The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-07
\ Many Important Matters to Come
Up This Week in Both
Houses.
GREAT THANK OFFERING
Contribution Of Men Will Prob
ably Amount to More Than
Million Dollars.
ny TIE 1,i,y. JOHN n. BRowN,i

DYl,rrIE REV. JOHN m. DItOW WV,
Secretary OF the Diocese OF Florida.
Never again can the General Conven-
tion OF the Episcopal Church be assem-
sblcd under exactly the same conditions
that prevail In Richmond. IT was an
Inspiration that led to tho selection OF
this city, and from this meeting mas
been derived an inspiration that Will
live and be felt for many years.
The church In America has at no
time before been brought quite so close
& 10 It's origin as It has been during the
past week; never before has she real
lied quite as much as she does now
the real relationship between herself
and the Church OF England; nor has
she been shown as clearly the connec-
ton between herself and the earliest
ages OF the church.
Past and the Present.
IT Is true that at most of the Cen
cral Conventions there are representa-
tives from the English Church. but
never before have they come under like
or similar circumstances and condl-
lionS.
There is no doubt that those who
visited williamsburg last Saturday
have had impressed on them knowl-
edge and idea which can never be eff
faced, and which thny Will take home
1 with them and use for the welfare of
the great work.
1t was linking OF the past With
the present which pointed out the pos
sibilities. tho hopes. the duties, OF the
future. In everything that has hap
pened we hear voices from the distant
past telling OF Gods power which has
done noble works and points men on
to the great future. TO miss this note
is to miss the whole meaning OF the
great historic events and memories that
have been brought before this General
Convention.
IL has been very fitting that this mis-
sionary note has been SO loudly sound
cd at the very beginning OF the con-
yention, which IS to face the great
negro question, for 1t will probably
have much 10 do with the form the
discussion and final action will take.
To-day begins tho real work OF the
convention. So far nothing has been
done save to prepare for work. To-day.
however, work will be begun with the
consideration OF the report OF the COM
mlttec ON rules of order, which is
made the special order for this morn
ing. being carried over from last week
on vote taken more for the sake of
the principle Involved of not act
ing on what had not yet been
placed clearly before the house. than
for any other reason. This being dis
posed OF. the reports OF committees and
the cons Iteration OF same will be the
order.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
afternoons will be given up to the con-
sidcration and discussion OF missions.
and Saturday the convention will go in
a body by boat to Jamestown Island.
Mems Thank Offering.
There arc two matters of real in
terest and Importance to the General
Convention which are on the program
for this week. On Wednesday, MORN
ing the mems thank Offering is TO be
presented. At the last General Con-
ventIon 1t was decided to commemorate
the three hundredth anniversary of the
church,s life In America by presenting
a thank Offering. and 1t was decided
that this should come from the men
alone.
women of tho church have through
the Woman,s Auxiliary made their
offering which has In that time grown
yearly from $4,000 to the magnificent
sum which they presented last week.
There is absolutely no doubt. as each
successive increase shows, that these
women's interest has been greatly
y aroused and Increased since they be-
gan to mako this triennial Offering.
1t was also hoped that when the men
made their thank Offering they
would likewise become greatly inter-
ested. and having been brought into
real contact with what has been done
in the past, and learning the needs Of
the future. might be led to show their
interest by great efforts. Where the
idea has been carried out in accord
ancc with tho original idea o. the pro-
motors OF the mems thank Offering
an educational campaign has been
organized and carried through. for II
is absolutely Impossible for any man
to be thankful II he is ignorant OF
having received anything to be thank
full for. II, however, such educn-
tional work has been done and men
have been shown the great blessings
which have been derived by them as
members OF the church or as citizens
of the United States from the planting
OF Christianity in a lertca and Gods
care OF the church during three cen.
turtles. they must feel compelled to re.
spond by feeling OF gratitude.
It is hoped that this offering viii
amount to at least million az dol.
lars. It will certainly not miss tina
amount very far, and 1t would be nj
great surprise II it should 90 above
It will not, however, be as large a:
b itAahould be because in. most of til,
d1oceses work was begun on II too late
4 not through any fault OF the secretar.
Of the committee IN charge, 5becaus,
he did his work faithfully and we'll
but because OF either the delay Of tn,
local diocesan or parochtal commit
tees. IA 5s 34 i3
The fund derived Is intended to b,
used for somesp permanent work In til,
church and not to pay current eS