The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-19
RINGING WORDS
FROM THE BISHOP: /:
Continued from page One.


"And 10 a large number within the
church may l say without offense this
impression Is not without plauslbiity.
Considering the history OF the movement
and the party or / may use that word)
by whom the change has been most
strenuously pressed.
WILL DIMINISH INFLUENCE
Tt may be. as Il Is urged. that name
will not change the character OF the
church, that what ii has been IL Will con-
tinue 20 be, 1 am not quite so sure OF
that I'm view OF its future legislation and
action and the countenance which It
might give 10 an over emphasis OF one
element OF our trust. But am sure that
the standing of our church in the eyes
OF the great people among which its mis-
sion is cast, will be changed by the pro-
posed action and our influence largely
diminished.
And II a name does not change char
acter. why should we risk so much
among ourselves and others by the
change.
Is IL indeed a fact in spite OF all this
that new name will help I'm drawing 10
as any large number OF people who are
now kept back? / cannot conceive II, II
o name is mighty factor we can
scarcely outdo one OF the smallest and
steadily diminishing sects I'm the land,
~
Apostolic church.
Then again will the change help TO
the cause of Christian unity in any other
direction? II IL will not help with the
great body OF Protestants certainly we
shall look in vain towards Rome, our
competitor as 10 title Rome has spoken
her last and infallible word. repudiating
not a name. but organization and orders
OF the Anglican communion and today
she only smiles at our traival.
One last question is--Will the change
work for greater cordiality and union
among ourselves? Certainly not. certainly
not at the present time, which Is the
practical point; and not until the move
mcnt can command a far crater uaan-
unity than IT can today.
KEEP GRAND OLD TITLE.
For these considerations and many
others let us keep the tinae-honored and
grand old title. which was no accident.
but the deliberate adoption OF the church
on its first organization. and handed up
TO IL by the several dioceses which met
on that occasion and let us prove our
rtal catholicity and the catholicity OF the
name itself. not by wordy claims but by
the work which we can do for the ma
ton and for. Christ's kingdom.
CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP.
Continuing the bishop said Us II a
far cry from the topic just dealt with
TO the call and duties OF Christian cti-
zenship in a day OF darkness and gloomi-
ness for the state and nation as we'll
when the very foundations OF our God
given heritage are, as I believe at stake,
j believe am right In saying that never
was there a time that called more loudly |
40 Christian citizenship TO arouse and
marshal It's forces n defense OF right |
eousness which includes. well. the |
hopes and rights OF our humanity than |
the present moment nor a place moro in |
ats need than this commonwealth OF |
Rhode Island.
realize the situation and sound the alarm. |
That the political machinery by which |
we are governed Is corrupt 10 rottenness |
j. not too much TO say; indeed needs |
not the saying.
1T is fragrant and defiant and Its ef- |
fects on the community are everywhere |
known and felt. 1t IL bad enough TO be |
badly governed; 81 is worse 10 know that |
the laws which are to be made and the |
offices for their administration are spolls |
and loot 10 be acquired at price in the !
interest of any party or any scheme no |
matter how selfish or evil may be its |
name and that all chance for the express |
Son of the popular conscience or popular |
right through the ballot, the one prac- /
fical method Is either prevented or |
choked; that is a menace. nay. that is I'm |
Its beginning the obstruction OF any form /
OF popular government When that has I
done its work the whole fabric is under