The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-13

present convention a craftsmanship
school in literally selling" Christian
ity. proves success other dioceses OF
the Episcopais church and other de-
nominations are expected to hold
similar state conferences. Over and
over Sunday it was emphasized both
ty Bishop Wise and the Rev. Robert
w. Patton that it is useless to expect
the church to be strong spiritually II
it is not on a sound business founda-
ton. AS a result Bishop Wise has
followed the example of political con-
ventions and imported a press agent
or publicity man from Kansas City TO
see that the convention is given It's
share Of space in Topeka newspapers
A church publicity bureau which Will
give the clergy pointers on getting
newspaper space despite the war
news IN their home papers is expect
&c to be one result of the conference
on church publicity held this morn
ing. Publicly Agent Brindel is in ac-
ton today.
Doctor Patton Is a Power.
And as personified inspiration
Kansas is most fortunate in having
the electrified presence of the Rev:
Robert w. Patton, D. D., secretary OF
the synod of Sewanee, Tenn, great
power m the church today.
Emerging from series or latter
,ngly successful campaigns in many
of the larger cities of the east and
west, Doctor Patton comes to Topeka
with an unusual inspirational mes
sage. Furthermore, right in the
midst of an outline for campaign
in New York City, Doctor Patton
beard the cali of Kansas-the call of
which all Kansans are proud. He
heard this call and the New YORK
campaign must wait
1t is a privilege for Kansas to be
able to welcome such man. His
magnetic power, his gifted oratory,
his acquaintance with world subjects
and with world problems and dealt in
worldly way will appeal to every
member of the Diocese who is fortu-
nate enough to he able to attend this
greatest of all state conventions.
The complete program was formed
with view of making this convention
a near-week of worthwhile events.
1t is planned to make the statewide
meeting one of interest to every dele
gate. Every branch of church organ
ization, every section of church ad-
every feature of church
is covered. The hours
are so set that there is plenty of time
for fellowship, for an opportunity and
renewal of acquaintanceship and each
delegate is cared for by the members
of the Grace Cathedral parish.
An Awakening in Kansas.
Diocese of Kansas This convention
is an alarm clock of smouldering OPP
portunities The convention appeals
to the men of the church in Kansas,
The women also are here in full force.
Always, the women have been the IN
spiration of the church. The country
is now at war. Christianity rs being
put to a test. 1t is call of the wild
to men in Europe. 1t is a call of the
church to men in Kansas. Man-power
is as necessary in the church as IL IS In
the trenches in France or in the ships
at sea.
There is more behind this conven-
ton than a mere gathering of laymen
and clergy for the purpose OF taking
over matters of interest to the Epls-
copal church. There is behind 1t all
the necessity of deep-thoughted reh-
gious patriotism!
As Bishop Wise says-"We must
conduct a school for statesmen in the
Christian religion.
This convention in Topeka is being
watched by the church all over the
United States. If this mission is a
success 1t will be known as the To
peka Plan" and will be used in all
parts of the country.
Sunday a Big Day.
Sunday marked the opening or the
convention at Grace cathedral. Both
tho morning service and VeSperS were
ola borate affairs, the bishop going 10
his pontifical seat behind the chancel
rail escorted by twenty-eight priests
of the church in full investiture of Of
fee.
At the vesper service Bishop Wise
gave his annual address to the church
members Bishop Wise said that the
principal object of the convention is
10 bring the affairs of the church and
the affairs of the home into closer
relationship and he asserted that thru
this union will come the staunch mo-
raIe which will be necessary before
our armies return home victorious.
Bishop Wise in his address stated
his belief that the church should again
take the place it held in colonial times
that place being the use of the
church as a sort of community house
where all civil problems we're threshed
out and where the people of the COM
munity might meet in common pur-
pose.
At the first conference of the con-
vention in the cathedral Sunday night
DIR. Robert w. Patton, secretary of. the
church province of Sewanee, was the
principal speaker. Doctor Patton
urged that the church be not too
proud to follow the lead of the great
commercial institutions in carrying
Christianity into heather lands where
the dividends are sure to be big. rs
pecially is this true of China" said
Doctor Patton, "for within the next few
years we will either influence China to
choose democracy and Christianity or
China will influence us to our detri-
ment."
The conference will continue until
Thursday night.