Evening star., 1916-10-16
RACIAL EP|SCOPATE
FAILS TO COME Up
House of Delegates Of P. E.
Convention at st. Louis
Postpones Proposal. !
BUSY ON HYMNAL REVISION

ST. LOUIS. Mo-. October 16.-Revision
of the church hymnal entailiug the
elimination of the amen" at the con-
clusion of all hymns save those OF di-
rect prayer or praise was recommend
ed to the annual convention Of the
Protestant Episcopal Church today in
the report of the commission on hym-
nal The revised book would contain
$50 hymns instead of 67S, as does the
book now in use. The report says
some of the hymns in the present book
are unnecessary. and recommends the
elimination of more than 200 that sell
dom are used. The addition of 126 new
hymns most of them by American au-
thors. is recommended. 1t is proposed
that hymns be inserted for missions.
service.
1t also is recommended that in hymns
the word Jesus" be substituted for
the old form, "Jesu."
The house of bishops today adopted
resolution for the appointment of a
commission of four bishops, four cler-
gymen and four laymen to conduct a
for the training Of men for social serv
ice work.
The house of deputies voted for the
appointment of a commission of three
laymen to consider the Characterization
of Africa.
The deputies voted to adjourn finally
October IS. This resolution is subject
to approval by the house of bishops.
ST. LOUIS. October 1S-The house of
delegates of the Protestant Episcopal
convention failed to take UP the Ques-
on the calendar, today. but instead
substituted the report of the commits
sion on hymnal revision. The report
on racial episcopate will come up the
latter part of this week.
Regarding the racial episeopate. 1t is
proposed to amend the church constitu-
ton TO authorize the creation OF dto-
ceses of negro churches, presided over
by negro bishops, and removal of negro
parishes from the supervision of the
present white diocesan heads.
The question. one of the most i'm
portant to come before the convention.
has been discussed for a decade, Six
years ago it resulted in the passage OF
an amendment permitting the election
of negro suffragan bishops in the vari-
Gus dioceses.
Church leaders admit wide differ
ence of opinion. 1t is argued that the
creation of negro dioceses would make
more sharp the line of cleavage be-
tween the races. while. on the other
hand. 1t is asserted that such action
would enable the negro to keep more
easily his racial identity. That the
present law Is not effectual Is evinced,
1t is asserted. by the fact that In the
six years since the last amendment no
negro suffragan bishops have been
chosen.
Pension Plan for Clergymen.
Announcement was made that the
house OF bishops the upper body. will
meet with the house of deputies late to-
day to consider a pension plan for clergy
men An effort is now being made in the
church to raise s5.9o0.000 rs a pension
reserve fund. Francis Lynde stetson, a
layman of New York. will preside.
Speaking in the social service forum in
connection with, the convention. today.
Rev. George Craig Stewart OF Evanston.
ILL.,, told Of the need for social service In
suburban parish and urged clergymen
to devote more attention to this phase OF
their work.
Clergymen attending the convention yes.
terday occupied all of the Episcopal
Church pulpits of st. Louis, while mum
in neighboring cities. Scores of persons
were obliged to stand through the serv-
ices at Christ Church Cathedral. where
Rt Rev Charles P. Brent, bishop Of the
Philippines, made what in effect, was a
plea Tor church unity.
Separation of Truth From Truth.
"Heresies and 'isms' began" he said,
with the separation of a truth from
the truth"
Bishop Brent pleaded for loyalty Oh
truth and for a fearless study of any
truth that may not be prevalent in our
own church"
He spoke of the Roman Catholic doc
trine with the invocation of the saints
and the prayers for the dead, and said
that a leading Canadian Methods
Episcopal minister told him that as a
result of the war thousands of Metho-
dists in the Dominion have been pray
ing for the dead, an innovation for that
den ON ination.
1T would do us no harm to study
other creeds, with view to adopting
the things worth while for ourselves"
he added.
Missionaries Hold Meetings.
Yesterday afternoon a missionary
mass meeting was held, at which mis-
sionarie OF the church told Of their
work in various parts of the world.
Last night Bishop H. H. Montgomery,
secretary of the Society for the Propa-
cation of the Gospel of the Church of
England, preached the triennial mis-
sion sermon and told of the work of
his church in the mission field.
Bishop Montgomery suggested that
The American church send a deputation
of bishops, priests, laymen and lay
women to England to aid the church
here in meeting unprecedented prob
lens brought on by the war
D. C. SOLDIER FACES CHARGES.