The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-02
WEDNESDAY,, OCTOBER 2, 1905.
EPISCOPAL GENERAL CONVENTION.

EPISCOPAL GENERAL CONVENTION.
The triennial session of the Episco
pal General ConvenL.on is always an
occasion of national and evan Of inter-
ms tional interest; t. Q session this year
tx signalized by the providential coin
cidence that 1t occurs on Virginia soil,
In the year of our jamestown Tercen-
tenary celebration within a, few miles
of the primal church in which wor-
SHIPPED the first settlers and the
founders Of the republic. The corner
stone Of the Protestant Episcopal
Church Of America and the foun-
dalton OF the American republic
were laid In the same year and by the
same hands. This seeds OF civil and re.
iigious liberty were planted together
In the same soil and by the same
= hands: and by the grace of God they
sprouted together and grew together
as kindred plants, and yielded their
fruit e. session each after Its kind. The
voices which sang the first song Of
liberty on the American continent were
the voices which chanted the "Te
Deum" and the Gloria in Excelsis"
in the first church at Jamestown.
BY wise provision the founders of
our Federal and State governments
drew the limo between church and state,
and ordained that they should be "sel
arate." The Episcopal Church Of
America has not meddled In the af-
fairs of state, and has kept itself we'll
within its own sacred Jurisdiction, but
1t has indirectly played an important
and noble part in the formation Of the
republic and especially In establishing
and intoxicating those sterling prlnci-
pies and rugged virtues that have
characterized and distinguished the
American people and wrought for civic
Righteousness. The Episcopal Church
has contributed generously Of It's men
and Influence to the republic and yet
has committed no act Of trespass
In things spiritual 1t has been as
the temple in Jerusalem, but has
scrupulously rendered unto caesa,
the things that are Caesars. II
has ever been true to Its own creed
and has made no compromises; yet it.
articles OF religion, Its eanons and
ordinances are so broad and liberia
and catholic that there is scarcely
Christian denomination or sect tina
might not find comfortable habitatioI
in its organization.
This catholicity Ia the joy OF tn
Episcopal Church and another 10Y i
here to bear witness that the Wa
Of the Revolution did not separate tn
church of America from the mothe
church in England, and delegates trot
every State in the Union are here I
testify that the bonds OF tho America
church We're not broken even by tn
War Between the States. It Is a nota
BILE record.
The General Convention which as
sembles to-day represents 7,sl
+ parishes and missions. with 1891 Gle,
gymen $4,000 Sunday-school teacher
45l.5li sunday-school pupils. and
great army Of s4s.97e communicate
In which are many veterans who ha,
seen service moro arduous than II
veterans OF many wars.
II represents also the doctrine til,
was delivered to the saints and tt
Christian endeavor and activities
the ages. 1t comes with the prestit
and accumulated spirituality Of min
teen centuries, and It's presence
this community cannot fail to be bo
Q benediction and heneraction.