The Washington herald., 1907-10-28
EXPLAINS The WORK
Rev. DR.. McKim Talks of
Episcopal Convention,
GIVES INTERESTING FIGURES
shows Growth of Church Between
Years 1889 and 1907, and Calls
Attention 20 the Matters Acted
Upon Aiirmatively and Negatively
Says Delegates Were Enthusiastic.

Rev. DR.. Randolph McKim, In his ser
mon at the Church OF the Epiphany yes
terday morning, gave resume Of the
work of the general convention of the
Episcopal Church. which has just ended
Its sessions at Richmond, Va. and to
which he was "a delegate from the local
diocese.
In dwelling upon the contrast between
the convention which has just ended and
that Of 1853, held at the same place, Dr.
McKim gave the following figures, indica-
tive Of the growth of the Episcopal
Church during the intervening years
Deputies in 1889. 264: in 1901, 566; bishops
in 1859. 81: in 1907, l0l; communicates in
1853, 10000: In 1907, $4,000; dioceses In
1888, 80; in 1907, 64 missionary jurisdic-
tions in 1853 SO; in 1907. 81; population Of
the country In 1859, 1900 coo; in 1907 So
C000O0; increase Of population, 80 per cent;
Of the Episcopal Church, 600 per cent.
Referring 10 the legislation Of the con-
ventOn just ended, DIR. McKim said the
following matters had been acted upon
aftirmatively: Office OF presiding bishop
to be elective. and not, as heretofore one
Of seniority committee appointed to sub
nit 10 the next convention new hymnal
for Sunday school use; committee ap-
pointed to prepare additional prayers for
use in the services of the church. crea-
ton Of four new missionary jurisdictions
In the northwestern part of the United
States. consent given TO creation Of a
new diocese in the State OF Georgia: nTst
step taken in creating the office OF suffra-
gan bishop. to be chosen at the option
Of the several dioceses.
An Important Decision.
Under this decision, If Il is affirmed By
the next general convention, IL will be
possible TO have suTragan bishops for the
negroes or Scandiyanians, or, indeed, for
any special diocese in need. The con-
vention also decided that converts to
Christianity from Judaism should not be
compelled to abandon the Covenant Of
Abraham. nor any OF their national Gus
toms not inconsistent with Christianity.
Consent was given 10 bishops serving in
foreign countries to omit from the title
page of the prayerbook the words. 'ac-
cOrdlng 90 the use of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in the United States Of
America and 20 omit similar words in
other parts OF the pTayerbook which are
obviously not applicable to the service
In such foreign countries. After much
discussion an important preamble 10 the
constitution OF the church, proposed by
Rev Dr. Huntington. of New York. and
de esigned 10 further the cause OF Chris
tian unity, was adopted.
An amendment 20 the canons was adopt
ed with great unanimity affirming the
liberty OF the bishops OF the church 10 in
vite Christian ministers Of other COM
munions. on special occasions. to deliver
addresses in Episcopal churches. The i'm
pOrtance OF this lies in the fact that il
is an efficient recognition Of the prophetic
functions Of ministers Of other cOmmu-
Mons.
on the other hand the convention took
negative action on the following meas
urps.
Proposal to establish superior court
to adjudiCate all questions OF doctrine,
said court 20 be composed OF all bishops,
a plan 20 divide the dioceses into prov
inces. seven or eight in number. with a
primate OF archbishop over each. proposal
10 create missionary districts for negroes
within the limits Of other diOceses under
charge Of negro bishops. In other words.
the convention refused to enact racial
legislation.
A proposal to make the law Of mar
riage and divorce more stringent than az
present met with very little favor. and
was laid over. The convention also de-
clined 70 adopt a motion to remove the
articles from the prayer-book.