Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-25
EPISCOPAL WORKERS
Variance Between Bishop Paret and
Colored Clergy.
THEY WANT MORE REPRESENTATION
He is Steadfastly Opposed to
CoIored Bishops.
ENC E

The pretty Chapel Of st. Mary's, on 23d
| street northwest between G and H, was
| C. n pletely filled this morning to hear the
address of Bishop Paret to the eleventh an
nual conference of workers of the Protest
ant Episcopal Church amon9 the colored
people. The artistic plan Of the church
with its interior court beautifully set with
vines, flowers and shrubbery. through which
! the congregation pass to enter the audi
torium, gave the gathering more the ap-
pearance of a garden party than stiff, &C.
clesiastical convention. There was a large
rumber of ladies present The vested choir
ard the large number of the clergy in
yes tments lent a picturesque color to the
score. After devotional exercises, in which
the choir performed most agreeable part,
the bishop read his address.
| Bishop Pnrefs Address:
| 1t was devoted chiefly to a defense Of the
commission elected by the general church
| to have charge of the work among the
colored people. 1.-The time perhaps has
| come" said the bishop, when the COM
| mission should be dissolved. Yet I, a
member of 1t from the start, am able to
| say that but for 1t great work among
your people would have been undone: 1t
has certainly increased and methodized In
| terest in that work. 1t has made perma-
| nent feeling that this work must not be
| left to chance interest but must be part
| of the work of the church. This alone
| justifes the existence of the commission.
If no more had been accomplished. 1t could
Justify the claim that It's work had been a
success"
Work In This Diocese.
The bishop claimed that there were more
| colored commandments of the church in
| this diocese than in any other in the land.
and that here was doubtless proper
| place to study the work that was going
| forward. The general church had given
| 10000 annually to the work; the colored
| people themselves in this diocese had
| given $1,000. and between $1,000 and 5000
| had been received from this diocese for the
| work as personal and parochial gifts.
! These gifts had been brought out by the
| commission. To the commission was also
| due the founding of ST. Augustine's League
| in New York city. and st. Monca's in
Hall for theological study and St Angus
| tines College at Raleigh-all these were
| due to the commission.
1t was easy. he said, to criticise the COM
mission. He did that himself, and the COM
| mission did 1t. But it had been called into
| being by the general church, and welcom-
| ing criticism must go forward to It's duty,
cheerfully il possible, bravely at all haz-
ards. If the commission Is to be discon-
| tinued something better should first be Of
| fered as a substitute. Criticism must be
constructive, not destructive.
The Study for Orders.
The second division of the address dwelt
| on the subject of study for orders. Its main
point of interest was an unequivocal decla-
ration agGirst colored bishop. There
must not be divided church, said the
| bishop and there must be a bishop for
each diocese. from within the diocese. At
| the close of the address the communion
service occupied the rest of the morning
hour.
Conference Called to Order.
| Shortly before 1 o'clock the conference
| was called to order by the president. Rev.
Henry L. Phillips of Philadelphia. Rev.
Messrs. Tunnel, Cain and Tatum were
ramed as committee on credentials. The
| committee on nominations presented the
names of Rev. Owen NJ. Waller, rector of
| ST. Thomas Church. Philadelphia, for pres
| ident, ard Of Rev George F. Bragg. Jr..
| of Baltimore, for secretary and treasurer
| A minority report presented the name OF
| Rev o. l.. Mitchell of Washington for
president. Mr.. Mitchell withdrew, and the
| report of the committee was adopted. Mr..
| Waller in taking the chair, made brief
address. acknowledging the honor and
pointing out the significance of the work
| before the conference
| A Prolonged Discussion.
At this point the question was brought
| should be referred to a committee or left
for general discussion throughout the con-
ference 1t was quickly apparent that the
| tone Of the address was not at all to the
liking of mos. of the clergymen present
1t was especially dspleasing in contrast
with the pointed criticism offered in the
| address by Rev. Mr.. Wright at the open
ing session of the conference last evening
This matter led to prolonged and spirited
| discussion.
Mr.. Waller said the point in the bishops
| address was the maintenance of the COM
mission. He, Mr.. WAIVER, was opposed to
the commission. as many others Were be-
| cause it was not representative. There
| were no colored men on it.
Mr.. Phillips Address.
| St. Mary's Church was crowded to the
doors last night at the opening session Of the
| convention. Rev. Henry l.. Phillips. presi-
dent of the convention conducted the serv-
| ices, and Rev. Richard Bright of Savannah,
| Ca delive, ed the sermon. The vested choir
Of the church furnished music for the occa-
| SIGN. Among the leading clergymen who sat
| within the chancel rail were Rev. H. L. Phil
| lips, Rev. Richard Bright, Rev. ]. F. Mitchell
| of this city. Rev. w. V. Tunell of King Hall,
| this city; Rev. G. Frazier Miller of North
Carolina. Rev. George F: Bragg, 5r, Of
| Maryland and Rev. owen NJ. Waller of Phil
| adelphia. Before the sermon a committee
| consisting of Rev. Mr.. Waller, Rev. Mr.
CAIN Rev. Mr.. Jackson and Mr.. Tatum. to
| nominate officers for the coming year was
! announced. Mr.. Bright's discourse was a
| thoughtful and earnest entreaty for help for
| the colored race He compared the work
| Of various denominations. and expressed the
| opinion that statistics showed but a feeble
| desire on the part Of Episcopalans to pro-
mote the welfare OF the black man. While
some few cClored ministers were permitted
| to speak before white audiences, none was
admitted to diocesan conventions.