The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-08

Il +xyt,t 1,rnuosftions under tho considera-
titan of the comniittee--thc oncs pro-
4 poscd a proportionate reduction, based
'@on tile number of clergy In the diocese,
giving two clerical and two lay depi-
ties from cacll diocese. with an addi-
tiona1 ono for each 100 clergy. TIE
committee evidently foresnw the iminc-
tliate overthrow OF this, and reported
III as ineNpedient But In another re-
Y port on equal reduction, making tie
representation three clerical aud three
Ivy. they reported favorably. In the
discussion which arose one of the nrgu-
4 nlcnts brought out in fhyor of Tile re-
duccd Representation was that the Cen
era1 Convention was a purely legls-
lative body, and the present large rep
rcsentation retarded 1egIslation; an
other was that while the present num-
her might DO handled. the time would
come when 1t would be too large. But
these were overcome by the one nrgu-
munt that the General Convention was
not merely legisla tive body; that 1t
was a means through which the mis-
sionary spirit could be given to the
church, and instead Of reducing, 1T
might be well to increase the repre-
sentation so that there would be more
to go forth with the enthusiasm which
would awaken the church to Its oppor-
tlnities and obligations.
The West and Middle West We're
particularly strong in their opposition.
declaring that even the picture of the
General Convention carried back Ghd
shown to the people awakened not
only interest. but hope and courage for
The future. Thus, as has been fore
seen. the missionary spirit shaped the
form of the decision. The results We're
SO overwhelmingly against the re-
drction that there can be no doubt
about the sentiment that prevails.
Use OF Revised Version.
Again there were several petitions
presented asking for permission 10 use
The Revised Version. either Afillfican
Or English. in the church service. These
petitions have come from so many
quarters and so persistcntly tina. a.
far as the House Of Deputies is con-
cerned, 1t is not at all Improbable that
their prayer Will be granted. i t Will be
well to note that none of these petitions
ask for the compulsory use Of the Revised
Version, This is SO generally used by
the clergy in their studies and so many
nre persuaded that it does give more
pccurate translation OF the original that
they are convinced it Will he for the
good of the people The only oppo-
siton that there can be is that IL is
to put in the new. There is Il good
deal of sentiment in this opposition,
but when the sentiment is not con-
ncctcd with something wrong one can
hardly he blamed for holding to it, i
especially when it is in connection
with the Book which will soon COM
memorote its 3ODth birthday. THIS op-
position may still be strong enough to
prevent even tho permissive use for the
present. but the time Will come when
II VIII be granted.
1t is very doubtful, however. even
II the permission We're given, II ma
joSssy would have the heart to remove
the old Bibles from the lecterns, and
fl is certain that many ears would
long for the old phraseology which
they had heard from childhood. After
all. it may be that the movement is
prompted more by the fact that the
petition has been referred and is there
fore desired more.
Not Likely to Pass.
An amendment to the canous was
offered looking toward permission to
allow ministers of other denominations
TO preacl, in the Episcopal Church.
This question has been discussed for
some months in the Southern Church
man without any definite conclusion
being reached. 1t is not probable that
the amendment Will pass.
Another amendment along the same
line was Introduced to provide n
body of lay preachers. While this
might be done, and while there is no
doubt that under some circumstances
these lay preachers would be of ines
Unable value. the author made the
great mistake. which Will develop in
the discussion, III it ever succeeds in
passing the committee, OF adding a
provision for some other form of SER
vice than that prescribed by tho Book
Df Common Prayer. If lie would re-
move this feature his amendment would
stand n much better chance OF life.
Promptly at II o'clock, in the very
midst of an interesting discussion. the
speaker was asked to cease while the
house was called 10 pray for missions.
SundnE-Schools.
Mir. George G.. Thomas presented the
report Of the joint commission appoint
ed by the last General Convention to
consider all things connected with the
Sunday school that would increase its
efficiency. There is no committees
which has a greater or more important
work to do for there is no part of the
rhurch's work Which needs greater at
tentfon. The report made by that COM
mission is one OF the greatest interest
II IS a report apart from other reports,
And VIII repay careful and earnest
Reading and study. 1t is exceedingly
practical and suggestive, and the good
that will be done by It's wide distribll-
ton will more than justify any ex-
pense incurred and more than repay
the commission for its labors. The
commission has wisely been continued
and instructed 90 report to the next
General Convention.
DR.. Shields, of Florida asked to have
p committee of three bishops ana three
Il presbyters appointed to prepare an
oif1ce for the junction. of the sick
This is asking for an ancient rite
e of the church which has fallen out OF
use. and which has New Testament an-
thority behind it. There will probably
3 be opposition to the move simply be-
i cause there is no such Office now In
the prayer-b book
In House of bishops.
a part OF the day in the House OF
Bishops was taken up with ii discus
y sion Of the negro question. and an
other memorial Was offered in ths
House OF DEPUTIES asking for separate