Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-09-07
Episcopals in
Annual Convention
at Portland, Ore.


Portland, Ore. Sept. 6-"The church
cannot countenance violent methods,
or an unfair days pay or an unfair
days work, or the breaking OF agree
ments, but it must never lose it's in
terest, nor forget its obligation in
the Masters name, for the multitude
in the hard places Of life" said the
Rt. Rev. Edwin S. Lines d. D., Bishop
of Newark, in his convention sermon
here today at the opening session
of the Alta triennial General Con-
vention of the Episcopal Church in
the United States. The church must
be able to give voice to the aspira-
tons and hopes and desires of this
multitude for something better in
life for themselves and their children.
Out from unspoiled homes are to
come those who shall maintain the
life of the church and the service of
religion.
THE church has stood for charity
and relief and mercy" continued
Bishop Lines. Emphasis must be
put on social justice and fellowship
and the Golden Rule, upon duties
rather than rights. No one can see
the way in which our great cities
have grown up with their homes of
luxury and extravaganza, waste and
selfish comfort at one end, and mean
streets and comfortless houses and
indecent conditions at the other end
of the town, without feeling that it
is semi paganism rather than Chris
tianity.
The church must make it's own
the cause of the unprivileged people,
those who are in hard places in life.
of those upon whom the existing
social and industrial order presses
heavily, while it must stand against
injustice and unfairness on both
sides.
Il wonder not that the world is
in revolt against the old and existing
order, whether it be in society or
industry or in customs and man
ner of living. It is largely a revolt
against suppression and worn out
customs and traditions and it had
to come in a world which was set
ting down under the impression that
money making and selfish prosperity
and pleasure seeking are the main
things in life. 1t is subject for re-
joiclng that an increasing number
of intelligent business men are en-
deavorng in Christian wav to solve
industrial difficulties, seeing the other
mans point of view and giving it
consideration. We will rejoice that
labor is no more thought of as a
mere commodity w right-minded
business men and that human vel
fare is counted more than the value
OF property. and that the remedy for
the worlds ills is recognized az moral
and spiritual rather than economic"
Bishop Lines declared that these
perplexing industrial questions and
contentious cannot be settled without
religion. His sermon, which meas
urably strikes the keynote of the con-
vention which assembled TODAY with
delegates present from all parts of
the world, was strong appeal for the
development of church leadership to
meet presentworld conditions. He
urged that it was the duty of the
church in the fulfillment of its mis-
sion never to rest content with what
has been accomplished, but constant
ly to move forward. He drew vivid
picture Of the events Of the past eight
years. which he spoke of as THE
World in Revolt" and compared with
the spirit Of disintegration and re-
volt which is prevalent through all
history.
1.-THE hope of the church." he de-
clared, lis moving forward out Of the
land of ease and contentment, out of
the land Of prejudice and narrow
vision. The church in action, holding
fast to what is old and we'll settled,
but dealing intelligently with exist
ing conditions and questions, fighting
with unwavering courage against
what is wrong, not spending over
much time upon small questions, but
concentrating upon what is large and
vital. must make its journey and fill
out the mission given by the Master.
In concluding his sermon, Bishop
Lines referred briefly to the subject
Of prohibition. He said in part:
II recognize the right to differences
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