The record-union., 1898-10-06
PROTESTANT EPISCOPALS.
TRIENNIAL COUNCIL IN SES-
SION AT WASHINGTON.
A Great Concourse of People At
tend Opening Services of Ma
tiona1 Body's Meeting.

WASHlNGTON, Oct. 5.-Wlth I'M
pressive ceremonies the triennial coun-
Gil Of the Protestant Episcopal Church
of the United States opened at il
O'Clock this morning in Epiphany
Church
The sessions beginning to-day have a
far-reaching interest and importance
TO the Episcopal organization of the
country, and, indeed, to the church
world at large, for, aside from the dls-
finguished personnel Of the Bishops
clergymen and laymen, the SUBJECTS
which will engage the attention Of the
two governing bodies of the church
nave a present and vital interest to the
church in general and to the Episcopal
Church in particular.
A great concourse gathered for the
opening services, far exceeding the ca
pacity of the church and overfowing
into the adjacent street. Conspicuous
m the throng We're the silver-haired,
black garbed Bishops forming the
House of Bishops, the chief governing
body of the church. The actual par
tlcipants in the council, including Bish-
ops, clergymen and laity, so numerous
800 or more-that but scant space re-
mained for the congregation not Off
cially connected with the proceedings.
Inside the chancel were arranged the
seats of the Bishops. Immediately in
front of the chancel were the seats of
the surpliced choir of fifty-f1ve voices,
while the body of the church was occu-
pied by the clergy and the laity few
pews still remaining for the eager
crowd. Notable among the lay dele
gates were noted Chief Justice Fuller
of the United States Supreme Court, of
the lay delegation from Chicago; J.
Pierpont Morgan, William Bayard Cut
ting, Francis Lynde Stetson and Cap
tain A. T. Mahan, representing New
York; George c. Thomas and James
Biddle Of Philadelphia; while the
clergy was represented by many promi-
nent in the church, including Rev Nor
gan Dix Of New York, who will prob
ably of1ciate as presiding officer of the
house of clergy and laity.
Promptly at II o'clock the strains of
the great church organ and the mixed
voices Of the choir f1oated through the
edifice, instituting the council with the
imposing entrance of the Bishops. Fol-
lowing the choir came the stately body
of ecclesiastics occupying the highest
places in the church. They entered
according to their length of service as
Bishops, walkink in pairs to the chan
eel.
The venerable Right Rev. DR. J. Will
Jams Of Connecticut, the patriarch of
the body, was necessarily absent. by
reason of his advanced age and infirn-
1ty, and so, too, was Bishop Clarke of
Rhode Island.
First in point Of service that came
was that white-haired pillar of the
Episcopacy, Right Rev. Bishop Whipple
OF Minnesota, somewhat bowed with
his years of eminent service in the
church, but still vigorous in action and
strong in intellect. To the white robes
and wide black collar Of his office were
added the crimson academic hood hang
ing like cape down his back. and the
purple cap Of the senior presiding
Bishop. Following him came Bishop
Wilmer Of Alabama, Bishop Neely of
Maine, Bishop Tuttle Of Missouri.
Bishop Whittier Of Virginia and the
other heads of the church, the young
and new members Of this high office
closing the procession.
Bishop Whipple conducted the service
and in fervent tones led the opening
prayers. Then followed the service of
AAAC GPLSSOpdA OuuACIl, BISHOP NeeIy
reading the epistle. Bishop Wilmer the
Gospel and all the Bishops uniting in
repeating the creed. Rev. Dr. McKim
of Epiphany made the announcement
OF DR.. Williams absence, and that
Bishop Whipple would preside over the
assemblage Of Bishops until a presid-
ing officer was chosen
The business session of both houses
were announced to begin at $50 o. m.
Bishop Tuttle Of Missouri then ascend
ed the pulpit and delivered the sermon.
Bishop Tuttle chose his text from
Isaiah liv., 2: Enlarge the place of thy
tent. and let them stretch forth the
curtain Of thine habitations; spare not,
lengthen thy cords, and strengthen
stakes"
Actual business of the council began
at $3.50 o'clock. when the two houses
met separately. the House Of Deputies
session being open to the public.
The Rev. DR.. Morgan Dix Of New
York was unanimously chosen presid-
ing officer.
The House Of Bishops organized by
electing Bishop Doane Of Albany as
presiding officer, and re-electing Rev.
Samuel Hart, D. D., of Hartford as
Secretary