Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-10-13
THE EPIsCOPALIANs.

AT the session OF the house OF de-
puties OF the Protestant Episcopal
Church in Cincinnati yesterday the
members put themselves squarely on
record by unanimous vote as believing
that the Bible is the word OF God, thus
making official declaration that the
statement to the contrary, made in the
course OF debate last Saturday by Rev.
A. A. Morrison, OF Portland, Ore, did
not represent the sentiment OF the
church as a whole.
The matter was brought before the
convention by Rev. James r. Win
chester, OF Memphis, Tenn, who offer
ed a resolution declaring that the house
places itself on record as declaring that
the Holy Scriptures are beyond doubt
accepted by the church as the word OF
Almighty God.
DR.. Winchester said in his speech
supporting the measure that If the
house would not vote for his measure
he would leave the church and that
except for the fact that the Bible is
the word of God none OF us would be
here"
Rev. John Williams. OF Omaha, Neb.,
declared the question one OF ordinary
morality.
''No priest on this floor has the right
to make the declaration that the Bible
is not the word OF God" sa!d DIR. Will
liams.
Rev. James Houston EcclestoD, rector
OF Emmanuel Church, Baltimore, pro-
posed as a Cancellation that the secretary
OF the convention have published in the
Cincinnati newspapers statement de-
claring the Bible to be the word OF God
and coupled with the eighth article OF
the church's constitution.
William R. Butler, OF Mauch Chunk,
Pa, lay deputy, made vain attempt
to have the whole matter laid on the
table.
/ Amid cries CT Question:" the sub
stitute resolution was adopted by a
Unanimous vote.
The section OF the church constitu-
ton referred to in the amendment is as
follows
mo person shall be ordained and
lconsecrated bishop or ordained priest
Tor deacon unless at the time, in the
presence of ordaining bishop or bishops
he shall subscribe and make the
following declaration: I do believe
the Holy Scriptures OF the Old and New
Testament to be the Word Of God, and
to contain all things necessary to saliva
ton; and do solemnly engage to con-
form to the doctrine, discipline and
worship OF the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the United States OF
America.
When asked afterTard how he had
voted Rev. DR.. Morrison said;
Il do not care to answer that ques-
ton at this time. "
The House OF Bishops yesterday not
only- reversed its decision OF a few
DAYS ago, when it refused to pass an
amendment to the constitution pro-
viding for suffragan bishops, but also
passed a resolution calling for com
mittee to investigate faith healing by
means OF prayer or suggestion.
The suffragan bishop question was
defeated by the House OF Bishops
last week, after the House OF Dep
uties had adopted it. The vote at
that time was close. Yesterday il
was brought up again as special
order of business and was adopted by
the bishops, after an interesting de-
bate. by a vote OF 60 to 81. 1t re-
Iauired SO votes to carry the measure.
Owing to the fact that the House OF
Deputies has adopted the amendment
| it row becomes law.
The leading fight in favor OF the
measure was put forward by Bishop
Greer. OF New York. Bishop Dewitt,
of Pennsylvania, was also strong
advocate Of the amendment. 1t was
unofficially announced by the New
York and the Pennsylvania delegations
that suffragan bishops for those two
States would be appointed soon.
| While this action is probable the
most important yet taken by the con-
yention, it did not create the stir
among the delegates that was felt
when it was announced that the House
of Bishops had passed a resolution
calling for a committee TO investigate
| JUNCTION to the sick for the sake OF
healing purposes rather than for spirit
ual needs.
This is the resolution that was de-
feated in the house OF deputies yester-
day by a inconvenience OF orders,
the resolution being adopted by the
clerical division, but defeated by the
laity.
In all probability healing by prayer
will be brought up again in the house
OF deputies and, should this house de-
eide to reverse its former action CON-
mittee will be appointed to bring in
report at the 1918 convention in New
York.
J. Pierpont Morgan, the Wall street
fnancier, said yesterday afternoon that
the debate on the question OF miracles
which took place in the house Of depu-
ties was the worst thing he had ever
heard.