Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-01
BISHOP LAWRENCE
Makes Stirring Address at the
Episcopal Convention.
Urges Members to Do More Work, as
Massachusetts Needs It.
Says Philippine Question viii Be-
Worked Out All Right.

Boston, April 20.-The 11Tth annual
convention Of the Episcopal diocese OF
Massachusetts was held here, today.
The convention was the first that has
been called since the setting apart OF
the territory west Of the Worcester
MiddleseX boundary rs the new diocese
of western Massachusetts the bishop of
which, Right Rev. Alexander II. Vim
ton. l.. T., was consecrated, last week.
The opening service, today, was in
Trinity church, where ut $50 there was
a celebration Of the Holy Communion
and sermon by Rev. VIM. Greenough
Thayer, head master of St. Mark $
School, SouthbOro.
The business sessions We're held in
Trinity chapel. Among the reports of
the various committees heard was that
of the committee on the endowment of
the new diocese. This committee re-
ported that there is now a deposit at
one of the trust companies of S1O1.611
which stands to the credit of western
Massachusetts. This sum was furnish
ed by the old diocese.
A preliminary report was received
from the Sunday school committee ap-
pointed by the bishop, last year. This
commission is endeavoring to increase
the efficiency of Sunday schools.
The annual address Of Bishop Law
renee was delivered at the afternoon
session.
After referring at length to the divi-
sion Of the diocese and and improve
in oric
stated that in the eastern diocese there
are at present 211 clergymen, 1G9 pari-
shes in union with the convention and
IA parishes and missions in all. Con-
tinuing the bishop said;
There are in this diocese commune
ties that have an unnecessary number
of Episcopal churches, other communi-
ties sorely need more. There are COM
munities where money and men should
be poured in for a time and then help
should be withdrawn and we should
turn our advance force elsewhere.
There is a great body of students come
to Boston for their education. Shall
we allow them to go back to their
homes with less faith or with more
faith than they brought here? There
~ titeSeliidS VI HtOIlt lTolIl our l1Df
who pass their summers on our coast.
We have a duty to them.
There are, too. the problems Of the
mass Of the foreign people some of whom
under American influences and education
are breaking from the churches Of their.
home. Have we no duty there to inv ard
hold them in the Christian faith? There
is the obstinate fact that in some rural
districts and villages in this eastern
Massachusetts the native population is
uegeneratlng. We are better able to meet
these problems than ever before. Even
though we have set off q diocese We
stand, today, almost equal in strength
70 tne diocese of which Philip Brooks
still fourth If not third. in strength
among the diocese of the church
Bishop Lawrence discussed at some
length the situation in the Philippines,
saying IN part:
Within the past few weeks there have.
peen by responsible men. by soldiers and
officials of the government statements of
crcel and barbarous treatment of the ma
yves by cur men, acting under orders of
superior officers. OF me thodsof warfare
which are condemned by civilized ma
lions and are contrary to the reglfla-
tons OF our army, such as confirmed our
worst fears and sent a shock of horror
through the land II behooves the church
TO speak, and in the name of the Master
and of humanity TO utter her solemn pro-
test. This in behalf of the diocese do.
:, Against the background of the SPLEEN
did work that is being done by our gov
eminent for the education and uplifting
of the Filipinos these deeds take on {,
blacker hue. Great as may have beer:
the provocation in some instances. hard
as were the conditions. treacherous as
may have been the enemy, this people
we believe will not countenance cruel and
barbarous modes of warfare with even
an inferior people. Were we to do so the
worst punishments would fall upon our
selves in hardened natures and pitiless
tempers. condemned as such acts are BY
the people | sincerely believe that thcl-
are even more keenly regretted and con-
demned by the rank and file OF our army
Il express my confidence that regard
less Of party issues and questions OF po-
litical policy. the members of our ma
tional administration who are more inter.
ligent as to the conditions than we, are
just as alert as arg citizens In the land
TO get at the facts and In the spirit moi
OF revenge but or justice mete out pun
ishment on the offenders, such punish
ment as will convince the Filipinos. al
well a. the people Of this country. that
our work In that country IA not TO de
grade but to uplift. not to kill but TO
make alive.
zone mistake might be made under the
pressure OF an indignant people which
would add disaster 10 shame. But tha
hasty and unjust punishment Of mel
who had not been found guilty, with wit
nesses and accused separated BY an ocean
and continent: Justice cannot be meted
complete confidence in the Justice. nv.
humanity ana the courage OF our Prexi-
dent Whether some or YOU have conf
dence in the other members 81 the admin
isfration or not y havel. this President
IN the administration Patience. saif-re
straint. caution az 70 our accusations "