Evening journal., 1907-11-14
ECHOES OF THE
CONVENTION
Address by Vim. {. Wattrs
OF Smyrna, al the Arch
deaCOnry Meeting

very greatly appreciate the invitation
of the archdeacon OF Wilmington and the
dean OF the Delaware deputation 10 the
convention at Richmond. to be here this
evening. had no idea, however. that
he would be so bold as TO place my name
on his program for am address.
In Philadelphia. the eight deputies were
invited by the Ch1rch club to give ten
minute views OF the doings of the conven-
tion. I supposed this course was TO be
followed here, and I was amazed when
DR. Han sent me the program to speak
Tor the laity. This ! am not able to do
and 1 know you do not expect IT,
The diocesan convention al Georgetown,
in it's desire 20 send strong deputation
to Richmond. was obliged 60 rass over the
ambitious churchmen Ia Kent ard Sussex,
and select it's deputies from Wilmington.
Six out OF eight were elected on the iirst
ballot, and but Tor the magnanimity o.
Mr. Grohe declining. YOU would have had
seven out OF the eight That no mistake
was made by the convention, | think can
be easily shown later.
1 was only an accidental and late hour
deputy, and cannot therefore be expected
to say much about IT, notice thu pro
gram expects echoes from general conven-
tion. We have in our church tower al
Smyrna four very sweet toned bells, and
If one is at certain place when the bel's g
are struck. an echo rs produced but this
echo is an exact reproduction Of the hcll
tone. I hardly believe even DIR. Hall Cou q
produce an "rcho" OF tho convention, and
I presume IL Is meant by this figure ia
give you a personal impression Of the
convention.
Al the outset. you may set me down as
believing a pound of optimism Is hetici
than a ton cr pesslmisn. ] believe more
people Ndo right than do wrong. ] believe
o. ner cent. OF our people are honest.
believe % per cent. even OF our rich pno-
pie are honest. Even though it may b'
hereHy to say Il in these strenuous tavs
I do not believe governments, societA
or the church exist primarily for the pre-
vention of evil. but to promote welfare
and Righteousness by prccept and cN-
ample. ! believe in reveront criticism d
| 81 is constructive, so YOU may know an
not going to emphasize any mistakes oi
omissions if the convention made such
and l. for one. don't believe they did
Imagine over five hundred venerab @
middle aged and young men, clean cu
priests. jurists lawyers, inanciers. bus
ness men of national repute togethc
with a goodly number of plain PEOPLE. {
ycu have picture of the conven ion
You have an heard the story Of ih' ma
elected TO Congress. who kept wonde-'n
how he ever came TO be selected for ta
honor. but when arriving az Washiusto
and seeing the other members, change
MS mind and began wondering how th
other members ever got there. Had thi
man gone to tho general conve uon,
think he would have come away y
| wondering how he ever gut there.
You are all familiar through the secnla
and church papers with the do'nss Of ~
convention Nou have doubtless noticed
| number of criticisms nir, ant reHinisi
| and good. Scme complain that half of tn
| aenuties were new. This seems 30 me
| rood thing. There are always enough o
the experienced TO guide legislation ar 'gh
/ and Furthermore. II does not follow tina