The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-10-14
their increasing generos.

report of Secretary Hart recommend
ing the correction of several errors OF
print in the standard copy OF the Book
OF Common Prayer. kept at the mission
house in New York and OF which Mr..
Hart is the custodian.
The bishops also agreed TO the
changes in the golden numbers" in
the prayer book, by which the Easter
dates are ascertained for the next 800
years. beginning with 1900.
Almost the entire afternoon session
OF the house OF deputies was consumed
in debate on the amendment OF the
constitution providing for the forma-
ton of provinces out OF the diocesan
and missionary districts. and Il was
finally recommitted TO the committee
for recommendation and report on
certain amendments offered during the
long discussion.
An amendment offered by DR.. Hunt
-ington. Of New York, was adopted.
providing that no province shall be So
bounded as TO contain only fractional
portion of state or states.
The action OF the house Of bishops in
changing the golden numbers in the
Prayer Book and making certain cor
rection OF print therein was agreed 10.
In the house of bishops the report Of
the church university board of regents
was agreed 10 and resolution adopt
ed. abolishing the board. The existence
of the body is regarded as unnecessary
as its work is now done by volunteer
association having, for its object the
promotion Of the interests of the
church, schools, semnaries and col
leges. This action of the bishops was
afterward agreed to by the deputies.
After some discussion of Articles >
and of the proposed new constitu-
ton relating to the organization OF the
general convention and the conseCra-
tion of bishops for foreign service. the
bishops formally non-concurrred in the
action of the deputies and a conference
committee will be appointed.
The provision in the constitution that
no city shall form more than one diO-
cese was stricken out
After briefly touching upon the pro-
posed new canon of marriage and di-
vOrce the bishops adjourned.
Washington, October 12.-Included
in the preliminary routine business
transacted by the house of deputies of
the Episcopal council at its session to-
day was a resolution reported by Rev.
DR.. Duncan, of Louisiana, from the
committee on the state of the church,
having for it's object the publication
annually of the pastoral letters call
ing the attention of the people TO the
obligations resting on the church for
contributions for the support OF the
aged and infirm clergy. The resolu-
ton was adopted.
After an hours discussion the article
as reported by the committee was
adopted and is as follows:
"Dioceses and missionary districts
may be united into provinces in such
manner under such condition and with
such powers as shall be provided by
the canons of the general convention,
provided, however, that no diocese
shall be included in the provinces
without it's own consent"
Article s of the proposed new con-
stitution, relating to the qualifications
of priests and deacOns necessary to ex-
animation and conservation was then
taken up. An amendment proposed
by Rev. DR.. Easter of Los Angeles was
adopted, providing that in the declara-
ton of belief required of bishops,
priests and deacons, the word doc
trines" shall be in the singular form
as representing the fundamental prin-
ciple or belief of the church and op-
posed to the plural form which sets
forth it's teachings.
The article, which DR.. Dix explained,
was in accord with existing law ex-
cept with slight changes, was adopted.
Article regarding the trial of bish-
ops, presbyters and deacons for Of
fenses contrary to the discipline and
law of the church led to considerable
debate.
A message was received from the
e hn
lection of San Francisco as the place
for holding the council of 1901.
At their morning session the house
of bishops having received the report
of committee on the re-arrangement
of missionary districts postponed tenn
pOrarily the nominations of mission
airy bishops.
Nearly the whole of the afternoon
session of the deputies was consumed
in the consideration of article 8, an
amendment offered by Mr.. Stetson oi
New York, finally being adopted. II
provides for the establishment, by OIL
with the authority of the general con-
vention, of court or courts of appeal
with power to review the final determi-
nation of an inferior court as shall be
provided by canon. The whole article
was recommitted to the committee fol
further consideration and report.
Shortly before adjournment article
10 which relates to the use of the Book
of Common Prayer and seeks TO throw
safe guards around it with a view tc
preventing its hasty or inconsiderate
alteration was taken up.
Rev. DR.. Huntington, of New York
offered as an amendment to the article
a provision on the subject of Christian
! unity and made an impassioned ap.
peal in behalf of the principles en-
! bodied in the amendment. Without
action the matter went over until to
morrow.
The bishops spent the entire after
noon in the consideration OF the canor
I relating 10 the remarriage of divorced
persons, but without finishing IL ad
| journed until tomorrow.
I
| Captain MeCaiIa Stationed at Norfolk