Year: 1867

The Right Rev. Bishop Potter sailed from
New York yesterday IN the steamer Russia, for
Liverpool, to attend the Episcopal Council at
Lambeth. He was accompanied by his daugh-
ter and will probably be absent about three
months. Before his departure he issued the fol-
lowing pastoral address:-


TO he Clergy and LattV Of the Diocese Of NelO


York


Dear Bretbren;--It becomes my duty 10 an
nounce, officially, what is already known TO
very many of you, that propose to embark for
ENGLAND on the 10th OF July, chiefly with view
to attend a meeting, at the Palace Lambeth, of
30 many of the Bishops in communion with.the
Anglican Church as can be assembled in Sep
tember, upon the invitation OF the Archbishop
sent forth some weeks since.


The decision in favor of this step was not
reached by me till after long and anxious con-
sideration. 1 had no wish to cross the ocean
this year, and no thought of doing so. Indeed,
there were peculiar circumstances, personal to
the country at this time. During the past year
/ had, indeed, read over some of my old English
letters and thought of the faces which had
beamed upon me with so much kindness (sOme
of which are passing away, and had felt
keenly that 1 would like to look upon those
scene should close upon us. But had enter
taiped the hope that year or two hence such a
vision might be realized more conveniently
than at present.


Nevertheless, from the first moment of the
announcement of the proposed council at
ever might be Its immediate issue, would make
an important era in the history of our own
the invitation Of the Archbishop issued not
hastily, but after receiving counsel from the
most weghty quarters. including the convoca-
tions of the Provinces of Canterbury and York
was OF a character TO command the respect and
enlist the sympathy of every catholicsminded
Bishop, as of every earnest and loyal church,
man, being, IL is true, for the chief pastors of
great Reformed Catholic and Apostolic COM
munlon, reaching all round the globe em.
bracing different nationalities but knit together
by the same faith, the same ardor, and the
same ritual. to think Of meeting together to
rests of "the truth as 1t is in Jesus" And lift be
proper to contemplate the idea of such meet
ing, it is surely proper for any bishOp to con-
slider very seriously with himself, whether he
cannot be present without material loss to the
interests more Immediately related to him.
1t is not paltry question whether his health
demand or his tastes prompt him to a foreign
excursion, but whether an Apostolic appeal like
that which comes forth from the Archbishop of
Canterbury, calling his brethren from every
shore to united and loving conference, be not
worthy of q cordial affirmative response II 1t be
possible, that is consistent with other duties, to
make it. OF course, IL Will not be possible to ALL
but trust 1t will be both possible and agreeable


II has been said that such a council will be
without authority of acts of Parliament, or OF
canons ecclesiastical, providing for such meet
D ing; there are, indeed none nor are any neces-
sary. Can a council of the chief pastors of such
a communion. spread over the whole earth,
be without authority? They will make no


They may issue no formal declaration. 1
hope they will not. But their loving consulta-
ton, bringing together intelligence and expert
ence from every quarter OF the globe, will be
sure TO draw after them consequences, and be
of a nature to cheer the hearts of the faithful.
mind, / gradually began to recognize the ap-
pearabce of q very general desire, not only IN
this Diocese, but in other quarters, that the
Bishop of New York should not be absent from
the proposed Council. Under such circum-
stances, it became at once my duty aud my
pleasure to consult the Standing Committee OF
The Diocese-the recognized Council of advice
Gh n ha dX
pediepcy of my making an effort to attend the
proposed Council, and also as to the expediency
of an adjournment, in such case, of the annual
Convention of the Diocese (appointed for
the same time with the meeting of
day in November next. The Standing Com
mittee sent me prompt reply That in their
Judgment IL is expedient that the Bishop attend
the proposed Council, and also that In that
case it is eXpedient that he recommend the
Convention TO adjourn TO some day of Novem-
Der next. In this judgment of the Standing
Committee / have no doubt the Diocese will
cordially concur. Indeed. the meeting of the
Convention some time in the month of Novem-
ber will be- on several accounts, more accept
able TO a la ge part of the Diocese than would
be one at the usual time


In recommending therefore, as I do, in &C.
cordance with the advice Of the Standing Com.
mltee, that all business of the Con ventiou. save
that OF merely organizing, If that be deemed
| necessary, to the extent of q quorum, for the
| purpose OF adjourning, be postponed to an ad-
! some DAY near the middle of November TO be
| hereafter designated feel quite sure that am
| meeuDR Ipe preferences OF Ine clergy ana lalty
| OF the diocese,


| =, Were mere any important interest requiring
/ the convention OF the Diocese to meet at the
! usual. time and transact all Its business ln my
| absence should have entire confidence In the
| wisdom and kindness of its action. But such
/ not being the case, and very general and earn
est desire having been expressed by the clergy
| and laity that the Bishop may be present with
| them at their annual gathering, the measure Of
\ postponement has been thought most proper
| II Will be understood, then, by my brethren of
the clergy and laity from distance. that there
| will be no occasion for them TO trouble them
| been summoned for the proposed day In No
vember


God, most merciful, grant, dear brethren, that
we may meet together in peace, and be enabled,
| through His goodness, to tender good report
of our stewardship.


| Even while / write the mortal remains of one
| of the most venerable and beloved OF our coun-
| try (the Hon. John A. King rests In the man
i sion so long associated with his name, awaiting
the last Offices of friendship aud religion. 1t Is
i a double grief to me that must depart without
| so truly honored and loved. Every day brings


its own admonItion TO us to be diligent and


earnest in our work, ever ready for the closing


up Of our record on earth


May ask the prayers OF the Church for my
| preservation on the great deep?


Before the meeting Of the proposed Council
| at Lambeth in September, shall hope To set


forth prayer to be used Immediately preced-
| ing and during the session. ,,.,.


Permit me TO commfpd TO your particular
| attention the interests OF the fund of our Dio-
| cesan Missions. Up to this time. during the
| present ecclesiastical year, the Treasurer has
| been able TO meet promptly all claims upon
| that fund. But the summer months are usually
/ found most difficult to provide for / need moi
saw how i'm portant ample supplies for that fund
Are 10 the mission work OF the diocese. and tC


IT, Chsrse yonr
| with it nv dear brethren. and let no Interest


suffer for lack of your timely and earnest