Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-25
CHURCHMEN CONFER
The JAMEa-RlvER coNvocATIoN or
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH MEETS.


The James River Convocation OF the
Protestant Episcopal Church convened ct
Monumental church yesterday morning.
the opening being With . devotional ser
vice for the clergy only, At which Bishop
Randolph delivered an address.
There.were present: Bishop Randolph,
Rev. L. W. Burton, of st. Johns Rev. j.
Hartley Carmichael. of st. Paurs; Rev. DIR.
Newton, of Monumental; Rev. DIR. ]. X.
Mason of St. James; Rey. Mr.. Kuyk, OF
Weddell- Memorial Rev. ]. Y. Downman,
of AL Saints; Rev. L. X. Mason. Of Grace
church; Rev. DR.. T.. q. Dashiell. OK st.
Marks; Rev. J. ]. Clopton, of Manches-
ter; Rev. b. NJ Randolph. Of Emanuel!
church. Henrico: Rev. Martin johnson, OF
st. Luke's, Powhatan; Rev. J. W. Ware,
OF Farmville; Rev. s: s. Hepbron; OF Han
over; Rev. A. Buchanan. of Hanover
Rev. E. NJ. Stires, of West Point.
At IL O'clock the public services were
begun. Many ladies were present. also
number of businessmen. The convoca-
ton sermon was preached by Rev. Hartley
Carmichael from the text: Let . man so
account of us as of the ministers OF Christ
and stewards of the mysteries of God"
The minister argued that the ambassadors
OF God should endeavor to do their full
duty, and that even though many things
might be left undone and that only few
great day the Heavenly Father would say:
well done, thou good and faithful ser
want" At the conclusion an ofertory TOR
the econvocation fund was taken up with
good results. The holy communion was
then celebrated.
IHE BUSINESS SESSION.
The first business session of the convo-
cation was called to order by the presi-
dent, Rev. l.. w. Burton. Rev. MIR. john
son. of Powbatan, the secretary, was at
his post. A number of unimportant reso-
lutions were adopted. Rev. A. Buchanan,
the treasurer, RESIGNED that Office and Rev:
j. j. Clopton, of Manchester, was elected
to fill the vacancy. The conyocation then
went into the selection of the place for
holding the fall meeting. Monumental
church, Richmond. and the churches at
West Point and Farmyille extended invita-
tions. The latter place was chosen by
unanimous consent. After the consldera-
tion of routine matters recess was taken
and the members invited to the basement
room of the church, where a splendid
lunch had been prepared by the ladies OF
the Monumental congregation.
THE AFTERNOON SESSION.
The first matter taken up in the after
noon was the reports OF the parishes
These showed the convocation to be steadi-
ly progressing in its work.
Rev. l.. X. Mason read an essay upon the
subject, "How Best to Increase Attend
ance Upon the Second Service on Sun
day." The regular speakers upon the
question were Rev. Z. M. Stlves, OF West
Point, and Roosevelt Page, ESQ.,. OF Rich
mond. General discussion on the topic
was then INDUCED in by Bishops Randolph,
and Peterkin. Rev. Drs. Newton and
Dashiell, and Mr.. Adolph Blair. Recess
was then taken until p. NJ. Many ladies'
attended the afternoon session.
Addresses Last Night
The meeting at night was very largely
attended. Rev. MIR. Burton presided and
Rev. Mr.. kuyk, OF Weddell-Memorial
chapel, read the service. Addresses were
delivered on three topics--foreign mis-
sions. diocesan missions, and temperance.
The first subject was very ably dealt
with by Rev. j. w. Ware, of Farmville.
He dwelt upon the duty Of foreign mis-
sions and the blessings that follow upon
the fulflment of Christ's commands to
carry the Gospel into all the world. be
told a beautiful story of the way in which
Epiphany is celebrated in Russia. The
people gather from far and near with unlit
| tapars in their hands. They all light them
at single candlestick upon the altar. so
must we catch the light of Christ and
spread it throughout the world" said the
preacher.
DIOCESAN MISSIONS.
diocesan Missions" was the theme in
Rev. Mr.. Hepburn's address. He gaze In
| teresting statistics concerning the work
being done. and pointed out the spots
that need strengthening and assistance.
| He stated that in Virginia there were 10C
counties, Oh of which were occupied by
| the Church; there were 140 parishes and
| 264 churches, 43 of the latter being vacant.
| His whole address was full OF interesting
information. and was eagerly listened to.
Mr.. BOWMAN ON TEMPERANCE.
Rev. ]. Y. Downman. rector of All.
| Saints church, took o temperate view OF
| the subject of temperance. He said the
drink bill OF the United States Is billion
| of dollars yearly. 1t pauperizes our peo-
ple and fills our jails and ssylums. On the
phtform of the church temperance socie-
| ties and all workers for the cause can
| unite. But for many there Is no hope OF
| temperance except in total abstinence.
| He appealed to Christian men and women
| to set an example.
Between $3.50 and II o'clock this morning
the convention will complete the business
before it, and the remainder OF the day
will be devoted to q Sunday-school lnstl-
| tute. 1t will be under the auspices OF the
convocation, conducted by Rev. Il. j. Z.
Moran, secretary of the American Church
S.x- A.. Col Iv,of frtf