The Washington herald., 1908-05-02

On Wednesday next the fourteenth an
nual convention of the diocese Of Wash
ington will begin its session in st. Paurs
Church. Twenty-third street, near Wash
ington Circle. Rev. Canon Harding. D. D.,
rector.
The clergy economically resident in the
diocese and holding office are ex-ofhcio
members OF the convention. There is an
equal number OF lay members who are
elected TO membership by the vestries Of
the several parishes. In all, the cOnVen-
tion numbers about 200 members. In GER
tain matters, as. for instance, the cleo
ton Of members to the general conven-
ton, above all in such a matter as the
election Of a bishop. votes are taken by
orders the clergy voting by themselves
ana the laity by themselves. In such
cases there is no election unless a ma
Jortty Of both orders concur.
One Of the first duties of the fortbcom-
ing convention will be the election of q
presiding officer who will be one of the
clerical members, and whose business Il
VIII be 10 appoint the various commit
tees. He also. in his discretion. appoints
the assistant secretary Of the convention.
Rev. Arthur s. Johns. rector of Christ
Church, Navy Yard, is secretary of the
convention, and holds Office until his sue
ceSsor is elected Rev. II. Allen Griffith,
chaplain of the Soldiers Home, and John
Lane Johns are assistant secretaries.
Mr.. William II. Singleton is treasurer of
the convention. he is a member OF st.
Michael and All Angels Church, and a
vestryman Of same.
The three most important elections By
the convention to offices. aside from the
election Of the bishop, which is necessary
the most important Of any which can
ever take place-are those 70 member
ship in the delegation to the general con-
vention, 70 the standing committee Of the
diocese, and to the committee on canons
Last year these clergy and laity went 10
the general convention: Rev. Alfred Hard
ing, D, D., Ven. Archdeacon Williams,
Rev. r. II. MeKim, D. D, Rev Arthur
s. Johns, and Messrs. Arthur S Browne
Charles H. Stanley. William c. Rives, and
Thomas Nelson Page.
At the same convention these were
elected members of the standing COM
mittee: Rev. Alfred Harding D. D., Ven
Archdeacon Williams, Rev. R H McKim.
d. D., Rev. Thomas J. Packard, d. D.,
and Messrs. c. II. Stanley, J. II. Gordon.
and Melville Church.
On the committee Of canons these were
elected: Revs. Alfred Harding, D. D., R.
II. MeRim, d. D., c, 2. Buck, Mr Arthur
s. Browne, and Mr.. c. II. Stanley
There will be no elections this year TO
the general convention, that body not be-
ing in session. But elections to standing
committees and the committee on CanOns
will be held as usual. and probably the
result will be as usual, too. That re-
suit is q singular honor 90 the men thus
chosen, and by common consent they are
worthy For whom we should do this, But
the justice Of giving three or four men
all the work 70 do and letting the others
go scot-free from all burden of response
bility, Is coming more and more to be
questioned Moreover, IL is scarcely Just
TO those who are thus relieved Of the OBJ
legation to be t0ilers for the general good,
since it leaves them subject to the infer
ence that they either are unwilling to
labor for others, or that they have not
the ability 10 render satisfactory service.
OF course. in either case this would be a
great mistake.