Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-10-19
EPISCOPAL CONVENTION.

The General Convention OF the
Episcopal Church, now 10 session
in Washington, received holy COM
munion yesterday in st. Johns Church
in commemoration of the feast of St.
Luke, aud q special prayer was offered
10 observance of the formal occupation
of Porto Rico by the United States gov
eminent. Bishop Doane officiated at
the communion service, assisted by
Bishops Satterlee and Davies and Rev.
DR.. Dix.
At the business session OF the depu-
ties the standard Bible came up for dis
cussion and steps were taken TO guard
this standard by constitutional pro-
vision. Rev. DIR. Fulton, of Philadel-
phia, had submitted q series of queries
as to the existence of q standard Bible,
10 which the committee reported that
the church had o standard: namely,
that published in 1912 and adopted in
general convention in 1923, that no al
terations had been made since then,
and that the exclusive use OF the
standard Bible was obligatory. In
view of the report, resolution was
adopted directed the preparation OF a
suitable constitutional provision estab
fishing the standard Bible aud fixing
the manner of its alteration. The
House also adopted a resolution post
poDing further action on the PROPOSE
tion to amend the title of the constitu
atiA
protestant Episcopal' Church. Con-
currence was given to the action OF the
bishops extending the offenses for which
bishops may be tried to include con
duct unbecoming bishop"
Another phase of the marriage and
divorce question was presentt d in a
resolution by Rev. Fulton, which was
placed on the calendar, providing for
committee Of thirteen deputies to re
port six months prior to the next trien-
NAL council on the subject Of marriage
and divorce.
Among the resolutions presented and
referred were those Of Rev. DR.. Nelson,
of Virginia, for the erection in Wash
ington of suita BILE building for holding
future conventions OF the church.
Consideration of the amended consti
tuition was then resumed, article |
which had been passed over, being TAX
1 en- up. Among the changes proposed
I was that of Rev. DR.. Mallory, of Mil
waukee, to make the presiding BISHOP
OF the church an archbishop. The
proposition was tabled. Article wa,
! then agreed to as reported. 1t pro-
vdes in detail for the triennial general
convention and its method OF doing
business. Article Y was amended by
"a provision that diocese shall not be
! divided while there is q vacancy in the
bishopric. 4 new section was addec
providing that no new diocese shall be
created by less than six self-supportins
parishes and six presbyters.
The House Of Bishops, at the morn
ing session, amended the canon on ex
aminations for deacons' orders so as Il
require examination on the Prayer
| Book. Changes were made also 10 the
provision for transferring a clergyman
from one diocese TO another.
At the afternoon session the House
OF D puties adopted article Y, of tat
proposed revision of the constitution
with the changes already noted. The
article relates to the formation Of new
dioceses. Article N led to consider
able debate. 1t provides the means o
trying bishops and presbyters for va
rious offenses. One of the new pro
visions gave bishops the right to have {
case reviewed by court composed 0
bishops only. Objection was made t.
this on the ground that it gave thu
bishops q privileged court and invited
conflict with the supreme ecclesastica
court, which is likely to be established
On the other hand, it was argued tha
the bishops were entitled to be trieC
by their peers. After lengthy debate
the provision for trying bishops by
bishops only" was upheld-164 to 12S
Article X was finally recommittei tC
the committee for revision.
The House of Bishope at its after
noon session passed new canon pro
vidng that when new rector is to be
elected, the bishop shall be notified
and no election shall take place Until
thirty days thereafter. Most OF the
afternoon was given to the question o.
consecrating q bishop for Brazil. The
question was finally referred TO com
mittee consisting of the bishops of Ken
lucky, Chicago, West Virginia, Mary
land and the coadjutor bishop Of Rhode
Island.
The House of Deputies may pass q
canon on marriage and divorce framed
by its committee and send it to the
! House Of Bishops for concurrence.