The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-10-08
Excellent Progress Made in the
Work of ORGANIZATION
Reception of Foreign Church Digni-
taries Concluded - Committees
Holding SeSsiOns-PetitiOns Pre-
scented From Dioceses-Thank Of
fering of 500 Announced by
NOman'S Auxiliary.

day OF the %trienniai general conven
ton of the Protestant Episcopal
church in the United States passed
u~neVentfully for both the house of
bishops and the house of deputies
although excellent progress was re-
ported in the work of organization.
The reception of the foreign church
dignitaries was concluded in both
houses and ceremonies we're great
ly enjoyed.
A reception to the members of the
house of bishops and their families
and the the visiting bishops was given
tonight by Bishop Gibson of the do
cese of Virginia.
These functions concluded the So
cial program SO far as it conflicts
with the general order of business
during the three weeks remaining
of the convention.
Committees are holding sessions
tonight in the public buildings and
hotels all over the city. The in
dicat1ons are that reports will be
agreed upon Friday and Saturday
on a number of important church
questions and hat next week there
will be no lack of business before the
house.
There was so little pressing bust
ness on hand today that the house
of deputies found time to indulge
in a little frivolity owe a number
Of pending matters.
A telegram vas received from the
negro institute at Hampton, Va, in
viting the house to visit the school
n r tho 4h~ ~.
Randolph Harrison McKim, presi-
den of the house remarked incident
ally that the message had cost him
$1.73.
No action was taken on the invi-
tatiOn. The house of bishops re-
ceived a similar invitation and a
committee was appointed to re-
spOnd.
A book on the negro question
which was written by Bishop Brown
of Arkansas, was recommended to
the house in a speech by Deputy
Jones of Arkansas diocese.
The purpose of his speech was
made plain before there were num-
erous protests that the lobby of the
church would be the proper place
to sell books.
Mr.. Jones responded that the
profits from the sales would be U.s.
ed in carrying on missions among
negroes, but he was ruled out of or
der.
Cyrus Townsend Brady secured
the adoption of a resolution asking
the bishops to provide a prayer for
the safe returns of persons going on
a journey other than by sea there
being a prayer covering sea voy-
ages.
The New Jersey diocese present
ed an invitation from Atlantic City
inviting the convention to meet there
in 1910.
The Los Angeles diocese secured
the endorsement of a memorial ask
ing that a commission be appointed
to raise the sun of 100000 to
be added to the relief of clergy and
members of their families.
From diocese of Springfield Hi
noise, a petition asking communi-
cants to aid in the building fund for
Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in
Washington and to remember it in
their wills.
A resolution was then adopted
commencing the construction Of the
national cathedral.
Several memorials were received
in both houses looking to the re-
marriage of divorced persons.
In both houses a concurrent resO-
luton was adopted expressing salts
that a high moral position
has been taken on this subject since
the last general convention and h
that positive action would be
taken at the presen convention.
After the adoption of a motion to
adjourn the house Of deputies was
called back to receive a message
from the Woman's Auxiliary an
nounced that at the thank offering
services today the offerings amount
ed to $222,353. At the convention
three years ago the offering was
$4,000. The house received the
news by rising and singing Praise
God From Whom All Blessings
Flow"
The bishops of Alabama and Mex
leo appeared and took their seats
in the house of bishops today. A
petition was received from thechurch
in Brazil asking that it be made
a missionary district Of the Ameri-
al church.
Hayti asked for the translation
of the prayers into FrOnch, and Cuba
into Spanish.
These matters were referred to the
proper committees as n also a
large number of proposed amend
ments. to the canons.
Tomorrow will be mission day in
the convention and a joint session
will be held at IL o'clock. Prior to
that meeting the representatives of
the church in Canada and Australia
will be received by the house OF de-
puties.