The evening times., 1899-05-12
THE EPISCOPAL CONVENTION.
New Church CanOnn Adopted After
Considerable Discussion.

The third days session of the Episcopal
convention was opened al 10 o'clock this
morning in Trinity Parish Hall, Bishop
Satterlee presiding. Divine services were
conducted by the clergy of Trinity Church,
assisted by the Rev. C. l. La Roche rec
tor OF Durham Parish, Charles county.
Maryland; Layman J. II. Gordon was
elected TO fill a vacancy on the standing
committee. The proposed changes in the
canons of the church were then taken up
for consideration. The following sections
were passed after some discussion.
The preseuters. OF such person or persons as
may he appointed In writing by them. ma
iority Of them, shall he one party TO the trial.
and the accused shall he the other. written
notice of the time and place of the first meeting
Of the court shall he served at least thirty days
before such meeting the accused. and also
on of the persons making the presentment-
II at the time appointed for the first meeting
of the ecclesiastical court the whole number of
five shall not attend, then those who do attend
not being less than four shall constitute the
court and proceed with the trial. and a majori
ty Of them shall decide all questions.
II at the time appointed for the first meeting
of the court, the clergymen presented, after hav-
ing had due notice shall not appear before the
court, they may nevertheless proceed as II he
present. unless for good they shall
See ft 10 adjourn until another dav.
When the court proceed to the trial. the evil
dence shall be reduced writing. II or dur
ing the trial the accused shall confess the truth
OF charges as stated in the presentment, the
court may dispense with hearing further evidence,
and may proceed at once to state their decision
to the bishop twho is to pronounce the SEN
tence) to the sentence that ought to be pro-
nounced.
Upon the application OF either party to the
court. and IT being made TO appear satisfactorily
TO them that any material witness cannot be
procured upon the trial. the court may appoint
a commssary 10 take the testimony Of such wit
ness. Such commissary may be either a clergy
man or layman, and the party so applying shall
give TO the other at least six days notice Of
the time and place of taking the testimony
Both parties may attend and examine the wit
ness. The witness shall be sworn by some civil
officer competent to administer oath The
questions and shall be reduced to writ
ing. and shall be certified by the commissary,
and transmitted to the court, and il compe-
tent shall be received by them as evidence. All
notices and papers contemplated under this canon
may be served by one or more summoners
to be appointed by the court, and their certif-
cate Of such service shall be evidence thereof
In case Of service by any other person. the fact
shall he proved by the affidavit of such person
written notice or paper delivered to party
or left at his last place Of residence shall be
deemed a sufficient service Of such notice or pa
per. Counsel shall be allowed on both sides,
not exceeding two to either. at the pleasure Of
the parties. The court shall appoint some per-
son TO act clerk. to record carefully the pro-
ceedings.
The chancellor of the diocese, in case of his
inability declining to act. some person learned
in the law to be appointed in his stead by the
bishop. in there is no bishop, by the
standing committee. shall attend the sessions of
the court. and act as its assessor and legal ad-
wiser, and shall also act as the legal adviser Of
the court Of appeals, in every case arising under
this canon and Canon MI. but shall have no
vote upon any question arising upon trial
or hearing or in any proceeding before said
court.
Two additional sections were passed
with few alterations. During the
morning the Rev. DR.. C.sK. Nelson.
Bishop, Of Georgia, was introduced to the
convention.
The following new legislation. affecting
ecclesiastical courts. will be proposed to
the convention this afterROon oand are ex-
pected to cause a lengthy discussion as
there seems to be much diversity OF Opin-
ion regarding the changes:
At any time within fourteen, days after the de-
livery Of the judgment Of thS Aecleeiastical court
the accused may take an appeal by filing his
timony and record Of the pepcs9 Pgs ofsthe &C.
clesiastical conrt shall be IL Fitted 10 the
court of appeals and the caN, shall be heard,
considered. and determined Upon the same. The
decision Of said court. shall b. .&nel.
II the defendant. being 4eSllA Of doctrinal
unsoundness, shall have been mot guilty"
of the charge or charges aiIsGe3 against him,
the case from the ecclesiagtisa} court to the
court Of appeals, under the Nine rules and con-
ditions as are prescribed III Section I Of this
canon.
The court of appeals shall Qopsi4 Of the bishop
and six members of the standing committee, the