Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-06
DIOCESAN CONVENTION
Ecclesiastical Body in Session
in This City.
BUSINESS CONSIDERED
BISHOP sATTERLEE's ANNUAL
ADDRESS DELIVERED.
Discussion Of Proposed Change in
Name Of Denomination-Revie
Of Work of Diocese.


Name Of Observation-Disclosures
Of Work of Diocese.
Inc subject of changing the name of the
| Protestant Episcopal Church in the United
| States, question which has been of uni
versal interest to members of the Episcopal
| Church throughout the country for several
years, was today formally presented for
the. hrsts time to the representatives of the
clergy and laity Of the diocese of Wash
lngton assembled for the eighth annual
convention of the diocese at st. PauIs
episcopal Church. on 23d street northwest
Inc proposition for change in the cor
porale name of the Episcopal Church in
| This country was first advocated noticeably
about twenty-five years ago.
In the last few years, however. there has
been considerable agitation on the matter,
and 1t has been considered as of sufficient
Importance to require definite action on the
subject either one way or the other.
AT the last general convention of the
church commission was appointed to have
special charge of the matter and this COM
mission has asked the various doceses
throughout the country for an official ex-
preston on the question
me sentiment of the members of the
church as evidenced through the action of
the diocesan conventions will be reported
to the next general convention and Will
doubtless, to great extent guide the de-
clsion of that body regarding a change in
the name.
local diocesan convention this morning by
Blshop Satterlee. who, in his annual ser
mon 10 the members of the convention,
presented in detail the arguments both
"a oho {,
name
The bishops address was generally re-
garoed as a most impartial expression on
the subject we'll as Diplomatic Both
sides were presented by him with equal
force, and he committed himself neither
one way or the other on the matter
Referred to Special Committee.
The subject was disposed of for today
without discussion upon motion of Rev. RI.
H. II. Mck1m, who at the morning session.
presented resolution, which was adopted,
TO the effect that the portion of the bishops
ADDRESS referring to the proposed change Of
name OF the church. together with the COM
municat1on from the commission appointed
by the general convention on the question,
De referred to special committee, consist
ing or four clergymen and three laymen, for,
report at tomorrow mornings session
Review of Diocesan Work.
III tiic De6iHiiLS OF MS sermon BISHOP
Satterlee reviewed the work Of the church
In this diocese during the past twelve
months, stating that the increased appor-
tionment for diocesan missions had been
paid in full and that there was every rea-
son to expect that the general apportion-
ment would also be met. He spoke in feel
Ing terms of the several prominent rectors
and laymen who have died since the last
convention and mentioned the departure
M how IN ottx fov al GoIl
with regret, while extending a hearty well
come to their successors. The bishop also
referred to the generous donations of Mrs.
]. G. Parke toward the erection of the
Episcopal Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital,
which building. he said, 1t was expected
would be completed before next winter.
Bishop Satterlee also referred to the
cathedral project which first took definite
form in 1893. when the Protestant Epis-
copal Cathedral foundation in the Dis
trict of Columbia was chartered by act of
Congress. The cathedral foundation, he
stated is now in possession of nearly forty
acres, 5000 900 have been paid for the land
and $2475OO for the buildings and equip
ment thereon. leaving a mortgage on the
land still to be paid amounting to $4,000
He reminded the members of the conven-
ton that the cathedral has passed through
this first decade in its career without any
official recognition by the convention, with
the exception of the action last year, when
the names of the officers Of the cathedral
foundation were ordered printed In the con-
vention journal. He urged that the con-
ventOn now sitting would take such action
regarding the recognition of the cathedral
foundation as might seem helpful and nee
eSSary.
Change in Corporate Name.
The subject in Bishop Satterlees sermon
which commanded the greatest interest of
the members Of the convention his dis
cussion of the question regarding the
changing of the corporate name of the
<.t-.-- T.
this subject he devoted the larger portion
of his discourse, laying before the conven-
ton some primary considerations in the
matter He reviewed at length the history
of the church in the early days of Chris
tianity and gave an exposition of its funda-
mental doctrines, with frequent theological
arguments and explanations He described
the church according to the Nicene creed
one, holy, catholic and apostolic, and
in charging upon the description presented
the various points to be considered In con-
nection with an appropriate and accurate
name for the Episcopal Church. The his
tory of Christianity connected with the
Episcopal Church in the United States was
briefly reviewed, and the principles and in
fuences Of that church were mentioned.
The speaker quoted ecclesiastical author
ity tending to show that the word "catho-
lie" meant universal" and in commenting
on this phase of the word said: I'm the
historical sense in which the primitive
church used the word, the Episcopal
Church has been more catholic in her prin-
cfples and has exercised more catholic
influence than any other church in all
Christendom, notwithstanding the uncath-
Ole name by which she has been called
And when one speaks of the duties and re-
sponsibilities of the clergy of the Greek
Church, the Roman Church or any other
branch of the church, 1t should never be
forgotten that under the unique historical
position which we have occupied, no other
church of the whole world has had a more
difficult task, involving more perpIexing
duties or heavier responsibilities.
Anglican Basis for Church Unity.
''Of the four terms of the Anglican basis
for church unity, the Evangelical Protes-
tant bodies of America accept three with
deep religious conviction. Though for their
sakes as well as our own. we must stand
unfaltering witnesses for that principle of
an organic church which is anchored safe
by the historic feet OF an apostolic episco-