New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-28
BISHOP POTTER'S SPEECH.
HIS ADDRESS TO MEMBERS OF THE
DIOCESAN CONVENTION.
A STRONG STAND ON THE SUBJECT OF DIVORCE
AND SABBATH OBSERVANCE. But NO
MENTION MADE OF THE BRIGGS
CONTROVERSY.

The first days session Of the annual Conven-
ton Of the New-York Diocese of the Protestant
Episcopal Church marked by several points
Of great interest Bishop Potter took slahu
firmly upon the question of divorce. an opposluoh
ticket 10 the Standing Committee was placed III
nomination. and perhaps not least worthy OF Ho'''
the convention seized the occasion to pass reso-
luton expressive Of its regard for Admiral Dewey.
The convention was opened in the Church OF the
Incarnation Thirty ffth-st. and Madison-ave' al
10 a. H. by Bishop Potter. who acted az chaH-
man. A large number OF cergymen ana spec'"-
tors including many women, were present AHno"e
the well known clereymen who were present were
the Rev. Drs. O Applegate. + NJ Clendenih MOT
gan Dix W. y. Dunncll. W. NJ. Gcer. p. 5 Grant
u u Greer W NJ Grosvenor. Thomas H.
Harris f. a Hoffman, Thomas 7. HueheS'
W r. HUMPHREYS II. Dixon Jones. a. {. hlfloeI'
G. 7 Nelson J. Lewis Parks. J. T. Peters, W. =
Ransford. j S. Shipman. C. {. Iihany' H. H. >"'
Wrinkle w II. Vihbert a. Y. Nitmeyer ana He"'iH
ninety others About one hundred parishes OF the
Nev-York Diocese were represented by from one
to three delegates.
The formal opening Of the convention was P'V
coded by a celebration OF the Holy communion,
which was conducted by Bishop Potter assisted
bv the Rev DR. Morgan Dix. the Rev. Dr. Thomas'
archdeacon Of Orange County, and the Rev DR.
Tiffany. archdoacon OF New-York. Bishop Potter,
before he gave his address. read a list OF wei
known clergymen and laity who had died since the
last convention The list included among many
others Bishop John Williams Of Connecticut Bish-
Cd Henry Miles Pierce of Arkansas, and Corne-
Illus Vanderbilt.
THE ADDRESS OF THE BISHOP.
Bishop Potter in his address, after touching upon
various matters, took up the question OF divorce
HIS remarks on this topic excited unusual interest
inasmuch as he has been quoted as opposing 'Ile
changes in the divorce canon proposed last year
In his speech yesterday Bishop Potter declared
that the evil OF divorce had grown so greatly OF
late that a stringent canon, such as had peen pro
posed might be the only safe remedy, but he urged
that more thorough and far reaching remedy lay
in the greater care preliminary to marriage that
could be exercised by all connected with the
Church Among other things Bishop Potter SAID;
our General Convention, at its last session. gave
as YOU know. considerable attention 10 lhe plo-
posed amendments of our very inadequate canon
(as Il seems 20 mel OF marriage ana divorce. US
councils were as you aware divided upon tHS
question whether that canon could best be AMENDED
by Withdrawing from il all authorization OF re-
marriage, by making more stringent the coIluI-
Ordinary TO sanction with the authority OF these
words the remarrage OF the innocent party 10
divorce The whole subject has gained a new aspect
from events % which need not more particularly
refer here which have undoubtedly awakened IN
all sObcT-mindcd Christian people profound sense
o alarm, and the consensus of opinion among
them as To the necessity of legislation which shall
any circumstances whatever has greatly widened
and deeDcued