The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-02
TF1E CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES
Compiled from History BY DEAN HODGES Of Cambridge
diocese. He was succeeded In 100 by

BISHOP Madison.
The first steps looking to a general
convention wore taken at confer
ence in New York in October. 1874,
when eight States were represented.
This conference had no authority to
lsgislate: but they approved sched-
ule Of fundamental principles" drawn
up by President White, of the Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania. and called Gen
eral Convention to meet In Philadel-
phia September 20. 1875. On that date
ventton met. It was composed largely
Of deputies from Virginia. and Mary
land. there being sixteen clergymen
present. and twenty four laymen. No
land, the church there standing aloof
and inviting the States to attend a
general convention to meet in Connec-
ticut for the purpose Of organizing
to preside. Al committee was appoint
ed to report constitution. a revision
OF the Book OF Common Prayer. and a
plan for obtaining the conservation of
work on Tuesday. On Saturday they
reported n constitution and prayer
book. and on the Following Tuesday
the convention adopted the constitu-
ton. On Wednesday they ordered tho
new prayer book to be printed. Mean
while they had adopted a plan for the
conservation Of bishops. and on Fri
day they adjourned after session Of
ten days. Few Legislative bodies have
accomplished 80 much in such space
of time. Pennsylvania elected White
as bishop. Maryland chose Smith, Grif-
nth was elected by Virginia and Pro-
voost by New York. Smith declined
and Griflth would not undertake the
Journey to England. so White and Pro-
voost went. and on Sunday, February
4. 1887, were consecrated at Lambeth
Palace by the Archbishop Of canter-
T bury, DR.. White taking rank as the
fsrSf hiohn
Fell Upon EVIL Days.
The organization once perfected. the
church fell upon cyl, days I ne, rious
bodies ~ a period q apa,thy, the !, re- re-
ing set in The Tr dsty Keyo ~ tbe
ascendency. Tom Paine and his school
Of atheistlc philosophy were followed:
} ana the churches, were empt,i ea. a sa,t
fell into decay All aenomihaeiGns .hs
dists lost 1000 members. The Gener.
Of sGo eas s Oily Huss
!, bedroem q the rectory ot St. Pa1 u
! ! Church. Baltimore. IN ISL at 4. tn M
: Students held public debates as te
: whether Christianity had been inju-
$ rious or beneficial TO mankind.
!. with the War Of 1912 came the re.
! vfvaI.' The evangelical movement foi.
! lowing the War OF 1872 was felt IN al
:, the churches and nowhere ts Y more
!. Monumental, the First Baptist It's MT, In
: Presbyterian churches We're AL bull
r within few years OF each other II
d the same neighborhood.
: 1t was at this time that the sunday
n school came into use. the Invention O.
Robert Raikes. In England, who IN
:. stltuted system by which present.!
: there were hasn nsv 81
Il taught the Christian religion. 1n Eng
Z land the Church Missionary Society
CHURCH Mas sN hnaaif.indlfrerent and lf-skep
e tical, and finally encircling the GLOBE
l. with its agents. ~
IS "A year later little pand % s.u'
Il dents at Williams College, Massa cn y.
d sets, held prayer meeting IN nv
shadow Of a haystack, and de NO :
n These men compelled the formation O
ii the foremost mission organization Q
J. this country, the American Board O
IS Commissioners for Foreign Missions
= Andover Theological Seminary. wa
" established in that year TOR the train
s, ing OF young ministers
s. In 1873 the General Theological Sem
g, inary was opened In New York. witt
IF two professors and six students. II
ID 1898 the Virginia Theological Seminar.
was founded at Alexandria, Bishop
l. Moore, Of Virginia, being its foster
y, father.
= Development Of West,
!. hs8-1g ~,