The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-10-04
TRIENNIAL COUNCIL
OF the Episcopal Church About to
Assemble at Washington.

Washington, Oct. A notable as
semb1age of the clergy and laity of the
Protestant Episcopal church will be
brought together at the triennia1 coun-
Gil Of that church organization which
begins here tomorrow and continues for
three weeks. The council is the legis-
lative organization of the Episcopal
church in America and is made up Of
two bodies, a house of bishops comprIs-
ing all Episcopal bishops throughout
the country and on missionary service
from this country and a house of cleri-
cal and lay delegates which more di-
rect1y represents the churches. The
last council was held at Minneapolis
three years ago and was memorable for
the personnel of its delegates and the
high character of the discussion. Since
then new and important questions have
come before the church not the least
arising out of the Lambeth conference
in England and the relations which the
American church is to sustain to the
parent church of England.
The council this year aggregates
about $50 delegates including bishops,
clergy and laity. Besides these there
are a number of adjuncts to the coun-
Gil, including the Woman'S auxiliary
and the board of missions, which hold
their sessions at the same time. Many
of the delegates will be accompanied by
their wives and families and altogether
it is expected that the council will draw
together about 5000 persons interested
an the Episcopal church work.
The house of bishops has a member
ship of "a bishops, representing all the
organized diOceSeS and the missionary
jurisdiction. The presiding bishop Is
the venera bic Right RevJohn Williams
of Connecticut, but he is not expected
to attend, owing to his advanced age.
Next in seniority is Bishop Clark of
Rhode Island, but he also is likely to be
absent, leaving Bishop Whipple of Min
nesota as the senior bishop present. As
such he will call the council together
and conduct the opening services on
Wednesday morning. At these services
both houses sit together, after which
their business sessions will be held in
dependently. The house OF clerical and
lay delegates is made up of eight dele
gates from each of the So Episcopal d1-
oceses of the country of which four are
cIergymen and four lay delegates The
mission jurisdictions comprise an i'm
mission Jurisdictions comprises an I'M
portant branch of the organization.
there being % within the territory OF
the United States besides those in for
eign lands. Ten new bishops enter the
council for the first time this year; viz:
Bishops Rowe of Alaska, Burton of
Lexington, Johnson of Los Angeles.
Satterlee of Washington C. M. Williams
of Marquette, Morrison or Duluth,
Brewster of Connecticut, Gibson of Vir-
ginia McVickar of Rhode Island and
Brown of Arkansas.
Among the subjects to be discussed,
the question of marriage and divorce
viii doubtless occupy prominent place.
other important questions will concern
the provincial system, the establish
ment of an appellate court Christian
unity, Swedish orders, Ecclesiastical re-
lations, relations to the Lambeth con-
ference the translation of the prayer
book, marginal readings in the Bible,
etc.
The report of the joint commission
on the constitutions and canons of The
church is by far the heaviest piece of
work before the convention.
The sessions of the house of bishops
are secret, but those of the clergy and
Iaity, are open to the public. The busi-
ness of each day will be preceded by
religious services and communion. The
Washington clergy and laity are pro-
viding every accommodation to make
the stay of the delegates agreeable and
larger local committees are in charge
of the several branches of reception,
hospitality, public comfort, etc.