New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-29
THE BISHOP TO THE CHURCH.
IMPERIALISM CONDEMNED AND THE
CARS PROPOSALS PRAISED.

CARS PROPOSALS PRAISED.
BISHOP POTTER ADDRESSES THE DIOCESAN
CONVENTION on THE CHURCHs PRESENT
purY-DrscrssEs ExTEMPoRANEoUs
PREACHING AND RITUALIsTIc
The Protestant Episcopal Convention Of the
Diocese of New-York presided over by Bishop
Potter began it's ll5th annual session at 10 O'Clock
yesterday morning Grace Chapel. in East Four
feminist. near First-ave. The convention Will be
continued to-day. 1t will send TO the General Con-
ventIon. which is scheduled to open on October
next in the Church Of the Epiphany. Washing
ton, a representation OF eight delegates. These VIII
probably be Identical with those of last year. with
one exception. the death of Stephen p Nash having
left OF the places vacant
Bishop Potter In his annual address to the con-
ventlon dealt In succession with several important
issues He first condemned what he termed the
growing practice Of preaching extempora neous ser
mons and pleaded for more care in the preparation
OF pulpit discourses. "In n word" said the Bishop
summing up his remarks on this topic. the vice
of our time. men and brethren. In the matter or
preaching the Gospel Of Jesus Christ Is that they
who are called that office and ministry esteem
II lightly and discharge IT so careessly so i'm
properly often ndifferenty."
From this subject Bishop Potter passed TO the
question OF rituasm confessing TO a feeling OF
personal sympathy with the Roman priest who,
having witnessed n high function In one OF the
churches of the Anglican communion. remarked TO
a companions VERY fine doubt; but for myself
prefer our own simple service" But neverthe-
less" proceeded the Bishop. I'VE may not forget
that elaborate and highly coored ritual has been
found. they maintain TO edify, in the case Of
such men as the sanity Liddon and his peers; and
n So you and I. TO whom IT is dstasteful. may not
Int. . and nj
high spiritual end What we have a right to de-
mand, think is that It shall not consist. in any
smallest degree. in the mutilation of the Churchs
appointed holy offices; and that the men who
guilty of this shall be regarded and treated as the
wanton lawbreakers that they are"
THE MOVEMENT TOWARD IMPERIALISM
Turning to secular topics Bishop Potter then in
succession touched the question Of expansion
and the peace proclamation Of the Car. OF the
first ne said:
The Nation has had much during the last few
months to blind and ntoxicate IT, 1t has won an
easy victory over effete and decrept adversary.
triumphs Of naval ill-and in these We may in
dulge just prde-ought to blind our eyes to tho
very feeble foe. And now. with unexpected fruits
Of Victory In our hands. what. men are asking, are
we going to do with them?
they going to do with u.s. Upon what wild course
people many OF whom dizzy already with
the dream of colonial gains. and who expect to
repeat In distant islands some such history as our
conquered enemy wrote lorg ago In blood and
/ We have. indeed, our Congress to direct this race
for empire and our gaunt and physically wrecked
sons and brothers by tens OF thousands al home
never before. the Church of God is called upon. in
the pulpit and by every agency at her command;
to speak the words Of truth and soberness and to
reason Of righteousness temperance and judg-
Notwithstanding impetuosity Is sobered and chas,
ened. and until people In peril Of being wrecked
think The things that this Community and this
nation alike supremely need are not more territory.
hunters. more pensions FOR oilers. more subject
races 10 prey upon-but dawnng consciousness
peopl Laa indispensabe moral foundstions those
! great spiritual forces on which alone men or ma
For these forces, men and brethren and for
nothing else. does the Church OF God stand. Let
| humility that may well become us but let
to it. no less. that We recognize in the august
powers Of which in season and out Of season. the
/ Church Of God Is put In trust that one supreme
! force that can alone purify and enghten and re-
! society. with. such trust; IN such a time. how
truth. to our fellow-m,n we ought to be, May He
make US so by the power of the Holy Ghost,
PRAISE FOR THE CzAR.
OF the peace proposal Of the Car the Bishop
Il do not believe that because some people have
|
/ upon dismiss mis- remarkable utterance as un-
worthy OF serious consideration. This world has
practical" people-the men who have visions
the visionary But sooner or later once and
again, all around the world some such dreamer
has struck a great note the clear and penetra ting
resonance OF which has walked and reused the ma
lions.
Most opportune IS It. ! think that. in the ear OF
a Nation already dizzy with the dream OF what II
may achieve by conquests through the force of
arms. there sh ia sound that strong. temperate
and most cogently reasoned message which rings
through the ukase OF the Emperor Of Russia 1t is
and essential madness OF the international race
FOR increased armaments-shps and forts and men
l'pi!ed up IN eVer-greatenlng proportions untl az
/ last the utmost limit OF a nations resources In
/ has been dragged from his family; the last sheke
has been borrowed from reluctant creditors, and
AT length into irredeemable bankruptcy And this
is called "statesmanship and the wisdom Of diplo-
| nginatiye sentimentallsm For myself. II is better
described In those very recent words Of singu-
man. whom nobody will accuse Of being visionary
or a dreamer-I mean Sir William Vernon Har.
great Powers OF the world In the matter OF ships
and men AS Simply 'insensate folly"
the ius, OF empire and the passion Of conquest
rs d RSGG' the misery that such policy S
! destined to entail? Is it true. above al. that the
| followers Of Him who came TO teach men how 10
beat their swords into ploughshares and their
spears into pruning hooks are sassr inSt sa o, o,
nations TO re-enthrone It? Are peace and happi-
ness truth and justice religion and piety." to pre-,
vail among by cutting one anothers Threats?
| For one. dsown so harbarous a conception OF
our calling in the world as at once libel upon
our civilization and dishonor TO our common
| Lord and Master. And so hope that this conven-
| ton will not separate without some expression or
| sympathy and Of admiration for an act 80 truly
! nob.o and words greatly wise as those of the
| ruler to whom ! have already referred. May God
| give him courage TO persevere in MS high ana
holy purpose, and may the Ruler of Rulers turn
| the henrts Of kings presidents and people toward
| an aspiration so generous and a purpose 80 truly
! Christlike!
| CITY MISSIONS PROSPEROUS.
| Religious services. including the celebration of
| the Holy Communion followed Bishop Potters adj
| dress. Afterward the delegates were entertained
at luncheon at the parish house.