The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1874-10-31
Two Important Religious Gatherings.

Next month will be remarkable in Church annals
for two important religious gatherings that will
take place-one in this city and the other Ia
Brooklyn. The Triennial Convention Of the Pro-
testant Episcopal Church will assemble here on the
9TH prox. 1t will bring together between forty
and City bishops who will have a constitutional
voice in the House Of Bishops, and a few Others
who will not. together with a large delegation Of
clerics and laymen from all parts OF the country.
The wisdom and prudence OF this body will be put
to the test as never before in the history OF this
Church; for there is upon ii at present a crisis such
as has never Overtaken il, and the least deviation
or turning aside from the old paths and exact
truth will necessarily prove disastrous 10 the body.
Any perceptible leaning toward ritualism will give
offence TO and probably drive out Of the told a
large army Of low churchmen who sympathize with
Bishop Cummins aud bis Reformed Church; while,
on the other hand, should the Convention seek 10
placate the radicals by a sturdy opposition 10 the
High Church party, 1t will hasten the march ofthat
party toward Rome. This is the dilemma la which
the Episcopal Convention, for the hrst time in Its
history, finds itself. The importance ofits position
is apparent, and we can only hope that its wisdom
and prudence may be equal to the occasion. But,
whether Intentionally or not, II must be somewhat
embarrassed by the meeting of the Church Con-
gress in this city about the same time. The leaders
in this movement disclaim any idea or attempt 10
influence the action Of the Convention In any
matter; but II must necessarily exercise an in
fuence over il for veal or woe; and the more so
since the bishops have not given IL countenance
and the promoters Of the Congress will gather here
in deaance Of their authority and protest. II, as
DR.. Rylance declares, they meet TO discuss the re-
lation of capital and labor, they could do that at
any other time as well, and perhaps better a little
later. Nevertheless, they have a right TO meet and
to discuss any subject that may come before them,
whether it affects the Convention or not; and this
they will do.
The gathering Of Baptists in Brooklyn next
month will be important also. At the last meeting
of the Long Island Association an Effort was made
to drive out Lee Avenue church and its pastor be-
cause Of their open communion sentiments. But
better counsels prevailed. This effort may be
renewed next month, and, perhaps, with success.
though we doubt il. The party opposed TO this
church have lately taken advice Of friends In this
city, who have ceunselled liberty Of opinion and
liberality Of treatment, and this may be their poll
cy. ANY attempt now to prescribe open commu-
MON sentiments would drive out a very large
party from the Baptist Church and add TO our al
ready large list Of petty sects. 1t Is said that OPP
position is ~ be made to the admission Of Marcy
Avenue Baptist church into the Association on
account Of the liberal views and tendencies OF its
pastor, DIR. jeffrey, on the communion question
The day for repressive measures In any and every
church has passed, and what cannot now be accom-
plished by kindness persecution will fail TO do
] ". 7. Herald, Sept 20,