Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1913-10-09
THE EPISCOPAL GENERAL CON
VENTION.
FROM the Baltimore sun. 3

Although not numerically as strong
as some other Protestant bodies in the
United States, the Episcopal Church,
whose General Convention assembled
IA New York holds place of
peculiar dignity and Influence in the
religious life Of TODAY, as it has from
an carly period IN THE country and for
centuries in England. This IL not due
here In any degree. as has been alleg-
cd with respect TO the mother church,
20 the fostering support OF govern
nent or to artificial aids from any
quarter. That it has made so success
ful an appeal 20 the people OF a demo
cratic nation and that 1t has been so
great a power indirectly in public al
fairs, through the many distinguishes
men whom It has nurtured and de-
velUped, ls conclusive proof that 1t
does not need TO lean on any arm and
that il possesses in an unusual degree
The impressive qualities OF strength
9teadfastuess. sincerity and earnestness
that win human admiration and respect
wherever they are exhibited
The Church OF England, and TO a
lesser extent the Episcopal Church IN
the u 1itod States. occupied for gen
crations a peculiar position relative to
other Christian bodies. In England 1t
was the storm centre toward which all
the artillery of the rest of the thco-
logical heavens was directed, the com
mon object of enmity of all religious
extremes. Those who loved each other
not had IN common a very deep and
honest antipathy TO this majestic COM
munion. That IT was not crushed be-
tween the upper and the neither mill
stones of puritanism and Catholicism
speaks volumes for the fundamental
truth of it's creed and for the general
soundncss and vitality of its propa-
ganda. This can be said now from the
viewpoint of the unbiased layman who
sympathizes with the religious progress
of all denominations and who appre-
ciatcs the splendid work of evangelical
ton which is being done in all parts of
the world by all branches Of the Chris
tlan Church. And It IS frankly ad-
mitted today 10y the broad-minded re-
representatives. of all denominations,
whose attitude has changed from that
of hostile criticism to hrotherly CO.
operation. One of the things which
all men have a right TO thank Goo for
Is the greater religious breadth and
charity of this age, the marked decline
of ancient bitterness and the growth
of love and concord among those who
preach peace on earth and good Will
among men. That rs the noblest and
most inspiring influence IN the broad
mindcdness of the day and one which
touches the entire relation of human
life 10 the divine and of the life Of one
man toward another
Because of this altered spirit the
sessions of the General Convention of
this august and influential church will /
be followed with sympathy as well as
with interest by thousands of Chris |
tans who are not members Of it's com
munion We may disagree with some
points IN its declaration of faith; its I
religious style and fashion may not suit /
our tastes or Compartments its meth /
obs may not accord with those which (
we like best, But it's wonderful self. T
restraint and moderation; ITS elevatug
and refining influence upon every form
of civilization with which II is brought
in contact; its moldiug power in the
development Of we'll rounded human
character; the combined majesty and
simplicity of It's ritual, and the almost
inspired beauty OF its liturgy appeal
alike to the reason and 70 the devo-
tional instinct, to the sober judgment
and to the exalted plety of mankind.
No wonder the cavaliers of old Eng
and went forth, as Macaulay puts il.
with fervent love to do battle for
every line in her fubric and every
stitch in her vestments. No wonder
she has survived the patronage of
kings and the weakening support of
he state Protestant or Catholic, we
will all alike agree that it Is noble
hurch which begins its triennial
'ouncil-a church of earnest, edu-
'ated, devoted Christians and gentle
men And there will be few among US
n this day and generation who will not
wish it good luck in the name of the
-oru. and join in the hope expressed
n its prayers that the time may