The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-25
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Convention of the Diocese of Long Iniand-
Audrcna by Riahan LiffIeiailu.

Address by Bishop LittIcjohn.
at balf-past ten O'Clock yesterday morning ST.
Georges Episcopal church at Flushing was dled
by an intelligent and interested audience TO partcl-
pate IN the proceedings OF the Convocaton and TO
aear the discourse OF Bishop Littejohn OF the Do
csse OF Long Island. The exercises were opened by
reading she morning prayers and the recital OF the
FIRST aud second lessons, alter which was sung the
hymn:-
o, pray for Salen's peasel
thou s sofy c sas u Pl oar s,ss BE-
Va bear love 10 Thee
The Bishop then assembled the pulpit and began
his discourse 10y saying that they had assembled to
consider what was essential 10 the propagation Of
the Episcopal faith in the diocese. We must, con-
tinued the speaker work down to the basis OF the
established rules. There are some faults IN our
faith that all VIII admit IL is even admitted that
branch Of the catholic Church Is not perfectly
established. Our machinery or our status is sunken
by the theories which we own and proclaim We
have swung OH 70 fearful distance, and 1t Is SAID
have failed. We are sensible Of our deli
cleneies anu not ashamed 10 OWN them. Reform
and progress cannot be stayed. IL We have wounds
and sores, ana wish To tear them from our persons,
we must not do II TO satisfy our adyersarles but for
AS branch OF the catholic Church we know we axe
not what we should be- our condition is the aues-
nOn ol the nour, put 1t IL what shape you Will The
Christian Church. lid not generate Tie PRINCIPLES u
upholds. IL was established by Almighty God, ana
Is an instrument Tor the welLe-ny aud salvation
OF ali in the hand OF the Lord me Church 10 an
organ OF spiritual light aud tue light comes TO
the people through the priests, VINO are the
regularly ordained servants or Cod II the
Christian Church is asleep IL is because lis
minis erS have inherited the habits and lie of The
slusgara. We must deal with our lie before we
deal with reiormatons. Practical relIglons fail to
comply with or produce the wishes OF the scriptures
The IRE OF the Cnurcn Is not extingusned, crcu-
most point OF the hour is 10 recover the ancient
apostolic religion. TO 40 this II needs motive
power, Iervor and Intelligence, to hold the faltn
delivered to the saints. had we these traits as we
should have them, how many obstacles would dis.
appear, and how many evils would vanlshs Tnese
eraceS are ever the sane-tne truth and the ordl-
nance5 oil Jesus Unrlst-taitn aud repentance,
whereby we iorsaAe sin, in the language or the
catecnIsm. We must Keep Gods word anu CON-
maudments to the end OF our lives. We must 40 IL
as CHRIST intended II. Virtue should make this the
Standard point The Church must move
as last as sociely, Itself di5tauced by OPP
p0Slte DeIeI5 The sunday scuool Is radically nece5-
sary Tor the Christian education OF socleey. But
powerful an auxiliary Us ID generally supposed.
1ne power exercised domeStcaily at the 1ireslde Is
fully AS powerful The use Of lay agency Is another
essential feature. IL Is the anomaly OF the Churcn
" give the lalty more scope than any otner existing
Church, ana yet 1t derives less dement, from It, lhe
long STANDING want VI cooperation make our cor
porate existence very sluggish. Cooperation VIII
orlng about higher standard OF individual being
and MAKE 1t q general educator. we need higher
toue OF education aud intelligence among the minis
try. They are not senSiole OF their mistakes ana
deeds. ours is o rising Church in this land. We
are confronted by desires to increase tie ministry.
Bishops are demanded at ratio which the Church
has not yet settled WHAT 1t mas done Is but an iuui
cation OF Its dominant powers. We believe in equal
liberty, OF the Individual but oil all-llberty OF
mind, OF thought, OF action There are three
denominations now struggling for the social ana
civil supremacy OF this country, nancy, denolnlna-
tionallsnl, Romanlsin and Epscopdliansm. Roman
ism gives US The law; sectariansni the n0erty, but
not the law. Denomnatonaiism cannot ruie.
Homanlsm Is capaue OF ruling, but Episcopallanlsm
can, should ana viii rule.
he reverend speaker concluded his remarks by
an eloquent peroratlon IN support oi the doctrines
OF the church, alter which communion was admin
lslered 10 u large number Of people.
The attendance OF the clergy was small. no doubt
owing to the ineiemeat state OF the weather. Tae
afternoon was occupied III private conversation
D. tween the clergy. The Conyocation VIII close
iu.aa