Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-10-16
DISCUSS CANONS
OF ORDINATION
Episcopal House of Deputies
Considering Proposed
Amendments
CHURCH UNITY REPORT IN

Detroit, Oct. l6.-Conslderaton OF
proposed amendments to the canons OF
ordination was undertaken this morn
ing in the house of deputies of the
general convention of the Protestant
Episcopal Church. The house of bishops
5 has completed this work. Consttu-
tional amendments of minor nature
also were taken up today.
Revision of the book of prayer was
on the afternoon program, with the eX-
pectation of lengthy discussion because
of opposition of many delegates to some
of the proposed changes.
The report of the committee on
changes in the canon on matrimOnv is
expected tomorrow morning and debate
is looked for.
Philadelphia's Western Rival
Portland, Ore, has made such
strong bid for the 1922 general con
vention that members of the delegation
from Philadelphia today were losing
confidence that the invitation to Phila-
delphia would be accepted.
The Rev. DIR. Floyd w Tomkins
gave the city's invitation to the con-
yention on the floor of the house of
deputies yesterday. The Pacific coast
delegation made a strong plea for Port
land. The committee. of which Arthur
e. Newbold, of Philadelphia, is n mem
Der, is expected to make its recon-
mendation today when strong fight
for Philadelphia will be made.
Church Unity Proposal
The movement for church unity took
another step forward with the in
PRODUCTION of the concordance" or
plan which representatives of the Con =
gregational and Episcopal churches have
agreed on as a means by which the first
named can unite with the Episcopal
church.
The report, presented by commit
tee of which Bishop Rhincander. OF
Pennsylvania. is member, is. in part,
as follows:
1--WE are agreed that it is our Lord
purpose that believers in Him shoulC
be one visible society Into such q
society, which we recognize as the
Holy Catholic Church, they are initiated
by baptism. whereby they are admit
ted to fellowship with Him and with
one another.
''The unity which was essential to
His church's s effective witness and work
in the world must express and main =
tain this fellowship. 1t cannot be
fully realized without community OF
worship, faith and order. including
common participation in the Lord S
Supper. Such unity would be com
patible with rich diversity in life and
worship.
I'VE have not discussed the origin
of the episcopate historically or its
authority doctrinally. but we agree to
acknowledge that the recognized position
of the episcopate in the greater part
of Christiandom as the normal nucleus
OF the church's ministry and as the
organ of the unity and continuity of
the church is such that the members
of the Episcopal churches ought not
to be expected TO abandon it in assent
ing to any basis of reunion.
Divinely Inspired Churches
1--WE also agree to acknowledge that
Christian churches not accepting the
Episcopal order have been used by the
Holy Spirit in His work of enlight
ening the world. converting sinners and
perfecting saints. They came into be =
ing through reactions from grave abuses
in the church at the time of their origin
and were led in response to fresh ap-
prehensions of divine truth to give
expression to certain necessary and
permanent types of Christian expe- =
rience. aspiration and fellowship and tO
secure rights of Christian people, which
had been neglected or denied.
mo Christian community is involved
in the necessity of disowning its past.
but it should bring its own distinctive