Evening journal., 1914-05-13
MAY GIVE LAITY
EQUAL VOTE TO
NAME BISHOPS
REV. F. M. KirkuS Proposes
Such an Amendment in
Episcopal Convention
BISHOP KINSMAN
READS HIS ADDRESS

At the opening session of the l2sth
annual convention of the Protestant
Episcopal Diocese of Delaware, which
was held in Emmanuel Church and Sun
day school hall. in New Castle, today.
ltho Rev. Frederick NJ Kirkus, rector of
Trinity Church, Wilmington proposed
an amendment to the constitution OF
the church TO give the laymen an equal
voice with the clergy in nominating and
eecting a bishop OF this tAocese. Under
the present church law in the Diocese
OF Delaware. the clergy nominate and
the laity either confirm or reject the
nomination of bishop. Action on the
proposed amendment along with Others
submitted. will be taken this afternoon.
The convention is well attended by
clcrgyncA and laymen from all parts
OF the State. Il opened with celebra
tiou of the i.oly Communion, the cele-
biant being Bishop kinsman. he being
assisted by Bishop Rogers Israel, Of the
diocese of Erie; the Rev. William II.
Laird presment of the standing com
mttee of the diocese of Delaware; the
Rev. Alban Richey. rector of lmmanuel
Church New Castle. and Archdeacon b.
! Thompson, of Dover.
John s. Grohe. Of Wilmin gton. was
elected secretary Of the convention, a
position he has filled for many years,
and the Rev. r. G. Hill, of smyrna,
was elected assistant secretary. A
telegram was received from the one
hundred and twenty-fourth annual
convention Of the diocese of South
Carolina. extending greetings to the
diocese Of Delaware, in convention
assembled, and Secretary GrOhe was
instructed TO make a beftting reply
reports Of the different committees
and officers of the diocese were read
Bishop Kinsman announced the ap-
pontment of the following commit
tees:
Unfinished business-Rev. T. G
HILL II. B. Frame, James Brooke.
New parishes-Rev p. L. Dona.
ghey, d. d. barton, Il. I. Sirman.
Place of next conventlon--Rey T.
~ J. Andrews, Joseph I, HUM, W
j. DENNY
After the convention had formally or.
ganized Bishop kinsman read his an.
nual address. which was given the
closest attention. Il is printed in full
on page e 1HE EVENING JOUR
NAL today.
The Rev. William II. Laird presi
dent of the standing committee. sub
mitted the report of that committed:
activities during the year, and tn,
Rev. b. r. Thompson reviewed his Of
fetal acts as archdeacOn of Dover il
his report read by the Rev. Mr.
Richey.
A. Felix DUPONT read the report o
the missionary committee. 1t showed
that the following grants for tn
work of missions in the diocese ha
been made. To Rev. John Il. Parks
$50: Rev. d. l.. Donaghey, $50; Rev
William HomewOod. $3.50: Rev vii
liam IT, Groff, $780, Rev B. +
Thompson. s12O; Rev. ]. L. McKim
S120; Rev. Z. II. ]. Andrews, $3.50
10 St Andrews. Ellis Grove, and al
Saints, Delmar, $500: st. Mary's
Bridgeville, $50: St. Georges, India
River. and Trinity. Long Neck, S241
Special grants We're as follows
New parish house at Camden, SlOO
Rev L. W. Wells. 500; Rev. w. +
Croft, S25.
The report reviewed the conditio
Of missions and closed with a recon
mendatlOn fOr an associate mlSslo
house to further the work.
The Rev Mr.. Kirkus gave notice
several proposed amendments to I'll
constitution. One is designed
change from six months to thrt
months the period of residence will
In the diocese to obtain the privilege
Of the diocese. Another is to mai
change in the provision regardir
Expense" and still another and Il
most important is his propose
change in the plan for electing
Bishop in the diocese Of Delawar
In speaking of the latter propose
amendment, Mr.. Kirkus stated tn
under the present provision the la
men have no voice in nominating
bishop, but can either confirm or r
5ect the nomination. The selectiC
n IS made by the clergy, and their s
lection is placed before the laity f
confirmation or rejection. Mr.. Kirk
said that this is not the usual pra
tice in other dioceses, as in 9th
dioceses the laymen participate
Il the nomination and election of bis
ops. The proposed amendment su
4