The Washington herald., 1907-10-03

I
Richmond, Va, Oct 2.-The forty-ffth
triennial convention Of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in the United States,
which is expected to prove the most i'm
portant ever held by that denomination.
began here to-day.
The two principal questions 10 be con
sidered by the convention, from the
standpoint Of the general public. are
those concerning divorce and the negro
question, both Of which are expected 10
cause extended debate IN the two legis-
lstive'bodies Of the church-the house OF
bishops and the house Of deputies
It has been announced recently that
the direct proposition will be made 10
the convention that it put a final stamp
Of disapprovaI upon the remarriage Of di-
vorced persons. thus arraying the Epis-
copal Church with the Catholic Church
upon this important question
The difficult problem presented by the
desire Of the colored members Of the
church for bishops Of their own race
will also cause considerable debate The
result cannot be foreseen. but 1t Is not
improbable that the religious character
Of the convention viii not prevent the
drawing OF sectional lines. and il is ex-
pected that there VIII be some interest
ing developments upon this question.
Minor Questions for Debate.
Other topics 10 be considered by the
Episcopal congress. secondary in impor-
tance only 70 tho two matters previously
mentioned. are the amclioration Of the
condition of the negro. Christian educa-
ton, and such questions Of purely inter
nal interest as courts of appeal. per-
missive use Of the revised version Of the
Bible. and a canon embodylng the Hunt
ington amendment
The two houses disagreed az the Boston
convention, held three years ago. upon a
marriage and divorce canon. and a com
promise was effected. tie question itself
being .ai5 over Tor the Richmond con
vention.
Opening Service Impressive.
The convention was opened with i'm
presslve ceremonies in Holy Trinity
Church this morning. preceded by an
imposing procession Of bishops from every
State in the Union and from many mis-
sion fields
The procession formed In the parish
house. Immediately in the rear Of the
church. the bishops entering the sacred
editice two by two. At the entrance 20
the chanceI the procession halted. and.
forming IN single lire on each side of the
aisle, awaited the arrival of Bishop Tut
tie, of Missouri senior bishop Of the
church. who presided at the services. and
Bishop Ingram, Of London. who deIiv-
cred the opening sermon OF the conver-
ton Bishop TuttIe and the Bishop of
London Immediately followed the process
sion into the church. and Bishop TuttIe.
then taking the lead, was followed in
single file by the other bishops.
Immediately before the service opened
the vested choir entered the church. and
sang as the bishops entered. The most
imposing scene Of the service was the
entrance of the bishops IN their robes of
royal purple and crimson. Bishop TuttIe'S
robe was Of black and white. trimmed in
royal purple. while the Bishop OF London
wore a black and white robe. trimmed in
brilliant crimson. Many of the older dig
nitaries wore round caps of royal purple.
Commandments Are Recited.
As soon as the singing ceased Bishop
Tuttle. who had remained standing with
his back to the congregation. turned and
recited the Ten Commandments The choir
and congregation. in response, sang the
Gloria in Excelsis." The clear. resonant
tones Of the aged bishops voice could be
clearly and distinctly heard in all parts
Of the church.
Following the recitation of the Lords
Prayer. excerpts were read from the
Scriptures by Bishop Potter. of New
York. and Bishop SatterIee, of Washing
ton, who had been previously designated
for that purpose. Bishop Gibson Of Vir-
ginia, announced that the sacrament Of
the Holy Communion would be admins
tered at the close Of the sermon. which
was delivered by the Bishop of London.
only the bishops and the regularly an
pointed delegates partaking of the com
muniOn
The Bishop of London appeared to be
the youngest man in the great throng of
bishops. Towering above the cOngrega-
ton in the pulpit, his position was
commanding one The force of his Ian
guage and the grace and ease with which
he delivered every gesture We're marvels
of oratory. He seemed to hold the power
of the Word in the palm Of his out
stretched hand
Admission by Ticket Only.
As early as o'clock this morning. two
hours before the services were to begin 2
great crowd had gathered in the vicinity
of the church. Those holding tickets
were crowding every entrance, eager 10 |
be among the first to enter, while hum
dreds who had no tickets came TO obtain
a choice stand from which 10 view the
procession Of bishops There were Del. |
haps 5000 persons in the crowd outside
when the hour of the service was ar
hand Many people brought chairs wfeh
them, and remained seated for many
hours on the sidewalk and at the en-
trance to the areaway. along which the |
procession would pass. Others brought
boxes, on which they stood for hours I'm 1
order to be sure that no matter how
many people gathered they would witness 1
the procession.
The bishops had entered the church. I
and many holding tickets. who could not !
obtain entrance on account of the press
of people. had turned away when the /