The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-26
CLOSE OF CONVENTION
EPIsCOPALIANs IN SESSION TWEN-
 TY DAYS AT BOSTON.
Bishop Potter of New York Heeus Lengthy Pastoral Letter Addresseo to the Church at
 IarRe.

Boston, Oct. 25.-The triennial gem eral convention of the Episcopai Church. which has been in session here since October was ended late today with a public service In Trinity Church. From the pulpit Bishop Potter of New York read a pastoral letter addressed to the church at large. The commn- nication. which consisted of more than 3.000 words, considered the problems now before the country. Regarding divorce the pastoral letter said that the facility with which the marriage relation may be taken on and put on Is one of the menaces of American civil Ration, to the possible perils of which Christian people are as yet very inn perfectly aroused. The letter made plea for the permanence and security of the family. It also discussed the negro question, stating that the church was taking steps to correct the situa- ton so far as possible. Other press- ing questions were dealt with.
 Little business of importance was transacted at the final business ses- sions. A resolution permitting foreign congregations now in communion with the church to use forms of service In their own tongue was adopted after g. sharp contest. This legislation was effected specifically for the benefit of
  sota.
 The chief feature of the three weeks convention aside from the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury. was the long discussion on amendments to the canons bearing on marriage and Ii- vorce. Although a majority favored g. canon which would prohibit the re- marriage of any divorced person, the system of voting by dioceses and or- Aero tv, xto IoA the opponents of the proposed reform to win in that body. After much dis cussion . compromise was arranged with the bishops whereby the innocent person in a divorce for infidelity Is per mitted to remarry one year af-er the divorce Is issued but the restrictions are so stringent that 1t becomes ex- ceedingly difficult for such marriages to be solemnized.
 The convention also decided to estab- fish courts of review. to which appeals from diocesan trials can be taken. It protected such arrangements that the missionary work of the church will be carried on with more vigor and ap- pointed a joint commission to investi- gate the negro problem In the South.
 Among the many negative actions taken was the decision not to change the name of the church at this time nor to act on the proposition to group the idioceses into provinces with a pri- mate at the head of each.
 The next convention will be held at Richmond. Va, in 1907.
 Near the close of today's session the House of Bishops adopted a resolution extending its thanks to the citizens of Boston. Bishop of Massachusetts and local Episcopalians for their hospitali- ty. At o'clock the business sessions of both houses were concluded and all the bishops and deputies Ice Emmanuel Church and proceeded to Trinity Church where the closing service was held at 5 o'clock.
 The service which was brief was conducted by Dr. R. H. McKim. Bishop Henry C. Potter. from the pulpit read pastoral letter issued by the House Of Bishops to the church at large.
 The letter takes up what it terms those two great problems which today confront the republic-the labor aues- tion and the race issue Of the first the pastoral letter declares that what ever labor organizations have accom- plished they have mainly moved along lines which are the glory of our demo- cratic institutions. However other wise we may classify human society. that classification is universal which uiNiues it iHtO those who believe in the spirit of caste and those who do not. Journey where you will the peoples that are In the thickest darkness today are those in which most absolutely the spirit of caste rules: and If our fathers came to these shores to escape from the nomination of this rule, whether if ex pressed Itself in civil or ecclesisstiaI tyrannies shall we resent 1t. if at last the working man has caught something or the same spirit and seeks to annIy It to the constitution of that great in dustrial organization which is the most important image of the modern state?"
 Touching the race problem the Iet- ter. after referring to the apointment or joint commission to investigate the subject. says: If by giving them (the negroes) freedom we have only given them the power to work mischief: and If lynching has come to be defended as necessary protection to families. then surely we are face to face with a situation dishonoring. We may not Ignore it; we cannot disown it. It is part of our social situation and if the church can have nothing to say about 1t. then she disowns her duty and her master"
 The letter closes with a warm jn dorsement of the International peace congress.