is understood, however, that
he will be unable 10 attend, and Bishop
Whipple, of Minnesota, VIII doubtless
preside.
Rev. Samuel Hart, D. D., will act as
secretary of the house of bishops. The
house of deputies elects its officers at
each convention. Heretofore DIR. Morgan
Dix, of New York, has been the presiding
officer of this house, and he will proba-
bly, be chosen to officiate IN that capacity
at the coming convention. Rev. c. l..
Hutehins will act as secretary of the
house of deputies.
The Divorce Question.
There are number of important ques-
tions to be decided by the convention.
The one that has perhaps peen the most
talked about deals with marriage and di-
vorce The committee on canons have
prepared a report which, If adopted by
the convention will forbid any minister
OF the Episcopal Church to solemnize any
marriage in which either of the contract
ing parties have been divorced on any
ground whatever. This report was made
up by a minority of the committee and
as 1t is the most advanced stand taken
by any Christian church on this question
| it viii very likely be modified somewhat
before it is ratified by the convention as
| a whole.
Another interesting and important ques-
ton at this time. and one which is likely
establishment of missions in the newly
acquired American territory. The Episco-
pal church has not heretofore paid as
much attention to the establishment of
missions in other countries as some of
| the other denominations, and 1t is said
that it costs more to bring one heather
into the Episcopal church than into any
of the other churches.
The Church In Hawaii.
The New York Churchman, under its
| ing considerable attention to this matter
lately, and the question is considered
particularly appropriate at this time. Ar
rangement will. doubtless, be made to
establish chapels in Cuba, and to revive
! the one already existing in Porto Rico.
| The Episcopal church is very strong in
| Hawaii, but under an English bishop,
! who has sworn allegiance to the English
| crown. 1t would not be surprising if an
| American bishop would be sent there to
take charge, and the church property
turned over to the American church.
A number of auxiliary bodies will also
meet during the convention. One of the
most conspicuous of these is the Wo-
mans Auxiliary, the opening session will
| De Helu III ITlhily IHuECL, ana the DuSl-
ness session thereafter in National Rifles
| Hall.
Two buildings have been leased on G
| Street, opposite Epiphany Church, where
| general offices and headquarters for the
! different committees and delegates will
| be established.
The following local committees are
making arrangements for the convention
and the work is rapidly progressing.
Committees and Delegates.
Executive committee-Rev. Richard P
Williams chairman; E. N. Waters, secre.
tary; Col George Truesdell, Col Ceci
| Clay,-J Holdsworth Gordon, Frank w
Hackett, Major ]. G. Bell, w. D. Bald
win, Rev. r. A McKim, D. D.; Rev. j
| H. Howell, and Elisha S. hutchinson
Finance committee-Col. George Trues.
| dell, chairman; w. w. Burdette, Johr
7. Armes, A. Y. Gray, John L. Newbold
Dr. D. C. Gordon, H. l.. Bryan, w. c.
Hill, John H. Chew, J. R. Cook, DR.. j
C. Norwood III. l.. Rust, c. w. Howard
Adam Gaddis, Henry l.. Mathews, Julius
w Tolson Arthur S. Brown, Leroy Tut
tie, Rudolph Johnson, Theodore N. Nc
| Avoy, r. S. Chew, John F. Paret Charles
J. McCubbins, Milton Whitney, and JohT
W. Sebastian.
Hospitality committee-Col Cecil Clay
chairman; Edwin F. LOCKER, Frank NJ
Evans, Henry P. Blair. George w. Salter
and Albion X. Paris.
Transportation committee. Holds
worth Gordon, chairman; Edward H. Tai
colt. and Percival G. Melbourne.
Press Committee-Frank w. Hackett
chairman. Richard Hamilton actinl