Evening journal., 1919-09-09
BREAK NOT FEARED
BY EPISCOPALIANS
Churchmen Believe A Ii
Questions Will be Ami
cably Settled
CHURCH UNION
IS IMPORTANT

While local clcrgymen OF the Prot
estant Episcopal Church, together with
not a few OF the laymen. are agreed
that the coming trlennlal convention Of
the Episcopal Church, which meets at
Detroit October TO 81. will be one
OF the most important in the history
OF the denpmination, there appears TO
be little credence given the recent
rumors 10 the,effect that some Of the
changes In the church policy that will
be proposed In the various reports, Viii
cause any sort OF break I'm the gem
eral rank and file OF the church. 1t
was lntimated that there would be live
ly discussions on a number Of the mat
ters presented. but that they would all
most likely be settled amicably and
without any serious break or schism.
10 would appear that the most vital
matter 20 be considered at the cOnven-
tion will be the report OF the commits
sion on revision Of the prayer-b0Ok, as
this report will be a yoluminous one
and will deal with many items that are
very dear 10 many Of the church mem
bers. This commission is reported TO
have already offended large numbers
OF churchmen by preparing virtually a
new prayer-boOk In which will be
eliminate Trinity Sunday and the Trim
ity season and Offering as a substitute
the Catholic observance Of Penteeost
II Is agreed that certain changes IN the
prayer-boOk were necessary in order 10
meet the requirements Of the present
day religious srevice, but most Of tho
members Of the church are inclined TO
stand by the present book In preference
to any radical changes.
The administration Of the SS,j00O0O
pension fund win also cause a lively
discussion, and according 10 reports
from various sources, already charges
Of One-man domination, Of unfairness OF
administration have been made I'm con-
nection with this fund, which was
raised under the leadership Of Bishop
Lawrence. Of Massachusetts,, and who Is
chairman Of the commission. 70 is be-
lieved that in view Of the executive and
financial ability Of the venerable
Bishop that the fund Will be wisely
administered. There Is also another
question which the local clergymen be-
lieve has been unduly enlarged Is that
Of a union between the Episcopal and
Congregational churches.
This matter will come up, but Il was
not thought that any definite action
would be taken. This proposed con
cordat' between the two church de-
nominations Will likely cause much dis
cussion that win be Interesting, not
only as a practical approach 10 Prot
estant church union. but also from the
fact that Il has an appealing historical
background. This proposed con
cordat." should It receive the indorse-
ment Of the convention, will bring into
close unity Of effort two religious ele-
ments in national life that were strong
ly antagonistic In the early days of the
nation. the Puritan Of New England and
the Anglican Cavalier Of the South.
Another matter I'm which Delaware
clergymen are reported to be vitally ln1
terested VIII be the abridgement Of the
decalogue. looking to its slmplincation.
This means a revision Of the Ten Com
From what can be learned
the sentiment here Is in favor OF that
change and while no definite action
has ever been taken in the matter by
members OF the local diocese, the ad-
Of rewriting the Commando |
ments in an abridged form has sew
aral times been discussed. This change
Is favored In order that the decalOgue |
may be committed TO memort more /
easily than at present and in order that /
70 may be more easily digested by the |
children Of the various churches. This /
revision. according to reports, will par I
.iculaly affect Commandments ,, 3, :. ). !
} and 10.