New-York tribune., 1901-11-18
DIR. PARKS on THE CONVENTION
REVIEW OF THE WORK AT SAN FRANCISCO
BY THE RECTOR OF CALVARY.

Among the delegates from the diocese OF New
York 10 the House OF Deputies of the General Con-
rention of the Protestant Episcopal Church. re-
Gently held in San Francisco. was the Rev. Dr. j.
Lewis Parks. rector of Calvary Church. this city.
Dr. PARKS has undertaken 20 review. In printed
form. the work OF that convention for the enlght-
eminent OF his flock Among other things he says:
II may seem strange that the close OF general
convention should bring a feeling OF disappotnt-
acter and ability it sits rule. three weeks its
debates occupy the attention Of the press to al an
journs the synpa thetic and ardent church
snG as asking & for res e41 n da dnd tds
inclined 20 judge even contemptuously OF the great
discover Who can RECALL past general conventions
As company Of indIyduals the general conven-
quarter OF a great country In majority they have
the gravity and experience OF middle life
Dr.. Parks refers the deliberations and make
up OF the House of Deputies. and says: The unity
OF the American Church is maintained by the trien-
NAL meetings OF the general conventions and
adds:
This, however. Is an intangible result which the
public rarely considers. The public says The leg
anythlne We smart under the taunt. and every
from the ps Of grave and most pn
ties The Church expects US TO do something.
thing" is not wise or right could possibly be de-
siSable. :.
true. that the general convention. is deliberately
constituted IN such wise to make II extremely
difficult TO enact legislation There is egisla-
ton. OF course, sometimes OF unsuspected impor-
tance. but repeat. il is the deliberate intention
OF the Church that the General Convention should
ind legislation of extreme difficulty.
Like every living social organism, the Church is
actments. changes germinate in the mind and
hearts OF the people These come before the con-
vention that they may be made into law. At first
such Ideas command general assent strictly in in
verse ratio to their Importance. II a matter s
good. harmless a change of punctuation the clear
proposal is evident. the idea is accepted, nobody
Is deeply Interested nobody opposes. the thing is
done. But let 1t be proposed to change the name
of the church, to authorize marginal readings in
the lessons read in public worship. any matter
of real importance; plainly there must be differ
of opinion.
In fine, then, has not the convention OF 1901 the
usual title to the Church's respect? Has IL not
been fruitful general conventions in the
past. but no more so? It did alter the law
inform the mind OF the Church, and we may ex-
pect at Boston more rational more Scriptural pro-
posals 1t did not accept the report OF the learned
committee upon marginal readings in its entirety
but 1t did grant permission to all the emenda-
tons recognized by the scholarship of the English
Church doing more. If II did not pass the Hunting
ton amendment ungrudginsy, yet IL did pass sub
stantially. and the convention manifested a grow
ing readiness to yield all that the Catholic faith
tan unity. The convention elected five bishops, and
that with due caution, and in S a matter
of routine. Sitting board of missions IL took
the great step OF recommending a proportionate
assessment of every parish in the land And last
ly, with painful patience IL passed the constitu-
to its successor great subjects with which it could
not deal