The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-20
SHoRN OF SOME AUTHORITY.
BISHOP CANNOT NOW VETO THE
CALL OF A RECTOR.


Bishop Nelson Asked if They Were
Resign-Rev. Harry CasseI With
drew From the Convention.
Atlanta, May 19-The bishop of the dio-
oese of Georgia was shorn or some of his
authority by the Episcopal convention to-
day.
| This was not accomplished until after
a somewhat heated discussion in the body
of the convention and when the new ca
non was finally adopted, Bishop Nelson
himself took the floor and made a talk
that had considerable feeling in it,
In addition to this the convention wit
messed another extraordinary incident.
This was the withdrawal of one of the
clergy because missionaries were refused
an equal standing with the regular clergy
in certain respects.
The curtailment of the bishops author
ity occurred upon the report of the COM
mittee on revision of the canons which
recommended the adoption of canon 20, in
| place of canon 80. The change meant that
the bishop should hereafter be only con-
suited and conferred with when vestry
wished to call a clergyman into a parish,
and took away from him the prerogative
of vetoing any decision the vestry might
make.
Under the old canon a Vestry could call
no minister into the diocese without the
full approval of the bishop. Under the
new canon the vestry can override the
objection Of the bishop and make a call
after a conference in which the bishop
has declared against the call.
He Will Not Resign.
In the discussion over the new canon
| the suggestion was thrown out that Bish-
| op Nelson would resign if It was adopted.
but the bishop when it was all over. and
it came his time to speak, declared that
| he would remain with the diocese to the
| end.
| Mr. 2. D. Harrison of Atlanta made a
| stirring argument on the Subject He said
| that in 1896, in Augusta the diocesan con-
| vention was called upon to vote upon a
| new canon in the place of canon SO, which
would have given the vestry the right
! by a two-thirds vote to have called a
minister, even over the protest of the
! bishop. That measure was voted down,
! and the one now under consideration was
] substituted dr a SUI VI compromise meas
ure, for it called for conference but
was silent as to any arbitrary action of. a
vestry
| Does a cause for the irritation exist7
| l say yes" he said, but let me say that
there has been no friction or trouble by
our bishop exercising the power delegated
to him by canon 80. l have gone to my
| bishop often for advice and consultation,
and he has ever been ready to aid me
IL
| convention should believe that there Is
| any danger of our bishop exercising any
| arbitrary power under the old canon.
Persuasive Counsel Wanted.
There can never be any free conference
unless ali parties to that conference stand
upon an equal footing 1t is persuasive
| counsel and advice rather than authority
| that we want from the bishop. Author
| ity such as is given by canon 80. will ever
| hang a sword-a constant threat to the
peace and harmony of the diocese. In
| huence is better than that authority"
Under the demand of the convention the
vote was taken by orders which meant a
! roll-call of the delegates. 1t resulted for
the new canon-clergy, 10; parishes and or
ganized missions, 1913; total, 3115. Against
the new canon-elergy, 10; parishes and or
ganized missions, 21s; total 1918.
Then Bishop Nelson took the floor. He
said he had refrained from speaking about
the proposed change in the canons of the
diocese because he did not wish to infiu-
ence the convention in its action by any
views he might entertain.
why Are You Irritated Q"
81 wish particularly to direct my re-
marks" said the bishop. TO the claim
that the old canon was she cause of fric-
ton and irritation in the diocese. The
object OF canon 80 was not to provide the
bishop any unreasonable power, but It was
framed for the protection OF the parishes
themselves, and heaven knows they need
it, for serious mistakes have been made
in some dioceses in the calling of clergy
men. 1 am satisfied that If a certain
| clergyman had been permitted by you,
bishop to have been called Into Georgia
about three years ago, a trial for heresy
would have followed.
Il say rather than TO have adopted the
new canon it would have been better 10
let the so-ealled irritation go on. Irrita-
ton is sometimes beneficial. Mustard
plasters and ly-blistsrs often do much
coed. But why are you irritated? With
me? What have l done?
mo man in this convention can truth
fully say-I say truthfully, and by that
mean with the truth from up yonder-the
bishop has ever used the power given him
by canon 33 iliegitmately or harshly
He Fears No Trouble.
Let me say that have no idea of ra-
signing / feel called of God to serve tbis
diocese as bishop. l fear no trouble be-.
tween you and myself by the new canon
but it may come with some of nv sue.
cessors. ] love you too dearly, and h.
lieve you love me too dearly, for any trou.
bic to come between US that will be m
furious 10 the church. / simply say thar
believe you have made a mistake n
will now be possible for a parish to call n
new rector against the advice OF your
bishop, and believe the irritation Will he
transferred from the conventio6 and tho
bishop to the parishes and the bishop II
is my judgment that The new canon ls
fraught with more evil than anything that
has ever existed in the diocese an evil,
however, that l believe will not affect the
relations of your present bishop and the
parishes of the diocese"
Rev. Mr.. CasseII Withdrew.
Upon me adoption Of an adverse com.
mittee report in regard to a resolution
,,,b.ob no had introduced Rev Harry C,o.