Delaware gazette and state journal., 1897-06-10
The DIOCESE OF DELAWARE.
Convention of the Protestant
Episcopal Church.
SESSION DEEPLY INTERESTING
Many Clergymen and Laymen
Present.
BIshop Coleman's Triennial Charge and An
nual Address-Conciusion of the Proceed-
| Tags Last Evening Georgetown Selected
| - the Next Meeting Place.

nual convention of the diocese of Della
ware OF the Episcopal Church. which
opened in Christ Church here yester-
day. A large number of clergymen and
lay delegates were present.
Bishop Coleman, who presided, an
nounced, after the credentials and been
nrssented that there was a quorum,
after which S. NJ. Curtis of Newark
WAS unanimously elected secretary for
the 36th consecutive time. Il. A. Van
Trump was selected to assist him.
Following the formal organization, a
religious service of an hours duration
was conducted by the Bishop and other
eiergymeu present.
During the service Bishop Coleman
delivered his triennial charge. He said
that in considering various subjects
from which to select one suitable for
the triennial charge required of him by
the canons of the church thought of
none more important and practical than
that OF "Organic Unity Essential to
Church Growth.o lie was aware that
the main question to which it is related,
namely: Christian Unity, was one upon
which he should not be able to shed
much, il any. additional light. Yet as
1t was ons which is constantly forcing
itself upon his consideration that ne
INDUCED the hope that he might not be
considered unduly yenturesome in en-
tering upon its discussion. Christian
unity and organic unity may not be
deemed altogether synonymous. They
were 30 in his mind, but evidently not
in the minds of some, who treated this
subject. They appear to think that
the ends of such discussion have been
met when all of the disciples of Christ
agree in general way to lovs one an
other and to live without pickering
and controversy, allowing the advant.
ages which may be claimed for their
several Independent organizations, and
not desiring any specific and common
uniformity. This seemed TO him to be
begging the question. The unity
which be understood to be meant by
the definition, organic unity, is not one
only of sentiment, but of being an out
ward and visible sign OF the inward and
spiritual harmony. 1t is a unity Of
methods and means as we'll as desire
and design. 1t tis that which in the SER
vice of national self preservation and
real patriotism has reduced scattered
tribes to an effective confederation and
has made out of detached kingdoms or
States, an empire or republic, compact
and commanding.
In speaking, therefore, of organic
unity, he was speaking of something
whose Significance is distinctly ac-
snowedged and of something which in
other realms clearly exists, and vet,
while the meaning is 40 well understood,
the necessity for it as an element of
church growth is not appreciated as
widely rs one might expect. One
reason for this may be that notwith-
standing the want of organic unity the
church does grow, but nowhere is this
growth equal to the requirements aud
Resources of the community. Even
where 1t may be most apparent there
are many people who do not appear tc
he affected by it, He asked, are there
not many who may give an outward
allegiance TO what is preached and yet
have but faint conception of the true
idea of the church. especially as tt
her oneness and catholicity.
The Christian world PRACTICAL,
agreed in all of the essentials of unit,
until about the middle of the fifth cen
tury. During this harmonious perioC
the progress of Christianity was 81
marvellous as to become one OF the mos
memorable facts in universal history
1t has been calculated that in the yea
450 there were not less than $50. 600, 00
Christians. OF these it is further cal
cuIated that there were in Asia ant
Africa over ITO, 900. 900. After maxim!
all due allowances it would appear +
be true that there were really NOR,
Christians at the end of the fifth cen
tury than there are to-day at the clos
of the nineteenth century. AS to Asi
and frioa fhara 10 bn ,It
room for doubt as to the immense los
in numbers that has befallen Chris
tianity. Is it possible, he asked, I
contribute the chief cause of this stat
of affairs to anything else save tn
schisms and disunity in the church?
The earliest disciples of Christ ha
been warned as to the evil which mus
inevitably ensue upon division. /
His own teaching the Divine Maste
constantly set His church as one, an
both He and His apostles give utteI
ance throughout the New Testament (
the sentiment of unity as ono of til
necessary and distinguishing marks {
the church. In the short forms {
creeds used in instructing candidate
for holy baptism the converts wei
required to profess their belief in th
unity of the church. The same doctrir
was prominent in the writings of th
fathers. Rather than allow dissensior
an5 schiHms men were taught that the
should endure miseries and if necessaI
even die. 1t is not within the PROVING
of this charge to trace the variol
causes which in the beginning led
the unhappy divisions that have evt
since SO marred and hindered I'll
church. His chief concern at th
time was what relates to the presel
condition and prospects of this churcl
The bishop spoke of the ditferer
periods through which religion ha
passed and alluded to the fact thu
some thought that it was best for I'll
cause of Christ that these difference
should exist. If religion were mere
an opinion, be said, rather than dew
tion, an enthusiasm rather than if
it would not SO much concern us
study methods by which division
among Christian people could he healer
But, recognizing the practical charact
of religion, the mission of the cfurt
as bearing upon the eternal conditit
of humanity we cannot help yearnir
for some interposition of Divine Prov
dence that will again establish her
peacemaker and the restorer TO ii
race OF unity.
Ii unrestrained competition leads
waste in the commercial world, tht
similar waste cannot be prevented
the ecclesiastical world from simil
causes Distrustful intolerance
others is by no means the proof
sincerity, but rather of insincerity
faith. 1t will disappear in proport;t
10. ta.sI II.