Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-21
Episcopal Gatherings.
International Governing Convention May Result
From Meetings in England This Sum-
mer-Loca1 UNCONVENTIONAL News.

with what has resulted from the first con-
! ference of 1867 up TO sths time. notwith-
| standing the admitted greatness of what
| has been accomplished. 1t is. therefore.
| felt that more might have been done and
| better still under other conditions. 1t is
felt in addition that now the time has
come for improved organization The
steady growth and expansion of the
church may be regarded as a reason for
the creation of a definite organization.
No Iody, no matter how respected or
august. meeting onl yfor consultation. can
possibly fulfill the requirements Of a
church so great as this one. it is argued.
and what it therefore appears to need is
a strong central council formed after the
model of the general convention of the
Episcopal Church in America. with a
house of bishops and house of repre-
SentativeS. 1t is suggested that these sit
together as one house in debate, but vote
separately, and that the Archbishop of
Canterbury be ex-officio president.
The objection urged that such a con-
vention would be too large and unwieldy
is answered by the statement that as to
the bishops, the house of bishops of each
national church could elect three or more
of their number only it's representa-
tives. This. too, would mean that the
best would be chosen. 1t would be the
same with the lower house of representa-
tives. There is no doubt. whatever. it
is said, that such a house of selected
bishops and such a house of selected rep
resentatives would form a convention witt
especial capacity for great work. and 1t
would not be at all unwieldy. 1t would
not necessarily be even one-third as large
as the American general convention
which is now causing trouble because Of
its unWieldinesS.
The powers of such convention would
need, it is pointed out. full and earnest
consideration. Provincial and local rights
would have to be carefully safeguarded.
but, doing this, there would still be a
large field for the exercise of its author
lily. Its sphere. it is suggested might
include Jurisdiction over the following
matters:
Missions to the heather. The reports of
the last Lambeth conference touching this
point show that no assembly in the world
could take broader or truer view of the
mission field than such a convention.
The spiritual care of emigrants.
Alterations and additions to the Book
of Common Prayer. In the United States
and Ireland changes have already been
made. The book is a heritage of price
less value in the Episcopal Church, and is
itself regarded one of the bonds of
unity. 1t is urged therefore that in any
future change the church should act as
a whole.
Questions as to marriage and divorce
and remarriage
Matters connected with the extension OF
the episcopate. the formation of provinces
and archbishoprics.
faces WHeTe tHe is particularly
weak made known and strength given by
some united action.
The great and especial needs of the
church in new countries
The relation of primates and metropoli-
tans and of dioceses generally to the see
of Canterbury.
The spiritual needs Of seamen.
The problems of native races.
The promotion of International arbi-
tration to prevent war.
The relation of the Episcopal Church
to other Christian denominations. Pro-
posalS for union. etc. The convention
could be a powerful factor in promoting
union.
The relation of the Episcopal Church
to other comnunions, such as Lutheran
Old Catholic. that in Scandinavia, the
kortic and the Moravian.
The formation of an appellate tribunal
The necessity for court of appeal ex-
perienoe has shown to be very great. A
strong committee of the Lambeth confer
ence in 1897 recommended a tribunal of
reference. but after considera ton by the
conference the resolutions regarding 1t
We're not put.
The convention might take action as to
unbelief and Christian evidences to
social questions. such as intemperance.
impurity and gambling. the opium traffic
and those that are industrial.
Other questions may arise of great ip-
portance that cannot now be foreseen.
1t is also urged that whatever can be
done in consultation and In issuing rec
concentrations by the Lambeth confer
Iional convention.