Year: 1874




scssion of the General Convention was opened there
were manifested among delegates and Interested
attendants strong hopes that the day might end tue
long discussion upon the confirmation OF tho Bishop
elect OF Illinois. But many were desrous Of speak
ng It was spprehe that decision might be delayed
many days. despite the resolution Of Wednesday order
ing vote at p Immediately upon the close OF the
religious exercises the House Of Delegates went into
secret session. anf until 1t was sseertained ABOUT
D. m that vote Was being taken, no Information could
be obtained OF what had occurred Outside there
was an unusualls large gathering OF interested
people all day, and &C the time the result was
announced, there xas o small crowd The subject Of
conversation of was the confirmation OF Prof
Seymour and the general feeling appeared to be one OF
confidence in vote favorable to him. At lunch time,
when the delegates filed the yard. they were subjected
to O severe crOssexaminaton In regard to the vague
rumors which had been in the air during the forenoon
but their lips sealed. 1t was stated that
mass of documents against Prof Seymour had been
brought to, but that every charge had been re-
futed ana hence his "stock was rising" An
other statement was that Prof. Seymour had de-
ma anded to be heard and that opportunity had
been refused One clerical delegate said while eang
his lunch that many statements had been made OF
asserted facts only be contradicted. that ne hsd
become extremely skeptioaL Another said that the
partisan feeling had been very high lay deieHa1e
was Of the opinion that q great many with the true
interest of the Church at heart felt themselves obliged
to consider the influence Of many statements apart
from their truth, as interfering with his duties one
said the discussion had been conducted Tor the sore
object Of reaching tho truth, while still another COM
planned that much patry gossip had been introduced
as evidence that he was utterly dsgusted. Nothing
could bo gathered as to the probability OF vote the
delegates all said they hoped 1t would be reached


These remarks and rumors left the question In very
perpexing shape though the supporters of Prof sey
mour seemed to gather hope from their repeated inter-
views Three o'clock known TO be the hour for the
deoision and as 1t drew both the crowd and the
anxiety Increased In view Of the Importance OF the
last hours Of debate special care had been taken to pre-
vent eaveedropping. and considerable merrimene was
occasned in the moroing by the thoroughness or the
search 90 there was hope Of obtaining knowledge
OF the proceedings Very after tho door by
which the delegates generally enter the body OF the
church was locked inside and ngress or egress forbid
den for the tme This led 10 o belief that the discus
sion had ended That vote was being taken was con-


rmed by sound Of the clear voice Of Dr. Perry as he
called the Of the doceses. About haii an nour
passed. whie the crowd gathered in little. impatient
knots around the Then the door was opened and
"a the nrst delegate appeared the Information was
spread that the election Of Prof. Seymour had not been
sanctioned. Each delegate. as he left tho church. was
eagerly questioned to the result ana this curiosity
WA easily grated most Of them had kept individual
tses Of the VOTE The majority of both orders clerical



very little discussion outside. as the delegates hurried
away and questoners too, a. soon rs they had
satisfied their curiosity. Half an hour later, oil mad
gone.


No obstacle was thrown in the way Of obtaining the
details Of the VOTE after all over the iujunc'
zion of secrecy removed from the entire secret pro-
ceedngs upon motion Of the Rev Archibald Beatty
OF Kansas After lunch time. when the House again
resumod its sitting, Judge Lucus b. Otis summed up
the arguments favor Of the confirmation and spoke
very eloQuenty favor of Prof Seymour As soon as
his plea was finished prayer offered by the Presi
dent and few minutes were spent In private devotion
by ali the members. Then the formal resolution upon
which they were acting. that Prof. Seymour be con-
arncd % Bishop Of Illinois, was read. The Rev. DR..
Perry as Secretary, then began the calling OF the do
ceses by order. first the clerical and then the lay
delegates , One might have been apprehensive that
after so long discussion important question
there would much impatence during the voting and
excitement when the result announced, but there
was no demonstration, and when the meeting was ad-
tourned the delegates quickly and quietly dispersed.
The President announced the result as follows: