The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-06
EpiscopaIians, In Convention at
San Francisco Decide to Con-
stitute Two New Missionary
Districts
ONE INTHE PHILIPPINES
OTHER IN PORTO RICO
Diocese ofMassaChusettS is to be
Divided, the House of Bishops
Concuring With the House of
Deputies in Conserving to This
important Change

San Francisco, Oct. 5.-The triennial
convention of the Episcopal church ac-
complished considerable work today,
although the session of the house of
deputies was ended shortly after l
o'clock. The house of bishops, how
ever, remained in session later and
their action will be far-reaching in Its
effect. In recognition of the import
ance of the new possessions OF the
United States, two missionary districts
were constituted.
One of these which consists of the
Islands of Porto Rico and Viques, has
long been controlled by the bishop OF
Antigua, who owes allegiance to the
church of England. By the terms OF
mutual agreement, the monetary con-
sideration being only $3.50, the bishop
of Antigua withdraws his right to the
religious control of the church in these
islands and transfers all church build
ings to the Protestant Episcopal church
of America. The second new mission
airy district is that of the Philippine
| Islands, which is recognized as being
well worthy the /attention of the
church.
The house of bishops, also effected
| an important change by concurring in
| the action Of the house Of deputies in
consenting to the division of the diocese
of Massachusetts. A fact worthy OF
note is that the old diocese gives 500,
| 900 in cash to the new one, besides
| turning over to it much valuable church
property. The gift was raised entirely
by voluntary contributions.
The bishops also took action on the
first seven amendments to the consti-
tuition already adopted by the deputies,
all of them being affirmed with the ex-
ception of the fifth. which was tempo
rarily held in allegiance. Consent was
given to change the name of the do
cese of Indiana to that of Indianapolis
as all the state is not within the
boundary Of the diocese. This, with
the appointment of a committee to take
into consideration the question of ex-
animation of candidates, for admission
to Holy Orders. constituted the chief
work of the bishops
An interesting feature of the day was
the discussion created in the house of
deputies by the reading of a proposed
amendment to the constitution, which
provides for 1.-THE temporary use of
other forms and directories of worship
by congregations not in union with
the church who are willing to accept
the spiritual oversight of the bishop of
| the diocese or missionary district"
Some of the opponents Of the measure
professed to see nit a menace to the
solidity of the church through the ex-
traordinary individual power 1t would
confer on the bishops, while others de-
clared it would open way for the
| instroductfon of mass and other forms
of Romanish worship. It's champions
asserted that the whole purpose of the
proposed amendment was to give the
missionaries a freer scope in their eff
forts to bring within the church those
converts who may be unable or unwill-
ing to accept the book of common
prayer.
Considerable eloquence was devel-
oped by the debate. and when the
hour of adjournment come, the lay
auditors were not tired of listening to
the arguments.
The Kings Daughters held sessions
at St Luke's Church, being welcomed
to the city by Bishop Nichols of Cali
! fornia After communion service re-
ports were read, the election of officers
being deferred until the next session.