The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-02

definite percentage of his income to
the advancement of the cause of our
Lord and Saviour.
Voice was given to the need gilmore
laborers in the vineyard. the impor-
tance of Christian education was en-
phasized at this memorable session,
during which four bishops were conse-
Grated as follows:
Rt Rev. Alexander Gregg, Texas
Diocese; date of conservation. October
IS, 1853. at Monumental Church.
Rh. Rev. William Henry Odenheimer,
New Jersey Diocese; date of consecra-
ton. October 10, 1859 at ST. Paul's
Church.
Rt. Rev. Gregory Thurston Bedell.
Ohio Diocese: date of conservation, oc-
tober 10, 1859, at ST. Paurs Church.
Rt. Rev. Henry Benjamin Whipple.
Minnesota Diocese; date of consecra-
ton, October Is, 1859. at st. Janes's
Church.
The statistics for that year give over
two thousand clergy. AT none of our
triennial gatherings had there been
a more marked hospitality. a more gem
erous and large souled remembrance
that all We're brethren, and a more
hearty devotion to the church of God
Thirty-six bishops, 131 clerical and
los lay deputies We're In attendance.
Constitution of the Convention.
To the church in general convention
belongs the right to propose, and, at
subsequent meeting, to ratify changes
in the constitution.
"a general ecclesiastical constitution
of the Protestant Episcopal Church in
the United States of America was pro-
vided by the convention Of 1855. This
document Is of first Importance, em-
bodying as 1t does the principles un-
derlying our organization. 1t consists
OF eleven sections The "Memoirs of
the Church by Bishop White, of Penn
sylvania. throw much light on this con-
vcntion and it's work. Sounder views
prevailed in the session of 1856, by
which episcopal conservation was OBJ
tanned for the Rev, Dr. White. of Penn.
sylvania, and the Rev. DIR. Provoast, OF
New York. Bishop Burgess, of Maine
wrote of this convention: mo assembly
of the American Church has occupied
itself with transactions OF greater
pregnancy than those which, in octo-
Der, 1856. We're settled by the voices
of twenty men in two days
AT the next convention it was en-
acted that (Article II1.): - Until
there shall be three or more bishops
any bishop attending a General Con.
vention shall be a member ex ofIicio,
and shall vote with the clerical depu.
and bishop shall preside" This
change secured the adhesion of Bishoy
Seabury and the churehmen of New
England. The House of Bishops organ
lied in the adjourned convention o
1889.
The 1892 conssntion.is memorable o.
account of the conservation of tn
Bishop OF Maryland. Through Bisho
Claggett, the succession az trans
United through the Scottish and Eng
lish lines, was united, and through tn
first bishop consecrated in Americ
every subsequent American bishop ca
trace his episcopate lineage.
The present constitution of iii
church was approved at San 1Trar
ciscoSin 1901, and finally adopted &
Boston In 1904
Canons.
The General Convention may enae
canons. which are of obligation on tn
whole body OF the faithful, at an
meeting.
Such body of canons was adopte
IN 1883. AL the adjourned meeting
the same year Bishop Seabury appea,
cd, and was the first president of I'll
frst session of the House Of Bishop
With the presence of clerical deputjt
representing Connecticut Massach,
sets and New Hampshire, there w;
the desired union of the churches
Eleven canons We're adopted in $50
"a additional canons in 1923; importa,
additions We're mare in 1929; amor
others. canon of 1885 prohibited
candidate for Holy Orders from n
cepting the office of deputy to conye
Il ton; six canons were adopted in 1874
canonical provision respecting t
rights of bishops on visitations al
certain regulative measures were g
acted In 1850; many important cano
were adopted in 1853. when there we
majority and minority reports on I
judiciary system of the Church and
ID Canon of Appeals and Canon of I
Penal Law of the Church proposed;
1856 disciplinary and other canons we
adopted, aud others failed after 10
discussion; two new canons and i
merous changes We're made In the ,
listing canons by the convention
1872.
81, The whole subject of revision q
REMEMBERING OF the canons has oc
pied the attention of bishops and del
lies for some years past, and will
an important item of business in
;ss 1907 convention.
The Prayer Book.
The church In convention ASSEM-
may propose and ratify changes In
Book of Common Prayer or other
Aces of the church, and in the Arti,
81 OF Religion. The convention in /
failed to propose an acceptable list
changes: the chief business III the i
pessions was the adoption of litul
In 1908 IL was proposed that the c
stitution be amended In Article s
Isl 70 provide that mo alteration or a,
iipn shall be made in the Book
Common Prayer or other Offices of
ehprGh Unless the same shall DC ,