Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-10-22
EPISCOPAL

Episcopal Church, arising through the
changed conditions of Cuba, Porto Rico
Hawaii and the Philippines, was pre-
sented to the general convention in
Washington yesterday in a report OF a
special committee appointed to consider
the condition of affairs in these outlying
islands. AS TO Hawaii, the joint COM
mittee reported that the status was not
u simple one, owing to joint action with
the Church of England, which had been
entered upon by agreement, with the
late bishop of California. Without ex-
pressing au opinion as to the ultimate
church work in Hawaii as part OF the
United States, they recommended that
good faith required conference with the
Church of England before entering up
on independent work.
Concerning Porto Rico, the com
mittee reported that the existing pollii
Cal, social and religious conditions were
such ~ to warrant immediate action
there. There is a church at Ponce I'M
der the direction OF the Church OF Eng
land, and the committee was informed
by Il United States army officer that
there was no objection to turning over
this church TO the American church. ut
is reported the report proceeds, that
the educated classes have broken away
from the Church OF Rome and are an
tngouistic to its priesthood"
The committee proposed n resolution
that missionary work begin in Porto
Rico after conference with the Bishop
Of Antigua.
The conditions in Cuba, the COM
mittee reported, were practically the
same as in Porto Rico. Some help al
ready had been given the Cuban people
by the Church Missionary Society. Ia
! view of the desirability of lull informa.
ton, the committee recommended q
Joint commission 10 consider the sub
ject. The committee also pointed out
that attention must be given TO Cuba
not only as a possession OF the United
States, but as possibly an independent,
self governing country.
Concerning Hayti, Mexico, Brazil and
other countries, it was recommended
that the increased responsibilities be
submitted to a Joint commission of three
bishops, three %clereymen and three
laymeu.
The report caused some controversy.
The California and Oregon deputies de
sired immediate action as 10 Hawaii
| pointing out hat postponement might
lead TO serious results. 1t was proposed
that a hearing be given to Mr.. Osborn,
who will be present in behalf OF the Ha-
vain church. This was tabled, on the
| statement that such a hearing would
open up some personal dissensions eX
sting in the Hawaiian church. The
} committee recommendations finally
were upheld and its several resolutions
adopted.
Among the propositions adopted were
those establishing a new missionary
district in Kjoto, Japan: disseminating
further revision Of the hymnal; agree
ing to further conference with bishops
on final date Of adjournment, and es-
tablishing Il special committee to re-
port on the question OF q standard
Bible.
The establishment Of the general fea-
lures Of a judicial system for the church
came up on the consideration Of article
IN, of the proposed revision Of the
constitution. As finally presented, the
article provides courts for trying Dish
ops, presbyters and d%eacons, courts OF
review, ard an ultimate court Of ap
peals to consider questions of doctrine,
faith or worship. The main criticism
was directed against the clause provid-
ing that bishops shall he tried by "bish-
ops only" The clause was retained
after much discussion, and a vote.
The House of Bishops agreed on a
committee of FIVE bishops-South Da-
kota, New Mexico, and Arizona, the
Platte, Spokane and Duluth-to pre-
pare n code OF canons for missionary
districts. The election of a bishop for
Asneville was put OIL until to-day,
when a bishop for the new district Of
Kioto, Japan, probably will be select
ed.
At the afternoon session the House
of Deputies confirmed the action Of the
bishops in selecting bishops for mis-
sionary districts as follows: For Boise,
Rev. James Il. FunsteD; for Sacrament
to, Rev. Vim. II. Moreland; for North
Dakota, Rev. Samuel L. Edsall,
The work of revising the constitution
was completed during the afternoon by
the adoption OF article 8, relating to
courts for the trial of ecclesiastical o.
lenses.
TIE deputies disposed of the ques-
ton of marriage and divorce for this
general convention by adopting q reso-
luton offered by Mr.. Francis Linde
Stetson, OF New York, creating q special
committee of thirteen members, to
whom is referred the entire subject,
with instructions to report prior to the
next general convention.
The bishops at their afternoon ses,
sion agreed to the report and resolu-
ton already before the deputies rela.
ting to Cuba, Hawaiia, Porto Rico and
other countries. They disagreed to the
action Of the deputies discharging the
commission revising the hymnal. thus
leaving this work TO De continued.
Wednesday of next week will, in all
probability, mark the close of the tri-
email convention of the Episcopal
Church in the United States, which
Will then nave peeu III ses7lou III Tue
Church of the Epiphany three weeks.
Yesterday the House Of Bishops
communicated q message to the House
of Deputies announcing that, owing TO
the large amount OF unfinished bust
ness remaining to be disposed of. it
would be unable to conclude its sessions
on Tuesday morning, as had been pre-
viously agreed upon. and accordingly
"Wednesday was set for final adjourn