The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-13
THE BISHOP SPEAKS
PRELATE OF EPISCOPAL CHURCH
 CONFIRMS GLASSES.
Dr. Beckwith Addressed Congregations of st. JOhn's and Church of the Holy Comforter on Their
 Duties.

| Right Reverend c. M. Beckwith, D. D., bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama yesterday confirmed two classes and charged the confirmants and congregations of Montgomery on l their duties.
 | It was a busy day with Bishop Beokwith. At 9:So o'clock yesterday morning, he attended the Sunday school of St. Johns church and ad- dressed both school and teachers on their duties.
 At II o'clock he administered the | solemn rite of confirmation on a class of eight applicants at the Church of | the Holy Comforter, Rev. Stewart M, = Queen, presenting the class to the | bishop.
 A large congregation was present and both the confirmation services and the address of the bishop were impressive.
 At 7:sO o'clock last night. before a large congregation ten applicants were confirmed at St. Johns church. The solemn rite was administered in inn pressive form. The conf1rmants were presented to the bishop by Rev E. E. Cobbs, rector of St. Johns.
 At the close of the confirmation ser- vice, Bishop Beckwith spoke earnest ly and impressively to the congrega- tion on their duties to the confirmants. His sermon was couched in the most simple language but was thereby the hearts of the members of St. Johns present, their duties to the recent ad- ditions to the church.
 Bishop Beckwith began his remarks by saying that there Is perhaps, more interest attached to the service of con- firmation than to any service of the church. It is of interest not only to the members of the church but to all who are acquainted with the appli- cants, who are about to renew the vows made by their sponsors at bap- tism.
 To the rector of the church, the con- firmation service he said is, in a way, the reaching of the continuation of a year of ceaseless cndeavor and watch fulness. The members of the congre- gation and outsiders look on the ser vice from the viewpoint of individuals but the rector sees his work bearing fruit It is the reaping season of Christian congregation. It is the re- cruiting period of the church. At this period the church issues the call to arms in the cause of Christ. The church needs the recruits but the church does not expect the newly en- listed man to be a we'll drilled man, nor an accurate shooter, nor does 1t care whether the man has worn a unI- form before.
 When the United States government issues cali to arms and for volun- teers, he said 1t does not ask 'has this man seen previous service? Does he know how to drill? Is he an accurate shot?''
 The government asks ''Do you be- lieve in the righteousness of the cause:" and Are you ready to fight for it?"
 There was never a general of prom fnenece, said the bishop who didn't see his first service in the awkward squad. The rest of the military train ing followed. These recruits of tho church of Christ have been taught the righteousness of the cause and thep have declared their willingness to fight for 1t.
 The bishop declared that he could tell what had become of every con. firmant who had been confirmed in St. Johns church in twenty-five years if one question was answered him, That question was What is the interest of the members of the congregation in the young people?' Sometimes the young members seem to fall into 4 pit as it were and disappear entirely. These recruits profess no strength in the cause They merely profess to be- lieve in its righteousness and their willingness to fight for it. The veter- ans of the church must drill them and teach them prowess in Christ
 TT you tell me the atmosphere in which candle is put, will tell you whether 1t will burn or go out" said the bishop. Tell me the character of the congregation ia church and I will tell you. whether the confrmants remain jealous in the cause until the end of time."
 The responsibility, he said, passes out of the hands of the minister to an extent after the confirmation and rest ed with the congregation. If the con- gregation Is careless; If the communi- cants are indifferent: if their interests are outside of the well being of Gods family; if the responses in the services are weak; If the attendance is poor, the recruit will not long maintain his interest in the cause.
 Every man is the centre of influence. guidance. and control of someone else declared Bishop Beckwith. Every mans life iE effecting that of another The very action. even tho secret thoughts of man, have their hearing on the career of others
 He then dwelt on the importance of nurturing the children of the church in It's cause and in eloquent terms de- scribed the rewards of good influences Bishop Beckwith will tonight con firm class of confirmants at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Jack son street
 He leaves tomorrow for Nit. Meigs, where he will confirm a class at Grace Church. Rev. Stewart Mcqueen, rec