Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-12-16
EPISCOPAL COUNCIL.

nI cRCCtaA NOAaStA NaiA[A W +|tohOP
Gibson for the election of coadjutor
bishop in the Episcopal Diocese Of Vir-
ginif met In ST. PauEs Church, In this
city, at 10 O'Clock this morning. The
council opened with the celebration of
tbs holy communion by Bishop Gibson,
assisted by Rev. P. P. Phillips, rector
of the church.
The council convened for business at
hslf-past eleven with Bishop Gibson In
the chair. The roll Of clerical and lay
delegates was then called by the secre-
tary, Rev. E. Meade, Of Pohick Church,
and 20 clergy and 81 laity we're found
present.
Rev. E. B. Burwell, Honorable r.
Taylor and Mr.. W. O. Marshall we're
appointed on committee OF credentials on
the lay delegates present.
Bishop Gibson then announced that
thia special council is convened 10 this
old city of Alexandra and In this
church OF God, for the election of q CO.
adju bishop, which Is q deeply re-
ligious matter. The council must re-
member that it Is assembled not only for
the election of a coadjutor in Virgins,
but for that of bishop 10 the church of
Gcd. Bishop Gibson said that he had
been led to this decision from careful
thought on his part and from no outside
suggestion. The work of the diocese
distinctly demanded q cosdjutor at this
time. After the announcement had
been made on his part at the last coun-
Gil, 1t was judged best to have special
council devoted to the one work OF elect
log q coadutor. A great part Of the
clergy felt the necessity Of this, and the
standing committee acting as the proper
council of advice, gave its opinion as to
the strong adVisability Of calling this
council.
The bishop then showed the remark
able development of the diocese aud was
glad to say that nearly every Parish va,
now filed. But in addition to the regu-
lar and growing work Of the diocese the
bishop reminded the council that the
legislation of the last general convention
demanded more duties on the part Of all
bishops such as those arising in connec-
ton with the new cauons on divorce,
the calling Of rectorS, and decisions
coming up under canon XIX, which
allows special addresses to be made by
"OhrIstlan msn' In Episcopal churches
subject to the approval of the bishop.
Then there are special duties In connec-
lian with board aud others meetings
which make many demands upon q
bishops time. So every condition in
the diocese shows the necessity of elect
ing a coadjutor, aud the bishop trusted
that the council would now undertake
this solemn responsibility in the spirit
OF Christ. The duties he would assign
to the coadjutOr, are the following:
The visitation Of all parishes once in
two years; at every visitation to call
the attention Of the congregation to
diocesan missions, and take up an offer.
ing for the same; and to be member Of
the bishops official family.
Mr.. James OAskie, of Richmond, then
offered thefolloWiDg resolution; Resolved.
That q committee Of seven be appointed
by the bishop which committee shall be
selected from the various sections of the
diocese, at least one member to come
from each convocation who shall ascer-
tain aud report at the next meeting OF
the council to be held in Leesburg the
judgment Of the diocese (D as to the
necessity of a bishop cosdjutor for the
diocese;(2) as to the ability fthe diocese
to meet the expense Of said Office. Pend
Ing a vote on this which was called for
BY orders, Judge Norton moved that
the finance committee make its report
so that the council might &C! intelligently
In Its decision with reference to the
election of a coadjutor bishop. The re-
port Of this committee was then made
by Mr.. Caskie, after which the council
took recess, until 2:45 O'Clock.
The council convened at 3 p. m. with
the bishop 10 the chair. The report OF
the committee on credentials wa, pre-
sented by Jadge Scott and accepted.
The resolution OF Mr. Caskie offered this
morning wss again brought up and laid
on the table by vote Of rs ayes to 80
NOES.
DR.. B ackford, of the Episcopal High
School, moved that previous to the tal-
lotng 10 due form according to the
diocesan canons for the election of the
ctadiutor, three preliminary ballots be
taken without nomination, the clergy
aud laity voting alternately, the result OF
each ballot being posted In full view of
the house and remain so until the bal
loting is ended.
1t was agreed that the house now re-
solve itself into q committee of the
whole for this purpose. Judge Norton,
of this city, rose to oppose this procedure
as foreign to the former practice of the
diocese of Virginia. DR.. Massie, of the
Seminary, supported DR.. Blackford's
motion ior the silent ballots previous to
those that shall decide the. issue before
the council.
At this point the Gszstts's report
closed.