The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-16

The convention of the Protestant
Episcopal church, which opens to-
night in Wilkes Barre, will be Of un-
usual interest to the people of this part
of Pennsylvania, as the question of
dividing the diocese of Central Penn
sylvania will be discussed. The pres
ent diocese contains 25,2Sl square miles
and its population, according to the
latest census was 2,141 1903 persons. Two
years ago the question of the division
was considered but a systematic can
Yass made at that time disclosed the
fact that but about one-fourth of the
parishes were willing to consider the
matter.
Last year it was revived and at the
Altoona convention a committee was
appointed to propose an equitable line
of division and report at the next con-
vcntion. This committee consisted of
Rev. Or. Allen, of Bethlehem Rev.
Rogers IsraeLof this city; Rev. Charles
Madison, of Sunbury; Rev. DR.. Pow
ers, of Pottsville; Mr.. A. ID. Holland,
of this city; Judge North, of Colum'
bia; Major Clement, of Sunbury, and
Mr.. w. Il. Butler, of Mauch Chunk.
awaited with interest. Many consld-
erations must enter into the problem of
dividing a large, active and prosperous
diocese like Central Pennsylvania,
which is one of the most important In
the American Episcopal church. Pres
ent and future needs, growth of popu-
lation, financial strength, general lines
of travel, mission work, ETC., must all
be weighed and compared and the az
justment of satisfactory line is a
problem of no small magnitude.
A DIFFICULT PROBLEM.
Several lines have been proposed and
it is impossible to suggest any which
will present no difficulty and meet with
no objection. The plan which will
eventually be adopted and which is
understood to have the approval and
support of the bishop, will probably
be a modification of what is known
colloquially as the North and South
line. This plan consists Of the erec-
tion Of new diocese, which may natu-
rally have the name of the diocese of
Eastern Pennsylvania, Wayne, Wyom-
ing, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Mon
roe, Carbon, Northampton, Lehigh,
Schuylliill and Berks.
The opinion seems universal that this
diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania would
bestrong andvigorous and compact with
all points easily accessible and along
natural lines of travel, and that its
potentialities in growth of population
and in church advancement are very
great. 1t has a population of about Il
million and a quarter, and will at the
outset have seven thousand five hun
dred and sixteen communicates and
property valued at S1,457,000.
The remaining twenty-five counties
which will naturally retain the present
name of Central Pennsylvania, will
constitute a territory destined for IA
still more remarkable future. 1t con-
tains the great and important cities
and towns of Wiliamsport, Harris
burg, Lebanon. York, Altoona, Bed
ford, Carlisle, Chambersburg. Sunbury,
Huntington, Gettysburg, Bellefonte,
Columbia and Danville. The district
with its present boundaries will have
a population of 1,134,000 with 5,97& COM
municants and church property valued
at nearly twelve hundred thousand dol
lars.
The line Of division as above de-
scribed will curiously enough divide
the present Episcopal Endowment
fund about equally and thus greatly
simplify the work of division.
PROGRAMME FOR CONVENTION.
The order of exercises for the con-
vention will he as follows:
Tuesday evening-Eirst session of the
convention. 1t will be preceded by the
regular order of evening prayer, al T. 30,
opening with the professional, headed
by the vested choir and followed by the
clerical and lay delegates, vestry of st.
Stephens, etc. The professional will
emerge into the church from the parish
building through the choir or transept
door, will file down through the church
by the north aisle, thence out through
the tower door into the vestibue and
thence up the middle aisle, the choir go
ing to their places as usual in the tran
sept and the clergy Will take seats re-
served for them in front After evening
prayer Bishop Talbot will present his
report for the year and there will he
special music by the choir,
Wednesday, s a. m.-Holy communion
and ordination of candidates for the
priesthood. Followed at 10 O'Clock by
business sessions of the convention.
morning and afternoon, open to visitors
In the evening at $50 there will be a
reception in the parish building for the
visiting clergy and deputies and for the
parlshioners and friends of st. stephens
Thursday. 10 a. m.-Consecration of St
| Stephens church, with address by the
Rt. Rev. Bishop Henry c. Potter, of the
diocese of New York, whose father
preached the dedicatorY sermon in this
| old St. Stephens fifty years, ago. The
| professional for the conservation ser,
| vices will form in the parish house and
| thence will proceed out OF the south door
| and around the church to the front en-,
/ nte eI