Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-10-19
A PRAYER FOR PORTO RICO.
Proceedings of the Episcopal Conventio n
Discussing the Standard Bible.

A PRAYER FOR PORIO RlCO.
Proceedings of the Episcopal Convention
Discussing the Standard Bible.
Washington, October 1S-This gov
ernment's assumption of sovereignty
over Porto Rico at noon to-day was the
subject Of an eloquent prayer at the re-
ligious services of the Episcopal con-
vention, the bishops and deputies hav-
ing directed that suitable reference be
made to this national event. The pray
er was prepared by Bishop Satterlee,
of Washington, and was as follows:
20 God, whose providence orderest
all things in heaven and earth, and
whose will controlleth the issues and
events of the life of nations, we ac-
knowledge. Thy goodness which has
guided and blessed the counsels and
arms of our nation to the relief of AN
oppressed people and to the victories
of peace. Guard US from all sins of
self-seeking and vain glory. Fill us
with the spirit of wisdom and of Thy
holy fear Humble us under the bur-
den Of the new duties with which our
government is charged. Strengthen
the hands and sanctify the hearts OF
those upon whom must come the SOL
emn decisions of this hour. and in the
new countries and among the nations
to which on this day and from this
day our rule is to extend. Grant us
grace to establish upon the best and
surest foundation the sovereignty of
good government, true liberty, justice
and love that seeking in all things to
do Thy will we may be the instruments
of Thy glory through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen
Bishop Doane, presiding officer of
the house of bishops, and Rev. Nor
gan Dix, presiding officer of the house
of deputies, joined in directing the
services, and all the bishops and depu-
ties united in the national prayer.
At the business session of the depu-
ties the standard Bible came up for
discussion, and steps were taken to
guard this standard by constitutional
Drovisioaa Rev. DIR. Fulton, OF Phila-
delphia, had submitted q eeries OF
queries as to the existence of a stand
ard Bible, to which a committee re-
ported that the church had a standard,
namely, that published in 1872 and
adopted in general convention in 1922;
that no alterations had been made
since then, and that the exclusive use
of the standard Bible was obligatory.
In view of the report, a resolution
was adopted directing the preparation
of a suitable constitutional provision
establishing the standard Bible and
fixing the manner of its alteration.
The house also adopted resolution
postponing further action on the
proposition to amend the title Of the
constitution, which makes reference to
the Protestant Episcopal' church.
C6lcurrnce was given to the action of
the bishops extending the offences for
which bishops may be tried to include
conduct unbecoming bishop"
Another phase of the marriage and
divorce question was presented in a
resolution by Rev. Fulton, which was
placed on the calendar, providing for a
committee Of thirteen deputies to re-
port six months prior to the next tri-
ennial council on the subject of mar
riage and divorce.
Among the resolutions presented
and referred were those of Rev. Dr.
Wilson, of Virginia, for the erection
building for holding future conventions
of the church.
Consideration of the amended con-
stitution was then resumed. Article I,
which has been passed over, being
taken up. Among the changes pro-
posed was that of Rev. DR.. Mallory,
of Milwaukee, to make the presiding
bishop of the church an archbishop.
The proposition was tabled. Article I
was then agreed to as reported. 1t
provides in detail for the triennial gen.
eral convention and it's method of do
ing business. Article V was amended
by provision that a diocese shall not
be divided while there is a vacancy in
the bishopric A new section was add
ed providing that no new diocese shall
be created by less than six self-sup-
porting parishes and six presbyters.
The House of Bishops, at the morn
ing session, amended the canon on ex-
animation for deacons' orders so as to
require examination on the prayer
book. Changes were made also in the
provision for transferring a clergyman
from one diocese to another.
At the afternoon session the House of
Deputies adopted Article V, of the pro-
posed revision of the constitution, with
the changes already noted The article
relates mainly to the formation of new
dioceses. Article TX led to considerable
debate. 1t provides the means of trying
bishops and presbyteries for various
offenses. One of the new provisions gave,
bishops the right TO have a case reviewed
by court composed of bishops only
Objection was made to this on the ground
that it gave the bishops a privileged
court and invited conflict with the SUI
prene ecclesiastical court which is likely
! to be established. On the other hand. it
was argued that the bishops were en-
titled to be tried by their peers After
lengthy debate, the provision for trying
bishops by bishops only was upheld,
| 16A-12S. Article TX was finally recon-
mitted to the committee for revision.
The House of Bishops, at its afternoon
session, passed a new canon providing
that when a new rector is to be elected.
the bishop is to be notified, and no cleo
ton shall take~place until thirty days
thereafter. Most of the afternoon was
given to the question of consecrating
bishop for Brazil. The question was
finally referred to commitfo carc;st;r~~