USA > Virginia > A digest of the proceedings of the conventions and councils in the diocese of Virginia > Part 27
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2. In case no such remedial action can be obtained, the Diocese of Virginia deems it due to its character, as part of the Protestant Epis- copal Church, that a solemn protest be in its behalf entered by said delegates against the toleration of the unscriptural practices and teach- ings referred to.
It was adopted by a vote of 82 ayes to 13 noes.
The report from the Committee on the Insurance of Church Property was received and ordered to be printed in the Journal.
Judge Lay, from the Committee to whom was referred the subject of the "Brotherhood," (vide Journal 1870, page 72,) presented the following report and resolutions :
To the committee to whom, at the last session of the Council, was. recommitted the report in relation to life insurance of the clergy, re- spectfully report-
That after the adoption of the resolution recommitting said report, a meeting was held in the lecture room of St. Matthew's church, Wheeling, at which an Association was organized by the name of "the Brother- hood of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Virginia," and a Constitution adopted, a printed copy of which is herewith re- turned as a part of this report. Subsequently certain by-laws were adopted for the government of the Association, a printed copy of which is also herewith returned.
The committee, deeming the plan of organization set forth in the constitution and by-laws referred to, subject to such modifications as experience may suggest, to be preferable to that of the recommitted report, will forbear making any other suggestion than that the Council gives its sanction to the objects of the existing Association.
The report and certain resolutions accompanying it were approved.
The Special Committee appointed at the last Council on
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COUNCIL OF 1872.
the support of the clergy reported, closing with a resolution, which was adopted, affirming that in the matter of contri- butions to religious objects, that if the clergy fail in dili- gently instructing and exhorting their people they do not preach the whole counsel of God.
A resolution was adopted looking to the establishment of a Sustentation Fund.
The committee of ten laymen, on the subject of rectors' salaries, was made a Standing Committee.
The committee charged with the duty of having a monu- ment erected to Bishop Meade, reported in full, showing that the work had been completed and paid for.
On motion of Rev. Dr. Peterkin, it was-
Resolved, That the report of the committee on the monument to Bishop Meade be spread upon the Journal, and that the thanks of this Council be tendered to the committee for their attention to the impor- tant duty with which they were charged.
The Committee on Church Schools was continued, not being ready to report.
The Council amended the Constitution, so as to fix the day of meeting on the third Wednesday in May.
COUNCIL OF 1872.
Council met in Christ church, Norfolk, May 15th.
A committee was appointed to examine the title of the Diocese to the Virginia Female Institute at Staunton ; also the relations which the Southern Churchman sustains to the Diocese.
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COUNCIL OF 1872.
A committee was appointed to revise the Constitution and canons of the Diocese, with a view to publication.
The Virginia Bible Society was commended to the sup- port of the Diocese.
The proposed amendment to Canon XIX, making the administration of discipline public, was considered and laid upon the table.
A committee was appointed to examine and make report concerning the Hymnal submitted by the General Conven- tion of 1871.
The metes and bounds of Heber parish were fixed ac- cording to petition.
Luray parish, Page county, was admitted into union with the Council.
Trinity parish, Wood county, West Virginia, was divided, and the new parish called " Emmanuel."
A parish list was reported and approved.
The Bishop's Address and the Report of the Committee on the State of the Church (which was to that extent ap- proved by the Council) pronounced against "altars" being used in place of communion tables, and against "round dancing." He said:
"I trust the evil will be abated by the piety and good sense of our clergy and people, and that our venerable Church will be saved from those unauthorized innovations-some very puerile, by which her so- briety has been compromised-some very insidious, and connected with fearful apostacies, by which in some sections her fair fame has been sadly obscured, and her strength partially paralyzed.
"Sometimes, the departure commences without design or observa- tion on the part of those concerned. Some country church sends to a city for chancel furniture, and among other pieces which may be unex- ceptionable, an altar is received instead of a table, and thus the symbol of the whole sacramental and sacerdotal system is fixed before the eye of the congregation, and then in conversation the language of the com- munion office is relinquished, and almost unconsciously other phrase- ology is adopted in accordance with what is constantly beheld, and so
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COUNCIL OF 1872.
the way is prepared for the entrance of what the thirty-first article de- nounces as 'blasphemous fables and dangerous deceits.' It is to be hoped that the altar-form which the English Reformers, for good and sufficient reasons, banished from the churches, will not now, through inconsideration, be allowed to displace the 'honest table.' This is the scriptural and Prayer Book name for that on which, not a sacrifice is to be offered, but the Lord's Supper administered. Names and forms may seem inconsiderable matters. It is not so. Their sure tendency is gradually to conform the service with which they are connected to the ideas which they represent. If we are determined to adhere to the truth, let us vigilantly avoid these subtle instrumentalities of error, and let us hold fast to the 'honest table' in name and form.
"There is another subject of a different character which I would gladly avoid if I could do so without disappointing, and perhaps dis- couraging some of my faithful brethren of the clergy, who are grieved because certain of their communicants do not avoid 'things contrary to their profession.' The most offensive inconsistency specified consists in indulging in that lascivious mode of promiscuous dancing styled the round dance-a demoralizing dissipation, disgusting to the delicacy of a refined taste, and shocking to the sensibility of a renewed mind. This scandal is not to be tolerated in the Church of Christ. Let every appeal be made in the way of affectionate remonstrance, judicious teach- ing, and earnest prayer for the reformation of those led astray, 'if God peradventure will give them repentance.' If all such efforts prove un- availing, and to remove the scandal and at the same time employ the last expedient for awakening the offender to a sense of his sin and danger, it becomes necessary to resort to the exercise of decided dis- cipline, it must be so. It may cause the ministers many tears, but the painful duty may not be declined."
A recommendation to employ two evangelists, at a salary of $2,500 each, was sent over to the next Council.
A report on a Sustentation Fund was received, but led to no action.
A paper was offered expressing gratitude to God for the recovery of the Bishop from a severe illness, and renewing expressions of affection for him, with prayers that he may long be spared to the congregations that for so many years had enjoyed his paternal care; also urging him for a time to rest from laborious visitations.
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COUNCIL OF 1872.
It was unanimously adopted by a rising vote, and affec- tionately responded to in writing by the Bishop.
Canon IX, as reported by the committee, was adopted.
Resolution to repeal Canon X was laid over to the next. Council.
A lengthy series of resolutions, adopted by the House of Bishops in 1859, upon the subject of Church music, was referred to the committee on the Hymnal.
It was resolved that a Standing Committee on Church Schools be appointed annually by the Bishop.
In their report the Committee on the State of the Church said :
Your committee have considered with anxious interest the growing indulgence (in the hitherto simple and circumspect society of our Dio- cese) in the practice of the "round dance," as it is called. This and similar dances have been already frequently condemned by other churches, and even reprobated by the secular journals. While your .committee do not intend to reflect on the purity and innocence of any individual who engages in them, they cannot forbear the decided opinion that the practice is in its tendency fraught with evil to religion and to society.
Your committee are persuaded that the ministers and members of the Church in the Diocese of Virginia are firmly attached to Scriptural doctrine and discipline as taught by our liturgy and articles, and opposed to the sacramental and sacerdotal system known as ritualism. Yet they are impressed with the reality of the incipient danger to sound doc- trine, arising from the introduction (unwillingly it may be) into some churches of altars instead of tables, upon which to celebrate the com- munion service.
An altar logically involves a sacrifice, and a sacrifice a sacrificing priest; and we cannot but deem it of importance, if we would be free from the corruptions of false doctrine, that at this period, when error is rife, and many arestriving to extend it, our people should not be habit- uated to the use of the language in which that error appropriately clothes itself.
Your committee recommend therefore to rectors and vestries to remove altars from the churches where they have been introduced, and to guard against everything of the kind in future.
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COUNCIL OF 1873.
A committee was appointed to report upon the subject of "Woman's Work in the Church."
Sundry alterations were proposed to the Canons and Con- stitution and ordered to be printed-amongst them the fol- lowing:
Rev. W. L. Hyland offered the following as an amend- ment to Canon XIX-to insert after the words "public worship" the following: "Habitual neglect of the holy communion." It was received and referred to a committee, with instructions to report to the next Council.
Rev. C. J. Gibson, D. D., moved that $200 from the Widows' and Orphans' Fund be appropriated to the relief of the family of the late Rev. George Adie. Carried.
Rectors were called on to report a mortuary list of com- municants to be published in the Journal. This was re- scinded at the Council of 1873.
COUNCIL OF 1873.
Council met in Christ church, Winchester, May 21st.
The Secretary communicated to the Council the following amendments to the Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, adopted at the last General Convention :
Resolved, That Article IV be amended so as to read as follows :
ARTICLE IV .- The Bishop or Bishops in every Diocese shall be chosen agreeably to such rules as shall be fixed by the Convention of that Dio- cese ; and every Bishop of this Church shall confine the exercise of his. Episcopal office to his proper Diocese, unless requested to ordain or
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COUNCIL OF 1873.
confirm, or perform any other act of the Episcopal office in another Diocese by the Ecclesiastical authority thereof.
Resolved, That the following be inserted at the end of Article V:
"The General Convention may, upon the application of the Bishop and Convention of an organized Diocese, setting forth that the territory of the Diocese is too large for due Episcopal supervision by the Bishop of such Diocese, set off a portion of such Diocesan territory, which shall thereupon be placed within, or constitute, a Missionary jurisdiction, as the House of Bishops may determine."
They were ordered to be printed in the Journal.
A motion to have the parochial reports printed in tabu- lated form was carried, and afterwards reconsidered and lost.
The committee appointed at the last Council to examine the Hymnal set forth by the General Convention, made a lengthy report, which was ordered to be printed in the Journal.
They also introduced a, report and a minority report upon the subject of Church music.
The committee's report concluded thus :
In view of the importance of the subject, and in the hope of upholding the Pastors of the churches in their efforts to control the music in ac- cordance with that law, the committee recommend that this Council affirm most emphatically the resolutions proposed at the Council at Norfolk in 1872, and enter its solemn protest against any style of music which may justly be considered unchurchly and demoralizing ; and also to enjoin on all the duty of encouraging and helping on the introduction of congregational singing.
The Bishop delivered an address to the Council upon the subject of the Holy Communion.
Two thousand copies of the same were ordered to be printed.
The Committee on "Woman's Work" presented a report.
A committee was appointed to have the entire property of the Virginia Female Institute transferred to Trustees, for the use and benefit of the Diocese.
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COUNCIL OF 1874.
A paper was adopted, unanimously expressing approval of, and sympathy with, the missionary work of Miss Mary B. Baldwin at Joppa.
Lee parish, a new parish formed out of Heber parish, Bed- ford county, was received into union with the Council.
The committee on the subject of Evangelists reported, approving the measure, and making recommendations for the support of the same, which were in the main approved by the Council:
Canon XIX was amended, so as to make as cause of dis- cipline "habitual neglect of the Holy Communion."
It was resolved that at every meeting of the Council there shall be a service and sermon devoted to the cause of Foreign Missions.
The following was proposed to, but not approved by the Council:
"No clergyman shall absent himself from his field of labor for a longer period than -- , without obtaining leave of absence from the Bishop or ecclesiastical authority of the Diocese."
The Committee on the Relations of the Southern Church- man to the Diocese was renewed.
The report of the committee appointed to examine into the title, &c., of the Virginia Female Institute, was pre- sented, and ordered to be filed.
COUNCIL OF 1874.
Council met in Christ church, Charlottesville, May 20th.
The Bishop's address contained allusions to ritualistic innovations, which were referred to a Special Committee.
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COUNCIL OF 1874.
The same committee was instructed to report upon the best measures for removing from the Prayer Book any office or service now bound up therewith without compliance with the provisions of the Constitution that apply to the case. In other words, to endeavor to have the service called an office of Institution, &c., removed from the Prayer Book.
The committee reported at length, and recommended that the deputies from this Diocese to the General Convention be instructed to use their earnest endeavors to obtain efficient legislation for the removal of Romish errors and practices from the Protestant Episcopal Church, and the enforcement of such legislation by proper discipline.
The report concluded as follows:
Resolved, That our delegates to the next General Convention be instructed to use their earnest endeavors to obtain efficient legislation for the removal of Romish, errors and practices from the Protestant Episcopal Church, and the enforcement of such legislation by proper discipline.
Resolved, That this Council does not believe any legislation would be effective for removing the doctrines and practices referred to, which shall not expressly forbid, in the administration of the Holy Communion, and on other occasions of public worship, the acts hereinafter enumer- ated, to wit :
I. The use of incense.
2. Placing or retaining a crucifix in any part of the church.
3. Carrying a cross in procession in the church.
4. The use of lights on or about the Holy Table, except when necessary.
5. The elevation of the elements in the Holy Communion in such manner as to expose them to the view of the people as objects toward which adoration is to be made, in or after the prayer of consecration, or in the act of administering them, or in conveying them to or from the communicants.
6. The mixing of water with the wine as part of the service, or in the presence of the congregation.
7. The washing of the priest's hands, or the ablution of the vessels, in the presence of the congregation.
8. Bowings, crossings, genuflections, prostrations, reverences, bowing
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COUNCIL OF 1874.
down upon or kissing the Holy Table, and kneeling, except as allowed, provided for, or directed, by Rubric or Canon; it being provided that reverence at the mention of the name of the Lord Jesus is not intended to be disallowed; and it being further provided that private personal devotion before or after official ministration, is not to be understood to include or justify any of the acts prohibited.
9. The celebration or receiving of the Holy Communion by any Bishop or priest when no person receives with him.
10. Employing or permitting any person or persons not in Holy Orders to assist the minister in any part of the Order for the administration of the Holy Communion.
II. Using, at any administration of the Holy Communion, any prayers, collects, gospels or epistles, other than those provided in the Book of Common Prayer, or under 2 14, of Canon XIII, of Title I, of the Digest.
12. The use of wafer bread in the Holy Communion.
The practice of auricular confession and private absolution should likewise be forbidden, and all other practices and usages not sanctioned by the Book of Common Prayer.
No clerical vestments should be used except the present Episcopal robes, a white surplice, a black or white stole, a black cassock, a black gown and bands.
The committee also offered the following :
Resolved, That the deputies from this Diocese to the General Con- vention be requested to bring to the consideration of that body the po- sition which the office of Institution occupies in the Prayer Book, with the view that it may be ascertained whether the same be properly and legally incorporated in the Book of Common Prayer, or not, and if not, to request that it be omitted in future editions thereof.
Both papers were adopted.
A paper was offered earnestly petitioning the General Convention to remove from the "office of Institution," &c., the words "altar," "sacerdotal function " and "sacerdotal relation," wherever they occur in that office.
In view of the action already taken the Council declared it inexpedient to adopt the paper.
The Council passed a resolution declaring that "any par-
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COUNCIL OF 1874.
ticipation in lotteries, gift enterprises, gift concerts and raffling, to be inconsistent with the profession of a Chris- tian, and that it is improper for any church or church insti- tution to be aided by money made by such means."
The committee appointed for the purpose, reported that the Diocese has no connection with the "Southern Church- man," except through the Trustees of the Seminary, who own the good will, and have the power to appoint or dis- place an editor. The press, type, &c., belong to the present editor.
A report in addition to that to the last Council was made by the committee on the Hymnal.
Grace church, Pocahontas county, West Virginia, and St. John's church, Petersburg, were received into union with the Council.
Report was made of an act incorporating the Trustees of the Virginia Female Institute.
So much of the Bishop's address as relates to worldliness and intemperance was referred to a committee, who reported in strong and solemn terms upon those subjects. Their re- port was recommitted.
On motion, a committee was appointed to ascertain what legislation, if any, is necessary to bring the Theological Seminary and High School under the control of the Coun- cil. The motion was subsequently reconsidered and laid upon the table.
The work of the Rev. Giles B. Cooke, in Petersburg, with the colored people, was endorsed and commended to the support and prayers of the Diocese.
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COUNCIL OF 1875.
COUNCIL OF 1875.
The Council met in St. Paul's church, Richmond, May 19th.
It was moved that the Council meet at 9 A. M. for Di- vine service, then to proceed to business without recess at 11 A. M. for service. Adopted, but reconsidered and rejected. by a large majority.
A paper was offered recommending the appointment of a committee to inquire into the establishment of schools for the gratuitous education of the children of the clergy. Adopted.
The brotherhood made a report, recommending annual reports to the Council.
Christ church parish, Smythe county, and Christ church, Gordonsville, were received into union with the Council.
The Virginia Bible Society was commended to the sym- pathy and cordial cooperation of the Diocese.
A resolution was adopted approving the appointment of a secretary and general agent of the Diocesan Missionary Society, and giving him a seat in the Council.
A revised Constitution for the Diocesan Missionary Society was proposed, but only partially considered, and, as a mat- ter of consequence, it was all indefinitely postponed.
An amendment was made to Canon IX, with reference to parishes having a plurality of congregations.
The Secretary's salary was increased to $400 annually.
It was recommended that at each Council at least one sit- ting be devoted to the consideration of Diocesan Missions, and hearing of reports from missionaries.
It was proposed to amend Article X of the Constitution by increasing the Standing Committee to five of each order. This was rejected at the Council of 1876.
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COUNCIL OF 1876.
COUNCIL OF 1876.
Council met in St. Paul's church, Alexandria, May 17th. Rt. Rev. F. M. Whittle, D. D., Bishop and President, in the chair.
In his address the Bishop made appropriate allusion to the death of Revs. C. W. Andrews, D. D., Mark L. Chevers, William C. Meredith, D. D., Charles E. Ambler and John W. Magill, and followed up his remarks concerning them with the following :
"But the greatest sorrow for the whole Diocese was yet to come. Our beloved Bishop, the Rt. Rev. John Johns, was stricken with sick- ness on 13th March, and after lingering with us amidst our hopes and fears until midnight of 4th April, he finished his course with joy, and the ministry which he had received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. His end was not only peaceful, but triumphant. God had given Him for long and important service in his Church. His ministry extended through a period of within one month of fifty-seven years ; the record of his abundant labors as Bishop and assistant Bishop during nearly thirty-three of those years being spread on the pages of your journals. I can add nothing to what has been published by indi- viduals, vestries, and other bodies in regard to the character and life and work of the dear departed. I will merely testify that he ever treated me with the kindness and confidence of a father. The better I came to know him, during my intimate association with him for nearly eight years, the more I admired him for his great and varied abilities, and loved him for his Christian virtues. But he has gone! The place amongst us which so long knew him shall know him no more forever. Surely his loss to me can never be repaired. May a double portion of his spirit rest on his unworthy successor, and may God's strength be made perfect in my weakness. May we, my dear clerical brethren, be enabled by the Holy Spirit to preach Christ as uniformly, as simply and as earnestly as he preached Him, and may we all, ministers and laymen, receive grace to follow Christ as he followed Him. So-and what more can we desire ?- shall we die the death of this eminent ser- vant of God, and our last end shall be like his."
*
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COUNCIL OF 1876.
The Bishop laid before the Council the following resolu- tions unanimously adopted by the Convention of West Vir ginia : -
I. Resolved, That in the judgment of this convocation the interests of the Church in our State clearly demand a division of the Diocese of Vir- ginia.
2. Resolved, That while we would all prefer a Diocesan organization, yet rather than the division should fail, we ask that West Virginia, or such part thereof as may be designated by the Council of Virginia, be set apart as a missionary jurisdiction.
3. Resolved, That we respectfully petition the Bishop and the ensuing Council to take the necessary action in the premises.
The fourth resolution was one of confidence in Bishop Whittle, and affectionate remembrance for Bishop Johns.
The Bishop said :
"It does not appear from the above who were represented in the Convention. I should be sorry to see any of our brethren cut off from us against their will. But if it shall be made to appear that the minis- ters and people of Trans-Alleghany West Virginia desire their territory to be erected into a separate diocese or missionary district, I trust the Council will do whatever may be necessary to accomplish their wishes."
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