The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-18
ny THE REV. JOHN II. nnowx,
Score tary of the Diocese of Florida.

In every respect yesterday was the
busiest day yet spent by the two houses
OF the Episcopal General Conventions.
An important change was made in tha
missionary canon. Consent was given
to an alteration in the title page of the
prayer book, to meet the needs of the
mission field The King James version
was made the standard Bible, and per-
mission to use the revised version in
church was refused The negro ques-
tion was settled by providing for suf-
fragan bishops. Three new bishops
were elected, and one was translated.
Accompanying these va2ious notions
was a series of discussions at all times
interesting and occasionally very strik-
ing.
To-day the rush of work will con-
tinue. and Tomorrow the convention OF
1907 will come to an end with an i'm
pressivc closing service in Holy Trinity
Church. 1t has been a great meeting,
and clergy and laity alike will leave
over what has been accomplished for
the church and of regret over leaving
scenes that have come to be So pleas
ant within the past few weeks.
state of the Church.
One. Of the most Interesting reports
received by the House of Deputies was
presented by the committee on the
SlalS OL lnc CuuEGu. AZ tuc DcS
of the report II was stated that on
account of the condition of the dio-
cesar reports sent in 1t was almost Inn
possible to obtain really accurate
statement of statistics. This Is due to
two facts-the difference in the man-
ner Of reporting in the different dio-
oeses and the carelessness of the sec-
bretaries. 1t often requires much work
to obtain the necessary information,
but it Is absolutely Impossible to de-
termine the true condition of the
church without this necessary infor-
nation. accurately given. A far more
icrcdltable showing would be made il
the information could only be, obtained.
But In spite of this the COMMITTEES
discovered q most encouraging condi-
ton existing. In almost every branch
of church activity great advance has
been made.
Altogether. It was most excel-
lent report full OF sound and helpful
suggestions.
The Tf1lc Page.
= Dr. Grosvenor, of New York. several
days ago offered a resolution to amend
the missionary canon by striking ont
the words foreign and domestic IN the
title of the society. But, II being sug-
gestcd by the treasurer, Mr.. Thomas,
that this change would create great
deal of difficulty, II was deemed best
to refer the matter to committee
to report to the next General Conyen-
tion.
Quite lengthy discussion was pro-
voked by messages from the House
of Bishops. proposing to alter the title
page of the prayer book by striking
out the words according to the use
OF the, Protestant Episcopal Church In
the United States OF America" AS
was stated yesterday. the object was
to get rid OF the word protestant,
Which, 1t was claimed meant intidel
or atheist to the humber classes OF
Mexicans and other peoples speaking
Spanish or Portuguese, The objection
raised was that the message from tho
House of Bishops made 1t allowable
to change the title page in all eds
tions of the prayer book After much
discussion the bishops message was
amended by substituting for their res
olItion one recommended by the COM
m!ttee of the House OF Deputies on
to the constitution, which
provided that the alterations should
be made only In prayer books printed
In foreign languages and to be used
outside OF the bounds of the United
States. One OF the chief reasons for
opposing this action was the fear lest
it was really an opening for the
change OF the name. This action Is n
not, however, final. for It has to be
acted upon by the bishops. then res
terred to the diocesan councils and be E
acted upon at the next General Cons II
vention
Important Changes.
1t Viii be remembered tnat several
nights ago, while the canon on prov y
inces was under discussion. Mr.. Pepper.
OF Pennsylvania, promised that IL the &
proposed legislation was dsfaate,h he
would Introduce such amendments to IA
the canon on missions that the end \
sought by the province canon would Z
he obtained. iS$ y
These amendments came up yester- =
day and after salae very slight anlend-
ments were adopted, BY this canon
the United States is3dlvided into elghr 4
missionary departments. corresponding
ins bounds To the eight judicial depart
,nsnts 1t provides that each OF thess q
shall organize q mission
ary council auxiliary to the Board OF 3
Misstonss These councils are given @
atoVi