Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-22
THEIR INCREASED RESPONSIBILITIES
By americas New Possessions Subject Of
Discussion in Episcopal Convention.

responsibilities of the Episcopa
church, arising through the change
conditions of Cuba, Poro Rico, Hawai-
and the Philippines, were presented te
the general convention. today, in the
report of a special committee appoint.
ed to consider the condition of affairs
IN those outlying islands AS to Ha-
vail, the joint committee reported that
the sttaus was not a 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 expressing an
opinion as to the ultimate church work
or Hawaii as a part of the United
| states, the committee recommended
that good faith required confidence
with the Church of England before en-
! tering upon independent work.
/ Concerning Porto Rico the commit
tee reported thatthe existing political
social and religious conditions We're
such as to warrant immediate action
there. There is church at Ponce I'M
der the direction of the Church of
England and the committee was in
formed by a United States army officer
that there was no objection to turning
| over this church TO the American
church. 1T is reported the report
proceeds. that the educated classes
have broken away from the church of
Rome and are antagonistic to its
| priesthood" The committee proposed
a resolution that missionary work be-
gin in Porto Rico after conference with
the bishop of Antigua.
| no IL, nho fba ,y,ift loo
reported, We're practically the same as
in Porto Rico. Some help already had
been given the Cuban people by the
church missionary society. In view of
the desirability of full information. the
committee recommended a joint commits
sion to consider the subject. The COM
mittee also pointed out that attention
must be given to Cuba, not only as a pos
session of the United States, but as pos
sibly an Independent, seif-governing coun-
, try. Concerning Hayti, Mexico Brazil
/ and other countries it was recommended
| that the increased responsibilities be
submitted to a joint commission of three
bishops, three clersymen and three lay
men.
| The report caused some controversy.
/ The California and Oregon deputies de-
| SiFtu immaculate uCtiOU DIS TO hawaii,
| pointing out that postponement nigh,
lead to serious results. 1t was proposed
| trat 4 hearing be given to Mr.. Osborn
who was present in behalf of the Iia-
waiian church. This was tabled on the
statement that such hearing might
open up some personal dissensions exist
i ing in the Hawaiian church.
| The committee recommendations were
l q
adopted
| Among the propositions adopted
| We're those establishing a missionary
| district in kyoto, Japan: disseminating
| further revision of the hymnal; agree
| ing to further conference with bishops
| on final date of adjournment and es-
tablishing a special committee to re-
port on the question of standard
Bible.
The establishment of the general
| features of a judicial system for the
| church came up on the consideration
of article IN of the proposed revision
| of the constitution. AS finally pre-
| scented that article provides for trying
| bishops presbyterys and deacons
courts of review. and an ultimate
court of appeals to consider questions
on doctrine, faith or worship. The
main criticism was directed AGAINST
the clause providing that bishops shall
be tried by bishops only" The clause
was retained after much discussion
| and a vote by the House of Bishops
agreed on a committee of five bishops
South Dakota. New Mexico and Ari-
IONA, the Platte, Spokane and Duluth,
to prepare code of canons for mis-
sionary districts. The election Of q
bishop for Nashville was put off until
tomorrow. when a bishop for the new
district of kyoto, Japan, probably will
be selected.
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 f. Funston: for
Sacramento, Rev. Vim. H. Moreland;
for North Dakota, Rev. Samuel c.
Edesall.
The work Of revision the constitu-
| ton was completed during the after
noon by the adoption of Article TX re-
lating to courts for the-trial of ecceles-
iasticai offenses.
The Deputies. today, disposed of the
questions of marriage and divorce for
A this general convention by adopting q
resolution offered by Mr.. Francis
Lynde Stetson of New York. creating
!, special committee of Is members
to whom are referred the entire sub
ject with instructions to report prior
tothe next general convention. Tho
bishops at their afternoon session
agreed to the report and resolutions
already before the Deputies relating
to Cuba, Hawaii, Porto Rico and other
countries. They disagreed tothe &c
ton of the Deputies discharging The
commission revising the hymnal, thus
leaving their work to be continued
Bishop Doane, presided at the fina
meeting of the Board of Missions at tlai
, Epiphany church, tonight. Bishor
, Gailet of Tennessee, read the conclu
sions Of the committee. which consider
ed the report of the board Of managers
The report stated that the foreign mis-
sionary fields held opportunities in tn,
far East andsin Africa never realizet