The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-10-19
THE EPISCOPAL CONVENTION.
Important Changes in Constitution Con
sidered Yesterday.

Warrington, OCTOBER 1o.-InlS govern
ment's assumption of the sovereignty over
Porto Rico at noon today was the subject
of an eloquent prayer at the religious
services of the Episcopal convention,
the bishops and deputies having directed
that suitable reference be made to this
national event. The prayer was prepared
by Bishop Satterlee of Washington and
was as follows:
E.."Oh:God, Whose Providence orders all
things in heaven and on earth, and Whose
will controIleth the issues and events Of
the life of nations, we acknowledge Thy
goodness which has guided and blessed
the counsel sndarms of the nation. to the
relief of an oppressed people, and the VIC
tories of peace.
Guard us from signs of self-seeking and
vain glory. Fill us with the spirit of
wisdom and of Thy holy favor. Humble
us under the burden Of the new duties
with which our government Is charged.
Strengthen the hands and sarctify the
hearts of those upon whom must come
the solemn decisions of this hour, and In
the new countries and nations to which
on this day our rule is to extend, grant
us grace to establish upon the best and
surest foundation the sovereignty Of good
government, true liberty, justice and
love. that seeking in all things to do Thy
will. we may be made instruments of Thy
glory through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
Amen"
Al the business session of the deputies,
the standard Bible came up for discus
sion and steps were taken to guard this
standard by constitutional provision.
A resolution was adopted directing the
nreparation of a suitable resolution on
the standard Bible and fixing the man.
NJ. of its alteration.
The house also adopted a resolution
nreparing further action upon the prOpo-
sition to amend the title of the constitu-
tion which made reference to the HProtes-
tant Episcopal" church.
Concurrence was given to the action of
the bishops extending offences for which
: : bishops may be tried to include "condnot
unbecoming bishop.
Another phase of the marriage and
divorce question was presented in res-
olution BY Rev. DR.. Fulton, which was
placed on the calendar, providing for a
committee OF thirteen deputies to report
six months prior to the next tri-ennlal
council on the subject of marriage and
divorce.
| Among the resolutions presented and
| referred were those of Rev. DR.. Nelson
| of Virginia for the erection in Washing
ton, D. c., OF suitable building for
holding future conventions of the churah.
Consideration of the amended constitu-
tion was then resumed, article one Whlch
| had been passed over, being taken up
| Among the changes proposed was that OF
Rev. DIR. Mallory of milwaukee to- MAKE
| the presiding bishop of the church an
arch bishop. The proposition was taDieo
Article was amended by a provision
| that a diocese shall not be dlVlueo
| while there 1s a vacancy in the blshopilo
| A new section was added providing 1haC
no new diocese shall be created py less
than six self supporting parishes and TX
presbyters. %
At the afternoon session the house OF
deputies adopted article V. OF the pro-
posed revision of the constitution WIN
the changes already noted. The article
relates mainly to the formation OF new
dioceses. Article TX. led to consiueraI;,o ;
debate. 1t provides the means OF trylng
bishops and presbyters for various
offenses. One of the new provisions gave
| bishops the right to have case reviewer
| by court composed of bishops only,
| Objection was made to this on the gTouna
4 thas it gave the bishops pr1yIlegeo
court and invited conflict with the s u
preme ecclesiastical court which is likely
to be established. On the other hano'
it was argued that the bishops were en-
titled to be tried by their peers. A!ter
| lengthy debate the provisions for tryl
bishops by "bishops only was upneNa' .
1854 to 1913. Article TX was finally re-
committed to the committee for revision.
The house of bishops at its afternoon
session passed new canon provloing'
that, when a new rector is to be elecGeo'
the bishop shall be notified and no eieo-
tion shall take place until thirty Gays
thereafter. Most CT tine afternoon Voc
given to the question of the consecraolng
q bishop for Brazil The question wa
finally referred to committee consistine
of the bishops OF Kentucky. Chloaso'
West Virginia, Maryland and TIE coao'us'
| fer. hishnn of Rhoda Island