From the Richmond Dispatch, 5/26/1863, p. 1, c. 5

Episcopal Diocesan Council.--The fact that the Council of the Diocese of Virginia met at St. Paul's Church, in this city, on the 20th inst., has already been made known to our readers, and we present below a sketch of the proceedings:
The Council was called to order by the Bishop, Right Rev. John Johns, D. D.

Rev. Geo. Woodbridge presented the resignation of Col. J. W. Atkinson as Secretary of the Council, which was accepted.

On motion of Rev. D. F. Sprigg, Rev. T. G. Dashiell was elected Secretary.

On motion of Rev. Mr. Mason. Rev. J. D. Powell was elected Assistant Secretary.

On motion of Mr. Sprigg, Mr. S. P. Mitchell was elected Assistant Treasurer.

Rev. John Grammer presented the report of the Managers of the Widows' and Orphans' Fund, showing the income of the Society for the first year to be $2,555.86, expenses of the same, $320; the permanent fund amounts to $40,221.16.

On motion of Mr. Friend, the old Managers of the Widows' and Orphans' Fund were re-elected.

On motion of Mr. Baker, the visiting clergy and theological students were admitted to seats in the Council.

The Bishop announced the standing committees as follows:

On the State of the Church.--Rev Dr Minnegerode, Rev R K Meade, Rev John Grammer, Rev Wm H Platt, Judge T S Gholson, Mr N H Massie, Mr J L Bacon, Dr P H Foster.

Widows and Orphans of Deceased Clergymen.--Rev C Walker, D D; Mr Samuel Tyree.

Episcopal Fund,--Rev G Woodbridge, D D; Col T H Burwell.

Accounts of Treasurer of Missionary Society.--Rev R R Mason, Mr John E Page.

Parochial Reports.--Rev Wm Friend, Mr Samuel M Bailey.

New Parishes.--Rev H Stringfellow, Col R E Withers.

Elections.--Rev Wm McGuire, Mr T S Garnett.

Finance.--Messrs J Stewart, Alex Brown, and E B Pegram.

The report of the Executive Committee of the Diocesan Missionary Society was read by the Rev. Dr. Minnegerode.

The report of the Standing Committee was read by Rev. D. F. Sprigg.

Mr. Latane moved that the report of the Diocesan Missionary Committee be referred to the Committee on the Affairs of that Society.

Mr. Sprigg moved as a substitute the following resolution:

Resolved, That Rev. Mr. Latane, Rev. C. Walker, D. D., and N. H. Massie be appointed a committee to examine so much of the report of the Diocesan Missionary Society as refers to the publishing of tracts, and report if anything can be done to enlarge its sphere of usefulness, or otherwise to further the cause of publishing.

On motion of Mr. Latane, the name of Mr. J. P. McGuire was added, and the resolution, as amended, passed.

Mr. Mason presented the report of the committee appointed to examine the accounts of the Treasurer of the Diocesan Missionary Society, showing the same to be correct.

Mr. Massie offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the Treasurer of the Council be instructed to pay, in addition to the salary paid the Bishop for the past year, the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, and that he also be instructed to pay the Bishop the same amount in addition to the salary for the current year. Unanimously carried.

The Council then adjourned.

Second day.

The Bishop read his annual report, (heretofore noticed.)

Mr. Sprigg moved that so much of the Bishop's report as relates to services for the army, be referred to a committee of three. Motion carried, and Messrs. Gibson, R. K. Meade, and James Galt were appointed on said committee.

Dr. Woodbridge moved that a receiver be appointed for funds for a monument to the late Rt. Rev. Wm. Meads, D. D. Motion carried, and Mr. George C. Williams, of Richmond, appointed.

Mr. Dashiell offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That Article II. of the Constitution be amended by adding after the words "no person under ecclesiastical censure or process shall be entitled to a seat in the Convention, " the following: "and no person shall be entitled to a seat unless he has been canonically connected with the Diocese for six calendar months."

The resolution was approved and ordered to be transmitted to the Vestries of the several parishes in the diocese.

Mr. Latane, from the Committee on Publishing Tracts, made a report as follows:

"The committee to whom was referred the annual report of the Diocesan Missionary Society, after mature consideration, have deemed it best not to ask any action of the Council at this time upon matters contained in that report, and therefore respectfully ask to be discharged."

The report was received and the committee discharged.

Mr. Dashiell presented the application of the wardens and vestrymen of Emmanuel Parish, Washington county, for admission into the Diocese of Virginia. Application granted.

Mr. Baker offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That this Council will meet in this lecture room this evening, at 8½ o'clock, to offer prayer and supplication to Almighty God for His blessing upon this Confederacy and our armies in the field.

Mr. Latane moved, as a substitute, that the Council at once resolve itself into a meeting for devotional purposes.

The substitute was carried, whereupon religious exercises were engaged in by the Council.

After some time spent in prayer, the Council resumed its ordinary business.

Mr. Baker offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That this Council will meet in St. Paul's Church to-morrow morning at 6½ o'clock to unite with the congregation that may be present in offering prayers and supplications to Almighty God for his blessing upon this Confederacy and upon our armies in the field.

Dr. Minnegerode nominated the present members of the standing committee for re-election, and they were unanimously elected.

Mr. Sprigg made the following nominations for the Executive Committee of the Diocesan Missionary Society:

Rev. John Johns, D. D.
Rev. Geo. Woodbridge, D. D.
Rev. C. Minnegerode, D. D.
Rev. J. Peterkin, D. D.
Rev. F. M. Baker.
Rev. Wm. Norwood, D. D.
Rev. W. H. Platt.
James W. Weddell.
W. F. Gray.
John L. Baker.

All which were approved.

The Council adjourned.

• Prev
• Next