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

The General Proceedings Of this Ro dy.
Acting on the Amendments To the
Constitution

The General Proceedings OF this Ro dy.
Acting on the Amendments to the
Constitution
Washington, October 10.-There was
no abatement today in the public in
terest attending the triennial council
of the Episcopal church, and large
crowds Joined in the religious services
at Epiphany church which preceded
the business of the day.
The expanding influence Of the
church was indicated by a memorial
from the Japanese diocese for the crea
tion Of a southern jurisdiction in that
country, and from the Anglican church
in Honolulu, heretofore fostered by the
English church, asking that in view of
the annexation of Hawaii to the United
States, the church of Hawaii be ANAL
gamated with that in this country, be-
coming a missionary jurisdiction. The
propositions were referred to commit
tees.
The divorce question came up and
was placed on the calendar for dis
cussion, following the resolution on the
czar's peace conference. The resolu-
ton to close the doors when the di
vOrce question came up led to a spir-
tied debate. Several deputies CRITICS.
ed the move toward secrecy. The
question Of closing the doors finally
went over until the divorce subject
was considered.
This cleared the way for the main
discussion of the day on the amend
ment of the constitution. This relat-
ed mainly to the internal organization
of the church and to the amendment
of article for the establishment of
standing committees in each diocese.
This article was agreed to after the
adoption of an unimportant amend
ment.
Article 5, Governing the formation
of new dioceses led to considerable de-
bate. 1t was explained by DR.. Dix, the
chairman of the committee that the
article contravened no existing regu-
lations, but laid down broad principles
governing the whole case.
Delegate Lightner of Minnesota
moved to strike out that feature of the
article which provides that no city
shall form more than one diocese, eX-
cept when the civil authority consoli-
dates into one city portions of territory
belonging to different diOceses, in
which case each portion of said terri
tory shall remain attached to the do
cese to which it previously belonged
until a change is made by the consent
of the general convention. This
amendment was finally adopted at the
afternoon session.
Article was then recommitteed for
further consideration by the commit
tee.
Article 6 was adopted on a vote by
diOceses.
Article Z led to sharp division over
the so-called provincial system. The
committee report provided for unit
ing dioceses into provinces. DR.. John
H. Egan of the committee, presented
a minority report holding that the civil
divisions of the country into states
should be followed by the church
without the creation of strictly eccles
iastical provinces" The subject went
over until tomorrow.
The house of delegates agreed to
resolution of the bishops repeating the
distribution society. This organiza-
tion was formed for the purpose of ac-
complishing the free distribution of
prayer books, but it's work has been
completed and this branch of church
labor is now attended to by the di-
ocesan association.
1t was decided to create a new
missionary district in Japan to be
known as the Kyoto district, which is
coterminous with the Japanese diocese.
The missionary will be selected by the
bishops.
A resolution was agreed to providing
for a general committee to which shall
be referred the resolutions presented
by the Lambeth conference.
Washington, October 11.-At the
opening of the session of the house of
deputies of the Episcopal council to-
day, Rev. Morgan Dix announced the
death yesterday at New London of
Hon. Benjamin Stark, lay delegate
from Connecticut. After a brief tri-
butte by Mr. Seymour, of Connecticut,
the telegram announcing Mr. Stark 5
death was referred to the committee
on memorials.
Rev. DR.. F. Davenport, of Tennessee,
from the committee on canons, report
ed a resolution discharging that body
from the further consideration of the
proposition for the revival of the Or
der of evangelists. The committee be-
lieves that a step of this character
should have its initiative in the house
OF bishops. The resolution was adopt
ed.
At IL o'clock the deputies went into
session with the house Of bishops, sit
ting as a board of missions, Bishop
Whipple, of Minnesota, presiding.
A beautiful incident of the joint ses-
| sion was the presentation and adoption
of resolutions complimentary to Bishop
Hare. of South Dakota. who has occu-
| pied that dignified position for twenty
| five years. The board also presented
| the bishop with handsome silver low
| ing cup suitably inscribed. The bishop
replied in speech full OF emotion and
| gratitude.
A resolution offered by Treasurer
George c. Thomas, of Philadelphia. was
| adopted, providing that on the second
! Sunday after Epiphany and on the
4 <Tr