The evening times., 1895-12-04
F0R1IIe I'nEV DIOCESE
Episcopal Diocesan Convention
Begins; ;.lh' It's !; Important Work.
BISHOP PlAFET A PRESIDED
Enlivened by Spirited Dia-
logue Concerntn& the Question of
Organizing the Convent ion-Law
Under Which 1t Is Being Conducted.
Great Iuterext In the Result,

The convention OF clergy and laity caIle
to organize the new Episcopal diocese {
Washington and tp elect bishop met Q
st. Andrews. Church this morning.
Preceding the morning session OF tn
convention proper at 10 o'clock a sermo
by Rev. J. Il. Perry, rector uf st. Andre W
Church, was listened. to In the main aud
torium. The service ut holy communio
was celebrated. The Right Rev. William
Paret bishop Vf the diocese of Maryland
was the cclebrant, assisted by Rey.T. G
Addison "f Trinity Church and severa
other clergymen.
In the course uf the sermon appropriat
| reference was made to the important con
vention which was tv follow. DR.. PER-.
spoke, In part. as follows:
MANS Christianity should not be esti
mated by that OF bis ncighbors. 1t Is not So
much how the life is conformed rs the fact
OF conformity. The doubling st. Thomas.
the Tickle st. Peter. the dogmaic st. Paul
were ali alike In their vital Christianity.
They manifested 1t in different ways, but
they were all OF the same belief.
"These different attitudes make IL OF
vital Importance. however, hat there should
be closeness of relation between Christ on
the throne AID the aiscipie on earth. When
the Christ was on Garth. even some OF His
disciples turned from him in critical hours.
But when he had assembled he really
became nearer and the secret place OF the
most high bccame their most hallowed
consideration. They became closer to
him in memory than they had been to
him in reality. II this diocese would shine
out as His shining representative what
a power it would Become. We can only
shine giorirusly as we become self-.umi-
nous. Ne must have thGyery soul of Jesus
in ourselves.
DIR. PERRY's ADVICE.
''The Christian is Christ in man, just as
each separate dcwdrop has in itself the
image OF the sun which shines upon it, Do
not let your religion become wrapped up
in mere church services. Our great work IS
to so let loose ChristiikeneSs upon Een as
to permcate all parts OF society with its be-
nign influence. We must SO secularize
our religion as to bring It into The halls OF
legislation, whether they be OF State or Of
church.
'uue man and God is always a ma iority
But ii is necessary 10 have God. Then party
spirit is crucified. aud the prayers of hum
dreds OF churciifneni that this diocese may
do nougbt to bring upon us tue reproaches
OF the world Will be answered. Brothers.
perish today all personal ambition. Soon
1t will matter little. what we are or have
been. Only let Us strive to be like Him for
eyer and forever,
1t was not until after g O'Clock that the
formal convention was called to order by
Bishop Paret. 1t had been planned TO hold
the sessions i'll che chapel. hut when the
hour OF opening arrived. the number of
spectators who wished 70 attend the con-
vention was so large that it was necessary
to adjourn to the large auditorium. The
audience was made up OF a representative
body OF church people and included many
ladies. Svt o.. H Pc
In calling the meeting to order the rev
crend bishop explained that there was yet
no diocese of Washington, and that tiiis
meeting was in the present stage only
meeting, and not. properly speak king, a
convention. 1t would he necessary to
choose temporary secretary. Two
nominations Immediately followed, the
names of Rev. II. Allen Griffin and Rev.
Arthur g. Johns being presented. Mr..
Griffin was elected
The. bishop read the roll of delegates.
subject TO revision by the committee on
credentials.
Rev. Charles z. Buck. Rev. A. R. Stuart,
and Rev. r. 4. Wood were appointed by
the chair a committee on credentials. and
the credentials were received before the
meeting. The convention then proceeded to
organize.
DEVELOPED SOME FRICTION.
The first friction of the convention ma
occurred when the chairman called
for the nomination OF a permanent secre-
tary. Rev. DR.. Mackay-Smitb asked the
chair if the meeting was empowered 10 elect
n secretary before the credentials of the
delegates were accepted.
He was Informed that such action was
Justified by precedent. Judge william
A. Mcloy made a slight sensation by enter
ing 4 vigorous Objection TO this method
Df procedure. 1t was, he thought, en-
tircly Irregular.
DO understand that you appea' from
The decision Of the chair" the bishop
Il do" said Mr.. Meluy.
The vote of the meeting was almost
in favor of sustaining the
decision OF the chair. At this juncture
Mr.. Albert. one OF the most prominent of
the lay delegates sounded the keynote
Of what was predicted would be the bur-
lien of discussion in the convention.
do I understand, sir. that we are
legislatinG under the law of the diocese
Of Maryiand?' asked Mr.. Albert, address
ing the chair.
The bishop replied that the meeting at
this stage existed under no laws. II was
merely an nunorganized body. Hehad merely
quoted the precedent of conventions held
in the Maryland diocese as a proper one 10
be followed peuding The formal organiza-
Liou of the convention and the adoption of
rules.
Several delegates jumped to their feet.
but the chairman interrupted them with
The inquiry If they were discussing the first
objection. Before further procedure could
be made, a bit of pleasantly was introduced
into the meeting by suggestion that a
recess lie taken to lunch.
Rev. DR.. Elliott humorously remarked
that he regretted making an appeal from
the chair. hut he had just been Informed Off
.ially that lunch was ready. 1t was then
voted, amid laughter, to take recess until
2 O'Clock. aI'i
Vote on the Bond Bill. See announce
ment on fourth page.