The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-21
SPRING CONVOCATION.
LARGE ATTENDANCE AT THE
CHURCH or THE HOLY TRINITY.
Nearly Every EpIscopsl Minister Belonging
to tho Organization Is Present-Inter-
s.tlnx Essay ON Hevivais.

| A. 10 o'clock a devotional meeting was
for the clergy. which was followed by
reugious services spd Holy communion
al II O'Clock. At the close OF these SER
| vices luncheon was served by the ladies'
| OF the congregation in the lecture-rooms
After this intern ission the business ses-
| sion was opened in the chapel, with Rev
j. J. Gravatt, the president. in the chair.
while Rev. Mr.. Johnston, OF Powhatan
recorded All the ministers Of this city
were in attendance, with the exception Of
Rev. d. r. Nugent, who is in charge OF
the Broai-Street Mission. These were
also present: Bishop John u. Newton,
Rev. Everard Meade. the diocesan ms
sIo,arv: Rev. w. w. Brander, of Flu
wanna. Rev. Il. NJ. Randolph, OF Eman-
mel church. Henrico county; Rev. 5. 5.
Hebron, of Hanover.
The other absent minister belonging to
the conyocation was Rev. John I. Cor
mick of Charles City. The parish of
West Point also belongs TO the convoca-
ton. but is at present without a rector:
Rev. j. X. Mason chairman Oh the
committee on associations, reporteu as u
the associations held since the last SEES
country parishes.
pev +, p. Mason. chairman OF the
committee on questions, submitted two
subjects. from which the foIoWlnS was
selected for the essay at the next SESSION
of the convocation: Pastoral VlsltlnG
how 10 be conducted with profit to the
pastor and people" Rev. George Z. Ab-
bitt was selected TO read the essay
Rev George c. Abbftt presented the
mo g.
ceipts since April -, 1891, were $lio.oI'
while the expenses amounted to SlfO.9o.
leaving a balance on hand OF @.S9.
Rev. X. A. Goodwin, chairman of the
committee on parish reports, submitted
the papers presented to him from the
various parishes, which showed the conO-
ton of the churches.
WANT 30 PLEDGE.
The following affirmation was then read
10 be signed by those VINO had not al
ready done so:
IL do soemnly promise TO be present at
all meetings of the convocation, unless
providentially hindered, and that l viii
perform all duties assigned me 20 the
best Of my knowledge and ability"
Considerable discussion ensUed as TO
the meaning Of "unless providentlally nm
dered." and Rev Preston Nash finally
gave notice that he would move to-day
TO have this pledge stricken from the
constitution.
At the request Of Rev. s. S. Hebron,
IL was decided that the fall session of
the Convocation be held In one or the
two churches of his parish. the time 10
be fixed by him and the executive com
mittee. nj
on motion of Bishop Newton, Rev. PIKE
Powers was requested to make some re-
marks on diocesan missions during the
evening session.
A short recess was then taken, ana al
3.20 y. NJ. Rev. +. :. Stickney read his
essay on "The Revival Work as Con-
ducted-Is It Productive OF Good Re
sults?" The speaker started out by say
Ine, that the reader of the Bible would
find nothing wrong in the revival idea.
Some people could not be reached, eX-
cent through their emotion-a fact that
had almost been forgotten by the Epls-
copaI Church. He thought reViVals were
necessary while there were careless ana
unconverted souls. and with due prepara-
ton and earnest efforts they would bring
forth good results.
During a general discussion which 1ol-
lowed. Rev. j. X. Mason thought that II
revival meant only the stirring up or
the people by sensational sermons, the
result was a questionable one. On the
other hand. revivals took place in the
Episcopal Church every Lent, and, In
fact, every Sunday, when the ministers
endeavored to create renewed interest in
those who had become more or less IN
different Rev. MIR. bowman saic ne
had never seen much lasting good result
from REVEALS, and, in his opinion, the
everyday preaching OF the Gospel was
Of far greater advantage.
Rev. Mr.. Brander desired to know how
REVEALS could be made profitable, and
how the masses could be reached who
were not otherwise -ouched by the
Church.
THE POWER OF TIE HOLY SPIRIT.
Bishop Newton spoke Of he Importance
of bringing the pOwe' of the Holy Spirit
down upon q community, ana pointed out
that a large majority Of the people be-
came protesting Christians by personal
conviction. He alluded TO revivals in
Prince William county. and the one held
recently by Mr.. Scheduled IN Fredericks-
burg where, out of II population of 1900
white people, 300 had joined the Church
since January LIST, and wnere. few days
ago. he confirmed a class Of fifty-tWo.
The great difficulty was very often
that these missions or REVEALS In the
Episcopal Church were held through too
short period. enc he thought they
would do a great deal of good if they
were properly conducted.
Rev George c. Abbitt and Rev. Pike
Powers who both had originally been
brought I'D in the Baptist Church. spoke
OF their experiences and advocated the
establishing of missions. which came
under the head of REVEALS.
Rev. Mr.. Carmichael thought the sys-
tenn of the Church was laid down in the
Church constitution, and spoke about the
specific characteristics Of the Episcopal
Church. In speaking of the dangers of
the revival system, the speaker SAID
that he ordinary revivalist always Great
ed I'm the minds OF the people, though
he might not do IL Intentionally, the inn
that the ministers were lazy
lot, while they, in fact. always had the
hardest work left TO them. Slow, per-
sistent teachings were always far bet
ter than any spasmodic efforts. Then,
again. revivals often brought out wrong
teachings of Christianity. He advocated
a revival system. which should be car
ried out in the Church. and by recog-
nized preachers of the Church.
The discussion was a very interesting
one throughout. and gave several OF the
ministers present an opportunity to tell
Of their conversion. Shortly before ]
O'Clock the convention adjourned until
s L. NJ.
THE EVENING SESSION.
After usual evening services, which were
held in the church, Bishop Newton intro
duced Rev. S. S. Hebron. of Hanover,
who delivered an address on The diff
culties and advantages or the work In
parishes"
Rev. pike Powers. of st. Andrews