USA > Virginia > A digest of the proceedings of the conventions and councils in the diocese of Virginia > Part 28
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The subject was referred to a committee of five clergymen and five laymen.
A committee was appointed to attend to the erection of a suitable monument over the grave of Bishop Johns. This paper was referred to a Special Committee, who were in- structed to secure for the purpose $3,000 besides $500 appro- priated by the Council.
A petition was presented from a meeting of the clerical and lay delegates living in that portion of the Diocese of Virginia lying south of James river. The petition asked the consent of the Bishop and the Council to the erection of a new Diocese within their territorial limits, to be composed of the parishes and congregations within the counties named in said petition.
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COUNCIL OF 1876.
The petition was referred to a committee of eight clergy- men and seven laymen. They were instructed to report upon the expediency of any division, and if so what; also to consider and report whether it would not be better for the Diocese to elect an assistant Bishop.
The Trustees of the Episcopal residence were authorized to sell the present house and to buy another.
The following was offered, and laid upon the table:
Resolved, That the Diocese of Virginia prizes Episcopacy and a true Apostolical succession as a venerable historical form of Church Govern- ment, or Ecclesiastical polity ; but does not maintain and does not find in the Prayer Book the exclusive validity of Episcopal orders.
Resolutions of thanks to the American Church Missionary Society and the Evangelical Education Society were adopted.
The Council adopted a series of resolutions upon the sub- ject of Diocesan independence-concluding with the follow- ing :
Resolved, Ist, That a committee be appointed to give the whole sub- ject a thorough examination, the committee to consist of two clerical and two lay delegates, to enquire into the origin and limitations of the Federal power, as they effect this Diocese; to enquire to what extent and in what way (if at all) the Church in this Diocese has parted with her original right of self-government, and how far she is to be governed by the acts and opinions of other ecclesiastical bodies, whether Anglican or American, whether of modern or of former times.
2. Resolved, That the said committee report at the next regular meet- ing of the Council.
A committee was appointed to consider the increased en- dowment of the Theological Seminary as a memorial of Bishop Johns. They reported in favor of raising, at once, $25,000 to endow, with $5,000 each, four scholarships-to be known as the Johns scholarships. The report was ap- proved.
Sundry resolutions having reference to the immediate election of an assistant Bishop were referred to a committee
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appointed to consult with the Bishop. They recommended-
Resolved, I. That the consideration of the proposition to elect an as- sistant Bishop be for the present postponed, in accordance with the suggestions of the Bishop.
Resolved, 2. That with affectionate sympathy with our beloved Bishop, now that "the care of all the churches" of this large Diocese rests upon him, and with fervent prayers to the Great Head of the Church, that abundant health may be vouchsafed to him, and that, with the increase of his duties, increase of grace and strength may be granted unto him, this Council doth declare, that it stands ready, whenever the necessity may arise, to elect an assistant to share with him the burdens and re- sponsibilities of the Episcopal office in this Diocese.
Resolved, 3. That the Council earnestly requests the clergy to exer- cise considerate forbearance in their calls upon the Bishop for special visitations ; and that they render him all needful assistance in executing such plan of systematic services as he may devise.
Unanimously adopted.
Ridley parish, Culpeper county ; Trinity parish, Monon- galia, West Virginia; Amherst parish, Amherst county, and Emmanuel parish, Hardy county, West Virginia, were ad- mitted into union with the Council.
Resolutions were passed deploring the increase of intem- perance-asking the Bishop to issue a pastoral upon the subject, and calling upon the clergy and laity for continued effort to suppress the same.
The committee on the subject of the formation of a new Diocese in West Virginia recommended that the Bishop call a Conference of the clergy and laity of West Virginia, with the request that the Conference furnish to the next Council such information as will enable it to act understandingly. This was approved and the whole subject was then referred to the next Council.
The proposition to amend Article X of the Constitution, so as to increase the number of the standing committee, was indefinitely postponed.
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COUNCIL OF 1877.
COUNCIL OF 1877.
Council met in Trinity church, Staunton, May 16th.
The Trustees of the Episcopal residence reported the pur- chase of another and more commodious house.
In his address the Bishop said :
"My predecessor faithfully warned you, my brethren, against the in- troduction of flowers into our churches, and his warning was reiterated in perhaps more than one report of the Committee on the State of the Church. The warning, however, I grieve to say, has, in a number of instances, been disregarded; and this evil, from a small beginning, has. in a few years grown to such proportions as on some occasions to in- volve wasteful and sinful expense, and to make of our Father's house a place for a floral exhibition, to please the eye and gratify a sensuous taste, causing some minds, it is to be feared, to 'change the truth of God into a lie, and worship and serve the creature more than the Crea- tor, who is blessed forever.' One of our prominent Bishops, who claims to have been the first to bring in this strange custom, seeing, when too late, whereunto it has grown, has issued a pastoral against the lamenta- ble fruits of his own doings. And now, in addition to flowers, we begin to see what are called altar cloths, and cloths of different colors for the different Church seasons, on some of our reading-desks and pulpits. These things, unimportant in themselves, are parts of a system-a system of doctrine and practice not sanctioned by the Word of God, which was utterly repudiated by our Church at the Reformation, and which is held in abhorrence by a large majority of the ministers and people of this Diocese. These things are a novelty in Virginia, not having been known at a time within the memory of the youngest of us, and are seriously disturbing the peace and unity of some of our congregations. I earn- estly and lovingly implore my dear brethren, the ministers and vestries of this Diocese, and, if I have any authority in the premises, I do more than implore them, for the sake of truth and peace, not to introduce themselves, nor to allow others to introduce, into our churches the things which I have mentioned, or any like things. Ritualism and Romanism have grown up little by little, and if we would preserve the worship and doctrine of our beloved Church unchanged, we must re- sist every innovation.
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COUNCIL OF 1877.
The committee appointed to report upon the questions of a division of the Diocese and the election of an assistant Bishop,-reported-
I. That the proposition referring to the election of an assistant Bishop had been deemed by them inexpedient.
2. That they unanimously favored setting apart the State of West Virginia as a separate Diocese, either in whole or in part, as West Vir- ginia might ask in petition.
3. That a new Diocese be established on the south side of James river-provided: the Council is satisfied that such is the wish of that portion of the clergy and laity residing in such territory.
From this last proposition a minority of the committee dissented-believing there had not been any full expression of opinion on the part of the church . members of that part of the Diocese which it was proposed to set apart.
So much of the report as related to West Virginia was referred to a committee appointed by the Conference of the clergy and laity of West Virginia. That committee forthwith made report, concluding with the following re- solution :
Resolved, That the prayer contained in the resolutions, tendered by the Conference of the clergy and laity of West Virginia be granted, and that the Council doth hereby give its consent to the erection of a new Diocese, to be formed out of so much of the territory of the Diocese of Virginia as is contained within the limits of West Virginia.
This was adopted by a vote of 185 to 14.
The Bishop signified his consent to the action.
The President and Secretary of the Council were re- quested to certify the same to the General Convention.
On the question of division by the line of James river, after discussion the Council decided not to approve the recommendation of the committee.
The Committee on Church Schools, to secure to children of the Church, and especially of the clergy, education at
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prices within their control, presented a report, which was adopted.
The Committee on Federal Relations was continued.
The sum of $1,000 was placed in the Bishop's hands to aid such clergymen as in his judgment were in need of assistance because of inadequate support. No report to be made by him to the Council.
The sum of $2,000 was placed in the Bishop's hands to be 'employed in procuring Evangelistic services for such parts of the Diocese as he might deem to be in need of the same.
A committee was appointed to devise, if possible, some better plan of assessment for the Contingent Fund.
The following was offered :
Resolved, That the Diocese of Virginia prizes Episcopacy as a ven- erable historic form of Church government or ecclesiastical polity, but does not maintain and does not find in the Prayer Book the exclusive validity of Episcopal orders.
The following was offered as an amendment :
Resolved, That it is uncalled for and inexpedient for this Council to express any opinion concerning the validity or invalidity of the orders of ministers in any other Church than our own.
Both were laid upon the table.
The Council declined to approve the following proposed amendment to Article V of the Constitution of the Protes- tant Episcopal Church in the United States :
Resolved, That it be recommended and proposed that the following alteration be made in article V of the Constitution, to-wit : insert at the end of the article the words :
"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."
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COUNCIL OF 1878.
The Bishop's address referred pointedly to intemperance and worldliness and the introduction of new customs, decorations, &c., into the Church. The Council endorsed his condemnation of the same, and ordered five thousand copies of that part of his address to be published.
The work of Rev. Giles B. Cooke, of Petersburg, with the colored people, was commended to the kind regard and liberal support of our people.
A committee was appointed to consider the canonical and constitutional aspects of the question of the division. They reported that a majority vote of the Council would give validity to such an act, and that the Council had the power so to act. Their report was approved.
COUNCIL OF 1878.
Council met in St. Paul's church, Lynchburg, May 15th.
The committee on Federal Relations made a lengthy re- port, which was ordered to be printed in the Journal, and five hundred extra copies printed for distribution.
From that report only the following can be here quoted:
That the object thus announced, and so earnestly desired by the fathers of the American Church, was finally accomplished by the adop- tion of the Constitution of 1789, by which the same Catholic and Apos- tolic Church in this country was recognized to be, and designated as, " The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America ;" and, thereupon, it became in form a National Church; and so long as the said Constitution remains in force, the doctrine, discipline and worship, ordained and established in pursuance thereof, must be uni- form in all the Dioceses-must be beyond the control of the Dioceses, and subject to alteration only in the mode prescribed by the Constitu- tion itself.
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COUNCIL OF 1878.
That notwithstanding this compact by the Church, in its parts made to secure uniformity in doctrine, discipline and worship to the Church in its entirety, the Dioceses are not lost or merged into one consolidated organization, but are recognized in the compact itself as. the true sources of its own powers, and as entitled to all the rights, powers and privileges pertaining to primitive Dioceses, except so far as the same may be inconsistent with the aforesaid purpose of ecclesias- tical union, or are denied to them, either expressly or by necessary im- plication by the Constitution itself.
That the body thus organized under said Constitution having, by the concurrent action and consent of the Dioceses, become the true, legal and constitutional "Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America," adherence to the doctrine, discipline and worship of which constitutes the sole test of the membership and ministry thereof, it follows that no Diocese can, without first withdrawing from this ecclesiastical union, rightfully exercise any of the powers pertain- ing to this Church, which are' conferred upon the General Convention by express grant, or by plain implication, or which are denied to the Dioceses, or to the Bishops and Councils thereof by the Constitution itself.
That in view of the sacred obligations upon the Dioceses, arising out of their concurrent action in forming it, and implied in the compact itself, and of the peril to the Church, and the cause of religion involved, nothing could justify withdrawal from said ecclesiastical union, or the taking of any steps to that end, but the ultima ratio, which underlies all supreme necessities in Church and State; and which as an inalien- able, reserved right, should be appealed to ONLY for the preservation of vital principles, put in grave and imminent peril by the power, to which allegiance is due under the compact of government.
Resolutions concerning the appointment of a Histori- ographer were offered and referred to a Special Committee, and by their recommendation postponed to the next Council.
A committee was appointed to revise the form of Paro- chial report.
Resolutions were adopted condemning and deploring in- temperance.
The Bishop called attention to the property question as it related to West Virginia, and proposed that a committee be appointed to report upon the same. Delegates from West
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COUNCIL OF 1878.
Virginia present were invited to take seats in the Council and to participate in the discussion.
The Council agreed to pay $5,000-$2,000 as soon as West Virginia should appoint some one to receive it, and the balance in annual instalments of $1,000 each. The acceptance of the same to operate as a release of all pro- perty claims by the Diocese of West Virginia against the Diocese of Virginia.
A communication was received from the Petersburg Con- vocation recommending that the Diocese be divided by canon into Convocations. The subject was referred to a committee, which brought in a majority report opposing, and a minority report favoring the proposed canon. The subject was recommitted to a large committee and sent over to the next Council.
The Council established the office of Legal Adviser of the Diocese-to be filled by appointment of the Bishop. The Bishop appointed Mr. Samuel D. Davies, of Richmond.
A communication was received from the Council of the Diocese of West Virginia, expressing its feelings on the sep- aration now formally completed between the Diocese of West Virginia and the Bishop and Diocese of Virginia. It con- cluded as follows:
Resolved, That a copy of the above minute be transmitted to the Right Reverend F. M. Whittle, D. D., LL. D., soliciting his blessing, 'and to the Secretary of the Council of the Diocese of Virginia, to be laid before the Council at its next session, asking the prayers of the clergy and laity of the Diocese of Virginia for ourselves and our breth- ren of this Diocese.
A committee, by appointment of the Council, made a reply in the same spirit of fraternal affection.
A committee was appointed to revise the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese, to report to the next Council. The Bishop was appointed chairman of the same.
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COUNCIL OF 1878.
The Bishop, in his address, referred to the subjects of an assistant Bishop and the division of the Diocese as follows:
"I owe it to you, my dear brethren, and to myself, to say that I have been enabled by the help of God to accomplish an amount of visitation work during the past year, greater than ought to be expected of any man, and greater than I can promise to perform in the future. I feel able to do all that is necessary, in my judgment, for the interest of re- ligion and the growth and prosperity of the Church, and more than all that is required of me by the canons. I do not, therefore, ask for any relief or assistance. But whether what I have done has been, or what I may be able to do hereafter will be, satisfactory to the Diocese, it is for you to decide. If a more frequent visitation of the churches is demanded, there is but one of two ways, as you are aware, by which it can be secured-viz: either by another division of the Diocese, or by the election of an assistant Bishop. As to the first, I am convinced that a large majority of the people on the south side of James river are utterly opposed to the cutting off of that part of the State as a separate Diocese; and my opinion is, that a large majority of the people of Vir- ginia are opposed to any division whatever. From the measure of division, therefore, with my convictions, I should feel obliged in con- science to withhold my consent. As to the other method of relief, I will merely say, without at all discussing the question, that so far from being able to see any objection to an assistant Bishop, it is just what in my judgment this Diocese and many other Dioceses ought always to have. With this candid, and I trust plain statement of my views on this subject, I leave it to you to do something or nothing as you may think best."
This part of his address was referred to a committee, who recommended that the question of an assistant Bishop be postponed for consideration to the next Council.
A committee was appointed to consider the subject of Dio- cesan Missions. They reported the following suggestions, which were adopted :
Ist. That the Executive Committee of the Diocesan Missionary So- ciety be, and they are, hereby instructed to strictly observe the regula- tions established by said committee in regard to the granting of aid to feeble parishes, except so far as they are modified by this report.
2nd. That such stipends, except in cases when, in the opinion of the
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COUNCIL OF 1878.
Executive Committee, the rule would work manifest injury, shall be re- duced at the rate of ten per cent. a year on the original amount.
3rd. That they be further instructed to lend aid only on condition that the parish or church receiving it pledge itself to increase its subscription to the minister's salary as fast as the stipend allowed by the Society is reduced.
4th. That all ministers, whose parishes or churches receive aid from this Society, be informed by its secretary that, in the opinion of this. Council, it is their bounden duty to bring this subject before their con- gregations and faithfully to urge upon them the necessity of supporting themselves, that so the Society, relieved from the burden under which it now groans, may enter upon its appropriate work.
The Council recommended a schedule of collections for the Diocese.
The Presidents of the several Convocations were elected honorary members of the Executive Committee of the Dio- cesan Missionary Society.
The Bishop and the Committee on the State of the Church made solemn and emphatic allusion to the practice of round dancing.
A canon was recommended to prohibit the same. The canon failing to obtain the required majority of two-thirds, went over to the next Council.
The following resolutions upon the same subject were unanimously adopted :
Whereas, the Bishop in his address to this Council has called atten- tion to the great and dangerous evil of round dancing,
Resolved, first, That this Council hereby declares that this social amusement is one of a character in which Christian people ought not: to engage.
Resolved, secondly, That this Council earnestly and emphatically urges this subject upon the attention of the clergy, and recommends that they strenuously use every endeavor to abate the same by admo- nition and discipline.
Trinity church, Fredericksburg, and Emmanuel church, Pulaski county, were admitted into union with the Council.
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COUNCIL OF 1879.
COUNCIL OF 1879.
Council met in St. George's church, Fredericksburg, May 21st.
The Committee on the Constitution and Canons presented their report; and, at their request, it was laid over for con- sideration until the next day. It was not reached then, and on the last day of the session it was postponed to the next Council.
The new form of parochial report was adopted-requiring salaries and current expenses to be reported.
A committee was appointed to inquire whether the $5,000 voted to West Virginia was a fair equivalent of the rights of that Diocese in the, property of the Diocese of Virginia before division. The Committee reported in favor of giving West Virginia representation in the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Female Institute. The report was laid upon the table.
The Bishop called attention to the movement by a religious body of colored people in Southern Virginia, called the Zion Union Apostolic Church. They were receiving instruction at the hands of people in our Church, especially of a devoted lady, and measures should be taken to supply them still fur- ther with our ministrations. A committee reported to the same effect, and the Council cordially endorsed all their re- commendations. The Bishop said :
" I commend Mrs. Buford and her interesting and important work to the sympathy and prayers of the Diocese, and I unite with her in thanking the many kind friends at the North who have aided her by contributions of money, books, clothing and other things. As the com- mittee say in their report just read, this is a crisis with our Church. May God give us wisdom to see and realize our responsibility, and grace to enable us to discharge it."
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COUNCIL OF 1879.
The Bishop, in his address, made very emphatic allusion to innovations in ritual. He stated that the following letter of godly admonition upon the subject had been sent to all the churches of the Diocese:
"RICHMOND, VA., 18th February, 1879.
" To the Rector and Vestry of - Church, - Parish, -Va .:
"DEAR BRETHREN :- Circumstances have forced me to the conviction, that duty requires me respectfully to declare to every minister and vestry of the Diocese, my 'godly admonition' and my 'godly judgment' in regard to certain matters, as follows :
"The services of the Church should be conducted as prescribed by the Rubrics in the Book of Common Prayer, without adding thereto or subtracting therefrom.
"The decoration of the church building at Christmas, being a custom as old as the Church itself in Virginia, may lawfully and properly be continued.
"The introduction into the church of evergreens and flowers at Easter; or of flowers, fruits or vegetables on Thanksgiving Day, or on any other occasion, is a novelty and an innovation in Virginia, and ought not to be done or allowed. The decoration of 'the Lord's Table,' pulpit and desk with cloths, of one color for some occasions and of another color for other occasions, the different colored cloths being changed according to times and seasons, is a new and strange thing in the Church in Virginia, and ought not to be done or allowed.
"These views of the duty of our ministers and vestries were, as I understand, endorsed and approved by resolution of the Council of the Diocese, at its session in 1877, as may be seen on pages 45 and 88 of its Journal.
"The 'Lambeth Conference' of 1878, consisting of one hundred Bishops, nineteen of whom were of our own communion, unanimously adopted the following report: 'Considering unhappy disputes on ques- tions of Ritual, whereby divers congregations in the Church of England, and elsewhere, have been seriously disquieted, your committee desire to affirm the principle, that no alteration from long accustomed ritual should be made contrary to the admonition of the Bishop of the Diocese.
"Faithfully and affectionately yours,
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