Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-13
A CONGRESS OF CHURCHMEN.
The Notable Gathering at Epiphany
Church To-Day.


The Notable Gathering at Epiphany
Church To-Day.
TIE MISSIONARY COUNCIL OF TIE PROTESTANT
xPrscoPAL CHURCH OPENING sxRvIcHs-A SER
MON By BISHOP wHIPPLE-A LIST OF THE
BISHOPS AND CLKRaYMEN IN ATTENDANCE.
Epiphany church was the scene to-day Of
notable gathering. The missionary council OF
the Protestant Episcopal Church convened
there for its annual session. In addition to the
distinguished members of the council who were
present the Episcopalians Of the city were well
represented, and every seat in the spacious
edifice reserved for the public was occupied.
Shortly after 10 o'clock the clerical and lay
members Of the council began to enter the
church and take the seats reserved near the
altar. Then presently the music of the process
sional was sounded from the organ presided
over by Mrs. L. A. Pearson and the large audi
ence arose to their feet From q side door
in the chancel issued the long procession
OF the bishops. They all wore the bishops
gown of white lawn and black silk, that of
Bishop Doane's having the red cape Of Oxford
University. As the group on the chancel COM
prised the representative men of the church
the scene was looked upon with more than
church was at once begun, Bishop Paret read
ing the ante-communioh service, Bishop Scars
borough, the epistle, and Bishop futile, the
gospel
Among those in the chancel were the follow
ing: Bishops Williams, Of Connecticut; Wat
son, Of North Carolina; Knickerbacker, Of
Indiana; Whitaker, Of Pennsylvania; Thomp-
son, OF Mississippi; Peterkin, of West Virginia
Gilbert, of Minnesota; Coleman, Of Delaware;
Doane, OF Albany; Walker, Of Dakota; John
ston, OF West Texas, and Burgess, Of Quincy.
BISHOP wHIPPLE's SERMON.
The sermon was delivered by Bishop Whip
pie, of Minnesota, whose venerable appearance
is increased by the long hair which falls upon
his shoulders. He is regarded in the church as
the apostle of the Indians, and during his long
eplscopate OF twenty-nine years, with the elo-
quence Of his tongue and the force Of his per-
sonal energy, he has done a great deal for the
cause OF the red men. Bishop Whipple has
strong voice, and does not use notes and his
preaching is powerful and effective. In begin
ming his discourse, the bishop repeated some
OF the bible promises as to the glory and sue
cess of the church. These words he said, are
the sure promise of God that the labOrs and
trials of the church will be crowned with sue
cess. This is
MISSIONARY AGE.
There is no place in the world where the
gospel Of Christ cannot be carried. Barriers
have been removed, closed doors opened, and
the facilities of intercourse increased He
wished to speak of the progress of the king
dom, and recounted the noble deeds Of Living
ston and other workers in the mission field Of
Africa. He said that the only dealers in the
African slave trade to-day were the followers
of
THE FALSE PROPHET.
and that fact may be regarded as indicative of
the progress Of that faith. As the result of the
work in Africa, there are now bishops of the
church there and cody ministers doing the
work OF the church. He spoke of the growth
OF the missions in Australia and in the islands
of the South Pacific. He reviewed the
work done in China and Japan, and COM
mended the heroism of the mission
aries in the vicinity Of the Hudson Bay. The
early work OF the missionary bishops and min
listers of the church in this country he recog-
nlzed as the foundation for the present pros
perity of the church. To-day, he said, one
tenth OF the entire population of the globe
it as providence of God that after Spain had
claimed the territory Of the new world, that
now it was
UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE ENGLISH SPEAKING
PEOPLE.
He thought that there was a significant les
son in these facts. He believed that God de-
signs that the church should lead on the work
OF redeeming the world, and that the church
should hold the olive branch of peace over all
who love the Saviour. From the review of what
the past shows all christians should be led to
ask the personal question, What am doing to
hasten the coming Of His kingdom2 What
lonely missionary have / prayed for?" He
spoke OF the luxuries of dress and of home
and said that in view of the pressing
needs OF Gods work it was a matter that each
one should prayerfully consider as to what can
done hes M Tor nf tba
cause. Since the last general convection
Bishops Elliott Wells, Roberts, Harris, Dunlop,
Greene, Potter, Lee and Stevens have passed
away. These deaths, he said, were a warning
OF the shortness of time in which to do the
work. In conclusion he commended them all
to greater diligence and faith.
THE CLOSING SERVICES
Upon the conclusion of the sermon the Offer
tory sentences were read by Rev. DIR. Lang
ford, the secretary of the board of missions.
The choir sang an offertory while the offerings
for foreign and domestic missions were col
lected. The communion service was then held
which was participated in by the members of
the council. Bishop Paret administered the
communion, assisted by Bishops Whitaker,
Watson, and Thompson.
Upon the conclusion of the service the
bishops retired from the chancel.
BISHOP WILLIAMS
the presiding bishop of the council, came upon
the altar followed by the secretary of the coun-
ell, Rev. DR.. Henry Anstice, of New York.
Bishop John Williams, Of Connecticut. is the
presiding bishop of the general convention.
He has a tall, slight form and his white locks
are partially covered with a velvet cap. He
has strong face, giving indications of the in
tellectual force which has placed him in the
front rank Of the clergy.
THE COUNCIL WAS CALLED TO ORDER
and the roll was called by the secretary. Upon
motion of Bishop Paret at o'clock the coun-
Gil adjourned for lunch, which was served in
the room at the rear of the church by the
ladies of the Episcopal churches of the city.
The secretary announced that the council
would hold session this evening and to-mor-
row the sessions would be at 8, q and 8
O'Clock.
MEMBERS PRESENT.
The following members answered to their
names: Bishops-Williams, Connecticut; Whip
pie, Minnesota; Nicely, Maine; Drane, Albany;
Whitaker, Pennsylvania; Dudley, Kentucky;
Scarborough, New Jersey; Burgess, Quincy;
Peterkin, West Virginia; Tuttle, Missouri;
Brewer, Montana; Paddock, Washington;
Thompson, Mississippi; Knickerbocker, In
diana, Walker, South Dakota; Watson, East
Dora