Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-05-14
Refuses to Change Name-Address by
Bishop Lawrence.


Protestant Episcopal diocese of MaSsachu-
sets refused to favor change in the
name OF the church. The vote was taken
without discussion to the merits of the
change, all the remarks that preceded the
vote ueIng directed to the form which
the resolution expressing the sense OF the
convention should take. The vote was
by orders and resulted as follows: Cleri-
tals-yes, al; no, 20; parlsheS-yes, %; no,
The convention was the 18th annual one
and, as usual, was held in Trinity chapel.
The question of Il change of name was
the chief one.
Bishop Lawrence briefly reviewed the
work OF the past 10 years during which
he has been at the head OF the diocese
Referring TO present conditions he said:
1T is worthy OF record that although
we nave set off the diocese of Western
Massachusetts, we have i'll this diocese
a body OF clergy almost equal III number
to that of the whole diocese Of ~ years
ago and, what is a better test of strength,
several thousand more communicates than
were in the diocese of 1885,
Appropriate reference was made to mem
died during the past year among those
named being Rev. Father William, Il:
the ~. Advent, Eoston; Rev. Wiliian NJ.
Williams Of Lowell, Rev. j. Algcr of Wo-
burn Dr Frederick A. Warner OF Lowell,
and Edmund Rodman Of New Bedford.
Five churches were cOnSecrated during
the year: st. Paul's, Nantucket; Christ
church, Waltham; st. james, Amesbury;
st. JGnn s. l5tNtitN L arms, ana the CHAPEL
OF St. Luke Home.
The usual summary Of figures is as fol
lows.
The number of clergymen economically
resident in this diocese is PIP; the number
OF parishes, Ia; the number of pOstulants
ana candidates for holy orders, 30; OF lay
readers. 81; number confirmed, %; or
dained to the deacOnate, ,; TO the priest
hood, 8.
IL the autumn of 1904 the general con-
yention of the church will meet in this
oil will ha nJII n 9 no
members q cordial welcome to arrange for
the coming of a large number OF clergy
and laity from all parts of the country.
The approach of the genera! convention
suggests a few thoughts with which /
shall close this address. | have SorI2-
times wondered if at the opening of this
century and in the tremendous CONNER
ciaI material, social and intellectual
movements we as representatives OF the
churches of Christ and leaders as We
We ought to be in the spiritual move
ments, are conducting the campaign Of
Christ with good craftsmanship and pow
er
SO far as statistics can show, it is
doubtful if the church is more than Keep
ing pace with the population. The min
bers of power. A great proportion of the
intelligent men, the leauers Of our COM
muniues. are not compliments; large
proportion have no active interest in the
church. There is n great mass of line
characters and of Christian temper out
side the church. Infdclity, sincere and in
sincere, Is all ABOUT us.
More than that, the interest in CONNER
cial, material social and intellectual life
is gaining II stronger hold on the people
The tests of life among many are in so
Ciul and financial success. Sport and
amusement have made great inrcads on
oar Sunday congregations. Below al
these influences are the lower standards
of taste and the grosser immQralities. The
power of stronger drink has it's clutch
upon our cities their people and govern
nlent; lust is firmly ntrenched gambling
= pf NV
forms of temptations are undermining the
characters of hosts of youth. All these
influences are potent enemies of the Chris |
tan faith.
Now with such conditions about us what
would one expect of the church? The |
be met only by the increased power of Of
spiritual force What now is the church ,
doing? What is the burning issue before |
in all our diocese conventions and with
much solemnity as to whether we shall
change the name of the church. l feel |
that we are in the THICK Of a tight; that |
the American people know now pretty |
clearly where to md this church and what |
she stands for. ! do not believe that they |
care much for what we call ourselves 50 |
long IS they know what we are.
! confess that l have very little interest |
in the subject of the change of name
[ doubt whether the rank and file of the
members of the church care much about |
it except perhaps to wonder occasionally |
where the movement comes from and
| must say that / chafe at so much |
time and thought being put into the talk
II our church being what she is and with
The credentials that she has, keeps at her
work of saving men and giving spiritual
life abundantly to the people. the time
may come when with practical unanimity
and with perfect naturalnesS she may
take another name. Meanwhile | do not |
think it eNpedient to change the name of
the church.
At the afternoon session a vote was
reached on the question of changing the
name of the Protestant Episcopal church.
and the proposition was defeated.
These officers We're elected Secretary. /
Rev. Ieander C. Manchester; assistant
secretary, Rev. Augustine II. Amory.
Standing committee, Rev. +. Winchester
nonalds, Rev, John S. Lindsay, Rev. $.
Endicott Peabody, Rev. Leonard X.
Storrs Charles S. Hamln. Francis W
Henncwell. Charles q. Saunders, Arthur
j. c. Sowden Diocesan board of mis-
sionS to serve three years. Reginald IN
Howe Charles q. Saunders, Rev. George |
l.. Paine.
The standing committee was authorized |
to make arrangements for celebrating on |
oct ) the 10th anniversary of the coESe-
Grafton of Bishop Lawrence
Greetings were sent to BiShon Clarke |
If Rhode Island, in his present illness.