Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-07
THE CHURCHMEN'S LEAGUE
Treu endous Opportunities Before the New
Episcopal Diocese.
Gen. kasson Tells of the National Re-
lntions-Other Speeches at Last
Nights Meeting.

AAS "iAAeCi AiCCtihS VI tAS
League was held last evening at Trinity
Parish Hall, corner Of Sd street and In.
diana avenue. Several hundred gentlemen
were in attendance, including a large rep.
resentation of the Episcopal clergy of the
city and many well-known Washingtonians
who are prominent in the affairs Of the
city or of the nation. The meeting was
presided over by Commissioner George
Truesdell, the president OF. the league, and
Mr.. Edward F. LOCKER acted as secretary.
The principal features of the program OF
the evening were a couple of addresses or
timely subjects connected with the estab.
lishment of the new diocese of Washing
ton. Considerable routine business was
Transacted, especially interesting being
the report Of the committee on Sunday OBJ
servance. which detailed the history of the
bill that has been introduced in Congress
looking toward stricter observance of the
day. After the adjournment of the meet
ing light refreshments were served to the
members in the lower hall. and a pleasant
reunion and socia! time was enjoyed.
The meeting began with prayer by Rev
DR.. Addison, the rector of Trinity Church,
after which Col. Truesdell introduced Gen.
John A Kasson to deliver the first address
of the evening His subject was 1.-The Ma
tional Relations Of the New Diocese"
The subject assigned him, Gen. Kasson
said, he understood as meaning the rela-
tons of this diocese to other dioceses and
to the country generally The importance
OF this location, he said, could scarcely be
overestimated, and 1t was hard to under
stand why a diocese had not been estab-
hshed mere long before this. In all other
countries. and in almost every church, 1t
Is customary. and always has been, to
make divisions of church dominion pretty
closely along the lines of political bounda-
RES, yet in this country the Episcopal
Church seems to have ignored the oppor-
" a ut he
ftal, and has tied this city up with such a
provincial city as Baltimore Washington
Is the place where so much Of the history
OF this country has been made, and 1t is
strange that the church had never seen fit
to establish a bishopric here. In other
countries 1t has been one of the first wishes
and plaES of the church to erect at the can
ital such an influence for religion and mo-
rality.
Great Opportunities.
The time has come, however, continued
Gen. Kasso1, and now a tremendous op-
portunity for influence and for good opens
out before the diocese Of Washington, and
the attitude and position of the churchmen
of the diocese toward the rest of the coun-
try has been materially changed. 1t be-
hoOved them to consider their new rela-
tons and t. study the question Of how best
to utilize their opportunities. One of the
most important matters to think of Is
the educational influence which the new
diocese may WELD. He spoke of the move
ment which had been set on foot, antici-
pating the erection of the diocese, in the
formation of plans for church schools and
for great Episcopal cathedral in this
city. The establishment of advanced
schools for both young men and young
women, under the influence and auspices of
the church, will be a great power in induc-
ing families to come tok Washington to
make this city their home. In line with
ne
the proposition before Congress to estab-
fish in this city a great postgraduate uni
versity of the very highest character, to be
supported by the national government.
try take turn for the better. he thought,
the idea would be actually realized
In connection with the new diocese comes
the possibility of primate whose bishopric
will be Washington and whose province 1t
will be not to rule over all other dioceses, but
to watch over them and be strong element
of unity among them all. Without cutting
on any of the independence of the other
dioceses it would yet be center of in
fluence and power in the way Of watchful
supervision
Gen. Kasson said that he had little to
suggest beyond these forecasts Of the posi-
bilities Of the future, and to urge them to
constant watchfulnesS and to realizing
sense Of the opportunities which open out
before the metropolitan diocese. They, as
must leave behind them all
conception OF washington, as nothing more
than a big, overgrown parish, and wake
to realization of the true position which
the new dioo ese of Washington should take
before the world.
Other Talks.
At the conclusion Of Gen. Kasson's ad-
dress. which was literally applauded, Rev.
David Barr, general missionary Of the new
diocese, gave a talk on the Work in the
Four Counties" which was a description
of the geographical condition of Mont
gomery, Prince Georges, Charles and St.
Mary's counties, constituting the new do
cese of Wasbir gton. His remarks were IL
Illustrated by means of large map, which
gave a comprehensive idea of the field of
work which Bishop Satterlee will find
spread out before him when he comes to