The San Francisco call., 1901-10-04
THE EPISCOPAL CONVENTION.

VI 7 HILE the Protestant Episcopal church in
\INI this country has less number OF communi-
w cants than several others, it ranks among
the foremost in wealth. in the prominence OF its mem
bership and the eminence of its clergy. 1t conse-
quently exerts influence upon public and private
life second to that of no other denomination. It's
power happens to be greatest in the richest and
populous States in the Union, and that fact adds
Its prestige throughout the country.
Since the foundation of the republic the growth OF
the church in numbers and in wealth has been extra
ordinary. Statistics show that while in 1900 there
but Episcopalian to every 5S4 inhabitants in
the Union, there is every 100 Thus
Episcopacy has increased even more rapidly than the
increase OF population. The growth, moreover, has
been much rapid of late than in the earlier
years OF our history. In 1873 there were 235,Ioo
communicants; in 1901, 7Io54o In 1873 the con-
tributions S6,IS7,ooo; in 1891, $I6o6o,ooo.
There thirtynine parishes having incomes in 1000
that each larger than the incomes OF all parishes
in America in 1900, and there fourteen dioceses
having in 1900 more communicate members than
there were members in the whole American Epsco-
pal church in 1900. Connecticut Long Island Mas
sachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania have each
more communicates to-day than there were in the
whole country as late as 1892
Under any circumstances the assembling of a con-
vention Of such organization would be matter of
interest and Importance but there is special inter
est in this convention inasmuch it the claim that
the convention is thoroughly representative of
every State county and city in the Union than is the
general convention OF any other religious body
Moreover, it is to deal with several problems in
which nearly all the people OF the country are inter
ested, regardless of their church affiliations and
whatever action the convention may take upon them
will unquestonably exert an influence far wider than
the widespread membership of the church itself
Another salient feature of the gathering is the ex-
traordnarily large proportion of eminent men among
its members Whether attention be directed to the
House OF Bishops to the House of Deputies
there will be noted in the list of members name after
name Of men whose repute is as wide as the nation
and some, indeed. who have a worldwide renown
If such to in an unofficial capacity
they would command honor by their personal dignity
and merit and would receive it from all who are
capable of apprecating the worth of high character
and the usefulness of noble service rendered in the
name OF religion.
It is gratifying to San Francisco to have this
notable convention, and the influence it will exert
upon the community cannot fail to be helpful in manv
ways 1t not only affords another opportunity to
display the proverbial hospitality of San Francisco
and Of California, but furnishes an added proof that
the city is longer regarded in the East as place
remote from the life of the nation too far from the
center for general gatherings of conferences and con-
ventions. We have therefore, double reason to be
pleased at the presence of eminent body of men,
and the pleasure has been abundanty manifest in the
oordiality Of our welcome