The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1922-09-06
GREAT EPISCOPAL
BODY in SESSION
THOUSANDS OF CHURCHMEN JOIN
IN HOLY COMMUNION IN
PORTLAND CHURCHES

Portland, Ore, CA. .)-Thousands
of Episcopal churchmen from almost
every county in every state in the
United States and also many from
foreign lands, joined in elaborate cele-
brations of the holy communion this
morning in every Episcopal church
and mission in Portland. The servic-
es were held simultaneously at 7:3O
a. M, and marked the opening OF
the fOrty-seventh triennial gathering
of the general convention of the Prot
estant Episcopal church. The con-
vention will be in session here until
September %. Prominent among the
problems which delegates will consid-
er are proposed changes in the Book
of Common Prayer and the adoption
of a program for the next three years.
At the early morning services the
House of Bishops and Deputies cele-
brated communion at Trinity church,
the largest and finest Episcopal
church in Portland, and the delegates
to the triennial meeting of the WO-
mems Auxiliary made their commun-
ion at ST. Stephens Cathedral,
the church at which the bishop of
Oregon worships. Similar celebra-
tions were held at other Episcopal
churches of the city for the delegates
to the conventions of the smaller or
SdnlLdllOhS anu SOClSLlSS VI InS Chul ILL.,
The first great mass meeting Of the
convention assembled at the municip-
al auditorium at 10 o'clock. All dele
gates from outside of Portland were
provided with tickets, so none of the
visitors would fail to obtain a seat.
The service was one of the most spec
tacular and elaborate ever staged In
Portland
The service started when the great
white-robed choir of $50 singers en-
erged from the side rooms of the
building and as they marched down
the main aisle of the auitorium they
sang the inspiring hymns of the
church. They were accompanied by
the modern $4,000 pipe organ which
is a feature of the auditorium.
When tthe singers had filled the
aisles of the building they parted
their ranks, while each member of
the house of bishops passed through
and up to the platform. The bishops,
who were dressed in their full epfsco-
pal robes, were led by the presiding
bishop. The Most Rev. Daniel Syl-
vester Tuttle, D. d., LII. D., of ST.
Louis, was followed by other bishops
in the order of the seniority. When
the bishops had taken their places
the cohir closed its ranks and follow
ed them to the platform.
Morning prayer was then said by
the Rev. Alexander Mann, rector of
the Trinity Episcopal church, Boston,
and president of the house of deputies.
The bible lessons were read by DR..
Henry Anstice of New York Citv, sec
retary of the house of deputies, and
DR.. j. F. Nelson, secretary of the
house of bishops The Rt. Rev. Ed
ward T. Lines, bishop of the diocese
Of arly tha convention
sermon, followed by the benediction
by Bishop Tuttle. Bishop Walter Tay-
lor Gunner of Oregon was master of
ceremonies.
At the conclusion of the celebra-
tion the delegates adjourned to the
basement of the auditorium where
luncheon was served.
During the early afternoon the
house of bishops and the house OF
deputies met for their first sessions,
when preliminary organization work
was done. The first few days will
be devoted principally to organization
and the hearing of reports from var-
ious commissions.
Possibly the outstanding social
event of the convention is set Cor to-
night, when the visiting bishops and
members of their families accompany
ing theim will be entertained at Bish-
opcroft, the Episcopal residence IN
Oregon, by Bishop and Mrs. Sumner.
Those who have been selected to re-
ceive the guests are Bishop Tuttle and
his sister, Mrs Sarah R. White, both
of St. Louis; Bishop and Mrs. Thomas
P. Gailor, of New York City, and Bish-
op and Mrs. Sumner of Oregon
Present indications point to this
convention being the largest in the
history of the church. The housing
committee has the names of 5000 Of
ficial delegates and visitors listed on
it's books, or twice the number which
were registered at the last trienn1al
convention in Detroit, Mich, in 1919
Hundreds of delegates who arrived
early this week have spent the time
as guests of local Episcopallans view
ing the Columbia River Highway and
other scenic points in and about the
city.