The times., 1898-10-22
HOUSE OF DEPUTIES.
Committees Report ON the Mission
ary District of Ky0tO

Committees Report ON the Mission
ary District of Kyoto.
The thirteenth day of the triennial
Episcopal convention began and ended in
rain, and a depressing effect was the re-
suit in the House of Deputies.
The work of the convention has given
the greatest satisfaction to the interested
ones.
The revision of canons and constitution
has resulted in smoothing out many diff
ficult points, and its trend has been in the
direction of broadening the atmosphere OF
the church. Doors that have been guard
ed with closely-drawn bolts have been
opened, and admission therein made
easier for applicants.
The great field for missionary work in
this and foreign countries has been thor
oughly discussed and provision made In
many cases for the work of the church
to be extensively carried on.
The Morning Session.
During the morning session the COM
mittee on the admission OF new dioceses.
TO which was referred the resolution of
the House of Bishops in its message No.
8. concerning a missionary district of
hyoto, reported the following:
This matter came before your COM
mittee in exactly the same form three
years ago, and 1t was recommended tc
non-concur. minority report being pre-
sented. Your committee has given the
subject new and prolonged consideration,
both by hearing testimony and by mu-
tual conference, and find:
First. An extensive territory with a
population of 100000 already divided
into two dioceses by action of the church
In Japan, while four dioceses with pop
ulation of 2iOo0,000, are administered to
by the Church of England
Second. A request comes from the
kyo.o district for separate Episcopal su-
pervision. The judgment of the native
church is of weight in this matter, as the
value of further Episcopal supervision is
largely determined by the ability of the
bishops to meet the need felt by that
church. man familiar with the field,
sharing the peoples confidence and re-
ceiving the church authority would be
of great Influence for the progress of the
work
Third. While the number of the Amer
lean clergy is small, the number of CON
gregations and of native clergy is already
considerable. and the opportunity for in
creasing these. by a large and wise ad-
+.-'--A7NAoNiNAis 10 ililOsl WllHDul
Your committee cannot regard the
work of a bishop in Japan as of the same
character in detail as is his work In
American dioceses and among nominaIly
Christian peoples. The need Is not merely
for Episcopal supervision or superintend-
ency, but for ecclesiastical statesman
ship. This is not a matter Of districts
and dioceses. but an opportunity for a
wise Christian man sent forth under the
church's commission.
Fourth. Three years ago a reaction
had set in on the part OF the japanese
against foreign Institutions. because OF
the failure of Japan to obtain recognition
among the nations. Treaties so recogniz.
Ing her take effect the coming year.
me opportunity. therefore, is ripe for
leadership toward an independent national
church in Japan. This result may be still
far distant, but We dare not put any
obstacle In the way of It's fulfllment
An alternative of risk must always be
taken when new and unusual action IS
| entered upon.
Recognizing the great opening await.
ing the Christian church in Japan; in
response 10 the request of the American
| and native workers in the districts in
terested. with view to facilitate pro-
| gress toward an independent nationa
church; in the hope and in the confident
trust that the man of power for this
leadership will be found. your commit.
tee recommend TO the House of Deputie.
| the following resolution:
Resolved, That the House of Deputie:
concur with message No. from tn,
House of Bishops. setting apart the mis-
sionary Jurisdiction OF Kyoto."
This resolution was adopted by. th.
House of Deputies.
!
The committee on the increased respon
sibility of the church offered the fol
| lowing:
| Resolved, the House of Bishops con
curing. That the, present situation of tn
church in Hawaii is such as TO rende
1t inexpedient that the church in tn
United States should interfere at thi
time with the existing states. and tn
consideration of spiritual jurisdiction
therein should be postponed until con
ference shall be had with the authoritie
of the Church of England.
Second, resolved. the House of Bishop
concurring, That in behalf of Porto Rice
the Board of Managers of the Board O
Missions, be requested 10 take such ac
tion as, after conference with the Bisho
of Antigua, may be declared practicabl
and desirable.
lnlru, resolved, the House OF BlShOI
concurring, That the matter of the car
of English speaking people in Mexico /
referred TO the members of this joir
commission (the Bishop of Chicago an
the Bishops of New York;, who are men
bers of the provisional committee Il
church work. with instructions to brin
the subject to the notice of said prov
sional committee.
Fourth. resolved the House of BishoI
concurring. That a joint commission
consist of three bishops, three presbytel
and three laymen. be appointed, to who
shall be referred the question of respol
sibilities growing out of increased te
rity assumed. or to be assumed by TIL
| government with instructions to asce
| tain by correspondence, and. If possibl
personal visitation all creditable facts
the case and TO report to the Board
Managers of the Board of Missions sue
facts with any recommendations whiC
, they may think it expedient TO make. -
The resolutions of the committee on il
,, creased responsibility were referred
, the joint commissions. with the exceptio
of the Hawaiian resolution, which W;
adopted. The committee on resolution
relative to the stipend of s400 yearly f
missionaries. asked that they be excuse
from further consideration of the subjeC
Their request was granted.
S Court of Trial.
' The first resolution offered by DIR. Dit
chairman of the committee on canons an
, constitutional revision, reads:
e Resolved. the House of Bishops concurring. Th
the following change be made in the constitute
e and that the proposed alteration be made know
TO the several dioceses, in order that the sal
| may be adopted in the next general conventiC
: | in accordance with article of the constitutic
| ne folln,rs. Strike ont article Of the cnnsfii