The Washington times., 1895-06-05
men OF THE CLOTH ANGRY
Passionate UfteranGes Between
ReVs. AspinWaII and Stewart.
PERSONALITIES WE'RE PASSED
Archdeacon ChiIds, who Presided at
the Convocation, Tried TO Stop the
Discussion, but DR.. Stewart Was
Headstrong nd Said Hissay Caused
by Rivalry Between Two Churches.

A wordy disputation, strongly Favored
with personalities and Urged somewhat
with bitterness, arose last night at the
final session of the Conyocation OF Wash
ington, held at Trinity P. E. Church. The
principals in the discussion Were Rev.
DIR. Aspinwall, of st. Thomas parish, and
DR.. Stewart. of st. Johns parish, in
Georgetown, and the subject of comment
was reference made by the former in
the course of some remarks upon the
evening topic, which was How can the
city parishes cooperate with the country
parishes in promoting the work of the
new diocese of Washington"
DR.. Aspinwal took the position that
there should be cooperation. He he
lieved it would be for the best interests
of the churches not only to go over the
ground and locate parishes where they
are needed. but also 10 prevent location
where parishes are not needed.
Incidentally he referred to the strug-
giles of his own parish, which. unaided,
was endeavoring to build a church that
would eventually cost $S1, 900, and that
church, he thought, should have been per-
mitted to go on undiSturbed by the con-
struction OF another edifice within four
blocks and within $50 feet of st. Thomas
parish boundary.
NOT A NECESSITY.
He could not believe, he said, that ST.
Margarets church was a necessity in the
same neighborhood, especially in view of
the fact that there is not sufficient
number of their church people to fill
either.
he regretted to see manifested a spirit
that would interfere With church build
ing. He deprecated the feeling OF rivalry
that seemed to prevail in certain quarters,
and could not believe that one parish
church could interfere with another even
il built within lfalf a block.
Referring to the two Georgetown
churches, he said they were not only not
a oetriment to each other, but were ON the
contrary, a stimulant to the work. 1t
mattered not. he said, if real estate in
terests or sordid motives govern the Sc
lection of a site for church, God could
overrule TO his own glory not only that
condition. but wrath, avarice and greed,
and even selfishness and worldliness.
1t was evident that Dr. Stewart was
aiming his remarks at his brother rector of
st. Thomas Parish. Dr. AspinwaiI so
construed them, and responded by saying
that his brother had indulged in a great
many adiectives and had been much more
severe than the occasion Justified; but
believing that he was unaware OF the
extent OF his denunciation, and that he did
not mean all that his words implied, he
forgave him.
TRIED TO STOP IT.
DR.. Stewart arose to reply, but Arch
deacon Childs, who presided, arose at the
same moment and attempted to stop the
discussion. DR.. Stewart opened the pew
door and, stepping into the aisle, he pro-
ceeded, regardless of the interruption. He
said he was not aware of anything on his
part that needed forgiveness.
If anybody needs to ask forgiveness, y
he said, lit is the rector of ST. Thomas
who. in the absence of DR.. Howell, rector OF
st. Margaret's, said on this floor that
representations We're being made for the
other parish that would not bear the light
OF day" He added that he felt, under the
circumstances, that something should be
said on the other side.
Dr. Childs succeeded at this point in
saying that be was obliged TO interrupt
the discussion, as personalities had been
INDUCED, and DR.. Addison, rector of Trinity,
who had been interrupted previously, ex-
pressed the belief that Or. Stewart did not
have Dr. AspinwalI in mind at all when his
structures were most severe. and added, with
touch of humor. that he had taken the
greater part of the lecture To himself
The discussion of the topic was opened
by Or MacSay-Smith and was participated
in by Revs Gilbert Williams, T g. Addison,
g. w. Davenport Griffith and Others
SHOULD HELP THE WEAK
Dr. Smith said the strong parishes should
assist the weak ones and all snould cooper
ate with the bishop when he comes to the
work in mapping out a comprehension plan
of helpful corporation. De hoped the time
would come whenthere would be q bishops
buggy" and that il would visit every corner
Of the diocese. The influential churches
should individually take the position of
elder brother towards the struggling par
ishes. and the rectors of such should SYM
pathiZe with rectors who are beset by diff
culties and aid them With advice and counsel
and have them feel that some one is taking
an interest in them and their work.
DR.. Williams said the tendency TO multi
ply churches should be discouraged a
strong central parish would accomplish more
than half dozen weak parishes. The
creation OF a multitude OF churches he be
lieved TO be an element OF weakness, and
tended to inculcate the spirit of selfish
ness that they all desired TO avoid
THE MORNING SESSION.
The convocation of Washington embraces
the territory within the lines of the diocese
OF Washington. The rectors convened al
10 O'Clock yesterday, the session being
opened with the reading of the morning
prayer and the administration of the holy
communion, Archdeacon 7. s. Childs offici
ating, and being assisted by DR.. Addison, OF
Trinity, and DR.. r. L. Howell, rector of st
Margaret's.
Rev. a S. John, secretary, read the
minutes of the previous meeting, and Mr.
Seymour Tulloch, treasurer, presented his
report. The residue in the treasury, after
meeting expenses, amounted to $15.1Ss
The balance to the credit Of the building
fund is SAB. Gen. Duncan s. Walker
and F. L. Brody were appointed to audit
and close the accounts, in view of the
pending division of the diocese.
A letter from Bishop Paret was read, re-
lating largely TO the interests of st. Luke's
Church. He recommended the appointment
of a committee on W ork to enable the church
to borrow needed funds.
DR.. Howell read a paper in which he
advocated the endowment of all churches
under proper conditions, in order to render
them independent and TO place them in a
position to do the most with the opportun-
tiles in hand.
The Officers of the organization were
rec lected. They consist OF Dr. T. s.
Childs, archdeacon: DR.. A. s. John, Sec
retary; Seymour W. Tulloch, treasurer.
Among those who were in attendance;
in addition TO those named, were Revs
Charles Z. Buck. r. H. McKim, James w.
Clarke. James A. Buck, John 81. Elliott
S. T. D.; Nelson Falls, and Thomas A.
Tongue, all of Washington; Rev. John E. C.
Smedes, Takoma; Charles F. Sontag, Up
per Marlboro, and Rev. John NJ. Todd, of
Hyattsville. Delegates-WilIiam A NAL
low John O. Johnson ,TOseDh F AlSton