The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-12-01
GATHERING Of
MAGNATES Of 4
GREAT CHURCH
Bishop Nichols Re-
turns Home.

The Episcopal Bishop Of California ar
rived home last week after a months So
Journ in the East AT ST. Louis he attend
ed the missionary council OF the church
and met delegates from many OF the do
ceses throughout the United States. In
addition 10 the ordinary business OF me
council Bishop Nichols was especially in
terested n learning the disposition or
tine church toward the meeting OF the
great triennial convention. which is TO
convene In San Francisco in October, 1901
The Bishop of Sacramento was also in
attendance and upon every occasion add
ed his eloquent voice in support OF San
Francisco'S advantages. Bishop More
land is now in the East and has several
important addresses to make before infil-
entail church bodies. He is also CHARGED
with the conclusion OF necessary arrange
ments IN connection with this great gath
ing of churchmen. With the assistance OF
all the Western Bishops there can be no
doubt that the convention will really meet
as proposed. Some little opposition has
arisen on account Of the distance and the
time consumed in coming and going but
solely from the older generation The
young men OF the church are all in favor
or San Francisco. Four years ago the
convention net at Minneapolis and the
same objections were raised then, but
the result was most gratifying TO the
broader minds in the church and profit
able as well. the principal benefit accru-
ing to the staid conservative element.
who for the first time realized that all the
power and greatness OF the church was
not confined exclusively to the thichly
populated East.
Bishop Nichols states that he found a
rapidly growing interest In favor OF San
francisco. One sanguine churchman ex-
pressed the opinion that II the prosperous
conditions of the country are not inter-
rupted there will be a larger convention
In 1911 than was ever before held. The
railroads Fave already promised extreme
~ low rates and that will have great in
nuence in inducing many Eastern church
men in taking the California trip and
bringing with them a large constituency
Of church people who are not delegates.
II is also understood that in all the do
ceses electing delegates the preference
Will be given those who will promise at
tendance: The influence of all the Bish-
ops OF dloceses located west Of the Mis-
sissippi River will be brought TO pear
upon the whole church TO make the con-
representatives of the intellectual stand
ing and wealth OF the church.
The convention will be large in point
OF numbers. There are now eighty five
Bishops entitled TO seats and 255 clergy
and as many lay delegates. making a
lower house $40 in number. The Bishops
act by themselves as a separate body.
The assemblage will not only be the first
great national ecclesiastical gathering Of
the new century, but will be notable as
bringing together the devotion. wealth
and intellect OF great and expanding
church. whose Bishops claim a direct and
continuous descent from the apostles and
whose clergy and laity represent the
scholarship and culture OF the country.
The Chief Justice of the United States
has represented his diocese in the Gem
eral Convention for a generation and Will
be present; together with Senator Ed
munds OF Vermont, famed as a lawyer
and legislator. Several Governors Of
States and numbers Of men known
throughout the country will be among
the honored delegates. The intention OF
the California Bishops is to make the
convention Of 1901 representative OF the
wide sway OF the church throughout the
world.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has all
ready designated DR.. Creighton, Bishop
CT Lonuon' as his personal representative.
The Metropolitans OF Canada. Australia
and India have accepted invitations and
VIII be present by representatives II not
IN person. The American Bishops Of
Emma, japan Brazil and Africa will be
diocese OF the Mackenzie River. who has
not emerged from exile for quarter Of
century, will shed the benediction OF
ms presence upon this notable gathering.
representatives from Ireland and Scot
land nave been asked and will probably
Anglo-Saxon world will be represented.
Already arrangements are beng made Tor
Inc hospltable reception of the distin-
guished delegations. Bishop Nichols will
nave an episcopal residence by the time
the convention meets and his efforts to
entertain viii be supplemented by num-
bers OF the laity. who will gladly show 10
the strangers the true meaning of what
California greeting is.
The Episcopal church. IL is claimed. is
growing more rapidly than any other
Protestant denomination. 1t numbers
$50 900 communicates and its offerings for
church purposes are nearly s2O,000.VOO a
year.