Morning journal and courier., 1882-02-01
Religious COnvOcatiOn,
The Quarterly Convention of the Ep

The Quarterly Convention of the Epis-
 copaI Churches of the County-The
 Spiritual Needs of the Church.
 The New Haven County Convocation of Episcopal churches was begun yesterday at II o'clock in this city in Trinity church. A communion service was first held, conducted by Rev. Dr. Harwood of Trinity, | Rev. Mir. Lines of St. Pauls, Rev. Dr. Olm- stead of Branford, and Rev. Mir. Raftery of Cheshire. Dr. Olmstead read the epistle and Dr. Harwood the gospel Rev. Mir. Wither- I spoon of Birmingham, Rev. MT Randall of Meriden, and Rev. MT. Raftery of Cheshire also assisted in the morning exercises.
 Rev. Mir. Lines, of St. PauIs, delivered the sermon, the text being 'The apostles said to the Lord, increase our faith" The disciples had uttered this supp1ication in view of the duty imposed upon them to love their neigh bors as themselves, to attain higher stand point of religious life. The apostles saw how little the world regarded their Lords teach ings; they felt the severity of the task set before them, and the tribulations they would have to undergo, and prayed for more faith to prepare them for the'work It was better thus to pray for faith rather than to pray for release from any unpleasant task. It was natural to shun anything attended with dis comfort, but how more manly to accept Gods ordering of human life and seek grace to bear it's burdens and perform its duties. The apostles plea for faith was plea for power; that their strength might be made greater, and not their tasks easier. The prayer was the expression of greatness of soul. It was prayer for all Christian people striving to bring their lives closer to the heavenly fath- CT. The ministers of the church had need to make the same prayer to fit them for their responsible work. The minister must feel that in vital element the church at the present day was weak Her voice did not when the disciples were inspired by the spir- it poured out by Pentecost But if the holy zeal of her earlier days was gone there had been a gain in other respects.
 The disciples of the Lord today required more faith The aim should always be for a higher life. Doctrinal points should not stand in the way of yearning for higher
 plane of Christian living All the essential
 truths of the Christian faith stood firm amid
 the onsets of unbelief. All remained un-
 moved, and as ever strongholds for the souls
 of men. The interest in religious truth was
 never greater than at the present time. But
 what was wanted was not cold critical req
 soning or intellectual warfare, but 8 religion
 of the head, which stirred the soul to as-
 pirations for God which fostered
 the devout and reverent spirit-which
 brought @ quickened spiritual life. Even the word of God given to the
 people by the ministers with doubt upon it.,
 the clergy themselves being affected to some
 extent by the prevailing spirit of skepticlsm.
 One thing alone would make the church strong and that was the strengthening of the principle of faith. We must begin at the church. Faith in him who occupied the pull pit would create faith in those in the pews. The ministry, to effectively repel the assaults of unbelievers upon the church, must be for tifed and inspired by an accession of this living faith. Belief was not enough, for even the devils believed and trembled. The church won her first victories through faith such faith as moved the apostles when they went forth to teach and preach. It gave their words irresistible power, but would today be counterfeited, and enthusiasm could not take it's place It was
 much to have decent ceremonial of worship and polite, cultured gentleman to conduct it, but the great need to-day was of men who knew God otherwise than by hear say. We must not think of the church as machine by which men are to be made like unto Christ in 8 mechanical way. The wealth and culture of the church would not make her 8 power in the land without living faith on the part of her ministers and her children The prayer in the text should go up from our hearts constantly. Faith could only be gained through prayer; but while we prayed there must be preparation of heart and l mind for receiving Gods good gift.
 Among the clergy present at the convoea- tion were Rev. Mir. Vibbert of Fair Haven
 East, Dr., Deshon of Meriden, Rev. MT. Davin of Ansonia, Rev. MT. Micou of Water bury, Rev. MT. Smith of Yalesyille, Rev. MT. Andrews of Guilford Rev. MT. Warrington of West Haven, Rev. MT. Denslow, Rev. Dr. Beardsley and Rev. MT. Babcock of New Ha- ven, Rev. Mir. Sanford of Westville, Rev. A. G, Shears of New Haven, and Rev. MT. Scott
 of Wallingford.
 The Afternoon Meetfng-Evening Session Postponed On Account Of storn. At the afternoon session Rev. Mir. Denslow, of Fair Haven, read paper on the evils of
 Sunday schools. The paper remarked upon some of the defects of the modern Sunday school WHICH suggested theiAsel'eS Io sno earnest worker in this branch of labor. The l subject was discussed generally by the cler- | gymen, the sentiment being that the Sunday school could be made still more useful ad- ! junct to the church. Following paper was
 read by Rev. Dr. Vibbert, of Fair Haven
 East, on the last petition in the Lords pray
 CT as it now reeds in the new version, 'De-
 liver us from the evil one." The paper was
 discussed generally, the general sentiment
 being one of regret at the alteration, though
 allowing that much could be said in iustifca-
 tion of the change. The subject was contin-
 ued till this mornings session for further dis
 cussion. The evening meeting was post
 poned owing to the severe storm. few
 of the clergy gathered and the re-
 mainder of the programme was deferred
 until this morning. when the meeting will be
 held in the Trinity parish building. The mis-
 sionary work reports will be made and ad- ] dresses on the subject made by Rev. Dr.
 Beardsley, Rev. Messrs. Pardee, Eddy and
 Gardiner. A business meeting will also be held.
 County Commissioners.