Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-05-08
BISHOPS ADDRESS
Impressive Feature of the Opening'of
the Diocesan Convention.
PAST REVIEWED FUTURE STUDIED
thoughtful and Earnest Words Of
the Churchman.
9TH E r II n z p f n l n G S

When the sixth annual convention of the
Protestant Episcopal Church of the diocese
of Washington began this morning in st.
Thomas Church. corner of 18th and Madi-
streets the spacious edifice was well
filled with representative congregation
ministers and lay delegates representing all
the parishes in the dioceses were present.
and there was large number of parishion-
ers in attendance.
Previous to the commencement Of con-
vention business, devotional exercises We're
conducted, followed by powerful sernon
delivered by Rev. Or. Stuart, rector of
Christ Church. Georgetown,
DR.. Stuart dweIt upon the innate con-
sci0usncss of God which perVales every
human being. and which he declared could
not be eliminated by any earthly means.
PHILOSOPHERS, he said. changed. The phil
osophy of the past was not that of the
present any more than that of the moment
would I've the philosophy of the future. The
inner communion with God. however. would
never change. 1t was an ever present
miracle. and would he ever permanent.
SophistrieS might aSsail it: argument based
on unhnIy principles might attack it, but
without avail.
Holy Communion Celebration.
At the conclusion of the sermon the bish
OPP Of Washington celebrated holy COM
muniun. He WAS assisted by Rev. DR.. As
pinwall. the rector of st. Thomas Church;
Rev. r. T. Williams archdeaCon of Wash
iugton; Rev. Thomas +. Packard Of Christ
Church. Rockville. archdeacon of Mont
gumery and Prime" Georges counties. Md:
Rev. Arthur 5. John. diocesan secretary;
Rev. Alfred Harding pf St. Paul : and Rev
DIR. Elliott of the Church of the Ascension.
nj the conclusion of the ceremony. during
which large number of the cOngre CATION
partook of the holy sacrament. a process
sion of the surpliced ministers and deacons
preceded the bishop out of the church, At
ter investing they returned to the church
and the convention vas opened by Bishop
SItterIe@ after Mr.. Johns had read the roll
Of clerical and lays delegates. and it had
been found that a quorum was present.
The Bishops Address.
The annual address of Bishop Satteriee
WAS delivered and in part. was as follows:
Tho first five years of the diocese of
Washington has now passed into history.
This is an appalling thought when we
think Of ourselves and of the contrast be-
tween what We might have done with
what have actually done as co~workers
with Christ i'll the building up of His king
dom.
If this new diocese of Washington has
its disadvantage it also has some remark
able advantages Not the least of these is
thu strong bond of union and concord be-
tween clergy and laity: between city and
country parishes. and between the clergy
themselves. The Iaity have confidence in
the clergy; the clergy have cordial SYM
pathy with ore another. and there is a
:, Hsrous. magnaniInous disposition on the
part ri all tn believe that as the head of
every man is Christ. SO every man is striv-
ing in his heart To be loyal and true to the
head IF the church in heaven.
The diocese of Washington is being
built up as city. which is at unity in
itself. 1t is slowly increasing in strength
and stability. as viii be seen by compar-
ing the list of communicates combinations
and Sunday school scholars for this pres
eHt year 1891 with that of 1896. and, more
over. our diocesan organizations are on d
much nrmer foundation than ever before
First and foremost, of course comes
our missionary work. Though the arch
dtacoTrieS created by the last diocesan
convention are the latest of all our organi-
cations and could rot possibly do more in
the FIRST year of their existence than break
up the faIlow land and plough the surface
OF the ground. they have already accom-
pushed the work Of preparation which has
lar surpassed my expectations. | am full
Ul nope regarding their future. and | ear
neStIy invoke the cooperation of the clergy
and ldity III the effort to make their work