Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-09-12
REV. DR.. LOUIS c. WAsHsURN
On eIphIa's Hopes at Portland
conventIon

SOHNSUkIS"
PHILADELPHIA churchmen have keen
L interest in the outcome Of the general
convention of the Episcopal Church, now IN
> session at Portland, Ore. according to the
Rev. DR.. Louis G. Washburn, rector OF
Old Christ Church of this city, one OF the
oldest and perhaps the most distinguished
historically Of the parishes of the united
eve expect far reaching results to come
from the convention in Portland said Dr.
Washburn. eve are In a critical time IN 80
far as the state of the country and, indeed'
of the whole world Is concerned.
1.-THE notable advance attained during the
last trennium is to be accelerated. Inv, Inc
reorganization of the central administration
has fully justified itself. and more OF the
people have given more of their devotion and
means for the extension of the Kingdom OF
God than during any similar preceding
period. The hands Of the Executive Couhcll
viii be steaded and the various departments
will be given substantial impetus. 30 that
churchmen far and near may throw them
selves with yet freer confidence into the
program for making the contribution OF the
Church to the life OF the times more '''a'
and more penetrating.
Some of us locally may be concerned to
have the convention decide to hold the next
session in Philadelphia. Our diocesan con-
vention, held In May, instructed It's dele
gates to present such an invitation. we
shall not be alone in this matter. for other
Eastern cities are competing for the honor
''It has now been forty years since the
deputies assembled in the place where the
formative meetings of the Church IN this
country were held. There would be time
illness in welcoming them in 1925. whetting
their appetites for the Sesqui- centennial OF
| the following year.
"Seyerthcless, it must be admitted that
a local lack which may send the next gem
eral convention to some other city Is tho
absence of q fitting convention hall In Phila-
delphia suitable for such body.
The New Bisl,opric Selection
"Particular interest attaches to the prob
able appointment of new Bishops for the
missionary field and of new officers In the
administration center; Mhile the party
astica groups. yet it seems true to say
that at the present time it counts for less
than in any preceding convention.
"Christian men are everywhere realizing
the great danger we are IN through our
unhappy divisions and are eager to have
all those who confess Gods holy name live
in unity and godly love in order that they
may more effectively leaven human life.
''This underlying subject will call for con-
structive handling, as number OF the re-
ports to be considered will be based upon it:
the Commission of Faith and Order. the
Joint Commission of Christian Unity, those
to whom was referred the so-called Con-
cordat and those who will recommend closer
relations with the Eastern Orthodox
churches.
These and others will give ample op-
portunity for the concrete exposition Of the
significant sentiment Of fraternity which one
OF the bishops has voiced when he declared
that 'one discredts his own religion when
he attacks that of another and honors not
another's religion by indifference to his
own; a conviction which another Bishop
has emphasized by challenging us to substi-
tuto for controversy the habit of private and
corporate prayer for Gods blessing and
guidance on those Christian bodies who are
least in accord with our own predictions.
The Philadelphia Cathedral
"Some of us who are dreaming dreams
about a cathedral in Philadelphia are pro-
foundly concerned to have the action of the
general convention dominated by this spirit
OF apprecative brotherhood. For, as part OF
a law abiding communion, we must be gov
erned in our actions In this project by the
expressed Judgment Of the convention.
There are some who are primarily in
terestcd in the structural aspects of a great
cathedral; and such features unqu estionably
have real Importance. There are others who
are more interested in the development of
the historical traditions and these, too, have
value.
'But in this great American city, rich
with the memories OF the men and move
ments which have revolutionized relation
ships, there is both precedent and obliga-