Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-06-18
Diocesan Convention.

cese of Vermont was held at Vergennes
on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Of
this week, June IA, Is and 16, the bust
ness sessions being held in the city hall.
Evening prayer was said at 30, Tues
day in St. Pauls church, the remainder Of
the evening being devoted to meetings Of
the trustees of tie Vermont Episcopal In.
stitute, the board Of land agents, mission
airy committee, standing committee of the
diocese, and committee on Christian educa.
ton.
On Wednesday morning prayer was SAID
at $50 in St. Paul's church followed by
the Holy Communion. Convention met
for organization in the city hall at 8 sc
Rev. W. F. Weeks Of Brandon being re,
elected secretary and Rev. George Y
Bliss of Burlington appointed as his assist
ant. At 9.15 the convention adjourned tc
the church for the Communion, the Ri
Rev. A. c. A. Hall, D. D., being cele
brant assisted by the Rev. H. P. LEI
Graham, the rector of the parish. Even
ing prayer was said at7.00. Business SEES
sions of the convention we're held in the
city hall from 1890, 12A. M, 1, 6, 7 80
0P.M. The bishops address was the
order of the day at II o'clock in the morn
ing We dne.day and dealt with the state Of
the church, the official acts of the bishop,
changes in the clergy list, neurology, etc
The bishop dwelt at large upon the ques
ton of methods of raising money for parish
expenses especially with reference to en-
tertainments and church fairs. The ad
dress will be printed for distribution.
In the important business transacted
were the amendment of the constitution
and canons of the diocese to allow of fulle
representation of the laity of the perma
nently organized missions of the diocese il
the convention upon the same general con
ditions a., those which govern the repre-
senta alton of parishes, involving also the as
sessment of these missions for diocesan ex
penses; the election of delegates from
the diocese to attend the general conven-
ton at Washington, D. c., in October
the appointment of committee to inquire
into the titles of church property and Sc
cure the better preservation of titles and
deeds; provision for increased efficiency in
the conduct of the missionary work of the
diocese, beside much other business OF less
general interest.
| The standing committee of the diocese
for the coming year was elected as follows ::
Rev. j. Isbam Bliss, D. D., Rev. w. F.
Weeks, Rev. 7. R. Foster, Messrs. Arthur
OF Burlington, Briggs of Brandon and
Seward Webb of Shelburne.
Delegates to general convention Rev.
j. l. Bliss, D. D., T. B. Foster, D. L..
Sanford, W. H. Collins, Messrs. Henry
Wells, E. l.. Temple, G. E. Parker and
George Briggs.
Missionary committee: Revs. D. l..
Sanford, B. w. Atwell, George Y. Bliss,
Messrs. G. E. Parker, John Locke and E.
l.. Temple.
Examining chaplains substantially as last
year. The usual standing committees Of
convention we're appointed by the bishop.
The report of the treasurer of the diocese
was remarkable for the excellent financial
showing for the year, all assessments hav
ing been paid in full with very few excep-
tons and expenses promptly met. The re-
ports of trust funds showed large increase
in diocesan endowments.
The missionary committee showed ex-
penses fully met and large deficit from
last year wiped out, the latter through two
generous gifts of $1,000 each from DR..
Seward Webb and Mr.. LEG. B. Cannon.
The office OF general missionary was dis
continued for the present because of the
need OF establishing organized mission sta
lions in the fields which have been de-
veloped by this agency, the restored health
of the bishop also permitting his reassum-
ing much Of the special work which during
the last days of Bishop Bissell and the first
years of the present diocesan was neces-
sarily laid upon the general missionary.
Cordial appreciation was expressed for the
efficiency of the present general mission
airy, DR.. Harris, in his performance of his
duties in this office.
The sessions on Thursday were largely
devoted to the second reading and final
adoption of changes in the canons. The
next convention was appointed to be held
in Emmanuel church, Bellows Falls on the
third Wednesday in June 1899.