Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-17
THE CHURCH CONGRESS
Distinguished Clergymen and Lay.
men of the Episcopal Church.
A NOTABLE GATHERIN G.
Epiphany Church Crowded to Its Utmost Ca
pacity-Eloquent Sermon by Bishop Phil-
lips Brooks-Ex-Senator Edmund.' Address
as President of the Congress-

Shrouded in the mist and gloom of the low
ering clouds the gray walls of Epiphany Church
this morning took on q more somber hue As
On many former occasion in the long and
honorable career of this historic church. the
gray walls this morning inclosed distin-
guished audience witnessing the stately cere-
monial OF the church. The significance of the
occasion arose from the fact that the religious
services were preliminary to the opening of
the fourteenth session Of the church con-
gress, one Of the most notable ecclesiastical
bodies that has ever assembled in this CITY,
The prominent churchmen of the country. rep
resenting the best thought of the church take
part In these conventions IL was the presence
OF these men from all parts Of the country that
gave special importance and significance to
the service this morning. Recognized as n
leader IN the intellectual development of the
church and as an exponent of a broad Christi
anity. the presence OF the distinguished Phillips
Brooks. the newly chosen bishop of Massachu-
setts, and his assignment TO deliver an address
lent additional interest to the event.
CROWDS IN WAITING.
1t was evident that there was an eager desire
on the part of the public to be present on such
an occasion. The hour fixed for beginning
the service was 1890 and it was announced
that the doors of the church would not be
open before 10 o'clock. But long before that
hour the people began TO gather about the
different entrances TO the church and stood pa
tiently in the drizzling rain. The throng was
constantly growing and finally extended from
the main entrance entirely across the broad
sidewalk. Promptly al 10 o'clock the doors
were opened and the crowd pressed in. The con-
trast between the gloomy and depressing
scene on the outside and the handsome in
terror pervaded with grateful warmth and
glowing with the soft radiance from the clus-
tered electric lights was an impressive one.
Quietly and without confusion the great crowd
was directed to the seats by a strong ccrps of
ushers, consisting of the wardens. the vestry-
men and members from the Brotherhood Of
st. Andrew.
TIE SEATING CAPACITY INADEQuATE.
With the exception Of a section of pews
occupying the body of the church nearest the
chancel the entire church was open to the pub
lic The reserved seats were for the use OF the
members OF the congress and for those to
whom cards Of admission had been issued. 1t
was soon found that the seating capacity of the
church was inadequate to accommodate all
who pressed for admission. Standing room
was soon at premium, and the people stood
IN the aisles and along the side walls
and in fact wherever they could get
footing. At least twenty minutes before the
time fixed for beginning the service the entire
seats in the pcws reserved for the delegates
were found to be vacant and they were thrown
open to the general public. There still re-
mained at all the entrances a throng of people
anxious to gain admission. Shortly before the
services began Mrs. Harrison. escorted by Mr.
Haiford and accompanied by Mrs. Dimmick
reached the church, and after standing in the
crowded aisles for a few moments the party
as soon as they were recognized, were shown to
pew which had been reserved for them.
CoNyESING OF THE CONGRESS-.
When the hour for convening the great Epis-
copal congress arrived Epiphany Church was
crowded to the doors and wherever there was
standing room there were people stand
ing. There was an unusually large number of
ladies present and they eyinced the greatest
interest in the proceedings Of the morning
session.
In the chancel, behind the handsome
iron grill work, were seated the
young men and women that constituted
the choir. Senator Edmunds who was to pre-
slde at the sessions OF the congress- occupied q
seat this morning In one of the front pews of
the church. The regular ushers. J. IL. Black
wood. A Il. Blackwood and W. r. Black
wood, rendered efficient service in seating the
immense congregation that began 10 arrive at
the church long before the hour set for the
commencement of the morning session. Dur
ing the time that intervened the organist of
the church, MIR. Walter Gould. played the large
God Incar nate, with which the choir opened
the services.
PROCESSION OF MINISTER'S
The hymn served as o professional for the
ministers, who had been in the meantime out
in the vestry room. They entered, attired in
the flowing white vestmentsof their office, and
took seats within the chancel in front of the
choir.
As the notes Of the professional hymn died
away the minister who had been selected to ad-
minister the communion. Bishop Dudley of
kentucky, began the recital of the Lords
prayer, the ministers and the congregation fol-
lowing. DIR. Huntington Of Grace Church
New York, read the epistle and DR.. Wiides Of
New York. the general secretary of the
gress, read the gospel. DR.. Wildes and DR..
Mcklm made few announcements, after which
the choir and congregation sang the hymn:
lhe hlddep love of God, whose height,
Whose depth unfathomed, no man knows"
As the hymn came TO q conclusion Bishop
Brooks made his way up into the pulpit, his
imposing figure rising away above the brass
BISHOP BROOKS SERMON.
II soon became evident that the fact that the
sermon of the morning was to be delivered by
the famous preacher from Boston was prin-
cipal attraction in drawing the crowd that
filed the church, for when he rose to speak
there was a marked quiet over the whole con-
gregasion as all leaned forward to hear as
much a. possible of what the great pulpit
orator would have to say. There
were many present who had heard him before
They knew there o treat in store for them
There were many who had never heard him.
but were equally sure from what they had
heard of him that they would hear something
well worth hearing and that their ears and tn
teliects would be subjected to some consider
able strain.
Bishop Brooks Is a rapid speaker. This fact
IL 90 generally admitted that il has risen 20
the rank of q truth that can never be saiusaid.
The statement has been made that there Is one
stenogrspher in Boston who can make 3 fuIl
report Of one Of DIR. Brooks sermons. This
may be 90. but ct any rate the stenographers
who endesvored TO follow him this morning
lived mp 70 their contract They followed