The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-07
BISHOP GREER,
HOST.

liar ones which Immediately followed 1t,
were soon found to be unnecessary in
view of the generous action of Mr. Nor
gan, who came forward with a propo-
sition to supply all the funds necessary
for the construction of the building. This
proposition was gratefully accepted
Afterwards, however, he aceeded TO Mr..
Cuttings request for the privilege of pay
ing half of the cost. 1t was estimated
that the building would cost about $250,oo0
The plans were drawn and the contract
let, but from time to time the original
plans were elaborated upon until the final
cost was estimated at much more than
the original figure, including the organ
and the furniture. One of the most strik-
ing features of the building will be the
highly decorated ceiling. reminding one
of ancient European halls such as that
of Perugia, where great conclaves were
gathered. The building will be ready
when the convention meets. Since the
construction was started both Mr. Cutting
and Mr. Morgan have died, but their
estates have taken over the obligation and
the money has been forthcoming when
ever needed
The convention is divided into two
houses, each having veto power over the
actions of the other The first of these
is the house of bishops, which is pre-
sided over by the senior bishop of the
church or by a chairman elected for the
purpose. There are 116 members of this
hoIN 9th ie he of
deputies, composed of SO5 clergymen and
like number of laymen. who represent
their respective dioceses. The house of
deputies is presided over by clergy
man, who is elected at the beginning of
the convention. He continues in office
until his SUCCESSOR is elected at the next
triennal convention.
The first general. convention OF the
church in America met in Philadelphia
one September 27, 17S5. The initial step
for this convention was taken in May
1884, while the Rev. DR.. William Seabury
of Connecticut, who was the first Ameri-
can bishop, was abroad being conse-
Grated by the non-juring bishops of the
Episcopal church in Scotland.
Met New Brunswick
A little company of clergymen met at
New Brunswick, n. j., as members of
the Corporation for the Relief of Widows
and Orphans of the Clergy. This corpo-
ration then was the only general insti-
tuition of the church. Its members came
from New York, New Jersey and Penn
sylvania. They agreed to call a meeting
of representatives of all the churches to
be held in New York the following Oc-
tober.
At this New York meeting eight states
were represented But most of the dele
gates represented individual parishes and
not states organizations; for this reason
1t was deemed that the gathering had no
authority to legislate. However, these
delegates did call upon the state conven-
ton to send delegates to the Philadelphia
convention. Most of the members of this
Philadelphia convention were from Mary
land, Virginia and Pennsylvania. New
England was not represented because the
church there stood for the moment by
itself. There was some difficulty about
the recognition OF Bishop Seabury by the
clergy and laity of the other states, as
it was claimed that he had not been elect
ed by representative body.
The result of the work of this conven-
ton was the constitutions the revision of
the Book of Common Prayer plan for
the election and conservation of bishops,
and the perfection of the national organ
ization of the church.
New York elected the Rey. DIR. sampel
Provost, and Pennsylvania named the
Rev DR.. William White. These two went
to England and they were consecrated
in Lambeth palace ON February 4. 1857,
by the Archbishop OF Canterbury. The
presenter was the Archbishop of York.
The Bishop of Bath and Wells and the
Bishop of Peterborough assisted In the
conservation.
From this small beginning the conven-
tion has grown until 1t is now second in
Importance to no other religious gather
ing in this country.
Important Question to Come Up
At the coming convention many matters
of importance to the future OF the church
will come up for consideration. Some of
these are pending from the last triennial
convention which was held in Cincinnati.
One is the method of choosing the pre.
siding bishop. AS now provided for bv the
constitution the senior bishop is the pre-
siding bishop and when he dies the next
in rank automatically succeeds him. The
seniority is regulated by the date of CON
secration.
sAt the last convention an amendment
Itc the constitution was proposed which
n