The times., 1898-10-26

the great triennial convention of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in the
United States, in the Church of the
Epiphany, in q Street, last night. They
We're similar in many respects to the i'm
posing ceremony which signalized the
opening of the convention, three weeks
ago, the pastoral letter, which was read
by Bishop Gailor, of Tennessee, taking
the place OF the opening sermon. delivered
by Bishop Tuttle.
An even greater interest was manifested
by the general public in the proceedings
last night than at the beginning of the
convention. Every seat in the church
was filled long before o'clock, many of
the deputies who arrived late being
crowded out. The platform and other eVi-
dences of the convention had been re-
moved and the church restored to its
usual appearance.
The ladies of the choir, in white vest
ments and oxford caps, took their seats
in the place reserved for them first, as
they were not allowed to march in the
professional. and at o'clock the organ
ist. Mrs. Poatz. began the hymn, on
ward. Christian Soldiers" 1t was taken
up by the young ladies ana the male
members of the choir just then entering
the church through the south or main en-
marched around the west side of the
church from the Sunday-school room.
Procession of bishops.
Immediately behind the choir came the
Rev Dr. Hart, the secretary OF the House
of Bishops, followed by the Rev. DR.. Ran
dolph H. McKim, rector of Epiphany
Church. and the Rev. DR.. Morgan Dix,
of New York The bishops followed in
reversed order of seniority, Bishop Whip
pie the venerable presiding bishop of the
house. from Minnesota, bringing up the
rear.
When all were in they formed on either
side OF the center aisle and Bishop Whip
pie walked forward into the chancel pre-
ceded by DR.. Hart. The others followed
until the forty-eight who participated in
the service were seated.
The Rev. DIR. Dix began the service by
repeating the apostles creed, followed by
the Lords Prayer, in which the congre-
cation Joined. \ song service followed
after which Bishop Gailor ascended the
pulpit and read the pastoral letter
This letter is prepared at the close of
the House of Bishops intrusted with the
work, and is sent to every parish in the
dioceses of the United States to be read
from the pulpit. 1t is in part sermon,
part a summary of the work accomplish
ed during the convention, and the future
needs of the church.
Bishop Gailor is one of the younger
members of the House of Bishops, and a
very popular churchman. He possesses
netic, and well-modulated voice. The let
ter was as follows:
The Pastoral Letter.
To Our Well Beloved in Christ, the Clergy
and Laity of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the United States of Amer
lea; Grace be Unto You, and Peace
from God, Our Father, and the Lord
Jesus Christ.
One more triennial convention of the
church has met and concluded its deliber-
atoms. Never before, we believe, has a
spirit of profounder seriousness pervaded
the minds of bishops and deputies; never
has a council of this church felt more
deeply the responsibilities of the hour.
With new and tremendous obligations
pressing upon the church of the nation;
with problems of vast import for the fu-
ture confronting US; with strong cries for
help from the peoples of many lands
sounding in our ears, your bishops and
your representatives in convention as
sembled have prayed and have labored
reverently, we trust, in the spirit of
Christ
Six new missionary bishops have been
elected and the jurisdictions of the do
mCstic missionary field have been redis-
taibuted, and, in some instances, renamed.
Amendments to our constitution and
canons have been considered and adopted
TO meet the actual needs of the time.
Above all, the reports of workers in the
mission field have been heard, and every
effort has been made 10 nindle in the
hearts of the people an enthusiasm for
The extension of the Kingdom of God.
The Divine Trust.
Assembled here, in the capital city of
the republic, welcomed with gracious
kindness by the President of the United
States, aIsa assured by him of his appre-
Giation Of this ancient church and its
NEW sowing for the Master and for
1an," We are mindful of the divine trust
aornmitted unto u.s. and would urge upon
3ur brethren of the clergy and laity a
s1lemn consideration, in humility and
with prayer. of the vital issues that we
bust meet and for our dealings with
thich we must give an account.
Our attention is specially called, by a
szsolution adopted In the House of Depu-
lies, TO the fact that next Whitsunday
Sill be the seventh semi-centennial ami.
fersary of the Book of Common Prayer
and we must earnestly ask that IL may
De observed in our churches as an event
Ehich more than any other single gift
If God, has reversed the confusion OF
tongues by giving to the lips of countless
Rorshipers the one mouth" in which tC
Ihow forth Gods praise.
We hail with satisfaction the wonderful
harmony with which this general con-
yention, by the adoption of an amendment
10 our constitution has, without weaken.
ing the use or lowering the value of the
prayerbook, opened the way toward train
ing congregations of Christians unused tC
our liturgical forms, to accustom them
selves, by processes of education, to ap.
proach and desire them. Maintaining in.
tact the sacramental services, and the
offices which conserve the policy of the
church, we are free to adapt the ordinary
forms of common prayer to national ant
racial habits OF thought and expression
and so to win them by degrees to the OLE
and better way.
And we are glad while insisting upol
the Importance of keeping the publ
school system of education free from poll
tical intrigue or denominational intrusion
10 urge, all the more, that it must b
complemented and consecrated by tn
more careful and definite training in re
Iipfous truth in the family and in tn
Sunday-schools in church schools and col
leges. and in the careful teaching of tn
clergy of the church.
Tokens of Gods Blessfng.